By Zephyria “How?”
“Like this.”
Ki Jae-eon instantly placed his hand on the jar. It was a moment of carelessness.
Soon, a sacred light flowed out like an explosion, creating a huge circle on the wide dirt floor. As if a brush was stroking silk, straight lines and curves intersected to create a beautiful lotus flower, and soon the [Lotus Blossom Seal] bloomed in perfect shape.
‘This bastard…… how did he do it!’
Shin Yoon’s eyes widened in surprise.
It was natural.
The counter-style spell ‘Lotus Blossom Seal’, which counters the opponent’s spell, is an advanced technique that is difficult to cast unless you have considerable spiritual power.
Above all, there wouldn’t have been time to create a circle with this much power.
‘……No, shit. Could it be.’
Suddenly, the image of Ki Jae-eon obediently prostrating himself a moment ago flashed through his mind.
‘That’s when!’
That bastard, he deliberately tried to buy time……. Shin Yoon’s lips twisted.
“You’ve become a fox.”
The surroundings shook and a strong wind blew.
Woong- The two people’s clothes fluttered like waves along with the noise that confused their ears. The vibration gradually intensified. But neither of them backed down. They just silently pierced each other’s eyes. As such, the moment the last lotus petal closed, the two were sucked into the jar as if to show off.
“…….”
“……I’m going crazy.”
Shin Yoon said, sweeping through the space where the smell of blood was thickly settled.
“Are you crazy?”
He had an expression as if he was looking at a mental patient.
Well, from his point of view, it wouldn’t be a wrong thought.
“Either way, someone has to end it.”
Ki Jae-eon calmly replied to the disgusted opponent.
Actually, that’s right.
The jar in which Shin Yoon trapped everyone.
[Gu Poison]
Once Gu Poison is started, it cannot be stopped in the middle.
If it is forcibly destroyed, the caster will be hit by a backlash.
Even in the worst case, the negativity of Gu Poison could leak out and a new darkness could be born.
Therefore, the final existence had to be determined within this.
‘The Lotus Blossom Seal only replaced the materials used for Gu Poison, but the spell itself was not destroyed.’
Still, the good thing is that I don’t feel any other presence.
Ki Jae-eon confirmed that there were no main office people and let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, they seemed to have escaped well.
“What are you going to do? Are you going to have a big fight here?”
A sneer lingered at the end of his words.
Then Shin Yoon raised the corners of his lips crookedly as if he was dumbfounded, and then sat down with a thud, saying, “Okay, that’s it,” like someone who had given up everything.
“The only way to get out of here is to end Gu Poison…….”
“…….”
“I have no way to beat you.”
“…….”
“I’m going to change my method.”
Ah, I’m tired of it. He muttered weakly and stared at Ki Jae-eon with his chin resting on his hand.
Resignation and determination.
It was a look mixed with two contradictory emotions.
“I’m going to die here.”
It was a listless voice without any regrets.
It was even as indifferent as deciding on a lunch menu.
“Even if I’m lucky enough to catch you, kill you, and go out…….”
Would the people outside leave me alive? Shin Yoon waved his hand, saying no, and chuckled. It was a look that knew the future.
“I’ll be torn to pieces and hunted like an animal.”
“…….”
“I’d rather die here. And crushing your pride is a hundred times more fun.”
“…….”
“Live, Ki Jae-eon.”
“…….”
“Live shamelessly.”
“…….”
“If you can’t catch your family and friends like pigs and shove them inside you, then just become Gu Poison itself.”
Commit meaningless killings, and live as a corrupt Exorcist with a tainted faith!
Shin Yoon’s pupils gradually dilated.
He poured out curses at Ki Jae-eon with an expression that he was really enjoying himself to death. It was resentment, slander, insults, and condemnation that did not match the bright smile. All kinds of negativity flowed out of his mouth and pierced one person. A sincere murderous intent. It was a truly sincere [Han].
A heart that sincerely wishes for the other person’s unhappiness.
This is the source of ‘curse’, what else would be a curse!
“I will deny all your remaining paths as an Exorcist.”
Ki Jae-eon quietly listened to the abuse being poured out at him.
“But don’t be too upset. You’re better than me.”
Shin Yoon gently shook his head, closing his eyes tightly.
“I’ve lost everything……. You haven’t.”
He took a short breath as if organizing his breath.
This is the last time I’m pathetic. I’m really sorry, Yoon-ah. That I can only live like this.
Before the only sincerity could reach his lips, Shin Yoon slowly tilted his head back and gave a bitter farewell to the approaching death. It was at that moment. The specters, knowing how weak a human who has let go of their will is, moved as if not wanting to miss the opportunity. Splatter- Screech-. A chilling sound tickled his ears. Gu Poison. As befitting it, all kinds of specters to eat Shin Yoon were wiggling their long legs, moving their antennae here and there, and crawling closer.
“Who says that. That you’ve lost everything.”
A clear and clear voice cut through the darkness.
Thwack-!
Blue blood splattered in all directions like fireworks.
“Don’t cry.”
“……!”
“Your life isn’t over yet.”
Ki Jae-eon’s black eyes were staring at Shin Yoon without shaking.
The words were short, but that was enough.
[I won’t give up]
Shin Yoon twitched his lips at his will, which was conveyed so clearly that it was considered obsession.
“I’m not here to see your end.”
At that moment, the specters, hearing the commotion, rushed in like a tide.
Ki Jae-eon took out a talisman from his arms and said.
“I didn’t come here to win, I came to save you.”
Before you make the foolish mistake of killing yourself.
“Hey, are you crazy?”
“Say whatever you want.”
“You’re so stubborn……. I’m really tired of those eyes.”
Shin Yoon sighed. The sigh contained annoyance, resignation, and a hint of absurdity.
“Ki Jae-eon. You-.”
“You’re full of problems.”
Ki Jae-eon cut off Shin Yoon’s words.
“Your mental age is stuck at ten years old.”
“What?”
“I can’t rashly say that I understand everything. But your resentment……. Yes, I dare to think that I can. You must have resented and hated it.”
The past days when one was born from the same womb but one had to live like a butcher flashed through Shin Yoon’s mind like lightning. His expression stopped for a very short time like a broken toy. What woke up his frozen mind was Ki Jae-eon’s voice, which had risen as he directly countered the specters.
“I know what your anxiety is!”
Revenge on Shin Yoon?
The reincarnation of someone who is already dead?
No. They are all just good-looking shells.
The person himself knows best that he is being unreasonable.
“You just wanted to hear it from that child’s mouth!”
It’s okay, you’ve worked hard- that one word.
The guilt of taking away Shin Yoon’s life unintentionally, and the desire to live hidden beneath it.
Those two emotions have been tormenting him every moment.
What would it feel like to live by stealing the life of someone who was the only one who recognized you?
If you feel accidental happiness in days when you should be angry?
‘Even natural emotions were considered sinful.’
Humans naturally want to live and be happy.
That is an inviolable right that they are born with.
But even so, he probably couldn’t forgive himself for having such desires.
Revenge and forgiveness.
A fake name, a real life.
Shin Yoon must have felt like he was being weighed every moment.
‘Even the judge and the criminal are all himself.’
That is Gu Poison, what else would be Gu Poison.
‘Maybe the only one who can break that curse-.’
It would only be ‘Shin Yoon’, that child.
Yes, the only real freedom he can give.
But the reality was not easy.
The sadness that had nowhere to go soon turned into anger, and the anger soon turned into hatred.
Swept away by the swollen emotions, he eventually gnawed at himself.
I know now.
We are alike.
The shape is different, but we have similar wounds.
‘I know it too, I’ve experienced it. The feeling of not being able to forgive yourself…….’
Extreme self-loathing.
Affection deficiency that cannot love oneself.
“Shin Yoon!”
Ki Jae-eon reached out and grabbed Shin Yoon by the collar.
The body that had been buried in the pile of specters’ corpses floated heavily into the air.
The two people’s breaths mixed at a very close distance.
“But even so, you had to stand up straight.”
The veins on Ki Jae-eon’s back of his hand stood out clearly.
“You don’t deserve to be angry if you don’t know that. You can’t die as you please.”
In an instant, his breath stopped.
In the eyes that had been reflecting only death after giving up everything, a spark was reviving. The pupils narrowed coldly and regained focus. Like a beast that has finally found its prey after a long starvation, a gaze filled with anger was soon fixed on the opponent as if to press him down.
“You…….”
It was a resonance that resembled a growl.
Shin Yoon’s nose wrinkled fiercely, and his entire face was distorted. He showed his gums and expressed his anger to the fullest, looking like an angry wolf. He strained the veins in his neck and shouted.
“What do you know about me, about me and Yun-i, that you’re talking about!”
“You stupid bastard!”
Ki Jae-eon swore for the first time.
“It’s not me! I’m talking about the life that young soul wanted to give you!”
The hand grabbing his collar became even firmer.
“Think carefully with your bad head! What did the guy who refused even the call of heaven and was tied to a pine tree watching over you really want? What kind of life did the guy who was so smart that he was called a Genius want to give you, even risking his life!”
“…….”
“Revenge? Or a new life living by taking the body of an innocent person? Is that what he would like? Is the ‘Shin Yoon’ you know that kind of guy? It’s not.”
“…….”
That’s right.
Shin Yoon…… is not that kind of child.
He is not an evil person who would take the life of another to live.
Rather, he was a good person who respected and cared for others.
Although he was young, he was definitely a very good person with many things to learn from.
-‘Let’s play again.’
That brightly smiling face still lingers.
“Ah…….”
A certain day when the scorching sun was shining comes to mind.
Even then, that child was smiling.
Secretly bringing snacks and handing them over preciously.
-‘I’m sorry. I couldn’t bring much.’
He smiled so lovely with his cheeks red from the sun.
So, so, so…….
That’s why I wanted to protect him.
“Such, such a child, everyone forgot too easily…….”
Shin Yoon’s eyes widened once and then slowly narrowed. The area under his eyes, which could not get wet, turned red, and his parched lips opened and closed, losing their voice, and then finally collapsed.
It was the face of a man covered in wounds.
“E, everyone……. That kid, like he doesn’t exist…….”
Everyone forgot Shin Yoon too quickly.
So he wanted to turn it back.
The life of that child he had stolen, the love he should have received.
To be born again in this world and receive it all.
“That’s…… that’s right. That’s what should happen!”
The reason for the life he had suffered and failed to accept his whole life was because Shin Yoon was the true owner of that life.
So for that child to reappear and find his place-.
“I don’t care about anyone else!”
Ki Jae-eon gritted his teeth and shouted.
“Even for Shin Yoon, who tried to protect you, you should have lived righteously!”
No matter how painful, he had to walk the right path.
To carry on the name that child had left behind, he had to.
Fake name? Fake life?
Don’t be ridiculous.
That child had already given everything.
It was ‘Shin Yoon’ who was swept away by guilt and failed to see reality.
All excuses, excuses…… just excuses.
Because if he became happy, he would feel sorry.
Foolishly.
“Ah, ah…….”
Shin Yoon’s head fell powerlessly.
Now, with the anger gone, deep regret finally surfaced on his face.
“Yun-ah, Yun…….”
The self-reproach tearing at his heart was so painful.
“Ha, eu…….”
It was so painful that he couldn’t even speak.
“I, I…… I…….”
His pathetic true self was revealed.