LFG 3

‘So clear.’

The flow that Ki Jae-eon had was normal.

No, it was more than that. Just by facing him… he was being Purified in reverse.

Surprisingly, it was.

Kim Yeong secretly chuckled. This kind of power was the first time he had ever seen it. He could see why they all praised ‘Ki Jae-eon! Ki Jae-eon!’ If he had such a human being next to him, he couldn’t help but look up to him.

But if there is no Curse, it is also true that the situation is even stranger.

‘Then why?’

As he put down the rosary, a blank gaze reached him.

Gray eyes filled with anxiety, as if looking for a clue.

A gaze soaked in gloom, but a gaze of prediction that ‘I knew it’.

At this time, Kim Yeong realized.

‘Does this child know that he is not Cursed?’

He didn’t have to do Curse Unraveling.

‘This child…’

Kim Yeong took a painful breath.

From the beginning, it was not a field that he could fix.

He didn’t know the exact story, but Ki Jae-eon had to go to the hospital right now.

What he needed was a doctor, not a Curse Unraveler. At least, that’s how Kim Yeong saw it.

That child was very sick.

And mentally quite overwhelmed.

“I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do.”

Ki Jae-eon nodded without saying anything. It felt like he already knew Kim Yeong couldn’t fix it. He moved slowly and eventually rose from his seat. Could a person look this precarious? It was as if only his surroundings were monochrome. From head to toe, there was no vitality to be found.

‘How unfortunate.’

Kim Yeong is an Exorcist, not a counselor. Nor is he a psychiatrist. But he had learned one thing from raising disciples for so long. There was a golden time for saving children. If you miss the time, the child will have to live with a hole in their heart forever. Then no comfort can fill the hole in the heart. Of course. Mental wounds are not easily repaired. Would it be any different for a Genius? No, it couldn’t be.

If he ignored that signal, Kim Yeong couldn’t even imagine what kind of consequences it would bring.

Kim Yeong suddenly thought of Kim Ju-won and the other children he had raised.

Not one of them didn’t have a story… But that doesn’t mean you should trivialize each individual’s pain by saying, ‘Everyone lives hard.’ There are definitely more opportunities to improve than now.

And it was the duty of those belonging to the group called adults.

‘How the hell did they treat him to make him like this!’

Kim Yeong narrowed his brow at the bitter taste in his mouth.

‘Come to think of it, I vaguely remember hearing that the Gi Clan’s training is brutal.’

Moreover, if it’s a child with this much talent, it’s obvious how much they would have pushed him in that Family.

‘Should I report it to the association? Is there anyone who will listen to me?’

Kim Yeong’s heart grew heavy at the thought of the Gi Clan. If it was all just his meddling, the price he would have to pay later would be enormous. Because they repay grudges twentyfold. Would they spare him, who treated their precious Ki Jae-eon like a mental patient? A human who tarnished the title of Genius?

‘It could all be my imagination…’

But isn’t the child in front of him proof that he’s alive?

‘…Clear signs of abuse.’

“I, I, I’ll, I’ll go, see, see.”

Ki Jae-eon trembled as he headed for the door. His parched and exhausted voice tugged at his heart. In the end, Kim Yeong decided to ‘just check one last time.’ Just until the check.

“Excuse me, Exorcist Ki Jae-eon.”

“……?”

“How are you doing these days? I was wondering if you’re able to work. Are you taking breaks properly?”

Ki Jae-eon seemed to hesitate at Kim Yeong’s question, then quickly averted his gaze and stammered, Ah… Ah. Exorcism. Work. Ki Jae-eon’s face changed. He turned dark and exuded a gloomy atmosphere, starting to show an anxious appearance.

It was too weak to be a seizure, but it was a similar abnormal behavior.

Kim Yeong realized and offered an apology, “I’m sorry.”

However, Ki Jae-eon’s symptoms did not improve easily. Eventually, he muttered in a voice smaller than an ant, “I, I don’t know, know.” Then he grabbed the doorknob. Kim Yeong also hurriedly got up, but it was difficult to catch Ki Jae-eon, who was running away quickly.

“Haa, haa… Haa, ugh!”

His vision spun. Ki Jae-eon twitched his jaw and curled up as much as possible in the corner of the hallway. Did that hide his large body? Of course not.

But he couldn’t afford to worry about every little thing. Currently, Ki Jae-eon was just trying to regain stability by blocking his vision like a frightened animal.

‘How are you doing these days? I was wondering if you’re able to work. Are you taking breaks properly?’

It was just a casual greeting.

He knows. But…

It reminded him of things he had heard before, making him feel repulsed.

-Ki Jae-eon, you have to endure. Endure. You have to endure tenaciously.

-Don’t forget that if you give up, we’re all dead.

-The rescued people gathered some food to give to the Exorcist. Eat this and cheer up!

-Save me… Please, please. Save me.

-Exorcist, you’re doing well, right? I can trust you, right?

-Mister, can we live…?

Ki Jae-eon’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down greatly. After gagging a few times, he barely managed to gasp, Heok, heok-! His blocked breath burst out. His body cooled down as his body temperature dropped. He leaned his forehead against the wall and trembled his eyes.

This can’t be happening. How did I end it?

“Please, please, please, stop it. Please… I’m sorry, I’m, I’m sorry.”

I’m sorry. God, please. Ki Jae-eon muttered incessantly as if praying in a hoarse voice. His parched and cracked lips moved desperately.

It was then.

“Excuse me. Are you okay?”

Someone spoke to Ki Jae-eon. Ki Jae-eon was startled by the sudden voice and gasped. But even with his exaggerated gesture, the other person seemed calm. Whether he was doing it on purpose to avoid stimulating Ki Jae-eon, who was in a panic, or whether he was naturally indifferent, there was not even a change in expression.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

The voice was clear and refreshing.

It was a voice that gave the feeling of being on the border between a boy and a man.

“You can’t rest here. It’s near the infirmary, so I’ll support you.”

“Haa, ……Haa.”

“I’m going to touch your shoulder.”

The boy, who had warned him in advance so that Ki Jae-eon would not be surprised, reached out and carefully grabbed his shoulder. His hand was surprisingly large and firm.

“Lean on me. You can put your weight on me.”

His powerless body moved as the boy led him. Ki Jae-eon blankly stared at the small boy, who barely reached his shoulder. Then, he flinched! His body stiffened.

He was late to realize it because he had only seen him grown up.

Ki Jae-eon knows this little boy.

In the distant future, when the boundaries of Seoul (main office)-Incheon (Heavenly Land)-Busan (Sea God) collapsed, and all Exorcists joined forces to Exorcism ‘it’. The one who had assisted Ki Jae-eon for a long time by his side and eventually died in his place.

[Ahn Seo-myeong]

‘It’s that kid.’

Unlike then, he was much taller and bigger now, but his face… was the same.

‘He was this small.’

Ki Jae-eon, who was staring blankly at his clear face, suddenly remembered that day and quickly bent over. Ahn Seo-myeong, who had been torn apart as if his upper and lower body were separated and had left without even screaming. The feeling of his stomach twisting became clear as he remembered this child’s death.

-If I die, it’s because I’m weak, not because of you, Exorcist. So live.

“Oop! Heueu, ugh-!”

-Forget the people who have left. The human brain has its limits, and if you try to remember everything, it will break down. Well, why else would we be the animal of forgetfulness? So, Exorcist, just remember the world of peace that is coming soon and live. Forget the painful and difficult things little by little. That’s how you live. You deserve it. Ki Jae-eon.

‘I couldn’t protect…’

“Is it coming out right now? It’s okay, just throw up.”

Ahn Seo-myeong looked around and gestured to the floor with his chin in an indifferent voice. I’ll clean it up. Ki Jae-eon knew that the kindness was contained in the blunt tone that could be felt as cold at first glance.

That’s why you died protecting me.

“Let, it’s okay, ah…”

Therefore, he cannot be with him. The end of the complex emotions was ultimately guilt.

Ki Jae-eon broke away from Ahn Seo-myeong, who was holding him, and staggered down the hallway.