The Night Of The Untraced

It seemed that was far more likely. If it was arrhythmia, it would be best to go to the hospital as soon as possible.“It’s not arrhythmia.”However, Gwangsik shook his head without a moment’s hesitation, as if he’d already been to the hospital. He even added, quite seriously, “Normally, I’m fine. It only happens when I’m with you.”“……”Seungjoo had no response. If Gwangsik himself was saying that, what more could he add?“Even now… I keep feeling strange.”With that, Gwangsik raised a hand and gently placed it over his chest, as if checking his heartbeat. It seemed his heart was indeed racing faster than usual.“That’s why I can’t look at your face.”“…Hmm.”Seungjoo let out a small sigh, frowning. Memories of Gwangsik’s behavior flashed through his mind: zoning out, averting his gaze whenever their eyes met, and his face flushing unexpectedly.“I see… I get it.”Wasn’t it likely he liked him? Seungjoo wasn’t clueless; it was hard to miss the signs at this point. If he was as oblivious as Kim Muryeong or indifferent like Gi Hwanyeong, or as clueless as Gwangsik himself, perhaps he wouldn’t notice.‘Are you sure he hasn’t absorbed Gwimae’s emotions?’Hyung was right.Seungjoo thought to himself, carefully keeping his face neutral. Showing any reaction would likely make things even more awkward. He needed to respond naturally, giving an appropriate reaction.“So, what do you want me to do?”If Gwangsik asked him to stay away, Seungjoo would do his best to respect that. He even considered telling Muheun the whole situation and asking for his cooperation. As a last resort, he could reveal Gwimae’s influence to Gwangsik and put the blame on that.“Purify me.”But what came out of Gwangsik’s mouth was something Seungjoo hadn’t even thought of. For a moment, Seungjoo couldn’t grasp the meaning of the words. He looked at Gwangsik after a slight pause, taken aback.Gwangsik made a confession that Seungjoo never expected.“I think Gwimae has attached itself to me.”“What did you just say…?”His voice even shook in surprise. Gwangsik clenched his fists tightly on his thighs as he looked at Seungjoo’s shocked, half-standing figure.“I wasn’t hiding it on purpose. I only remembered it recently,” Gwangsik explained, hurriedly shaking his head, as if to refute any feelings of betrayal or anger that Seungjoo might have. He continued in a rush, seeming desperate to prove his innocence.“I remembered it when the dorm caught fire. Back when I nearly died at the orphanage, Gwimae came to me. It promised to save me if I took on a part of it. I didn’t know what that meant back then, so I just agreed.”If this had happened when Gwangsik was still at the orphanage, it would’ve been before he formally trained as an exorcist. He wouldn’t have known what “Gwimae” even meant, let alone what he was agreeing to.“This is the scar left from then.”Gwangsik rolled up his left sleeve, showing Seungjoo a burn mark on his forearm, a dark scar from his survival in the flames. Seeing Seungjoo’s lack of response, Gwangsik hesitated before continuing, as if reluctant.“I came to you because I think the strange reactions I’ve been having are due to Gwimae. I didn’t think a hospital could help.”It certainly wasn’t an illness a doctor could cure. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t even a “disease.”“The symptoms are getting worse. Recently, I even feel irritated whenever I see the team leader.”“…You feel irritated when you see Hyung?”“Yeah. I guess… upset… or disappointed?”He used words he’d learned from Seungjoo, seeming uncertain of his own feelings. It might’ve been an overreach, but Seungjoo, narrowing his brow, asked him this:“Do you feel like that when you see me with him?”“…How did you know?”“…”Should he explain? The world called it jealousy. It was a negative emotion, but it was different from feeling upset or disappointed.“I thought about it. It must be because the team leader is a strong Gwimae exorcist. I think that’s why I feel instinctive rejection.”It was a plausible assumption, and naturally, Seungjoo couldn’t deny it outright. He simply nodded, extending the conversation.“Yeah… I guess that’s possible.”Even as he spoke, he found it ridiculous. Sure, that was possible… then why didn’t Gwangsik feel like that with every exorcist at the association?“Good thinking. It must be because of Gwimae.”Seungjoo spoke as calmly as he could, but still felt an uncomfortable unease. He hoped there was some possibility, because if not, things would become troublesome, not just for Gwangsik, but for him as well.“So, purify me.”This time, Gwangsik finally looked Seungjoo directly in the eyes. The pale eyes were almost translucent, and there was a hint of something unusual in them.“I’ll give you a reward. I’ve been saving up my salary.”“No, that’s not necessary…”When it came to money, Seungjoo had never lacked, and even if he did, he didn’t want to take it from Gwangsik. Purifying Gwimae wasn’t even difficult, so he didn’t expect anything in return. If anything, he wanted to beg Gwangsik to let him purify it.But the real issue was something Seungjoo had been worrying about for a while.“Hey, if you purify Gwimae, it will disappear.”Gwangsik tilted his head at the sudden remark. Seungjoo swallowed a deep sigh, pressing down on the uncomfortable feeling inside him. Why did it feel so wrong? A strange sense of guilt gnawed at him for no apparent reason.“If you purify it, I don’t know what will happen to you.”Why was he asking for purification so fearlessly? If Gwangsik had been saved because of Gwimae, no one knew what would happen to him once it was gone.“Are you saying I’ll disappear?”“You won’t disappear, but…”Gwangsik didn’t fully embody Gwimae—just part of it. So even if Gwimae was removed, his existence wouldn’t vanish. But then, why did Seungjoo still feel so uneasy?“There could be problems with your body.”“That’s okay.”Without hesitation, Gwangsik answered with a resolute expression. His gaze toward Seungjoo was a mix of unease and desperation.“There are already problems. But it will probably be better than it is now.”“……”Seungjoo finally understood why he felt guilty. He hadn’t shared anything with Gwangsik about his feelings, and it bothered him to hide it, especially when the emotions Gwangsik was feeling, even if they were due to Gwimae, were still his own.“…Okay, then.”Even so, he couldn’t speak fully honestly. That would be overstepping, an impossible favor, and a kind of premature pity.“If you’re uncomfortable… let me know.”With a troubled expression, Seungjoo reached out to him. Gwangsik silently extended his scarred arm toward Seungjoo.The moment Seungjoo’s hand touched his, both of them slowly closed their eyes.* * *Had Seungjoo ever seen the orphanage burning in a wild blaze?The once charming interior was now blackened by fire, and the children who had been laughing just moments ago were now all crying frantically. The suffocating smoke filled the air, and it was as close to hell as one could imagine.‘Do you want to live?’How many could honestly shake their heads at that question? In the fading consciousness, Seungjoo had probably blinked and answered, desperately begging to be saved, pleading not to die there, or at least to not suffer any longer.‘If that child comes to find me someday… everything will be over then.’Who was that child? The fleeting question was quickly answered as the surrounding scenery began to distort. The air touching his skin shifted, and the small child who had been dying was no longer Seungjoo’s memory.“…”A refreshing wind blew. Without even opening his eyes, Seungjoo realized where he was. The wide open field beyond the grass, the same one where the tiger-like Gwimae had been.「You managed to find me.」The familiar voice echoed in his head. Seungjoo finally opened his eyes and looked around. The tiger, moving lazily, sat beside him naturally.「I thought it would take longer. How did you know?」Seungjoo sat up and turned to look at the white tiger. It wasn’t as awkward to face him this time, even though it had only been one encounter before.“I heard it from Gwangsik.”The calm answer made the tiger glance at Seungjoo. His narrowed eyes seemed to either smile or probe into Seungjoo’s inner thoughts.「You seem to have noticed from the beginning…」“…Hmm.”Seungjoo thought he’d get away with a vague answer, but the tiger was sharper than he expected. Perhaps the long-lived Gwimae was different from the others. With that thought, a kind voice spoke to him.「Will you tell me how you knew?」What should he say? There were plenty of reasons, but deciding where to start was tricky. Part of it was just a feeling, which made it a bit embarrassing to put into words.So, Seungjoo started slowly, much like Muheun did long ago.“Just, something felt off.”He had felt strange for a while.The only survivor of the orphanage fire. The nearly unique person who could call Gwimae. The one with no name or birthday… that person who didn’t seem human.“Do you know what the first thing Gwangsik said to me was?”The white tiger blinked lazily, as if asking what that might have been. Seungjoo met his gaze and repeated Gwangsik’s words, recalling what had been said the first time the woman came to the mountain, gently stroking the grass as she offered a greeting.“Hello.”「…….」“You should reply when someone greets you.”The pupils in the blue eyes expanded dramatically. Seeing that he hadn’t answered, Seungjoo subtly continued his words.“They say you should always greet people when you meet them. Did you know that?”Memory doesn’t disappear—it merely sinks beneath the surface. Gwangsik hadn’t realized it, but surely, somewhere deep inside him, the memory of Gwimae remained.“Now that I think about it, it makes sense. Our school is so vast, yet he always managed to find me there.”Korean University was known for its large campus. Yet Gwangsik had found Seungjoo there without even having his phone number. While he might have searched the campus thoroughly, that alone couldn’t explain everything.“And it’s strange that Gwangsik knows the place where Gwimae’s seal was broken…”‘The person was always there when the seal was broken.’This was something Gwangsik had said when he pointed to Muheun as the culprit behind all the events. When Muheun heard it, he was more curious about why that person had been there. At the time, Seungjoo didn’t think much of it, but looking back, it was starting to feel suspicious.And then, there was the crucial piece.“Yeongi is similar.”Seungjoo pointed to the white tiger. Gwangsik’s Yeongi contained a faint aura, and that same energy was now emanating from the tiger. When he had been searching for him through the flames, he had felt this aura.「You’re sharp.」The white tiger didn’t deny it, instead acknowledging it calmly. He didn’t seem particularly impressed, but the way his tail swished suggested it was a compliment.「With such a sharp mind, how about following me this time?」The question was thrown casually, but Seungjoo already had his answer ready. No matter how many times Gwangsik asked, his response would never change.“I’m not that person.”The woman, Seo, who set the ancestral grounds on fire for her friend. Even if Seungjoo was the reincarnation of that person, it wouldn’t change anything. Though there might be an invisible connection of fate, he was merely ‘Seo Seungjoo,’ just an ordinary person.“I don’t need to pay the price for that person’s sins.”There was no reason for an entire family to take responsibility for the wrongs of one individual. The practice of collective punishment had been abolished long ago, and the bad cycle needed to be broken.“You should step back now.”Hadn’t they made a promise? That once he found part of himself, he would step back. Though it had been said half in jest, the white tiger turned away with a bitter expression and spoke.「The children aren’t to blame.」“……”「I always knew… that this would happen someday.」When was it? Was it when they talked about the piper who played his flute?‘The children aren’t to blame.’Could those words have been the hidden feelings of Gwimae? The anxieties he harbored, could they have been spoken through Gwangsik’s mouth?‘The children who were taken… will seek revenge on that man someday.’Seungjoo had thought that the story was about the association, but it seemed that wasn’t the case. The “children” Gwangsik referred to might not have been the members of Team 0, but rather Muheun and himself. Of course, the person who said this probably hadn’t meant it that way.“I’m not seeking revenge.”At Seungjoo’s simple statement, the white tiger let out a soft breath. It might have seemed like just a breath, but to Seungjoo, it was undoubtedly a laugh.The tiger, still staring into the distance, quietly confessed.「Actually, I’ve tried to take you a few times.」“…You tried to take me?”Seungjoo, startled, unconsciously repeated the question. To try to take him meant trying to kill him. The white tiger didn’t deny this hidden meaning either.「Luring a person and erasing their memory is an easy task for me.」Seungjoo, Seo Seungjoo. Hearing such words, there were times when he’d forget who he was. He had thought it was simply a result of losing consciousness, but in truth, those were moments when death had been looming.「People close to ignorance are pure.」Seungjoo was reminded of a similar case. When a grim reaper comes to take a soul, a goblin follows, eating away the memories of the soul. This is to erase any lingering attachments, as one cannot achieve enlightenment if they still have regrets, so all memories are wiped away before they leave the mortal world.“But fate… doesn’t break so easily.”The white tiger slowly lowered his eyes. His icy white fur swayed gently in the wind.「Destiny is like that.」The white tiger wasn’t just referring to Muheun. He was talking about Muheun and Muryeong—yes, about everyone in the neighborhood, really. Every connection that Seungjoo had brushed past was like a strong lifeline.「Even so, that child seemed uneasy.」“…”There was no need to ask who felt uneasy. The white tiger had already brought it up first.「That child could see the future.」The white tiger’s gaze shifted toward Seungjoo. His own face reflected in the tiger’s blue eyes.「He probably thought if he gathered your connections, he could protect you.」‘There’s no harm in being careful.’Muheun’s words flashed in Seungjoo’s mind. Was that the reason he had gathered everyone related to him? Perhaps he felt fate weakening and tried to hold on, to gather everyone in an attempt to secure it.「Would you tell that child?」Seungjoo stared blankly at the white tiger. The tiger gave a slight nod before continuing.「A mere human can’t create a curse.」The seemingly dismissive remark was the unease that Muheun had carried with him throughout his life. The hidden anxiety he had, fearing that the future he saw might be disrupted, all the while unable to voice his concerns.「That child’s misfortune is your misfortune, isn’t it?」The words seemed to suggest that Muheun too needed to be happy. Maybe that’s why, despite knowing it was an odd question, Seungjoo’s lips moved.“…Should I play the flute for you?”The white tiger tilted his head. Seungjoo clasped his hands together and offered them toward him.「I learned it from Gwangsik.」Now that he thought about it, this had been something the woman, Seo, had told him as well. It was clear that Gwimae had seeped into all of his memories, spilling out without his awareness.「If you don’t want it, then never mind.」The white tiger didn’t respond. Instead, he stared silently at Seungjoo’s face. Then, at some point, he lowered his body without a word and closed his eyes. His peaceful, long stretch made it obvious he had given his permission.「Then…」Seungjoo brought his clasped hands to his lips. After widening the space inside as much as he could, he gently pressed his lips to the small gap.The sound of the flute was clumsy, awkward. It wasn’t as refreshing as Gwangsik’s playing, nor was it a beautiful melody like the woman’s. It was just a long, continuous sound, unworthy of being presented to anyone.Nevertheless, Seungjoo played for quite a while. The imperfect sound gradually became more stable, until finally, a sound worth listening to emerged.And when the white tiger opened his eyes and spoke:「I wanted a name.」The softly spoken voice was so sorrowful, it made Seungjoo’s heart tighten. It felt fleeting, like a breeze that would soon scatter, a blurred, ephemeral feeling.「When that child called out to his friend, I thought to myself… I wish I had a name too.」The white tiger had no name, so people called him ‘Gwimae.’ Seungjoo had never even thought of what to call the white tiger standing in front of him.「I was happy to be called by the name you gave me, even if just for a little while.」I wish I had given you a prettier name. Why does that regret come only now? Suppressing the feeling of guilt, Baekho turned to Seungjoo and asked.「Let me ask you one last thing. Are you happy?」Knowing the question was genuine, Seungjoo didn’t hesitate. He exhaled lightly, almost imperceptibly lifting the corner of his mouth into a faint smile.“Yes.”「…」“There’s no reason not to be happy.”There had been painful memories, but they weren’t enough to spoil his happiness. Being with the people he loved and surrounded by those he cherished, he couldn’t think of any reason to be miserable.「Alright…」「…」「Then that’s all I need.」With a slow response, his serene blue eyes drifted shut. The moment Baekho closed his eyes, Seungjoo felt something within him break, as though something that had once held his life back had finally lifted and flown away, leaving a sense of freedom.「We have always lived giving generously, but humans always seem to want more.」Baekho rose, his large form towering over Seungjoo seated in the field. It could have been an intimidating sight, but his gentle expression dispelled any fear.「Still, remember this: whatever choice you make, I will always love you.」Not just me, but us. Not just you, but all of you. Though Seungjoo couldn’t fully grasp all that Baekho was saying, he felt the sincerity of his emotions.「Of course, if you do make me suffer, I may throw a small fit.」Baekho’s soft tail brushed lightly against the corner of his eye. Blinking, Seungjoo closed and opened his eyes again, feeling the energy that had flowed into him, his brow furrowing.「Though that might be a great calamity for you.」“This…”He instinctively knew that he now had an extra pair of eyes watching him. The energy Baekho passed to him wasn’t something that would fade with time. Seeing Seungjoo’s flustered expression, Baekho teased him lightly.「Think of it as a little mischief on my part.」“…Ha.”He couldn’t bring himself to scold Baekho; the way he looked at him was strangely sorrowful, as if pleading not to be forgotten, as if asking him to remember this moment.「And this.」On his tail, he held a single flower, one Seungjoo didn’t recall being there before. Reflexively, Seungjoo took the flower and asked Baekho.“What is this for?”「Think of it as a gesture of congratulations…」Though it was a gift without a clear meaning, Baekho offered no explanation. He simply brushed Seungjoo’s eyes once more with his tail, the soft fur grazing his eyelids and then down to his cheek.「I’ll be going now.」He didn’t even have time to respond. As the ticklish sensation faded, Seungjoo slowly opened his eyes. Beyond his brightened vision, he saw the vast, green field.And there, Gwimae who had cursed him was no longer.In the cleanly designed examination room, only a woman in a doctor’s coat and Muheun were present. The doctor, who had been seriously examining a chart, rubbed her forehead slightly with the end of her pen. Sitting across from her, Muheun waited, looking rather grave.“It looks like there’s no damage to the brain…”The doctor said this as she studied the CT scan on the monitor. Muheun, who also looked at the monitor, couldn’t find anything unusual either. Here’s the left brain, and here’s the right, but even such explanations felt rather trite.“The problem is that you can’t remember.”“…Hmm.”At the final diagnosis, Muheun let out a low hum. It had been a month, yet nothing had changed in these conversations with the doctor. At first, it was a temporary symptom, then a psychological issue—excuses that now went unspoken.“Is there anything else wrong with my health?”“No, as always, you’re in perfect health.”For the first time, a positive answer came. Muheun let out a faint laugh, as if relieved by that alone. The doctor carefully broached another subject.“Mr. Muheun, do you… remember anything about your guardian?”The question was one with an expected answer, and Muheun gave a slightly bitter smile. Even his upturned lips couldn’t hide his disquiet.“He treats me like a stranger.”“…”“He asked, ‘Who are you?'”Despite his expression, his voice remained as calm as ever, as if he’d already grown accustomed to it. Perhaps that was why the doctor looked at him with a sense of regret.“It’s fine. As long as I’m not in pain.”Muheun replied lightly and stood up. He felt there was nothing more to hear from the doctor. Rather than lingering here, it was better to hurry back to the hospital room.“Take care.”With a slight bow, he left, and the doctor didn’t stop him. Likely, there hadn’t been anything to say for quite some time. By now, it was too late for hopeful words.Muheun walked out of the office and headed to the familiar VIP room area. After passing through a corridor lined with luxurious carpeting, he reached a room labeled [Seo * Joo]. He took a deep breath in front of the door, then slowly slid it open.A basic kitchen and sitting area appeared beyond the door. In the VIP suite, one had to pass through the sofa area and open another door to see the admitted patient. Muheun walked into the room and opened the second door.“…Ah.”Someone’s gaze met Muheun’s. Sitting on a small sofa by the wall near the bed was Gwangsik, who stood up and bowed awkwardly, while the person sitting on the bed didn’t even look in Muheun’s direction.“Seungjoo.”“…”Muheun called, but Seungjoo continued gazing blankly out the window. Through his hospital gown, the gauze on his wrist could be seen, likely a sign of where an IV had been inserted.“Seo Seungjoo.”“…”Even when Muheun called again, there was no response. Seeing the back of Seungjoo’s head, Muheun suppressed a frown, covering his mouth. Next to him, Gwangsik looked uneasy and cautiously spoke up.“I… I’ll step out for a moment.”Though there was a bathroom in the room, Gwangsik headed for the corridor, probably intending to give them some privacy. Or perhaps he couldn’t bear the silence any longer and wanted an escape himself.Anyway, the moment it was just the two of them, Muheun strode over to the bed. Even as he sat on the edge of the bed and reached for Seungjoo, Seungjoo didn’t budge, leaning quietly against the bed’s headboard.So, with a pleading voice, Muheun gently took Seungjoo’s hand, which lay on his thigh.“Look at me, okay?”Though Seungjoo’s fingers trembled, he didn’t pull his hand away from Muheun’s. His heart was just too soft, always worried about hurting Muheun’s feelings if he resisted.Swallowing his wavering breath, Muheun instead asked with a smile in his voice.“Are you still mad?”“…No, hyung.”Seungjoo looked up sharply, taken aback. He frowned deeply, pouting as he finally spoke. The grumbling tone of his voice was just as it always was when talking to Muheun.“I’m not mad. You tricked me, hyung.”Right, he wasn’t mad. He was just in disbelief.Seungjoo’s deeply furrowed brow traced back to what had happened just yesterday morning.“…Something tasty?”As usual, Seungjoo was spending a regular morning when he received a call from Muheun, asking him to come out to the gate to meet him. Muheun had promised to treat him to something delicious—a somewhat unusual event between them since, typically, Muheun always paid for their meals when they met up.“Is this a date?”Naturally, Seungjoo assumed that Muheun’s plan was a date. After all, it wasn’t strange for Muheun, who often persuaded him to stay over, to want to see him early in the day. So he prepared himself a little more than usual (though it was mostly just washing up and tidying his hair), but the destination turned out to be a hospital.“Why didn’t you just say we were going for a health checkup instead of making up an excuse? It’s not like I’m some kid who’s scared of going to the dentist.”And it wasn’t just any health checkup; it was a full two-day, one-night course. Although he’d been getting regular checkups every year, it had been a while since he’d undergone something this thorough, especially since his parents hadn’t even insisted on it recently. Yet, here Muheun was, making it happen.“You do hate going to the hospital.”“Because nothing’s wrong with me!”Muheun burst out laughing at Seungjoo’s grumbling. He’d been trying hard not to laugh in case Seungjoo got upset, but he couldn’t resist—it was just too cute, especially since Seungjoo hadn’t let go of his hand despite all his complaints.“Alright, hyung is sorry. Let’s go get something truly delicious now.”“No, thanks.”Despite his curt reply, Muheun pressed a series of small kisses on the back of Seungjoo’s hand. Their eyes met, and Muheun gave him a silly smile, then left a kiss on his lips as well.“I’m sorry, I’ll be honest next time and just say we’re going for a health checkup.”In truth, he’d wanted to tease him a little, recalling memories from when they were young. Seungjoo’s parents had occasionally coaxed him into going to the hospital by asking Muheun to come along, saying, “Let’s go out and have fun.” And, of course, Muheun would actually go with him, so it wasn’t a complete lie.“Do that again, and I’m serious, hyung.”“Okay, I won’t do it again, promise.”“The test results come out in a week, right?”“Yep, they’ll be sent to your home.”“Then let’s go home already. I’m starving.”As soon as he said that, Muheun went to grab Seungjoo’s clothes from the closet. He was even ready to help him change, though Seungjoo quickly refused this time. He didn’t mind holding hands, but when Muheun reached to undo his buttons, Seungjoo firmly brushed his hand away.“If the results come back normal, hyung has to admit that I’m perfectly fine, alright?”Actually, Seungjoo knew why Muheun had brought him to the hospital. It had been exactly a month since that day when something unfamiliar had taken root within him. He’d even awakened to spiritual perception, which understandably worried Muheun. Thinking about it, he realized it was impressive that Muheun had held off for an entire month.“By the way, what did Gwangsik say?”Seungjoo glanced toward the door as he slipped on a T-shirt. Although the room had a bathroom, Gwangsik was unlikely to return until they had left. Ever since they purified the Gwimae spirit, he’d always maintained an awkward attitude around them.“Not much. Nothing unusual, he said.”“And his memory?”In response to Seungjoo’s question, Muheun gave a faint smile and shrugged. He was smiling, but there was a subtle unease in his gaze, much like when he had listened to the doctor’s assessment earlier.“I don’t think he’ll remember.”“Please purify me.”It had been a month since they’d purified the Gwimae that had possessed Gwangsik. Seungjoo had carried out the purification ritual in the annex next door, and when it was over, he found himself waking up in the hospital. The only difference was that Gwangsik had been admitted as well, and the changes he exhibited were bewildering.“It probably vanished along with the Gwimae.”“…Who are you?”Those were the first words Gwangsik spoke when he saw Muheun and Seungjoo upon opening his eyes. To their surprise, he had forgotten everything related to the Exorcist Association, even the fire at the orphanage. Fortunately, he still retained the basic knowledge he needed to live day-to-day.Now, one of the doctors at Korea University Hospital, who had close ties to the association, regularly checked on Gwangsik’s condition. Although spiritually gifted, the doctor wasn’t officially part of the association but cooperated with them. Muheun had always been Gwangsik’s guardian, and today, Seungjoo had accompanied them.“If he’s comfortable, this might actually be better. The painful memories disappeared along with everything else.”Not only his memories but also the scars on his arms had vanished without a trace. Now, Gwangsik was neither the sole survivor of Yeonho Orphanage nor a mistreated member of Team Zero.“We’ll just have to watch over him for now.”Fortunately, Gwangsik was staying at the association headquarters, and Muheun was taking care of him as best as he could. They planned to protect him, monitor his progress, and perhaps begin training depending on his condition. If Gwangsik wanted, enrolling him in school could also be a good option.“Once we restore the identities of the team members, we can make it work.”“But seriously, is his name really Go Gwangsik?”“It seems so.”Seungjoo, having changed out of his hospital gown, grimaced. When they canceled the death report and restored his identity, Gwangsik had listed his name as “Go Gwangsik.” Seungjoo was astounded, but Gwangsik had looked at him in confusion and asked:“Isn’t my name Go Gwangsik?”If only he’d chosen a nicer name. Who knew he’d end up regretting it twice?Outside the hospital room stood Gwangsik. He had been staring blankly in the hallway but straightened up when he saw the two of them emerge. Though still a bit awkward, he looked much better than when he had first woken up.“Hey, Gwangsik.”While Muheun handled the discharge paperwork, Seungjoo casually called out to Gwangsik. Watching his characteristically expressionless face, he remembered something. Before they purified the Gwimae spirit from him, Gwangsik had shared some strange symptoms.“So… is your heart alright?”“Huh?”Gwangsik looked at Seungjoo as if he’d just heard something nonsensical. Seungjoo rolled his eyes, noting Muheun was still a distance away.“You’re not running a fever or anything, right?”“…?”Gwangsik’s face turned increasingly puzzled. Tilting his head and frowning, he asked in a slightly serious tone, “Is there something wrong with me?”“No, it’s nothing like that.”“Then what’s this about?”Instead of answering, Seungjoo simply looked at him. Gwangsik’s light-colored eyes gazed steadily back, with no hesitation or blush.“…Never mind.”So it really was because of the Gwimae. Finally, Seungjoo let out a sigh of relief. The awkwardness that had lingered seemed to have disappeared, leaving him at ease. As his expression softened, Gwangsik’s eyes twitched slightly.“As long as you’re fine, it’s nothing.”“…You.”“Alright, we’re done. Let’s go.”Just as Gwangsik opened his mouth to speak, Muheun returned to them, having finished with the receipts and wallet. Wrapping an arm around Seungjoo’s shoulder, he led the way, but Seungjoo suddenly stopped and looked back at Gwangsik with a question.“By the way, why do you speak to me informally?”Caught off guard, Gwangsik hesitated, frowning slightly in confusion.“Aren’t we the same age?”“Hey, I’m two years older than you.”Seungjoo replied nonchalantly and grabbed Muheun’s wrist without thinking. Gwangsik’s gaze lingered on their clasped hands with a faintly curious expression.“Call me ‘Hyung’ from now on.”He didn’t need an answer. Whether Gwangsik called him “Hyung” or not didn’t matter at the moment.Watching Seungjoo walk ahead, Gwangsik eyed him with a curious look.* * *The three of them left the hospital and headed to the association. They dropped Gwangsik off at the temporary dormitory where the other team members were staying, and then Muheun and Seungjoo decided to visit the courthouse. Today, the final verdict was being delivered for the executive members who had supported the President, and they would finally be taken into custody.“Looks like the trial is over.”“Yeah, it started early this morning.”In the courtroom, which was filled with executives in Yeongi restraining devices, many of them were people who had assisted the President. About half of them were involved in overseeing the operations of Team Zero. They averted their gaze the moment Muheun entered the courtroom.According to Muheun, most of them would likely face disciplinary action. Some would lose their positions entirely. Since the executives who led the Team Zero project were being dismissed, it would be difficult to recruit new spiritual abilities for a while. Over time, it would be up to the new President to decide how to proceed.“When’s the vote for the new President?”“Within a year.”The vote for President is usually conducted among the executives who hold power within the association. With the current executives detained and stripped of their positions for a year, only those remaining would cast their votes. Unlike them, however, Muheun had received only a one-month suspension and had recently returned.“Well… the result is obvious. All the remaining people are on Hyung’s side, anyway.”“…Are you allowed to say that here?”“Why not?”Everyone in the courtroom could hear their conversation, but there was no need for caution. The former President was already in custody, and those who remained had no more power. No one objected as Muheun spoke openly, confidently.“…This might sound odd, but the structure is almost laughable.”Once someone seizes power, it’s structured so they never have to let go. It’s a supposedly public-interest institution, yet we should have seen the corruption coming long ago. Thinking that this was the very definition of an entrenched problem, Muheun didn’t deny it but instead smiled knowingly.“They probably never imagined they’d fall for their own schemes.”Well, it worked out in the end. Now that Muheun held power, it would be nearly impossible to overturn it.“Why did the President assign you to investigate the Gwimae spirit in the first place?”It was baffling. If only he hadn’t messed with Kim Muheun, he might have been fine. He practically dug his own grave.“There are a few reasons that come to mind….”Muheun trailed off, glancing at an exorcist nearby and giving a nod of acknowledgment. This exorcist had once been a court monitor who kept an eye on him and Seungjoo.“First, he probably wanted to test me. To see if I could handle the Gwimae. Then, when he realized it was impossible, he decided to cut me off.”“Why impossible?”Seungjoo’s question was one of disbelief, thinking there was nothing Kim Muheun couldn’t do. Muheun just shrugged lightly.“It’s powerful. Even if it were sealed, it would break free soon enough. And no other methods could be used.”With a complicated expression, Muheun gave a small, bittersweet smile. Realizing that the “other method” would be to kill the Gwimae, Seungjoo fell silent.“And the second reason… was that he intended to shift all blame onto me if necessary.”“…Seriously.”Seungjoo muttered irritably, realizing how plausible that sounded. If Muheun kept appearing at scenes where the seal was broken, people would naturally assume he was the culprit. Even Gwangsik had once been suspicious of him.“So what will happen to him? Just disciplinary action?”“No, he’ll be sent to the afterlife.”It wasn’t a death sentence, just that his judgment would be transferred to Yeomra, the judge of the afterlife.“The court will summon a reaper. As a President, he can’t be punished in this world.”At a certain rank, one gains the authority to summon a reaper, just as Muheun had done on the street when Seungjoo’s spiritual sight first opened. Back then, Seungjoo had simply assumed it was possible because it was Kim Muheun, but in hindsight, it was due to his role as Team Zero’s leader.“Most likely, he’ll be sent to the afterlife to work.”“Will he become a reaper?”There was a rumor that those who committed crimes became reapers after they died. Thinking of this, Seungjoo asked, but Muheun chuckled and shook his head.“Being a reaper is too honorable for a criminal.”Although he couldn’t go into details, he explained that the former President would be assigned far more menial and degrading tasks. Furthermore, while most criminals had their memories erased, the President would suffer while retaining all his memories.“So, becoming a reaper isn’t a punishment for crimes?”“Is it, though…?”Muheun’s voice dropped. Glancing around, he leaned in close to Seungjoo and whispered softly in his ear.“Becoming a reaper is the ultimate punishment from the afterlife, reserved for those who took their own lives.”Seungjoo’s expression stiffened slightly. Those who took their own lives—he knew what that meant.“A reaper can never die.”The price of choosing death was to be bound forever to an undying existence. Though seemingly merciful, Seungjoo understood why it was considered the afterlife’s ultimate punishment.“So, best not to entertain dark thoughts.”Muheun finished with a light-hearted comment and scanned the area. Pushing down his complicated feelings, Seungjoo followed his gaze, spotting a familiar face and widening his eyes.“Wait, that person…”The woman, wearing a hat pulled down low, was the same person who had led Seungjoo to the President during a previous visit to the association with Yunhee. She had reminded him strongly of Gwangsik. Apparently, she too had assisted the President in breaking the Gwimae seal.“What about her?”“No, it’s just… she gives off a similar vibe to Gwangsik.”“…Really?”Muheun replied slowly, with an odd look. He glanced back and forth between the woman and Seungjoo, frowning.“You can see that?”“Huh? Isn’t it obvious?”Their expressions were remarkably similar, and even their way of speaking had a similar air.“As expected of our Seungjoo…”Muheun muttered in admiration. He looked back at the woman and, after a pause, said slowly,“There were more kids brought in as part of the project.”“More?”“Yeah, and not all of them are part of Team Zero.”Instinctively, Seungjoo understood what he was referring to. That person, too, was likely a victim in this case, brought in by the association at some point.“The court will show leniency,” Muheun added.“…That’s a relief.”It was a pity, but there was nothing more they could do—it would be overstepping their bounds. They could only hope that the court, known for its fairness and integrity, would make a judgment with as much compassion as possible.Come to think of it, there was someone else who deserved leniency. Just as Seungjoo thought this, Muheun called out, with remarkable timing, to someone nearby.“Yunhee.”In Seungjoo’s line of sight was a familiar figure. With her long hair neatly tied back, it was none other than Yunhee.“…Kim Muheun?”Unlike the others restrained with spirit cuffs, Yunhee was only accompanied by a single court officer. Spotting Muheun and Seungjoo, she smirked slightly.“What’s this? Here for a show?”She didn’t look irritated—in fact, she might even have seemed pleased to see them. Although she always claimed she wasn’t close with Muheun, her words had clearly lacked conviction.“Hey, I should at least see you off,” Muheun replied.“You’re talking like I’m leaving for good.”Yunhee chuckled dryly and then glanced over at Seungjoo. Though she usually carried a cool demeanor, she somehow seemed at ease now.“It’s been a while, young master.”“Oh… Hello.”Instinctively, Seungjoo bowed his head politely. Both Muheun and Yunhee found it amusing and chuckled at his formal response. Feeling a bit sheepish at their reaction, Seungjoo asked, “Weren’t you going to drop the honorifics?”“Given the situation,” Yunhee replied, gesturing towards the court officer. The officer didn’t seem to mind them chatting. From what Seungjoo had heard, Yunhee had cooperated significantly in exposing the association president’s crimes, so her punishment would likely be lighter than most.“Yunhee, if you go now, will you be back in six months?”“Yeah. Take good care of the team until then.”As expected, Muheun had been designated as the interim leader of Team 1. As soon as his one-month salary suspension had ended, the transition from Team 0 to Team 1 had begun, and by next week, he’d officially be known as Team 1’s leader.After addressing Muheun, Yunhee turned her attention to Seungjoo.“You must’ve felt betrayed, right? The person you asked for help turned out to be a collaborator.”“…Not really.”Seungjoo smirked. The word “betrayal” felt a bit too dramatic.“I wasn’t exactly fully trusting to begin with.”When Seungjoo first came to the association, the president had called him immediately, as if he’d known Seungjoo was coming all along.“When you came to pick me up, you must’ve reported it to the president first.”“…”Yunhee’s smile faded, and she blinked slowly, clearly not expecting such words from Seungjoo.“I do have some sense, you know.”“…You knew that and still trusted me?”“I said I didn’t trust you entirely.”To be precise, it was Muheun he’d trusted. He trusted that Muheun had knowingly allowed him to contact Yunhee.“Anyway, you weren’t planning to harm me, right? So that’s good enough.”Seungjoo was confident in his ability to read malice—or the lack of it. He could usually tell what others wanted from him with only a few words. Yunhee hadn’t wanted anything from him; she’d kept a detached attitude while still trying to protect him.“Kim Muheun’s kid…”“My parents raised me.”Seungjoo cut her off abruptly, much like he had in a previous conversation. After a brief glance at Muheun, Yunhee swallowed a laugh.“Fair enough… And I’m not a team leader anymore.”With no proper title to call her, using her name like Muheun did didn’t feel right, and calling her “Miss” seemed absurd.“Can’t I just call you ‘noona’?” he asked.“…Noona?”Muheun, who had been quietly listening, muttered to himself. Yunhee, once again glancing at Muheun, let out a small laugh. This time, as she turned to follow the court officer, she answered willingly.“Do as you like.”* * *Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was two days before the end of summer break. The hot weather had cooled down significantly, and now just opening the window at night let in a refreshing breeze. Even the sound of the cicadas had begun to fade, and Seolgi, who had been exhausted by the heat, was now running around in the yard, full of energy.One early morning, Seungjoo, who had met Muheun, bought two bouquets and a single flower and headed towards the family grave. This time, instead of taking the bus, they rode in Muheun’s car. They made small talk, though it was pointless and dull, as they passed over bumpy mountain roads. Though there was nothing particularly funny, Muheun’s voice carried a light laugh throughout the drive.When they arrived at the grave to greet Seunghee and Seungtae, Seungjoo felt an inexplicable awkwardness. Last time, he had unilaterally liked Muheun, but this time, after confirming Muheun’s feelings, things were different. Perhaps that’s why he understood Muheun’s quiet apology to Seunghee.After the simple ceremony at the grave, they headed towards a nearby mountain peak, still holding the remaining flower. The mountain trail was not as difficult as the previous time when they had to attach a talisman. This time, Seungjoo didn’t find the climb too taxing, even when Muheun asked if he needed to be carried. Seungjoo confidently answered that he was fine.“…We’re almost there.”They reached the place where they had encountered the snake-like Gwimae. Seungjoo didn’t remember the exact location, but Muheun knew the general coordinates, and as they neared, they could see the large marks left behind, making it unmistakable.“It’s still black here.”In the middle of the grass, there was a dark stain, the mark of Gwimae’s battle with Muheun. It was the charred trace left when Gwimae had fought and the scorched earth from the battle had not been restored. The withered grass had caused the ground to shift, leaving a dark scar.“Yeah, it’s black.”Seungjoo quietly replied, placing the flower he was holding onto the dead grass. Muheun, who had been staring silently, let out a sigh, his face troubled. Though no words came from his mouth, Seungjoo could feel the weight of the guilt he was carrying.‘Muheun said what he felt for that Gwimae.’The reason they had come here was a comment Muheun made, almost in passing. As the leader of Team 1, Muheun had been busy with work, but one day, after pulling Seungjoo close to him in bed, he said:‘Even Gwimae, whom Hyung killed… he must have felt guilty.’Gwimae wasn’t just an animal, but a vengeful force of nature that had lost its reason. Muheun had said this, looking uncomfortable, as if emotions weren’t supposed to be involved. At the time, Seungjoo hadn’t understood the meaning of those words, but now, they made sense.The methods of the Gwimae hunters were no different from hunting animals, and to an inexperienced Seungjoo, it had seemed almost like torture. Muheun must have felt uncomfortable, but he had endured it, reminding himself that Gwimae wasn’t really an animal.‘Gwimae was always waiting for someone to help them.’Seungjoo had embraced Muheun then and responded with a calm voice, though he was tired and his throat was sore. He couldn’t bring himself to sleep, not when Muheun looked so pitiful in front of him.‘And Hyung is the one helping them.’An older man had once told him that exorcists save people, and they should live with pride because of it.‘Later, let’s go pay respects, with Noona and Hyung, while we’re at it.’He couldn’t bring himself to apologize to nature, the innocent victim. Their way of paying tribute was to offer a small token of their hearts, hoping that, with time, the land would heal.“What does the Gwimae Task Force say?”“Well, I think they’re trying to change their methods a bit.”For now, there was no immediate solution, but the association was working on finding new ways to deal with Gwimae. The best approach would be to prevent their birth altogether, though that was difficult to implement.“They’re considering helping release the lingering resentment in the early stages of birth, so Gwimae hunters can be less at risk.”Perhaps that’s why the Gwimae Task Force seemed to want Seungjoo. Being capable of purifying the troublesome Gwimae made him a rare and valuable asset. Of course, as long as Muheun stood firmly in front, they couldn’t make any direct overtures to him.“…Should I work for the association too?”“What?”Seungjoo casually asked, and immediately received a serious response. Seungjoo shrugged his shoulders, saying it was half-joking, but the other half was sincere enough not to mention aloud.“By the way, Hyung, how did you get into that pit back then?”As they walked down the mountain together, Seungjoo asked a question that had been bothering him. How had Muheun followed him into the pit when Seungjoo had been thrown out of it by the tiger-like Gwimae?“It felt like some kind of barrier was set up…”Seungjoo’s memory was hazy, but he had definitely felt a barrier wrapping around them, a swirling energy that blocked the space like a solid wall.“Hyung broke through it with force.”“…Is that possible?”“It seems so.”Muheun responded confidently and naturally entwined his fingers with Seungjoo’s hand. Perhaps it was because thinking back to that moment made him uneasy, but he tightened his grip. The energy he could feel through his hand brought to mind the words he had heard from Gwimae.“Would you pass this on to that child?”“…Hyung.”Seungjoo held Muheun’s hand and spoke in a calm voice. When Muheun looked at him, Seungjoo stopped walking and made eye contact. Muheun’s dark eyes were filled with affection for him.“Gwimae asked Hyung to pass this on.”“…Gwimae?”Muheun blinked and then closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. Seungjoo didn’t shy away from Muheun’s gaze and repeated the words Gwimae had said.“Humans can’t create impurity.”“…”Muheun’s eyes widened. It was clear that he understood what Seungjoo was trying to convey. Instead of adding anything more, Seungjoo simply asked lightly.“What kind of future did you see?”This was the first time he asked. Every time Muheun’s eyes had turned hazy or his anxiety reached its peak, Seungjoo wondered about the future he had seen. Even after embracing Seungjoo, he couldn’t feel at ease. That kind of future.“Gwimae is no longer here, Hyung.”“…”“It’s returned to nature.”The being that could harm them was no longer in this world. With the certainty that humans could not create impurity, Muheun’s words wouldn’t lead to a wrong future. Perhaps, along with the burden he had carried for so long, even the generational curse had been lifted.“Even if there were, I could purify them.”Now Seungjoo had developed his own perception, and it wasn’t because of Muheun anymore. Though he had never purified a Gwimae before, Seungjoo was sure his energy wouldn’t be lacking. The energy Gwimae had given him felt as comfortable as his own.“…You.”Muheun didn’t respond immediately, but after a long pause, he slowly parted his lips. His twisted expression couldn’t hide the overwhelming emotions—guilt, anxiety, but above all, the frustration he had carried deep inside.“Seungjoo, I saw… your back as you left me.”Seungjoo didn’t know exactly when this future had occurred, but it was clear that it wasn’t a one-time vision. It might have been the most moderate future among the many he had seen. And Muheun would never reveal any other future to him.“I’m not going anywhere, Hyung.”Seungjoo lightly replied, as if to ease the mood. He hadn’t expected Muheun to reveal everything, but this alone showed that Muheun had mustered the courage to speak.“You’ll come back, right?”“Like when you went to purify Gwimae?”“Yeah, just like that.”Seungjoo smiled faintly. Muheun followed suit and smiled back at him. Even when he had turned his back in the pit, telling Muheun to trust him, he had left him behind, even though it didn’t feel like it at the time.“When we get home, could you look at my fortune? I’d like to see if my fate’s changed.”The two of them started walking down the mountain path side by side again. Muheun let out a light chuckle, saying that he had already seen it if that was the case.Removing all the talismans from the house wall, or realizing the true nature of the flower Gwimae had given him, would happen in the near future.As they walked, their footsteps left deep marks on the path they traveled.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~