Summer Vacation (2)

While instructing Sang-ah, I felt a certain sense of incongruity.

It was the feeling that the magic power she released didn’t match with that of other people.

The flow of magic power is similar for anyone. That’s what is used to maximize one’s traits or skills.

But even magic power is divided into different types.

Just as holy magic power and cursed magic power are separated.

And there’s also a vague difference between the magic power that humans emit and the magic power that monsters emit.

The fundamental cause can be pointed to as the difference in species.

The magic power I was sensing from Sang-ah now could be said to be similar to that.

‘But Sang-ah is a human.’

That’s right. Aside from being a Mutamit, Sang-ah is clearly a human.

Since she is a human, it’s natural that she emits magic power that humans can use.

However, even with humans, the magic power can be differentiated depending on the individual.

Kwon Sang-ah, despite being a human, was releasing magic power that was alien compared to that of ordinary humans.

‘You might wonder what I’m talking about, but…’

For example, what if a little bit of Sprite was mixed into a bottle of Coke?

Even though they’re both carbonated drinks, you would feel a subtle sense of incongruity.

In other words, even though Kwon Sang-ah was just like other people, she was oddly different.

At least for an ‘Earthling’.

‘This has nothing to do with whether or not she’s a Mutamit.’

I first realized this when, following my guidance, she produced fire in her hand for the first time.

Of course, it probably wasn’t her first time creating fire.

Even when I first met her, Sang-ah had gone berserk and rampaged.

She had spewed fire hot enough to melt steel in an instant, but at that time, I didn’t feel that sense of alien energy.

‘It was probably because she was in a berserk state.’

But recently, since she began releasing flames of her own volition, not in a berserk state, I could clearly sense it.

It was magic power from another world, not from Earth.

So, does that mean Sang-ah is from another world?

That is not the case. Sang-ah’s place of birth is Seoul, and the obstetric record is all there.

However, in the investigation records, there was something strange in her mother’s record.

–Her name is Kwon Su-yeon. Age 38. This is the record for Sang-ah’s mother. I looked into her identity and birthplace, but there were signs that everything was fabricated.

Father said her entire identity was deliberately created.

Her name, age, birthplace—everything.

It meant that nobody really knew who Kwon Su-yeon was.

Unless someone was an illegal immigrant, there’s no real need to create a fake identity.

She probably came from far away to Korea.

Like me.

From Mewzealand.

Splash—!

“Ah!”

Suddenly, lukewarm water splashed onto my face.

When I thought about where I was standing, it was only natural.

“Seongjin, what are you doing! Aren’t you going to play?”

“Hahaha! Leave him be! That guy is a master at spacing out anyway.”

Right in front of me, Sang-ah and Yunhee were splashing around in the water.

Intense sunlight shone down onto the pool, making the water sparkle.

The children’s splashing sent up beautiful sprays of water.

“Unni, come quickly! Let’s ride that slide.”

“Let’s go together!”

Even as the girls played in their little student swimming suits, a beautiful and hot light shone down on them.

Our family had brought Sang-ah for a day at the water park.

Maybe because it was summer vacation season, the water park was packed with children.

It seemed like a good thing we made a reservation before it was fully booked.

“Hey! Oppa! If you don’t come quickly, we’re going to go by ourselves!”

Yunhee even spoke informally, urging me to hurry up.

Honestly, I have no idea when she’ll ever mature.

Maybe she’s gotten slack lately since I’ve basically been away from home all the time.

Should I give her a stern talking-to soon?

“Yunhee. Is that any way to speak to your brother?”

Apparently, Sang-ah didn’t like what she heard either, so she scolded her in my place.

But Yunhee just replied with a laugh.

“Huh? Isn’t that what all sibling relationships are like? That’s what my friends taught me.”

“Regardless, you still shouldn’t… shouldn’t to your brother…?”

Suddenly, Sang-ah trailed off, murmuring the same words.

It was as if the word ‘oppa’ caused some sudden hesitation in her heart.

“Unni, what’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“A-ah, it’s nothing. Let’s get in line quickly.”

I joined them right away and lined up for the slide.

As expected, there were lots of kids in line thanks to the crowds.

It looked like it would take at least 15 minutes.

“Do we really have to ride this?”

“Of course! Why else would I drag you out to the water park?”

Yunhee shrugged her shoulders at my question.

Well, she’s the one who kept pestering me to come to this pool, after all.

Mother and Father were probably sitting on a mat somewhere, enjoying some quiet time alone.

Meanwhile, the rest of us were climbing stairs in a long line just to get on a slide.

When would our turn come, I wondered.

“Are you guys always like this?”

“Like what?”

Suddenly, Sang-ah asked a question.

“Are all sibling relationships like that?”

Now that I thought more carefully, Sang-ah also had an older brother.

An S-rank hunter and the current poster boy for the Hwasan Guild. Kwon Yongjun.

Apart from his flashy background, he’s known as a delinquent.

What’s more, they’re half-siblings, not even full siblings. There’s no way Sang-ah’s relationship with him could be good.

“They fight a lot. Probably will even after they grow up.”

“Yeah, that’s right. My brother Seongjin can’t live without me, you know, since there’s so much he can’t do.”

Yunhee spouted more nonsense, ruffling my hair.

Even though she can’t talk back when I actually say a word.

“If you ever get in trouble at school, just tell me. I’ll come running and scold them for you.”

“How about you focus on your own school life first? Should I tell Mom about your falling grades this time?”

“Don’t fight dirty! Then what about you, oppa! What about your grades?”

“I’m just fine.”

“Wha…!?”

Yunhee was as shocked as if she’d experienced something impossible.

Is she really hoping her big brother will fail?

“Unni! Is that true?”

“Yeah. He’s ranked first in his year at Middle School 2. The teachers even speak well of him.”

“T-that can’t be! No way someone who tried to sneak alcohol behind Mom and Dad’s backs is that kind of model stud—mmph!”

“Hahaha! What’s this kid rambling on about…”

Not wanting the conversation to take a wrong turn, I covered Yunhee’s mouth.

“Mmmpf!! Mmmmmm~!!”

But Yunhee screamed as if she’d spill the beans no matter what.

The saying about siblings being like cats and dogs seems to be quite accurate.

“Are you always like this?”

“Pretty much. It’d be weird if we were quiet.”

“I see…”

Sang-ah also had an older brother.

That person was always getting into fights with Sang-ah.

Whether it was boredom or something else, he’d often hit or tease his little sister. That’s one of his hobbies.

Sibling friction is almost inevitable.

But…

“We’re totally different.”

Looking at our relationship, Sang-ah wore a wistful expression.

“At least, Yunhee doesn’t think about hurting her brother.”

“….”

Sang-ah spoke, her thoughts clearly recalling her own family.

The yawning gap between siblings who snarl and try to kill each other and those who laugh and chat together was obvious.

“Hm? Hurt him? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Unluckily, Yunhee caught onto the bad-sounding statement and was puzzled.

But the timing was remarkable.

“Next in line!”

Just then, it was our turn.

“Me! Me!”

Yunhee, having forgotten her own question, hurried towards the slide.

Before we rode the slide, I gave Sang-ah some advice.

“Try not to say harsh things in front of the kids.”

“Okay. I’ll control myself.”

“…”

“Still… I’m really glad. You didn’t end up like us.”

With a smile, Sang-ah sat down on the platform with Yunhee.

Soon, when the employee pushed from behind, they could enjoy the thrill of the water slide.

“Waaaah!! Unni! Unni!”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m scared!”

Even though she’d insisted on riding, Yunhee was now in tears at the dizzying speed.

It was almost as intense as a roller coaster, so it was understandable.

“This is nothing to be scared of.”

“Kyahhhh!”

On the other hand, Sang-ah was beaming with joy.

While enjoying the slide, she felt a different happiness as well.

It was the joy of having found a real family.

****

“Ah~ That was an awesome day at the pool. Let’s come again next time!”

“Didn’t you just cry on the water slide?”

“When did I cry? It was just water splashing on my face on the way down!”

“Yeah, yeah. Like you went on some great adventure, like the Viking ride.”

After our time at the water park, we got into the car with Father driving.

Normally, it would seem we’re heading home, but that’s not where we were going.

“Sang-ah, which hospital is your mom admitted to?”

“Yeolgong University Hospital.”

“Yeolgong University, huh…”

We were currently heading to that hospital.

Since it wasn’t too far, this was a chance to see Sang-ah’s mother in person.

“So, Sang-ah, what does your mom look like?”

“Like this.”

Sang-ah showed us a photo from her wallet.

It was taken at her kindergarten graduation and she herself was also in the picture.

“She’s pretty. Prettier than our mom, even.”

“What did you say?”

“Now, now, sweetheart, calm down. It’s not even wrong…”

“….”

Mother’s expression darkened at Yunhee’s roundabout comment.

The mood in the car instantly chilled at the sight of Mother’s fierce face.

“You two are dead when we get home, both of you.”

“….”

“….”

Even though the air conditioner wasn’t on, it felt as if the heat had vanished.

I’d never seen things go smoothly when Mom made that face.

I might have to start praying for the two of them soon.

“But she really is pretty.”

“Isn’t she?”

Honestly, what Father and Yunhee said wasn’t wrong.

I felt the same way.

“She looks like a princess from another country.”

Maybe thanks to those genes, Sang-ah was also quite good-looking.

She’d definitely become a beauty when she grows up.

“By the way, was it Yeolgong University?”

“Yeah. It’s an organization related to the Hwasan Guild.”

That hospital was likely an affiliate of the Hwasan Guild as well.

If that’s the case, the one holding Sang-ah’s mother’s fate was the leader of that guild.

“It’s a bit concerning, but at least we should show Sang-ah her mother’s face.”

“Thank you so much, Ma’am, sir.”

“You’re very welcome.”

Luckily, we arrived at the hospital before it got too late.

As soon as we entered the lobby, we asked about Sang-ah’s mother at reception, but didn’t get a good answer.

They said we couldn’t visit her as if she were some special patient.

“Oh? Are you Kwon Sang-ah?”

“Yes…”

But as soon as the staff saw Sang-ah’s face, their attitude changed completely.

Recognizing who she was, they immediately allowed us in.

“Are you a gold spoon, unni? The hospital staff all froze up.”

“T-that… I’m not sure.”

Well, she is a gold spoon, even if tarnished.

Thanks to that, we were permitted to enter the ward.

After getting off the elevator, we saw a rather imposing ward entrance.

On the plate, it said:

[Kwon Su-yeon (38)]

“Go ahead. We’ll wait outside.”

“Yes. Thank you so much.”

“Seongjin, are you going in with Sang-ah too?”

“I have something to check.”

“Then make sure to come to the cafeteria when you’re done.”

“Okay.”

My family got back into the elevator.

Sang-ah and I opened the hospital room door and entered.

Inside, a beautiful woman—the same one from the photo—was lying asleep on the bed.

“Mom, I’m here.”

Even though her mother was unconscious, Sang-ah spoke as if in conversation.

The only reply was the beep of the heart monitor.

“And… I brought a friend.”

“Hello, Ma’am. My name is Ma Seongjin, and I’m in the same class as Sang-ah.”

I wondered what the point was since there would be no answer, but seeing her in person meant I had to do what I came to do.

Sang-ah’s purpose was to visit her mother, but mine was to check her mother’s true identity.

“Did your mother have any special features different from others?”

“Special features?”

“Was she a Mutamit like you?”

“Not really…”

I examined the woman carefully.

She had nothing unusual on her head, and her skin looked normal.

She just looked like an ordinary human…

“Looks like your mother was an Awakened as well?”

“Yes, she could use magic power like us.”

“But it seems her magic power is leaking away constantly.”

“That’s right… That’s why she’s stuck in this hospital bed.”

With my ‘Clairvoyance’ skill, I could see it clearly.

Traces of magic power—invisible to the naked eye—were scattered throughout the room.

All of it had been emitted from her body.

And that magic power was a perfect match for someone from Mewzealand.

Only I, who had traveled between Earth and Mewzealand, could tell the difference.

“And the reason her magic power is leaking is…”

I looked closely at the woman’s head with ‘Clairvoyance.’

There was a mark where something had been cut off.

Her hair was thick, so it couldn’t be seen by eye.

What was missing was a horn.

No wonder Sang-ah was born as a dragonborn-type Mutamit.

“Horns are vital magic power circulation organs for a dragonborn.”

“Horn?”

Sang-ah touched her own horn, thinking I meant hers.

“What do you think happens when it’s gone?”

“….”

“Exactly what you see here. Like your mother.”

At my words, Sang-ah looked perplexed.

She clearly didn’t know the truth.

That her mother was a non-human from another world.

Just then…

“Hahaha, yes, that’s right. Not only magic power but even her life force is leaking constantly from that severed horn.”

Someone opened the hospital room door and entered.

There were three people—all faces I recognized.

Kwon Yongjun, the S-rank hunter from the Hwasan Guild.

His mother, the former hunter and current member of the National Assembly, Kang Min-ji.

And…

“You… Why are you here?”

“It’s been a while, Sang-ah.”

The Hwasan Guild’s leader, Kwon Yongha, was looking at his daughter with a smile.

————-= Clacky’s Corner ————-=

They removed Su-yeon’s horns…

I have a strong feeling that Yongha isn’t really Sang-ah’s father…

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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