Her mother who gave birth to her passed away when she was too young to even remember. Her grandfather was just stern and frightening.
She had no friends. People were either intimidated by the name she carried, admired her, or tried to use her.
The smart girl keenly grasped her surroundings better than anyone.
Everyone treated her not as Jin Yeon-hwa, but as Jin Yong-seok’s granddaughter.
In her world, there was only one person she could rely on and trust.
“Yeon-hwa!”
“Dad!”
Jin Yeon-hwa threw herself into Jin Kang-hoon’s arms.
Just the fact that he, who was always so busy it was hard to even see his face properly, had come to visit made Jin Yeon-hwa’s mood soar to the skies.
“Have you been well?”
“Yes! How about you, Dad?”
At that question, Jin Kang-hoon’s face wavered. The young Jin Yeon-hwa didn’t notice the dark shadow that briefly fell over his face. The child was just happy to be in the arms of her beloved father.
“I’ve been helping Grandfather with work.”
“I hate Grandfather. He always takes you away. Leaving me out.”
At Jin Yeon-hwa’s grumbling, Jin Kang-hoon smiled bitterly and said:
“It’s because Dad is lacking a lot. Because I’m so lacking, Grandfather is just worried.”
At those words, Jin Yeon-hwa puffed out her cheeks. Though she was young, she already knew that Jin Yong-seok wasn’t ‘worried’ about Jin Kang-hoon.
Jin Yong-seok ruthlessly drove Jin Kang-hoon. He never hugged him saying he loved him, nor did he offer a single warm word.
She had even thought at times that maybe Grandfather actually hated Dad. Though Jin Kang-hoon vehemently denied it.
“Once this job is over, things will get better.”
At those words, Jin Yeon-hwa narrowed her eyes. It wasn’t the first time Jin Kang-hoon had said something like this.
As if noticing Jin Yeon-hwa’s suspicion, Jin Kang-hoon added with a smile:
“No, this time it’s for real.”
“When will you come back?”
“Just wait one week.”
Jin Kang-hoon held out his pinky to Jin Yeon-hwa and said:
“Promise.”
Despite promising like that.
Jin Kang-hoon didn’t return even after a week had passed and much more time went by. At first, Jin Yeon-hwa waited patiently for Jin Kang-hoon, but after a month passed, she simply couldn’t bear it anymore.
Three months after Jin Kang-hoon went missing.
“Grandfather.”
Jin Yeon-hwa sought out her grandfather, Jin Yong-seok.
“Where is Dad?”
At that question, Jin Yong-seok frowned. He was quite displeased that she spoke only the main point without preamble.
“Is that all you have to say when seeing your grandfather’s face after months? Not even a greeting.”
“I’m asking where Dad is.”
“You mean your lacking father?”
“My Dad is not lacking.”
Even in front of the hunter called the strongest in Korea, Jin Yeon-hwa wasn’t intimidated at all. Jin Yeon-hwa stood proudly before Jin Yong-seok, to an unbelievable degree for a mere ten-year-old child who hadn’t awakened any talents.
Jin Yong-seok looked at Jin Yeon-hwa and said:
“No, your father was originally lacking. Now he’s become truly lacking.”
At those words, Jin Yeon-hwa frowned.
“What do you mean by that?”
Her heart started pounding wildly, wondering if something had happened to prevent Dad from visiting all this time.
“I never liked him from the start, but now that guy is completely ruined.”
An ominous feeling spread at those words. What on earth could have happened?
“I need to see him in person.”
“I won’t stop you, but you’d better steel yourself.”
Despite those words, Jin Yeon-hwa ignored Jin Yong-seok and opened the locked door.
Seeing the familiar back, Jin Yeon-hwa’s lips trembled.
“Dad?”
The father she met after months had changed in many ways.
“Hehehe.”
At that foolish laughter, Jin Yeon-hwa froze in place.
“He-ey, it’s Yeon-hwa-a!”
Jin Kang-hoon ran over and hugged Yeon-hwa.
What is this? The drawling speech like a child and the foolish expression. This wasn’t the Jin Kang-hoon she knew.
Where had her cool and caring dad gone, and where did this dimwit come from?
It gave her goosebumps.
“Get away!”
Jin Yeon-hwa pushed Jin Kang-hoon away. Though it was a child’s strength, Jin Kang-hoon tumbled backwards at Jin Yeon-hwa’s gesture. Tears instantly welled up in Jin Kang-hoon’s eyes as he looked at Jin Yeon-hwa.
“S-sorry. Sorry, I’m sorry-y.”
At the sight of Jin Kang-hoon crying like a child, Jin Yeon-hwa stepped back. This isn’t my dad. I need to ask Grandfather again where he put my real dad.
Just as she was about to leave this room, leaving Jin Kang-hoon behind.
“Yeon-hwa, sorry, I’m sorry-y.”
At those words, Jin Yeon-hwa’s steps came to a halt. Jin Yeon-hwa clenched her fists and turned her head back.
“Is it really you, Dad?”
Jin Yeon-hwa carefully approached Jin Kang-hoon. At first she thought he was a monster imitating her father, but that wasn’t it. Looking closely, it really was her father Jin Kang-hoon.
“Why, why are you like this?”
“That guy has become an idiot.”
The answer came from Jin Yong-seok standing behind.
“It seems his brain got fried from overusing his abilities.”
“What?”
Did he end up like this after going to conquer a Gate?
“What kind of Gate was it?”
“I don’t know, he was fine until after finishing the Gate, but he became like that after the party ended. He was only this caliber of a vessel to begin with.”
Jin Yong-seok was as merciless as ever. There was no sense of regret that his son had ended up like this. It was closer to annoyance that something he had invested effort in was ruined.
Jin Yeon-hwa glared at Jin Yong-seok and clenched her fists.
“Dad is sorry for becoming an idiot-t.”
Looking at Jin Kang-hoon who was holding her hand and crying like that, Jin Yeon-hwa bit her lip. It wasn’t Jin Kang-hoon’s fault that he ended up like this. Even becoming this foolish.
“Dad doesn’t need to be sorry. This isn’t Dad’s fault. I’ll protect Dad.”
Jin Yong-seok turned his back on Jin Kang-hoon. Even though he ended up like this after recklessly going to conquer a Gate on his orders. Jin Yeon-hwa knew what kind of person Jin Yong-seok was.
“I’ll do whatever Grandfather says. In exchange, leave Dad alone as he is.”
At those insolent words, Jin Yong-seok nodded with a smile. Unlike her weak father, Jin Yeon-hwa was indeed a proper gem.
“Alright, if you properly do your part, I’ll take proper care of your father. I’ll even find a way for him to return to normal. But if you disappoint me too, there’s nothing.”
From that day on, Jin Yeon-hwa’s life completely changed. Unlike before, every day was a struggle in itself.
Whether you become an awakener or not, you must become the best. Jin Yeon-hwa had to spend every day trapped in a schedule without a single gap.
But there was a time that even Jin Yong-seok couldn’t touch.
One hour every day. Jin Yeon-hwa headed to the room where Jin Kang-hoon was.
“Dad!”
“Oh! Yeon-hwa!”
Jin Kang-hoon, who had been watching TV, got up and hugged Yeon-hwa. Jin Yeon-hwa shifted her gaze to the TV. An animation that only little kids would watch was playing.
“Is that fun?”
“Yeah.”
Jin Yeon-hwa smiled slightly at Jin Kang-hoon blushing and saying that.
“What shall we play today?”
Toys she hadn’t played with even when she was young, and fairy tale books she had put away for being too childish, but when with Jin Kang-hoon, they were more fun than anything.
Jin Kang-hoon was considerate of Jin Yeon-hwa no matter what they did. Even though he had become like a child, he didn’t forget that Jin Yeon-hwa was his daughter and cherished her dearly.
Jin Yeon-hwa, who had been quietly looking at Jin Kang-hoon, asked:
“Don’t you hate Grandfather?”
At those words, Jin Kang-hoon quietly looked at Jin Yeon-hwa’s face. At times like this, Dad was just like the Dad from before, so Jin Yeon-hwa couldn’t take her eyes off his face.
Jin Kang-hoon smiled brightly and held Jin Yeon-hwa’s hand, saying:
“Dad, your Grandfather isn’t wrong. It’s because, because Dad is lacking.”
Even in his foolish way of speaking, Jin Kang-hoon earnestly defended Jin Yong-seok.
Each time, Jin Yeon-hwa covered Jin Kang-hoon’s mouth with an upset heart.
“Just eat.”
“Okay!”
Jin Yeon-hwa didn’t find her childlike father all that bad.
Being able to see every day the face that used to be hard to see even once every few days, and him always honestly expressing his feelings.
“Yeon-hwa, Dad loves you so much. I’m sorry for becoming like this.”
“I told you not to be sorry.”
“Even though Dad became an idiot?”
“Dad isn’t an idiot.”
“But still, Dad can’t do anything for Yeon-hwa as a father, and I’m just a hindrance like this.”
“Did Grandfather say something again?”
“No-o. It’s nothing.”
Jin Kang-hoon desperately tried to change the subject, but Jin Yeon-hwa already knew. How Jin Yong-seok thought of Jin Kang-hoon. How the people around here treated him too.
Jin Yong-seok steadily erased Jin Kang-hoon’s name. He needed recuperation due to an injury from the Gate that had worsened without realizing. That was the official excuse given.
Jin Yong-seok hid Jin Kang-hoon from the world. Because he thought it was too embarrassing to show him outside when he had changed to be like a child.
‘I can’t trust Grandfather.’
Though they were family, Jin Yeon-hwa knew what kind of person Jin Yong-seok was.
Unlike some, Jin Yeon-hwa resembled Jin Yong-seok more than anyone, rather than inheriting Jin Kang-hoon’s kind nature. That’s why she couldn’t feel at ease.
‘I need to gain more power.’
But there was a limit to what she could do as a mere eleven-year-old ordinary person who hadn’t even awakened her talent. For now, the best she could do was keep her head down and follow Jin Yong-seok’s words.
‘Time is on my side.’
Unlike her who would gradually become stronger, Jin Yong-seok would grow older day by day. Someday when Jin Yong-seok becomes weaker than her, she would take Dad and leave this damn house.
How naive a thought that was.
It was when she entered Jin Kang-hoon’s room as usual. Jin Yeon-hwa had to face the shadow swaying before her eyes. Looking at the body swaying in the wind flowing in from the open window, Jin Yeon-hwa’s eyes widened.
Jin Yeon-hwa simply couldn’t believe the sight before her eyes.
“Why?”
With trembling hands, Jin Yeon-hwa grabbed Jin Kang-hoon’s body. Clutching the cold, stiff body, Jin Yeon-hwa cried out:
“How could this happen!”
The servants who arrived belatedly pulled her away. Jin Yeon-hwa resisted with all her might, but with her small body she couldn’t shake them off.
When she opened her eyes, the person before her was her ‘Grandfather’. Jin Yeon-hwa immediately bared her teeth.
“It was you, wasn’t it? You made Dad like this?”
Jin Yeon-hwa looked at Jin Yong-seok and said.
“You have no words you can’t say to your grandfather, do you?”
“Dad would never make such a choice. Why? Because I’m here. Because he loves me!”
Though he had become a fool who knew nothing, Jin Kang-hoon still loved Jin Yeon-hwa. He wouldn’t have chosen to die in this world leaving her behind. Not without someone’s interference.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but it wasn’t me.”
Lies.
Grandfather always hated Dad.
You wanted him gone ever since he became like that, right? You wanted to get rid of him.
If you had just let him live, then I would have done as you wished.
Jin Yeon-hwa clenched her fists.
She suppressed the urge to rush at Jin Yong-seok and scream right away.
To get revenge on Jin Yong-seok who caused her father’s death, she had to suppress these emotions now.
She was nothing. Just an eleven-year-old girl. Jin Yong-seok was someone she could not do anything against.
So endure, endure and endure more.
Remember this feeling now, but don’t let it explode.
The moment I make an enemy of Jin Yong-seok, I’ll be the one to die. Because that person has no affection for his own blood.
In just the time it took to take a few breaths, Jin Yeon-hwa was able to sweep all her emotions inside.
Seeing this, Jin Yong-seok smiled. And so the grandfather and granddaughter who resembled each other more than anyone looked at each other and smiled.
“Then help me.”
“With what?”
“Finding who made my Dad die.”
“Alright.”
Jin Yong-seok said in a low voice.
“I too am truly curious who made my son like that.”
* * *
“You know, people in the world don’t care what I look like. Whether I act like a child or whatever. They can’t say anything to me of Sirius!”
Jin Yeon-hwa whispered to Jin Yong-seok.
“You were just embarrassed, weren’t you? That a foolish dad would be revealed to the world. So you killed him?”
Jin Yeon-hwa looked at Jin Yong-seok’s face and smirked.
“Hold on tight to your lifeline. Until I strangle your neck myself.”
Jin Yeon-hwa, who imitated her father’s way of speaking from her memories, cackled and put on her glasses.
As time passed, Jin Yong-seok’s heart changed, gradually losing its value like Polaris.
Jin Yeon-hwa simply couldn’t see as family a man who eliminated even his own family to protect something fleeting.
On the day Sirius becomes the brightest star in this night sky, Jin Yeon-hwa planned to erase Polaris from her world.
* * *
Looking at the brightest shining star in the night sky, Seol Rok-jin tilted his head.
Again.
His plan had gone awry.
“Hmm.”
Even though he sent villains from the Top, and even left Lee Hye-won as a second card.
Despite all that, it failed.
It was regrettable that the connection with Lee Hye-won was cut off too. Well, if she had been alive, Yoo Seon-je wouldn’t have been able to return alive, so it was natural.
Of course, Sirius took quite a blow from this incident. An active 7-Circle hero died, and the rest of the hunters who could be called Sirius’s first-string team were completely wiped out.
Only four supporters, including Yoo Seon-je, managed to return alive.
However, the gate attack was a ‘success’. Yoo Seon-je, who was Seol Rok-jin’s target, also survived.
Much to the disappointment of Seol Rok-jin, who had hoped to completely break Sirius’s spirit with this incident.
“They’re holding up well.”
When he had reduced Jin Kang-hoon to that state before, Seol Ro-kjin thought that Polaris would collapse entirely.
But both then and now, Polaris, no, Sirius, though staggering precariously, stubbornly held its ground.
He remembered the voice of someone who had shouted at him, asking if he thought things would go his way.
“As promised, I didn’t touch your daughter.”
Looking at the brightest star in the night sky, Seol Rok-jin smiled.
“It would have been nice if it had been properly damaged before shining even brighter.”
Unfortunately for you. Seol Rok-jin slowly opened his mouth, gazing at the sky.
“Bringing down someone who thinks they’re the brightest star, it just seems too fun, you know.”