Chapter 92: The Corpse

Chapter 92: The Corpse

The Corpse

How did you end up possessing that body?

Caught off guard; that was probably what best described my current sentiment. I involuntarily held my breath, and due to my bewilderment, I was unable to come up with an immediate answer.

However, she didnt continue to press or dwell on it. She simply waited for my response while smiling kindly.

How did she figure it out?

Even though she couldnt see my face as her eyes were covered by the bandage, she could precisely figure out who was inside this body. Naturally, it would fluster me.

However, I decided to give her an answer.

Yet, I would obviously deny that.

I am sorry, but I can not speak about that.

Hmm.

Stella seemed to be disappointed. She tilted her head and replied to me.

If you are simply an evil spirit, then I have no choice but to exorcize you.

Do you have the power to do so?

Of course not.

Her confident tone made me hesitate for a moment. I realized that it felt like I was being dragged along by her pace while conversing with her.

I apologize if my question seemed impolite. I was merely curious because you seem to be a being that is different from a Demon.

. I did not take control over this body from the owner by force.

I entered this body after Deus, the previous owner, died. So, I didnt steal his body. To be precise, one could say I practically picked it up.

That is exactly why I am all the more curious. I think you most likely have a big secret.

Sigh, you will probably forget everything by tomorrow anyway.

I knew that my words would hurt her, but I needed to put a stop to her persistent questioning.

However, Stella surprisingly nodded and said that I was right.

So, can you really not tell me?

.

I know that just carrying a secret around can be painful at times.

Her words resonated so deeply, that I couldnt help but feel like my heart was fluttering. Even for someone like me, who lacked emotions, her voice felt warm as it reached me.

I think it is fortunate that I lose my memory every day due to the curse of the Demon .

.

Stella put down the rosary shaped like the sun and slowly extended her hand. As she groped about with her hand through the air, I gently reached out to her, and she softly wrapped her hand around mine.

That is why I can be told things I am not supposed to know. Even if you wish to confide in me a secret you desperately want to keep hidden, I can offer comfort and understanding, but I will not remember.

I couldnt stop the fluttering in my chest; it endlessly stirred my heart.

Being with the woman in front of me made me feel strangely comfortable, to the extent that it evoked a sense of sadness within me.

What is your name?

It was a question she had never asked.

It was a pitiful question whose answer would be forgotten by tomorrow.

Kim Shinwoo.

However, I chose to give her an answer.

Stella then gently pulled my hand and placed it on her cheek.

Her icy skin sent shivers down my spine, echoing the storms and tragedies she had endured.

Kim Shinwoo. Please tell me your story. It is not for my sake, but for yours.

.

After all, couldnt that be why we have met here, in this present? For the sake of listening to your story. To bear the burden you carry, even if it is only for a moment

She smiled.

But also, to forget you, so that your secret remains just that a secret.

Seeing the smile that emerged amid the cruel tribulations she had experienced was akin to witnessing a small dandelion blooming amidst a pile of corpses.

Perhaps that is the very reason why fate has bound me with such a curse.

So, what do you think? Will you grant me the honor of keeping you company for the day?

* * *

We shared a lot of stories.

Starting from our childhoods, we conversed about memorable experiences, family memories, unforgettable wounds, and more.

Through our conversations, we arrived at a realization.

Perhaps it was not just me, but she had also realized it.

We comforted and consoled each other through our conversation.

I spoke about my strange life, explaining my ability to see ghosts and how I ended possessing Deus body.

Stella shared the story of her selflessness from childhood, prioritizing her path to becoming a Saintess and ultimately sacrificing herself.

Although we had led completely different lives, we felt a strange sense of kinship and sympathy, supporting each other.

However, I didnt tell her that this place was a world within a game, and that I knew how the world would end.

I only shared about my past, starting from my life in a different world.

My experiences in Norseweden.

The cases I solved at the academy.

P-Please explain. Explain why we need to dig up their graves!

I nodded in response to the furious Abbess words. I could spare some time while Findenai was digging the ground.

During my brief interview with everyone this morning, all four nuns suspected Mella.

What?

Mella?!

Mella and the Abbess were surprised.

Mella glared at the four nuns with an unjust expression and feeling betrayed, and the Abbess replied that it couldnt be true.

It is impossible! Out of everyone right now, Mella is the one who is the closest to becoming a Saintess!

The Abbess began defending Mella vehemently.

This child has the qualities of becoming a Saintess comparable to Lucia and Stella!

Yes, thats right.

I nodded. I wanted to applaud the Abbess for giving such an answer.

Because she was the nun closest to becoming a Saintess, the other four nuns probably falsely accused Mella.

The four nuns either immediately bowed their heads, bit their lips, or let out sullen gasps.

Though their reactions varied, they all meant the same thing.

Yesterday, you all refused to answer anything, but today, out of nowhere, everyone pointed to Mella. Did you not think I would find that strange?

The nuns, who had kept me in check and were so fearful of me yesterday, directly singled out Mella today.

Their testimonies already hinted at something suspicious.

On the contrary, Mella, even though you found a nun among you to be suspicious, you chose to lie to protect her.

!

This time, all eyes turned to Mella. She looked bewildered, as if struggling to breathe, but eventually confessed under pressure.

The Reverend Mother is suspicious.

What!?

The Abbess eyes bulged out as if she had been hit on the back of her head, then she jumped.

A-are you talking about me? Do you suspect me? Do you think that makes sense?!

Perhaps due to the intense reaction, Mella raised her voice in rebuttal.

After the incident! The intensity of the punishment has increased! You oppressively confine us even when we resist!

Mellas finger was pointed directly at the Abbess.

I also know that you always lock our doors at midnight!

Th-That is!

The other nuns were surprised.

Flustered, the Abbess tried to make some excuse, but I interrupted.

Then why did you not tell me that the Abbess seemed suspicious?

Because I still did not find you trustworthy. I planned to tell Sister Stella when I had the chance, but you were inside the entire day!

Mella shouted with her face flushed, perhaps from the heat.

Feeling unfairly accused, the Abbess started explaining herself to me with her mouth agape.

N-No! It is not true! Wait a minute. Let me explain. It is true that I recently raised the intensity of the punishments on the girls, but that is!

It must have been because of the pressure that the next Saintess might not emerge from here.

!

The convent has become a place that summoned a demon. You must have been driven by the fear that the gods might not choose the next Saintess from here.

The Abbess nodded dispiritedly at my words.

At that moment

Master Bastard! Ive dug them all!

Findenai exclaimed loudly. Leaving the nuns, who were suspicious of each other, I headed to the graveyard.

There were three neatly arranged coffins.

Findenai opened them one by one and soon made a disappointed sound.

It seems like theyre all burnt.

The condition of the corpses matched those in the pictures, perhaps slightly more decomposed.

[Wh-What is happening here?!]

However, upon seeing one of the corpses, the Dark Spiritualist looked at me in astonishment.

Her face was filled with disbelief, along with a questioning gaze as if asking, Did you know about this too?

Upon receiving the Dark Spiritualists gaze, I pointed to the corpse at the far right.

Now I was certain.

That one is not the corpse of a nun.

Pardon?

What are you talking about?

Those were the questions from the Abbess and Mella.

I answered with a click of my tongue.

That is a corpse of a demon.

/genesisforsaken