Chapter 238
"H-how could you... do this to me..."
"..."
Had Yeon Minha ever shown her sadness like this recently...?
But even for me, this time, I could only feel unjustified frustration. How could I explain something I couldn't even remember?
The main culprit behind this situation, Yeon, had her head deeply bowed and was fidgeting with her innocent fingers. She seemed quite embarrassed for saying it herself...
However, as the situation progressed this far, a slight sense of doubt began to rise within a corner of my chest.
First of all, the girl who suddenly appeared and called me "Dad," now sitting on my lap, swinging her feet. Soo-ah.
This was why I couldn't strongly refute Yeon's words. Although she resembled Yeon in other aspects, the shape of her gaze and the color of her pupils were truly identical to mine.
Regardless of other circumstances, the claim that this child is my daughter... feels undeniably true.
However, the source of my suspicion is not Soo-ah but Yeon, who brought her here.
There were times when I deliberately tried to forget, but Yeon and I had spent most of our childhood practically living attached to each other.
We were deeply affectionate towards each other. We even knew each other's habits and speech patterns inside out.
Even if I didn't want to know, I naturally couldn't help but figure it out. In situations as calm and unhurried as this, it's harder to miss the clues.
And earlier. When Yeon said that Soo-ah was my daughter.
Her attitude and tone undeniably conveyed the truth.
Even when she said she had tried to raise her on her own, or when she said Soo-ah had desperately wanted to meet her dad, it was the same.
That's why it was even more confusing.
If what she said was true... it would mean Yeon really did something to me while I was asleep.
-While you were asleep... secretly... I did it.
However, the subtle change in Yeon's expression when she said that... was more reminiscent of her attitude when telling one of her occasional, absurdly cute lies.
"..."
Even now, it's the same. Just by looking at her right eyebrow trembling slightly, I could tell immediately.
At least... I could be certain her claim of doing it secretly was a lie.
"Daddyyy?"
On my lap, Soo-ah gazed at me intently, as if sensing my complicated feelings.
There was still no sense of unease, distance, or any negative emotions.
But then... what exactly is this child's true identity...?
"I know I've committed a huge, unforgivable mistake against you..."
And as I was lost in thought, Yeon approached me. Her expression was drastically darker than before.
"I know I'm shameless, brazen, selfish, and oblivious to shame..."
Bitterness, loneliness, and repentance. Various emotions swirled chaotically within her golden eyes.
"But still, still..."
Yeon firmly bit her lip. It was her habit when she was in deep agony.
After hesitating and wavering countless times, she finally opened her mouth.
"Without you... I just can't do it anymore..."
"..."
"I'm not asking for immediate forgiveness. I'm not even asking to take a place next to you right away. But still..."
Then, as if she couldn't bear to meet my eyes, she bowed her head deeply.
"Just once... could you give me another chance...?"
"..."
Her trembling voice was filled with desperation and wretchedness.
I think I somewhat understand Yeon's emotions in planning today's event.
Under normal circumstances, such a situation would have never been created in the first place. Naturally, I wouldn't have listened to her plea either.
Knowing my personality, there's no way Yeon wouldn't have figured this out...
"A chance? Stop saying such nonsense."
And before I could respond, it was Yeon Minha, who had barely managed to compose herself, who interjected.
"Baek Seoyeon. Stop clinging and just go away already. You know, don't you? Your chance has already passed."
Yeon Minha gave me a sideways glance. Her gaze carried a slight sense of resentment and regret.
She glanced at Soo-ah in my arms before turning back to Yeon.
"I'll raise your daughter with love. I promise. I swear I'll never treat her differently from other children. Isn't that enough? Isn't it better this way? Don't you think she'd be happier in a harmonious family rather than being in a single-parent one? With a mom, dad, and siblings all together."
"Ugh..."
Yeon, who had been lightly glaring at Yeon Minha, flinched and shook her head.
"...That won't do. Raising a child requires both delicacy and hardship. I can't entrust our Soo-ah to someone who can't even make proper candy..."
"You, how do you know that?!"
And Yeon Minha's face instantly turned red. Candy? What is this sudden talk about...?
Could it be... the one from the Founding Anniversary Festival...?
"Enough. The conversation is over."
The memories flashed through my mind. Yeon Minha gritted her teeth and glared at Yeon as though confronting an opponent.
"Stop clinging and just leave already!! A woman who calls herself Paechun's Successor using such disgraceful methods...! Aren't you ashamed? Huh?"
"Hyun, please, just once... even for the sake of our Soo-ah..."
Various voices were chaotically mixed, slicing through the void. With everyone saying only what they wanted, there was no place for resolution.
"Daddyyy! Pat Soo-ah's head again!"
Now Soo-ah joined in. Stretching her arms high, Soo-ah squealed with delight as a leaf momentarily fluttered onto the bridge of her nose.
"Hoo, huuuh..."
A leaf that had been carried by the breeze brushed her tender skin. Soo-ah lightly shivered as if tickled.
Then, as if she couldn't hold it in any longer, a cute sneeze burst out.
"Heh, Heh, Hatchoo!"
Swish!
And then, the change was noticed in an instant.
"Huh...?"
What I suddenly felt under my palm was the sensation of some fluffy fur. It was a texture that couldn't possibly come from human hair.
I suddenly looked down. My palm that had been stroking Soo-ah's hair.
And below it, visible was something far too alien to be on a human's head.
"Cat... ears...?"
***
"Hah, I knew it."
And in an instant, the tide had completely turned.
Yeon Minha was expressing her dissatisfaction in full voice, but her face radiated satisfaction and comfort instead.
"Huuuuh..."
On the other hand, Yeon... was bowing her head deeply, her face flushed as if she couldn't be more humiliated.
"E-even I haven't done it yet... I knew it... I absolutely knew it..."
Yeon Minha's confident relief was a bit annoying. If this was going to happen, why did she give me such resentful looks earlier...
But isn't it fascinating? Even after hearing such things just now...
Is there something more important...?
"Hiiiing..."
Then came the weak cry of a small, fragile being.
"I-it's been found out... Soo-ah... was hiding her ears well..."
Soo-ah's eyes were brimming with tears. Between her drooping hair, two fluffy animal ears could still be seen.
Soo-ah clung to my leg like a sloth. Then she looked up, pleadingly.
"Daddyyy... will you hate Soo-ah...?"
"..."
Hearing her desperate voice stirred a mix of emotions. It felt even more so as if she were a fusion of Yeon and me...
"...No."
Thanks to that, I quickly collected my thoughts. Though my head hurt like a pounding headache... at least it wasn't this child's fault.
"Why would I hate you?"
"Even though Soo-ah has ears... you won't hate me...?"
"Hate you? No way. They're soft, and I like them."
"Really?!"
As I gently stroked her hair, Soo-ah beamed like nothing had happened, her face lighting up in delight.
"Hehe! Daddy, I love you!!"
"But you must keep it a secret from others. Got it?"
"Yes! Secret! Promise!"
And right after Soo-ah vigorously nodded her head.
The fluffy texture of the animal ears I clearly felt earlier seemed to dissolve—and in an instant, they transformed into hair, disappearing as if nothing had happened.
It was an unbelievable sight, one that left me speechless.
"So..."
Stroking Soo-ah, who clung to me while enjoying the warmth, I asked Yeon, who still couldn't lift her head.
"Are you saying... Soo-ah is Ddangkong?"
"...Yes."
And Yeon slightly nodded her head.
Ddangkong. A cat with fur mixed in amber and cream colors, and an unusually small frame.
Since Yeon took in the collapsed Ddangkong from the street, we had spent almost all our time together.
I thought we had lost Ddangkong forever after that incident, but we unexpectedly reunited at the Cradle in a joyous encounter I never anticipated.
The Ddangkong I reunited with looked exactly the same as before. I was curious about her current situation since she hadn't shown herself to me recently.
But... I never could've imagined that cat would transform into a human like this.
"So..."
According to Yeon, Ddangkong suddenly transformed into a human around two years ago—some time after the tragedy struck the village.
Naturally, Yeon said she couldn't guess her true identity at all. Of course, who could?
At first, she was extremely cautious, but seeing how Ddangkong followed her around, her heart eventually softened.
And thinking of her as one of the few connections left with me, she gave her a name and secretly raised her as her daughter.
"She's not good at hiding her ears... so she couldn't be seen by others. I only recently succeeded in helping hide them, so I brought her out like this..."
The more I listened, the more astonished I became.
This world is overflowing with all sorts of mutant demon beasts affected by the flow of particles.
Among them, there are those with high intelligence, and even some capable of mimicking human forms.
However, I've never heard of a cat demon beast transforming into a human—not even at the Northeastern Region's outpost, rife with all kinds of sorcery and superstition due to its proximity to the demons.
"..."
Demon beasts with high intelligence, those capable of mimicking humans, or those possessing both abilities simultaneously.
In other words, beings capable of bringing significant harm to us.
And humanity's stance toward such creatures is clear.
Immediately contact the Purification Unit, then either incinerate or preserve them as research subjects. There are no other options.
But...
"Hehe... Daddy, I love you~"
I immediately understood why Yeon couldn't take such measures.
No matter how I looked at it... she was just an innocent and adorable creature.
Even resembling both me and Yeon.
"Ddangkong... no, Soo-ah."
"Hmm?"
After much thought, I asked Soo-ah. It was to grasp even the slightest clue about her true identity.
"Do you happen to remember when you met Mommy and Daddy?"
"When we first met...?"
"Yes."
"Umm..."
Soo-ah grabbed her hair and fell into deep thought.
"Soo-ah woke up in Mommy's arms. I was so hungry... but Daddy and Mommy gave me something delicious..."
Memories of feeding blood to the skinny kitten vividly came back. Half of Yeon's blood, and half of mine.
I thought she wouldn't survive, but somehow, she appeared alive and well the next day.
Does Soo-ah also remember that incident...?
"And then, and then... Ah!"
Soo-ah, who had been clutching her head in agony, suddenly brightened as if she'd remembered something. She turned to me and shouted loudly as if asking for praise.
"Daddy took Soo-ah's thing!"
"What...? What did I take...?"
"Here, here!"
I picked up the bouncing Soo-ah. Then she pointed her finger and poked a spot on my chest.
And with an innocent smile, she said.
"It's okay. Daddy can have it. Soo-ah loves Daddy... hehe...!"
"Took...?"
"What...?"
Yeon and Yeon Minha also looked puzzled by Soo-ah's words. I couldn't figure out anything either.
The spot Soo-ah poked wasn't particularly special. It wasn't near any vital organ or anything significant.
A small area next to the heart. It was simply the place I had consciously shaped to store my divine power when not in use...
"Huh...?"
And I froze in place.
A violently pounding heart. Blood surging fiercely as if tearing through every blood vessel in my body. A sudden jolt of electricity coursed through my nerves.
Slowly but surely, the moment of realization came upon me.
"No way...!"
"Kyahaha! This is fun!"
I lifted Soo-ah once again. She beamed with a radiant smile, flapping her arms like a bird, fully engrossed in pretending to fly.