Chapter 07
The Harmony of Yin and YangThe Harmony of Yin and Yang
Leaving behind the slums of District 5, I headed to District 4, where the commoners lived. The atmosphere changed noticeably as I entered the area protected by the outer guards. Unlike District 5, which was only occasionally patrolled, District 4 was home to the outer guards, making it safer and more vibrant.
Despite the improvements, the buildings here were still more dilapidated compared to Districts 2 and 3. Some looked so old and unstable that it wouldn’t be surprising if they collapsed soon.
“Growing up in such a place can really warp your mind.”
I was living proof of that. At least the orphanage in front of me wouldn’t collapse anytime soon, thanks to my diligent maintenance efforts.
I pushed open the creaking gate and entered the orphanage.
“Big brother!”
“Oppa!”
Despite the late hour, the children were still awake, waiting for me. I had brought snacks and treats for them.
“Alright, one at a time.”
I handed out the snacks to each child, watching their faces light up with joy. Today was a special day for them.
“Rael, you’re back.”
“Yes, Sister. I’m sorry I’m late. The kids should be in bed by now.”
“It’s alright. They’re young. It’s good for them to stay up late once in a while.”
The woman who greeted me with a smile was Sister Raizel, who lived at the orphanage. Though affiliated with the church, she couldn’t use blessings properly and held a lower status than even the junior priests. But she was like a mother to me, along with Teacher Sarah.
“I might not be able to come every day from now on. The new guard post is farther, and my duties have changed.”
“It’s okay. The kids are getting older now. They’re almost becoming a handful.”
“Just let me know if they get out of hand. I’ll take care of them. Oh, and tomorrow is payday, so I’ll bring some money.”
“Thank you, Rael. Are you sure you can handle it? It must be quite a burden for you alone...”
“I’m fine. Who am I? I’m the Empire’s guard captain, after all.”
I acted tough, but the truth was, it was quite a burden. I was shouldering most of the orphanage’s expenses. Orphanages in this era were managed by the church, and the church’s power rivaled that of the royal family. This made it tricky for the orphanage to receive direct donations, as it might be seen as money being diverted from the church.
‘Those who claim to follow divine teachings have their hearts in the wrong place.’
It’s a ridiculous logic, but if logic prevailed in this world, there wouldn’t be so many beggars. The orphanage survives on the minimum monthly allowance from the church, which is far from sufficient. Usually, nuns or volunteers who love the children supplement the funds. I did it for a similar reason.
“Oppa, look at this. Bleh.”
A little girl named Ver made a silly face at me, sticking out her tongue. I patted her head and responded as she wanted.
“Come on, young ladies shouldn’t make such silly faces.”
“Hehe. Hehehe.”
Watching Ver laugh brightly, today’s events felt like a distant dream. I glanced at the beggars sitting behind the wall. They seemed to be keeping a proper watch.
‘It’s tough just to protect one home in this world.’
This orphanage was the only place in this world where I found peace. I would never let it be destroyed. In this wretched world, it was my sole goal.
*
I had grown accustomed to my daily routine at the special guard post. Even greeting the outer guards had become a casual affair.
“Have a good day.”
“Thank you, Captain Rael.”
As I waved and entered, a guard spoke to me. He looked at me with curiosity.
“Are you really alright? You seem the healthiest of anyone I’ve seen here.”
“Thanks for worrying. It’s not so bad here.”
I smiled and patted the guard’s shoulder before heading inside. It was just a casual greeting, but it bothered me a bit.
“Now I get attention for being healthy.”
The special guard post was a symbol of fear among the guards. If I continued to survive here, there would surely be more rumors. I didn’t want the attention, but I couldn’t exactly play dead either.
‘This might end up being a hassle... But I can’t worry about that now.’
It might turn out to be nothing. I saw Reina looking for something in the distance and headed into the guardhouse.
“Good morning, Rael.”
“Good morning, Yuri!”
I greeted Yuri with a cheerful smile. It felt surreal to exchange morning greetings with the future empress. Despite the unsettling nature of the special guard post, she was still the future empress. Getting on her good side could only benefit me.
“What’s this? Chess?”
“Yes. Do you know how to play, Rael?”
She was sitting in front of a chessboard, playing both sides alone.
“Were you playing alone?”
“Yes... No one else likes to play thinking games. Would you like to join me?”
Seeing her embarrassed and avoiding eye contact made me want to help, but I wasn’t good at chess. I knew the rules, but that was about it.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to learn.”
However, when it comes to strategy games, I’m no novice. I spent over ten years playing StarCraft, a game embodying our nation’s spirit. I confidently took a seat opposite her.
Ten minutes later...
“Checkmate.”
“...”
I stared blankly at the chessboard. Only Yuri’s pieces remained. It was a complete annihilation.
“You’re quite weak at this. You played like Reina did when she first started.”
“Damn...”
StarCraft didn’t help with chess. I learned something new today.
‘Don’t all novel protagonists excel at chess?’
Why did fate bless Yuri with such talent? If there were StarCraft in this medieval world, I’d be the best in the Empire.
“Don’t be too discouraged. I’ve been playing since I was young. By the way, today is payday for you, Rael. I’ll get it for you.”
“Thank you.”
I accepted the pouch from Yuri with a bitter smile. But something felt off. The pouch was unusually thin and light. I opened it to check its contents.
“Yuri.”
“Yes?”
“Why is my pay like this? I was supposed to get twenty imperial gold coins...”
“Well, I don’t handle the payroll. I believe you were demoted to a regular guard when you were transferred here. Did you check the official notice?”
“Oh.”
Damn it.
Just yesterday, I cut off my financial support from the beggars.
*
Despite being down about my pay, I had to work. Today, I was back in the Ghost King’s cell. Normally, it’s my turn every four days, but Gant had some personal matters, so I took his place. Reina suspiciously followed me all the way to the cell, confirming I entered before leaving. She was indeed a thoroughly mad elf.
‘Does the Empire really intend to employ someone like me for such a pittance?’
I sighed, pushing away my disappointment. I had forgotten, but I was demoted to the special guard for assaulting a noble. It made sense for my pay to be reduced. If I needed money, I could always swallow my pride and return to the beggars. It’s not a martial arts world where pride matters. I could just ask them for work if I needed to.
Chop- chop-
The sound of eating and unpleasant metal clinking interrupted my thoughts. The gloomy atmosphere of the underground prison was still there, but it was more bearable than before. I looked at the Ghost King in her cell.
“This isn’t bad.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
She was eating the sweet tomatoes I brought, and I watched her with a wary eye. Under the dim light, the tomato juice seeping from her mouth looked eerily like blood.
“No one has ever actually brought me something sweet after I asked.”
“It wasn’t difficult.”
Gant managed the garden, so I just took a few tomatoes. The Ghost King looked at me with interest.
“Aren’t you afraid of talking to me, human?”
“It’s... a bit nerve-wracking.”
Honestly, the more we talked, the less oppressive her aura became. Talking to her helped me adapt quickly. Perhaps she also needed someone to talk to.
Chop- chop-
As I pondered, the Ghost King continued eating her tomato. If not for the horns on her head, she would look like a child from the orphanage. At least she seemed to enjoy the tomato.
“Don’t they feed you here?”
“Have you ever heard of a ghost needing food?”
“Well, in my homeland, we sometimes offered food for the dead.”
“Hmm. Really?”
“Yes. Sometimes we even opened windows to let them in.”
The Ghost King listened intently, her interest piqued. Her focused attention encouraged me to keep talking. She was engrossed in my tale about ancestral rites and suddenly clapped her hands.
“Come to think of it, I meant to ask. What’s your name, human?”
“Rael.”
“Rael... I see. I don’t like humans addressing me formally.”
“...?”
Her sudden statement left me speechless. Despite her childlike appearance, there was a monster inside her. Speaking informally to such a being felt strange. Would she kill me for it?
“I also hate repeating myself.”
“Got it.”
I instinctively responded and then widened my eyes. The survival instincts honed at the orphanage had made me speak. But the Ghost King continued without concern.
“Next time, bring something like chocolate. Fruits don’t taste like humans.”
“Uh… Okay. I’ll do that.”
*
“You talked with the Ghost King?”
“Yes.”
Gant approached me as I crouched in the garden after finishing the Ghost King’s watch.
He came over after handling some urgent business and even brought me a gift.
A vegan sandwich, which he called the food of nature lovers.
It didn’t look very appetizing, so I saved it to give to Reina later.
“That’s incredible. Not only did you approach the Ghost King, but you also had a conversation?”
“It’s true. She even told me not to use formal speech. So, I spoke informally. I’ll be off duty for a week, but next time I’ll bring chocolate or something.”
“….”
Gant stared at me. He tilted his head and then frowned suddenly. He even checked my pulse.
“Everything seems normal…”
Muttering to himself, Gant started digging into the garden soil.
“Here, Rael. Eat this.”
“What’s this?”
He handed me a carrot. But it wasn’t orange; it was a vibrant red, like molten lava. I’d never seen a carrot like this, so I found it quite interesting.
“This is a red carrot from the north. It clears your mind. I must have miscalculated your condition. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem severe…”
“Stop spouting nonsense, Gant. I’m fine.”
Despite my words, I brought the carrot to my mouth. Growing up as a beggar taught me never to refuse free food. A northern carrot, despite its appearance, was cool and tasty.
“The red carrot didn’t work… I’ll make a porridge with northern carrots and southern potatoes next.”
“No, I said I’m fine!”
“A porridge that balances cold and warmth. The harmony of yin and yang will be absorbed quickly.”
“Hey!”
Gant didn’t listen and ran off. The harmony of yin and yang, he says. I’m perfectly fine. That giant idiot doesn’t listen to people.
“Isn’t a giant searching for the harmony of yin and yang too far-fetched?”
No one would understand my thoughts if I shared them. Besides, if I criticized the name “Ghost King,” they’d have to question it too. Does it make sense to have a Ghost King in a medieval fantasy world? If so, beggars should have their sect.
“I have nowhere to vent my frustration with this world.”
I stared at the garden alone and then turned away.
Today, I was supposed to ask Gant about the Heaven’s Sword Master and the Dragon, but I got sidetracked by the nonsense conversation and forgot.
‘I want to get to know them better.’
If the Heaven’s Sword Master and the Dragon are supposed to stop the Ghost King’s rampage, they might have information about her. Or they might have great insights not mentioned in the novel.
“Pfft. I’ll ask next time.”
My strength lies in not dwelling on unsolvable problems. I stretched and yawned. Since my work is done, maybe I’ll rest in a hammock like Reina.
Clatter, clatter—
Then I noticed the sword hanging from my waist. Come to think of it, I haven’t practiced my swordsmanship since joining the Special Guard.
“I need to start training again.”
Humans have to do things they don’t want to. To survive in this dirty, unfair world, you have to take care of yourself.
‘Even if I don’t get stronger, I can’t get weaker.’
I overcame my laziness and got up from the hammock.
Click—
Slowly, I reached for my sword. Magic spread from my fingertips through my whole body. At the same time, my senses sharpened.
Translator's note
Ghost king (鬼王), previously Tled as Demon King, which refers to a powerful and commanding spirit or ghost that rules over other spirits.