LFG 90

Help.

Ki Jae-eon was lost in thought until late at night.

Next to him, sitting on the wooden veranda, only a mosquito coil in the shape of a vortex was quietly burning. The only thing he could hear was the chirping of insects. However, unlike the quiet atmosphere, Ki Jae-eon’s mind was working very busily.

‘He was sucked into the water, but he didn’t swell up.’

White fingers lightly tapped the wooden floor.

Now, let’s think.

The first start was a monk. After that, people in ‘similar professions’ disappeared one after another.

‘Only people who can feel the yokiness…….’

Ki Jae-eon recalled Suzuki’s words again.

A voice calling someone.

‘Then it’s certain that it’s the work of a specter.’

It’s not a Water ghost? Is it really a Mermaid as he claims?

Ki Jae-eon’s eyes narrowed sharply.

If, in the worst-case scenario, it wasn’t a Mermaid’s root, but ‘that’ instead…

‘Come to think of it, I never considered what happened to other countries when it appeared.’

Did they sink together?

Or survive separately?

Ki Jae-eon’s heart began to beat ominously. A nauseating chill that eroded his senses spread through his body. Learned fear. But before panic could set in, he barely managed to escape this dreadful feeling. His struggle to avoid being easily consumed as before had worked. Truly remarkable growth!

‘It’s okay, stay calm. First of all—’

Ki Jae-eon collected his scattered breath and continued his thoughts.

Ultimately, the choice was either [Accept / Reject].

‘Honestly, I want to refuse, but…’

Ki Jae-eon looked up at the dark sky. A short sigh escaped. His fingers, which had been tapping the floor, stopped moving. He had made a decision after much deliberation.

“…What was my passport expiration date again?”

The conclusion was acceptance.

There were three main reasons for his choice.

First, confirmation.

‘We could face a major disaster if we overlook it carelessly. We need a thorough verification when it comes to [that]. We need to know for sure if it’s the root or a Mermaid.’

Second, justification.

‘If we grant their request, they will be indebted to us. When [that] arrives in the future… At a time when the cooperation of more Exorcists is needed, this debt will be a pretty good card to play. Especially since Japan is more skilled at handling Shikigami than Korea. They’ll definitely be useful.’

And finally, third, experience.

‘The way to efficiently improve Kim Ju-won’s abilities in a short period is simple.’

Yes, make him fight strong opponents.

Ki Jae-eon’s dark eyes rolled like glass beads. His expression was so alien and cold that it sent shivers down your spine.

‘Rolling and rolling will familiarize him with various strategies. He’ll learn how to hit and run.’

His head tilted slowly.

‘But…’

In this field where talent is so important, it’s hard to expect dramatic growth from a few experiences.

Ki Jae-eon let his tense shoulders drop.

‘Still, it’s better to have him experience as many sites as possible.’

And if he’s lucky, he might get a chance to use [Shikigami].

‘Japan has Tengu, Yuki-onna… Oni (goblins)? I think there are many fox spirits too.’

Hmm, Japan.

A place so far and yet so near.

Ki Jae-eon wearily rubbed under his eyes.

Hopefully, nothing goes wrong.

“I learned that taking off your shoes on the plane is a lie…”

Kim Ju-won muttered dazedly. His expression was still shocked.

“We were on business class, so there were slippers.”

“The in-flight meal was like a course menu!”

“Yeah, well.”

Ahn Seo-myeong replied nonchalantly, pulling out sunglasses from his pocket. He was trying not to show it, but he was excited. Of course. It was both of their first time traveling abroad!

Thanks to Ki Jae-eon, their first flight was in ‘business class.’

“Wow— seriously— wow! It’s really— freaking awesome.”

“Hyung, are you serious about your vocabulary?”

“Ahn Seo-myeong.”

“Yes?”

“Should I come over there, or are you coming here?”

“Is there a need to go back and forth?”

“Uh, I think there’s a need to go back and forth.”

After getting hit once, Ahn Seo-myeong pouted.

Behind the bickering pair, Ki Jae-eon and Suzuki walked out.

“”

“<...Don't worry.>”

Ki Jae-eon turned his head towards Ahn Seo-myeong and Kim Ju-won and said.

“”

Suzuki raised his eyebrows at his determination. Strong. To say that word so casually meant he had confidence. Well, if Ki Jae-eon was the guarantor, there was no reason not to believe him, but there was only one thing that bothered him.

“”

Ki Jae-eon gave Suzuki an ambiguous smile at his reasonable question. He looked like he was having trouble answering.

“”

“<...Ah, um.>”

In fact, Ahn Seo-myeong’s unexpected participation could be traced back to two days ago.

Yes, after hearing the news that Kim Ju-won was going on a business trip to Japan, which was not in his destiny, he suddenly brought his passport and insisted on going with him, stubbornly.

‘Honestly, I didn’t expect Seo-myeong to do that…’

The mature child made everyone sweat. No matter how much the Teachers of the main office tried to persuade him, he wouldn’t budge. Ahn Seo-myeong buried his face in Ki Jae-eon’s chest and even sulked.

‘How many days are you going? We’re going to share a hotel anyway. Take me with you. Why is only Kim Ju-won Hyung going?’

Ki Jae-eon was also embarrassed. It was ‘Ahn Seo-myeong’ who was being stubborn! But on the other hand, it was rare to see a child who never showed any greed, and that made it all the more powerful. Before you knew it, you’d feel sorry for him, thinking, ‘If he wants to go so badly—’ After all, ‘reputation’ is a very scary thing.

There’s a reason why celebrities do image-making. Even if they make the same choice, depending on who the subject is, it’s divided into ‘I knew it’ and ‘There must be a reason.’ It was the same this time. If it had been other children, they would have been scolded for saying nonsense like ‘Do you think you’re going on a trip?’ But since Ahn Seo-myeong always had an image of being patient and yielding, he was easily able to gain ‘sympathy votes.’

Of course, Ki Jae-eon was the same. He was hit with a counterattack by Ahn Seo-myeong’s pouting words, ‘Jae-eon Hyung, really can’t I go? I want to go to Japan too,’ and quietly booked four plane tickets.

“Hyung!”

“Uh, uh, be careful. Watch out for the front…”

How could he not take him when he was so happy?

As he approached Ahn Seo-myeong, who was waving his hand, Kim Ju-won, who was standing next to him, spoke in a sullen voice.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but Little Teacher, you’re too soft on that kid.”

Knowing why, Kim Ju-won didn’t say the rest. Instead, he blew his bangs with a puff of air and said sulkily.

“Am I not your disciple?”

“He’s, he’s a kid.”

“What? Don’t say creepy things. Do you think that bastard is a six-year-old? He already has pubes—”

“Pl, please don’t say th, things like that outside…”

Kim Ju-won quietly grabbed Ki Jae-eon’s hand that was covering his mouth and gave him a mischievous smile.

“What, well? Little Teacher doesn’t even have hair.”

“!”

“Um, then the kid… is this one?”

Oh my. A kid shouldn’t carry heavy things. Kim Ju-won deliberately teased him as if trying to turn him inside out, and then snatched the carrier from Ki Jae-eon’s hand. His hand movements were quick.

“Gi, give it back.”

“I’ll give it to you when you’re bigger. Hey, Ahn Seo-myeong! Aren’t you coming next to your Hyungs?”

Kim Ju-won easily pulled two heavy carriers and supervised Ahn Seo-myeong. Even though he had just complained about not indulging him, he was trying to take care of everyone more than anyone else.

He was a very dishonest man.