The Night Of The Untraced

“……”What on earth was happening? They had been together just moments ago, yet now Muheun had vanished without a trace. No matter how many times Seungjoo blinked, Muheun wasn’t coming back.“What… what is this…?”Seungjoo awkwardly pushed himself to his feet and looked around, still unable to process his surroundings. His hands and knees were covered in grass stains, but he didn’t even think to brush them off. He was too bewildered to grasp what was going on.“Hyung!”He called out again, but once more, no answer came. Even the wind, which had been gently blowing, was now completely still. In the eerily silent grassy area, all he could hear was the faint ringing that always came when the space shifted.“What….”Seungjoo cautiously approached the wall he had passed through. Squinting his eyes, he could see a transparent wall separating the space, just as he had observed from outside. The barrier’s flickering energy was that of the association’s leader, and beyond it lay an empty stretch of grass.“…Did I end up inside the barrier?”There was no way he’d suddenly been transported to some parallel dimension; entering the barrier seemed the only reasonable explanation. His hand had slipped through the barrier without resistance, so he must have entered when he reached out. Otherwise, there was no reason for this overwhelming stillness.‘…Wait a second.’Then… that meant the Gwimae was here with him.Realizing this, Seungjoo stiffened. He thought he heard a faint, sinister whisper, calling his name—Seungjoo, Seungjoo—a murmur from the Gwimae.And with it came a strange sense of déjà vu.“……”Seungjoo flinched and glanced over his shoulder. Even though he was in a situation that should’ve terrified him, a sense of familiarity crept over him, as if he’d been here before.“No… no, that can’t be right.”He quickly shook his head, snapping out of it. He had the unsettling thought that if he stayed like this, the Gwimae might actually ensnare him.‘I need to focus.’Following Muheun’s guidance, they had spent the last week identifying when and how Seungjoo became susceptible to the Gwimae. It was tricky at first, but after a couple of tests, they had pinpointed the general pattern.The key factor was Seungjoo’s awareness. Normally, he couldn’t detect the Gwimae, but the moment he concentrated on finding it, he could sense its presence. Once he sensed it, he could smell it, and once he smelled it, he would quickly fall under its influence.So, right now, if he acknowledged the Gwimae’s presence, he’d be at risk of succumbing to it. Even if he didn’t get hurt by the Gwimae, getting lost in the forest would be another problem entirely. Muheun would undoubtedly do whatever it took to break through the barrier and come after him, though.“……”Seungjoo gulped, staring intently at the transparent wall. He still couldn’t see him, but Muheun was probably on the other side. The thought gave him a little courage.Once his resolve was set, acting on it wasn’t hard. Slowly, Seungjoo reached out to the wall, just as he had done before. If he had truly passed through, maybe he could exit the same way.And then, as soon as his fingertips slipped through the barrier once more—“……!”Someone on the other side grabbed Seungjoo’s hand. Startled, Seungjoo tried to pull back, but before he could, the person on the other side yanked him through the barrier with a powerful tug. In an instant, Seungjoo was pulled back outside.He was immediately enveloped in a familiar embrace. The reason Seungjoo didn’t push away was because that broad chest felt so reassuringly familiar. The hand supporting his back, the warmth surrounding him, and even the voice close to his ear.“…You startled me.”A large hand gently patted the back of his head, and long fingers brushed through his disheveled hair. The tender touch brought a quiet sigh of relief from Seungjoo.“Hyung.”“Yes, Seungjoo.”This time, his call was met with a clear response. Still leaning into Muheun’s embrace, Seungjoo slowly wrapped his arms around his waist. Pressing his whole body closer to him, he finally felt his tension melt away.“Ah… I nearly lost ten years of my life.”It had been a brief moment, but Seungjoo was truly shaken. Standing alone in front of the barrier, he had worried about what he’d do if he couldn’t get out. If his hand had been blocked by the wall, if Muheun had slipped further out of reach right before his eyes… Forget himself, how much would Kim Muheun have panicked?“No, from inside, I couldn’t see you, Hyung. Could you see me?”“I couldn’t.”Muheun replied in a low voice and stroked Seungjoo’s hair again, brushing the back of his head and neck as if to confirm he was there, pressing his cheek against the top of Seungjoo’s head. With his other hand resting on Seungjoo’s back, he could feel the heartbeat pounding through his body.“I was worried because I couldn’t see you.”It didn’t sound like a lie—their chests were pressed close, and Seungjoo could feel Muheun’s heart thumping steadily. Seungjoo quietly closed his eyes, savoring Muheun’s warmth. Normally, he would have pulled away by now, but with no one else watching, it seemed okay.Wait… no one else watching?“……!”The realization hit Seungjoo suddenly, and he quickly stepped out of Muheun’s embrace. Muheun, surprised by the sudden withdrawal, furrowed his brow and reached out to him again. But before he could, Seungjoo’s eyes met with someone else’s.“……”“……”A spectator? Impossible. There was always someone following them during the trial period, though this was the first time they’d shown themselves so openly.An awkward silence fell. The observer standing behind Muheun blinked, unable to hide his surprise. Although his face was half-covered by a black mask, Seungjoo could clearly see the shock in his gaze as he looked over at him.“What’s wrong?”“Uh…”Seungjoo couldn’t respond to Muheun’s disgruntled question. As he stammered, Muheun turned his head as well, following Seungjoo’s gaze to the observer standing behind him. After a brief glance, Muheun murmured knowingly.“Oh.”It was as if he understood. Like he was aware of why the observer had shown himself. His words continued, just as casually.“Seems you were startled.”The moment Muheun spoke, the observer narrowed his gaze and looked away, almost sheepish. Seeing this, Seungjoo couldn’t help but mumble.“Uh… did you… see that?”It was a vague question. Was he asking if the observer had seen him pass through the barrier, or if he’d seen him in Muheun’s arms? Either way, Seungjoo hadn’t done anything wrong, but the latter made him feel much more embarrassed.“It’s fine.”But unlike Seungjoo, Muheun answered with unshakable calm. His response was just as ambiguous as Seungjoo’s question. Muheun pulled Seungjoo’s hand again and spoke slowly.“When someone like you disappears before my eyes, it’s natural to be alarmed.”“…Me?”“Yes, you, Seungjoo.”Muheun didn’t pull Seungjoo into an embrace like before. Instead, he simply clasped Seungjoo’s hand, tracing circles over his fingers with his thumb. He still seemed uneasy, but given Seungjoo’s embarrassment, he seemed satisfied with this level of contact.“We just talked about how there’s a Gwimae inside this barrier. And then you went inside. Any exorcist would be alarmed if a young master of the Seo family was in danger.”“Oh…”Muheun’s words reminded Seungjoo of his own position. While they might not be as obsessive as Muheun’s protective behavior, every exorcist had a duty to guard the Seo family to some extent.“The moment you went into the barrier, he leapt down from the tree. Technically, the rule is to remain unseen, so he’s actually broken protocol.”“…”His gentle voice delivered a surprisingly firm conclusion. The observer seemed to agree, raising an eyebrow as he glared at Muheun. Despite the sharp look, Muheun only raised his lips in a faint smile.“Don’t worry. As long as I keep quiet, everything will be fine.”Was it just Seungjoo, or did that sound almost like a threat? Before Seungjoo could process, Muheun tightened his grip on their interlocked hands and gave them a slight shake.“In return… I think I’ll break one rule myself.”It was an ominous start—for the observer, not Seungjoo. Locking eyes with the observer, Muheun continued, unperturbed.“You’ll keep this a secret, won’t you?”“…”The observer didn’t reply, but Seungjoo knew it was an agreement. Slowly, the observer turned his head, adjusting his mask and closing his eyes. He even seemed to let out a faint sigh, but Muheun paid it no mind, giving Seungjoo’s hand another gentle shake.“I’ll see you later.”And with that, Muheun took a step forward—right into the barrier. Holding Seungjoo’s hand firmly, he walked toward the transparent wall without hesitation. As he instinctively followed, Seungjoo closed his eyes tightly as the barrier loomed closer.“…”Crossing the barrier, he felt a sensation as though the energy around him was seeping into his skin. The barrier, which had been unyielding even against physical force, allowed Seungjoo through once more without issue. This time, however, Muheun, hand in hand with him, crossed as well.“…So, it actually works.”Muheun’s mumbled words reached Seungjoo’s ears clearly. So he hadn’t expected it to work? A disbelieving chuckle escaped Seungjoo as he opened his eyes.In that instant, the supposedly impenetrable barrier they’d struggled with for nearly a month had yielded to them as if it were nothing.In the still grassland, where not even a breeze stirred, only the sound of two people’s footsteps echoed. The surrounding silence amplified each crunch of grass beneath their feet.Though the scenery was the same no matter how far they walked, Seungjoo never felt lost. He quietly followed behind Muheun, occasionally glancing around. Maybe it was because he was with Muheun, but the inside of the barrier didn’t feel much different from the outside. It wasn’t as frightening, unsettling, or even oddly familiar as it had been earlier.Normally, there would’ve been an observer nearby, but right now, they were truly alone. When they crossed into the barrier, they’d left the Tribunal’s observer outside. Since the barrier was still active, the observer was likely waiting there for them.“…Are you sure this is okay?”Seungjoo asked, looking around. The deeper they went into the forest, the more uncertain he felt. It wasn’t that different from before, with no observer in sight, but now they were actively avoiding surveillance.“Of course it’s not okay.”Whether he understood Seungjoo’s worries or not, Muheun responded without changing his expression. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Seungjoo muttered, bewildered, prompting Muheun to smile, his eyes curving in amusement.“During the trial period, a Tribunal member has to accompany you everywhere. They’re a bit more lenient when you sleep, but they still stand guard outside the dormitory door.”While they might stay out of sight outdoors, the observer would openly trail them once they returned to the Association. It was harder to hide indoors, and rules were generally less strict once they’d finished their work. But they were still in the midst of work outdoors now, meaning they weren’t supposed to evade surveillance.“Technically, this is against the rules. Any evidence we find now could be invalidated.”This was due to concerns over the objectivity and reliability of the findings, a surprisingly strict and rigid standard.“But they won’t be able to report it. They’d get expelled for breaking the rules too.”“All this, just for showing themselves?”“Exactly. Staying out of sight is partly to make the observed drop their guard.”Muheun’s evaluation was rather cold, implying the observer’s lack of professionalism. Yet, he himself had probably been just as startled when Seungjoo disappeared.“Maybe we should’ve brought him in with us.”It seemed wise to avoid causing trouble, Seungjoo thought. Muheun glanced back at him and, with a smile, asked kindly.“Want to hold his hand instead?”“…”His tone was gentle, but his eyes held a hint of discontent. In the past, Seungjoo wouldn’t have noticed, but now it was obvious. Muheun clearly didn’t want him holding anyone else’s hand, as trivial as it might seem.“If we were to bring him along, I’d have to hold his hand.”“You don’t have to.”Muheun replied this time with a gentle but firm tone. When Seungjoo looked at him, baffled, he offered a reason that almost made sense.“And he probably has plenty of grievances with the Association President. That’s likely why he let us go so easily. If he were truly afraid of expulsion, he’d have reported your condition instead of cutting us slack.”He wasn’t wrong. The observer’s appearance had only been because Seungjoo crossed the barrier. If anyone questioned his actions, the situation could likely be explained to his superiors.“Most exorcists dislike the Association President.”“What did he do to make everyone feel that way?”The president didn’t seem like a good person, but this widespread discontent piqued Seungjoo’s curiosity. It was good news for them, yet left him with an uneasy feeling.“He was elected by fools in the first place…”For once, Muheun looked genuinely exasperated. He clearly wasn’t fond of the current president, echoing the same sentiment he’d expressed about those elected by the powerful only preserving their power.“Anyway, he won’t say much about your condition. He’s a tight-lipped person.”“Do you know him personally?”“I’ve seen him around plenty of times.”Due to the somewhat insular nature of the Association, exorcists in certain positions couldn’t help but be familiar with one another. Given Muheun’s reputation, the other side would likely know of him as well, and if Muheun knew the observer, that meant the observer held a high position, making it easier to grasp what kind of person he was.“With the new president, many of the executives have shifted toward his faction, but thankfully, the Tribunal remains unaffected. It operates independently, so the upper echelons can’t meddle with it.”This was a relief. If the Tribunal were also aligned with the president, their path would be significantly harder. After all, this wasn’t an institution that had been operating just for a day or two; some minimum safeguards would be in place.“Did you know I could pass through the barrier?”It was a belated question, but Seungjoo couldn’t help asking. Muheun had held his hand naturally as they entered the barrier, unfazed that Seungjoo had passed through it, only surprised at his sudden disappearance.“You did it last time, too. When you went on that school trip, you entered through the barrier.”“…Ah.”A day came to mind: when he’d gone on a school trip, left standing alone on a mountain trail with Seohyun.“I had a rough idea then, thinking it must be something to do with your constitution.”Come to think of it, that time too, Seungjoo had passed through a barrier Muheun had set up. Muheun had assumed it was because he had no spiritual energy, but it seemed there was another reason.“It’s like you absorb barriers, just as you absorb spiritual energy. You can’t completely nullify a barrier, but going in and out on your own is possible.”When he’d passed through the barrier earlier, Seungjoo had felt the energy composing it being absorbed into him. It was similar to the feeling when he’d swallowed the pills Muheun had given him.“You mentioned you couldn’t see me on the other side of the barrier, right?”“Yes. It just looked like no one was there.”“Blocking sound and sight with a barrier works because it doesn’t touch the body directly, but illusions or hallucinations are absorbed when they interact with the body. Remember, you said you couldn’t see the path I’d made on the school trip.”“…‘Side path’? There wasn’t one.”That had been Seungjoo’s response when he met Muheun on the mountain. Unlike Seohyun, who had taken the alternate route Muheun had intended, Seungjoo had stubbornly stuck to the original path.“It’s all because of your constitution that absorbs spiritual energy.”“…I see.”How did this guy know all of this? He wasn’t just smart; he was incredibly insightful, especially when it came to things related to Seungjoo.“But why didn’t you tell me to try passing through the barrier before?”Why make things harder? If he’d known from the start, he wouldn’t have had to worry about what to do next.“I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know if you’d pass through even with your spiritual awareness open or if the energy you held would block you.”Seungjoo had thought something similar when he’d encountered the Gwimae that resembled a goldfish by the lake, the moment Muheun grabbed him as he stumbled backward.‘If you bump into it, it’ll hurt.’Seungjoo had thought he’d be blocked by the barrier because he was carrying Muheun’s energy. If Muheun hadn’t stopped him then, he might have passed through the barrier and gone outside, which would have startled him even more than now.“And I didn’t want the Association to find out.”This time, Muheun’s tone held a hint of bitterness, and he furrowed his brow, apparently displeased with the current situation.“If they knew you could pass through barriers, who knows how the Association would respond? Purifying the Gwimae benefits them, but someone who can bypass barriers would be seen as a threat.”While the Gwimae was a creature born of nature, barriers were a human achievement. If someone could render that achievement useless, it would be unsettling for the Association. Beneficial people might be used, but those seen as a threat…Seungjoo’s shoulders trembled as he imagined the worst. Recently, he’d come to understand just how relentless the Association could be. With the backing of the Seo family, they wouldn’t be openly hostile, but he was sure they’d consider him a thorn in their side.“…Is he really trustworthy?”Seungjoo asked, looking anxious. Muheun chuckled softly, finding Seungjoo’s concern endearing, especially since he’d been the one to bring it up.“Yeah, but even if he’s not, I’ll make sure it’s fine.”Muheun spoke gently, stopping in his tracks. With a subtle smirk, he lowered his gaze. When Seungjoo followed his eyes, he saw the item they’d been searching for.“You said you’d become the Association President.”Peeking through the soil was a yellowed piece of paper—the talisman that formed the core of the barrier.“…Wow.”Seungjoo marveled at how quickly they found it, glancing back and forth between Muheun and the talisman. The fact that the talisman was hidden under dirt meant they could have easily overlooked it. Yet Muheun had stopped right in front of it as if he knew exactly where it was.“Amazing, isn’t it?”Noticing Seungjoo’s wonder, Muheun asked with a hint of amusement in his voice. Though he sounded like he was enjoying himself, Seungjoo nodded without hesitation.“Yes, how did you find it?”“I guess… I just sensed it.”Muheun shrugged, not offering any detailed explanation. It seemed likely he really had found it through instinct—or perhaps he sensed something similar to how Seungjoo detected Gwimae.“My ability with barriers is better than his.”Though it might have sounded arrogant, it wasn’t wrong. Muheun indeed had exceptional skills with barriers. But the truth was, it wasn’t just his barrier skills that surpassed others.“Not just with barriers. You’re probably better than him in other ways, too.”He had said he’d become the Association’s leader. Seungjoo thought Muheun would do a much better job than the current one. Whether he believed it or not, Muheun had the qualities of a great leader, especially compared to the current head of the Association, who was largely ineffective.“That’s good to hear.”Muheun’s eyes softened, clearly pleased by the recognition. Watching him, a thought crossed Seungjoo’s mind: Could it be that Muheun wanted to become the Association’s leader… for his sake?“No way, that’s impossible,” Seungjoo dismissed the thought.Even if it was Muheun, there was no way he’d go to such lengths. He hated dealing with troublesome matters. Sure, he never found anything related to Seungjoo troublesome, but that didn’t mean he’d go so far as to make that kind of decision.“So, should I just remove this?”Seungjoo pointed to the talisman, thinking it was time to dismantle the barrier now that they had found its core.Muheun nodded, glancing briefly at Seungjoo.“Yes, but before that…”Muheun’s gaze fell on Seungjoo. Rather than avoiding it, Seungjoo met his eyes, and for a moment, something flickered within them.“Do you sense it?”Sense what? There was no need to ask, as Muheun continued without pause.“Do you feel Gwimae?”“…Oh.”Seungjoo let out a soft gasp, finally remembering what he had forgotten. Their objective was to find the unsealed Gwimae, so they couldn’t release the barrier just yet.Closing his eyes, Seungjoo concentrated. Earlier, he was worried that sensing Gwimae could overwhelm him, but with Muheun by his side, he didn’t have any reservations. Even if a dangerous situation arose, he knew Muheun would protect him.“…”With his eyes closed, his remaining senses sharpened. The usual rustling of leaves was absent, replaced by a peculiar stillness that seemed to wrap around him. The air he inhaled was thick with the scent of grass and damp earth.Seungjoo.His eyes fluttered open. At the edge of his hearing, he caught something—a sound that wasn’t quite a sound. Seungjoo. Seo Seungjoo. The soft, coaxing voice was undoubtedly Gwimae’s call.“…”“…”No words were needed. A glance exchanged with Muheun was enough to tell him that Muheun understood he had sensed Gwimae. Turning away, Seungjoo began walking in the opposite direction from where they’d come.Following the voice—or perhaps moving by instinct, just as Muheun did—Seungjoo walked briskly. Muheun followed, staying close behind. Unlike before, Seungjoo remained composed despite Gwimae’s persistent call, his past experiences helping him to stay calm and trace its location.After some time, a sweet, unfamiliar scent began to fill the air. They moved from the dirt path to an incline covered in grass, up a slope surrounded by dense trees. As they climbed, the scent grew more intoxicating, almost to the point of disorientation.“We’re almost there.”Despite the allure of the scent, Seungjoo steadied himself, swallowing dryly. Humans are creatures of adaptation, after all; even the most addicting scent could be resisted with enough exposure. Besides, now that he knew what it was, he couldn’t allow himself to become entranced.“Just a bit further…”Although Muheun didn’t respond, Seungjoo knew he was close behind. The footsteps he heard and the watchful gaze he felt assured him of Muheun’s presence. Muheun was probably keeping a close eye, ready to help if Seungjoo stumbled.Ahead, a bright light appeared, filtering through the trees. It was the moonlight, breaking through the clouds to illuminate the forest floor. Though not particularly bright on an average night, the darkness of the woods made the light feel radiant.“Just a little more…”One step, then another, his pace quickened until he was nearly running. Weaving through the trees, Seungjoo finally reached the spot where light pooled.And in that moment, the darkness opened up before his eyes.“…”How could a place like this exist?It was an open clearing so vast that it inspired thoughts of wonder. The trees that had densely crowded the area had suddenly ceased, giving way to a broad, sprawling meadow that could only be described as immense.In the center of that misty, moonlit area lay “it.”‘…A tiger?’The creature was a black tiger of a size that rivaled a mountain, unlike anything Seungjoo had ever seen. Sprawled on the ground, the beast lay in a deep slumber, its long tail gently flicking. While the wild boar he’d once encountered had menacingly glowed with red eyes, the tiger—though its eyes were closed—seemed far more threatening.“Hyung, is that…?”“Yes, it’s Gwimae.”Muheun, standing behind Seungjoo, placed his hands on Seungjoo’s shoulders, gently encasing them. Then, he leaned in and planted a soft kiss on the top of his head. It was an unexpected gesture, but the reason became clear with Muheun’s next words.“It’s okay… It’s alright.”Seungjoo realized then that his body had begun to tremble. Whether it was due to the sheer presence of the slumbering tiger or its overwhelming aura, he wasn’t sure, but his legs felt like they might give out. He forced himself to stay upright, yet if Muheun hadn’t been holding him, he might have collapsed.“It’s… too big.”All the Gwimae they had encountered before, even combined, couldn’t match the sheer size of this one. It was enormous, its thick paws massive, and its swaying tail long. The presence was so imposing that with every breath the creature took, the entire meadow seemed to ripple.“Are you…”Seungjoo couldn’t quite bring himself to ask, How will we capture it?—especially as the beast twitched an ear as if it had overheard. If it woke, it could attack them as ferociously as it had those trees at Haeyeon High. Seungjoo couldn’t bear the thought of Muheun facing such a gigantic Gwimae’s onslaught alone.“…Can you capture it?”So Seungjoo leaned back and whispered softly into Muheun’s ear. Muheun, who had allowed him to speak so close, brought his lips to Seungjoo’s ear in turn. Seungjoo could feel the brief brush of his lips, but Muheun, unfazed, spoke gently.“Yes, I can.”Somehow, those simple words calmed Seungjoo’s racing heart. Muheun’s soft kiss on his temple helped too.“Seungjoo, you trust me, don’t you?”Of course, there was no way he could answer anything but yes. The warmth encircling him from behind was more comforting than words.“…I trust you. Naturally.”Seungjoo replied with forced composure and let out a small sigh. Just that exchange of words eased his tension a bit. Honestly, he’d been unsure if he could even approach the beast, but with Muheun by his side, he felt he could manage.“I’ll stay here and wait…”Since it was still asleep, perhaps Muheun would tie it down somehow. But just as he began to voice his thoughts, Seungjoo fell silent. The Gwimae had opened its eyes, gazing in his direction.“…”Their eyes met. Or rather, he felt that they met. Its eyes held no focus, merely resting in place, so it would be presumptuous to say their gazes truly connected. Yet, like a reflex, Seungjoo flinched, and Muheun gripped his shoulders a little tighter.Red…An idle thought crossed Seungjoo’s mind: Gwimae’s eyes were red. He’d learned this from battling other Gwimae—each creature, despite its body dripping with black tar-like sludge, possessed blood-red eyes.They look as though……as though they were crying tears of blood.…and it’s pitiful.His heart sank. A strange, oppressive feeling tightened around his chest, and he felt something rise up within him. He’d only thought briefly about how pitiful it looked, but now his vision blurred.“…Ah.”Something warm trickled down his cheek. The instant he blinked, more droplets followed, trickling down his face. Before he could hold it back, the liquid fell, drop by drop, to the ground.“No…”Why is this happening? Startled, Seungjoo urgently covered his eyes. But it was too late to stop the tears that had already burst forth. The tears poured down uncontrollably, quickly soaking the palms covering his face.“Suddenly… hic…”The sob that escaped him was enough to startle Muheun, who stood behind him. Muheun quickly leaned in, peering at Seungjoo’s face. When Seungjoo didn’t let him see, he gently grasped Seungjoo’s wrists and gently pulled them away, not wanting to hurt him.“…You.”Just that one word held so many emotions. Though the tears in his eyes blurred his face, Muheun could easily guess what kind of expression he wore. It wasn’t long ago that Seungjoo had cried in front of him like this.“I’m okay… ugh…”Seungjoo tried to say he was fine, but his face contorted instead. For some reason, something swelled up inside him, an ache from deep within. There was no real reason to be sad, yet sorrow welled up as though it had been stored for ages.“Hic…”…So there was a place like this.Just then, memories—whose they were, he didn’t know—started to stir within his mind. The scenes that flooded in resembled those he saw whenever he purified a Gwimae. It was as though he were physically connected to it, feeling its pain echoing within him.Hello.The woman smiling warmly was someone Seungjoo had never seen before. Her hair was braided neatly, cascading down her back, and she plopped down onto the field with her skirt fluttering around her. She brushed her hand over the soft grass, speaking in a friendly tone.When someone greets you, you should greet them back.“Hic… huff…”Is this what it would feel like to have a part of your heart torn away? The feeling was so hollow and corrosive that he couldn’t hold back. To keep from losing himself, he gritted his teeth as he cried.Always say hello when you meet someone.“Ugh…”Overwhelmed by the flood of memories, Seungjoo tightly shut his eyes and continued to sob. His sorrowful expression was so heartbreaking that Muheun’s hands loosened their grip on him. Seungjoo seized the chance to cover his face with his hands again. Not because he was embarrassed about crying but because he knew Muheun would worry.“I’m fine… hic, I’m fine…”Shall I sing you a song?“Hic… the memories… sniff…”His voice, heavy with tears, didn’t sound convincing even to himself. His breaths came in uneven gasps, making it even harder to speak. He tried to steady his breathing, but it did little to help.In the mountains, the flowers bloom…“Ha…”…I’m sorry.What are these memories? The rapid flashes were more like moments than scenes. They flickered in and out without forming a complete picture, and his head hurt too much to think about them deeply.Fire! Fire!“Ugh…”Muheun, who had been staring in a daze, finally reacted when Seungjoo began to gag. He reached out, cradling the back of Seungjoo’s head to pull him close, wrapping his other arm around Seungjoo’s trembling shoulders. He gently pressed his lips to the top of Seungjoo’s head.“Seungjoo.”“…Hic.”“Breathe. It’s okay.”Muheun didn’t ask if he was in pain. He simply called Seungjoo’s name tenderly, patting his back. Though Muheun’s hands shook slightly, his voice was as gentle as ever.“It’s just a hallucination.”The soft sound of his voice in Seungjoo’s ear had a surprising effect. As soon as he heard it, the chaotic memories began to dissipate. At last, Seungjoo reached out and hugged Muheun tightly around the waist.“Hyung… hic…”“Yes, I’m here.”The memories had faded, but his tears didn’t stop. The warmth embracing him was so tender that it made his heart swell even more. Eventually, he stopped trying to hold back and cried openly, letting out full, unrestrained sobs.“Haa… hic…”As he held Seungjoo, comforting him, Muheun looked off in a certain direction. His gaze turned momentarily unfocused before his expression grew serious, and he spoke in a subdued tone.“We should go back.”There was no need for an answer. As long as Seungjoo couldn’t stop crying, capturing the Gwimae right now was impossible. Seungjoo nodded with his face buried in Muheun’s chest, and Muheun placed another kiss on the top of his head.As the two of them stood there, a pair of blood-red eyes watched them intently.* * *It took longer than expected for Seungjoo to stop crying. Even as they descended the mountain hand in hand, Seungjoo used his free hand to wipe away tears, sniffling as he went. Muheun would glance over now and then, pausing whenever Seungjoo seemed about to cry harder, and would gently wipe away his tears himself.As they exited the barrier, they were met by a guard standing watch. Despite the time that had passed, the guard looked much as he had when they entered the barrier. When he noticed Seungjoo’s tear-streaked face, his expression shifted with surprise. He initially looked at Muheun with suspicion, but after seeing their clasped hands, he quickly averted his gaze.The barrier had not been lifted. If it were released, there was a possibility that the Gwimae inside could be moved elsewhere, which could not be ignored. Muheun said that for now, they would leave it as is, and later create a new barrier before removing the core.Because of that, the two returned to Muheun’s dormitory without any significant results. By the time they got into the car, the inexplicable tears had stopped, but perhaps due to having cried so hard, Seungjoo felt completely drained. He dozed off repeatedly during the ride back, and as soon as they entered the dorm, he fell into a deep sleep.“I saw a really old memory.”The next day, when Seungjoo mentioned this, Muheun silently caressed Seungjoo’s swollen eyes. “I can’t see anything with these eyes.” His murmured voice sounded quite serious. Seungjoo, who had unconsciously laughed, grumbled not to joke around before continuing with his thoughts.“I can’t remember what it was about since everything was mixed up… but there was a woman wearing something like a hanbok.”Even though he had seen various memories until now, this was the first time he encountered such an ancient past. It felt like it must have been around the Joseon Dynasty. He thought so vaguely, as neither the clothing nor the hairstyle seemed modern at all.“I kept talking to someone, but I don’t know who it was.”“Were you talking to the Gwimae?”“No, it was before Gwimae was born.”In the memory conveyed, the woman was definitely alone. Yet, she continued to speak to someone, and of course, there was no response. It seemed strange looking back now, but at the time he viewed the memory, it didn’t feel unusual at all.“I just felt endlessly sad.”This was the important part. The feeling was one of unending sadness and sorrow. He had no idea who that woman was or what had happened, but he felt only unjust and upset.“…No, maybe it wasn’t just sadness.”Upon reflection, it turned out that it wasn’t simply ‘sadness’. At first, he thought he was crying out of sorrow, but in the end, he felt other emotions too.“If it’s not sadness?”“Um… anger?”Yes, it was anger. More precisely, it was something close to a sense of betrayal. It was an emotion commonly felt from the Gwimae born from human disaster, but this time it was accompanied by physical pain. For the first time in his life, he learned that being angry could hurt his heart.“I think I need to see it again to understand in detail. Right now, there’s too little information.”Although he wasn’t sure if he could avoid crying again, it was a part that needed to be confirmed. Since they had let a day pass without much action, they had to move as quickly as possible to purify the Gwimae in the remaining time. Having experienced the Gwimae’s emotions once, he wouldn’t be as flustered next time.“We’re going again today, right?”“Yes, but I’m going to capture the Gwimae tomorrow.”“Are we just going to set up the barrier today?”“Yes, and I need someone to help.”The mention of needing help itself was not a problem. They had received help from Gwangsik and Muryeong when capturing the Gwimae before. However, the following comment bothered him a bit.“I think we should go with a group.”In that muttered tone, there was an inexplicable determination. It could be thought that it was simply because the Gwimae was strong, but Seungjoo, who had been watching him since birth, understood. The downcast eyes, the sunken gaze, and the tightly closed lips all meant one thing.“…It would be nice if we all went together.”He saw the future.What kind of future, he didn’t know, but Muheun had clearly seen a scene that worried him. Or perhaps he had an instinctive feeling that it was not good. That’s why he immediately suggested they return and carefully stated that he needed someone to help.“They say there’s no beating a group attack.”Fortunately, the attempt to lighten the mood was a great help. As soon as Muheun heard that line, he let out a chuckle. It wasn’t necessarily because the line was funny, but it seemed like he found Seungjoo saying it amusing.What was important was not that, but something else.“So, who are you going to call?”“…Gi Hwanyoung?” 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~