If the Body Is Strong, the Mind Does Not Suffer.

Nam Woo-jin's hair and even his pupils were pure white. After greeting Lee Sa-young with a nod, he turned his attention to Cha Eui-jae, Grandmother, and Park Ha-eun standing behind them. His white eyes, behind silver-rimmed glasses, scanned the three people as if observing them, then he bowed.

"Nice to meet you. You are the patient Choi Pil-sun and her guardian Cha Eui-jae, correct?"

"Ah, yes. That's correct."

Cha Eui-jae also bowed politely in response. He had been tense, thinking Nam Woo-jin might be quite close to Lee Sa-young, but Nam Woo-jin seemed to be a sensible person, which was reassuring. The white-haired man straightened up and checked the watch on his wrist.

"Well then… shall we start the consultation? Time is precious, after all. I'll guide you to the consultation room."

"Can we bring Ha-eun along?"

"Yes, that's fine."

Cha Eui-jae had worriedly asked for permission, but the person in question seemed to have no interest in the adults' conversation at all.

Park Ha-eun was busy looking around, turning her little head in every direction. It seemed like her eyes were spinning, seeing such a library with so many books for the first time in her life. Even for Cha Eui-jae, the scenery here was somewhat surprising.

Park Ha-eun was engrossed in the sight of a librarian hastily pushing a book cart somewhere.

'She looks like she wants to ride that thing…'

As Cha Eui-jae was thinking about which direction and when he should catch her if she tried to run and jump on the book cart, his eyes met Nam Woo-jin's. Nam Woo-jin gave a faint smile.

"Ha-eun seems to prefer exploring the library to coming into the consultation room. Don't you think so?"

"…I suppose so."

"Then why don't we let Ha-eun continue exploring the library while I take just the guardian and the patient? One of our guild members will assist the patient."

"Oh no, I'm fine…"

The elderly woman lightly waved her hand, but Nam Woo-jin responded skillfully yet firmly.

"You may be able to walk well, but the consultation room is a bit of a distance away. It would be better for your legs to accept the assistance. Now then…"

Perhaps his experience dealing with elderly patients at a regular hospital was showing. While Cha Eui-jae was inwardly impressed, Nam Woo-jin turned around, signaling them to follow with a short laugh. A librarian with a yellow armband carefully assisted the grandmother.

Cha Eui-jae's gaze fell on Lee Sa-young, who was standing a step back.

"Lee Sa-young, what about you?"

"No need for me to follow, is there?"

"That's true, but…"

Before stepping into the corridor to follow his grandmother, Cha Eui-jae glanced at Park Ha-eun, who was now looking eager to run between the bookshelves. That girl…

Cha Eui-jae grabbed Lee Sa-young's arm and pulled him slightly closer.

"Hey, Sa-young."

"…"

Lee Sa-young, wearing his gas mask, looked at Cha Eui-jae quietly. His gaze felt somewhat peculiar, but Cha Eui-jae brushed it off and whispered softly into Lee Sa-young's ear.

"Can you watch Ha-eun for me?"

"…"

Lee Sa-young's violet eyes behind the mask lenses momentarily reflected an exasperated look.

"You're using me as a babysitter now?"

"No, I don't want to ask you for this either, but look at her."

Cha Eui-jae pointed at Park Ha-eun. Her interests were changing by the second. In 20 seconds, her head had turned from the bookshelf to the librarian, to the book cart, back to the librarian, to the books, and so on, without staying fixed on anything. Cha Eui-jae muttered to himself.

"I think Ha-eun might get lost while Grandma is having her consultation."

"…"

"Just stay near her so she doesn't get lost. That's all I'm asking."

"…"

Lee Sa-young looked down at Cha Eui-jae silently. Cha Eui-jae didn't avoid his gaze and met his eyes behind the mask. After a moment, Lee Sa-young gave a small nod, and Cha Eui-jae smiled broadly, patting Lee Sa-young on the back.

"Thanks. I'll be back soon!"

And then he ran off.

'…Does getting patted on the back always hurt this much?'

It was a sharp pain he hadn't felt in a long time. Lee Sa-young rubbed his back where Cha Eui-jae had patted, then slowly followed Park Ha-eun, who had already disappeared between the bookshelves.

Park Ha-eun was squatting in front of the bottom shelf, pulling out a thick hardcover book as big as her forearm. Lee Sa-young checked the title of the book.

"T-0783 Physical Experiment Report"

It definitely didn't seem like appropriate reading material for a nine-year-old. How did she manage to pull out such a book? Was it because she was Cha Eui-jae's niece? She wasn't ordinary either. Lee Sa-young quickly approached and spoke to her.

"Hey, kid."

"…"

No response. Her hearing should be fine. Lee Sa-young frowned slightly and corrected the way he addressed her.

"…Park Ha-eun?"

"What?"

Only then did Park Ha-eun look up at Lee Sa-young with wide eyes. Ah, she didn't like being called "kid." She ignored it completely. Lee Sa-young pointed at the hardcover book she was holding.

"Your uncle wouldn't like you reading that."

"What's it about?"

"Something your uncle wouldn't like."

Apparently, this child didn't like being treated as a kid. So instead of saying it was something she shouldn't read, Lee Sa-young said it was something her uncle wouldn't like. Telling someone not to do something only makes them want to do it more.

A look of contemplation crossed Park Ha-eun's round face. Lee Sa-young gestured to a passing librarian.

"Hey."

"Yes? Ah, Guild Leader Lee Sa-young. What can I help you with?"

"Is there a book suitable for this child?"

Lee Sa-young nodded toward the much smaller girl. The librarian kindly guided them.

"Ah, there's a corner with picture books for children over there. We also have a section with educational comics."

Although Lee Sa-young had visited this library multiple times, he hadn't known there were picture books and educational comics here. All the books in this library must be ones Nam Woo-jin had read. Today, he had to appreciate Nam Woo-jin's thirst for knowledge.

Looking down at the round head, Lee Sa-young said,

"I think your uncle would like it if you read an educational comic."

"Hmm…"

"That book doesn't have any pictures."

"…"

Well, except for dissected photos of experimented humans or monsters. Lee Sa-young swallowed the last part. After some contemplation, Park Ha-eun finally put the hardcover book back in its place with a grunt and muttered gloomily,

"Where's the educational comic section?"

Good. Lee Sa-young smiled slightly with satisfaction and followed the librarian. The place the librarian led them to was a children's section with relatively low bookshelves filled with colorful books. Soft, plush mats covered the floor, and there were large stuffed toys scattered around.

'She should be fine here.'

Park Ha-eun, her previous gloominess gone, was now eagerly browsing through the books. Lee Sa-young asked the librarian for a chair, then sat down in a spot where he could see the children's section clearly, closed his eyes, and crossed his arms.

Just when he thought things had quieted down with Park Ha-eun engrossed in books, a small, familiar presence slowly approached him. It was Park Ha-eun. Lee Sa-young slightly opened his eyes to look down at her.

"…"

"Um, you know…"

Her innocent eyes were sparkling like they had when she first saw the library. Meeting her gaze, Lee Sa-young felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding.

Park Ha-eun spread her fingers wide and made a V sign over them with her other hand, mimicking a gesture Lee Sa-young had made in a public service advertisement.

"You're the person who did this on TV, right?"

"…"

"Can you do it for me once?"

Park Ha-eun's eyes sparkled with anticipation. He thought if he did it once, she'd lose interest and go back to reading. It wasn't a big deal… though he didn't particularly want to do it, Lee Sa-young decided to oblige rather than drag it out. He made the gesture from the public service ad for Park Ha-eun. However, Park Ha-eun was very strict, like a meticulous pottery master.

"That's not it!"

Her bright, round eyes looked like a small whirlwind in her enthusiasm. Lee Sa-young made a dismissive gesture with his hand.

"I did it. Go back to your book."

"Nooo, just once more. Please?"

Lee Sa-young sighed briefly. Then he made the gesture from the ad again, hoping this time it would satisfy her. But his hopes were dashed as Park Ha-eun firmly declared,

"Again!"

"Read your book."

"Just once more."

'You said all I had to do was keep an eye on her so she wouldn't get lost, damn it…'

At that moment, Lee Sa-young missed Cha Eui-jae terribly.