By Zephyria The first to greet Ki Jae-eon when he returned home was his older brother, ‘Ki Jae-ha.’ Although it was with a very awkward attitude, “Oh, you’re here?”
Ki Jae-ha was six years older than Ki Jae-eon.
He was also much taller and had an unusual build, so he was sometimes mistaken for a UFC fighter or a wrestler. But Ki Jae-ha was also a child of the Gi Clan, so he couldn’t go against his predetermined fate.
Although he was always compared to his younger brother ‘Ki Jae-eon,’ Ki Jae-ha was also a true Exorcist who was second to none.
Even if people around him said things like ‘the unfortunate eldest son who was robbed of the position of Head of the family,’ Ki Jae-ha didn’t care. Jealousy and envy? That was just ignorant nonsense from people who didn’t know him. Ki Jae-ha didn’t have any inferiority complex about Ki Jae-eon.
Rather, he felt pity.
Why? The reason was simple.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that his younger brother was taking on his share of the burden as well.
Ki Jae-ha enjoyed many things that Ki Jae-eon didn’t.
For example, normal friendships and a free love life?
Unlike Ki Jae-eon, who stopped going to school after finishing compulsory education (middle school graduation) according to his father’s wishes and devoted himself solely to exorcism, Ki Jae-ha was able to go to college.
And that wasn’t all. He had neglected his training and spent time playing soccer with his friends, and he had stayed up all night drinking and kissing a telephone pole. He even had a campus couple relationship, which others told him not to do. Ki Jae-ha’s phone had several group chat rooms, and his photo album was full. As much as the Gi Clan mistreated him, the Gi Clan wasn’t that important to him.
So, he enjoyed and experienced youth and freedom as much as others.
Of course, that also meant that he was outside of his father’s interest… but he didn’t really care. He didn’t want his father’s affection in the first place.
But Ki Jae-eon was different.
He was called the next Head of the family of the Gi Clan and had been carrying that weight since he was a child. He wasn’t allowed to play soccer, have a girlfriend, or travel.
He always had to train. Even though he was in his growing period and needed to be taken care of, if he couldn’t memorize the spellcasting, he would be locked in the annex warehouse without dinner until he memorized it all.
Ki Jae-ha remembers the days when he came home after playing soccer with his friends all day, the days when he came home fuming after a big fight with his girlfriend, and the days when he came home drunk after going to a drinking party in the evening.
Maybe every day.
When dawn broke.
He remembers his younger brother walking out of the detached house. If their eyes happened to meet, the little one would politely bow his head as if greeting a stranger and pass by. At that time, Ki Jae-eon’s eyes were red.
Frankly speaking, for a very short time in his immature days… he felt his younger brother was like a talisman. Or, more precisely, a shield.
The freedom that could be obtained because Ki Jae-eon was there.
A life exempt from burdens and expectations.
Ki Jae-ha thought that he was enjoying privileges. That was right.
Then, at some point, he realized.
A lonely life without even a friend to share trivial small talk, let alone a relationship.
That was the whole life of Ki Jae-eon, who was called a Genius.
All he had by his side were Evil Spirits and specters. Isn’t it funny? He was revered by everyone, but his daily life was terribly lonely. In Ki Jae-ha’s eyes, Ki Jae-eon’s life was abnormal.
But even so, there was nothing Ki Jae-ha could do.
It was awkward to give advice or counseling. Because he and his younger brother were awkward, with nothing in common except the fact that they were born from the same womb. They were brothers in name only and had never had a proper conversation.
More than anything, his younger brother had chosen this path himself. The tenacity with which he endured the arduous training was admirable. Looking at his broad back, now fully grown, a corner of his heart would fill with a sense of pride. He even felt a ridiculous sense of vicarious satisfaction.
So he left him alone.
‘Who is worried about whom?’
That was exactly what he thought.
How dare someone born ordinary speak so carelessly? It was a talent that he could never possess, even if he were to die and be reborn.
Someone who had no choice but to succeed, a guy who did well on his own, a talented younger brother.
That’s what he believed…
After the seizure, his younger brother changed. Refusing meals was basic, and he isolated himself in his room, even stuttering. Ki Jae-eon, who could make even a flying bird fall, broke down overnight. How could that be possible?
People babbled about curses and other unlucky things, making all sorts of noise, but Ki Jae-ha was different. He was steadfast. A curse? On his younger brother, who was said to be the strongest in the world? He shook his head, telling them not to be ridiculous.
Because it was Ki Jae-eon, wasn’t it? The guy who always ‘did well’ would be back soon. He would be back to normal. Even monkeys fall from trees, they say.
Thinking so, he didn’t pay much attention.
It was arrogance.
Even after visiting the main office, where the best Curse Unraveling Exorcist was, Ki Jae-eon remained the same.
A hunched back, eyes blackened and humbled, lips chewing anxiously.
His younger brother had become weak.
Lies… Is that really Ki Jae-eon? He had always thought that he would live a life of dignity, so the shock was several times, no, several dozen times greater.
Ki Jae-ha regretted it for the first time at this moment.
He could not forgive himself for neglecting his younger brother under the guise of believing in him.
“Well done.”
As soon as Ki Tae-ho faced Ki Jae-eon, he showered him with lavish praise. Looking at his highly raised chin, he seemed quite pleased.
“I heard the news that you have enhanced the prestige of Heavenly Land.”
Ki Tae-ho continued, delighted.
“That’s how the Gi Clan should be!”
He looked like he was dying of happiness at the sight of his second son, who had given a big blow to the ignorant people who were trying to tarnish the reputation of the Gi Clan at every opportunity.
Ki Tae-ho thought of the meeting that would be held tomorrow.
The old dogs of Heavenly Land, who had been provoking him by saying that the Gi Clan was starting to lose its luster. He was quite looking forward to seeing those damned things change their attitude and watch his every move, saying things like ‘from the main office-‘, ‘a great light-‘, ‘indeed, the Gi Clan-‘.
A confident smile flashed across Ki Tae-ho’s face. It was like the time before Ki Jae-eon was born, when he was called the pinnacle of Exorcists. His face was arrogant and burning with strong vitality.
“After all, they will realize that Incheon (Heavenly Land) is nothing without our Gi Clan.”
Ki Tae-ho felt a sense of relief. The air felt so sweet. When his healthy son suddenly became half-crippled, he had an experience where the sky turned yellow.
But as expected!
Rather, one fall made the talent of the soaring young Genius shine even more. He was indeed the best masterpiece of the Gi Clan.
“You’ve worked hard. Rest well until dinner.”
Ki Tae-ho issued a neat dismissal.
There were no other questions.
He didn’t ask about the Curse Unraveling or his messed-up face.
“Young Master, the Elder is calling for you.”
At the announcement that dinner was ready, he slowly got up. He didn’t have much of an appetite and his stomach felt bloated, but he forced himself to walk, fearing that if he refused, he would be told to go back to Seoul.
His faltering steps eventually reached a table full of food.
His family members were already seated and waiting.
“…I’m sorry.”
“Sit down.”
In normal times, he would have already been scolded, but Ki Tae-ho didn’t want to ruin his good mood, so he took a rather generous attitude. Ah, …yes. Ki Jae-eon sat down in his chair, still cowering. In the meantime, he met his mother, Ryu Seong-hee’s eyes, but quickly avoided them.
‘Suffocating.’
Ki Jae-eon rolled his eyes anxiously, as if he didn’t know where to look.
A strict father, an inscrutable mother, and an awkward older brother.
To Ki Jae-eon, his family members were such an image.
Close but distant.
He lived on, grudgingly, to fulfill his filial duty, but if asked whether he simply loved them and wanted to stay by their side, apart from that purpose, the relationship would elicit an ambiguous answer such as, ‘…well, maybe not.’
“Eat before it gets cold.”
Everyone silently picked up their spoons, but Ki Jae-eon was the only one who remained still. But he couldn’t bring himself to reach out.
‘How do you eat rice?’
He felt like an idiot.
Ki Jae-eon chewed on the inside of his cheek, urging himself on. Move quickly. Eat something.
‘Rice… Pick up the spoon…’
It was obvious, but why was he confused?
Ki Jae-eon lowered his head and rolled his eyes. He clenched and unclenched his hands several times in a strange tension.
How did he hold chopsticks? Was it his right hand? Ah, water first…
Oh, right. First, he had to eat the soup, then the vegetables.
‘Don’t make slurping noises, and don’t drink water often during meals.’
He continued his meal, creaking and groaning, recalling the precautions. One bite, two bites. His hands and feet grew cold each time he chewed and swallowed the food. He felt like he was going to choke. He suppressed the urge to throw up right away.
After eating about a third of his rice bowl, Ki Tae-ho suddenly opened his mouth.
“Rest until tomorrow and let’s start moving again the day after tomorrow. There’s a lot of work piled up.”
Ki Jae-eon’s hand, which was about to pick up a side dish, froze noticeably.
‘Work?’
Ki Jae-eon put down his chopsticks and hurriedly picked up his water glass. Even after gulping down a full glass of cold water, the bitter and sour taste didn’t go away. He even felt a stinging pain in the back of his throat.
‘Do I have to fight again?’
The image of Ahn Seo-myeong, covered in blood and collapsed, came to mind.
His heart sank with a thud! Cold sweat began to form on his hands and the back of his neck. Ki Jae-eon licked his dry lips repeatedly, suppressing the rising nausea.