The energy bursts out in all directions, hitting the walls of the counseling room. The wind that rushes towards me flips my bangs back.
I met her gaze without a blink, faintly smiling.
[Zahwa-yeon]
[Main Stance]
[I find it quite confusing. I don’t think Jwa-oh-bub would… think that way.]
[Appropriate Response] [Satisfaction Appropriateness 90%]
[Plant the seeds of distrust.]
The coldness emanating from Zahwa-yeon still makes my nape tingle. Her demeanor remains sharp, but strangely, I no longer feel the same fear as at the beginning.
It wasn’t the threat of a predator.
It felt more like the sensation of a prey, a hedgehog puffing up its quills. Zahwa-yeon pressed me with a low voice, as if forcibly suppressing her emotions.
“Explain it.”
If I were to say something, as a mere counselor, I need not directly define her enemy.
The most solid fortress always crumbles from within.
Gradually, I would make her recognize that enemy directly.
Creating merely small cracks and gaps in her perception would be enough. I paused briefly as if choosing my words and then spoke.
“It’s as you see.”
To make her reconsider by isolating her from Jwa-oh-bub.
“This is the document that your subordinate, Geumgang, showed me.”
“!”
When Geumgang was mentioned, Zahwa-yeon’s eyes shook once more. I added without giving her time to think.
I refrained from using the term “protector”—she might have averse feelings concerning that word.
“Your subordinate… wanted my confirmation as an expert on whether this diagnosis is truly correct.”
From the moment she entered the counseling room, Zahwa-yeon seemed uneasy. It’s highly likely that Geumgang, her subordinate, had forcefully brought her here with both loyalty and concern.
Despite not wanting to come at all, Zahwa-yeon followed him here. This implies that she trusts Geumgang at least as much as she does Jwa-oh-bub, if not more.
Now, I leave the judgment to her.
By placing the two she trusted at opposite ends.
I completely drew her out of her safe and familiar ring, outside of the ring.
This isn’t the divisive manipulation thrown by a dubious counselor.
She cannot deny the name written on this diagnosis. She will have memories of going to the clinic with him. At the same time, she cannot deny the doubts held by her loyal subordinate.
This is my way.
Finding the answer by herself is now her responsibility. Zahwa-yeon slightly closed her eyes and then straightened to look at me.
“Counselor.”
“Yes, Lady Cheonma.”
“I have realized one thing since coming to this realm… no, this world.”
I silently nodded, focusing on her words.
“Strongest supreme (强者至尊) and survival of the fittest (弱肉强食). That was the only law in my homeland. If suspicious, just cut them down; if displeased, just smash it. Everything was simple and clear.”
There was a self-deprecating smile mixed in her voice.
“However, it is different here. To be honest… I was scared at first.”
I responded slowly, nodding along with her confession. Gradually, she began to reveal her true feelings.
It’s a good sign.
All counseling starts with the patient opening up their truth.
“The strong here fight not just with swords, but also with their tongues. My lacking ability often dulled in front of their cunning rhetoric and rules. I’ve struggled more than a couple of times.”
I can sense how much Zahwa-yeon has endured and suffered until now.
“Ultimately, I realized that my experiences… are somewhat lacking to survive in this strange world.”
“So, perhaps I relied too much on those around me. I believed they would solve everything for me. In doing so, perhaps I’ve dulled my senses.”
Her voice grew quieter.
“But…”
Zahwa-yeon’s eyes, looking at me, trembled precariously. The solid mask of the supreme is peeling away, revealing her anxious bare face.
“I still… don’t quite understand. Really… Jwa-oh-bub…”
The killing aura that had pressed down on me moments ago vanished into thin air.
Now, she appeared more aligned with her age. A twenty-year-old woman, terrified alone in a new world, lost in the uncomfortable truth she didn’t want to believe.
This was the true appearance of Cheonma, Zahwa-yeon, that I first encountered.
It’s not hard to be a source of strength for a wandering patient. It’s about giving support and gently pushing their back.
I silently stood up from my seat and prepared a warm cup of tea for her without a sound. The sound of tea being poured filled the silence of the counseling room.
I carefully placed the steaming cup in front of Zahwa-yeon.
I sat back down opposite her and spoke softly.
“In the western region of this world, there is a book called ‘The Prince.’ It’s said to be a book that one must read to become an excellent ruler.”
Zahwa-yeon’s gaze turned towards me.
“The book contains words that say, the one who stands at the highest place cannot fully trust anyone. Sometimes, even those closest to them should be suspected. To protect oneself, one must become an object of fear rather than a recipient of love.”
Does such content exist?
Well, who knows.
Such details don’t really matter.
However, my words define and provide answers to the confusion and agony she is currently experiencing.
‘It’s not your fault. It’s merely a natural trial of being a ruler.’
A sweet absolution.
“No one can become an excellent ruler from the beginning. It’s simply a matter of filling in for lacking experiences.”
I looked directly into her eyes. Then, I took a piece of brownie I had just gotten and slowly pushed it between her lips.
She did not resist.
Instead, with vacant eyes, she quietly accepted it like a child.
Looking into her eyes, I quietly spoke.
“However… if war cannot be avoided, it might be advantageous to start it sooner.”
This much was definitely in the contents of ‘The Prince.’
“……”
Zahwa-yeon quietly closed her eyes and chewed on the brownie.
I didn’t miss her subtle changes. The firmly closed eyelids quivered slightly, and her fingers holding the teacup moved ever so slightly.
Now, only two choices remain for her.
To acknowledge the betrayal of that being, who is like a mentor to her, Jwa-oh-bub.
Or to doubt the loyalty of her steadfast protector, Geumgang.
I hope that the bitter choice will be aided by the sweet treat.
How much time has passed? Finally, Zahwa-yeon opened her mouth.
“It’s… good.”
With those words, she opened her eyes.
The trembling gaze that had been precariously wavering just a moment ago was nowhere to be seen. The emotions settled in her gaze were sharper than before.
“Counselor.”
“Yes, Lady Cheonma.”
“What should I do?”
She slightly lifted the corners of her mouth, asking me with a languid smile.
Instead of answering her question directly, I tapped my fingertips on the table. My gaze was directed not at her face, but into the void beyond.
“……”
Indeed, she has already decided on her answer.
I didn’t bother looking at the satisfaction response.
After all, I have only one thing to say.
It’s merely to push her, saying that the answer is correct.
I shifted my gaze from the void back to her and met her eyes.
“As you wish.”
And, I answered with the same faint smile she wore.
At that moment, Zahwa-yeon’s mouth curled into a deeper smile.
“… it’s truly mysterious. It feels like you can see right through me.”
I merely responded with a smile instead of answering.
After leaving those words behind, she silently stood up and looked down at me.
“Counselor.”
“Yes, Lady Cheonma.”
“My name is Zahwa-yeon. Remember… that.”
Without waiting for my response, she turned her back to me.
Who would have thought she’d share her name, once a killer? It was quite an emotional moment.
“I’ll see you next time.”
With that, Zahwa-yeon opened the door without a moment’s hesitation.
– Click.
With the sound of the door closing, silence returned to the counseling room.
“Wow…”
The first guest had concluded.
“That was intense.”
And so it ended.
***
Zahwa-yeon and Geumgang left the counselor’s office.
I leaned back in my chair, stretching my stiff neck.
I should get up soon. I had a lunch appointment.
But then.
The door of the counseling office, which had been closed, opened slightly and quietly.
Through the gap, a playful golden-eyed figure peeked in.
When our eyes met, she whispered softly.
“… Is it over?!”
I chuckled and replied.
“Quite the timing.”
At that, she opened the door wide and walked in.
With a mischievous smile and sparkling golden eyes.
A former colleague, no, now an ex-colleague. S-Class Hunter, Jin Sea-ah.
“Wasn’t the first guest super scary? That person is Cheonma, you know.”
I asked unconcernedly, “Do you know her?”
“Yeah, I do. She’s famous! What’s she like in person?”
Seems she is indeed famous.
“What’s there to say.”
I had no particular feelings.
The first impression was far too intense.
With a woman who made a crater the size of a human head on the table, I wondered if I had the luxury to care about her appearance…
At my indifferent reaction, Jin Sea-ah laughed softly.
“But seriously, what is Wi Jae-wan thinking?”
The first guest had been introduced by Wi Jae-wan. He had mentioned bringing in a big-name client.
What a crazy guy.
“I’m thinking of reporting it to the police.”
“Ha ha.”
Jin Sea-ah laughed, and then, filled with curiosity, asked.
“So… how was the counseling?”
“It’s a secret.”
Patient information is confidential. No matter who it concerns.
“… Really?”
Then, she tilted her head and shrugged.
“Well, I hope she gets better anyway.”
Thinking of Zahwa-yeon’s last state I had seen earlier.
[Zahwa-yeon]
[Main Stance]
[She demands certainty about her resolution.]
In the first place, what she needed wasn’t healing.
Well… probably.
“She will be fine.”
Things will get better.
