The Night Of The Untraced

“Eh?”Caught off guard by this unexpected remark, Seungjoo questioned him. No longer effective? Then what exactly was the spiritual energy he could still sense? The fresh, clear aura definitely wasn’t just his imagination.“The energy’s still there, but it probably doesn’t function anymore.”Muryeong took the talisman from Seungjoo’s hand and inspected it closely, gently rubbing the surface. He explained that while there was some energy left, it was only a trace, sticking around a bit longer because it had a medium. Soon, it would vanish entirely.“So, you’re saying this talisman doesn’t work at all?”“Yeah, not anymore.”“No way…”It was almost like finding out he’d been drinking water from an empty gourd. This talisman had been his go-to source of comfort in dangerous situations. So now, every time he’d clutched it for protection, it had essentially done nothing?“But it’s not supposed to expire this soon. What about the one Hwanyoung has?”“The one Hwanyoung has is still fine.”When Muryeong made Seungjoo’s talisman, he’d also made one for Hwanyoung. Technically, it was for Hwanyoung, and he’d just created an extra for Seungjoo. Both talismans should have had a similar duration. But now Muryeong was saying only Seungjoo’s had lost its power.“Since when, though…?”As Seungjoo chuckled in disbelief, he suddenly remembered a certain incident that made him frown—a day when he had felt the terror of death more acutely than any other close call.“So… that time I ran into an evil spirit, was it already powerless then?”The day after midterms ended, he had inhaled an ominous smoke that activated his spiritual sight. He’d encountered an evil spirit under a streetlamp, knocking its head against the wall. He’d clutched the talisman for comfort, falsely assured by its presence, until Muheun had saved him.“An evil spirit? You encountered one?”“Uh… just once. But Muheun saved me.”It all made sense now—the deathly terror he had felt that day was his instincts warning him. In hindsight, it was strange he’d been targeted by an evil spirit while carrying Muryeong’s talisman.“…What happened, Seungjoo?”Muryeong’s gaze grew intense as he spoke in a low tone. Seungjoo quickly shook his head, adjusting his expression. He intended to tell Muryeong everything someday, but now wasn’t the time to worry him.“It’s nothing. Just check out that talisman again.”“…”Without further comment, Muryeong quietly inspected the talisman again, though there wasn’t much else to see.“The spiritual energy I infused in it is drained. Like you said, it’s not supposed to wear off this quickly…”Muryeong seemed as baffled as Seungjoo. Watching him doubt whether he had made a mistake, Seungjoo suddenly considered another possibility.“Hey, maybe I absorbed it.”“Absorbed it?”“Yeah. Muheun said I can absorb spiritual energy.”‘You took some of my energy without realizing it.’That’s what Muheun had said once, after he’d felt his energy being drained when they kissed. While Seungjoo’s spiritual sight was sustained by Muheun’s energy, that didn’t mean he couldn’t absorb energy from other exorcists. If he did absorb energy from others, it was possible he’d drained the talisman as well.“But, Seungjoo, I’ve never seen you do that. And we’ve been together all this time.”Muryeong’s face mirrored the confusion Seungjoo had when Muheun first told him. Back then, Muheun had said this in response:‘It’s not like you’ve kissed Muryeong.’“…Maybe my constitution changed.”Unable to explain further, Seungjoo averted his gaze awkwardly. Muryeong looked at him with a mixture of understanding and puzzlement.Seungjoo wasn’t entirely sure, either. While Muryeong might not have lost any energy to him, Seungjoo had carried the talisman every day for quite some time. For it to suddenly become ineffective suggested his constitution might indeed have changed.“Seungjoo.”As they both pondered this, Muheun’s familiar voice called out, louder than usual. He had finished the task and was motioning them over with a nod as he sheathed his spirit-infused sword.“Come here, it’s done.”“…”Muryeong’s gaze landed on Seungjoo, his eyes filled with concern once more. However, instead of grabbing his wrist this time, Muryeong spoke in a solemn voice.“If it seems dangerous, step back.”“I told you, don’t worry.”He didn’t feel burdened by Muryeong’s worry; if anything, he felt a bit guilty. And in a way, he found it endearing how much he cared, almost like a younger brother to Muheun.“Just make me another talisman, so I have it on me.”“Huh? Aren’t you going to throw this one away?”Muryeong seemed to think Seungjoo would discard it since it had lost its power. But Seungjoo took the talisman from his hand with a nonchalant smile.“I’ve always carried it, even if it didn’t work. It’s mostly just for peace of mind, anyway.”Of course, it’d be a lie to say he hadn’t hoped it would work. He only kept it so carefully because it was something Muryeong had put so much effort into making. Just because it lost its energy didn’t mean he’d treat it like trash now.“I’ll burn it myself later.”“I can make you another…”“No, don’t.”It would take Muryeong two full days of fasting to make another talisman. Seungjoo didn’t want him to go through that, especially since he loved eating so much. Even the current talisman had been something Muryeong had secretly fasted over a weekend to make and then slipped into his pocket.“I’m serious—if you make another, I’ll be mad.”Realizing Seungjoo meant it, Muryeong nodded reluctantly, his expression crestfallen. He looked almost like a sad puppy, but they both knew they were only putting on an act.Seungjoo carefully put the talisman back in his pocket and started walking. Muryeong followed closely behind, just a step away. When they reached Muheun, who was gazing intently at him, Seungjoo firmly spoke up.“Don’t use talismans either, hyung.”“…”Muheun’s lips curved into a soft smile. It was his usual habit, but Seungjoo knew it was the smile of someone who’d been found out. With Muheun’s level of hearing, he must have overheard everything Seungjoo had discussed with Muryeong and already figured out what Seungjoo was thinking.“Don’t even think about taking any blood.”“…That’s our Seungjoo.”Muheun let out a quiet sigh of admiration. It was clear he wasn’t planning to deny anything.“Sharp as ever.”How could he not be? After all, Seungjoo had been raised around the Kim family members since birth. Though Muyeon wasn’t here, Seungjoo could easily guess how he’d react if he were. Among the family, the one who would actually use a talisman in such a situation was always Muheun.“And in the end, I won’t be able to refuse him.”Seungjoo knew that while he might get angry, Muheun was well aware Seungjoo wouldn’t ever truly dislike him. Muyeon and Muryeong wouldn’t push Seungjoo into something that would make him upset. But unlike them, Muheun had a personality that wouldn’t rest until he got what he wanted, even if it meant enduring a bit of backlash.“Let’s start the purification.”As Seungjoo reached out his hand toward the tree, the smile faded from Muheun’s face. Like Muryeong earlier, he looked worried but didn’t stop Seungjoo. He just watched closely, his hand slipping into his pocket, ready to sever the connection at once if Seungjoo showed any signs of pain.“…”A cold sensation met Seungjoo’s fingertips as they touched the tree. Soot was crumbling off it, but Seungjoo moved closer without hesitation. The tree, bound tightly by spirit energy, seemed to tremble faintly as soon as Seungjoo touched it.“…I’m sorry.”For some reason, facing Gwimae always filled him with guilt. Offering an apology he couldn’t quite explain, Seungjoo slowly closed his eyes. A soft breeze rustled through his hair. As he spread his arms and embraced the thick trunk, the sound of quiet voices filled his ears.“Let’s bury a time capsule here…”“…I want to be a teacher someday.”The soot that had been falling was now seeping into Seungjoo’s skin. The dark energy that had initially surrounded him, as if trying to stain his whole body, transformed into a pure white glow without leaving a mark. In the swirl of dark energy, Seungjoo was no longer just “Seo Seungjoo.”“Want to eat lunch in the shade?”“There’s a nice tree here…”A gentle breeze swayed the branches. The smell of sand from the playground, the artificial scent of tap water, and occasional floral aromas mixed with the chattering voices. Though the air wasn’t brimming with the freshness of nature, this familiar landscape exuded a peacefulness that had grown comforting.“…You want to build a shrine?”“Yes, let’s just clear it out and…”But, as always, the peace was fleeting. That place, which had been a sanctuary for some, a memory for others, and a place of parting for still others, began to shift in an instant.“That’s impossible. If we’re not careful, a Gwimae could be created…”“A Gwimae?”The people huddled in the shade continued bickering as they tapped on the pillar. Though it didn’t know what a Gwimae was, it sensed the ominous weight of the word. And the aura emanating from the man with the gentle smile was anything but benign.“A Gwimae? Well, if one appears, we’ll just seal it away.”The man exuded an immense aura but also an acrid, vile scent. The musty, dark smell carried a negative signal that “it” did not understand.“You might not know this yet because you’re inexperienced, but encountering a Gwimae or two while developing land is nothing unusual.”“But…”“That’s what the Association is for. They handle those things.”His sly tone was so self-assured that the others gradually fell silent. Despite their uneasy expressions, they seemed to lack words to argue with him. The man, resting his hand on a tree trunk, didn’t stop there but even smiled.“A Gwimae showed up on my land as well. But I sealed it right away, and there’s been no trouble since.”Never had the voice of students bothered it before, yet the man’s words were unusually grating. His seemingly benevolent tone was loaded with hidden intentions, making it even more irritating.“As long as the seal remains intact, there’s nothing to worry about.”“Yes, it should be fine.”“Besides, if we don’t tear this place down, the investment…”With those standing behind him adding a few words, there was no one left to oppose him. They merely exchanged glances and nodded among themselves. Now that conflicting opinions had been aligned, all that remained was to put their conclusion into action.Everything that happened afterward was remembered in vivid detail. At the school, now emptied of students, only strangers roamed, threatening its life. First, they pruned and cut down its branches, then uprooted it entirely. The pain was unbearable, and the shame unforgettable.Of course, it had endured countless similar incidents before. From the days when its domain extended far beyond this school, humans had repeated the same actions over and over. Yet, when the grief that had slowly accumulated turned into rage, the fact that “it” gained a sense of self became, if anything, a problem.It didn’t flee. Instead, it replanted itself in the same soil, unwilling to abandon the place that held so many of its memories. Though it had lost all its friends who were born with it, it didn’t want to lose those it had newly met.However, not long after it came into existence, it fell into a deep sleep. All it had wanted was to stay there, but apparently, that was too grand a dream to realize. Even as it was forced to close its eyes under the oppressive, unsettling aura, its mind was filled only with thoughts of returning someday.“…The seal has been broken?”Was it a miracle brought forth by that desperate wish? Before long, “it” opened its eyes again. With no one’s help, relying solely on its own strength. The land was now occupied by buildings, so it could only hide deep underground.“Yes, it’s similar to the Gwimae on that land. When we arrived, it was already…”Though it had concealed itself, it seemed to have been to no avail against them. The people, murmuring in incomprehensible words, exchanged glances with “it” in between them. Among them was also the man who exuded the unpleasant energy.“Well… maybe this is for the best. Now that it’s come to this, we can conduct research…”It was from that day onward. Every day, new people began to seek out “it.” They dragged “it” from underground, inflicting unprecedented pain.When injected with an unknown liquid, it felt as though its body was burning. When strange papers were pasted onto its base, it felt like its insides were twisting. Not even being uprooted had been this agonizing; it was a maddening series of unbearable pain. It desperately wished to sleep again, but this time, no one allowed it to close its eyes.“Damn it, no matter what we do, it doesn’t seem to be effective…”Those hellish days repeated endlessly, and gradually, resentment toward them began to build. By night, those who had come to the school would bury it deep underground once dawn broke. Perhaps because of this, the students who used to chat with it in the past no longer even knew of “its” existence.Wouldn’t someone help? No, at the very least, could someone just listen? It didn’t even wish for comfort—just wanted someone to understand its feelings.The unwelcome visitors, who occasionally came, changed to someone else after a long while. Unlike the man, three people with a clear, refreshing aura sneaked over the wall and began scheming various things. At first, it hid in fear, but somehow, a sense of familiarity started to grow.“Let’s go, Seungjoo.”Seungjoo… who was that?What had initially been a source of dread now felt familiar. Unlike the man, the refreshing aura exuded by the three was unmistakable; it had certainly felt it before from students who once attended this school.The fear subsided, leaving only a sense of longing. Perhaps, they might understand its sorrows. Or perhaps, they might finally help it sink back into the depths of slumber.That was why “it” stood tall in the middle of the playground.***Seeing the memories of the Gwimae was more akin to becoming the Gwimae itself and experiencing its background. The moment he closed his eyes, “Seo Seungjoo” ceased to exist, leaving only nature as it had once lived in the past. Memories, sensations, and even emotions were shared, allowing Seungjoo to understand the hidden circumstances of the Gwimae that others would never know.Such as these details: that swinging its branches wasn’t intended as an attack, and that the reason it behaved aggressively was simply instinct. Or that the first emotion Seungjoo sensed when he touched it was relief.Things Seungjoo hadn’t understood as a person became clear from the perspective of the Gwimae, and what he hadn’t known as the Gwimae became evident once he returned to being Seungjoo. What Gwimae were, what seals were, what the Association was, and why people were cutting down trees.And even the true identity of that benevolent-looking man.“It was the Association Chairman.”Seungjoo opened his mouth with a complicated expression, glancing at Muheun, who was sitting beside him. After purifying the Gwimae, he had opened his eyes to find himself, as usual, in Muheun’s bed. His spiritual vision was closed, and before he could even get up, he began speaking.“Everyone opposed cutting down the trees, saying it would cause the Gwimae to appear, but the Chairman insisted, saying it was no big deal if a Gwimae or two showed up during development. He claimed a Gwimae had appeared on his own land before too.”Muheun listened quietly, sweeping Seungjoo’s bangs aside with one hand, then lightly brushing his cheek. The coolness of his touch made Seungjoo close his eyes slightly, leaning his cheek into Muheun’s palm.“It wasn’t the Chairman who released the seal on the tree… It broke free on its own.”“Really?”“Yes, and apparently, a similar thing happened on the land owned by the Chairman. He even seemed pleased, saying it was an opportunity to conduct research on this place…”Seungjoo’s voice trailed off drowsily as he closed his eyes. Having exhausted his energy, his body felt drained. Though it hadn’t even been his own spiritual energy, purifying the Gwimae seemed to have sapped his strength as well.Opening his eyelids slowly, Seungjoo asked Muheun.“Hyung, is development usually done this way?”Saying that causing Gwimae to appear was no big deal. It wasn’t something anyone else should say, but especially not the Chairman of the Association. After all, there was an entire committee for dealing with Gwimae because of the difficulties involved. Yet they pushed forward with development, fully aware of the dangers.“What do you think the Association’s main source of income is?”Muheun replied in his usual gentle tone, as soft as his touch.“They don’t make money just by exorcising evil spirits. That’s why they need support from the Seo family. It may have started with public interest in mind, but as they sought to sustain and expand, they needed more money. So they began backing national or private development projects, taking on the aftermath in exchange for compensation.”Most likely, the “aftermath” Muheun referred to involved sealing the Gwimae. Though it might not be their sole income source, it was clear that a substantial portion of their revenue came from this work.“That’s why Gwimae hunters are so well-off.”Muheun chuckled, making a circle with his free hand. He brought his thumb and forefinger together, pulling his lips into a smirk—a playful yet self-deprecating gesture.“I understand that they need to make money, as you said… but did they really need to build a shrine for it? Isn’t that putting the cart before the horse?”“You’re right. I think so too.”When Seungjoo frowned, Muheun readily agreed.“With the current Chairman in place, these kinds of incidents have been increasing. That’s why there’s a lot of resistance among the exorcists as well.”“I… I’m going to bring down the Association.”The words of Gwangsik flashed through Seungjoo’s mind, along with the memory of Muheun boldly declaring his intent to become the Chairman. Their goals were likely aligned, even if he didn’t know the details.“First, we’ll need to locate that land.”“The land where the Gwimae was born?”“Yes, if you’re right, then there’s probably another Gwimae there with its seal broken. The Chairman is likely searching for a way to deal with that Gwimae.”Seungjoo shared the same suspicion. Although it was just a vague hunch, he felt as if he finally understood their intentions. Perhaps the seal on the Gwimae born from that land had been repeatedly breaking.“We’ll need to purify it too.”If the Gwimae couldn’t be sealed, purification was the only option. With that thought, Seungjoo murmured, and Muheun leaned closer, gazing at him from up close.“…What, are you planning to give me some spiritual energy?”Since his spiritual sight had closed, he would need to open it again, which meant he’d need Muheun’s energy. He expected a kiss, but Muheun simply rested his hand on the bed, watching Seungjoo in silence.Only after a long moment did Muheun speak, his voice slow.“Just asking, but….”What was he about to say? His words dragged on too long, as if he had reservations. Muheun furrowed his brow, looking unsettled.“You’re not thinking about becoming a Gwimae hunter, are you?”“…?”Caught off guard, Seungjoo blinked. A Gwimae hunter? He hadn’t considered anything like that.“No… of course not. Why would you even ask that?”“It’s just… you seemed really motivated for a while.”With that, Muheun leaned in and gave Seungjoo a small kiss. Seungjoo flinched reflexively, while Muheun acted as though it were the most natural thing. It was likely something he’d done unconsciously.“Do you feel sorry for the Gwimae?”“…Yeah.”This question, unlike the last, wasn’t something he could deny. He’d felt sympathy for them more than once. So Seungjoo didn’t bother to deny it, choosing instead to admit it honestly.“I do feel sorry for them.”There was no better way to describe it. Seeing the defeated Gwimae gave him a feeling akin to watching a pitiful animal—even if what he saw didn’t fit the definition of “animal.”“When I purify them, it’s not just memories I see. It’s like I merge with their senses… I even feel what they feel. After that, I understand why they acted the way they did.”Gwimae had emotions. Now that he knew this, he couldn’t just dismiss them indifferently as he once had.“It’s not like I feel some grand obligation, but… it’s good to help them out.”Unlike his friend Muryeong, he wasn’t motivated by a burning sense of justice. Seungjoo simply didn’t want to feel troubled by leaving such pitiful beings behind. It wasn’t really for their sake, but for his own peace of mind.“And it’s not as if I could become a Gwimae hunter even if I wanted to. Once this is over, I plan to live an ordinary life.”“An ordinary life…”Muheun, who had been listening quietly, repeated this phrase as he stared at Seungjoo’s lips. Feeling awkward, Seungjoo added defensively.“…I can just pretend I didn’t see anything.”Realistically, he was already beyond the point of leading a normal life. If he kissed Muheun, his spiritual sight would reopen, yet he didn’t have it in him to avoid kissing him. Muheun must have had a similar thought, as he let out a soft, thin chuckle.“Think you can pretend not to see?”“Of course. Humans are adaptable creatures.”Neighbors who had been able to see spirits since birth were unfazed by most things. Although he wouldn’t become as indifferent as they were, he thought he’d at least get used to it. And over time, ignoring things he saw would likely become easier.“And Gwimae don’t usually appear in crowded places, right? As long as there’s no one breaking seals, I should be fine.”Even exorcists who worked with the Association rarely encountered Gwimae. Most of the time, the Gwimae hunters would find and seal them first, and if he happened to come across one, he could simply purify it.“You said the Gwimae would swarm around me… but from what’s happened over the past few months, it doesn’t seem like they’re actually drawn to me.”“They’ll swarm around you like bees.”That was one of Muheun’s past metaphors. It had been only a guess on his part, and reality had turned out to be similar but slightly different. Rather than Gwimae flocking to him, he sensed them and approached them.“Well, if it ever does get too unsettling…”Seungjoo began slowly, dragging out his words like Muheun had done earlier. He wondered if it was wise to say this to someone already overly protective of him. But now that their relationship had changed, he figured his own thinking needed to change as well.“You can protect me.”“…”Muheun’s gaze grew unfocused. Surprised, he opened and closed his mouth wordlessly, leaving Seungjoo to add a straightforward comment.“You’re not going to leave me behind anymore, right?”The reason he had both appreciated and disliked Muheun’s protection was that it had always felt like a mirage that would disappear someday. But now, he was certain that Muheun wouldn’t leave his side. As long as Muheun didn’t exhaust himself, Seungjoo was fine with him watching over him.“…”Muheun stayed like that, looking down at Seungjoo for a long time. One hand rested on the bed, his upper body leaning over as he continued to gaze at Seungjoo. In his slowly blinking eyes, Seungjoo’s face was reflected.Then, suddenly, Muheun’s expression crumbled as he bowed his head deeply, face pressed into Seungjoo’s shoulder. In a small, muffled voice, he finally responded.“Yes… I’ll protect you.”There was a trace of deep emotion in his voice, subdued as it was. Slowly, he moved closer, almost like he was seeking comfort in Seungjoo’s embrace. It felt almost like he was being playful, so Seungjoo swallowed a laugh and hugged him back.“That settles it, then.”If he’d known this would happen, he might have spoken up sooner. He felt a bit silly for being so stubborn in the past. As long as Muheun liked it, he supposed it didn’t matter much.It was a while before Muheun finally released him and they kissed. There was no hesitation in the touch of their lips, and his spiritual sight reopened in no time.Instinctively, Seungjoo sensed that his remaining days would become even busier.***And so, the two of them began actively pursuing Gwimae. With no clear idea of where “that land” the Chairman had mentioned was located, they traveled far and wide, seeking out Gwimae with broken seals. There was always someone from the judiciary following them, though eventually, they became oblivious to those watchful eyes.Fortunately, not every location they visited turned up a Gwimae. On days when they found nothing, there was a hint of disappointment, but also a sense of relief that the place was safe. If there had been too many Gwimae, their apprehension would only have grown.Seungjoo had purified a total of three Gwimae but hadn’t gained any valuable information from them. Each time he opened his eyes afterward, he was lying in Muheun’s bed, which Muheun attributed to “exhaustion.” Apparently, he would pass out because he’d drained all the energy Muheun had given him, leaving him depleted.“Then, can’t I just get more energy?”Seungjoo thought it was a good solution, but Muheun didn’t seem to agree. He looked troubled, furrowing his brow as he tapped Seungjoo’s lips with his finger.“If you want more energy, this isn’t enough.”Seungjoo didn’t need to ask what else would be required—he already had memories of a night they’d shared intimately. The problem was that even after that night, his spiritual sight would close again.“And if you really want to get enough… you won’t be able to walk afterward.”Being unable to pursue Gwimae was one thing, but that didn’t really change anything. Whether he passed out in front of a Gwimae or on a bed, he’d still be left drained. And after a night like that, it would be hard to go out hunting Gwimae the next day.With no other choice, Seungjoo opted to risk passing out in front of the Gwimae. Truthfully, he didn’t mind blacking out—it was just that Muheun would be the one dealing with the aftermath and would always worry when Seungjoo regained consciousness.One time, Muryeong called him, sounding very alarmed after witnessing Seungjoo pass out right in front of him. Muryeong kept asking about his well-being over the phone, forcing Seungjoo to repeat that he was fine at least ten times. Eventually, to change the subject, Seungjoo asked casually,“Hey, don’t you ever faint after purifying evil spirits?”He thought he remembered Muryeong mentioning that his legs would sometimes go weak. But Muryeong firmly replied, “That’s never happened to me,” and offered what he thought was a helpful suggestion:“Hmm… maybe you just need more energy?”“…”Seungjoo couldn’t exactly explain the reasons he couldn’t do that, especially not to someone who had no desire to know the romantic details of his life with Muheun. Left speechless, Seungjoo received another idea from Muryeong.“Or you could try taking in energy continuously while purifying.”“Oh…”It made sense, but it wasn’t practical. That would mean he’d have to keep kissing Muheun throughout the purification process. Seungjoo simply thanked him and ended the call, then set out once again with Muheun to search for Gwimae.“…”Now, they stood at the base of Gyeryongsan Mountain, which the Chairman had marked as his last known location. It was a famous place where shamans would come to receive their spirits, and indeed, the area had much more dark energy compared to other regions. Seungjoo had never visited here, even as a tourist. But that wasn’t what mattered now.“…Ha.”They were in a secluded area, away from the tourist spots and mountain trails. It was a small, nameless peak that one could ordinarily never reach. Standing before the mountain with Muheun, Seungjoo looked up in awe.“This looks like the place, doesn’t it?”Seungjoo asked, but Muheun didn’t respond. He simply let out a brief hum, slipping his hands into his pockets. His lips moved slightly, and a breath-like murmur escaped.“Anyone would think so…”Following Seungjoo’s gaze, Muheun lifted his head. Even in the dimness, a faint glimmer appeared in his dark eyes. Staring up toward the unseen summit, he murmured softly.“It definitely feels like there’s a Gwimae here.”It was a massive barrier, covering the entire mountain.It was by chance that they found the mountain peak. After over a week of constant movement, they had already searched nearly every possible location with the precision of catching a rat. In the process, they encountered four Gwimae, which provided circumstantial evidence, but it wasn’t enough to definitively implicate the association head as the culprit. If he claimed he was simply conducting research on the Gwimae, there would be no way to corner him. Even Seungjoo’s memory of the events wouldn’t carry much weight in court.Refusing to give up due to the insufficiency of their evidence, they arrived at Gyerongsan, the association head’s last known location and a privately-owned area of the association. Normally, only the head could access this place, but they were allowed entry under the special circumstances.After reaching Gyerongsan, they passed through a crowded trail and headed for a quieter mountain path. The only sound was the wind rustling somewhere nearby, resembling rain as it brushed against the leaves. With the rainy season approaching, the sky was filled with dark clouds, ready to pour at any moment, though rain was forecasted only for the following afternoon.Muheun walked ahead without even consulting a map, and after a while of navigating the mountain trail, darkness fell quickly. As Seungjoo marveled once again at the exorcists’ instincts, they finally arrived at the mountain peak before them.“…It’s enormous.”To the untrained eye, it might have seemed like any other scenery, but those with spiritual sight would see it: a giant barrier made of shifting spiritual energy, like a transparent wall designed to block outsiders, as if purposefully concealing something.“I’ve never seen a barrier like this before.”Though Seungjoo had seen Muheun’s barriers a few times, this one was on a different scale. No matter how far he craned his neck, he couldn’t see its end, and walking along its edge would take at least half a day.“Yeah, even I haven’t seen one like this before.”Muheun responded calmly, nodding his head. Though he said so, his expression was not one of surprise; instead, he smirked knowingly.“So this is what he was banking on.”Though he didn’t specify who, it was clear he was referring to the association head, who had smugly acted as though he had nothing to hide.“There’s probably a Gwimae inside. The association head likely set this barrier to keep it hidden.”It was just a theory for now, but probably a solid one. The funny part was that Seungjoo remembered the association head referring to this place as “my land.”“Is it okay for him to set up a barrier on association property?”“Setting a barrier isn’t an issue. Even though this land is technically owned by the association, the head oversees it, so he can claim it’s for protection.”It was a roundabout explanation, but Seungjoo understood it well enough. Still, he couldn’t grasp why the association head was so confident behind this barrier.“But a barrier like this usually dissipates with daylight, doesn’t it? Gwimae appear during the day, so why not come back in the morning?”When the moon was out, spiritual energy and yin energy were intensified, whereas daylight weakened them. Consequently, no matter how strong a barrier was, it would lose its power at dawn.In Seungjoo’s opinion, they could simply retreat for now and return after sunrise. Gwimae would still be present during the day, and with the land being deserted, they could investigate once the barrier vanished. If Gwimae appeared on property accessible only to the association head, it would serve as direct evidence of his guilt.“No, this one won’t dissipate during the day.”But Muheun firmly shook his head. Placing his palm against the barrier, he continued slowly.“Usually, barriers lose their effectiveness during the day, but some exceptions exist. If a barrier is meant to last for several days, it has to be constructed to stay up 24/7.”From the point where Muheun’s hand touched, a pulsing blue light spread outward. He was channeling his energy into the barrier to examine it. The transparent wall made a low humming sound.“With a barrier like this… it must have taken at least a month to prepare.”“A month?”Usually, a barrier took no more than a day to set up. A month was an extraordinary amount of effort.“Since it’s built so solidly, dismantling it will take time, too. Even if I rush, it’ll take about a week.”“A week…”For the first time, Seungjoo felt genuinely concerned. While he hadn’t expected it to break immediately, it was disheartening to realize it would take so long.“When dismantling it from inside, you just need to remove the core, but from the outside, you have to reverse the formula and apply talismans in reverse. It requires as many talismans and as much energy as it took to create. It would be easier if I were the caster…”If Muheun could dismantle a barrier that took a month to set up in just a week, it would be impressive in its own right. The problem was that they only had four days until the trial. And once the rainy season started, the enhanced yin energy would make capturing the Gwimae even harder.“Can’t we extend the grace period?”“We could try asking for an extension, but we’d have to release the association head. The moment he’s free, he could hide any evidence he wants.”As Muheun pointed out, the moment the association head was released, the odds would be against them. If there was any evidence here, this moment, while he was still under watch, was their only chance.“Should I… just break it?”Muheun narrowed his eyes, gauging the situation. He still had his palm against the barrier. After a moment of contemplation, he turned to Seungjoo and spoke softly.“Seungjoo, step back for a bit.”“You’re going to break it?”“Yeah, I’ll give it a shot.”As Seungjoo took a step back, Muheun bent down and picked up a rock, slightly larger than his fist. Testing its weight by tossing it in the air, he gathered spiritual energy in his right hand. A brilliant blue aura began to wrap around the rock.Then, with no hesitation, he swung his arm toward the barrier. With a loud crash, it seemed as if the world itself trembled. Before Seungjoo could fully react, cracks started to spider across the barrier’s surface.“Hmm…”Unfortunately, the cracks quickly faded, leaving no trace. Muheun struck it again, but nothing changed. On the third attempt, the rock itself shattered.“Not going to work.”Muheun shrugged, dropping the broken rock to the ground. As he brushed the stone dust off his hands, Seungjoo instinctively grabbed his wrist.“But… are you okay?”“Yeah, I’m fine.”His pale palm was, like the barrier, completely unscathed. As Seungjoo brushed his fingertips over the calloused parts of Muheun’s hand, Muheun briefly held his hand in return before letting go.“Seems like it was built to be indestructible. It’s sturdier than the usual barrier.”“Do people ever break through barriers?”“Sometimes? But it’s a brute force method, so it’s not common.”Muheun mentioned that there weren’t many people with enough power to break barriers, maybe only someone like Muryeong. Still, he added that even if Muryeong were here, breaking this barrier would be impossible.“Is Kim Muryeong stronger than you?”“Not really, but Muryeong’s known for his strength among exorcists.”Seungjoo shook his head, picturing Muryeong’s gentle face. A small but incredibly strong person—no different from a gentle giant in strength.“So… breaking it isn’t an option, right?”Dismantling the barrier would take a week, and brute force wasn’t working. Unless there was some other place to investigate, they had no leads left.‘What do we do now?’With a serious expression, Seungjoo stepped closer to the barrier. Muheun, meanwhile, examined the area he had struck, placing a hand against it once more. Seeing this, Seungjoo unconsciously mimicked him. Or, he tried to.“…Huh?”It happened in an instant. Seungjoo thought he had placed his hand on the wall, but it simply slipped through the barrier as if it weren’t there. In that split second, he lost his balance and fell inward.“Ah…!”Thud! Seungjoo grimaced as he hit the ground. Though he’d managed to brace himself with his hands, his knees had taken a hard knock. Thankfully, the dense grass made it less painful than it could have been.“Hyung, I’m oka—”Seungjoo began speaking hastily, but quickly realized it wasn’t the time for that and closed his mouth. A strange silence, paired with a sudden, unsettling feeling, crept over him. Had he…passed through the barrier? With that thought, he turned back, and a chill ran down his spine.“…Hyung?”His hesitant call met with silence. Seungjoo’s eyes widened in shock. Where he was looking—where Muheun should have been—there was no trace of him.The chapters have been revised, edited, and compressed, and the complete main story has been released for free, as I’m concerned it might be taken down or worse. I didn’t want to disappoint the readers, so I apologize for any inconvenience, and I hope you enjoy reading the complete story! The side stories will be coming soon, so don't worry~