Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 103

Chapter 103

"It's a charm to bewitch people. Someone like my mother—who naturally attracts others—doesn't need it, but Sosso was desperate for it."

"Does she want to be tied to Baek Muje that badly?"

Woo-hyun grimaced in disgust. Cheong Yuhui grinned, resting her chin on her hand.

"She wants him that desperately. Don't you have someone like that?"

"...Of course not."

Woo-hyun flinched and deflected. Catching his hesitation, Yuhui said meaningfully,

"It can't be helped—that talisman was one of a pair, so I can't make more."

"One of a pair?"

"Originally, I meant to give it to Sosso. If you hadn't lost it to the little Divine Maiden, those two would be together by now."

The talisman fluttered from Yuhui's slender fingers.

"Here—you can throw this away."

She pushed it toward him as if doing him a favor, then changed the subject.

"I'm more interested in your dreams, though."

Woo-hyun's expression hardened at the mention of dreams. Since taking the pills she gave him, his energy had grown remarkably pure. At the same time, memories that weren't his own began surfacing vividly, like dreams.

"I told you—I keep having memories that aren't mine, like dreams."

"Hmm. Just as my father said."

"Your father?"

He looked puzzled, and she pulled something from her pocket—a pouch of pills and a note.

"Why so generous all of a sudden? And what's this note?"

"If you want to interpret those dreams, go to the address on the note. He'll explain everything."

She was finally introducing him to someone other than herself—a Black Demon clan member. Woo-hyun smiled inwardly. Baiting himself had finally gotten a bite.

"So you trust me now?"

"More precisely, I trust those memories you're having. Make sure you don't miss a dose—can't have you getting sick."

With that cryptic remark, Yuhui stood up. She pressed her cheek against his and whispered,

"Goodbye, my dear."

"Are you crazy? Don't be creepy."

He pulled back, disgusted, and she giggled—she knew he hated pretending to be lovers.

"See you next time."

Blowing him a kiss, she left first.

---

Muje and Arin headed to a warehouse near the harbor, where goods from across the country were collected. As they searched for traces of the Black Demon clan, they spotted someone in a hooded cloak approaching the warehouse. The person looked unsteady, trembling as if afflicted by severe anxiety.

Glancing around nervously, the person found what they were looking for and brightened.

"Found it!"

They grabbed the item and hurried out. Arin and Muje followed.

At a secluded cliffside by the harbor, the figure opened the box—revealing black pills. They quickly stuffed one into their mouth. In their haste, the hood slipped, revealing—

"Hong Sosso."

---

Sosso hid her trembling hands as she retrieved the item.

"You want me to go myself?"

"Yes. I've used up my leave. Since you're in a hurry, I'm helping you specially. You know the handler isn't just anyone, right?"

It was the first time Yuhui, who had always been her intermediary, had entrusted her with the task. Sosso had always received the pills through her—now she had to go alone.

What if I run into someone I know?

The power she carried wasn't truly hers. She didn't want anyone to suspect her. Especially now that Arin had been revealed as the little Divine Maiden, Sosso clung to her power more than ever. If she lost even that, she'd have nothing to compete with.

At least she had told Hong Ijin about Arin's identity in time—which gave him the ammunition for the lawsuit.

She wasn't the only one unsettled by Arin's reveal. Ahyeon had become despondent, feeling he'd been surpassed by yet another sister. He looked so pathetic it was almost pitiful.

When she confided this, Yuhui had shrugged. "If your brother needs power, send him to me anytime."

The offer was tempting—even if Ahyeon had been jealous of her, he was still family. She resolved to share the secret with him once this was done.

Just as she popped a pill into her mouth—

Whoosh.

The wind caught her hood, pulling it off.

"Ah!"

She snapped it back on, but someone was approaching. Startled, she looked up.

"You...!"

Arin and Muje stood before her. Seeing Muje in such an unexpected place left her flustered—and then she noticed they were holding hands. She ground her teeth.

But this was no time for petty jealousy. She tried to hide the box in her cloak, but Muje reached out.

"Give me that."

"Wh-why?"

Her voice trembled as he showed interest. She hid it behind her back, refusing, and Arin stepped forward.

"Why are you taking those?"

"Taking? I didn't take anything."

"We saw you. Don't bother denying it."

"..."

"What are those? Are you in league with the Black Demon clan?"

When Arin seemed to recognize the pills, Sosso felt cornered. The mention of the Black Demon clan made her even more anxious—she had no connection to them, so why was she being accused?

Are those from the Black Demon clan?

It couldn't be. Yuhui had never said that, and she had no reason to deceive her. Arin must be trying to humiliate her in front of Muje.

"The Black Demon clan? I don't know anything. Why are you so desperate to get rid of me?"

She glanced back, gauging her escape. As Arin and Muje stepped closer, she backed toward the cliff's edge—the sea churning below.

If she was caught red-handed with these pills, her life was over. Whatever they knew, being caught wouldn't end with just her punishment.

It's a waste of the pills, but I have no choice—it's all over if I'm caught.

She decided to throw the pills into the sea—but then she thought, What if they really are connected to the Black Demon clan? They'd already seen her take one. Even if she tossed the box, their suspicions wouldn't fade.

If she was caught now, she'd be dragged into something she couldn't control.

I need to buy time.

Her gaze turned to the sea. The waves were particularly rough today. As Arin and Muje closed in, she made her decision.

Without warning, she clutched the box to her chest and leaped into the sea.

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