HLFH | Chapter 1

[Prodigy]

: A person with an innate talent, far superior to others.

Ki Jaeeon, the second son of the prestigious exorcist family—the Ki Family—was what you’d call a prodigy. Before he even turned sixteen, he was out in the field, showcasing his incredible skills by vanquishing demons. Flawless in every way. A talent destined to lead the future of Korea’s exorcism world.

That was the human known as Ki Jaeeon.

“Huff, huff…! Ugh, ugh!”

Bleeeh-!

It was a demonstration for apprentice exorcists.

All he had to do was recite a simple incantation for the poor souls unable to ascend… not a difficult task for Ki Jaeeon.

But this time was different.

Just a minute ago, wearing his usual cool expression, he had begun reciting the incantation—“Barageonde-”—when suddenly, his face turned pale and he collapsed, vomiting. It happened in an instant. His tall frame tilted to the right and fell.

Those expecting Ki Jaeeon’s exorcism, those who were sure he’d succeed, and even the secretary managing his packed schedule—all stood there, dumbfounded, staring at him.

“Jae, Jae, Jaeeon-!”

The belated shout was useless.

It couldn’t reach Ki Jaeeon, who was already unconscious, rolling in his vomit.

And so, the prodigy of the century crumbled in just one morning.

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

The person trembling in the dark room was indeed Ki Jaeeon. However, his appearance had drastically changed since the day he collapsed. His once glossy hair was now dull, dark circles from sleepless nights shadowed his eyes, and his complexion was so pale it resembled a corpse.

Unlike his usual calm demeanor—devoid of emotional fluctuation—he had become extremely sensitive and withdrawn into isolation.

Everyone who knew Ki Jaeeon was shocked. That Ki Jaeeon? The second son of the Ki Family?

“No way. Not him…”

“Someone said they saw him convulsing and shaking violently! Ugh!”

“There’s even a rumor he suffered a severe head injury?”

“The family’s reputation is in shambles.”

“Could he be cursed?”

“If even the Ki Family is cursed, this is serious!”

The rumors grew larger as they spread.

As the days went by with Ki Jaeeon refusing meals and clutching his blanket, sobbing, and as the nights increased where he couldn’t sleep and screamed, people grew anxious.

[What kind of curse is this?]

Even the Exorcism Association began to stir beyond the Ki Family.

Eventually, the head of the Ki Family, Ki Taeho, decided to send his second son to Seoul, where the best exorcist was said to be, thinking he was under an unbreakable curse.

But unfortunately, Ki Jaeeon’s strange condition wasn’t due to an unbreakable curse. It was a wrong assumption from the start. The answer lay elsewhere.

[PTSD]

A mental illness known as ‘Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.’

Yes, he was a wounded person.

‘I’ve returned.’

A survivor who came back from a very grim future.

Ki Jaeeon—the tragic hero, the strongest exorcist.

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

Ki Jaeeon sat in the car heading to Seoul, watching the rapidly changing scenery. The sky was blue, with fluffy clouds drifting across a clear day. Everything was vivid.

That’s why he wanted to die.

The world he had endured wasn’t this beautiful.

On that snowy day in 20XX—

‘It’ suddenly appeared and took so much from them. The despair that stretched out like a shadow led many to ruin and death. It couldn’t be stopped.

Ki Jaeeon’s pride was shattered around that time.

Prodigy? What a joke. A fool who couldn’t even protect his family or his comrades.

But even so, Ki Jaeeon fought—half by choice, half by force. His resignation had been revoked by those too afraid of what might happen if he gave up.

Ki Jaeeon accepted, moved by their desperate pleas. He, too, was driven by the belief: Only I can do it.

He recited incantations day after day, even as his left arm was torn, his insides twisted, and half his face was crushed.

Barageonde—Barageonde.

He fought for years like that.

He endured fiercely, just to recall the lost sun in a world consumed by darkness.

Even when his will faltered, Ki Jaeeon fought, and as a result, he faced countless losses.

Many sacrifices, endless resentment, and the suffocating burden.

Yet, there was an end.

The result was victory.

Human victory.

Though it tried to subdue him because he was human, he didn’t succumb because he was human.

When the darkness lifted and light returned.

When people’s safety was assured.

When full-blown peace arrived.

Ki Jaeeon committed suicide.

He left the world without hesitation, relying on a rope he braided himself. He couldn’t endure anymore.

Because those he couldn’t protect haunted him every night.

Ki Jaeeon shed tears for the first time at the moment of death.

Tears of liberation.

‘Ah, now I can sleep.’

But he opened his eyes again.

Back to 13 years ago.

What woke him, he didn’t know. Perhaps it was a curse borne from its grudge.

He didn’t know.

Ki Jaeeon accepted just one thing.

‘Fear’

The fear of having to face it again.

That’s why, cowardly, Ki Jaeeon chose to run away.

[Mental Breakdown]

That was the reason the man was broken.

To others, it seemed like he had changed overnight—but in truth, it was the result of his desperate struggle to survive.