HLFH | Chapter 24

Meanwhile, at Bonryeong, Kim Young and Ryu Sunghee were in a standoff.

“Master Ryu, I intend to officially transfer Ki Jaeeon the exorcist to Bonryeong.”

His tone was quite sharp.

However, Ryu Sunghee remained unperturbed. She gracefully lifted a warm teacup, took a sip, and asked calmly.

“Why?”

“Isn’t asking for a reason a reason itself? Let me ask you, do you think Ki Jaeeon’s condition is normal?”

Kim Young spoke frankly.

“A curse? No, there was none. I can swear on the name of a Haeju master. Master Ryu, or rather… Jaeeon’s mother, I know I’m lacking. But… I’m an adult. Yes, so I’ll say it.”

Kim Young clenched his hands tightly on his lap, his expression twisted with distress.

“Jaeeon needs to go to the hospital.”

He’s in a very dangerous state right now.

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

Bustling, bustling.

“A box of tangerines, ten thousand won! A box, ten thousand won~~~!”

“Mister, how much is this?”

“Come on! Three packs for five thousand won!”

“Hyung! Why did you take a break yesterday?”

“Ah, I had a hangover! Did you sell much today?”

“Ma’am! This was caught today!”

The market was a cacophony of sounds.

Ki Jaeeon followed Kim Juwon like a duckling, tense and nervous. Thanks to Kim Juwon’s height, he was easy to spot even if he got lost.

“Two big chickens, please.”

Kim Juwon swiftly navigated through the crowd, quickly finding the ingredients listed on the note.

“Auntie, do you have any chopped green onions?”

“Potatoes, no, the ones next to them. How much?”

“Where’s the small minced garlic?”

He was a pro.

“Hey.”

“Ah… yeah.”

Ki Jaeeon took the heavy black bag Kim Juwon handed him. It was filled with potatoes and mushrooms.

“That’s everything, right?”

“Hold on… two chickens, green onions… garlic… oh, minced garlic… potatoes…”

Kim Juwon glanced at Ki Jaeeon, who was listing the items, with a look of disdain, then abruptly changed direction, walking away. Ki Jaeeon hurriedly followed, confused.

They stopped at a snack shop in the market.

“Auntie, four servings of tteokbokki and three thousand won worth of fried food. Also, give me some sundae, no liver, extra lung. I’ll eat the fish cake and pay.”

While Kim Juwon ordered skillfully, Ki Jaeeon quietly rolled his eyes around. Then a paper cup filled with fish cake broth was placed in front of him. The large, firm hand that placed it belonged to Kim Juwon.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never had this before.”

That’s so outdated. Kim Juwon mumbled as he started eating the tteokbokki. His strong jaw moved nonstop.

Here you go, student. Soon, the table was filled with fried food and sundae. Ki Jaeeon hesitated, then picked up a toothpick. He wasn’t particularly hungry, but his hands moved on their own, perhaps due to the atmosphere.

He had eaten snacks like this before, during his travels as an exorcist.

When there was no time for a proper meal, his manager would sometimes pack gimbap and tteokbokki. But eating at a market like this, standing up, was a first.

He recalled seeing…

‘Kids eating like this.’

Kids in school uniforms, gathered together, enjoying their food. He felt like one of them.

‘…I’m doing all sorts of things.’

But it wasn’t a bad feeling.

Ki Jaeeon put the steaming red tteokbokki in his mouth. The spicy-sweet gochujang sauce enveloped his mouth, followed by a chewy texture… it was quite nice.

Surprisingly, he didn’t feel nauseous or queasy.

And Kim Juwon, who was pretending not to watch him, pushed an egg from the tteokbokki toward him.

“…?”

“Eat it.”

Then he devoured a fish cake in one bite. It was like he had a black hole in his mouth.

‘It’s too big…’

As Ki Jaeeon rolled the large egg with a toothpick, unsure of what to do, a low voice called out next to him. The hand tormenting the egg flinched.

Ah… did he think I was playing with food?

Expecting to be scolded, Ki Jaeeon looked up to see Kim Juwon’s somewhat awkward face.

He hesitated, then asked in a slightly embarrassed tone.

“What do you think of me?”

It was a strange question. What did he mean?

Ki Jaeeon blinked. He didn’t understand the question.

…It seemed like he wanted an evaluation of something.

He had no idea what it was about, so he decided to give a basic assessment of his appearance.

“Y-you’re… good-looking, I think…”

Honestly, ‘a bit scary’ should have been included for a truthful evaluation. But even with his lack of social skills, he couldn’t say, ‘Your face looks scary’ to his face.

Barely managing a plausible answer…

“No, idiot.”

Guess not.

“I meant my skills! Who asked you to evaluate my looks? Doesn’t everyone know I’m handsome?”

So he knew…

Ki Jaeeon was momentarily flustered but quickly found an answer. With a clear question, it was easier to respond.

Kim Juwon’s skills? Of course…

“Weak.”

His collar was grabbed.

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

‘Jaeeon needs to go to the hospital.’

“Does Ki Jaeeon the exorcist… have a mental issue? Is that how I should interpret it?”

Ryu Sunghee finally spoke after a long pause.

Kim Young nodded calmly in agreement.

“I’m aware of Jaeeon’s great abilities. But…”

“Going further could be a dangerous statement.”

Ryu Sunghee’s gaze sharpened. It was only natural. The current “Ki Jaeeon” wasn’t just the pride of Cheonjiharang and the Ki Family. He was a brand. A talent representing an entire profession. People even called him “the closest person to a god.”

But suggesting that someone with such immense responsibility had a flaw? A mental one at that?

It wasn’t something to overlook.

Ki Jaeeon had to be flawless. Without a single blemish.

If Ki Jaeeon faltered, his brand reputation would fall, and naturally, his value would plummet. The financial losses would be significant.

Would it end there?

Predators waiting for the day the tiger lost its teeth would pounce fiercely, trying to seize the throne.

Rootless Bonryeong.

Arrogant Haeshin.

Neither had the right. A future led by the unworthy could only walk the path of ruin.

Ryu Sunghee, who had dedicated her life to this field, couldn’t stand by and watch such a future unfold.

“I can confidently say I’ve provided perfect support for Exorcist Ki Jaeeon.”

“Master Ryu, …Jaeeon’s mother!”

Kim Young stood up abruptly, shouting at her. Didn’t she understand the seriousness of the situation? His face, overwhelmed by anxiety, looked deeply troubled.

“But.”

She continued firmly, her voice soft yet resolute.

“If we’re discussing parental qualifications, I have no rebuttal.”

Their eyes met.

Kim Young, eyes wide, awkwardly sat back down. Realizing he had acted rashly, embarrassment washed over him.

However, instead of showing displeasure at Kim Young’s judgment, Ryu Sunghee simply smiled quietly.

In truth, as a mother rather than as Ryu Sunghee the human… surprisingly, her thoughts mirrored Kim Young’s.

“I couldn’t bring myself to ask.”

Ryu Sunghee recalled the day Ki Jaeeon first collapsed.

Then the time he locked himself in his room, screaming.

And the time he fainted in the bathroom during a meal.

Yes, when Jaeeon broke down countless times.

There were many opportunities.

Are you okay? Is something wrong?

Talk to Mom. …She just lacked the courage to reach out.

“I know Exorcist Ki Jaeeon better than anyone, but I knew nothing about my own son. His favorite color, food, clothes… nothing.”

“…”

“I regret it.”

Her words carried deep meaning.

“Why did I assume he’d be okay? He’s just human too.”

He’d manage. He always exceeded expectations.

“That belief ultimately drove my son to the brink.”

Ryu Sunghee’s smile was weak. It was unlike her, filled with a hollow sadness.

“It’s too late to play the role of a mother now… but I must do what I can.”

She picked up her neatly placed bag. From it, she pulled out a catalog filled with the names of famous hospitals in Seoul. Like a VVIP at a department store choosing products… the neatly organized list of hospitals was a service only top executives could enjoy.

Yet Ryu Sunghee effortlessly flaunted her comparable wealth.

“Anywhere.”

Even the business card of the director of the elusive A Hospital was placed alongside.

“As much as needed.”

Her expression was resolute.

“If Jaeeon needs it.”

She would use all her power to protect him. If anyone tried to stop her, she wouldn’t forgive them, no matter who they were. Even if it was Cheonjiharang or the Ki Family.

For her child, she could give up everything. It was all for Jaeeon.