Chapter 9: A Future That Refuses to Be Seen

Osh had never acted of his own will before. In midair, the gazes of Osh and Enok collided. Maybe it was just Kebel’s imagination, but it felt as if sparks were crackling between their eyes.

Could it be… that they recognized each other as destined partners? Watching them, Kebel’s eyes gleamed with interest.

“Would you let go of my wrist?”

Enok spoke first, his expression slightly irritated. But Osh remained silent. His face was completely blank, yet the way he stared felt strangely cold.

“Osh,” Kebel muttered.

Only then did Osh release Enok’s hand. As if he had touched something filthy, he wiped his hand on his clothes. Kebel’s eyes widened.

‘No way… Osh just expressed emotion?!’

Even seeing it with his own eyes, he could hardly believe it. A quiet gasp escaped him, and he had to suppress the smile threatening to spread across his lips.

It seemed his “training” hadn’t been pointless after all, Osh was clearly changing.

“…I’m sorry.”

He was apologizing, but it didn’t feel sincere. It was like a child forced to apologize without truly admitting fault.

Osh then placed his hand over Kebel’s, which rested on the crystal ball, rubbing it as if disinfecting it. Watching this, Kebel’s face flushed.

Why was he suddenly doing something like this now, of all times?

“It’s fine. More importantly… can you let go of my hand?”

“…Do you really have to do this?”

If someone were asked to describe a puppy, wouldn’t it look exactly like this? Kebel felt his heart soften at Osh’s innocent eyes.

Still, Enok’s fortune-telling was famous. Giving up now would be a waste. Besides, Kebel wanted to know, would his future truly end with Osh taking his head?

“…Sorry. Could you try again?”

“Yes.”

Enok placed his hand over Kebel’s again. For just a moment, Osh’s eyebrow twitched.

A soft, strange sensation spread, and Enok’s expression darkened. Kebel felt a flicker of unease.

Enok closed his eyes again, concentrating.

Then…

His eyes snapped open.

Looking slightly irritated, Enok pulled his hand away and ran it through his hair. For an eleven-year-old, his presence was intimidating enough to make Kebel tense.

“…Is it bad?”

“That shouldn’t be possible…”

Muttering, Enok handed back the five silver coins.

Kebel’s anxiety spiked. Without thinking, he grabbed Enok’s hand, looking almost desperate.

He had so many questions. Osh was changing, so what about his own future? Would he still die before sixteen?

But he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Because Osh was right there, watching him.

In the end, Kebel let go with a dry sigh. Enok began packing up.

“…Isn’t he a scammer?”

Ida cut in bluntly.

Enok shot him a sharp glare.

It was understandable that he’d be offended, but Kebel didn’t correct it. After all, he wasn’t in a great mood either.

“Take that back. Right now.”

Despite his small frame, Enok’s presence was fierce. But he was still just a child, and Ida was a trained knight.

Not wanting things to escalate, Kebel stepped between them.

“That’s enough, Ida. I’m fine.”

“But-”

“I said I’m fine. Instead… I’ll pay double. So tell me.”

Even Enok hesitated at that.

With a sigh, he finally spoke.

“First of all, I’m not a scammer. I’ve never failed to see someone’s fortune before.”

“I believe you.”

“But for you… I see nothing. Not once has that ever happened. It’s like trying to see the future of someone who’s already dead.”

“…What?”

‘Nothing?’

A chill ran down Kebel’s spine.

Like the future of someone already dead.

The words terrified him. What if he could disappear at any moment, without warning? His lips dried, and he licked them unconsciously. His fingers trembled despite himself.

He tried to smile, but it came out stiff.

“If that’s not a scam, then what is it? You can’t see his future? Do you even know who he-”

“Ida. Stop.”

Kebel shook his head, forcing a grin.

“It’s fine. If I don’t have a future… I’ll just carve one out myself.”

“Hey, brat.”

At that moment, two large men approached.

Enok recognized them immediately and frowned.

They looked exactly like street thugs.

“Made a lot of money, huh?”

“Get lost.”

“Still haven’t learned your lesson? Guess we’ll have to teach you again.”

They laughed, then turned threatening.

“Hand it over. Rent for your spot.”

“I don’t owe you anything.”

“Don’t lie… we saw you taking customers!”

“If you want to hit me, go ahead. Is extortion how the Hroot Viscount makes a living?”

“What did you say?!”

One of them grabbed Enok’s belongings and threw them to the ground.

Even in the tense situation, Kebel had a strange thought.

‘This felt exactly like the beginning of the original story.’

Which meant…

The crown prince should appear any moment now.

Not wanting to interfere with that fated encounter, Kebel stepped back.

Osh followed, uninterested. Only Ida remained restless.

Kebel smirked faintly.

‘Don’t worry, Ida. A blond knight will show up and save him.’

Kebel glanced around.

Where was he?

He should be here…

But no matter how much he looked, there was no blond boy.

Only the noisy chaos of the market.

Why?

Had the story already changed?

Anxiety crept in.

“Looking for someone?” Osh asked.

“…No.”

Kebel stared at him.

He didn’t want Osh getting involved.

Even if things had already changed, he didn’t want Osh and Enok getting any closer.

Why did that bother him so much?

He didn’t know.

In the end, Kebel made a decision.

He stepped forward.

“Hey. You two.”

The thugs froze, turning toward him with scowls.

But Kebel wasn’t intimidated.

Instead, he smiled, deliberately annoying.

“Shouldn’t you stop?”

“…And who are you?”

They clearly meant to speak casually, but noticing the knight beside him, they quickly switched to polite speech.

Kebel found it amusing.

“Oh, nothing. Just someone who thinks your behavior is pathetic.”

“…What?”

“Oh, you don’t know what that means? It’s a very refined word. Shame.”

With a crooked grin, Kebel let out a small laugh.

For a kid to act this arrogantly, it must have infuriated them.

Seeing it so clearly only made it more satisfying.

Kebel shrugged lightly, still smiling.