The Night Of The Untraced

The one it longed for most was the woman, yet it had no desire to become human. The only ones who had never betrayed it were the wild beasts of the mountains, so it took on the form of a tiger, like the animals who frightened humans by taking them away. It wanted her to fear it, like a beast.The sin of betraying nature’s love was too great for any mere human to bear. In exchange for her act of setting it on fire, it swore to forever pursue her traces as its prey. The curse, bordering on a threat, was a desperate outcry: how could she dare to abandon it and still be happy?Perhaps it was because of the stench from its festering, rotten heart, but her once pure energy began attracting malevolent spirits. Even the wandering souls of lost humans would lurk around her at nightfall, preying upon her life.Yet… human bonds turned out to be stronger than it had expected.It realized that the vibrant, blue energy surrounding her friend made him the natural enemy of these wandering spirits. Though her friend hadn’t even been aware of its existence, since it had taken a form, the friend began to regard it with wary, sharp eyes.Together, they hid within a house, and her friend used his power to erase any trace of her presence. True to his promise to protect her at all costs, her friend never left her side. His unwavering resolve was so formidable that it kept her from any danger.The woman who once smiled at it so kindly was gone; only a human hiding away to escape its curse remained. It was the inevitable outcome, yet it wasn’t the conclusion it had hoped for.It felt like one of those villagers who had offered sacrifices. Already burnt to ash, it had become nothing more than a nuisance tormenting them. Even the sky, which had once pitied it, now seemed to favor those who were more deserving.Was this what it was like to fall into an inescapable pit? It reminded it of those times it writhed in the earth, unable to move, whenever its mood soured. She was the only one who had comforted it back then, but now, even that solace was lost.By the time its days of hunting her stretched close to a year, both she and her friend had married other men and built new lives. Though her life remained constantly endangered, she seemed to be adapting to it somehow. The realization that she was forgetting it made it anxious, but that wasn’t the part that troubled it the most.Why did she look so unhappy?She had saved the one she loved and was living out her days with her cherished friend by her side. Though both had other men in their lives, nothing could change the fact that they would stay together for life.Then why did her gaze toward her friend look so sorrowful?If this was how it would turn out, she shouldn’t have abandoned it.If she couldn’t receive her beloved’s love, it would’ve been better to stay with it. Chatting endlessly by its side and spending time playing the flute would have been far better. Though these were regrets of a past now too distant, it thought it might be better for her to follow it, even now.It took a long time to realize that it hadn’t truly wished for her unhappiness. Her life, confined within her house, was far from the redemption it had imagined. It didn’t wish for her happiness without it, yet it hadn’t hoped for her to be lonely even among others, either.But understanding that didn’t erase its resentment toward her. Even if it forgave her, it wasn’t sure it would make her happy. This was its first time hating someone, so it had no idea how to handle such a feeling.As time passed, a new life began to grow within her, and around the same time, her friend also had a child. When her child turned one, it finally had a chance to speak with her. There were so many questions piled up within it, but the one it was most curious about was this:“Do you regret it?”Did she ever regret abandoning it? Would she now choose it, rather than remaining human? But, still kind and gentle as ever, she only offered a lonely smile and replied:“Even if I did… nothing would change.”Though it wasn’t a clear affirmation or denial, one thing was certain: if she could go back, she would do the same thing again. Despite that lonely expression, she had no intention of leaving her friend’s side.“I’m sorry.”What was the point of love if it would never be reciprocated? She seemed intent on offering up her devotion, even knowing it would never be returned. Emotions without a form were primitive, yet she was repeating that foolish choice, choosing to walk a difficult path.But it could not hate the woman, for “it” came to understand her heart. Even if some might call it foolish, there are times when one must set aside their own feelings for the sake of the one they love.“…So?”This sudden question came from a deeply submerged consciousness. The memories flashing like a panorama suddenly froze, as if in a still frame.In the distant, detached sense of reality, a voice from somewhere unknown asked again.“So, what did you do?”So I made a promise.If you live for twenty years beyond my sight.And in the end, if you win the heart of the one you desire.Then I shall gladly forgive you.But if you fail in any of this…I will follow you to the ends of the earth, cursing and hating you.Though it seemed a generous offer at a glance, in reality, it was almost impossible. The woman had lived beyond forty years, yet she never won her friend’s heart. Even as they died on the same day, their hearts never truly connected, not even in their final breaths.Thus, the curse passed down, extending to her descendants.“It” lay dormant with the woman, though it was not complete rest. Right before it could fully sleep, someone disrupted the hard-won peace.“This land is forbidden from development…”“…Gwimae? We just have to seal it…”The murmuring voices became irritating, and its half-asleep consciousness began to awaken. Still lingering in the past, people began calling it “Gwimae” and attempted to seal it again. If only it could have closed its eyes easily, but that was simply impossible.“Why couldn’t you?”Because I believed we would meet again.“…Meet again?”Yes, once more, in this lifetime.“Someone who’s already dead?”No, someone reborn…“Seungjoo!”With a start, Seungjoo’s eyes shot open, and he inhaled deeply. It felt as if he’d been struck on the back of his head, his consciousness snapping back to reality in an instant. As his airway finally opened, he doubled over, coughing violently.“Cough…!”His lungs, crushed and flattened, stung with pain. His whole body ached as if he’d been hit, and a dull, throbbing soreness spread through his muscles. Someone gently laid him back down, soothing him as he moaned and stirred in discomfort.“It’s okay. Just breathe slowly.”The soft, calm voice, as always, had a way of easing his restless heart. Through his blurry vision, Seungjoo gazed at the figure beside him. The one with a face on the verge of tears was none other than Muheun.“…Hyung.”“Yes, I’m here.”Seungjoo couldn’t tell whether the wetness on Muheun’s cheek was rain or tears. Raindrops trickled down his raincoat, which was soaked through. When Seungjoo tried to lift his right hand on instinct, he winced at the sudden, excruciating pain that shot through him.“Ugh…”“Don’t move. You must be hurt somewhere.”Though his tone was calm, Muheun’s face was as pale as a ghost. Even accounting for his naturally fair complexion, Muheun looked alarmingly drained. His eyelids quivered with nervousness, and the trembling tips of his fingers betrayed his lost composure.“Oppa! Seungjoo, are you okay?”Muyeon’s voice called out from above the pit. The people peering down at them were the ones who had joined Muheun to capture the Gwimae. Only then did Seungjoo realize that Muheun had followed him into the ground.“…What about the Gwimae?”Muheun turned his gaze in silence at Seungjoo’s slow question. Following his glance, Seungjoo realized the Gwimae was nowhere to be seen and let out a faint laugh.It hadn’t been purified. Perhaps his sight had simply closed off. With all the spiritual energy within him spent, he could no longer feel the Gwimae, just as he could no longer sense the chill from Muheun next to him.“I’ll handle the rest,” Muheun murmured, his voice carrying a tone that, in a way, sounded like he was steeling himself. Although catching the Gwimae was no small feat, for Muheun, it was a minor concern. The real issue was that they hadn’t seen all the memories yet. If they couldn’t fulfill the Gwimae’s true wish, the seal would just keep breaking.“Seungjoo, you…”After a brief pause, Seungjoo slowly raised his uninjured left hand. He grabbed Muheun by the collar and abruptly pulled him close. Muheun’s eyes widened in surprise, but that didn’t really matter.…Their lips, wet from the rain, pressed together roughly.The silence that fell was more than just a feeling. In the quiet atmosphere, Seungjoo slipped his tongue into the gap between Muheun’s parted lips.The breath that brushed past with a slight rustle carried the cold essence of Muheun. Seungjoo, grasping his collar, inhaled his breath desperately. Half of it was instinctive, while the other half was a rational judgment.Muheun did not push Seungjoo away, and for a moment, as if startled, he froze. Droplets of water fell from his trembling eyelashes.Without getting closer or pulling away, Muheun remained still for a while, and then he braced himself with one hand on the floor.“…Huh.”Though the intention was Yeongi, the act was almost no different from a kiss. The act of their tongues mingling reflected Seungjoo’s concern and anxiety toward him. The Yeongi that flooded in, as it always did, began to settle in his stomach, layer by layer.The sound of lips parting was drowned out by the heavy breath and the sound of rain. In the moment Seungjoo’s eyes opened, he saw Gwimae staring at him with crimson eyes. From Gwimae, who was collapsed and barely breathing, Seungjoo could sense a different emotion than before.It was longing. Amidst all the grievances, anger, and everything else, the overwhelming emotion was longing. It was a tender, sorrowful feeling toward the woman who never came back, who never chose him until the very end.“…I’ll purify it.”Seungjoo thought he had to listen to the story, or rather, he needed to talk. There were many things he needed to hear and many things he wanted to ask. If Yeongi was insufficient and couldn’t be purified, he intended to fill it and hear the rest of the story.“I can do it.”Staggering, he tried to lift his upper body, and Muheun supported his back with one hand. It wasn’t so much helping him stand as it was a reflexive action, likely due to concern. If it wasn’t for that, Muheun wouldn’t have spoken in such a firm tone.“You’re hurt.”The soft words were a gentle plea to stop, implying that purification wasn’t the most important thing—Muheun was saying it that way.“You need to go to the hospital first.”Seungjoo knew it as well. The pain in his right hand felt similar to when he had sprained his wrist on the way home from school. It was like the time he had tripped and fallen after his bag strap got caught on a car’s side mirror, and he must have fallen wrong when he hit the ground.“I can purify and go.”But it wasn’t something that would cause immediate harm. Maybe it was just his mood, but receiving Yeongi seemed to ease the pain somewhat.“I can’t just leave it like this. If Hyung seals it now, it will break again, and we’ll have to come back anyway.”Tomorrow, the trial would begin, and after that, there would be no reason to purify Gwimae. Moreover, if Muheun were the one Seungjoo knew, he would seal Gwimae hundreds of times before asking Seungjoo to purify again.“It’s almost done. Just a little more.”In fact, Gwimae was much smaller than when they first encountered it. It had once been as large as a house, but now it was no bigger than an ordinary tiger. The fact that Seungjoo had weakened it through purification was proof of that.However, Muheun seemed to have something to say as well.“You promised not to get hurt.”“…”The words burst out suddenly, and Seungjoo’s mouth shut tight. The moment he saw the fallen eyes, he remembered the words he had spoken earlier.“I promised I wouldn’t get hurt.”“You promised, didn’t you? With your fingers.”Seungjoo had gotten small wounds again, despite the promise he had made with his fingers. It wasn’t entirely his fault, but it was clear that Muheun, who was watching, must have been burning inside.“But you got hurt again. I didn’t ask you to purify Gwimae just for this. This isn’t what we promised.”His tone was rare and raised, almost reproachful. On the surface, it sounded like he was blaming Seungjoo, but in reality, it was more like self-blame. Before regret could settle deeper in his gaze, Seungjoo looked him straight in the eyes and spoke.“Gwimae cursed my family.”“…”Muheun’s face stiffened as if cold water had been poured on him. Seungjoo took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. He wanted to convey the information he had discovered as clearly and concisely as possible.“This mountain was where our ancestors lived. The mountain where the Kim woman was saved by setting a fire—that’s here.”Now that he thought about it, there must have been a reason the association managed this mountain peak. Seungjoo didn’t know, but his parents might have known about the connection to the land and their ancestors. Of course, that wasn’t the crucial part.“The association president tried to develop this land, but he woke Gwimae. Then, because the seal kept breaking, they experimented to investigate it.”Even if the association president managed it, the land owned by the association shouldn’t have been developed carelessly. This was enough evidence, but the decisive reason Seungjoo wanted to purify Gwimae was something else entirely.“If it’s done well…”Once Seungjoo opened his mouth, he found himself unable to continue. He couldn’t say the words that could offer great hope to someone, the ones that might break the curse if done right. The key to severing the tough fate, the real reason for his stubbornness.“So, I’ll do it.”To be honest, it wasn’t out of a strong sense of obligation. The fate passed down through generations was frustrating, but in the end, Seungjoo had escaped his family’s curse. So, it wasn’t out of a sense of duty to preserve the family’s legacy—it was just a choice born from desire.“I can’t keep being worried.”Seungjoo didn’t want to see anyone around him worrying anymore. The curse wouldn’t continue if he didn’t pass it down, but as long as the curse remained, people would keep worrying about him until the day he died. Unless he was fully freed from the curse, those days would never change.And beneath that, there was also the injustice he had never spoken about.“I don’t want to live like this either.”Just because he wasn’t dead didn’t mean the injustice was gone, and pretending it didn’t bother him didn’t make it go away. The deaths of his family constantly held Seungjoo back, and sometimes, he couldn’t help but feel his insides wither from the suffocating weight.Even if the curse couldn’t be broken, he wanted to put an end to Gwimae at least.“Hyung, you trust me, right?”Muheun probably knew as well. How wasteful it would be to give up now, after coming this far. No matter how many times Gwimae was sealed, it would return, and sooner or later, Seungjoo’s help would be needed. And now that Seungjoo was saying this, Muheun couldn’t possibly go against his will.“This is the last time.”“…….”“Please, just trust me one more time.”Seungjoo grabbed Muheun’s hand with his uninjured hand. Like himself, Muheun had small scratches on his hand as well. There must have been a lot going on for him to get into the pit while Seungjoo was purifying Gwimae.“I’m sorry for not keeping my promise. But it’ll be fine soon. It’s just a sprained wrist; everything else is fine.”If it had been a serious injury, Seungjoo would have backed down. He didn’t have the kind of sacrificial spirit to endure pain, nor did he want to deal with the aftermath of it. So, this wasn’t an impulsive emotional decision, but rather a conclusion made by reason.“I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.”“……Ha.”After hearing those words, Muheun sighed deeply. His face twisted, but he couldn’t bring himself to say “no.” Instead, he covered his face with his other hand and spoke in a hoarse voice.“You’ll drive me mad if something happens to you…”It was something Seungjoo had heard before. There was no exaggeration in his words; it was his sincere concern. And maybe, more than going mad, Muheun might even think about wanting to die.That’s why Seungjoo held his hand tightly and added one more thing.“Hyung.”“…….”“No matter what future you see, I won’t die.”It was the one thing he couldn’t bring himself to say, his deepest pain that had always troubled Muheun. Perhaps even now, it was the fundamental anxiety he carried. Seungjoo might never know what future Muheun saw, but he understood the wounds left on him better than anyone else.“So now, please trust me.”“…….”Muheun’s hand, which had covered his face, slowly fell. His jet-black eyes, like the night, looked distant and unfocused for a moment. In that brief moment, Seungjoo thought he saw some emotion flash across his eyes, his gaze moistening slightly.Blink. Blink. Muheun closed and opened his eyes, then lowered his head with an expression that looked like he might cry.“……I trust you, Seungjoo.”Seungjoo could vaguely sense that it was an approval. The hand he was holding tightened, but it didn’t feel like an attempt to stop him, like before. It seemed more like Muheun was holding on because of his anxiety, wanting something to hold on to.“That’s enough.”There was no need for the usual farewell. Any extra words would only make it feel like the final goodbye.So, Seungjoo casually pulled his hand away and slowly stood up. Muheun’s fingertips twitched, but thankfully, he didn’t try to stop him. It seemed that Muheun was finally ready to trust him.Gwimae was still lying there, watching Seungjoo. Every time Seungjoo took a step closer, it blinked slowly. As he checked the rising and falling body with its colorful breath, Seungjoo quietly crouched in front of it.“……You made me get hurt.”It didn’t answer, but the guilt in its gaze was clear. How was it that no one else noticed this obvious emotion? If this was only visible to him, could it be because of the reason he suspected?“Don’t do this again.”Seungjoo whispered softly as he reached his hand out to Gwimae. The creature lowered its eyes at the cautiously extended hand. Feeling the cold energy seeping into his fingertips, Seungjoo also calmly closed his eyes.He felt as if he was being pulled into an endless, unknowable darkness. His mind drifted far away, leaving him unable to distinguish whether this was a dream or reality. Among the fleeting memories, he thought he saw the President, but at some point, everything became blank.“Seungjoo.”The echoing voice calling his name came regularly, reverberating in his ears. He wanted to ask why they were calling him, why they were doing this, but before he could, someone called him again.“Seungjoo, Seo Seungjoo.”“Seungjoo…”Who could it be?“……”A refreshing breeze gently brushed his face. When he slowly opened his eyelids, he saw clouds drifting lazily across the blue sky. Blinking a few times, Seungjoo sat up, still dazed.He was the only one sitting in the vast meadow. Though he’d woken up in an unfamiliar place, he didn’t feel disoriented. Rather, he felt a strange familiarity, as though he’d been here many times before.Seungjoo braced his hands on the ground and took a look around. Trees were densely planted, surrounding the edge of the wide field. Although he’d never come here during the day, it was unmistakably the place he had visited several times with Muheun.“…Hm.”How long had he been here? The fleeting question quickly dissipated. As he glanced around, Seungjoo noticed a tiger approaching slowly from afar. It was a white tiger with piercing blue eyes, padding silently in his direction.He wasn’t scared. Once again, he felt more familiarity than fear.The white tiger, ambling closer, naturally lay down next to Seungjoo, stretching out and lazily swishing its tail, rubbing its face with a paw like a cat. Then it lifted its head and gazed directly at Seungjoo.「So… you wish to speak.」The voice that echoed in his mind was indescribable. It wasn’t in Korean, yet it didn’t seem like a foreign language either. In fact, it wasn’t a “voice” in the traditional sense, but Seungjoo understood its meaning clearly.「If you’re curious, ask away.」“…Ah.”With a generous offer, Seungjoo hesitantly opened his mouth. Now that he had the chance, he wasn’t sure what to ask first. There was a mountain of questions he wanted to ask, but most of them had already been answered.“I’d just… like to hear you talk.”He’d intended to speak casually, but formal words slipped out naturally. Now that he was face-to-face with the tiger, he felt overwhelmed by its sense of age and wisdom. The gaze directed at him was anything but human.“Why did you break the seal… things like that.”「The seal… you called it a seal, didn’t you?」The white tiger responded quietly, resting its head on its paw. Its eyes closed slowly, exhaling a long breath. Every time the wind blew, its sleek fur shifted gently.「Well, shall I tell you an old story then?」Though a massive beast lay before him, Seungjoo felt no sense of threat. He instinctively knew it wouldn’t harm him. Foolish as it might sound, he’d always had a feeling like this when he faced Gwimae.「Long ago, there was a kind-hearted woman.」The story began like a fairy tale, and Seungjoo knew it well. It was Gwimae’s past and the story of Lady Seo, which he’d glimpsed while purifying Gwimae. And also the story of her dear friend whom she loved.「It was humans who woke me from my long slumber, and it was humans who put me back to sleep. I didn’t want to sleep, so I awoke. When they ask why I broke the seal, there’s little else I can say.」He said he’d forced himself to stay awake whenever he felt drowsy. Just as Seungjoo was about to ask why he hadn’t wanted to sleep, the tiger continued.「Is it wrong to wish to see someone again?」It was close to what Seungjoo had suspected. Perhaps Gwimae wanted to see the woman he’d once loved. More precisely, the reincarnation of the woman reborn.“The person who’s been reborn… is that me?”The tiger gave no answer to his tentative question. It merely turned to look at Seungjoo. The emotion in those flickering eyes was a more certain answer than a dozen words.“No, I don’t look like her at all…”Was it just his imagination? The blue eyes seemed to smile. It was hard to believe he could feel such an expression from a beast. As Seungjoo awkwardly twitched his cheek, the tiger whispered like the wind.「But your unwavering heart is similar.」A breeze blew, tousling his hair. When Seungjoo frowned, the swishing tail brushed his bangs aside.「Humans think only what they see matters… but that’s not the case.」He recalled Muryeong saying something similar once. It was like sensing the energy of the soul. People aren’t just what they appear to be on the outside. Though he could never fully understand it himself, he realized those with certain unusual abilities could perceive it.「Seungjoo, was it?」“Yes… Seo Seungjoo.”Seungjoo nodded politely and responded. The white tiger brushed Seungjoo’s cheek with its tail, squinting its eyes slightly.「You abandoned me, betrayed me, and even tried to kill me.」They hadn’t meant to kill him. Yet, there was something in Seungjoo’s heart that held back a rebuttal. Memories of the President, who had conducted countless experiments, and Muheun, who had looked at Gwimae with resolute eyes, lingered.As if sensing Seungjoo’s thoughts, the tiger growled softly.「You share that same sense of guilt.」「……」Of course. Seungjoo had always felt an inexplicable sense of debt toward Gwimae, whether it was human guilt or the lingering shadow of Lady Seo. The feeling of regret had always cut deep.「For choosing humans over me, your bloodline has paid the price.」The white tiger spoke slowly, rising to its feet. Its size was overwhelming; it was large enough that Seungjoo could have climbed onto its back.The tiger turned to Seungjoo, its tail swishing gently.「So, how about it? Will you come with me this time?」「…You want me to go with you?」It was a sudden proposal, and naturally, Seungjoo couldn’t answer right away. As he blinked in confusion, Gwimae extended a paw toward him.「Promise to follow me, and I’ll stop tormenting humans. Then that child you love can rest peacefully.」「……」There was no need to ask who “that child” was. It almost felt like a threat, but luckily, it didn’t seem that way. It seemed more like a simple statement of fact, so Seungjoo let out a faint chuckle and muttered.「…Isn’t that the same as telling me to die?」Who knew what would happen if he followed Gwimae? And if he left now, Kim Muheun wouldn’t rest; he’d suffer for the rest of his life.「There’s no way I’d go with you.」Despite his firm words, the white tiger’s expression didn’t change. Perhaps it had already anticipated Seungjoo’s answer.「I’m not that person.」Although Gwimae claimed he was that woman, Seungjoo didn’t think so. He couldn’t even play the pipe, nor did he have the selfless personality to sacrifice himself for someone else. He wasn’t kind-hearted, nor was he as pure as Gwimae seemed to believe.「Honestly, I don’t even know if this is a past life, since I don’t remember anything… and I don’t particularly love nature either.」This seemed to have an impact; the white tiger froze for a moment. Seungjoo wondered if he’d said too much, but the tiger didn’t look hurt. It just gazed at him with a subtle expression and said:「If that’s your choice, then I must respect it.」The tension in Seungjoo’s shoulders eased. He had been a little worried that he might be forced to go along, but before he could fully relax, the tiger looked at him steadily and warned:「But know this. This isn’t over.」「…Why?」He’d come to understand everything about Gwimae and had successfully purified him. Even if nature were to be damaged again, Gwimae would be reborn, and with the President captured, shouldn’t everything be resolved?「Aren’t you curious?」But the tiger continued in a relaxed tone. It was something Seungjoo hadn’t considered.「You purified me, yet here I am in your dreams.」「……」Only then did he realize this was a dream. No wonder he hadn’t felt any pain. Seungjoo moved his right wrist, furrowing his brow.The tiger ignored his reaction and continued.「Normally, we return to nature as time passes. When I first awoke, I had a sense that if I fell asleep this time, I wouldn’t return.」Since the woman had set the forest ablaze so long ago, it wasn’t strange that nature had recovered in the meantime. The President had upturned the land, but even that had nearly been restored. Normally, Gwimae would have disappeared within a few years.「But I couldn’t just yet.」He knew why the tiger spoke with such resolve. He’d told him before—he’d held onto the belief they’d meet again.But the next words were entirely unexpected.「So, I left part of myself hidden close to you.」「…Hidden?」「Yes, so that even if I fall into a deep sleep, I won’t disappear from this world.」The tone was calm, but the content was shocking. Seungjoo’s eyes widened in surprise, and Gwimae gently brushed his head with his tail.「If you can find it with your own power, I’ll withdraw without resistance this time.」「What does that mean…?」Seungjoo had no time to protest. As he opened his mouth, Gwimae retracted his tail. His expression remained gentle, but his parting words were unwavering.「Now, go back.」“……It’s time…….”“The doctor said……”Murmurs came and went, nearing and fading, voices whose owners he couldn’t identify. He felt an endless stream of presences around him, with an occasional sharp sensation pricking his forearm. At times, he felt as though he was suffocating, but each time someone would miraculously adjust his position, bringing relief.“For now……”He couldn’t make out their conversation, but it was loud enough to be slightly annoying. He wanted to stay asleep, but it felt like something kept pulling him back to consciousness.In that hazy space between sleep and wakefulness, a familiar touch softly stroked his hair.“Let’s wait and see.”It was Kim Muheun. Recognizing that fact wasn’t difficult. After all, there was only one person he knew with such a cautious touch. And only one person whose gentle touch conveyed so much affection, as if handling something precious.“You’ll be fine.”Whatever magic those words held, his troubled heart suddenly felt at ease. All that remained was a profound trust in Muheun. No matter who else was there, as long as Muheun was by his side, there was nothing to worry about.“The doctor said there’s nothing wrong…….”The hand that had been lingering on his forehead gradually moved, brushing past his eyes and down to his cheek. Each light touch, like a feather’s caress, left him feeling parched, until Muheun gently cupped his cheek, making him instinctively lean into that warmth.“……”Muheun suddenly stopped, pausing with his hand still resting on Seungjoo’s cheek. Unconsciously, Seungjoo furrowed his brows in disappointment. Why did he stop? He rubbed his cheek in mild frustration, just as Muyeon’s voice broke through.“Oppa, what’s wrong?”“……”Before Muheun could respond, Seungjoo’s eyes opened. At first, his vision was unfocused, but a few blinks sharpened his surroundings. The first thing he saw was a white ceiling, followed by a figure close by.“……Hyung.”That single syllable was enough to silence the room. In the heavy quiet, he noticed Muheun’s face freeze, a reaction that was far from what he expected, matched by a near-scream that soon followed.“S-Seungjoo!”The person rushing to his side was none other than Seungjoo’s father. His mother stood behind, both of them teary-eyed. Confused, Seungjoo looked on as his father urgently grabbed his face.“Are you okay? Can you recognize Dad?”“……”Although his parents often worried about him, this level of intense reaction felt odd. Even Muheun seemed stunned, standing awkwardly nearby. As Seungjoo looked around, his mother’s face twisted with emotion.“Thank you… thank you so much….”An aunt beside them gently patted his mother’s shoulder. Everyone in the room—Muyeon, Muryeong, and Hwanyeong—watched him with startled eyes, as if something terrible had happened. Perplexed, Seungjoo blinked.“What… what’s with everyone?”No one answered, despite his bewildered question. Muheun let out a quiet sigh, while Muyeon hurriedly called for the doctor. With Muryeong and Hwanyeong wearing equally shocked expressions, there was no one to provide Seungjoo with an explanation.He only learned the reason for their reactions when the doctor finally entered the room.“……I was asleep for a week?”Seungjoo was in the VIP room at Korea University Hospital. The doctor had rushed in, run some checks, and informed him of his condition. He’d suffered minor bruises all over his body, which were almost healed, but had fractured his right wrist, necessitating a cast up to his elbow.No wonder his parents had been so distraught. They always reacted strongly to even the smallest injuries, and after a week of him being unconscious, it was no surprise they’d been beside themselves. They must’ve spent every night worrying in tears.“You have no idea, Seungjoo. Aunt and Uncle were really worried, but Oppa was unbelievable. I don’t think he slept at all for a whole week.”After the doctor left, only Muyeon, Muryeong, and Hwanyeong remained in the room. His parents had followed the doctor out, and the aunt also seemed to have something to discuss with Muheun. Muyeon, ruffling Seungjoo’s hair a bit too roughly, shared a story about Muheun with a sigh.“With Oppa here, your parents were able to go home occasionally. But Oppa only left for court hearings, then practically moved in here.”“Ah… did the trial end well?”“Yeah, for now.”While Seungjoo was asleep, the trial of President Hyub ended smoothly. He was convicted for illegally developing jointly-owned land, hiding the Gwimae he’d created, unsealing other Gwimae, and gathering forces to neglect wandering souls. There was no way for him to escape accountability.“A lot of people had been waiting to get back at him. He was just terrible at his job.”Muheun also accused President Hyub of neglect of duty and poor work performance. His authority was revoked on the spot, and his final disposition would be decided later. There were a few minor trials left, but the main issue had been resolved.“And President Hyub asked you to purify a Gwimae for him, didn’t he? Do you know your parents turned the whole association upside down over that? My mom was furious, too. Once you’re better, you’re probably in for a real scolding.”“…Hmm.”He’d anticipated the consequences of his actions, but now that it was imminent, he couldn’t help feeling nervous. This time, he didn’t even have a good excuse. But maybe getting scolded would be better—after all, he was in a cast, so his parents must be heartbroken.“Your sister was really worried about you, too.”Muyeon sighed softly as he tidied Seungjoo’s hair. Seungjoo obediently let him, touching the back of his head with his uninjured hand. Though unintentional, it was true he had worried everyone.“Sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”“We know.”Everyone in that room likely knew that what had happened to Seungjoo was truly just an “accident.” Remembering some embarrassing details that followed, Seungjoo coughed awkwardly and changed the subject.“So, when can I leave?”Now that he’d regained consciousness, maybe he could be discharged by tonight. His arm hurt a bit, but not enough to require hospitalization. He’d only fallen unconscious because he’d drained his energy purifying the Gwimae. They’d already run every test on him while he was out, so there was no reason to stay longer.“Doesn’t seem serious enough for a full cast… Can’t I just go home?”Once again, he was reminded that a fractured wrist called for a cast up to his elbow. In high school, his parents had insisted on it, and he’d gone around like this for a while. He even remembered Muryeong taking notes for him when he’d injured his right hand. He wanted this cast off as soon as possible.“You’ll be in here for about a week.”But, contrary to Seungjoo’s hopes, Muyeon replied firmly. “A week?” Seungjoo echoed, his jaw dropping, and Muyeon shrugged with a playful grin.“They want to keep an eye on your condition. And it’s safer here right now since things are chaotic at the association.”“Oh…”Muyeon was usually reasonable when it came to Seungjoo’s health. If he was saying this, there was no point in even considering his parents’ opinion—they’d likely want him to stay a week without argument.“Ugh, this is so frustrating.”Despite the private room and attached bathroom, it was still stifling. Having been in and out of hospitals since childhood, Seungjoo was thoroughly sick of being hospitalized. Knowing this, Muryeong looked at him sympathetically.“Does it hurt?”“Just a bit.”Seungjoo raised his casted arm with a nonchalant reply. It must’ve hurt a lot initially, but it’d been a week since he’d passed out. Most of the pain was gone, and he could tolerate the remaining discomfort.“With an injury like this, Muryeong, you’d probably be healed in a day.”“I wouldn’t heal that quickly, even if I tried…”Muryeong chuckled as if the idea was ridiculous. Seungjoo, half-joking himself, teased him, asking if he couldn’t just power through it. At that moment, Hwanyeong, who had been quiet, murmured softly.“Of all places, it’s that spot again.”“What?”Just then, the hospital room door opened. Without thinking, Seungjoo looked in that direction. It was Muheun entering, and Hwanyeong continued, staring at the cast.“It’s the same spot you hurt before, isn’t it?”“…”A tense silence settled over the room. Not just Seungjoo, but Muryeong and Muyeon, too, exchanged wary glances at Muheun.As Seungjoo was about to explain, Muheun, who had stopped in his tracks, asked in a low voice,“…You injured it before?”“Ah, Hyung, it’s just…”Seungjoo, who had been half-lying down, awkwardly tried to sit up. Even Muryeong looked uncharacteristically flustered, his eyes darting nervously. Muheun had already stepped fully into the room, closing the door behind him.“When did this happen?”Though his tone was calm, a tense atmosphere settled, putting Seungjoo on edge. He knew how many layers that seemingly soft voice could carry. Muheun’s gaze, steady and intent, signaled his displeasure.“You injured the same spot?”Despite the steady stream of questions, no one answered. Only Hwanyeong, who was oblivious to the situation, looked around the quiet room in confusion.Left with no choice, Seungjoo finally responded.“It’s nothing much. It happened ages ago.”“When exactly?”“Maybe back in sophomore year of high school…”Seungjoo had hurt his wrist back in high school, the same one that was currently injured. It was a simple accident, and he’d worn a cast for a while. At the time, Muheun hadn’t known, but it wasn’t that Seungjoo was hiding it; it just didn’t seem necessary to bring it up.“You wore a cast?”“Yes.”Seungjoo nodded, doing his best to appear unaffected. It’s fine—there’s no reason to get scolded over this, he reassured himself, though Muheun’s next question made him instinctively shrink a little.“Why didn’t you tell me?”Why didn’t I? Because I knew you’d react exactly like this.“You were really busy back then, Hyung. It wasn’t a big deal, so why bother mentioning it?”At that time, Muheun only visited home three or four times a year. Even when he came by, it was usually to speak to Hwanyeong, so Seungjoo hadn’t had any reason to mention the injury.“I would’ve come to see you if I’d known you were hurt.”But that was exactly why he hadn’t said anything. As Seungjoo averted his gaze, Muheun turned to Muyeon instead.“Muyeon, did you know about this?”“Uh… well, yeah.”Caught off guard by the sudden question, Muyeon wrinkled her nose. She also rarely visited home, but she’d heard about the injury in passing.It was obvious that everyone except Muheun had known, prompting him to let out a wry chuckle.“So, I was the only one kept in the dark.”It was hardly surprising. Muheun’s overprotectiveness was common knowledge in both families. Everyone knew that if he heard Seungjoo was hurt, he’d act like the sky was falling. So, they’d all decided to stay silent to keep the peace.Though it’s not ideal to hide things under the guise of sparing someone’s feelings, sometimes a bit of discretion is necessary. And if anyone understood the value of silence, it was Muheun.They’d assumed he’d understand, but perhaps he felt a bit left out.“Oh, Oppa.”With Hwanyeong now also sensing the mood, Muyeon clicked her tongue and waved her hand dismissively, chastising Muheun.“It’s because you react this way that Seungjoo always pretends nothing’s wrong and hides things from you. Scolding someone for getting hurt makes them feel guilty, you know.”“…”I’m not some little kid, Seungjoo thought, feeling slightly patronized. Oddly, Muheun’s face changed, as if realizing she might have a point.“I’m not scolding him, it’s just…”“Oh, sure, sure. We all know you’re just worried, but you’re a bit much sometimes, Oppa. Anyone would think you were his parent.”Only Muyeon could speak so bluntly in front of him. Long ago, Seunghee used to say similar things; now Muyeon had taken over that role.“I know you practically raised Seungjoo, but…”She trailed off mid-sentence, her expression suddenly darkening.“Actually, now that I think about it, it’s a bit absurd. You act like…”She looked Muheun up and down, clearly judging him. Even with her gentle gaze, the stern expression held a surprising intensity. Seungjoo, taken aback, flinched slightly, but Muheun’s expression remained unfazed.“You can continue that conversation later,” he replied flatly.Was it just my imagination? Seungjoo wondered, noticing Muyeon glance his way before sighing and turning her head, as if deciding to hold back for now.“Aren’t you busy anyway? You should be going.”“I was already about to leave.”Though Muyeon was being outright dismissed, she took it in stride, glancing at her phone. She did have things to do, and it was true she’d stayed longer than planned.“Muryeong and Hwanyeong, let’s go. I’ll drive you.”The three of them quickly left the room, leaving Muheun and Seungjoo alone. Before leaving, Muryeong mentioned he’d return soon with Hwanyeong and that Seungjoo should hang in there even if he got bored.Wait, did Hwanyeong actually agree to that? Typical—they’re both as cheeky as ever.“What about Mom and Dad?”“They had something to take care of, so they went home with Mother. They’ll probably visit tomorrow.”In the now-empty hospital room, Muheun sat beside Seungjoo, taking his left hand gently. Curious, Seungjoo watched as Muheun rolled up his sleeve, inspecting the marks left on his forearm from a week of IV drips.“There are still marks. Must’ve hurt.”“This kind of thing fades quickly. Aren’t you supposed to be going, though, Hyung?”“Someone should stay here with you.”It didn’t necessarily have to be Muheun, though. From what Seungjoo had heard, Muheun was the one who needed rest the most. But if Muheun had decided to stay, there was no way to convince him otherwise.“Aren’t you hungry?”Muheun asked gently as he slid his hand down, clasping Seungjoo’s left hand and giving a soft kiss to the back of it. It was an overly affectionate gesture, but as always, it felt completely natural coming from him.“Let’s get you some food first.”* * *Because Seungjoo had hurt his right hand, feeding him became Muheun’s task. Although Seungjoo insisted he could eat on his own (he’d even managed fine with his left hand back in high school), Muheun took the spoon anyway. When Muheun blew on a spoonful of thin porridge to cool it, Seungjoo had no choice but to open his mouth.“So, how’d you injure your arm?”“I tripped while walking. Tried to catch myself and twisted my wrist badly.”Perhaps Muyeon’s words had softened him, as Muheun didn’t scold Seungjoo for not mentioning the injury. He just listened quietly, exhaling a sigh as he checked the cast.“That’s why Kim Muryeong gave you a charm?”“Ah… right, back then.”Recalling something, Muheun nodded. Shortly after Seungjoo’s cast had come off, Muheun had visited home. He must have sensed Muryeong’s energy in the charm Seungjoo carried.“It’s not that I meant to hide it from you…”Seungjoo wanted to come up with a convincing excuse but couldn’t think of one. Apologizing felt wrong too; he still didn’t feel he’d done anything wrong. Even if he could go back, he wouldn’t tell Muheun.“…Are you really upset?” he asked quietly.Muheun let out a faint, deflating laugh. Cooling another spoonful of porridge, he answered softly.“Not upset, just… distressed.”Seungjoo was left speechless, especially seeing the hint of sadness in Muheun’s gaze.“I understand why you didn’t tell me, Hyung gets it. If I’d asked, you would’ve said something. So, that’s okay.”Muheun was an adult who never pushed for answers on things he’d already made peace with. So his reassurance was likely sincere, but something still weighed on him.“It just hurts a little… hearing that you were lying here hurt, and knowing you’d been hurt before too.”It wasn’t said to accuse anyone. It was simply that Muheun cared deeply about Seungjoo’s well-being, a worry that he couldn’t fully shake, no matter how hard he tried.“You were out for quite a while this time.”“…”The past week must have been a nightmare for him. Seungjoo could sense that from the subtle tremors in Muheun’s hands, despite his calm expression.“Hyung.”Seungjoo spoke softly, reaching out to Muheun. He took the spoon from him and placed it on the bowl, catching Muheun’s attention. He then guided Muheun’s hand to his own chest, pressing his palm over his heart.“Feel this.”Thump, thump. The steady beat traveled through Muheun’s hand, a reminder of Seungjoo’s life. This was how Muheun had learned to reassure himself during anxious moments—something Muheun’s father had once taught him.“You feel it, right?”“Yeah, it’s beating strong.”Muheun was still gazing at him, a faint, affectionate smile in his eyes. Seungjoo could tell he was wondering where this was going.“See?” Seungjoo continued.“…”“I told you, I’m not going anywhere.”Muheun’s fingers trembled on Seungjoo’s chest. Though he tried to smile, his eyes started to dim.Did I say something wrong? As Seungjoo pondered, Muheun let out a small sigh and lowered his head.“Oh…”A droplet fell onto the blanket before Seungjoo realized what was happening. Muheun lifted his other hand to cover his face, while Seungjoo, stunned, widened his eyes as he looked at the blanket.“…Hyung, are you crying?”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~