Chapter 30: The time of choice will come.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and come here…”

“Hey, how can you just demand her wrist like that?”

The Clan Leader lightly tapped the shoulder of the impatient old man.

Their casual demeanor clearly showed they were close.

The old man clicked his tongue, undeterred, raising his voice.

“Tch, tch. Your eyes are too narrow, like knotholes. A scholar like me, with a broader perspective, can’t help but be curious.”

“Is it that serious?”

“Of course. Didn’t you call me because you sensed something?”

They both turned to look at me simultaneously.

“Come on, kid, get over here.”

“…”

…Seriously, what’s going on?

Frozen in confusion, I stared at the old man until the Clan Leader sighed and spoke.

“It must be sudden. This is Pyun Seo, a renowned physician in the Central Plains.”

“A physician?”

“Yes, likely among the top five.”

He spread his hand, then folded all but one finger.

“Of course, with the Divine Physician around, he’ll never reach the top spot.”

“That damn fool! How many times do I have to say it? That lunatic doesn’t deserve the title of physician!”

“He doesn’t use his skills for people, only for his own gain—how can you call him a Divine Physician?”

…Wow, he’s really triggered.

What an inefficient conversationalist. Just one comment, and he’s shouting like that.

Anyway.

‘A physician, huh.’

From their conversation, I pieced together that they’d called Pyun Seo to examine me.

‘…That’s a problem.’

I avoided their gazes, hesitating.

I knew my body was unusual.

I’m not exactly a genius, yet I’ve absorbed martial arts this quickly—there must be something special about my physique.

But if my body turns out to be extraordinary and the Clan Leader starts targeting me?

Baek Tae-rin warned me to stay cautious, so I was starting to worry.

The old man, however, had no patience, stepping closer.

“Come on… your wrist…”

His heavy breathing made him seem a bit crazy, but I couldn’t exactly run.

Reluctantly, I extended my wrist.

Grab!

He immediately took my pulse, closing his eyes.

“Oh… I see.”

He muttered to himself, letting out intermittent gasps of awe.

I couldn’t understand the jargon he mumbled, but…

‘There’s definitely something special about my body.’

That much was clear.

After a while, he slowly opened his eyes, nodded, and released my hand.

“I’ve seen enough. Thank you.”

Unlike his earlier frenzy, he now seemed composed, almost refined.

“So, what’s the verdict?”

The Clan Leader, still by his bonsai, asked.

But—

“You think I’d tell you?”

“…What?”

Pyun Seo’s unexpected reply came with a mischievous grin.

“A physician must protect a patient’s privacy. You’re not even her family—why should I tell you?”

He winked at me.

He must’ve noticed my hesitation.

‘…He’s normal?’

Despite his first impression, he had a surprisingly decent mindset.

“Hah, unbelievable…”

The Clan Leader let out a dry laugh, incredulous.

Realizing further probing was futile, he waved dismissively.

“Fine, if you figured it out, step outside. I need to discuss clan matters.”

“Alright, I have things to discuss with the kid too. Send her to the guest room when you’re done.”

“Who’s the master of this house…?”

Their bickering ended, and Pyun Seo left.

Now, it was just me and the Clan Leader in the office.

The brief commotion had eased my nerves, but tension crept back in.

“What a noisy guy, huh?”

“Yes, well…”

He tried to sound friendly, but I only nodded awkwardly.

I knew better than to take him lightly.

“Now, have a seat. This won’t be a short talk.”

Cautiously, I sat on a chair in the corner.

And then—

“Kid, why do you think I called you here?”

“…”

‘Give me a heads-up, man…’

Why did I think he called me?

Ugh.

I hate these kinds of questions.

The ones where they already know the answer but test you anyway.

Keeping silent is the best move…

“By the way, I don’t like it when people stay quiet. Answer freely.”

“I-I think it’s about yesterday.”

I answered quickly.

He smiled, stroking his short beard.

“Hm. Half-correct. That’s part of it, but not the main reason.”

“…”

If you’re gonna say that, just tell me…

Swallowing my retort, I rolled my eyes.

But then—

“You know, don’t you?”

“…W-What?”

His question came out of nowhere, his smile deepening.

Not in a good way—more sinister.

“Taehyuk… no, Tae-rin.”

“!”

…Oh, right.

That.

“That she’s a woman.”

…Damn it.

—

Silence followed.

But it didn’t last long.

“…Yes, I know.”

I answered honestly after a brief hesitation.

His question already assumed I knew.

Thankfully, honesty seemed the right choice—his smile grew.

“Did you figure it out yourself, or did she tell you?”

“I-I figured it out myself. Tae-rin didn’t say anything.”

I answered hurriedly, worried it might cause trouble for her.

He nodded and continued.

“How did you know?”

“My eyes are… pretty sharp. I noticed when we first met.”

“Pretty sharp? That’s an understatement. No one else has ever figured it out.”

Really? It seemed kinda obvious…

I didn’t say that, but thankfully, he didn’t seem to expect a response.

“Hm… Interesting. Things could get very amusing.”

Muttering cryptic words with a meaningful look, he suddenly changed his expression.

“Oh, right.”

He switched topics abruptly.

“I was impressed yesterday. To reach that level with such basic training—you’re remarkably talented.”

“?”

Such a blatant shift.

“A talent like that should be nurtured. So, along with a fine sword, I’ll assign Dowan, the clan’s best warrior, as your teacher.”

“…”

“As you’ve received the Baek Clan’s grace, use that strength for the clan’s future.”

‘What… what’s this?’

The conversation ended so quickly.

Wasn’t this the moment to dig deeper into the Tae-rin thing?

I was grateful he didn’t press further—I didn’t want a long talk with this creepy guy.

But—

“…Clan Leader.”

I couldn’t let it slide so easily; it’d nag at me.

If he brought it up, he should finish it properly.

“About Tae-rin… is that all?”

His eyes widened slightly, as if he hadn’t expected me to ask.

Then—

Whoosh!

“…Ugh!”

A tremendous pressure engulfed me.

It was the Clan Leader’s unleashed energy.

“Interesting.”

Damn it…

My frail body trembled under the overwhelming force, my vision and mind growing hazy.

“It’s been a while since someone dared question me. Everyone just nods, but you…”

“Ugh…”

My body was drenched in cold sweat from the oppressive aura.

Clenching my teeth to stay conscious, I forced my head up.

I ended up glaring at the Baek Clan Leader, but I was too overwhelmed to care about manners.

“…Hm.”

He stared at me briefly, then let out a short hum.

Swish!

“…Hah!”

The suffocating pressure vanished as he withdrew his energy.

Thud!

My strength gave out, and I collapsed.

“I like your spirit, so I’ll answer.”

His voice cut through my dazed mind.

“I’m giving you both a grace period. Tae-rin and you.”

“…A grace period?”

“Yes. You both care for Yeon, which is why nothing’s happened yet.”

His tone returned to its gentle facade, as if he hadn’t just unleashed that terrifying aura.

“But her time is running out.”

“…”

“So, until then, I’ll ensure no one in the clan touches you.”

He began walking toward me.

“But after that, you’ll both face a time of choice.”

…A time of choice?

What does he see to say such things?

I didn’t have the courage to ask again, so I just looked up at him silently.

He smiled again.

“You’ll understand when the time comes.”

“…”

“No one in this world can have everything they want.”

His cryptic smile felt utterly chilling.