A room with not a single light on.
In the silence, Yuseon sat on a throne, her eyes closed, resting her chin on her hand.
Beyond her closed eyes lay only darkness, and the room remained steeped in quiet.
But unlike the stillness of the room, Yuseonâs mind was in turmoil.
[â¦Swallowâ¦]
A voice echoed.
[Kill.]
[Consume.]
[Swallow the shard.]
The incessant whispers made Yuseon lift her hand from her chin to her forehead.
"â¦Noisy."
How long had it been since she had last been able to sleep? Likely ever since the Ice Essence had chosen her.
Her body, no longer bound by human limitations, didnât require rest, so the lack of sleep posed no physical problem.
Yet, she still felt weary.
Not physicallyâ
But mentally.
Thinking about this, Yuseon allowed herself a faint, bitter smile.
"Weak⦠so weak."
Even after shedding her humanity, to feel exhausted over something so trivialâit was laughable.
She had become a great being, chosen by the Ice Essence.
Such petty concerns should no longer bother her.
"Hmâ¦"
Deciding so, Yuseon waved her hand.
Wuuum.
Each time her fingertips brushed the air, ripples formed. Feeling the faint vibrations, she repeated the motion.
[Devour it.]
[So thatâ¦]
"I understand, so be quiet for a moment, will you?"
Yuseon frowned at the recurring commands.
"I will do it. You need not rush me."
There was no need for constant reminders. She had made a contract for this very purpose.
To her wordsâ
[But why?]
[Why havenât you consumed it yet?]
The Ice Essence questioned her, its tone filled with curiosity. Why hadnât she swallowed the shard yet? Yuseonâs thoughts drifted to a certain young man.
[Yuseon-nim.]
A man who continued to act against her wishes.
A man who displeased her.
And yetâ
The one person she wanted most to possess.
"â¦Iâm merely waiting for the right time."
Yuseons voice carried a faint weariness.
"So please, be quiet. Iâd like to be left alone for now."
Her tone was tinged with irritation.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
[â¦]
The once incessant voice fell silent.
As the room grew calmer, Yuseon tilted her head, her expression curious.