When Graham returned, he had procured some bottled water. Han Li took it with a wordless nod and asked, “What now?”
“…” Graham did not answer. He spotted Seoyun who sat in lotus position against a pillar. She had somehow managed to prop herself up despite her injuries. Her expression stilled in the midst of meditation. The light glow in the middle of her brow was back, faint but present.
Sunlight was bright that day, the sky cloudless after the tumultuous night. The breeze however that gusted its way through the broken-down mall was chilling.
The Jong Exorcist Clan excelled at summoning and manipulating spirits and if Graham remembered correctly, they were able to absorb residual spiritual energy to heal even physical wounds. Interestingly enough, he found that this Jong Seoyun did not often use techniques characteristic of her ancestral heritage. She used a few, but not that many.
“How is she?” the saint asked.
Han Li’s lips were pulled taut. He sat next to her, leaning in but seemed too worried to get any closer. He fidgeted in his spot, unable to decide on which position to rest in. “I-I don’t know. I think she’s doing better…?” The young hunter made a face, telling of both concern and of confusion.
“…” Graham frowned, “We will be going back to the summoning site.”
Han Li snapped toward him, “Wait, ‘we’? The summoning site? We’re taking the commander there despite the state that she’s in? Graham,” His voice turned sharp, something between a plea and a complaint, “we can’t!”
“From what the Saint of Shields told me, there is a medical station set up at the site. I am to arrive at the location as quickly as possible.”
Han Li pulled a face and nodded, understanding that the Saint of Eternity didn’t have the luxury to either idle around or bring Seoyun to safety. So he said instead, “Alright, then why don’t I bring her to a different location?”
“Han Li,” Graham’s voice was stern, “you will not.”
“But—”
“This isn’t up for debate,” he snapped, “I will not have you gamble your own and Seoyun’s life away without reason.”
Han Li couldn’t help but scrunch his nose in annoyance, “But isn’t going to the summoning site the same? Based on what you guys told me, that demon prince might still be there!”
Graham sighed, turning his back on the two as he uncapped the fresh bottle of water in his hand. “There will be others present at the summoning site, including a team of medics to see to Ms. Jong. And even if we lose our lives there, at least it will be for a cause.”
“At least,” Han Li echoed with distaste. But he couldn’t come up with a retort.
Graham looked over his shoulder, his dark eyes sharp and as cold as stone. He nodded without remorse, “At least.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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He shoved a bottle into her hand. Seoyun looked up, giving him a strange look with her head slightly tilted. Her visage was ashen and there were dark circles beneath her eyes…and yet, there was something else as well, a sparkling twinkle that could be garnered from her gaze. She smiled at him and took the bottle with wordless thanks, only to stare at it.
Han Li realized belatedly that she couldn’t open it the normal way, but he was already too slow to help her. The exorcist trapped and steadied the bottle with her legs before twisting the top off with her remaining hand.
“A-Ah, sorry!” Han Li fumbled and flailed like a duckling, which incited a soft chuckle from Seoyun’s lips before she took a sip of water.
“It’s fine,” she hummed again, after placing the bottle on the ground and reaching up to pat Han Li’s head.
He blinked at her, confused as he raised his hands to touch the place she touched. He found nothing but his messy black tresses.
“…?”
Seoyun turned her gaze to the Saint of Eternity, “The summoning site you said? I assume that it’s still unstable.”
The saint nodded, “Correct. That is why they require my presence. Unfortunately, you two will be coming with.”
The injured commander took a deep breath as she willed the strength to gather herself, rising to her feet.
“Commander!” Han Li was quick to help her, lending his shoulder for her to grasp and lean on.
She raised a brow at him, “What did I say earlier?”
“…?” Again, Han Li found himself stunned. It was as though Seoyun had a sudden change of attitude after having her arm chopped off! “What…?”
“Call me noona!” she chirped.
Han Li sputtered and almost tripped over his own feet, threatening to send the two of them tumbling. “Y-You remember…!?”
“Of course I do,” she nodded with a sage smile, as though secretly pleased with herself. Han Li was so confused that he didn’t notice the way that Graham had folded his arms over his chest in impatience.
“But I’m not—” Han Li began, cursing under his breath when he saw that Graham already had his back turned to them and was headed towards the mall’s exit with wide strides. Catching up to the saint was proving to be a hassle, with Seoyun’s weight to support and balance against him.
“You’re not Kwangmin,” Seoyun’s voice lowered, turning soft. “I know that. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m your noona.”
“R-right.” Han Li hissed, gritting his teeth while Graham disappeared around the corner. “Wait up, you asshole!” he shouted, “How do you expect us to keep up!?”
By the time they joined Graham outside, where the wind was gusting and the sun beamed down, yet still offered little warmth through the veil of winter’s chill. Graham had Clarent drawn but he was already wiping the blade clean with a cloth. His opponent or possible opponents had already been reduced to nothing but traces of miasma in the air.
The saint peered over his shoulder. “I wasn’t expecting you to keep up.”
This guy… Han Li grumbled but then sighed. He knew by now that Graham’s bluntness shouldn’t be met with offense. Otherwise, Han Li would be exhausted by the sheer amount of annoyance he’d feel towards the guy. “You could have said something first before rushing out.”
“…” The corner of Graham’s lips twitched but the rest of his visage was still stuck in its statuesque appearance, “I…apologize. I will be sure to let you know next time.”
“You better,” Han Li grimaced.
The Saint of Eternity turned his gaze towards their injured commander and said, “If it is troublesome, allow me to carry her. It will be faster that way.”
But as soon as he took a step towards the pair, Seoyun resolutely made her opinion known, “No.”
“…No?” Graham frowned.
Han Li had opened his mouth, only to close it when he felt Seoyun rest her head against his shoulder. “No,” she said again. Han Li could feel her good arm tighten around his shoulder. “I like Han Li more. He is cuter than you.”
“…”
“…!?”
“Suit yourself,” Graham said as he turned back around, continuing onward with his brisk pace, disappearing around the corner at the edge of the parking lot.
…Only to return.
“Han Li,” he said, “I will be clearing the path and waiting for you at the intersection.”
And disappeared again.
“…”
Seoyun tossed her head back in laughter, only to curl in on herself as she hissed in pain, tears dotted her eyes but she was grinning. “Even the Saint of Eternity…could be like this!”
Han Li huffed with a pout, trying to steady the both of them while Seoyun laughed. He didn’t want to jostle her wounds too much, but she was making the task very difficult! Why did Seoyun suddenly decide to have such a change in personality? Or perhaps this was what she was like in truth all along. “Grams…yeah. He’s like that. Even though I’m kind of used to it, he still catches me off guard from time to time.”
“It’s cute,” her eyes sparkled with youthful mischief. She sighed and leaned against him, her dark lashes fluttering closed. Though in a moment of seeming repose, Seoyun was still doing her utmost to keep a steady pace forward. “You know, there was a time I used to admire the Saint of Eternity’s strength in conviction. How he never strays from his path or ideals, never looks beyond his responsibilities.”
“Used to?” Han Li asked.
“Hmm,” Seoyun hummed against him, dragging herself forward despite her limp or her pained breath. “I suppose I still do. But…I wonder if it’s truly worth it in the end.”
“…” Han Li was silent, his lips pulled into a frown. Ahead, he could hear the sound of fighting, crashing, scrapping, screeching, and the sound of a gunshot then silence. Guess there wasn’t really much of a point to worry so he turned his attention to Seoyun. But even then, he couldn’t really grasp what she was talking about. “Yeah?” he said awkwardly, not really wanting to sound rude.
“Yeah,” she nodded, her head still leaning against his shoulder, “I wonder if he’s ever lonely.”
They turned the corner and there Graham stood, clothed in his dark uniform from head to toe. A cloth rubbed Clarent free of filth and the saint’s visage was one that captured an eternal calm. The wind tousled his curls as sunlight bathed his wheat-colored skin, just lightly golden. Those dark eyes seemed to gaze through everything and yet at nothing at all. When they raised, they captured Han Li’s stare.
Ah. Han Li wondered if he saw longing in them, or just the echo of Seoyun’s voice and his overactive imagination.
But for some reason, the Saint of Eternity did seem awfully lonely.
Author: Hi hi hi, I’ve a few announcements to make before I go and pass out! First of all, to celebrate CG’s 10k discord members milestone, I’ve contributed to the prize pool for the event! I’m offering 2 bonus releases for The Black Saint is my Stalker and a bonus NSFW scene! (i-if anyone is even interested u w u;;; TT w TT;;;;; ) Of course, my novel isn’t the only one offering prizes for the event, so do take a look at the prize pool either way!
Go and submit fanart and fanfics to win~
Also, I would like to thank Gofa, Chaelyn and an anonymous supporter for filling up my ko-fi! The bonus release will be up tomorrow (a usual rest day for me) because unfortunately, I’m way too tired to update twice today ; w ;!! A new goal will be set for future bonus releases!
The power Han Li holds over Grams is just ✨.
Thanks for the chapter!!
well, MLs need to be whacked a few times and put in line!
Wow… that was a little bit awkward but still cute. Apparently, even this saint can learn something new.
Thank you for the chapter!!!
sorry for responding late!!! I probably died when i had meant to reply but weeps yes! you can still teach an old dog new tricks~
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Han Lì is cuter but I can’t deny that Graham isn’t much behind in the list
Thank you for the chapter!!! ❤️❤️
please excuse my late af response but— I think you’re the only person who thinks graham is cute LOL
thanks for the chapter <3
<3 <3
Seoyun cracked and Han Li’s been adopted 🤣🤣🤣
I’m in Seoyun’s team for ever. That badass… Missing an arm? Never mind i’ve got another! And of course Han Li IS cute, Seoyun you’ve got good taste !
But i think our big black Grams is also very cute, he’s trying very hard you know!
Gah this chapter was so beautiful <3 And the last part with Graham was especially gorgeous~