- Now, as Ara climbed down the mountain, she felt a gentle breeze.
- She needed to hurry before the sun completely sets, so she continued walking.
- Ara spoke, as she hurried her steps.
 Ara: Still, I'm glad. Eun: ... What do you mean?- Ara stopped, catching her breath from climbing down a large boulder. There were lots of stones on the steep path, and the shadow cast from the trees made it harder to see.
- She walked a bit further, and responded quietly.
- Ara: That the holy spirit likes its new home.
- Eun: .......
- Ara: ... When your mind is set, it takes effort to like something.
- Ara: I've left my home, and started on a journey. I was able to meet many new people.
- Ara: Some didn't end well, but I'm sure I'll meet many people whom I will form lasting relationships.
- Ara: But... I thought, no matter where I go, it wouldn't be home.
- Ara: I think I'm similar to my brother that way. We should really hurry and track him down.
- Eun: ... Then why do you waste your time with other things?
- Ara: Haha... At first, I thought it was related to demons.
- Ara: But even after I realized that wasn't the case, I still wanted to help. Not only was it hard to refuse Jen Che's request, but... The holy beast looked lonely.
- Ara: I wasn't good at making friends when I was little. I was shy and timid.
- Ara: I always hung out where other children around my age would play to make friends, yet whenever someone asked if I wanted to join, I would refuse.
- Eun: Why did you?
- Ara: I'm not sure. Maybe I was embarrassed. Maybe I was scared they wouldn't like me... It's complicated. I guess I just couldn't make up my mind.
- Ara: That's why I thought maybe the spirit couldn't make up its mind either.
- Ara: In the end... I just felt like it. There's really no way of telling whether or not the spirit felt lonely.
- Eun: Your mind is the window in which you view the world. You see as much as your mind can perceive.
- Ara: Then I should broaden my perspective. So I can see more.
- Ara: ... Come to think of it, what do you think that curse was? It's good we were able to figure out it was a demonic curse, but I've never seen anything like it before.
- Eun: I thought I was finally getting used to fighting demons, but a curse that affects the mind of holy beasts...? Will we have to fight other beings as well from now on, and not just demons?
- Eun: No use worrying about that now. There's no way to know what the future will bring.
- Ara: It's not easy as you say. I really wish you still had clairvoyance in times like these.
- Eun: Hmph. Even when I had my clairvoyance, humans never stopped worrying.
- Eun: They were pathetic, always worrying about worrying.
- Ara: Then what should we do if we want tot stop worrying about worrying?
- Eun: Same reason why your eyes are placed at the front. Look at what's right in front of you.
- (... GROOOWL.)
- That moment, Ara's stomach started growling loudly. Ara just couldn't help but smile in embarrassment.
- Eun: And eating is part of that. Look, I see light. We must be close to a village.
- Ara: Oh! You're right! If we climbed the mountains in the morning, we might have missed it. I guess some things are more clear when it's dark.
- Eun: Just like that child who had a gift in seeing spirits, you must also have a gift.
- Ara: What gift?
- Eun: A gift of filling your empty stomach. Seeing how you've found a village just in time, you are truly blessed.
- Ara: Oh! What a useful gift. I like it.
- Eun: I'm sure you do. Let's hurry. Any longer, and your first greeting will be said with your stomach instead of your mouth.
- Ara: Yes, Eun!
- Ara ran toward the light. Even as she ran, her body felt light, and the wind was refreshing.
- In that moment when she ran towards the light, nothing seemed important. Not the demon's curse, nor the uncertain future ahead of her.
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Strange Beast and the Girl 5
