Even if there were no traces, it would be best to assume that the mysterious force that annihilated Baekga was the demon sect. The estate had disappeared, but suspicions remained. The curse placed on me could serve as evidence.

‘However…’

There is a cause for everything. This situation should be no different.

‘Why did Baekga incur the wrath of the demon sect?’

Therefore, the fundamental question inevitably arose.

If I remember correctly, Baekga was not a particularly large or significant family. As my master said, it was affiliated with a certain faction, but it wasn’t a distinguished family like Namgoong or Dang.

‘Did Ha Hyun have some unknown connection?’

Enough for the demon sect, inactive for a hundred years, to specifically target and annihilate them? No plausible reason came to mind.

‘What’s so special about a small family?’

Additionally, there was another strange point.

“As for…”

The moment I began to speak, the adults’ eyes focused on me instantly. Amidst their complicated expressions, I hesitated and asked,

“If we assume that they are indeed from the demon sect, why… why did they spare only me? I knew nothing of the family affairs, and I hadn’t even learned any martial arts. There would have been better candidates to keep alive. Why did they go to the extent of placing this curse on me?”

The expression on the face of my closest master gradually grew darker, making it hard for me to finish my sentence.

“…I’m sorry.”

“No, you don’t have to be.”

His expression still wasn’t good, despite saying it was okay.

Then my master reached out and caressed my cheek as if consoling me, leaving me no choice but to swallow my remaining words.

The newly discovered facts weren’t any less shocking. However, the concern displayed by my master and the other adults here was not as painful.

Strictly speaking, this wasn’t ‘my’ issue.

It had only happened to the original owner of this body into which I had reincarnated.

Although it would become my problem if not resolved, I wasn’t emotionally invested.

‘I don’t even remember the faces of the family members who were annihilated.’

Speaking candidly would certainly cause trouble.

After alternating glances between my master and me, the head of the Jeomungak took a deep sigh and opened his mouth.
This curse doesn’t merely control actions. It’s not something that can be manipulated immediately after it’s planted. You let it take root for about a year or two, and only when it’s fully absorbed does it move according to the sorcerer’s will. Even emotions can be manipulated afterward… Yes, even saying this much, I still don’t understand why they went to such lengths.”

As his words concluded, the room fell silent.

In that stillness, I pondered deeply.

About the past that I should fully unravel, as I sit here in place of the body’s owner, and about the future that has now vanished due to making choices different from the original.

The irrational attachment towards my master, the endless hatred towards Ha Hyun, the distrust towards the elders of my family, and even the actions that I never attempted to reveal to anyone despite the pain.

All of those things…

Judging by what Jemungakju said, all were suspect.

Among adults who were deeply interested in their disciple, the reason ‘Ha Hyun’ couldn’t find stability till the end and could only wander was, in fact, due to external interference.

‘However.’

The question returns to square one from here.

What was all this for?

It was unlikely that the dark sect openly targeted Hwasan.

Because nobody could have predicted that Hwasan Cheilgeom would abruptly take in a child from a fallen family he met on the road.

‘The meeting was coincidental after all.’

I know nothing about the dark sect, but if they, being an organization, wanted to plant a spy in Hwasan, they would have used a more sophisticated method.

To have waited for coincidences to overlap like this is worse than foolish.

Then what did they intend to use ‘Ha Hyun’ for?

Here, I was back to square one again.

‘Already annihilated and left no trace, I can’t even remember the house, let alone investigate it.’

Logically, I should have been the person who knew the most about Baek. Even I don’t remember, so nobody knew if there was any collusion between Baek and the dark sect.

“At any rate.”

Then, the ambassador broke the silence as if to refresh the atmosphere.

“What’s important now is something else. So, can you break that curse?”

“Hmm.”

Upon that question, Jemungakju sighed in a complicated manner.

“It’s impossible once it’s fully absorbed, but it’s not yet, so breaking it is possible. However…”
Master Jemungakju added with a deep sigh.

“I can’t do it. It won’t be easy.”

His tone was bitter, as if he didn’t want to admit this himself.

“I told you, it’s a powerful spell. Just hearing about it isn’t enough? Frankly, I’m amazed that this child not only sensed something was off since last year but even realized its existence on his own. Normally, one would only notice something was wrong after setting down roots.”