Infinite System Inheritor Return From The Abyss - Chapter 413

Chapter 413: Chapter 411: Areum Jung
Seojun gently placed the teacup back on the wooden table and turned his calm gaze toward the village chief. His voice was steady as he asked, “Where is Areum Jung?”

The chief let out a deep sigh, the kind that carried years of unspoken thoughts. His eyes, which had once looked tired but now held a quiet strength, softened with regret.

“She doesn’t want to return to your academy,” the chief said, shaking his head slowly. “I’ve spoken with her many times, tried to persuade her gently and sometimes more firmly… but the answer never changes. She prefers to stay here.”

He leaned back in his chair, looking out of the window where a breeze carried the light scent of grass and wood smoke.

“This village is her home now. She loves it deeply. She says this is where she belongs.”

Seojun listened in silence, The chief’s voice lowered slightly, as if the next words were heavier. “Areum doesn’t have any other family. Her parents were fishermen… They weren’t from this island, but the sea brought them here.”

There was a long pause as the chief looked down at his hands. Then he continued.

“It happened during a storm, about 15 years ago. A powerful one. Their boat was small, too weak to survive the waves. After the storm passed, the villagers found the broken pieces of their wooden boat scattered near the shore. Their bodies were carried in by the sea… and with them, we found a little girl.”

He looked at Seojun, his eyes slightly misty. “Areum was only three years old back then. She was holding onto a piece of driftwood, unconscious, but still alive. It was a miracle she survived.”

Seojun’s expression remained quiet, but there was a flicker of emotion behind his calm eyes.

“We buried her parents with respect, right here in our land,” the chief said gently. “And we took Areum in. She grew up here, among our people.”

The room was silent again, but this time, it was a gentle silence filled with understanding.

“She trains by herself every day. She helps the villagers. She smiles, but she avoids talking about leaving. It’s like her heart is tied to this place.”

Seojun nodded slowly, finally speaking in a low, firm tone. “She’s been through a lot.”

The chief gave a small smile, one filled with both pride and sadness. “Yes. But she’s strong. Maybe even too strong for her age.”

He stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the misty trees surrounding the village. “If you truly want to take her back… it won’t be easy. You’ll need to convince her yourself. We’ve all tried. But maybe, just maybe… she’ll listen to you.”

Seojun stood from his chair, his coat slightly moving from the breeze coming through the open window. “Where can I find her?”

“She’s at the northern hill,” the chief said, turning to him again. “There’s a quiet clearing past the forest. We built a training ground there, and she spends most of her time alone in that place.”

“Thank you,” Seojun said softly.

The chief gave him a nod of respect. “May your words reach her heart.”

Seojun stood up quietly, giving the village chief a respectful nod. Without saying another word, he turned toward the door and stepped outside.

Inside, young Sam walked up beside his grandfather, his small face full of curiosity. He looked toward the door Seojun had just used and asked, “Grandpa, why were you so calm with him? You always make sure intruders never come back here.”

The chief smiled gently and placed his hand on the boy’s head, giving it a light pat. “He’s not like the others, Sam. The people who tried to take this island before—they came with greed and hidden intentions. But this one… he’s different.”

Sam tilted his head, still confused. “Different how?”

The chief looked out the window where Seojun had gone. “He’s the man in the prophecy.”

Sam’s eyes widened. “The one big sis Sani saw in her vision?”

The chief nodded slowly. “Yes.”

Sam blinked, then frowned a little. “But… you didn’t warn him about Sister Areum. You should have told him.”

The chief laughed softly, shaking his head. “I don’t need to, Sam… But I want you to learn something more important.”

“Like what?”

“Learn to judge a person’s mana and strength just by looking at them,” the chief said, kneeling to meet his grandson’s eyes. “You can’t always wait for answers from others. You must learn to see with your own heart and power.”

Sam blinked again, his head tilting in confusion. “Is that even possible, Grandpa?”

“Yes,” the old man said firmly, his voice low but full of meaning. “It’s hard, but it’ll save your life one day. There are people in this world you should never mess with. If you can sense who they are… you’ll know when to fight, and when to step back.”

Sam nodded slowly. “I understand, Grandpa.”

He looked at the closed door where Seojun had left, and something in his young eyes turned serious. “After seven years, I’ll find him again. If he’s the man in the prophecy, that only means he’s the only person who can help me grow stronger.”

The chief let out a loud laugh, one full of warmth and pride. “You sound exactly like your father.” He looked up at the ceiling, his smile softening. “They’re probably happy, watching you and your sister grow exactly what they want.”

_____________

Seojun walked down the narrow path leading out of the village.

The dirt path was quiet under his steps. Only the soft rustle of wind brushing against the trees could be heard. Seojun looked up, seeing the sun breaking through small openings in the thick white mist above.

The forest became thicker now. The trees were tall, and old roots curled up from the ground like sleeping creatures.

He followed the chief’s direction without hesitation, heading toward the north. After a while, the path slowly turned uphill. Stone steps, covered in moss, led higher and higher.

And then, as he reached the top, the trees opened into a wide clearing—flat, silent, and surrounded by tall stone pillars that marked it as a training ground. The mist hung lightly above the grass, but in the center, standing with her back turned, was a girl with short brown hair.

Seojun stopped and watched her from afar. “Areum Jung,”