By Zephyria That day in 20XX when white snow fell.
‘It’ suddenly appeared and took quite a lot from our side. The despair that stretched out like a shadow frustrated many people and led them to death. It couldn’t be stopped.
[News Flash “Collapse of major safety facilities……”]
[Emergency Disaster Text ▶ National emergency alert issued. Please evacuate to the nearest building or nearby shelter according to the safety guidelines.]
…………
No, it could be stopped.
[Residents evacuated from XX district…… No casualties]
[President “National safety is the top priority” Putting everything on the line]
[Japan “Korea, we must think of them as partners…… If we lose them, there is no future” Active support]
“Viewers, good evening. This is Kim Ji-hoon from XX News Desk. First, we will bring you the breaking news that has just come in-”
Static-!
Lee Gyeong-hak turned off the TV due to the loud noise. It was because Jo Eun-ha’s bright voice was heard from behind, saying that the food truck had arrived. Ugh, I’m hungry. Lee Gyeong-hak casually threw the remote control onto the sofa and turned around.
“Ugh, it’s cold!”
When he opened the door and went outside, he saw a world that had turned completely white. Lee Gyeong-hak sniffled and shivered at the freezing cold.
Yes, that thing called a national disaster.
It had already been two months since the so-called ‘Fatal Spirit’ appeared.
A lot had happened during that time.
An epidemic broke out, animals died, and people had to wander around, losing their homes. The ensuing famine spread to the edge of the village, increasing fear and stench. There was no war between countries, but the world was collapsing like that. Then, even those who had denied the existence of ghosts gradually began to accept them.
However, one thing that could be considered fortunate amid the misfortune was that there had been quite a bit of prior preparation.
The Heavenly Land suppressed the Fatal Spirit to some extent, so they were able to prevent the terrible massacre that Ki Jae-eon had experienced in the future.
As a small flap of wings creates a big typhoon, the solidarity they had built up so densely became a huge shield, reducing the damage.
Of course, the standard was “compared to the previous life.”
“It’s miso soup again.”
“Don’t eat if you’re complaining.”
“Who said anything?”
Lee Gyeong-hak took the meager lunch and walked around looking for an empty seat. He saw people setting up mats or tents everywhere and huddling together to satisfy their hunger. Among them, he also saw some of the village elders who were now familiar to him. Among them, Mr. Kim, who used to sell fish in the market until two months ago, waved his hand. Hey, Gyeong-hak! You’re working hard, come here! When he patted the seat next to him, Lee Gyeong-hak approached casually, saying, “Yes, yes-”
“Is there not enough food?”
“Hey, what’s the point of us resting people eating a lot!”
“I’m hungry though.”
“See, see, that’s why you’re no good, Mr. Park.”
Lee Gyeong-hak smiled awkwardly as he watched the two arguing men. After a brief smile, he raised his eyes and scanned the surroundings. Blankets lying haphazardly on the floor, evacuation notices attached to the wall, and vests and padded jackets worn haphazardly to avoid the cold.
Currently, this place is a high school in the center of the village. Well, now it’s just a shelter where makeshift beds are set up in each classroom and the auditorium has become a distribution center. Anyway, the Exorcists from the main office had also moved their residence here to protect the citizens and live together.
“They say bread will be distributed tomorrow, so please be patient.”
“What about drinks?”
“Aigoo! This man is crazy.”
“Ahahahahaha……”
“Um, that-”
Mr. Kim, who had been bickering for a while, looked around and suddenly spoke. “Don’t misunderstand, listen, you know.” He rubbed his hands together and tried to smile, but he couldn’t hide his trembling lips and anxious eyes. His wrinkled face contained a question mixed with despair, wondering if they could survive in the end and how much longer they had to endure. However, perhaps conscious of his surroundings, he cleared his throat unnecessarily and stammered, trying not to be caught.
“Exorcist Ki Jae-eon…… doesn’t he say anything different? Like when it will be resolved, something like that……”
“……”
“Aaaa! Don’t misunderstand, don’t misunderstand. I’m not rushing you or anything, you know.”
“I know. I know.”
“I know you’re working very hard for us!”
To Mr. Kim, who exaggeratedly raised his thumb, interpreting his expression, Lee Gyeong-hak smiled to show that he didn’t misunderstand. But the real inside story under the face disguised as peace was a little different.
He understood the inconvenience and fear that innocent people had to experience, and his desire to finish the case as quickly as possible was certainly sincere, but there was also a cynical attitude of ‘what, did they leave it to him?’ coexisting with it. Even though he knew he shouldn’t be like this… He couldn’t help but think of his friends who were risking their lives on the front lines.
But he had to be patient.
The bad thing was the ‘Fatal Spirit’, not the people. It was only natural that they wanted to regain their daily lives.
“It will be resolved soon. Exorcist Ki Jae-eon and the other Exorcists are working hard. So please don’t go outside the Barrier and trust us.”
Lee Gyeong-hak comforted the people and thought of Ki Jae-eon and his friends who were chanting scriptures in a cold and lonely place. Although he couldn’t be with them, he prayed deeply in his heart that they would be safe.
*
It was a world where white snow was endlessly piled up.
All sounds were buried in the snow and disappeared, and even the wind seemed to hold its breath. The sky he looked up at was all gray. It was as hazy and turbid as cigarette ash. It was as if the world was slowly dying.
“Haa, ha-.”
Ki Jae-eon blew on his red hands. His senses were dull and numb, as if even his nerves were frozen. If only he had gloves, but he didn’t have the energy to pack such trivial items in the face of the sudden misfortune.
It was at that moment.
A huge reverberation was heard from afar.
A faint and deep reverberation that sounded like the cry of a whale or the foghorn of a ship trying to return to land.
As the sound got closer and closer, the area beyond his vision became stained black.
Ki Jae-eon quietly watched it.
The thing that finally revealed itself was a mountain. A black error that sprouted in the white world. Thousands of faces were densely attached to the bumpy surface, wriggling. Men, women, children, and the elderly, all distorted in pain, were mixed together, each screaming. If he had been an ordinary person, he would have gone crazy in a short time.
That was the Fatal Spirit.
A monster born from the various negative emotions that humans harbor. In the snow-white world, the black and huge existence stood out even more. Ahn Seo-myeong described the appearance as a cavity. Like a black spot on a white tooth, it slowly spread without knowing how far it would take root, eventually making the whole thing hurt, a useless evil.
“Cavity.”
Ki Jae-eon chuckled and muttered, “That’s right.”
He had to pull it out before all the other teeth rotted.
He took a breath and picked up the stone staff that had been planted next to him. Then, far away, he saw a group calling his name, cutting through the snow. It was Ahn Seo-myeong, Kim Ju-won, and the Teachers from the main office and the Exorcists from Heavenly Land. Also, his father and brother were there together.
“What are you doing alone?”
“Hyung, go eat.”
“It’s cold. Don’t you have anything else to wear?”
“We have to chant scriptures in the evening, so stop for today and come in.”
“Exorcist Ki Jae-eon! We will take over the subsequent guard.”
Ki Jae-eon looked at them with bright expressions for a while. The snow was heavy, and the food, clothing, and shelter were shabby. A situation where they had to give up all the freedom they had enjoyed so far and risk their lives.
But despite that, everyone was smiling. As if they were okay, as if they trusted each other.
Ki Jae-eon was energized by that positive power.
My reliable supporters.
“Yeah, it’s a little cold.”
Ki Jae-eon slowly took a step towards the people waiting for him. A weak sound flowed from his mouth, but no one blamed him.
“I’ll rest for a bit and come back.”
That’s why he could endure it.
Because they were together.
“Jae-eon hyung, I’ll go and warm you up.”
“Isn’t it your turn next, Ahn Seo-myeong?”
“You little brats, don’t waste your energy on weird things.”
Ki Jae-eon raised the corners of his lips as he watched Ahn Seo-myeong and Kim Ju-won bickering, and his own brother stopping the two.
Tragedy will come without change, but this time it’s different. There are so many people to lean on.
We will win in the end.