TGHD Ch 13
by mimiYeohwi shot a very bewildered look, prompting Ryubeom to glance sideways. He had been pondering the idea that mermaids might be conceptually similar to beastfolk, but perhaps it was too far-fetched…
However, Yeohwi soon nodded as if considering the possibility that mermaids in the Han River were worth thinking about.
“Hmm, with so many people in the capital, they might find it easier to feed on fear and terror. Mermaids are well-known worldwide, aren’t they?”
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“Maybe so…”
The Han River is visible from everywhere. You can see it from countless buildings, roads, and even the subway. It’s a massive river at the center of the country, a place everyone considers beautiful, where a strange yokai appears. That alone is enough to spark curiosity and fear.
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Organizing the data he had collected in his mind, Ryubeom cautiously spoke. This was really just speculation, but he wanted to hear Yeohwi’s opinion. Since Yeohwi always listened well, Ryubeom found himself talking about all sorts of things.
“I found something odd during my research… All the bodies found at this dock, they were all unemployed.”
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“Are you suggesting they committed suicide out of despair from unemployment?”
“Well, not exactly… Last year, there was a major search operation when bodies were found at Wonjeung Dock. They assumed it was suicide due to social despair because all the deceased were unemployed. But isn’t it strange that all the bodies found over several days died for the same reason?”
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It wasn’t just when three bodies were found at once in the past; before and after that, the presumed cause of death was the same. This could indicate that social issues were severe…
Because of this, Cheon Ryubeom ended up researching employment and suicide rates by generation. Every year, around five hundred people attempted suicide in the Han River. He had only intended to investigate the background of the incident, but instead, he was confronted with the harsh realities of the human world, not yokai or evil spirits. Both were terrifying and gruesome in their own way.
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“The ages of the deceased also varied…”
“Are they all human?”
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“Yes, no beastfolk. But we can’t rule out the possibility that there are bodies we haven’t found.”
“If we assume only humans died… could it be that the mermaid harbored a grudge against humans and sought revenge? But if the victims are all unemployed, humans might find that a bit unfair.”
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“…Hmm.”
“Or perhaps, since so many people come to the Han River to commit suicide, the mermaid absorbs the energy of those who fall? Or maybe even if someone only has weak suicidal thoughts, the mermaid could use its alluring abilities to provoke them…”
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Ryubeom nodded at Yeohwi’s words. Indeed, those who came to the Han River—or anywhere else for that matter—to commit suicide were more likely to be unemployed. Not only those who failed to find jobs but also those who gave up on life due to workplace conflicts or layoffs.
Leaving that as a possibility for now, Ryubeom decided to focus on the idea that the mermaid might have the ability to lure humans.
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Ryubeom took a step toward the end of the pier, muttering to himself.
“Why would a mermaid kill humans? Does it hold a special grudge? Or is it just collecting energy? There must be some purpose behind its actions…”
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If a space is filled with spiritual energy to the extent it is called a ghost path, there must be a significant grudge or some purpose. Spiritual energy doesn’t gather in a place for no reason. Was there an accident that could have caused this?
Yeohwi sighed.
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“If I had known you’d be running around so soon after returning from Hyojomyeon, I might have treated you less thoroughly. Maybe then you would have rested if you were in pain.”
Seeing his concerned expression, Ryubeom shook his head. While solving the issue at Hyojomyeon, he had become more eager to pursue his dream, but the idea of resting while investigating the ghost path itself seemed strange from the start. Also…
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“I recover quickly, so I would’ve been able to move again soon anyway. After all, I’m a direct descendant…”
“…”
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“Oh, and I really appreciate the treatment. When I said I could move, I just meant I could get around, not that I was fully healed.”
As Yeohwi stared at him intently, Ryubeom hastily clarified. Tiger beastfolk not only had exceptional physical and mental resilience but could also start moving again after resting for just a short while, even when badly injured. That’s why, when he collapsed at Hyojomyeon, he had planned to rest for only a few hours before getting up to continue.
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Thanks to Yeohwi, however, he had healed completely and was now able to investigate comfortably… But as he started to worry that he had spoken out of turn in front of someone who had taken care of him, Yeohwi asked a question.
“Is there something different about being a direct descendant?”
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“Well, yes, there is. We’re said to have greater spiritual power and incredible recovery abilities compared to branch families…”
Ryubeom explained cautiously, aware of his surroundings. Tiger beastfolk were already physically and mentally superior to other species, but the difference between direct and branch families within the tiger clan was immense, something he had learned was thanks to the clan leader.
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“They say the clan leader preserves the spiritual energy of the mansion well, and we receive that blessing… Hmm, I feel like I’m just rambling.”
Talking about the tiger clan in a boastful way in front of a fox beastfolk felt a bit awkward. Yeohwi must know that relations between their families weren’t great. Moreover, Cheon Ryubeom was especially uncomfortable because he was somewhat estranged from that blessing, being born of a forbidden marriage and mixed blood.
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Yeohwi’s gaze, quietly watching him, felt extremely calm.
“…?”
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For some reason, Ryubeom felt a strange unfamiliarity in his gaze. The subtle red light glimmering over Yeohwi’s black eyes was as dark as dried blood, leaving Ryubeom momentarily speechless.
But then, a picturesque smile spread across Yeohwi’s face.
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“I can see why you’re so reckless, Young Master.”
“…Reckless? I just bled a little.”
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“With the amount of blood you shed, we could’ve drawn a full map of Korea.”
“Please, don’t be so specific…”
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Ryubeom reacted in bewilderment to Yeohwi’s usual playful remark, his earlier feelings dissipating as if they had been a mere illusion. Before he could think further, Yeohwi suddenly bent down toward the pier and dipped his hand into the river.
Ryubeom flinched, but fortunately—or perhaps expectedly—nothing happened. After all, not the entire Han River was a dangerous place.
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Yeohwi splashed the water around as if playing and asked,
“Then how do you plan to find the mermaid here? I can’t see anything.”
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It was the dead of night, and the surroundings were pitch dark. There were a few streetlights nearby, but their faint light barely reached the river. The river itself was as dark as an expanse of black ink. With no discernible spiritual energy in the air, Ryubeom slowly scanned the area.
“I thought we might find something if we came here, but it seems all that’s here is an abandoned dock…”
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Although he had only intended a simple search from the start, the lack of any findings left him feeling disappointed. The fact that there was security in front of the pier also suggested it would be difficult to conduct another search anytime soon. Without Yeohwi, a quiet investigation would be impossible.
“…If there really is a mermaid in the Han River, would it react to a tiger’s energy? Maybe it would try to grow stronger by feeding on powerful spiritual energy like in Hyojomyeon.”
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“It’s not impossible, but wouldn’t that be dangerous? If it feeds on spiritual energy, it could cause an even bigger incident.”
Ryubeom nodded in agreement with Yeohwi’s concerned warning. That’s right—after all, they hadn’t even properly identified the mermaid yet.
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“Hmm, then there’s only one way…”
Ryubeom pulled something out from his robes—a talisman. It was the last one he had left after most of them were destroyed at Hyojomyeon. This rare talisman was imbued with the power of Yuin (誘引), derived from the essence of a Changgui, a spirit that lures prey for a tiger.
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A Changgui would seek out its victim by calling their name, making it sound as if a close acquaintance was summoning them. This ability had been captured in the talisman, turning it into a bait of sorts.
He had been reluctant to use it, worried it might accidentally summon a Changgui, but now seemed to be the time to use it. And… Yeohwi was beside him, after all. Subconsciously comforted by his presence, Ryubeom threw the talisman into the river.
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The talisman fluttered down and began to dissolve slowly on the surface of the water. Just as he was raising his guard, a loud noise erupted from behind them.
Fwhoooooom, bang!
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Paang! Paang! Paang!
A fireworks festival had started. Despite the distance, the fireworks exploding in the sky were vividly visible. For a moment, Cheon Ryubeom glanced back, feeling a strange sense of dissatisfaction—You can see the fireworks from here too…—but he quickly turned his attention forward again.
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The fireworks illuminated the river, brightening his field of view…
“…?”
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The surface of the water was behaving strangely.
The previously calm river was now rippling erratically, with small bubbles popping as if… something was beginning to emerge.
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For a split second, Cheon Ryubeom felt as though he had locked eyes with something. The eyes, entirely black without sclera, were like the deep, dark ocean—cold, unlit, yet quietly swirling.
Could it be… a mermaid?
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But before Ryubeom could react, it quickly disappeared beneath the surface. Ryubeom, his face tense, turned to the side.
“Yeohwi, over there…”
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He was about to share what had just happened, but suddenly, Ryubeom’s vision blurred. The world seemed to sway as if he were looking up at the surface from beneath the water.
It felt as if he were seeing through the eyes of that creature.
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“Hoo, my eyes are seeing strange things…”
With a sigh, Ryubeom covered his eyes with his hand. It felt as if he had been ensnared by an illusion the moment he locked eyes with that creature. He reminded himself to stay calm, taking a deep breath and channeling spiritual energy into his hand, intending to wipe away the malevolent force.
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But just as his vision darkened, a chilling sound echoed in his ears.
— Heeheeheek.
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It was a small, eerie laugh. The sound seemed to come from someone crouching and covering their mouth with both hands as they laughed. However, it felt as if the sound was right next to his ear, giving him the unsettling impression that something was close by.
Could it be… a Changgui?
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The thought made Ryubeom’s vigilance skyrocket. The realization that he had summoned a Changgui by using the talisman filled him with both regret and confusion. Was it really a Changgui? Or was it just an illusion? He hurriedly lowered his hand, but his vision still wavered like rippling water, making it impossible to see clearly.
It felt like several figures were gathering before his eyes.
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[…Give it to me…]
Now, even a sweet voice mingled in, adding to his confusion. The sounds of fireworks, the Changgui’s laughter, and whispers from across the river all mixed together in his ears, while vague, shimmering forms danced before his eyes, reflecting the light on the water. He couldn’t distinguish whether they were Changgui, restless spirits, or something else entirely.
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Ryubeom took a hesitant step back, but the colorful lights drew closer, filling his vision. Thump, thump, thump. His heartbeat grew louder and heavier, but Ryubeom forced himself to stay focused.
This is an illusion. The mermaid is casting a spell. He had to regain his composure and focus straight ahead. Taking a deep breath, Ryubeom ran his hand over his eyes once more, determined to dispel the illusion.
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His vision began to clear.
As his sight returned, Ryubeom felt a moment of relief, but suddenly, he stumbled. It felt as if something had pushed him, causing him to lose his balance and lurch forward. In that split second, Ryubeom glanced back, confusion etched on his face.
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He met the gaze of a disturbingly calm face…
“…Yeohwi?”
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Splash! Before he could process it, he plunged into the river. The water split, and bubbles swirled in the chaotic scene before his eyes. It felt like something was grabbing his feet, pulling him down.
As he was helplessly dragged deeper, Ryubeom thrashed about. Though his vision had returned, the dark waters made it impossible to see anything clearly. The sight of fireworks bursting above the surface shimmered like a mirage.
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A fleeting image, like the last thing he would see before death…
…Wait. I know how to swim, don’t I?
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Abruptly, Ryubeom stopped struggling and regained his composure. Tigers, unlike other big cats, were known not to dislike water and were skilled swimmers.
In fact, when he was young, he instinctively swam despite never having learned. His mother would smile fondly at him.
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“A tiger is still a tiger.”
Thinking back, his mother had been quite proud of him. Reflecting on this sudden memory, Cheon Ryubeom calmly regulated his breathing. Gathering spiritual energy, he found that breathing underwater was not difficult.
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A subtle golden light began to swirl in his tawny eyes.
With his vision now clear, Ryubeom surveyed his surroundings. The chaotic underwater scene that had seemed so overwhelming just moments before now appeared eerily calm. Debris floated lazily through the water, and tiny creatures flitted past his eyes. Soon, something strange caught his attention.
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A massive fin.
It was so large that it was difficult to take in all at once. He could see scales faintly shimmering in the darkness, prompting Ryubeom to swim towards it. Since he was already in the water and had spotted traces of the mermaid, he decided to give chase.
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Ryubeom’s movements through the water were smooth and fluid. His now-golden eyes gleamed with curiosity and interest. Could it really be a mermaid? The fin was enormous—was the creature’s body as large as that of a monster, or had he simply glimpsed a massive silver-scaled fish…?
As he pondered, a shape gradually came into view. It was the remnants of a building, likely fallen long ago. Rust covered it, and there was a lot of debris floating nearby. Swimming past, Ryubeom was struck by how serious the underwater pollution in the Han River had become.
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As he continued swimming, Ryubeom noticed something even stranger.
In the distance, there was a massive structure—possibly a submarine or a building…
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But just as he focused on it, a huge fin passed in front of him.
[My dear…]
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A voice whispered.
It was a voice that had once gently tickled his ears, a long time ago.
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Ryubeom’s face stiffened. His eyes widened in shock, and he began frantically swimming forward. The voice that had brushed against his ears echoed repeatedly in his mind.
That low, soft voice…
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“Father…!”
Cheon Ryubeom shouted underwater. It was his father’s voice, heard for the first time in over ten years. A voice that had grown faint in his memory, so much so that he could no longer recall it, even in dreams.
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They say that the first thing you forget about a person is their voice. Each night, Ryubeom had mourned and despaired as his father’s voice faded from his memory bit by bit.
But now, there he was—wearing white, just as he had on some long-ago day. He stood, his appearance unchanged, and whispered to him.
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[…Save me…]
He reached out his hand to Ryubeom.
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Cheon Ryubeom surged forward, desperately reaching out with both hands. The being he had searched so long for was right before his eyes. He swam frantically, trying to grasp it, to reclaim it.
Whoosh!
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In an instant, his body was yanked upward. Something had seized him, pulling him out of the water and onto the dock. Collapsing onto the ground, Cheon Ryubeom coughed violently.
“Young master! Are you alright?! You suddenly staggered and fell into the water—I was so shocked…!”
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Yeohwi’s voice echoed loudly in his mind. Cheon Ryubeom stared at him blankly. Yeohwi’s face was filled with genuine concern, his expression one of true shock and panic. That much was unmistakably real.
Was it all an illusion, a trick of the mind, just before he fell into the water? But that wasn’t important right now. The sequence of events leading to his fall didn’t matter anymore. In fact, he was almost thankful he had ended up in the water.
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Propping himself up on his hands, Cheon Ryubeom muttered.
“I have to… chase it.”
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He had seen his father beneath the river.
Could it be that the Han River’s mermaid was his father? Or was the mermaid holding onto his father’s soul? Cheon Ryubeom looked at the water again, his gaze intense as if he was about to dive back in. He even began to gather spiritual energy around his body to do just that…
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But then—
“Gah…!”
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Cheon Ryubeom coughed up blood.
The internal injuries he had sustained at Hyojomyeon hadn’t healed, and forcing himself to use spiritual energy had exhausted him to the point of disrupting his very life force. Blood gushed out from his mouth, and each breath he took brought another torrent of blood.
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“Young master!”
Yeohwi, alarmed, grabbed Cheon Ryubeom’s shoulders in panic. Even as he was coughing up blood, Ryubeom tried to head back into the river. He struggled, reaching forward, his eyes clouded with a mix of worry, sorrow, and fear.
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The water dripping from his hair fell like tears.
“I have to go…”
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With a faint murmur, Cheon Ryubeom’s vision flickered.
The world turned completely dark.
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* * *
He wandered through a dark, murky sea. Something like seaweed clung to his ankles, dragging him down, while the sound of water slicing through the waves rang loudly in his ears. Waves crashed before him, and all his senses were tangled in a chaotic whirlpool, but the desire to find him remained vividly clear.
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He inhaled deeply, reaching out once more.
“…!”
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Suddenly, Cheon Ryubeom’s eyes snapped open. The brightness of the world was almost violently intense. He struggled to take in his surroundings, his head spinning. Torn wallpaper, a worn ceiling, and a shabby interior came into view, dimly lit by the soft sunlight. It was a strange place, one that seemed abandoned by time.
Ah, this was the house where he was staying.
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Realizing where he was, Ryubeom tried to get up. But a gentle hand pressed firmly on his shoulder, keeping him down.
“Please, stay lying down a bit longer.”
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Only then did Ryubeom realize that Yeohwi was right beside him. He was surprised, not only that Yeohwi was in his house, but also that someone had been there when he regained consciousness. His mouth opened, but no words came out.
“Your life force is completely disrupted. If you force yourself to move now, it could be dangerous.”
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“I have to go to the Han River…”
“Whatever you saw there, it was probably an illusion.”
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Yeohwi’s firm voice cut through Ryubeom’s dazed state like a knife. His emotions, split in half, tumbled away as Ryubeom blinked slowly.
It would have been better if it were true, but it was a reality he didn’t want to accept.
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“You were bewitched by the mermaid.”
Yeohwi calmly relayed the truth and then spoke in a tone that expressed both surprise and frustration.
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“No, if you fell into the water, you should have come right back up. Why on earth did you end up in this state by chasing after a mermaid? There should be a limit to recklessness.”
His chiding voice was filled with genuine disbelief. Even as he gently pushed Cheon Ryubeom back down and his field of vision filled with the ceiling, Ryubeom remained silent, only blinking in a daze.
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Right. Mermaids are said to lure people in, so maybe from the moment he saw its tail, he had fallen into an illusion. There’s a legend that they tempt people into the sea with their enchanting voices, and it wouldn’t be strange to interpret that as them calling in the voice of someone close to you.
His father had died at the bottom of a cliff. Yes, there’s no way his father’s restless spirit could be found in the Han River, so far from the accident site. Though Cheon Ryubeom tried to accept this quietly, he couldn’t stop the doubts from surfacing.
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What if that pitch-black thing that overtook the car that day was related to the Han River’s mermaid? What if his father’s wandering soul had drifted into the Han River? What if the demon that was growing stronger had devoured his father’s soul, or worse, what if his father wasn’t dead and was actually alive somewhere in the Han River…?
…Was this doubt, or just a desperate wish?
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Cheon Ryubeom let out a slow breath. He suddenly realized that even if the mermaid was somehow connected to his father’s spirit, it would still be a problem. To close the Gido, he would have to eliminate the demon that opened it.
“…”
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Even though he had just come back soaked from the river, it felt as though he was stumbling through a desert under the scorching sun. The feelings he had harbored for so long were drying up, stretching out endlessly, and he was clawing at the sand, hoping for water to gush forth. His hands burned from the hot sand, and his fingers were cut on sharp rocks hidden beneath.
It was as if he had inhaled the scorching air; breathing was difficult. His dry throat felt as though it was coated with sand and the ashes of his emotions.
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“Cough, cough…!”
Cheon Ryubeom coughed again. He hastily covered his mouth with his sleeve, which gradually stained red, revealing what he was spitting up.
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As he struggled to regain his breath, Yeohwi handed him a cup.
“This will help treat your internal injuries. It’s a miraculous remedy from my family…”
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The pitch-black medicinal liquid in the white cup had a faint reddish tint. Ryubeom hesitated, simply staring at it, until Yeohwi, noticing his reluctance, took a drink from the cup himself. His Adam’s apple bobbed visibly as he swallowed a large gulp.
“I’ll bring you a fresh cup.”
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Yeohwi spoke calmly as he set down the empty cup and stood up. Before Ryubeom could protest, he retrieved another cup, tore open a packet of medicine, and poured it out where Ryubeom could see. With a new cup in hand, Ryubeom hesitantly spoke.
“It’s not that I distrusted you, Yeohwi…”
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“It’s okay. You should be cautious. Everyone knows the tensions between our families, which is why I’m grateful that you helped me when we first met.”
Yeohwi answered smoothly with a smile. He seemed completely unbothered, as if Cheon Ryubeom’s reaction was only natural, so Ryubeom cautiously drank the medicine. But after just one sip, he unconsciously paused to steady his breathing.
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The Tiger Clan looked down on most species, but they were especially hostile and hateful toward foxes. The years of education steeped in enmity had ingrained a deep-seated wariness of foxes. Even though Ryubeom didn’t want to act that way in front of Yeohwi, it wasn’t something he could control. His body’s energy instinctively tensed up.
“…”
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But as he focused on his senses, Cheon Ryubeom distinctly felt a warmth spreading from within. He became aware of every path it took, and his insides, which had felt like they were filled with shards of broken glass, began to heal. The gentle warmth caressed his wounds, and the coldness in his body began to thaw.
This truly was a miraculous medicine meant for healing. It was certainly something rare and valuable.
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Even in the Tiger Clan, such a powerful remedy was hard to come by. It might exist, but it would never be given to someone like Cheon Ryubeom, who was considered a stain on the family. Not only did it help heal his internal injuries, but he could also feel the spiritual energy that had dwindled since his visit to Hyojomyeon starting to surge back powerfully.
As Ryubeom sat silently, wide-eyed in surprise, Yeohwi smiled sweetly. Though he must have noticed that Ryubeom had only taken a single sip, and even understood the reason why, he just smiled.
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“It’s quite bitter, isn’t it? Would you like some candy? I have some sweets that children enjoy; I can go get them now…”
“No, it’s alright.”
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Ryubeom quickly declined. He then cautiously glanced at Yeohwi’s expression before downing the entire cup of medicine in one go. He felt it was important to show Yeohwi that he was drinking it all. After all, Yeohwi had saved him from drowning in the river, bewitched by the mermaid, and brought him here…
“Whew…”
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Ryubeom sighed softly as he fidgeted with the cup. Now that the pain from his internal injuries had subsided, his thoughts became clearer. The sense of detachment he had felt since waking up faded, and his scattered rationality slowly pieced itself back together.
Though it was just a process of regaining his composure, it left him with an inexplicable sense of bitterness. Even though the precious medicine had healed his body and helped him regain his sanity, the realization that came with it tasted bitter.
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So, what he saw at the Han River really was just an illusion.
The gentle voice that called to him, the soft gaze that met his, even the hand that reached out to him—everything was an illusion created to lure him in. The reality that stood on the broken shards of his shattered fantasy was painfully real.
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Cheon Ryubeom tried to suppress those feelings and asked a question. He needed to distract himself, to clear his mind through conversation.
“Did you see the mermaid too, Yeohwi? Was I the only one who saw the illusion?”
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“I saw something rise out of the river, but I didn’t make eye contact with it. And since the Fox Clan is generally resistant to mental spells…”
“Ah…”
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Yeohwi smiled softly as Ryubeom sighed in resignation.
“Would you like me to teach you some spells this time? It seems like it might be useful since the mermaid uses mental spells.”
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“No, no. That’s not what I meant.”
Ryubeom quickly shook his head. Although he did recognize the need for mental spells, this wasn’t something he could afford to get swept up in so lightly. He knew Yeohwi was kind, but offering his help even to someone from a rival family…
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Just giving him the elixir was surprising enough, but if he had leaked the spell as well, it would have been a huge problem. Ryubeom, who had been anxiously watching Yeohwi, eventually sighed and looked down at his cup. Despite his efforts to refresh himself, his mood sank again.
“What exactly did you see there?”
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“…Something I had been searching for a very long time.”
The voice replying was deeply subdued. A heavy emotion lingered in his downcast amber eyes. Ryubeom, without offering further explanation, continued to look down before eventually rising from his seat.
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“I need to go back to the Han River and investigate that place again. Now that we’ve confirmed the existence of mermaids…”
“No, sir, right now you’re trying to see ‘it,’ not a mermaid.”
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“…….”
“And is there any way to deal with a mermaid right now?”
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The calm question jolted him back to reality. He had almost been ensnared by a mermaid just a few hours ago; could he really guarantee he wouldn’t be enchanted again? It almost seemed as if the question was scolding him for wishing to be enchanted. Ryubeom remained silent, unable to deny it.
Yeohwi led Ryubeom back to the bed and forced him to sit down.
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“Get some more rest and think about it.”
“I’m not sleepy…”
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“Close your eyes.”
“…….”
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For some reason, Ryubeom reflexively closed his eyes in response to the firm voice. Why? Was it the skill he had developed dealing with triplets coming into play here?
He thought he was fully awake, but as soon as he closed his eyes, a heavy fatigue hit him. From discovering ‘it’ in the river to realizing it was an illusion, every moment’s emotion seemed to coalesce into a heavy weight that dragged Cheon Ryubeom downwards.
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As if fleeing from reality, Cheon Ryubeom slowly let go of his consciousness.
He wanted to remain in the illusion just a little longer.
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* * *
That night, Cheon Ryubeom dreamed of his father.
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It had been years since he had seen him in a dream. In the dream, his father played with him in the garden, fed him fruit in a warm room, watched the rain falling beyond the eaves while sitting side by side, and laughed while pushing him on the swings in a playground just for the two of them…
But in that dream, his father never spoke a single word. His mouth moved, but Cheon Ryubeom heard no voice. The only thing that echoed in his ears was a whisper from deep underwater…
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[Son…]
It was in the form of that faint whisper.
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[…Save me…]
The endlessly repeating sound made Cheon Ryubeom wake up abruptly from his sleep. It was midnight, and as he vacantly scanned the empty space around him… he ended up curled up in bed, waiting until dawn broke.
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He didn’t cry, but he couldn’t fall back asleep either.
As was his habit over the past few days, he went to the mountains early in the morning but just stared at the forest without training. Yet, even though he remained still, his mind never stopped. It wouldn’t have been surprising if he had become overloaded from processing too much information, as Ryubeom kept thinking and thinking.
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The mermaid’s lower half he had seen in the Han River was clearly fish-like. He vividly remembered the fins that shone faintly even in the dark water. This meant that it was different from the mermaids in Korean folklore and enchanted people like Western mermaids.
So, could the bodies found at the Wonjeong pier all be victims who had been enchanted by mermaids? Had they, like himself, met the ‘thing’ they were searching for and fallen into the river? It was not an impossible possibility.
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Who could resist going into the water if a long-desired being extended its hand, asking for help?