By Zephyria 
For example, when he was five years old, he had spent the night in the detached house because he couldn’t memorize today’s scriptures, because they wouldn’t open the door. It happened several times. That’s how inflexible his father was when it came to rules he had set. What he wanted was at a level that was wrong.
So, the smartest thing Ki Jae-eon could do right now was to please his father so that the other family members could finish dinner without discomfort.
If only he endured, there would be no discord among the family? Then it was wise to endure.
So, he declined the offered consideration.
As he pretended to be calm and ate, his mother didn’t bother to add anything. She did look at him a few times as if she had something to say… Anyway, dinner was very quiet. No one raised their voice.
The peace brought about by proper calculation was quite satisfactory.
Even though he ended up throwing up.
‘It’s okay. I’m used to it.’
Ki Jae-eon slowly wiped his dry eyes. The skin around his eyes felt very hot to the touch. Or, were his hands cold? He didn’t know. He blankly thought and staggered up, turned on the water in the sink, and thoroughly rinsed his uncomfortable mouth. Ki Jae-eon, who shook off the wetness from his hands, glanced up at the mirror. Reflected there was a melancholy man with dull skin and sunken eyes.
‘Like a water ghost…’
Suddenly, his conversation with Kim Ju-won came to mind.
What’s famous in Incheon? Water ghosts and Nohojeong.
“……Heut.”
A laugh leaked out.
“Haha……”
Ki Jae-eon grabbed the sink and shrugged his shoulders.
Thinking back, it was a really foolish conversation.
‘If I’m a water ghost, is Kim Ju-won Nohojeong?’
He was too young to be that. He was chuckling to himself when.
“Come here!”
“Jae-eon Oppa!”
Bright voices were heard from afar. Ki Jae-eon stopped laughing and left the bathroom.
Welcoming faces were standing in front of the door. Jo Eun-ha and Lee Gyeong-hak.
“Hyung, hi!”
“Oppa, did you have a good dinner?”
Ki Jae-eon nodded at the children’s greetings.
“Did, did you guys eat too?”
“We all ate and now we’re going to play Mafia.”
“Mafia?”
“Yeah, we’re all doing it together. Oppa has to join too!”
The children spoke as if it were obvious. It was a firm tone that Ki Jae-eon couldn’t be left out.
The children quickly grabbed his hands, urging him to go. Then, they exclaimed in surprise at his icy hands.
“Hyung! Why are your hands so cold?”
Lee Gyeong-hak put the hand he was holding into his pocket. It was a natural attitude that didn’t feel distant at all. Uh, uh? Before Ki Jae-eon could flinch, Jo Eun-ha also shook the hand she was holding and asked.
“Oppa, are you sick somewhere? Come to think of it, you’re sweating too?”
“Oh? It’s true. Hyung-nim, are you okay? Should I call Teacher Yeong?”
As the small worries became more concrete, Ki Jae-eon hurriedly came up with an excuse.
“I, I was washing my face…”
Ah, washing your face? The children relaxed their serious expressions and nodded casually. They seemed to believe he had washed his face.
Ki Jae-eon secretly sighed in relief. He never knew his usual pale complexion would be so helpful.
“Aigoo, Oppa. Don’t wash your face with water that’s too cold. It’ll damage your skin.”
“Eh? Jo Eun-ha, don’t you know? Cold water is for men.”
“If I catch you turning on the boiler again, you’re really dead.”
Ki Jae-eon smiled faintly as he watched the two people bickering. Both hands were still firmly held. In fact, he didn’t want to let go. Although his hands were relatively small compared to Ki Jae-eon’s, so they didn’t completely cover them, they were still warm. Ki Jae-eon asked the children, feeling a fluffy feeling. So, what is this Mafia game?
“Yeah, it’s like-”
“A game where you just have to kill Kim Ju-won!”
“Ju, Ju-won Hyung… why, why.”
The noisy conversation echoed through the quiet night.
And there were those who watched the three of them from afar.
They were Exorcists residing in the [Gi Clan].
Their exact affiliation was [Heavenly Land], but that was only on the surface; their loyalty was to the [Gi Clan], which boasted a long history.
In particular, most of them had joined because they were infatuated with [Exorcist Ki Jae-eon].
“Did you hear just now? Oppa.”
“Yes, so casually towards Exorcist Ki Jae-eon…”
“They even dropped the honorifics? There’s quite a difference in seniority.”
“Does the main office have no hierarchy?”
“We already knew that the main office’s level was low… Yes, to put it the other way around, it means that Exorcist Ki Jae-eon’s authority has also faded. Everyone, think back to the old days. How dare… would you even have dared to go near him?”
They briefly recalled the Ki Jae-eon of the past.
‘Um, Exorcist-nim. If you have time, could you give me a small enlightenment…’
He would look down coldly at those who wanted to receive a teaching and say this.
‘I should have started a school.’
‘Yes?’
‘Everyone keeps asking me.’
‘Ah… I’m sorry for disturbing you while you were reading.’
‘Do you want to gain enlightenment?’
‘Yes? Yes! If you would give me a teaching-‘
‘Look in the mirror and ask yourself.’
‘Yes, yes?’
‘What is the foundation of enlightenment?’
‘Agony and… self-reflection, inner exploration.’
‘Knowing that, the reason you’re asking me is, are you asking me to provide answers to other people’s inner worlds?’
After that, there were more than a few who cried and turned back at the chilling expression that followed.
There was a time when it was so difficult to even say “Exorcist-nim.”
But the clear fact was that Ki Jae-eon at that time was an unreachable light.
That’s right. It was their glory.
However, the respect that was achieved unilaterally easily collapsed when the object deviated from the established framework.
“I’ve tried to understand several times because he’s sick, but I’m slowly just accumulating disappointment.”
Like this.
“I even think it would be better for Ki Jae-ha to take over the succession this time.”
“Instead of thinking about filling in the lacking aspects, he’s so irresponsible… Aigoo!”
“We’re fools for continuing to believe and wait.”
The ridicule towards the main office had turned towards Ki Jae-eon.
Although they were afraid of being expelled, so they couldn’t openly argue.
*
As the saying goes, words without feet travel a thousand miles?
Several stories about Ki Jae-eon spread throughout Incheon in the blink of an eye.
From the latest news that he was seen at the market to the ridiculous rumors that he was just pleasing the main office and acting as a servant. It was a common mockery, but as the target was ‘Ki Jae-eon,’ people’s criticism was very fierce. Ten! Ten! Ten! The contempt was ten out of ten.
To that extent, the reputation of Ki Jae-eon was hopeless.
Sometimes a fallen loser, sometimes the shame of Incheon. There was no end to the things they couldn’t say. Well, it was a natural reaction. They had tolerated him being a mess and clinging to Seoul, but he came back without becoming perfect? Then there was no more business to be done.
Therefore, the situation that Ki Jae-eon would experience from now on was just one thing.
A shitty experience of being ridiculed with all his shortcomings highlighted from the moment he opened his eyes until he closed them.
Was it too much? No, not at all. Now, think about it. Has there ever been a history where the end of someone who came down from the throne was good?
“That confident guy has become completely pathetic.”
“Who knew Ki Jae-eon would turn out like that?”
As expected, words of contempt that seemed to match him went around.
“I had expectations because he summoned the vermilion bird… It was his last struggle.”
“Why did he even go to Seoul if he was going to be like that? He’s embarrassing us.”
Gradually, they crossed the line.
“Now is the right time to break the noses of those Gi bastards!”
“You’ve been monopolizing it for too long. Shouldn’t you share the rice bowl?”
Eventually, it aroused greed.
They were truly ridiculous people.
When he was out of reach, they admired him at will, but when he was about to be within reach, they threw stones at him.
Well, that’s how people are.
It was a congenital trait that everyone was born with, to willingly harbor intentions towards someone too far away, but to challenge and break them when they got closer…
“Young master, they say they’re from Heavenly Land……”
Knowing that Ki Jae-eon was the only one to greet them, the guide hesitated, trailing off.
Ki Jae-eon was just as troubled. No matter how much he wandered outside and was indifferent to how the Family was doing, he was still the second son of the Gi Clan and a potential successor, albeit on hold.
He couldn’t possibly turn away guests from ‘Heavenly Land’ without even seeing their faces.
“Let them in, in.”
After much deliberation, he decided to greet them himself.
“Yes, I understand.”
“……”
“Um, young master.”
Instead of leaving immediately, the guide called out to Ki Jae-eon. Then, clasping his wrinkled hands together, he asked worriedly, “Shall I contact the elders separately?” The slightly hunched back flinched, as if he was concerned about Ki Jae-eon having to deal with Heavenly Land alone.
“Or perhaps the eldest young master……”
But Ki Jae-eon quietly shook his head. He didn’t want to bother busy people when he couldn’t even help.
At the firm refusal, the guide didn’t add any more words.
The elderly guide bowed politely and turned away. In the midst of it, a short mumble was mixed in with the sound of the door sliding open.
“Coming without prior notice-.”
It seemed he was quite displeased that they had come without any prior contact.
‘They usually make an appointment before coming, I guess.’
Well, that would be the normal thing to do.
But looking at it from another angle, they might have urgent business that they were willing to be rude for.
Therefore, Ki Jae-eon had to receive them.
‘It’s my first time hosting….’
Ki Jae-eon arrived at the guest room with slow steps.
He took a seat at the head of the table and blankly stared out the open window at the rainy scenery. Swish, swish- it poured all day without tiring. The faint sound of the wind chimes also rang.
He was enjoying a moment of leisure when.
“Young master-.”
An old man’s voice was heard, and soon after, the door opened.
“I hope you have been well.”
The people of Heavenly Land, cutting through the humid air, entered with careful steps and greeted him. The faint scent of fresh grass in the rain and wind tickled his nose. Feeling a tense languor, Ki Jae-eon slowly bowed his head towards them.
“Yes, please, sit down.”
“We should have greeted you sooner, but we are late.”
“Thank you for welcoming us despite our sudden visit.”
“Still, I feel very good. When else would we share a cup of tea with Exorcist Ki Jae-eon.”
The people who sat down each threw in a word or two of banter. Anyone would think they were old friends.
It seemed that Ki Jae-eon was the only one feeling awkward to that extent.
“May I listen?”
One of those who sat down asked, holding a teacup. At the aged gaze, Ki Jae-eon twisted his head and answered softly.
“……Yes.”
“Then, with gratitude.”
“The aroma is good. As expected of the Gi Clan.”
They began to chat, enjoying the tea and snacks with smiling faces. Ahahaha, was that so? And then-. Yes, yes.
When he came to his senses, about an hour had already passed.
Fortunately, the atmosphere itself wasn’t bad.
However, the problem was that they were subtly treating Ki Jae-eon like an invisible man.
They had nominally come to meet ‘Ki Jae-eon,’ but they didn’t pay much attention to him. It was as if he was an object, just left there. Then, when the tea ran out, they would bestow a few words like they were doing charity, saying, “The tea is very delicious.”
Nevertheless, their tone and expression were very polite, making it a perfect move to make anyone who pointed out anything look like a fool. Whether he had caught on to the atmosphere or didn’t care, Ki Jae-eon silently filled their empty teacups with steaming tea.
“Thank you.”
“……Yes.”
Ki Jae-eon nodded with a blank face, leaving those who didn’t even receive it with both hands. Ki Jae-eon was also the only one among them who didn’t receive fresh tea.
He returned to his seat and fiddled with his cold teacup.
He was suffocated by the seat and conversation that had no end in sight, from beginning to end.
But that didn’t mean he could point out their actions as bad.
Ki Jae-eon wasn’t a ten-year-old kid.
He wasn’t someone who needed to be taken care of one by one.
If he wanted to join the conversation, it was a problem that Ki Jae-eon could solve by actively stepping forward.
Whether he was ignored or looked down upon… whatever form it took, he had to face it directly first.
It was Ki Jae-eon who didn’t act.
Of course, there was one thing.
He could consider whether there was ‘any intention’ in their actions or not.
However, there was no need to.
Really, no need to.
The most important thing was that Ki Jae-eon didn’t have the motivation to argue over such things.
Currently, Ki Jae-eon didn’t care about their attitude. He just wanted them to finish their business quickly and disappear.
Therefore, he decided to quietly accept this ambiguous rudeness.
“……”
However, Ki Jae-eon’s low profile didn’t resolve the situation; rather, it only caused more discomfort.
In the first place, the pure definition of bullying was to raise the level until the desired reaction came from the other party.
Especially if the target was a man who had always been at the top.
“Oh my, it seems we’re too excited among ourselves.”
In an instant, persistent gazes gathered closely.
Ki Jae-eon swallowed hard and trailed off, saying it was okay.
But.
“Yes? I couldn’t hear you well because of the rain. Could you please say it again?”
“That’s right. I couldn’t hear you because of the heavy rain. I’ll listen carefully, so please say it again clearly.”
A light tone, as if playing a small prank, struck his ear.
It was a moment when it was blatantly revealed that they were looking down on Ki Jae-eon.
And once the trigger was pulled, it was enough to cause a big change.
“Don’t be like that. Isn’t he originally a taciturn person? It takes so long to share a cup of tea with him.”
Just as there is hard bone under soft flesh.
“We should commemorate today.”
There was sharp contempt under the affectionate smile.
Whether they were tired of treating him like a useless sack of barley, they tormented him in new ways.
For example, they persistently clung to Ki Jae-eon’s stuttering speech and humiliated him, which was a low-quality act.
“Exorcist, if I may offer a word of concern… Wouldn’t it be better to talk often so that the stuttering gets better quickly?”
“That’s right. And-.”
First, it was his speech, then his posture.
They criticized Ki Jae-eon’s shortcomings to his face, one by one. They seemed to be enjoying it.
Well, what could be more stimulating than a genius who had been reduced to a powerless plaything?
As their words grew longer, Ki Jae-eon’s eyes sank darker.
Then, he accidentally met a multitude of gazes.
Exorcist Ki Jae-eon, we care about you so much. His eyes crinkled with a smirk, and his stomach churned greatly. More than the public humiliation, the desire to ‘trample’ him under the surface was so transparent that he felt nauseous.
His vision wavered.
Ki Jae-eon barely swallowed the regurgitating stomach acid.
Heok-! His lungs were filled with air, and it was painful. He felt like he wanted to run to the bathroom right away.
‘No, endure.’
It was when Ki Jae-eon was strongly gnawing on his lips and holding back his nausea.
“Exorcist.”
The oldest of the group, who had been leading the conversation all along, called out to Ki Jae-eon in a gentle voice.
“Now, would it be okay to bring up the main point? Then, I will venture to ask a question that everyone sitting here is curious about.”
He continued, as if Ki Jae-eon’s pale complexion was not a consideration, even though permission had not been granted.
“When do you plan to return?”
“……”
“I’m asking for the exact time.”
Unrelenting pressure continued.
He felt a sickening sensation that twisted his mind.
‘……Tinnitus.’
It was when Ki Jae-eon was frowning at the stinging pain in his eardrums.
The man began to tap the floor, as if to say, ‘Answer quickly.’ Ki Jae-eon’s black eyes turned to the man’s fingers. The gesture was very annoying. He felt unnecessarily anxious. His heart was beating fast in the same rhythm, thump- thump- thump-!
Ah… his throat, it’s stuffy. Ki Jae-eon hurriedly picked up the teacup with his parched mouth and rising nausea.
His hand was trembling faintly.
‘Not yet, I can’t… throw up yet.’
It was just as the cold tea touched his lips.
“The Head of the family also has high expectations.”
Expectations?
“……Ah.”
He heard something in his heart distorting into a grotesque shape.
‘Please save me……. Exorcist.’
People clinging to him with mangled fingertips came to his mind.
The unforgettable nightmare was replayed again.
But the ending was the same.
There are those who cannot be saved, no matter how many times you go back.
Parents running with their child, an old man staring blankly at the sky, and Ahn Seo-myeong.
Struggling in the face of a merciless disaster changed nothing.
Death, death, death, death, death.
‘Save me! Please……!’
“Ugh-!”
Clang!