Episode 5, Chapter 5: To Head Forward

One must be able to face oneself completely.

What's this...

Is this a test, too...?

A dark shadow...?

This Sacred Soul Ritual didn't quite work out.

They say the censer broke, right?

That's never happened before...

She doesn't measure up to the former Divine Maiden.

What was Sangun thinking?

You'll never... You're worthless...

N-no...

Nobody will accept you... Miho... Sangun... nobody...

That can't be true...!

I won't break now.

If not me... She'll have to shoulder everything.

Nobody will appreciate me.

A Divine Maiden who couldn't even receive her divine sword? Ridiculous.

The Divine Spirit has abandoned me. I should just give up.

That's right. Giving up... will make things easier...

Divine Maiden. Can you see me?

Ah...?

You're doing just fine, you know that, right?

I... will keep trying. No matter how hard it becomes.

You're you. That's all you have to be.

Mmmhm. That's right. I'm...

Never giving up!

Everything was merely my fears clouding my mind...

Huh... So, you didn't see anything at all?

Uh uh. It got all foggy, and I just stood here.

And Divine Maiden Mina and I fainted?

Stop asking me. I already told you what happened twice.

What did you see?

Mom.

...What?

I saw my mom.

Oh, uh...

Mmm...

Oh, she's awake!

Where are we...?

I don't have a clue.

...Oh, thank you, Cloud.

Uhhh...

I did... what exactly?

Oh, I remember. We're close to the summit now.

I came to visit Manwol with my mother.

Look!

Fox child.

Guardian, I humbly approach you.

You have not yet shed the manner of the young.

I am... lacking. I know that.

So I've come to seek Sangun... the King of Mount Tai...

Did you see the shut door?

...Yes.

That is Sangun's answer.

What questions still linger within you?

That can't be. Sangun didn't speak... not a single word...

Who do you think you are?

Ah...

...Do you know why I did not join the Council of Empyrean Fangs?

Please tell me.

Because within that shell, one cannot behold the world in its entirety.

You must break out, to truly view the world.

What did you see, Manwol?

I saw that this day would come.

Two have defied the heavens to inherit the Divine Maiden's fate.

Your mother must have foreseen your undoing.

Watch your words... That's simply not true!

Hey! Don't scold him! We need him to help us, remember?

Know your place, little creature!

You must give up. For the future of Baek-Ah.

This burden is mine alone! Leave my sister out of it!

You fool!

Ack!

No!

The Divine Maiden is singular, noble in her very being.

Why throw yourself forward for an insignificant creature?

I'm... not singular.

I can't accomplish anything without help.

Then, surely...

And yet...!

Though I know my skills are lacking...

For the ones I love... I will throw myself forward

without hesitation, time and again.

...Young Divine Maiden.

The truth will, at times, be cruel and hard to bear.

So I needed to test you, to confirm if you were prepared.

The truth...?

It will find you in its own time.

Take this.

This is...

Its value rests upon your wisdom.

Let's ask about what we're looking for, too!

You may speak.

Do you know anything about the Wound of the World... and the beastkin that mended it?

Child of distant roads, drawn by the call of wisdom.

The path you walk is right. Press on without doubt, and the answer shall reveal itself.

Let's head back. But I have to wonder... How do we use this magical antler?