HLFH | Chapter 3

‘It’s so clear.’

The flow that Ki Jaeeon possessed was normal.

No, it was beyond that. Just by facing him… I felt purified.

Surprisingly, that was the case.

Kim Young secretly chuckled at Ki Jaeeon.

This kind of power was a first.

Now I understand why everyone kept praising, “Ki Jaeeon! Ki Jaeeon!”

If I had someone like him beside me, I wouldn’t be able to help but admire him.

But the fact that there was no curse… made it even stranger.

‘Then why?’

As soon as I put down the prayer beads, a dazed gaze met mine.

Gray eyes filled with anxiety, as if gauging my reaction.

So gloomy, yet with a look that said, ‘I knew it.’

At that moment, Kim Young realized.

‘Does this kid know he’s not cursed?’

There was no need for a haeju.

‘This kid…’

Kim Young took a painful breath. This wasn’t something I could fix.

I didn’t know the exact story, but Ki Jaeeon needed to go to a hospital right away.

What he needed was a doctor, not a haeju master. At least, that’s how it seemed to Kim Young.

The kid was in a lot of pain.

Mentally, he was quite overwhelmed.

“I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do.”

Ki Jaeeon nodded without saying much. It felt like he already knew Kim Young couldn’t fix him. He moved slowly, then stood up.

Can a person look this precarious?

It seemed like only his surroundings were in grayscale. From head to toe, there was no sign of life.

How pitiful.

Kim Young was a haeju master, not a counselor. Not a psychiatrist. But there was one thing he’d learned from raising disciples over the years: there’s a golden window to save a child.

Miss it—and the child has to live with a hole in their heart forever. No comfort can fill it after that.

It’s obvious. Mental wounds aren’t easily healed.

Is it different because he’s a genius?

No. It can’t be.

If you ignore that signal, what kind of consequences it might lead to, Kim Young couldn’t even dare to imagine.

Kim Young suddenly thought of Kim Juwon and the other kids he raised.

None of them were without stories… but that doesn’t mean you can dismiss each one’s pain by saying, ‘Everyone lives hard.’ There are definitely many opportunities to improve from the present.

And it’s the duty of those who belong to the group called adults.

‘How did they treat the kid to make him like this!’

Kim Young frowned at the bitter taste in his mouth.

‘Come to think of it, I vaguely remember hearing that the Ki Family’s training is harsh.’

Especially for a kid with this level of talent, it’s obvious how much they must have pushed him.

‘Should I report it to the Association? Is there anyone who would listen to me?’

Kim Young felt a heavy weight in his chest, knowing the opponent was the Ki Family.

If all of this turned out to be nothing more than his meddling, the price to pay later would be enormous.

They were the kind to repay grudges twentyfold.

Would they let someone who treated their precious Ki Jaeeon like a lunatic live? Someone who dared to tarnish the title of “genius”?

‘It could all be my misunderstanding…’

But isn’t the child in front of me living proof?

‘…Clear signs of abuse.’

“I-I-I’ll be going now.”

Ki Jaeeon trembled as he headed toward the door. His dry, exhausted voice was concerning. In the end, Kim Young decided, ‘Let’s just check one last thing.’ Just up to checking.

“Uh, Exorcist Ki Jaeeon.”

“…?”

“How are you these days? I was wondering if work is manageable. You’re taking breaks, right?”

Ki Jaeeon hesitated at Kim Young’s question, then quickly averted his gaze and stammered. Exorcism. Work. Ki Jaeeon’s complexion changed. He started to look restless, exuding a dark, gloomy atmosphere.

It was too weak to call it a seizure, but it was clearly abnormal behavior.

Kim Young quickly apologized. “I’m sorry.”

However, Ki Jaeeon’s condition didn’t improve easily. Eventually, he mumbled in a voice smaller than an ant, “I-I don’t know.” He grabbed the doorknob. Kim Young also hurriedly got up, but it was difficult to catch Ki Jaeeon as he quickly fled.

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

“Huff, huff… ha, ugh!”

The world spun before his eyes. Ki Jaeeon found a corner of the hallway, crouching as much as possible. Could his large body be hidden? Of course not.

But he wasn’t in a position to nitpick about every little thing. Currently, Ki Jaeeon was just trying to regain stability by blocking his view like a frightened animal.

‘How are you these days? I was wondering if work is manageable. You’re taking breaks, right?’

It was just a simple greeting.

I know. I know, but…

It reminded him of words he had heard before, making him feel repulsed.

—Ki Jaeeon, you have to endure. Hang in there. You have to hold on desperately.

—Don’t forget that if you give up, we’re all dead.

—We gathered some food for you from the rescued people. Eat this and stay strong!

—Save me… Please, please. Save me.

—You’re doing well, right? We can trust you, right?

—Mister, can we survive…?

Ki Jaeeon’s throat bobbed up and down. After a few dry heaves, he finally gasped for air. His body cooled as his temperature dropped. Leaning his forehead against the wall, his eyes trembled.

This can’t be. After all I’ve done to end it.

“Please, please, please, stop. Please… I was wrong, wrong, wrong.”

I was wrong. God, please. Ki Jaeeon muttered endlessly in a broken voice, as if praying. His dry, cracked lips moved desperately.

Just then.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Someone spoke to Ki Jaeeon. Startled by the sudden voice, he gasped.

But despite his exaggerated reaction, the other person remained calm. Whether it was to avoid provoking the panicked Ki Jaeeon, or simply because he was naturally unflappable, his expression didn’t change at all.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

The voice was clear and refreshing.

It was a voice that felt like it was on the boundary between a boy and a man.

“You can’t rest here. Since it’s near the infirmary, I’ll help you.”

“Huff, …ha.”

“I’ll touch your shoulder.”

The boy, who had warned Ki Jaeeon in advance to avoid startling him, reached out and gently grabbed his shoulder. The hand was surprisingly large and firm.

“Lean on me. You can put your weight on me.”

His weakened body moved as the boy led him. Ki Jaeeon looked blankly at the small boy who barely reached his shoulder. Then, he flinched—he stiffened.

Having only seen him grown up, it took a moment to recognize him.

Ki Jaeeon knew this small boy.

In the distant future, when the boundaries of Seoul (Bonryeong), Incheon (Cheonjiharang), and Busan (Haeshin) collapsed—and all exorcists united solely to exorcise that—this was the one who had stood by Ki Jaeeon’s side for a long time… and eventually died in his place.

[Ahn Seomyeong]

‘It’s him.’

Back then, unlike now, he was tall and large, but his face… was the same.

‘He was this small.’

Staring blankly at the innocent face, Ki Jaeeon suddenly bent over, overwhelmed by memories of that day.

Ahn Seomyeong—torn apart without even a scream.

The memory of this child’s death made the sensation of his insides twisting painfully clear.

—If I die, it’s because I’m weak, not because of you, exorcist. So live.

“Ugh! Hoo, ugh—!”

—Forget those who have left. The human brain has limits, and if you try to remember everything, it breaks.

Why else would we be called creatures of forgetfulness?

So, exorcist, remember only the peaceful world to come. Forget the painful and difficult things—little by little. That’s how you live.

You deserve it, Ki Jaeeon.

‘The one I couldn’t protect…’

“Do you feel like you’re going to throw up? It’s okay, just let it out.”

Ahn Seomyeong looked around and nodded towards the floor with a nonchalant voice. I’ll clean it up. His blunt tone might seem cold, but Ki Jaeeon knew the kindness within it.

That’s why you died protecting me.

“Let go, I’m fine, ah…”

So, I can’t stay with you. The end of those complicated emotions was, ultimately, guilt.

Ki Jaeeon staggered down the hallway, away from Ahn Seomyeong, who had been holding him.