Chapter 7
However, the reason I didn’t deny Tashik’s words wasn’t just something romantic like that.
I calmly thought again about my desire to become an ice sculptor.
‘Just having that desire alone… doesn’t guarantee I can achieve my dream.’
Because to become an artist, you need money.
In my past life, I also wanted to become a sculptor—but the biggest reason I couldn’t was money.
‘To learn sculpture, I had to go to an art school… but the cost was too much for my family.’
A path you can’t take without money.
In the end, I chose a different path.
Even so, I couldn’t let go of that dream.
But now—
Luckily, I didn’t have to worry about materials anymore.
Because I had the crystal engine in my heart.
I could create ice anytime.
Still—
‘I still need money.’
I’m only thirteen.
Even if I understand the world a little, my body is still that of a child.
‘And because of all the experiments… I’m weaker than others.’
A weak child needs one thing to survive.
A guardian.
But—
‘I don’t have one.’
The Grand Duke, who should have been my guardian—
would eventually kill me.
And the priests of Leventos?
‘There’s no need to even talk about them.’
So honestly—
I didn’t think I needed a guardian.
‘But I definitely need money!’
With money, I can get food, shelter, and clothes.
And—
‘Hunting magic beasts makes money.’
Their byproducts sell for a high price.
Most people don’t know this—
but certain parts can be sold to apothecaries.
Then—
I looked at Tashik.
‘And the boy in front of me…’
A future war-crazed beast.
Magic beasts are dangerous—
but somehow, with him, I don’t feel afraid.
Because I know what he will become.
‘Then…’
What should I do?
After thinking for a moment—
I looked straight into his golden eyes and said,
“Tashik.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you want to be friends with me?”
“…What?”
Tashik blinked slowly in confusion.
After a while, he asked,
“…What’s a friend?”
“Just someone you do fun things with.”
I raised my finger.
“Like hunting magic beasts together.”
“Oh… yeah.”
“Then next time, let me join you.”
At least, I won’t be a burden.
‘No… I’ll actually help.’
And most importantly—
Tashik probably doesn’t know that magic beast materials sell for a lot.
‘If you team up with me, you can make money!’
At that moment, Tashik reached toward my forehead.
“Can I touch your forehead?”
“Huh? Yeah.”
I nodded and closed my eyes tightly.
His hand gently touched my forehead—
then moved away.
He frowned.
“You have a fever.”
“Yeah.”
I nodded.
I already knew.
‘I’ve been seeing three of him for a while now.’
I had just awakened my past memories—
escaped a lab—
wandered a snowy mountain—
fought a magic beast—
and came here.
‘I never really rested.’
I quietly lay back down.
“Sorry… can I stay here a bit longer?”
“….”
Through my blurry vision, I saw Tashik nod.
He stood up and added leaves and branches to the fire.
Crackle…
Watching that—
a thought came to me.
‘This feels… comfortable.’
Even though it was just a cave—
it felt better than the laboratory.
Listening to the warm fire—
I quickly fell asleep.
* * *
There was a time when Tashik believed he knew why he fought magic beasts.
Because his mother always told him—
“Tashik, you must meet your father.”
“To do that, you must have the blood of the strongest warrior.”
“Just kill magic beasts. Kill stronger ones, and more of them.”
“Then you will become the strongest.”
His mother—
who meant everything to him—
said those words.
So he followed them without question.
From a young age, he wandered the snowy mountains alone—
killing many magic beasts.
Even stronger ones.
He almost died many times—
but thanks to his wolf bloodline, he healed quickly.
And his combat skills improved.
But—
since when?
‘Why am I fighting?’
He thought he knew—
but sometimes, it felt like he didn’t.
When that happened—
he imagined one person.
‘Father.’
Someone he must meet.
Someone he must prove himself to.
His mother was gone—
so naturally, he felt some longing.
But at the same time—
‘He was a distant existence.’
No matter how hard he imagined—
he couldn’t picture him clearly.
‘Am I really doing all this… just to meet him?’
On sleepless nights, he would think deeply.
But eventually—
he stopped thinking about it.
Instead—
‘He just kept killing.’
More and more magic beasts.
As if trying to fill the emptiness inside him.
Because for him—
killing magic beasts was survival.
And—
‘It was the only thing he had ever done.’
But then—
One day, after the snowstorm cleared—
he saw a girl.
Standing outside the cave, under sunlight.
Emerald eyes.
She stared at the blue sky for a while—
then turned and smiled at him.
“Good morning, Tashik.”
Her cheeks were slightly red.
“Today’s the day, right? The day we hunt together.”
“…Hah.”
Tashik let out a breath in disbelief.
She had been sick for days—
barely recovered—
and this was her first time going outside.
‘What is she?’
He messed up his hair in confusion.
Then remembered her name.
‘Jenuiere.’
Yes.
Jenuiere.
And today—
they would hunt together.
They went to a canyon where a bear magic beast often appeared.
Hiding behind rocks—
they looked down.
Soon—
the bear appeared.
Thud… thud…
Black liquid dripping.
Slow movement.
Then—
it noticed them.
It bared its teeth.
Lowered its body.
‘It’s coming.’
Tashik gripped his spear.
But then—
Silver hair passed him.
Jenuiere stepped forward.
“…If it moves like that…”
She focused completely on the beast.
As if nothing else existed.
Then—
she stomped her foot.
CRACK!
Ice burst from her bare foot—
and spread down the cliff like a snake.
It covered everything—
instantly.
The climbing bear—
slipped—
and fell.
BOOM!
“Wow.”
Jenuiere smiled.
“I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“….”
It all happened in a moment.
Tashik stared at her.
Then messed up his hair again.
“…You…”
‘I wasn’t mistaken.’
‘This girl really has talent for hunting magic beasts.’
But—
why?
‘Why does this feel… so strange?’
(To be continued)
