Episode 13
Why Can’t You Kill Me?
“Huz, have you read this book?”
I picked up the book I had thrown aside. Huz smirked lazily.
“You just figured that out?”
My heart sank. I had suspected it, but now I knew for sure. He glanced at the book in my hands.
“I’ve probably read that book a hundred times.”
“A-A hundred times?! How long have you been sneaking in here?”
“Every day, for 200 years.”
The number was so ridiculous it didn’t even feel real. I sighed and mumbled,
“I wish I could go somewhere you’ve never been…”
“You need to know about the mark, so there’s no helping it.”
“You could’ve just told me instead of making me read.”
He didn’t answer right away. Huz looked down at the table, tapping it softly with his fingers, lost in thought. I narrowed my eyes at him.
‘That look again…’
Then, with a pained voice, he said,
“…Because I’m not the right person to explain it.”
He sighed deeply and stood up. The chair scraped loudly as it moved.
“If you’re done crying, let’s go back to Kabellu.”
I opened my mouth, then shut it again.
Why did he bring me to the library? What did he mean by “not qualified”? Why does he hate immortality so much?
And why did he look so hurt?
“…Alright.”
I forced my voice to sound calm and followed him.
A quiet voice in my head whispered more questions.
＊ ＊ ＊
The wind blew softly. My hair flew around as we teleported.
After a while, the wind stopped—and the smell of blood hit me hard.
I opened my eyes slowly and gasped.
There were tents standing on blood-soaked ground. Food, weapons, and blankets were all drenched in blood. I breathed through my mouth and frowned.
“Why did we come here?”
“I couldn’t think of anywhere else.”
“…You’ve been here before?”
He tilted his head and said yes.
“The place was full of thieves.”
“Did they attack you?”
“No, they were just annoying.”
“…I see.”
I kept calm, knowing this wasn’t the time to panic.
Huz started clearing the destroyed tents, turning them into white dust. He cleaned up the blood, smell, and mess in one sweep of his hand.
Now, the air was fresh again.
He picked a clean tent on the edge and laid down a dark green rug for me to sit on. Then he straightened up and warned:
“Stay here. Don’t even think of running.”
“I won’t. Don’t worry.”
“How can I believe that?”
“Because I’m cursed too.”
I kept my tone steady.
“If I’ve been trying to break the curse for you, now I have to do it for myself too.”
If I don’t, I’ll live in misery and die young. I want to live a long life—even if Huz kicks me out, I’ll stay until the curse is lifted.
I gently patted his arm, telling him not to worry.
Instead of answering, he raised an eyebrow and snapped his fingers. A barrier appeared around the tent.
‘I told you I’m not running away…’
He clearly didn’t trust me. I pouted.
He brought over some cream pasta, apple slices, a drink, and a fork, then turned to leave.
“Wait, I want to ask something.”
I tugged at his robe. Huz gave me a look like, “Really?”
“What?” he said grumpily. “Ask fast.”
“Do people with red marks… not age?”
He blinked.
“…Why are you asking that?”
“I stopped growing when I was 14. You’ve looked young for 400 years. All the crazy people with red marks didn’t seem to age either.”
My eyes lit up.
“So the mark stops aging, right?”
Huz tilted his head and nodded slowly.
“Interesting guess.”
I was surprised.
“You’re not sure?”
“Why would I know for sure?”
“But you believed me right away when I said I haven’t grown since I was 14.”
“I don’t age either, so why wouldn’t I believe you?”
“…Oh. Right.”
If you’re immortal, it’s easier to accept others being the same.
I slumped, feeling a little silly. Huz tapped the back of my hand.
“Let go now. I’m busy.”
“Oh, sorry.”
I started to let go, but then stopped. I looked up. Huz was muttering something, his head tilted back.
When he noticed I still hadn’t let go, he gave me an annoyed look.
I tightened my grip slightly. His eyebrows pulled together.
“What are you doing?”
Even though he threatened me, he didn’t move. I stared at him.
“Why don’t you push me away?”
“Are you insane?”
“Why am I the only one you don’t kill?”
Finally, he understood. He bit his tongue.
He couldn’t control his madness—but somehow, with me, he could.
“Why can I control you?”
He had said only I could stop him. But it’s not just me. He didn’t fight back even though he could have.
He left the library without spilling blood.
When strange things happen again and again, maybe they’re not coincidences.
I looked him in the eyes, hoping for an answer.
“Your guts are getting bigger, huh…”
“What am I to you?”
His forehead tensed.
“I told you! You’re the key to break the curse!”
“Is that really all?”
“What do you want me to say?”
I hesitated, then said softly,
“…I want to know why you’re hurting.”
His calm face looked ready to break. His eyes were dim, his voice empty.
“You look like you’re in pain. When you laugh, when you’re mad, even when you’re just sitting still.”
Maybe he’s cried tears I couldn’t see. No one wears such a sad face without crying at least once.
“Why do you look like you’re hurting right now?”
Huz let out a short laugh.
“What a joke. Me? Suffering?”
He laughed like I had said something stupid. But then, he looked down.
“You sure know how to speak nonsense with a straight face.”
He looked at me coldly—eyes sharp, posture proud, full of sarcasm.
But still…
“…Is it really nonsense?”
His expression changed slightly.
“Watch your mouth, Snow White. I might not be able to kill you, but I can torture you so well that you’ll beg to die.”
“Torture, huh…” I gave a bitter smile.
“I’m sorry, Huz. It might scare me, but it’s not a threat.”
“What?”
“I’ve been tortured every day of my life. Broken bones, bleeding organs, rotting skin… Even freezing until my fingers cracked like stone.”
“……”
“That kind of pain is normal to me.”
Pain had always been part of my life. If he wants to use it to break me, it won’t work. I’ve learned to endure it.
“…Every day?”
His expression went blank. He stared at me, but not like he was really seeing me. It was like he was seeing someone else.
“Where did you live?”
He kneeled down, gripping his scythe. I was a little scared.
“Essen region, edge of the Kingdom of Helga.”
“What village?”
“Cassis. Why?”
“…Cassis.”
He repeated the name over and over, like chewing something bitter. It was starting to make me uneasy.
Then he smirked.
“Just curious.”
Whatever it was, it didn’t feel like a simple question.
I curled my feet and touched my cold cheek. Huz stood up.
“Stay here. I’ll be back.”
Before I could respond, he vanished.
“…Pretending to be busy with that scythe again.”
I sighed, pulled my legs close, and rested my chin on my knees.
The sky was turning red, pink, and purple. Beautiful, but also made my chest ache.
I rubbed my eyes and realized my cheeks were wet.
“…Ah.”
I was crying.
I stared at the falling tears, then looked back at the sky.
It looked so peaceful.
I curled up like a shrimp.
But crying wouldn’t fix anything. The more I thought, the more curse words I wanted to scream.
‘At least Huz is getting tamer…’
He held my hand. He gave me tissues—even if he made fun of me. That was something.
Maybe he’s becoming like a pet.
From strangers to pets… then friends… maybe even family.
‘Even just being friends would be a miracle.’
Every step was hard.
‘There’s still a long way to go…’
My eyes slowly closed. I was so tired. My thoughts drifted away.
