Kim Mari.
For some reason, her name made me crave the food from a snack shop. She was a person with whom I had a slight connection.
She was the main culprit responsible for the death of our neighbor's friend, Mr. Owl Bear. Of course, I ended up being the one who killed him in the end... Still, it was true that she provided the cause.
And according to my memories, this friend named Kim Mari was also a broadcaster. To give a brief backstory, there was a time when her broadcast attracted a lot of people to the forest, which became quite annoying...
Honestly, it was just annoying, and she wasn't that memorable of a person.
And even now, she was just as bothersome. This was because she was currently streaming live. I could see it: the chat window rapidly filling up beside her.
[Yoo-ha~]
[Chae-rin~]
[? Why is that guy here, lol]
[Who is that?]
[You know, the one who often appears with that NPC named Yor]
[Oh, I see]
I frowned slightly in secret. Damn it, I had disguised myself so I wouldn't be recognized, and now I unexpectedly ran into a broadcaster.
[But who’s that tall person next to Chae-rin?]
[Isn’t it hot wearing a cloak in this weather?]
[But he’s pretty big; is he a guy?]
[Oh my god, is he a guy?]
[Wow, Yoo Chae-rin is hanging out with a guy while on a break, lol]
I felt a little annoyed, but I couldn't just ask her to turn off the stream. Chae-rin had a contract, so she would probably comply, but...
In reality, Kim Mari and I were practically strangers. I couldn't just ask someone whose livelihood was broadcasting to turn off their stream upon first meeting. I wasn't even sure if she'd end it just because I made a fuss.
“By the way, why did you come here, Chae-rin?”
While I was lost in thought, Mari asked Chae-rin. Chae-rin hesitated for a moment, glancing at me, and then answered.
“Uh, um, I heard that Amducias is coming... so I just came to check it out.”
“Aha!”
It wasn't a very thoughtful answer. However, it seemed to be enough for Mari.
“So you didn't open the 19 mode either, Chae-rin!”
“Uh... yes?”
A question mark popped up over Chae-rin’s head. Just then, Mari continued with her explanation.
“They say that the unicorn gives gifts to those who maintain their purity. I came here to get that.”
“Aha... so you haven’t opened that either, Mari?”
“Yeah, hehe. Not here.”
Whether it was Kim Mari or Kim Mal, she wore a somewhat meaningful smile. There was something oddly confident about that smile.
“After all, Amducias wouldn’t know about reality, would he?”
[This guy has been so full of himself since he got a boyfriend.]
[Seriously, why did that priest accept her confession?]
[I want to hit her every time I see this.]
[You’re so pathetic, sisㅠㅠ]
I nodded inwardly. Indeed, it seemed that reality didn't matter.
‘By the way, gifts, huh.’
This was new information to me. I had only heard a vague description of what that demon looked like. I hadn’t grasped his personality or traits properly.
However, from what I was hearing, it seemed like he could detect ‘purity’...
‘Ugh...’
Just thinking about it made me feel embarrassed already.
When I met him, wouldn't he proudly announce, “This guy is a virgin!” for everyone to hear?
For the record, I had been a virgin for a total of 43 years, combining my past life of 20 years and my current life of 23 years...
How embarrassing it would be to have that publicly acknowledged.
Of course, a third party wouldn’t know, but just thinking about it made me feel mortified.
‘Suddenly, I’m getting scared to meet him...’
Thinking about that made me want to turn back.
“This must be fate. How about we do a collab sometime?”
While I was lost in thought, Mari suddenly suggested a collab. Chae-rin looked at me with a “What now?” expression. I quickly shook my head.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I’d love to do a broadcast, but I have companions with me right now...”
“Aha.”
Only then did Mari’s gaze turn to the back.
Then she spoke.
“I’m sorry; it’s my first time seeing you, Chae-rin, so I was so fascinated that I couldn’t even introduce myself. I’m Kim Mari. What are all of your names?”
Suddenly, an introduction? I couldn’t help but be flustered.
Of course, I hadn’t expected a situation like this.
While I was thinking this, time continued to flow.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Im Ha-neul... the editor for Yoo Chae-rin.”
[Why is this guy’s voice so soft?]
[Is he kind of cute? www]
[He has a huge chest ㄷㄷ]
With Im Ha-neul’s shy introduction, all eyes turned to me.
I hurriedly made up a name and spoke, lowering my voice to conceal my identity as much as possible.
“...Yohan.”
[Oh ㄷㄷㄷ]
This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēwebnovel.com.
[His voice is so deep ㄷㄷ]
[Hee... Oppa...]
[My lower half is also a cave; wanna see? ㅎㅎ]
[You have been kicked by the manager.]
Fortunately, it seemed to pass smoothly.
“Then let’s meet again next time. It was nice meeting you!”
“Ah, yes! Same here...!”
After chatting for a bit, Kim Mari went on her way again.
I heard she was planning to tell the villagers to evacuate again.
Since they had lived here their whole lives, they didn’t listen well, but these little things could help with her reputation.
“Phew...”
Once Mari was completely gone, Chae-rin let out a light sigh. Both she and Ha-neul seemed quite drained.
Ha-neul murmured with a voice full of various emotions.
“She’s quite... lively.”
I nodded. Whether in a good or bad way, she was lively.
If we were to assess it based on the popular MBTI from the past, I felt like she would exceed 90% in E.
Being sociable is certainly an advantage, but being around her could be mentally exhausting.
Well, I guess that’s why she has her own guild and does broadcasts and all that.
‘Can’t use a spear...’
I thought to myself as I licked my lips. That was already exposed a lot during broadcasts.
Just saying that I use a spear could cause specific problems.
This time, I was glad I brought my weapon pouch.
It was disappointing that I had to hide my main weapon, but I could still handle other weapons.
A spear and dagger were the best, but as long as I could wield a weapon, it didn’t really matter, did it?
“Then let’s take a break at the inn now.”
I said that and tried to head into the inn.
However, at that moment, a scream was heard from somewhere.
“Ahhh! A demon!”
“What?”
“Is it already here...?”
The scream caused my companions to turn their heads.
Identify—!
I shot straight toward the direction of the scream.
“Please save us! I beg you!”
“Please, we have a child who hasn’t even been weaned yet...”
A young couple who looked like they were married trembled before a large white horse standing on all fours.
If it weren’t for the enormous horn on its head, the couple likely wouldn’t be so terrified.
Even in this quiet rural village, news spreads fast.
As such, there was already information circulating about the demon, Amducias.
A mad demon that only kills those who have lost their purity.
When the otherworlders were shouting that a demon would come here, I scoffed and ignored them...
‘Who would have thought it would actually invade!’
The couple had already resigned themselves to the thought of dying.
The two who had grown up in this village had recently fulfilled their love.
“Wahh! Waaaah!!”
In fact, a child was crying between them.
“.........”
However, contrary to the couple’s expectations, the unicorn did not attack them recklessly.
Instead, there was a joyful atmosphere on its face.
If they could read the horse’s expression, they would have noticed it was smiling broadly.
Then, the unicorn opened its mouth.
“Wonderful.”
“Eh, yes...?”
“To live your life preserving your purity and then marry a pure person to have a pure child. Is this not the greatest beauty that humanity can display?”
“Um, but...”
The child’s father, who had been listening blankly, finally spoke up.
“We lost our virginity to each other while embracing each other. As you can see from this child... But you’re still going to spare us?”
How dare a human ask a demon a question. It was unimaginable in ordinary circumstances, but the father couldn’t suppress his curiosity.
This was a stark contrast to the crazy demon they had heard about in society.
“Humans sometimes have misunderstandings about purity.”
The unicorn chuckled and continued.
“The ones I speak of who have lost their purity are those who irresponsibly indulge in pleasure.
The act of giving life should indeed be noble, yet those people are damaging the very perception of that act...”
“.........Ah.”
“Such people deserve to die. However, aren’t you different?
You have maintained your integrity throughout your life, and after promising to be together, you have brought forth the fruit of love. This is either a blessing or a work of art!”
The unicorn laughed heartily and placed a hoof on the child’s head.
“A gift! I shall grant your child a blessing. From now on, their voice shall sing of the heavens.”
“Th-thank you!”
Though they received power from a demon, the couple bowed deeply.
For them, just surviving was a blessing.
Later, the child grew up to be a remarkably talented bard... but that’s another story.
Although the couple survived, that didn’t mean the unicorn’s business was finished.
“However, even in such a village, the impure exist.”
The village was a community where dozens of humans lived together, and therefore, impure people were bound to exist.
The unicorn began to follow the unpleasant scent, moving its feet.
But then—
“I’ve found you. You filthy horse.”
Crash—!
A human wearing a hood, wielding a long sword, blocked the unicorn’s path.
The unicorn glared at the human who stood in its way, furrowing its brow.
“Who dares to...”
Then it couldn’t help but be startled.
The human in front of it revealed a deep white color.
A color that could only be seen by the unicorn's eyes, which discerned ‘purity.’ And its meaning was clear.
Seeing that milk-like whiteness, the unicorn smiled broadly and exclaimed,
“What pure essence...!”