Chapter 22: I Take Refuge (Namu) (5) (2/2)

“Yes”

“Don’t you think you need to persuadethat would persuade you, but I don't have anything” Chi-Woo gruwi is merely used where I’m from In reality, neither I nor anyone in this cas are I need more infor so”

Rawiya looked at him like she had no idea what to make of hi with Chi-Woo’s words

Instead, she asked, “What if I tell you I’rateful that you saved Hawa, but I can’t let you borrow the statue?”

“Then it can’t be helped,” Chi-Woo replied indifferently

“But you’re still going forith your plan? Are you going to be like the fifth recruits and take dangerous and unknown risks?”

“Nope,” Chi-Woo i forith any plan”

Rawiya looked shocked “You’re…not going to?”

“Yes”

“What about that female comrade of yours?”

“Well…if there’s no other way”

Rawiya could tell that Chi-Woo was being honest He ht have stepped forward, but it didn’ta bit, Chi-Woo had organized hts In the first place, he had felt unco pushed to the front, so there was no reason for hierous plan if the necessary conditions couldn’t be met Of course, he would help out if he could—but only if the prerequisites he set for hioal That was the reason why he caoal above everything else The World’s Milestone, e, and whatever else all ca to do his best, he couldn’t do things that surpassed his abilities, or to put it simply, there was no reason for him to risk his life It didn’t really matter to him if he couldn’t borrow the statue No, it would actually put him more at ease He had already h this situation was regretful for Ru Hiana, he would simply tell her, ‘I tried to borrow the statue, but they told me I couldn’t borrow it I’m sorry,’ and be over with it In that case, he had no intentions to stop Ru Hiana if she wanted to leave by herself

“Are you really…fine with that?”

“I think that’s rather natural”

“Natural?”

“I understand why you’re not letting me borrow the statue Honestly, it’ll be less burdensome for me if you don’t let me borrow it”

“What do youto explain sooes wrong, it’ll doole one of you How can it not be burdensome?”

It was said that if you know your enemy and know yourself, even a hundred battles would pose no danger But perhaps the opposite was also true—if you didn’t know your enereat danger

“I’hts battles that I can win for sure”

Rawiya didn’t say anything She just stared at Chi-Woo with an astonished expression, as if she was staring at a strange anihtly raspy voice “Don’t really seem like a hero”

Chi-Woo felt a prick froood instincts

“So…” Rawiya let out a deep breath “That’s your stance” She nodded with a lighthearted expression “I got it now” She s, “It see you a burden you can’t endure”

She was right Her words stung a little, but ulti hat she just said Chi-Woo was going to let it pass when—

“Why don’t you get ready if you’re not going to restas soon as the sun rises You ht?”

Chi-Woo’s eyes widened “Didn’t you say you’re still discussing whether or not to let me borrow that statue?”

“Yep And the discussion is going to end soon”

“?”

“Because the person with the highest authority aoing to vote in favor soon”

inside his h, but Rawiya’s words struck him like a thunderbolt out of the blue

“Please wait”

“What’s wrong?”

“Why the sudden change of mind?”

“Is there a reason why I shouldn’t?” Rawiya see him “It’s not like ant to live like this forever” She continued while looking straight at him “If there’s a way to overcoht to take care of not only yourself but us as well, and if you aren’t chasing lofty ideals, but can instead face the reality and recognize the gravity of the —,” Rawiya spoke with a soft voice tinged with liveliness Then with perfect precision, she enunciated her next feords, “If you’re that type of hero, I want to try trusting you at least once”

Chi-Woo becahtly and turned around “I heard your thoughts very well It was refreshi+ng to hear such a realistic answer I like it”

“…”

“As you told Hawa, I’ll try trusting and relying on you I look forward to collaborating with you”

Raaved at him and disappeared into a tent

Chi-Woo stood frozen like a stone statue ?’

Chi-Woo’s jaw fell when realization dawned on him The namu part in the mantra he had chanted to Hawa meant “to rely on”, which indicated absolute faith in Buddha’s teachings

s turn out like this…’</eh He tilted his head and looked at the sky Before he realized it, the light drizzle earlier had stopped From far away, he saw the sunrise