YuWon watched Joon leave with all his bodies. Unlike the slave collar, the contract from [Special Shop] ensured that the terms bind all his bodies, the one he has now and the ones he would create in the future. It was better than any slave brand ever would.
The price reflected its worth. Together, the contracts had cost an exorbitant twenty-two thousand gold, but YuWon deemed it a necessary investment.
"Will it be fine?" Lilith asked, her arms crossed over her chest.
"It will," YuWon nodded. "Hoon doesn't know him and with seven of him searching, they are bound to find him."
Lilith nodded, but said nothing else. She couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in her master. The YuWon she remembered was still there, yet something fundamental had shifted.
He had grown calculated—decisive in a way that was admirable, even necessary. But in the process of bearing the responsibility given upon him by Goddess Ereshkigal, he seemed to be losing pieces of himself.
Only a couple of them knew the truth about their past. Since Yeji had gone crazy, Lilith took it upon herself to hold YuWon together. Watching the subtle chilly winds ruffle his hair, Lilith's admiration had only grown after she learned about YuWon's past.
She was there when Yeji told Min-Ji all about her father's deed and, through a mother's cry, Lilith pieced together YuWon's life that she didn't know about.
To her, YuWon had always embodied unshakable strength and resilience. Yet now she saw the cracks beneath that exterior—the vulnerability he had suffered after countless betrayals by his family, friends, and everyone he trusted.
It was a wonder he hadn't snapped and sought vengeance on the world that had wronged him.
"C-Can we talk...?"
A feeble voice interrupted Lilith's thoughts.
She turned around and saw Min-Ji standing there. YuWon heard her voice and sighed, but this time, he didn't berate her like before.
"Lilith."
Lilith bowed her head and stepped away, leaving mother and son to face each other in silence.
"Do you need something?" YuWon asked, without looking at Min-Ji.
"I... I wanted to apologize—"
YuWon waited, as if expecting an answer that would never come. Then, with a wry smile, he turned back inside. He had enough drama for the day. Now was the time to rest.
***
The next morning, YuWon prepared to set out again. This time, he was taking the scared Hojin with him. After helping Soo-Ah and Min-Joon grow stronger, it was Hojin's turn.
At least, that's what YuWon told everyone. In truth, he had a different purpose. He wanted to test Hojin—to see if he was worth investing in or if he'd have to be left behind.
Hojin's high luck stat was one thing, but in his past life, he wasn't was much use and always led the group into trouble.
But YuWon couldn't say that out loud, so he was taking the other way to assess Hojin's strength.
However, before they could leave, Yeji came running towards YuWon. With heavy bags under her eyes and bloodied hands, YuWon realized Yeji had spent the entire night turning Seok into her masterpiece.
She didn't say a word, just grabbed YuWon's hand and dragged him towards the cage.
Seok was unconscious inside, his entire body marred with scars that his daughter had graciously given him. Yeji expertly etched words like traitor and murderer into his face.
It was a scene that could unsettle anyone—but not YuWon. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he rested a hand on Yeji's head. Like a cat, she melted in his embrace, eagerly waiting for more praise.
"It's good progress," YuWon said.
Her smile faltered. Good progress? Did that mean he considered her work incomplete? That it wasn't good enough yet?
Yeji looked at him with questions in her head. But when YuWon looked at her, she shook her head.
If YuWon believed the project wasn't complete, then she would make it better. She'd work harder, push further—until she truly earned his praise and forgiveness. Only then would it be enough.
In reality, YuWon wanted her to be busy or else she would cling to him and won't let him focus on rasing other awakeners.
"Take some rest and then keep working on it," YuWon said, kissing her forehead. "I expect great things from you."
With that, he turned and left a dazed Yeji behind.