Extra Chapter: The Guardian's Story

I was born from a snow woman and a human. I was considered a half-demon. I lived my life in the snow.

Everyday was like a nightmare. I don’t have anyone to talk to.

Everyone was afraid of me because of my power.

For some reason, my body won’t age. Maybe it’s because of the fact that I’m a half human and a half snow woman.

I have this body of a child.

My blood was considered the holy water; it can bring immortality to those who managed to drink it.

On the other hand, my tears that became pearls could heal any illness or wounds.

That’s why, various hunters have come for my head. They only care for money and wealth. That’s why I hate humans. They let their greed take over.

But...

That man... was different.

“I won’t give you my blood. If you don’t want to die, leave this instant!”

A group of teenagers calling themselves agents have come for the holy water.

That man was so bright.

“You’re alone this whole time. I can’t imagine your sadness.”

He said.

“Sorry but I can’t leave empty-handed. There’s someone who needs the holy water. If I leave right now, I’ll be accepting the fact that I can’t save anyone.”

I was always alone but he managed to make me smile.

I helped him.

I gave him my tears in exchange for the holy water.

“That holy water makes someone immortal? Really?”

Dylan, that man, asked. 

“Yes.”

I answered him. 

“Well, I don’t need immortality. I just need your tears.”

He said with a bright smile.

He has no greed at all. He just says something that comes into his mind. A total carefree person.

He visits me every weekend.

“Yuki, you have siblings?”

He asked. 

“No.”

I replied. 

“Heh, I have one. A little sister.”

He said like he's bragging her. 

“You have a little sister?”

I asked him. 

“Yeah. Her name’s Jen.”

He said and even told me her name. 

So he has a sister? He never mentioned his family whenever we talk but that little sister of him, he always talks about her.

“You reminded me of my sister.”

He added. 

“Really?”

I smiled as I asked. 

“Yeah, she’s so cold sometimes. She even argues with me and I can’t totally fight back.”

He became depressed.

“And even if I did, she’ll just crush me for good.”

He added. Seemed like he’s always losing his ground around his sister. Yep, totally one-sided fight.

“But she’s always been so kind. She never left someone in need. She acts tough but she’s so soft inside.”

He’s smiling.

It feels like that his sister was one of the greatest treasures he has in his life.

“I want to meet your sister someday.”

I said.

“Really? Okay! I’ll bring her with me next time.”

He became so dear to me. Because of him, smiling became so easy to me.

But...

My happy days had come to an end. I knew this day would come but it never occurred to me that I’ll be gone like this.

A group of hunters managed to land a hit on me. I received a very fatal wound.

My blood’s flowing, but I can’t let them know. I can’t let them get me. My blood becoming a source of immortality? I don’t want that to happen. Never!

“Yuki! Yuki! Wake up!”

I can hear him. Then, I opened my eyes.

“You came?”

I barely asked him. 

“What happened? You’re bleeding!”

He asked. 

“Please... don’t let my body be discovered by humans.”

I don’t want to die yet. I want to be with you.

“Please, a snow woman’s body don’t rot. It lives for eternity. At least, please hide my body so that humans with evil desires won’t make a profit out of me.”

I started crying. My tears that became pearls rolled everywhere.

He started carrying me.

“I promise. I won’t let anyone harm you, or get immortality from you.”

He carried me around and has reached a valley. 

He made a cave. I know he has mysterious powers just like me. but I didn’t know the reasons why. That cave was so beautiful. Everything was shining.

No one could ever touch me there. 

And I died there. Though I died, I have seen everything as a spirit. After I died, he buried my body underground.

He knelt and prayed for me. He even cried for me.

“I’m sorry for letting you die.”

He said.

I, as a spirit, have at least patted his head and said “it’s okay.”

He could see my spirit.

I used to think that without him, the world may be in danger. He just saved it but it caused his death. I could see from here. The light that he emitted, just to save the world illuminated all the evil.

Ten years after...

A certain group of teenagers came by...

A man was searching for me.

“Thank goodness you’re safe. Let’s get out of here. It’s dangerous here.”

“I can’t go...”

“Are you, by chance, the real guardian of this cave?”

He asked. 

“There’s no such thing as holy water in here. Leave!”

I told him. 

“You mentioned earlier that you died in here a long long time ago. I can’t imagine your sadness.”

He added that. 

“You’re alone this whole time. I can’t imagine your sadness.”

It made me remember what I said the last time. 

“I want to meet your sister someday.”

I started reminiscing thoughts like this.

Could he be possibly?

But the one’s standing right before me is a guy?

I wavered for a minute but when he said, 

“But I can’t possibly leave. Someone needs the holy water. If I leave right now, I’ll be accepting the fact that I can’t save anyone.”

Ah? 

“Sorry but I can’t leave empty-handed. There’s someone who needs the holy water. If I leave right now, I’ll be accepting the fact that I can’t save anyone.”

Your sister’s a lot like you.

I wanted to meet her. I’m so happy that tears began to flow right through my eyes. Even though I’m just a spirit, these tears became solid themselves. I wished to support your sister.

“The holy water stopped existing 10 years ago. But these pearls could also heal someone’s illness. Take it.”

I handed the pearls to her.

“Jairo! Come on! We’ve got to go now! The spiders keep coming and coming!”

Her friends kept calling her. 

“Thank you for helping me.”

She bowed before me. That’s why I said she’s a lot like you.

She ran back to her friends.

“You reminded me of him, Jen.”

That’s the last words I said to her.

I smiled from the bottom of my heart.

I watched the blue sky, and wondered "Are you, by chance, still watching over your sister, Dylan?" 

She’s a very strong person, just like you.