TGHD Ch 41

Even as this happened, the grandmother continued her monologue. Ryubeom stepped back, but she kept muttering, as if conversing with someone, and stumbled, trying to walk somewhere.

“I need to check the baby’s condition myself. See if there’s any improvement…”

“Oh dear, she’s trying to go to the waterfall again.”

“You heartless brute! The baby’s sick!”

“Ack! I’m sick too! She only gets strong when she’s hitting me!”

Baekyeong yelped as the grandmother pulled his hair. Despite being hit, he gently guided her inside the house, while she struggled to break free.

Eventually, Baekyeong signaled for Ryubeom’s help. He carefully avoided direct eye contact with the grandmother, helping to soothe her and guide her to her room.

It was Ryubeom’s first time seeing her room.

It looked similar yet different from other rooms in the hermitage. Every wall was lined with shelves packed with books and scrolls. Seeing Ryubeom’s surprised gaze, Baekyeong explained.

“Those are her memories. Things she mustn’t forget. Why isn’t there a note about not pulling my hair… Ow, ow! My hair is going to be all gone!”

Baekyeong’s complaint was cut off as the grandmother grabbed his hair again. She was yelling as Baekyeong led her to the bed. Ryubeom watched, unsure whether to laugh or cry at the scene.

“Can’t you hear the baby crying?”

Her shout eerily echoed in Ryubeom’s ears.

* * *

That evening.

Ryubeom quietly left the hermitage. The grandmother had fallen asleep after the commotion, and his father had gone to bed early after dinner. Lacking spiritual energy, his father had to sleep for half of the day. Ryubeom stayed by his side until he fell asleep and then left the hermitage. Baekyeong also slept early, so he moved silently.

As he descended the mountain, Ryubeom’s pace quickened.

His clothes fluttered and his hair tangled in the night breeze. He ran almost as if flying, until he reached the yard of the empty house he had stayed in a few days ago. Seeing the familiar silhouette, Ryubeom called out breathlessly.

“…Yeohwi.”

Just saying the name made his heart pound. While he savored the tingling sensation as the name left his lips, Yeohwi turned around.

“Young master.”

The familiar call, the welcoming voice.

Seeing Yeohwi, Ryubeom felt his tension release. It was as if his body, tense since the hermitage, suddenly relaxed. Perhaps it was the startling experiences at the hermitage.

Smiling, Ryubeom said,

“It’s only been a day, but it feels like forever.”

I must have missed you a lot. Even amid the chaos, I kept thinking of you.

He kept these thoughts to himself. Yeohwi had told him not to voice his feelings. Still, saying it’s been a while should be fine, he thought, glancing at Yeohwi, who mumbled,

“I think so too.”

“Really?”

Ryubeom looked at him in surprise. There was something subtle in Yeohwi’s tone, as if he too had experienced extreme confusion and hadn’t fully resolved it.

Yeohwi had started to show such a lost expression at some point.

Ryubeom noticed Yeohwi’s hand twitch, as if he impulsively wanted to reach out, but instead he awkwardly lowered his hand and asked,

“…Didn’t you sleep well? Your eyes are a bit red.”

His slightly awkward voice seemed to change the subject. Ryubeom didn’t press further. Just seeing Yeohwi made him happy, and he had a lot to share.

“I didn’t sleep poorly, but I slept less.”

“Is it possible to use those two words differently?”

“Yeah. I fell asleep after talking until late at night. But I slept really well for the first time in a while.”

Feeling the same peace as in the distant past from the comforting touch, he slept deeply. Though he did run around the hermitage like crazy as soon as he woke up…

Recalling the morning, Ryubeom smiled faintly and began his story calmly.

“I met my father.”

There were so many truths he faced, starting with realizing the existence of the guardian spirits last night. Stories from his father, the existence of the tiger deity learned through Baekyeong, and the secret care Cheon Hoyeon had provided. As he conveyed everything step by step, Ryubeom hoped he wouldn’t cry or let his voice tremble. He didn’t want to show weakness to Yeohwi.

Fortunately, his resolve held. His voice trembled a bit when explaining why his father couldn’t find him, but he managed to finish the story. He was still cautious about revealing Cheon Hoyeon’s plan, so he only mentioned the intention to infiltrate Kyung Jaehwan’s house.

Yeohwi listened quietly. His eyes darkened with a familiar look of disillusionment when hearing about the elders’ selfish actions, and he murmured, “So that’s why…” when learning about the tiger deity.

After finishing his story, Ryubeom sighed deeply.

“So, that’s all I have to tell you for now. It’s a lot, isn’t it?”

“…A bit.”

“I spent half the day just organizing my thoughts.”

As Ryubeom awkwardly laughed, trying to lighten the mood, warmth touched his cheek. Yeohwi had reached out to caress his eye area.

“…”

Startled, Ryubeom looked up at Yeohwi. Unable to suppress the urge he had held back since they first met, Yeohwi gently stroked Ryubeom’s cheek.

It was a cautious yet tender touch.

“…Did you cry again?”

“Saying it like that makes it sound like I cry all the time.”

Ryubeom protested a bit embarrassedly, but Yeohwi didn’t laugh. He just softly rubbed the corners of Ryubeom’s eyes, which had slightly crinkled.

“You never cry normally… But when you do, you completely break down.”

In the low voice, Ryubeom recalled the previous night. When he finally remembered the erased memories and broke down, Yeohwi had held him and soothed his sobs just like this.

The memory became clear now. The sensations he hadn’t registered at the time flooded back, making Ryubeom’s heart drop. Was he embarrassed to have shown such a side, or was it Yeohwi’s whispers lingering in his ears that made him uneasy?

Suppressing the heat rising in his cheeks, Ryubeom carefully chose his words.

“…Yeah, I cried a lot. And I was really confused.”

He cried because the past he finally learned was sad, and he was happy to reunite with his father. Then he felt guilty about the tiger deity’s condition and was deeply confused after meeting Cheon Hoyeon. The part he spent the most time contemplating today was Cheon Hoyeon’s plan.

After much thought, Ryubeom decided to reveal that too. Though it was still a vague story, he wanted to share everything with Yeohwi.

“Yeohwi. The elder, well, to be specific… my grandaunt has a plan.”

Their eyes met slowly in the air.

“…She wants me to become the head of the tiger family.”

For a moment, Ryubeom saw Yeohwi’s eyes waver. It was as if a crack appeared in the deep red eyes.

“She told me to take revenge on the elders the moment I fully possess the head’s power. She said I must create a moment where my will isn’t trampled…”

As he conveyed the plan, Ryubeom felt his voice trembling. Was it just embarrassment, or was another emotion stirring something within him?

Since talking with Cheon Hoyeon, Ryubeom had endlessly questioned himself. Could he do it? Was it possible with his abilities? It was more self-doubt than questioning the plan’s feasibility. Having always lived cautiously, he had never thought he had such capabilities.

But looking back, Ryubeom had never acted because he had the ability, but because he had to. Though this task seemed too daunting for such reckless determination alone, Ryubeom steeled his resolve. He knew who had helped him conclude his worries.

Even though the anger from his parents’ suffering was a significant part, the one who firmly grounded him and rekindled his resolve was…

“After hearing the plan, I was really taken aback. Beyond being surprised, I felt insecure and wondered if someone like me could do it… But just thinking that I needed to tell you about this situation helped calm my confusion a bit.”

“…”

“Because you always told me I was doing well. I didn’t want to show you a discouraged side.”

Choosing his words carefully, Ryubeom met Yeohwi’s gaze. At some point, his voice no longer trembled.

“Thank you, Yeohwi. I’m glad I like you.”

“…”

“I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t show emotions like this. But I really wanted to say it. Your kind words gave me strength, and I wanted to thank you.”

Though he scratched his neck awkwardly while apologizing, his gaze towards Yeohwi remained steady. Now, Yeohwi’s eyes were the ones trembling, while Ryubeom looked at him resolutely.

“Having feelings for you makes me a better person.”

With such a love, he felt he could endure anything. Not wanting to show a lacking side to the one he liked, wanting to show his best self.

Ryubeom’s eyes, always grounded by Yeohwi’s warmth in times of hardship, shone brightly. Even in the dark night, his sincere gaze carried a clear, unwavering light.

* * *

“…”

Yeohwi’s lips moved as if to say something, but nothing came out. It was as though he found himself at a loss for words.

For some reason, Ryubeom thought Yeohwi looked extremely vulnerable at that moment.

While Ryubeom had emerged from a storm of confusion by thinking of Yeohwi, it now seemed as if Yeohwi was caught in a storm because of him. Just meeting Ryubeom’s earnest gaze made him look as if he might break, as though he was clashing with those sincere feelings repeatedly.

Confused, hesitant, yet ultimately…

The hand that caressed Ryubeom’s cheek did not pull away. Their eyes remained locked. It was as if Yeohwi couldn’t tear his gaze away from Ryubeom, drawn to him by the pure honesty that seemed to anchor his eyes.

Ryubeom, surrendering his face to Yeohwi’s touch, displayed a trust so deep it was almost naive. It was a profound faith in the other, and a love so deep he would stay even if that person were to choke him.

Yeohwi quietly murmured,

“…When did you grow up so much?”

“Treating me like a kid again.”

Though not entirely pleased, Ryubeom couldn’t help but smile. He was grateful that Yeohwi didn’t mock his plan to become the head of the family. Given that Yeohwi had watched over him until now, being told he had grown up wasn’t entirely unwelcome.

Ryubeom spoke,

“If I become the family head, well, even saying it feels awkward… but I have a dream. Punishing the elders and reforming the Cheon family seems overwhelming…”

He added a few sheepish remarks, but finally, Ryubeom shared his thought cautiously.

“Once everything settles down, I want to make peace with the fox clan.”

“…”

“You asked me before how I would feel about fighting you. That fear lingers sometimes… I want to eliminate the problem so that never happens.”

Of course, this depended on the fox clan’s acceptance. He knew peace couldn’t be one-sided. Even in past talks of alliance, the fox clan had extended a hand first, only for the tiger clan to reject it. Therefore, even if the tiger clan reached out first, the fox clan might ignore it, but Ryubeom believed in waiting patiently.

Though he worried about an immediate conflict between the family heads, imagining a future where they could reconcile eased some of his inner turmoil. Yeohwi watched Ryubeom’s faint smile quietly.

There was no discernible expression on Yeohwi’s face.

“…”

Yeohwi had always greeted him with a smile, yet today, he hadn’t smiled once. When was the last time he had seen Yeohwi’s smile? It felt like it had been quite some time…

Could he be angry at Ryubeom’s fanciful words? Feeling awkward under Yeohwi’s unwavering gaze, Ryubeom lowered his eyes, scratching his neck.

“Does it sound too far-fetched?”

“…Yes.”

“You could just deny it outright…”

“It’s really absurd and unrealistic.”

“There’s no need to be that harsh…”

While Ryubeom had acknowledged it was a fanciful dream, he hadn’t expected such blunt criticism. Yeohwi had experienced the long-standing conflict with the tiger clan firsthand, so his resentment was understandable…

As Ryubeom looked up at Yeohwi in slight indignation, his vision suddenly went dark. Yeohwi had covered his eyes with his hand, as if to hide his own expression.

“…That innocence of yours makes me curious to see how far it can take you.”

There was a faint chuckle in Yeohwi’s low murmur. Whether he found Ryubeom’s words amusing or was laughing at himself was unclear, but it was definitely a laugh. Ryubeom felt a slight flutter in his heart.

“I’ll do my best!”

Ryubeom shouted with renewed determination and then began to lay out his plans. He mentioned that Cheon Hoyeon planned to report that the Sagwido issues had been resolved, aiming to initiate the successor test immediately after, which would keep him busy for a while.

Yeohwi chuckled softly at Ryubeom’s chattering, who had no intention of moving out from under his palm, staying comfortably nestled while talking on and on.

“Oh, right. It might take a few days to infiltrate Kyung Jaehwan’s mansion. How about we train during that time? I feel like we haven’t done that recently.”

Yeohwi’s hand trembled slightly. For a moment, the air around them seemed to cool, and Ryubeom felt a faint pressure from Yeohwi’s palm on his eyes. Curious about Yeohwi’s expression, he considered lowering his hand but instead simply asked,

“…Why?”

“…Training, let’s do it later.”

The words dropped awkwardly. Reasons like wanting to spend time with family he hadn’t seen in a while and needing to be careful entering Kyung Jaehwan’s mansion seemed like excuses.

“And I’m a bit busy too.”

Only after spilling all the reasons did Yeohwi’s hand move away. His awkward smile seemed familiar yet somehow distant. Ryubeom found it odd but nodded. After all, Yeohwi had been training him out of kindness, so he couldn’t force a request.

The conversation shifted.

Yeohwi mentioned he had hidden Oh Seoktae in a safe place last night. The elders probably thought he had been dealt with, but if they found out he was alive, it would become dangerous again. He also mentioned having blown up the vehicle to cover their tracks, for which Ryubeom thanked him sincerely.

If Kyung Jaehwan or the elders tried to confirm the body, it could complicate matters, but Kyung Jaehwan would likely be preoccupied after losing his guardian spirit. Cheon Hoyeon had plans to delay Kyung Jaehwan from realizing the guardian spirit’s absence, ensuring he experienced continued setbacks while under the illusion that it was still intact.

Once that was resolved, Ryubeom would return to the family…

“It still doesn’t feel real… That I would solve all the Sagwido issues.”

It would take a long time to perform the memorial rites for the last guardian spirit, but it was incredible to see the end of a national problem in sight. Although the reward Ryubeom had hoped for took a different shape…

“Still, entering Daehogwan seems like a good thing. You were particularly interested, weren’t you?”

“…I was.”

Ryubeom’s eyes sparkled. Yeohwi’s consistent curiosity about Daehogwan had sparked Ryubeom’s own interest. Originally, Ryubeom intended to uncover the truth about the attack on his parents’ car and regain his lost memories there, but now, with those issues resolved, only pure curiosity remained. He was excited at the thought of sharing stories with Yeohwi once inside.

“When I see interesting things at Daehogwan, I’ll be sure to tell you. Oh, maybe I could invite you to the mansion if the families make peace? Then I could show you Daehogwan myself!”

“…You really have an incredible imagination.”

“Dreams are meant to be big!”

“Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but showing other clan members the mansion’s inner sanctum isn’t a good idea. Historically, the only time another clan entered was during an invasion. The clan members would strongly oppose it.”

“Really…? Even if I argued it’s to show sincerity after making peace with a long-time rival…”

Yeohwi stifled a laugh. Despite showing interest in Daehogwan several times before, his attitude seemed detached today. It was as if he was concerned about the backlash Ryubeom might face for his actions.

Ryubeom scratched his neck awkwardly. He realized Daehogwan, marked with protective seals, likely couldn’t host other clans.

“If that doesn’t work, I’ll show you the bamboo forest in front of Daehogwan. It’s beautiful there. Or maybe not. There’s a stone pagoda…”

“…A stone pagoda?”

“Yes. I once saw a small stone pagoda there. It had sacred ropes, so I thought it must hold something important…”

Yeohwi’s expression briefly changed, but Ryubeom, lost in his memories, didn’t notice.

“I think the bamboo forest should be fine. They don’t guard it strictly. I wandered in there once when I was young…”

As Ryubeom continued speaking, he was suddenly overwhelmed by a strange feeling. When he was very young, before he had memorized all the paths of the mansion, he had once wandered into the forest. He only remembered being sternly scolded by the elder, but now, something suddenly came back to him.

A very faint memory began to take shape, mingling with the cries he had heard several times throughout the day.

‘Can’t you hear the baby’s cry!’

A dense bamboo forest that seemed to block out the sky. Young Ryubeom wandered among the tall bamboo shoots, so high he couldn’t see their tops even if he tilted his head back fully. The rustling leaves in the wind scared him so much that he eventually sat down and curled up, trembling in the middle of the forest.

Looking back, it wasn’t just the rustling leaves that had frightened him.

‘…Did I hear a baby crying in the bamboo forest?’

At the time, he had thought it was a demon drawn to him. Spirits often sought the spiritual power of a young tiger who couldn’t control it. But now, recalling it, that forest was within the Cheon family mansion, a sacred place where no evil spirits could enter.

Swaying, Ryubeom’s body trembled. Just recalling the crying made his head feel like it was going to split. The fear he felt that day seemed to resurface, turning his face pale.

“Young master!”

Yeohwi caught Ryubeom as he began to collapse. Unable to stave off the sudden dizziness, Ryubeom buried his forehead in Yeohwi’s shoulder, tightly closing his eyes, and then slowly stood up, steadying his breath.

“I’m okay… Just a strange memory suddenly came to me.”

“What memory? Are you going to cry again?”

“What, do you think I cry all the time?”

Ryubeom made a bewildered face. The memory of him crying last night seemed to have left a strong impression on Yeohwi.

He broke free from the past memory with a short laugh, but Yeohwi meticulously checked his face. It seemed all his attention was focused on his worry. Even as Yeohwi touched his eyes to check for tears, Ryubeom felt more amused.

Still, Ryubeom enjoyed Yeohwi’s warmth, resting his cheek in his hand, while pondering the strange memory. He decided to ask Cheon Hoyeon about it later. They could at least have that level of conversation now…

The cold winter night breeze swept through the space.

* * *

Two days later, Cheon Hoyeon arrived.

They had finally located the underground warehouse at Kyung Jaehwan’s mansion. Recently, it had taken longer to find the guardian spirits because they were hidden more cleverly. She explained that they needed to penetrate a special barrier to discover the warehouse.

“Today is the perfect opportunity. Kyung Jaehwan and the elders have left for an event that will last until tomorrow evening.”

With the owner away and no one to notice any problems, tonight was the best time. Ryubeom nodded as Cheon Hoyeon handed him various tools for breaking barriers and infiltrating the mansion.

Cheon Hoyeon looked at Ryubeom’s resolute expression and said,

“…I can’t join you, but be careful not to take unnecessary risks.”

She had to attend the event too. The elders and Kyung Jaehwan had already gone ahead, and she would join later with the family head. Recently, the family head had been obsessed with finding the fox clan head, rarely attending foundation events and only making brief appearances.

Ryubeom assured her he would be careful, but Baekyeong scoffed from the side.

“What’s this? You’ve never worried like this during infiltrations before.”

He clapped exaggeratedly, teasing Cheon Hoyeon for suddenly being concerned when she usually just gave directions and left.

Ryubeom tried to explain, looking flustered. Cheon Hoyeon’s caution wasn’t due to worry but to ensure he didn’t make mistakes due to inexperience.

“That’s not true. The elder just…”

“Are you seriously jealous of someone half your age?”

“Jealous!”

As Ryubeom began to speak, Cheon Hoyeon coldly glanced at Baekyeong, cutting him off. She looked incredulous that someone older and larger than Ryubeom would react like that to some advice.

Ryubeom was surprised that Cheon Hoyeon didn’t deny it, leaving him speechless. Was she really worried?

Feeling a bit dazed but recognizing the calming atmosphere, Ryubeom cautiously asked the question he had been meaning to ask Cheon Hoyeon.

“Elder, um, Aunt, I have a question…”

“…What is it?”

Cheon Hoyeon paused at the term “Aunt,” then exhaled slowly and met his gaze. Ryubeom thought her eyes had softened a bit.

“I once saw a small stone pagoda in the bamboo forest in front of Daehogwan. What is it?”

“A stone pagoda? That’s known as the nucleus of prosperity, strengthening the Cheon family’s clan.”

Though the question seemed sudden, Cheon Hoyeon answered carefully. Compared to other Suin families, the tiger clan had a significant difference between direct and collateral lines. The direct line, the Cheon family, was the strongest, boasting high attack power and exceptional recovery abilities. This strength was due to the current family head, Cheon Gun’s, accumulated spiritual energy.

Ryubeom nodded, recalling how he had recovered faster when resting at the main house. It matched his initial guess upon seeing the pagoda.

“I heard that in the past, a deity resided in the Cheon family. Was it made then?”

“No. That pagoda was made not by a deity but by the family head.”

Cheon Hoyeon shook her head firmly.

“Honestly, I’m puzzled by that too. How the main house remains peaceful after the deity left. I wanted to examine the pagoda, but only the family head manages it directly. All I know is that it was built about a hundred years ago…”

Ryubeom blinked at the explanation that it was before Cheon Hoyeon was born. A hundred years ago? It was a vague past, but the timing oddly matched. The waterfall the deity sought was from around then, and her memory seemed to become unstable after that.

“I’ve looked into it, and while I don’t know the exact timing, it seems the deity left around when the pagoda was built. There had been ongoing conflicts between the deity and the family head.”

“…Conflicts?”

“Yes. As one of the Twelve Guardian Deities, the deity wanted harmony with all animals on earth, but the family head desired overwhelming power, believing tigers to be the supreme species.”

“Ah…”

“The deity was closer to other clans than the tiger clan. It’s really shameful. The tiger deity was closer to other clans than its own…”

Cheon Hoyeon shook her head, and Ryubeom sighed deeply. The family head’s power hunger clashing with the deity was frightening. It reminded him of when the family head refused to extend a hand to humans and stormed out of a past summit.

“Have you ever heard a baby crying near the pagoda?”

“…Never, why? Did you?”

“I heard it a long time ago, but it might have been a mistake.”

Ryubeom quickly shook his head. If Cheon Hoyeon, who had entered Daehogwan and the bamboo forest countless times, didn’t know, his memory was likely distorted. Maybe he mistook his own cries for something else when he got lost. But he hadn’t cried there since his first day in the family…

Cheon Hoyeon nodded slowly.

“…Well, you’ll be entering Daehogwan soon, so if you’re curious, you can check it out then.”

Ryubeom lowered his gaze, feeling a bit embarrassed. The ‘plan’ he discussed with Cheon Hoyeon always felt unrealistic.

After Cheon Hoyeon left, preparations began in earnest. Ryubeom didn’t need to do much, just follow his father and Baekyeong.

Lee Han carefully took out the guardian spirits from the storage. As he whispered to the jars, black spirits emerged one by one.

There were fewer than before. It seemed only some had come out, as there was still energy in the storage.

“Aren’t the other guardian spirits coming with us?”

“They’ve been partially memorialized. In a few days, they’ll ascend as deities.”

Ryubeom nodded, understanding they could leave behind malice and ascend. He wondered if it wouldn’t be better to take them along but trusted his father’s judgment.

The Red Dan guardian spirit was the last to emerge. Though smaller than before, its eyes were still red and fierce. Ryubeom hesitated but bowed to it.

“Please take care of us…”

The spirit glanced at Ryubeom and then turned away. Though ignored, Ryubeom took it positively that he wasn’t attacked.

Lee Han then explained the precautions for infiltrating the underground warehouse.

“Guardian spirits freshly out of their jars are particularly aggressive. Be careful not to use tiger spiritual power, as it excites them. First, memorialize the spirits to calm them down…”

Ryubeom listened intently, memorizing each point. Lee Han’s gaze softened, finding the moment surreal.

“To think I’d be doing this with you…”

He looked at Ryubeom with sentimental eyes, gently patting his head with affection.

“Be careful not to get hurt.”

Ryubeom, feeling awkward, almost said he was grown and didn’t need to be worried about but just nodded. Such concern wasn’t about age or physical strength. And his father’s worry felt comforting.

They then moved to a different space.

As Lee Han shook the spirit bell, a silver door appeared in the hermitage’s backyard. Using the power granted by the tiger deity, they could move directly to the last place they had visited.

Kyung Jaehwan’s mansion was quiet when they arrived.

Ryubeom, looking down at the mansion from the mountain, first broke the barrier. He placed the talisman made by Cheon Hoyeon on the ground and infused it with spiritual energy. The golden light spread along the complex formation like fresh paint, and soon, the talisman glowed, creating a crack in the air. The barrier was breaking.

Soon, the barrier split, forming a semicircular gap. They decided to break only part of it to avoid alerting the elders.

“Wow, that’s some impressive magic.”

Baekyeong marveled, asking if this level of skill was required to become an elder of the Cheon family. Ryubeom nodded in agreement.

The infiltration proceeded smoothly. They almost encountered a guard after jumping over the wall, but Ryubeom quickly used a mental spell.

“Ah, I’m so tired…”

The hypnotized guard turned and walked away, leaving Baekyeong gaping.

“What? You can use such spells too?”

“This isn’t a mental spell, is it…?”

Even his father looked surprised, making Ryubeom scratch his neck awkwardly. Baekyeong and his father found it fascinating because it was different from the tiger clan’s usual magic. Of course, it was something Ryubeom had learned from Yeohwi, not the clan.

Ryubeom then moved, avoiding the CCTV he had noted during his previous visit to the mansion. As soon as he used the second talisman behind the suspicious pond Cheon Hoyeon had mentioned, Baekyeong found the door.

Small guardian spirits circled a spot, making Ryubeom hesitate, but Baekyeong, familiar with hidden doors, found it. The door was camouflaged with grass, making it hard to spot.

“See that?”

Baekyeong puffed out his chest, proud to show his seniority, but Lee Han, busy, entered the storage without reacting. Ryubeom hurriedly followed to protect his father, leaving Baekyeong to clear his throat and move.

The underground storage was similar to those Ryubeom had seen before. However, this one had guardian spirits, making the entire storage feel like it was filled with a continuous flow of energy. Though enclosed, it felt like a cold wind was blowing.

Talisman papers were plastered around the guardian spirit jar at the end of the storage. The walls were also covered with suppression spells.

Seeing this for the first time, Ryubeom felt quite horrified. Not only had they created a deity, but they had also bound and exploited it.

“This one’s particularly severe…”

Baekyeong clicked his tongue, looking disgusted. The explanation that this place was more heavily bound than others seemed true, as the guardian spirits trembled with rage. Their eyes glowed red, and sob-like sounds escaped their mangled mouths. The Red Dan guardian spirit was especially furious.

Jingle…

Lee Han lightly shook the spirit bell, creating a ‘path.’ Silver dust scattered in the air, and the guardian spirits followed the light. Ryubeom watched in a daze as the spirits surrounded the jar, trying to open the lid.

Now Ryubeom understood why his father moved with the guardian spirits. It wasn’t just because their help was needed to open the guardian spirit jar, but because rescuing other guardian spirits was a comforting process for them.

Freeing someone trapped like they once were gradually eased their anger.

* * *

The guardian spirits’ bodies, once black as obsidian, began to fade to a grayish hue, leaving Ryubeom in awe.

“Child, hurry.”

Lee Han gestured. Black energy was now seeping from the guardian spirit jar. Ryubeom had a task to complete.

Kyung Jaehwan was very close to the elders, so if he discovered the broken jar, he would likely report it immediately. Since the jar would naturally break when the guardian spirit left, Cheon Hoyeon suggested placing something else inside to disguise it. The blessing energy remaining in the jar would last a few days, making it harder to notice.

Ryubeom opened the wooden container Cheon Hoyeon had given him and poured its contents over the jar. As the gray energy settled inside, Lee Han extracted the guardian spirit and began the memorial rites.

[Groan… Ugh, ah…]

This guardian spirit took a human form. While guardian spirits usually appeared as snakes, weasels, or toads, they occasionally took the form of dogs, pigs, and very rarely, humans. This one, a gaunt child, groaned in pain, surrounded by other animal-shaped guardian spirits anxiously pacing.

Ryubeom quickly closed the jar and assisted Lee Han with the rites. The spirit’s suffering was profound, having endured for so long.

“You really know how to perform memorial rites…”

“I learned from my father, I mean, Dad.”

Lee Han smiled proudly at Ryubeom’s matter-of-fact response. Their fingertips met in the air, sharing the same light and intent. A gentle glow enveloped the guardian spirit.

The Red Dan guardian spirit’s form began to change. Once a mass of resentment, it now appeared more human, a boy tenderly patting another boy’s cheek. The murmurs from its mangled lips seemed to whisper reassurances.

Despite being filled with malice, the spirit had retained a desire to save others in similar situations. Ryubeom thought that perhaps the spirit’s will, not just the rites, had kept it sane.

Lee Han noted that this guardian spirit was particularly weak. Overdoing the rites could backfire, so they needed to be cautious. He suggested moving to the hermitage, as the storage itself was harmful to the spirit.

Ryubeom carefully carried the spirit, followed by other animal-shaped guardian spirits. Baekyeong scouted ahead.

Fortunately, they encountered no issues leaving the mansion.

“This infiltration was easier than expected.”

Baekyeong laughed, relieved. Despite Kyung Jaehwan’s close ties with the elders, there were no significant difficulties. They had almost caused a commotion with a guard, but Cheon Ryubeom’s unusual spell had prevented it.

“That spell was really something. Don’t you think it went smoothly?”

“We haven’t reached the hermitage yet. Stay vigilant until the end.”

“Come on, we’re practically done. No need to be so stiff.”

Ryubeom’s firm response made Baekyeong scratch his head awkwardly. But Ryubeom remained alert, especially worried about his father’s pale complexion after the rites.

Lee Han smiled faintly, as if to reassure him, and slowly shook the spirit bell.

Jingle…

A white door appeared in the air. It formed more slowly and faintly than when they first arrived, showing Lee Han’s exhaustion.

Then, Ryubeom felt something vibrating in his pocket.

“…?”

It was his phone. But with both arms holding the guardian spirit, he couldn’t check it. Who would call him at this hour? As he considered adjusting his position to check, the door in front of him wavered. His father’s energy was waning.

Baekyeong had already led the other guardian spirits through the door, and Lee Han was waiting for Ryubeom to pass. Fearing his father might collapse if they delayed, Ryubeom decided to move through the door first.

The door trembled precariously but fortunately, they made it back to the hermitage safely. Baekyeong shouted, “It’s finally over!” from the backyard, and Ryubeom sighed in relief. His father followed, closing the door completely.

Ryubeom gently laid the guardian spirit on the veranda and checked his phone. It was Cheon Hoyeon. Feeling much lighter, he answered the call, ready to thank her for the tools that ensured their success.

But before he could speak, a frantic shout came from the other end.

— Don’t cross the space!

“What? Child, what did you bring…?”

Two voices spoke simultaneously. Cheon Hoyeon’s urgent shout and his grandmother’s question as she approached. Baekyeong, looking curious, remarked, “Why are you awake at this hour?” Ryubeom, equally bewildered, glanced between his grandmother and the phone.

“What do you mean? We just arrived at the hermitage…”

At that moment, a red light caught Ryubeom’s eye. A strange beam of light pierced the usually peaceful hermitage.

The guardian spirit before him.

Red light was spreading from the spirit’s abdomen. Everything seemed to happen in disjointed moments. His father’s and Baekyeong’s startled faces, the other guardian spirits gathering around in agitation—all of it etched into his vision.

Boom!

The red light exploded, and Cheon Hoyeon’s shout echoed faintly.

— It was a trap!

Beeeeeep…

Thick smoke obscured his vision, and intense heat scorched his body. A high-pitched ringing filled his ears, like a sharp needle piercing his brain.

Coughing, Ryubeom crawled on the ground. The explosion had thrown him into the air. Struggling to his feet, he felt his chest, which had been burning. His hand grasped the wooden token from Cheon Hoyeon, now glowing.

“Ugh, gasp…”

The token that prevented instant death.

Realizing he had narrowly escaped death, Ryubeom stood shakily and looked around.

“Dad! Grandmother! Baekyeong…!”

Seeing the red light from the guardian spirit, Ryubeom had cast a barrier. He had prioritized protecting others, but the suddenness of the event made him doubt its effectiveness. He anxiously called out for them.

His head throbbed, and he staggered, trying to find his bearings.

“Ugh…”

Amid the endless ringing, he heard a groan. Ryubeom followed the sound and found the source.

“Granny, cough, is Granny…?”

It was Baekyeong. He had immediately run to his grandmother, holding her tightly and rolling several times, his clothes in disarray. Blood streamed from his back, injured by the explosion. Despite his condition, he asked if his grandmother was okay. Ryubeom checked her in his arms.

She was unconscious but breathing.

“No external injuries. Let’s, phew, let’s sit you here…”

Ryubeom helped him lean against a tree and then went to find his father. There was nothing where he had been initially.

Had the guardian spirit vanished?

It seemed to be a self-destruct spell. The elders had likely inscribed such a formation on the spirit.

The smoke from the explosion was dissipating, but now black energy was visible. It poured out like oily wastewater, alarming Ryubeom, who moved towards it.

The source was the storage where the guardian spirit jars were kept.

There, Ryubeom found Lee Han. Though he wasn’t bleeding, his form was fading. It seemed his soul had taken a hit, making him look precarious. It was the worst possible situation.

Silver spirits wavered around Lee Han. His family. They seemed to have protected him, but now they were on the verge of disappearing.

Even in such a state, Lee Han reached out towards the storage.

“Child, the guardian spirits… they’re rampaging.”

Silver energy faintly emanated from his trembling fingertips. Ryubeom looked into the storage and was horrified. Cracks were forming in the jars, and the spirits were trying to escape.

The spirits left here were supposed to be nearly memorialized. They were said to be ready to ascend as deities in a few days, having recovered enough to leave with their consciousness intact. But now, the jars were overflowing with dark energy.

Ryubeom glanced around, startled. What happened to the spirits they had brought on this mission? He quickly checked the backyard and sighed in despair.

…They lay dead, their bodies torn apart.

Faced with this grim reality, Ryubeom bit his lip hard. He first sent memorial energy to the jars in the storage. As he poured in a lot of energy, silver light exploded around the jars.

Just as the jars’ vibrations began to subside,

[Roar!]

Something ferociously lunged at Ryubeom. He reflexively ducked to avoid the attack. But before he could catch his breath, it charged again, and Ryubeom barely managed to grab and stop it. The force was so strong that they rolled on the ground together.

It was the Red Dan guardian spirit.

It hadn’t been destroyed by the explosion but seemed to have been provoked by it, becoming even more ferocious. Blood dripped from its body. Despite Ryubeom not using the Cheon family’s spiritual power, the spirit was so sensitive that it showed hostility just towards his presence as a tiger.

Even as Ryubeom held its shoulders, the spirit wildly reached out, as if trying to strangle him. The acidic saliva dripping from its mangled mouth sizzled on the ground. Ryubeom, panicking, realized something else falling from its mouth.

[Groan… sob, sob… ugh…]

It was a desperate cry.

A miserable rage and sorrowful sobs that couldn’t even form proper sounds melted away in the spirit’s mouth. Ryubeom felt that even its aggressive gestures were like writhing in pain. He felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…”

Ryubeom’s voice trembled with self-reproach. He reached out and poured strong memorial energy into the spirit. The spirit, as if resisting, attacked Ryubeom fiercely. Blood streamed from a cut on his forehead.