NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5
“Oh, young Miss, why would you do such menial work yourself?” the nanny asked, sounding both surprised and concerned.
“There’s no menial or noble work in the family! Every task is important. And these chickens lay eggs for Grandfather to eat. I want to help take care of them,” I replied, determined to show that I meant it.
My words left the nanny speechless, and I even noticed Mister Jeon looking a bit humbled. It seemed like what I said about all tasks being equally valuable struck a chord with him.
“Oh, just add a little bit of the flaxseed meal,” he instructed, breaking the silence.
“Less than this?” I asked, holding up a small spoonful.
“Yes, if they eat too much, it reduces their egg production.”
“How about this much?” I adjusted the amount, glancing up at him for approval.
“Yes, that’s perfect…”
While Mister Jeon fumbled with his instructions, I confidently grabbed a wooden spoon and began mixing the ingredients in the large bowl. I must have been a bit too enthusiastic because I ended up with a smudge of flaxseed meal on my cheek.
“Is this good enough?” I asked, holding up the bowl for him to inspect.
People had always pitied me, the family heir who had been bedridden since birth. But when the miraculous treatment finally allowed me to get up, it caused quite a stir in the household. Everyone was excited, and I could sense it.
As I carried the large bowl of feed toward the chicken coop, I noticed Mister Jeon seemed lost in thought. I looked back at him with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.
“That chicken is all black,” I said, pointing to one of the chickens.
“Oh! That’s indeed a black chicken. It’s black from its beak to its bones. Quite… healthy,” Mister Jeon quickly added, clearly trying to find the right words.
“Really? Then I’ll call it Blackie,” I decided with a grin.
“Blackie…”
The nanny quickly interjected, “How about Heuk-wol (Black Moon)? Since it’s the black chicken of the Moonlit Abode.”
“Heuk-wol? Is that better?” I asked, looking between them. Mister Jeon quickly nodded in agreement.
The name Heuk-wol seemed a bit grand for a chicken, but it did sound better than “Blackie.”
“Just put the feed into the trough,” Mister Jeon said, guiding me.
The long, carved wooden trough was empty. As Mister Jeon ladled the feed into it, he spoke cautiously, “Since they were fed well this morning, they might not be very interested now. It’s not that the feed isn’t tasty…”
Before he could finish reassuring me, the chickens suddenly fluttered and flew towards the trough, pecking fiercely at the feed. I watched in surprise as Mister Jeon stood there, stunned, as if he couldn’t believe chickens could be so eager. I couldn’t help but giggle. Maybe chickens were more like little predators than I thought!
“They must have been really hungry,” I observed, watching the chickens devour the feed.
“Y-Yes, it seems so…” Mister Jeon stammered, still looking a bit shaken.
The chickens quickly finished the small amount of feed and returned to pecking at the ground as if nothing had happened. I looked up at Mister Jeon, an idea forming in my mind.
“You said to feed them at dawn, right? I’ll take care of it from now on!” I declared, feeling excited about my new responsibility.
Mister Jeon tried to hide his worried expression and nodded, though I could tell he wasn’t entirely thrilled with the idea.
‘What’s going to happen to me?’ I imagined him thinking, but no divine answer came.
***
My interest in the chickens started after I heard their crowing following my visit with Grandfather. When I discovered that the sound came from the coop managed by the Moonlit Abode’s kitchen, I knew this was it. While bedridden, I had constantly thought of ways to use my excess energy. The best solution was to distribute it to my surroundings.
But giving energy to ordinary people was like pouring seawater into a freshwater tank—dangerous and impractical. It took several refining stages to safely transfer the energy, and I had recently figured out how. It involved purifying water, infusing it with energy, and then boiling it into something usable. This way, I could safely use my energy and help others.
So, the idea of feeding the chickens with energy-infused feed seemed perfect. By creating the feed, I could use my energy. Grandfather would then consume eggs laid by these energized chickens, benefiting his health. And everyone would see me as a dutiful granddaughter. However…
‘These chickens seem to be growing too well,’ I thought as I scattered the feed with a ladle under the umbrella held by my nanny on an early, drizzly morning.
The chickens that had initially rushed at the feed in a frenzy had calmed down after a few days. Now, one of the silkies, its feathers jet black, seemed to grow more intelligent by the day.
“Hmm, Heuk-wol, is it tasty?” I asked, curious.
To my surprise, the chicken nodded its head in response.
I tried to convince myself that the chicken’s response was just a coincidence, but it really seemed like it was answering me.
“The chickens seem to really like the feed you give them,” Nanny Jang said happily.
“It’s probably because I’m the one feeding them,” I replied with a smile.
“No, it’s different from when Mister Jeon feeds them.”
I smiled, watching the chickens. Nanny Jang had a point—there was something different.
“Are you heading to Moonlit Abode after feeding the chickens?” she asked.
“Yep!”
Despite his initial stern reaction when I thanked him, Grandfather hadn’t refused my morning visits since.
‘So many things to worry about just to live a long life…,’ I thought. My health, the well-being of those around me, the family’s situation, and even the local and martial world situations seemed to rest on my shoulders.
‘And then there’s Blood Demon Valley…’
Even if I managed everything else, failing to deal with Blood Demon Valley meant that by the time I turned twenty, I’d be the person scattering chicken feed while watching the martial world burn.
As I pondered these things and started toward Moonlit Abode, I noticed a small figure entering through the side gate near the chicken coop. I turned my head, but the rising sun momentarily blinded me, and I couldn’t make out the newcomer’s face.
However…
[Mind’s Eye 4-Star Achievement (1▲) ]
[You can now see flaws. This ability consumes additional spirit energy. ]
[Mind’s Eye 4-Star integrates with Harmony 4-Star.]
A bright light flashed in my vision as the words appeared. I steadied myself, now familiar with these notifications.
My Mind’s Eye had increased when I first saw Grandfather. I had guessed that the more powerful or significant the person, the quicker my Mind’s Eye would grow. But now, it had jumped to Level 4 just by looking at a boy smaller than me.
‘Is this even possible?’ I wondered, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it.
The notification indicated that Mind’s Eye Level 4 allowed me to see flaws and that it combined with Harmony Level 4. I quickly unfolded the Celestial Mirror from my sleeve and checked my “Harmony” ability.
1 Star: Can blend well.
2 Stars: Can maintain balance.
3 Stars: Can embody what is seen.
4 Stars: Can break discord.
5 Stars: Can correct discord.
6 Stars: Can stand out.
7 Stars: Can remain unnoticed.
Mind’s Eye 4-Star allowed me to see flaws, while Harmony Level 4 allowed me to break discord. What did it mean for these abilities to combine? As I pondered this, I had a sudden realization.
Harmony Level 7: Can remain unnoticed.
‘That’s why no one noticed…’ I thought, finally understanding.
I had always wondered why no one recognized the immense energy I possessed. Usually, people could sense extraordinary energy from something like a century-old ginseng at a glance. Why hadn’t anyone noticed my energy before?
In the past, it made some sense. I was often collapsing, fainting, or coughing up blood—who could have detected my energy amidst all that?
Even though I was still living day to day, my health seemed to be improving. Yet, no one in the family noticed the immense energy I carried.
‘It’s because of Harmony…’
It was curious that I had achieved Harmony Level 7, but I guessed it was my body’s way of surviving. If any skilled martial artist could easily see my true nature, a new wave of bloodshed might sweep the martial world to obtain what they would see as a living elixir.
I realized that my Harmony ability was protecting me, keeping my energy hidden from prying eyes. Without this ability, my life would be in constant danger as people would stop at nothing to use me for their gain.