A peaceful morning.
The outside is filled with people commuting to work, but my consulting room is as quiet as a different world.
It’s so peaceful that I don’t know what to do with myself.
I lightly tapped the empty morning schedule with my finger, devoid of meaning. As expected, there were no personal counseling appointments at all.
I understand it. As I said yesterday, it can’t be easy to come this far. Of course, this tranquility is short-lived, as it will change by the end of this week, so I try to accept it positively.
After a brief break, I resumed my work.
“What is the most important virtue of a mental counselor?”
Empathy? Insight? That might be true, but fundamentally, it’s not.
It’s aftercare. Generally, a patient who enters the counseling room has more than a 90% chance of returning.
That was also true at Hantae.
I was a good listener, and many colleagues returned after listening to my advice.
The counselor bears full responsibility for the patient during that visit.
I believe it’s the same for Jahwa-yeon.
She didn’t appear to have any mental illness, but she wouldn’t come here solely for that. She will likely return sometime next week or within this week.
“Shall we take a look…?”
Just because the session is over doesn’t mean my job is done.
Preparation for the next counseling session. Gathering information is a priority.
To uncover the inner thoughts of ordinary people, I must rely solely on their words.
But hunters are different.
Hunters are already public figures and more gossip-worthy than celebrities. Internet communities, fan cafes, and even papers analyzing their battle videos.
Information about them could be easily acquired if I wanted it.
I typed something into the search bar.
[Hunter Gallery]
The Earth where I once was. I remember that the treatment of communities in “Entropy Earth” wasn’t that good.
But this place is somewhat different.
A gallery for analyzing hunters and studying them by fans. While hidden behind anonymous masks, there are some surprisingly remarkable individuals inside. I know that actual hunters are also active here.
It was a well-known public secret that guilds and associations had people lurking there.
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have looked, but I needed help now.
Hundreds of posts filled the screen in reverse chronological order.
[Title: Jin Se-a recently took a photo, rumored to have an S-rank based on her face]
I was curious, but this wasn’t what I was looking for. I lightly ignored the post and scrolled down.
Then, I finally found a post with an intriguing title.
[Title: Recent analysis and summary of the conflict between the Cheongcheon Alliance and the Cheonma Church?]
I clicked on it without hesitation.
[Author: ㅇㅇ] [Views: 452314] [Likes: 3371]
Seeing the Cheongcheon Alliance and the Cheonma Church fighting again, I’m going to share what I know.
As everyone knows, the Cheongcheon Alliance and the Cheonma Church used to be at odds, unable to stand each other.
However, the Cheonma forces that came here were at such a disadvantage compared to the righteous factions that they were barely holding on.
The problem started when Jahwa-yeon, the daughter of Cheonma, came over.
Jahwa-yeon combined her legitimacy and power with the scattered Cheonma Church. From here, the balance in the conflict between the Cheongcheon Alliance and the Cheonma Church began to shift again.
However, the real problem is this.
Now that Cheonma himself has come to this world, he claims there’s no need to go against the Cheongcheon Alliance.
Yet, the faction actually in power keeps provoking the Cheongcheon Alliance and creating disputes.
So, perhaps that’s why there seems to be some friction lately?
I hope this will be regarded merely as an individual analysis.
Thus, the post came to an end.
Who is this person?
To someone who doesn’t know, it might seem like just an interesting piece, but the content was quite similar to the information I heard during my time at Hantae.
Even though it’s stated as an analysis from an individual, the accuracy is incredibly high.
It feels like it was written by someone who genuinely knows something.
The comments were pointing this out too.
ㄴ Carlson: Too detailed, right? Are you part of the group?
ㄴ ㅇㅇ: No, I’m not.
ㄴ Carlson: Try saying that to the Murim Alliance Leader.
ㄴ ㅇㅇ: Get lost.
Is this person really affiliated with the Cheongcheon Alliance?
Nah, they probably aren’t.
I scrolled down the comments to see if I could find more information.
ㄴ ㅇㅇ: Personally, I think the leader is better than Cheonma; Cheonma is too overbearing.
That’s all.
There doesn’t seem to be anything more to gain. I pondered for a moment.
“She’ll come again today, won’t she?”
It’s not next week. I think she’ll be here soon.
I stood up and headed to the empty kitchen.
I felt like I should bake some more brownies. I preheated the oven and took out the dough that had been aging in the fridge.
As the sweet chocolate scent began to fill the consulting room,
– Clunk.
As expected, the door opened.
With a calm expression, as if I had been waiting, I welcomed her.
“Welcome, Lady Cheonma.”
At the door was Jahwa-yeon, who made an effort to mask her nonchalance, but her excitement and pride couldn’t be hidden.
A system window appeared above her head.
[Jahwa-yeon]
[Main Stance]
[She thinks what she has done is very great and proud. She wants to receive the exact black snacks she had with appropriate praise from you.]
I smiled and let her in.
“I was expecting you, so I prepared some snacks.”
Her eyes widened in surprise at my words. After a brief cough, she returned to her sharp gaze from earlier.
“You’re quite perceptive for a counselor.”
I plated the freshly baked, steaming brownies and set them on the table in front of her.
Then, I said nothing. It was better for me to listen to her speak rather than starting the conversation myself.
I had to let her boast about her achievements in her own words. That would bring her the greatest joy.
As expected, Jahwa-yeon broke the silence first.
“I want to talk about my accomplishment.”
“I’ve been waiting.”
Satisfied with my response, she stuffed a large piece of brownie into her mouth, puffing out her cheeks like a squirrel. Then, mumbling through the bits, she stated proudly.
“I have raised the Geumgang in the Cheonma.”
“….”
I took a moment to decode that coded message.
“It means ‘I have elevated Geumgang to the Cheonma’.”
And she had already changed her self-reference from “Bonyeo” to “Bonjwa.” She was starting to recognize herself as a sovereign.
“And I’ve entrusted the vacant position of Uho Lawgiver to him.”
“That’s a good decision. Geumgang will maintain balance by checking the Left Lawgiver as the Uho Lawgiver.”
She swallowed the brownie with a gulp and looked at me with expectant eyes, smiling.
“What do you think, counselor?”
Like a child waiting for praise.
“Now the Left Lawgiver is no longer my sole representative. The military and financial powers he held are halved and transferred to Geumgang.”
“This is what Bonyeo… no, wait.”
She halted momentarily and corrected herself.
“Is this the appearance you expected from Bonjwa?”
I nodded quietly with a satisfied smile.
“Excellent, Your Excellency.”
At my response, the corners of her mouth quivered faintly. A new system notification appeared above her head.
[Appropriate Response] [Satisfaction Rate 100%]
[Please mention it may be similar to the former Cheonma.]
That was something I had also pondered. I was slightly worried about crossing a line.
But it seemed that wasn’t the case.
I readily fanned the last flames of her pride.
“Perhaps the former Cheonma would have made the same decision as you, Your Excellency.”
At those words, her eyes flickered again. It was a moment when her glass-like transparent mask began to melt.
I seized that fragile moment and continued to offer her gentle praise, soothing her like a child.
“You are already doing wonderfully.”
“There’s no ruler who does everything perfectly from the start. Just like now, you should establish the order step by step in your own way. So, please don’t be too impatient.”
“Indeed….”
My comforting words seemed to put her at ease, as she nodded like a child.
For her, someone who understands her and recognizes her is the greatest solace.
However, being a counselor is not just about soothing wounds with kind words.
After a brief silence, I spoke very cautiously.
“However, Lady Cheonma… this may not be the end.”
At my words, her expression, which had been smiling contentedly, slightly hardened.
“Is the Left Lawgiver truly someone who will retreat without a fight?”
I asked innocently, genuinely curious. At my question, she chuckled lightly.
Like an adult listening to a child’s worries.
“Don’t worry, counselor.”
She confidently put down her teacup and spoke.
“The Left Lawgiver has had all his claws pulled out. He’s in a powerless position and can’t do anything without my permission. By now, he’s probably reflecting on his foolishness. Since his past loyalty wasn’t a lie, we can just watch him quietly.”
“… I see.”
I didn’t rebut anymore.
There was no need for me to shatter that innocent belief of the young ruler. Pressuring her to further oppress the Left Lawgiver would be crossing a line.
Ultimately, the world will soon teach her.
One act of betrayal experienced wholly is a much more certain teacher than a hundred words of advice heard.
Jahwa-yeon is young. And she was overlooking one fact.
Though they say “people don’t change,” it’s only half the truth.
People do change.
And especially if the direction is towards something negative, even more so.
“So let’s wrap up the talk here. Let’s serve some more snacks.”
“I will do so.”
Accepting my silence positively, she again demanded dessert boldly like a child.
I smiled lightly and handed her a fresh brownie.
It’s better for her to indulge in sweet treats now.
Because the reality she will soon face might carry a somewhat bitter taste.
Soon enough, Jahwa-yeon will definitely come to find me again.
With a face far sadder than today’s.
