TGHD Ch 6

As soon as they left the house, a chilly wind blew.

The cold air carried by the pouring rain felt even stronger after coming from a cozy space. When Ryubeom shivered, Yeowhi tried to take off his coat to give it to him, but Ryubeom quickly stopped him.

“No, I’m fine. I’m a tiger, so my body is strong.”

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Even though Yeowhi was taller and had broader shoulders than Ryubeom, Ryubeom perceived him as weaker. This was partly due to his education that tiger shapeshifters were stronger than other species and the strong impression Yeowhi made when they first met.

Although it was amazing how Yeowhi had swiftly dealt with the chang-gwi, it was said that he used the family’s treasure to do so. Given Yeowhi’s high standing within the family, that bracelet might be a sacred artifact. Thus, the shock of seeing the chang-gwi being destroyed had faded, leaving only the impression of Yeowhi as he appeared in this house: kind, gentle, and a caring guardian to the children.

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After reassuring Yeowhi that he was fine, Ryubeom brought up the original topic.

“Anyway, since you’ve been living near Hyojomyeon, you must know about the strange occurrences, right?”

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“Yes, it’s impossible not to.”

“Then can you tell me exactly where the yokai or evil spirits are appearing? What they are, or at least what they look like…?”

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It was a question filled with expectation. The eager tone and excited eyes made Yeowhi’s expression turn complex.

“Are you planning to resolve these issues? Is that why you packed your things?”

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“Yes. I received it as a test from my family.”

“A test? It’s so dangerous…”

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The word ‘test’ made Yeowhi look surprised, and then his eyes softened with pity. Ryubeom found the concerned tone a bit strange but shook his head.

“I know it’s dangerous, but it’s something I must do.”

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“Is there a reason?”

“…Yes. If I succeed, my family will grant my wish.”

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Speaking vaguely, Ryubeom glanced sideways. He was worried about being questioned further. He couldn’t explain that he was on the verge of being expelled from the family, nor the issues tied to his past. He didn’t want to talk about it, especially to someone who had been so kind and friendly towards him. It was embarrassing to reveal his problems to Yeowhi, who treated him with such respect and kindness, almost like a benefactor.

However, contrary to Ryubeom’s concern, Yeowhi simply sighed and then…

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“Then I’ll go with you.”

“What? No, no. I just need the information.”

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“It’s too dangerous. Since I’ve lived near there, I can definitely be of help to you.”

Ryubeom’s mouth dropped open at Yeowhi’s shocking statement. He had only asked for details about the specific locations and nature of the phenomena, but Yeowhi’s response was to accompany him.

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Yeowhi showed his wrist, revealing the wooden bracelet as the sleeve of his black coat slid down.

“Besides, I have this bracelet from Guil, so I won’t be a burden.”

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“No, it’s not about being a burden or not. I just need to go alone…”

“If I just give you the information and something happens to you, I will regret it forever.”

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Is he really that soft-hearted? Just a few hours ago, Ryubeom had been called ‘Death Ghost’ by his cousins at the family house, and now he was receiving concern from Yeowhi. It was bewildering. He couldn’t tell which reaction was normal anymore. He was more accustomed to the former.

But soon, Ryubeom firmly shook his head. This wasn’t something to be decided lightly.

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“Even so, it’s not right. Not only is it difficult, but it will also take a long time. What about the twins?”

“We can ask Guil to look after them for a while. He likes children, so he’ll be happy to do it.”

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“…We might never come back.”

“You’re still going despite that possibility.”

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Ryubeom was taken aback by Yeowhi’s calm statement. He was right, but it was disconcerting to hear it said so plainly.

“That’s because… I have a reason that I must do this.”

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Ryubeom answered in a slightly lower voice. Even though he had begun to think that he might die, he still had his ‘reason’ to walk this path.

However, Yeowhi had neither the reason nor the need to tread this dangerous path. Having lived there, Yeowhi surely knew the area better than Ryubeom. It didn’t make sense why Yeowhi insisted on coming along. Ryubeom spoke earnestly.

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“If it’s to repay me for saving you back at Yeongokbong, there’s no need. I’ve said it many times, but it really wasn’t a big deal, and it certainly doesn’t warrant this level of repayment.”

Besides, Yeowhi had already repaid him by treating his hand. As Ryubeom reiterated that it was okay, Yeowhi gave a low laugh.

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“That day, Geumo was very sick.”

“…What?”

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“Yeongyahwa is best consumed immediately after being picked, so despite knowing the risks, I took the children and climbed up.”

Though it was an unexpected story, Ryubeom quickly realized what day ‘that day’ was. It was the day Ryubeom had been ordered to hunt a fox and the day he first met Yeowhi.

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“We barely managed to find Yeongyahwa beyond the gorge, but we had to hide from a tiger before we could use it. That’s when we met you, and thanks to you, we were able to hide in the cave and treat Geumo. If we had encountered another tiger instead of you, things would have been disastrous…”

“…”

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“I would have regretted that day for a very long time.”

Yeowhi’s face lit up with a gentle smile as he spoke softly.

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“You prevented my past regret, so now I want to step forward for you.”

Ryubeom blinked slowly. If it had been his other cousins who found the foxes that day, Geumo wouldn’t have been treated. His cousins, being raised and trained by the family since birth, had much stronger animosity towards foxes than he did.

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But Ryubeom had also been hunting foxes that day, driven by a desire for recognition from his family. Helping the foxes in the thicket had been a purely impulsive act…

Cheon Ryubeom’s lips moved soundlessly. He had no immunity to such kindness. Expressions of genuine affection or praise towards him felt not only unfamiliar and awkward but also embarrassing. His mind was filled with futile arguments that he was no different from his cousins, which quickly dissipated. He felt a slight warmth in his ears and a tickle in his chest.

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Yeowhi gently asked the silent Ryubeom.

“So, can I come with you now?”

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Eventually, Ryubeom reluctantly nodded. He couldn’t reject such genuine and pure goodwill. However, there was one thing he had to make clear. Looking straight at Yeowhi, he spoke.

“But if it gets too dangerous, I’ll send you back. You’re the protector of the triplets.”

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If Yeowhi got hurt, he wouldn’t be able to face the children, and they saw their guardian as their whole world. He wanted to keep their world intact.

At Ryubeom’s words, Yeowhi’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, then he smiled, his eyes crinkling in amusement.

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“Yes, let’s do that.”

***

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That night, as soon as the heavy rain stopped, they set out for Hyojomyeon.

Ryubeom was surprised, thinking they would leave after a bit more preparation. However, Yeowhi just smiled calmly.

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“Guil happens to be available immediately.”

“Really…?”

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“Yes. He’s driving us right now, isn’t he?”

Indeed, Guil was driving them to Hyojomyeon. Apparently, after a brief phone call in the evening, Guil had come to the villa to pick them up right after putting the twins to bed.

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Ryubeom speculated that Guil, seeming close to the head of the family, might be of elder rank in the fox clan. He had assumed Guil would be very busy, but perhaps he had been mistaken? Having rarely interacted with other shapeshifters, Ryubeom had no way of knowing the hierarchy in other families.

Ryubeom had heard that Guil was the only one in the family who looked after Yeowhi and the twins, but he hadn’t expected this level of care. Seeing Guil driving late into the night and then planning to look after the children again in the morning, Ryubeom glanced at him with concern. Guil quickly shook his head.

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“Haha, I heard about how you helped the children at Yeongokbong and I really wanted to repay you. So, you don’t need to worry about me at all!”

His response was so robust that Ryubeom nodded in bewilderment. The fox clan truly valued repaying kindness…

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Soon, the car arrived in Hyojomyeon.

As soon as Yeowhi and Ryubeom got out of the car, Guil quickly drove away. Ryubeom watched the car disappear into the darkness before looking around.

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Hyojomyeon

A large marker stone beside the road confirmed they were in the right place, but the village itself was hidden from view. The heavy rain over the past few hours had left a thick fog, making it difficult to see any light. Ryubeom squinted, trying to make out his surroundings in the faint visibility, and asked a question.

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“Where exactly in Hyojomyeon are these problems occurring? Why haven’t you told me yet?”

Ever since they talked about going together during the day, and even after setting out in the evening and arriving here, Yeowhi had avoided discussing the Sa-gwi-do (evil ghost phenomena). Although it made sense that seeing the strange phenomena in person would be more accurate than just hearing about it, Ryubeom still wanted answers. He gave Yeowhi an expectant look.

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Yeowhi smiled gently.

“Actually, when you first asked me about Sa-gwi-do, I realized something.”

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“…What?”

“I realized that you really don’t know anything about this problem.”

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Although the bluntness of Yeowhi’s words was surprising, Ryubeom nodded, acknowledging the truth. He had asked questions to learn more from the start, and that conversation led them to come here together.

“You don’t know if it’s a yokai or an evil spirit causing the problems, nor do you know what form it takes…”

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“It’s not just that.”

“…Then what?”

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“The moment you asked me where the problems in Hyojomyeon were occurring, I knew. I realized I couldn’t let you go alone.”

Yeowhi’s cryptic words left Ryubeom puzzled. As Ryubeom tried to understand, Yeowhi slowly looked around. He quietly surveyed the fog-covered road, as if assessing the space, then spoke softly.

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“The entire Hyojomyeon is suffering from this problem.”

In the stillness of the gloomy night, a faint crow’s call echoed.

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“It’s not just a specific location; ‘it’ appears throughout this whole area.”

Ryubeom’s mouth hung open. The entire Hyojomyeon was experiencing this problem? He had looked at a map before coming here, and the area of Hyojomyeon was by no means small. Could an evil spirit or yokai be that powerful? Or maybe it had to be of that caliber to be called a Sagwido.

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“But… how are we supposed to check in the middle of the night?”

He hadn’t expected it to be an easy task, but with the thick fog and pitch darkness, he couldn’t fathom how they were going to investigate the issue in Hyojomyeon.

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In response to Ryubeom’s question, Yeowhi smiled brightly and began walking into the fog.

“First, let’s find somewhere to rest for a bit.”

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It was an unexpected suggestion. Ryubeom figured they might be tired after the long journey, but he also wondered why they had to leave at night if they were just going to rest upon arrival. Nonetheless, Yeowhi’s natural demeanor as he walked into the darkness made Ryubeom follow him without much thought.

However, even after walking for a while, there was no building in sight to rest in. No benches, no streetlights; it felt like they were wading through darkness. Yeowhi murmured with a hint of regret.

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“I didn’t intend for us to walk this long, but Guil is afraid of ghosts, so he didn’t drive us into the village. Really, can he still call himself a fox spirit?”

“Ah…”

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So that’s why he dropped them off at the village entrance and hurried away. Ryubeom had thought Guil was in a rush to leave, but now it seemed more like he was running away. Ryubeom awkwardly nodded, assuring Yeowhi that it was fine.

After a few more minutes of walking, a building came into view.

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The dilapidated structure looked long abandoned and completely unmaintained. Ryubeom assumed Yeowhi would walk past it, but instead, Yeowhi eagerly headed inside. Despite its abandoned appearance, Ryubeom felt uneasy about entering.

“Won’t someone call the police…?”

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“I doubt it. It’s too dark to see clearly, and most of the people living here aren’t exactly law-abiding.”

Yeowhi shrugged nonchalantly as he checked the inside of the building.

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The interior was far from clean, but Yeowhi found a spot with relatively little dust and sat down. He gestured for Ryubeom to sit as well, which Ryubeom did reluctantly. Without any lights, he had no idea what they were doing here. Fortunately, both of them being animal spirits, their night vision was quite good.

“How long are we going to rest here?”

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“Until things get interesting. By the way, aren’t you hungry?”

“Huh?”

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The question caught Ryubeom off guard. Yeowhi’s bright and innocent expression made it hard for Ryubeom to respond coldly. He wondered if Yeowhi was hungry and hesitated to say he wasn’t at all, but Yeowhi pulled out a small red pouch from inside his robe.

The red pouch was only the size of a palm, but when Yeowhi untied the string and put his hand inside, it went in up to his wrist. Ryubeom was astonished as Yeowhi pulled out a much larger bag of bread from the pouch.

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It was a magical pouch he had only heard about.

A special pouch imbued with spiritual energy that could store many things, with seemingly no limit based on the level of energy. No wonder Yeowhi hadn’t brought any visible luggage when they left…

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Yeowhi had just come along in his usual attire. A white shirt, gray pants, and a black robe over them. Though hanbok might seem unusual in modern society, it was common in the tiger clan, so Ryubeom was used to it. The robe that flowed to Yeowhi’s knees and fluttered elegantly suited him well.

“Did you get that pouch from Guil too?”

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“Yes, he gave it to me when I said I was leaving.”

The fox clan was known for their magical prowess, and they indeed had many fascinating items. Ryubeom marveled at the cream bread placed before him.

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But Yeowhi didn’t stop at one. He kept pulling out more and more bread—two, four, six—various types like chocolate cream, strawberry cream, and corn cream. Ryubeom was taken aback by the growing pile.

“We won’t eat that much.”

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“You never know, you might get hungrier.”

“We could just take out more when we need it… Won’t they go bad if left out too long? Does the magic pouch keep things refrigerated too?”

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“You’re being oddly practical all of a sudden.”

Yeohwi chuckled softly at Ryubeom’s curiosity about the magic pouch. It looked like Ryubeom was about to ask if it could also store things frozen.

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“Most of what you’re imagining is probably possible, so let’s start by eating, shall we?”

“Wow… The fox clan really has some amazing things.”

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Ryubeom muttered in admiration, and then marveled again as Yeowhi pulled a candle from the pouch and lit it with a simple gesture. More than the item itself, it was Yeowhi’s ability to light it with a flick of his hand that surprised him.

“I told you I wouldn’t be a burden. I know a few handy tricks.”

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Yeowhi’s gentle voice made Ryubeom nod absentmindedly. Ryubeom could bind ghosts and strengthen his body to break through walls, but he couldn’t light a candle with a gesture. He could only use his phone as a flashlight…

Suddenly, he felt grateful for Yeowhi’s company. Without him, getting to Hyojomyeon would have been much harder. Though he never imagined eating bread right after arriving, he moved his hands gratefully.

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The cream bread was rich and delicious. Cheon Ryubeom then realized he hadn’t had a proper meal all day. He hadn’t been able to eat before the family decision, and after arriving at Yeowhi’s house, they had prepared to leave immediately for Hyojomyeon. Realizing this, he felt a surge of hunger and took another bite, then another.

Suddenly, he noticed Yeowhi watching him intently. Despite pulling out so many breads, Yeowhi hadn’t opened a single one. Feeling awkward, Ryubeom wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and asked,

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“Aren’t you hungry?”

“Seeing you enjoy the food so much fills me up.”

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“…What a strange thing to say. Then why did you pull out so much?”

“I figured you might be really hungry.”

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“I told you, I won’t eat that much…”

“Don’t worry. The magic pouch has no limits.”

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“Don’t talk like you’re in a commercial.”

Ryubeom made a face. His suspicion that Yeowhi had a mischievous side was confirmed. As he stared at Yeowhi in disbelief, Yeowhi laughed aloud. Despite his gentle appearance, he had quite a playful side.

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However, the hunger that he had just become aware of was hard to ignore, and eventually, Ryubeom resumed eating the bread. Feeling self-conscious under Yeowhi’s gaze, he turned slightly to the side. Soon, a bottle of milk slid beside him. He found himself begrudgingly grateful for the magic pouch’s refrigeration capability.

After finishing the bread and milk, Yeowhi asked as if he had been waiting,

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“Would you like another?”

“…”

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“There are plenty of choices. Feel free to pick whatever you like. Or I can take out something else?”

Ryubeom glared at Yeowhi but couldn’t bring himself to say no. As he glanced at the variety of breads laid out, his eyes suddenly widened.

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The candle flickered.

“…?”

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There was no wind in this enclosed space, yet the flame moved significantly. As he turned to see if Yeowhi had caused it, he heard a loud clunk behind him. It wasn’t the sound of a window rattling from the wind.

It sounded more like a piece of furniture being moved.

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Realizing this, Cheon Ryubeom’s eyes shifted to those of a tiger, and a cold, sharp light gleamed from them. As he turned toward the source of the noise, another creak echoed from a different direction. It was the sound an old hinge might make.

Someone was opening a door.

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“Yeowhi, in this place…!”

“Shh.”

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As Yeowhi raised a finger to his lips, all sorts of noises erupted around them.

Thud! Thud! Thud! The drawers of the old, peeling four-drawer dresser flew out and slammed back in haphazardly, and the door inside the room creaked open and shut repeatedly. The noise was akin to nails scraping against a window.

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[Sniffle, sob, hic…]

A sound like someone crying and laughing simultaneously began to resonate eerily. The candle flame that had been casting a faint light around Ryubeom suddenly grew several times brighter, flickering wildly.

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His vision became disoriented. The spaces illuminated by the flame and those in shadow kept changing.

Ryubeom stood up, focusing his energy to survey the surroundings. But he couldn’t pinpoint any specific spot, his head turning rapidly. Then he noticed Yeohwi gazing down at the floor. Yeohwi didn’t seem particularly startled, which Ryubeom found both puzzling and reassuring. Following his gaze downwards, he saw…

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“What are you looking at…”

The bread bags on the floor were rustling.

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The bread Yeohwi had spread out was moving slightly, as if someone were stealthily opening the bags. Once Ryubeom confirmed that Yeohwi was also looking down, Yeohwi suddenly kicked one of the breads.

Thud! The bread flew to the other side of the room, quickly shrinking in size and showing bite marks.

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Something was eating the bread.

“…!”

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In the flickering light, Ryubeom could faintly make out the form of “it.” It was hunched over, making it hard to discern its exact shape, but Ryubeom’s eyes narrowed sharply. This must be the cause of the strange phenomena in Hyojomyeon. He had to capture it.

His determination turned the predatory light in his eyes a golden hue.

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“Bind…”

“Sir.”

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But Yeohwi interrupted Ryubeom before he could complete his incantation. Ryubeom was about to channel his energy into his outstretched hand, but Yeohwi gently grabbed it, lowering his hand. Ryubeom, tense and ready to react sharply, sighed as he took in the scene before him.

“It’s already gone.”

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“…Oh.”

Before Yeohwi had stopped him, or even before Ryubeom had uttered his spell, “it” had vanished without a trace. The room had returned to its original quiet state, the flame back to its normal size.

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“They specialize in escaping. The tiger’s energy is particularly sharp, so they notice it quickly.”

Yeohwi explained the situation. As soon as Ryubeom identified its shape, his vigilance surged, emitting a predator’s energy that “it” instantly detected and fled from. What Ryubeom saw in the end was merely an afterimage.

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He thought he could catch it…

Sighing, Ryubeom lowered his gaze. His eyes widened as he noticed the condition of the floor. Not only was the bread Yeohwi had kicked across the room reduced to crumbs, but the bread scattered around them had also disappeared, leaving only crumbs behind.

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“It” wasn’t alone.

There had been more right around him, and he hadn’t even noticed.

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“…”

The cold air of the abandoned house felt even more chilling on this rainy night. As Ryubeom stood quietly looking down, Yeohwi reached out and took his hand again.

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It was then that Ryubeom realized their hands were still touching from when Yeohwi had stopped his spell. The warmth of Yeohwi’s hand, which he only now fully registered, felt comforting, as if reassuring him. Ryubeom shook his head.

“I’m fine…”

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“I can take out more bread, so don’t be disheartened.”

“…”

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“I didn’t expect them to eat it all when I intentionally took out so much.”

Was this a joke or sincere?

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Ryubeom looked at him with a complex expression, then quickly pulled his hand away.

It was the first night in Hyojomyeon.

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The next day, Ryubeom woke up early.

He was startled awake the moment the faint morning sunlight streamed through the shabby window and brushed against his eyelids. It seemed he had dozed off without realizing it, sitting up against the wall.

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He had been on guard against “it” until the early hours of the morning, worried it might reappear, but Yeohwi had reassured him. Yeohwi had said it was unlikely to show up again after sensing the tiger’s energy.

And it was during that conversation that Ryubeom learned why Yeohwi had hurried to Hyojomyeon.

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“On nights with thick mist, the malevolent energy is strong, allowing me to obscure the tiger’s presence to some extent.”

Higher-level spirits or demons possess intelligence. They usually avoid clashing with strong beings and can keenly sense attempts to eradicate them, causing them to hide. Thus, Yeohwi had deliberately created the best conditions for “it” to appear.

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A rainy, misty night, an old abandoned house, and the act of eating with only a candle lit.

If Cheon Ryubeom had been informed in advance, he would have been on guard from the start, and “it” might not have appeared. In reality, these entities were so sensitive to energy that they fled before Ryubeom could complete his incantation. Given how quickly it acted without leaving a trace, it seemed more like a malevolent spirit than a yokai.

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Learning the truth, Ryubeom was relieved to have come with Yeohwi. Yeohwi had lived near Hyojomyeon in the past and was well aware of “it.” Not only did he have information, but he also understood the characteristics of spirits well, which was reassuring. The Fox Clan was known for specializing in dealing with spirits, which seemed to be true.

However, Ryubeom also felt a pang of concern. Although he had anticipated a challenging encounter from the start, it was disconcerting not to have been able to properly see its form or sense its presence despite multiple appearances.

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Having steeled himself through the early morning, Ryubeom began to calmly review the situation. The sudden rattling drawers and the shaking door resembled the phenomenon known as “poltergeist.” But it went beyond merely moving objects to actually consuming food…

As he racked his brain to recall the familiar characteristics, he had fallen asleep. Still groggy from fatigue, Ryubeom blinked absently and then noticed the coat draped over him.

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“A robe…”

He had noticed a clear, pleasant scent, thinking it was just the morning air, but it was coming from the robe Yeohwi had covered him with. Feeling slightly unfamiliar, Ryubeom fiddled with the robe before hastily putting it aside and standing up.

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He didn’t want to get used to this warmth. Moreover, the awkward distance of being cared for by someone else felt strange.

As soon as he set aside the robe, the chill air against his skin felt sharp, but Ryubeom deliberately took a deep breath. Only after the cool morning air filled his entire body did he feel fully awake. Letting out a short sigh, Ryubeom moved. He needed to return Yeohwi’s coat.

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Stepping outside, he found Yeohwi sitting on the porch.

“Yeo…”

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Ryubeom started to call out to him but stopped. Under the softly streaming sunlight, the ends of Yeohwi’s black hair glistened transparently. As a light breeze blew, his hair fluttered, revealing his finely sculpted side profile, and Ryubeom couldn’t look away for a moment. Though he thought he had gotten used to Yeohwi’s appearance, there were times when his beauty felt overwhelming, making the situation seem unreal.

Yeohwi’s eyes were softly smiling as he gazed down at something, and his hand was gently stroking the head of… Wait a moment.

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“A fox…?”

There was a fox on the porch receiving Yeohwi’s caresses. Ryubeom, startled, exclaimed, and the fox quickly disappeared. Following its swift retreat with his eyes, he soon heard Yeohwi’s cheerful greeting.

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“Oh, sir, you’re up?”

“Yeah. But just now, there was a fox…?”

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“I happened to come across it. It must have come from the mountain just ahead.”

Yeohwi’s casual reply made Ryubeom blink. It wasn’t surprising for a fox to appear in Hyojomyeon, a village spread wide including mountains. And it wasn’t unusual for a fox to approach a fox spirit.

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‘But it seemed like that fox had multiple tails…’

He hadn’t counted the tails, but maybe he was just seeing things after just waking up? And it seemed like its fur was white. As Ryubeom stared blankly in the direction the fox had disappeared, Yeohwi stepped closer. His face filled Ryubeom’s vision in an instant, too close for comfort.

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Ryubeom flinched and took a half step back, but Yeohwi gently cupped his face with his hands.

“You look very tired. Didn’t you get any proper sleep? It’s still early morning, so why don’t you rest a bit more? If you need anything, you can just take it from your pocket…”

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“Oh, no. I’m really fine.”

Feeling a sudden rush of awkwardness, Ryubeom quickly took a few more steps back. Then, he hurriedly thrust out what he was holding in his hands, as if trying to keep Yeohwi at a distance.

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“Here, I’m returning this. Thanks.”

Ryubeom’s gratitude sounded somewhat robotic. He glanced around again. The dense fog from the previous night had largely dissipated, and now that it was daylight, it was time to search the village for traces of the malevolent spirit.

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“Let’s get moving. Ah, wait. I can handle the investigation alone, so if you’re tired, Yeohwi, you should rest…”

“You always try to distance yourself from me whenever you get the chance, even though I covered you with my coat.”

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Ryubeom froze at the hint of disappointment in Yeohwi’s voice. What he thought was consideration might have come across as drawing a line to the other person. As Ryubeom hesitated, opening and closing his lips without saying anything, Yeohwi stepped forward with a gentle smile.

“We came here together, so let’s move together.”

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With the distance between them naturally closing again, Ryubeom found himself unable to protest. He felt like he was constantly getting drawn into Yeohwi’s rhythm as he prepared to head out.

Hyojomyeon was gradually coming to life with the morning.

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The village, which had seemed deserted the night before, was now buzzing with activity. The sounds of vehicles, animals, and various morning commotions were everywhere. As they walked further in, Ryubeom murmured in amazement at the bustling scene.

“Do people really continue living here despite the nightly disturbances…?”

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“No, most of the residents don’t go out at night, so they rarely encounter it.”

“So, it’s okay as long as it’s not nighttime?”

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“Yes, although it does occasionally appear during the day, it’s much less frequent than at night.”

Yeohwi shrugged lightly as he spoke.

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“It’s very perceptive, so it particularly harasses those who come to get rid of it. But it wisely avoids powerful beings like tiger spirits.”

“So, it tries to chase away anyone weaker than itself.”

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“Exactly. But I’ve heard that it doesn’t bother ordinary residents much. They say that if you offer some food, it eats and then leaves quietly.”

“Still, living here must be quite unsettling…”

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Even though Cheon Ryubeom had spent the previous night in the place where the disturbances occurred, he was there with a purpose: to investigate. He was used to dealing with spirits and demons.

Despite his familiarity with such entities, he wasn’t sure he could live here. The fact that there were quite a few people out in Hyojomyeon’s morning scene fascinated him. There were not only ordinary humans but also many beastfolk. Even if they hadn’t experienced last night’s disturbances, everyone knew about “it”…

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“It’s because money is more terrifying these days.”

“Oh.”

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Ryubeom sighed. Due to the strange phenomena, property prices in Hyojomyeon were extremely low, which allowed the village to continue existing. Some people couldn’t leave due to their circumstances, while others moved in because they couldn’t afford to live elsewhere.

“Capitalism that even ghosts can’t beat…”

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At Ryubeom’s quiet remark, Yeohwi burst into laughter. Surprised by the unexpected moment of humor, he covered his face with his hand, chuckling, while Ryubeom stared at him, bewildered.

Cheon Ryubeom often made blunt, honest remarks with a calm expression, completely unaware of how funny they were. His puzzled reaction only made Yeohwi laugh harder. After a while, Yeohwi finally calmed down and took a deep breath.

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“Phew, shall we start the search now?”

Although Yeohwi’s voice still carried traces of laughter, Ryubeom nodded. They were here to search, after all, and the first thing they needed to do was track down “its” presence.

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The night before, Ryubeom hadn’t seen it vanish from the abandoned house, but he felt a sudden shift in the air towards the north. He had immediately gone outside to investigate, but the deep night and thick fog made it impossible to find any traces. So now, with daylight, Ryubeom walked northward, looking around.

“It’s hard to see anything…”

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However, despite his expectations, it was difficult to find any traces of it. Given that it caused so much trouble across the entire Hyojomyeon, there should have been significant signs of its presence, yet there were none. It seemed that, just as Yeohwi had said, these entities were indeed specialized in hiding.

Eventually, Ryubeom decided to change his approach and talk to the residents. Yeohwi agreed that it was a good idea, but they encountered an unexpected reaction.

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“Are you here to film another video? Ugh, what a nuisance!”

“Stop coming here already. Tsk, just when things seemed to quiet down…”

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As soon as they asked the residents about the strange phenomena, everyone showed expressions of annoyance. They sighed, clicked their tongues, and some even gave them openly hostile looks.

Ryubeom, taken aback, wondered what the ‘videos’ they mentioned were about, then sighed briefly. He took out his phone, opened a popular video platform, and searched for Hyojomyeon.

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Within seconds, related videos appeared in a list.

[Actual Footage] Experiencing the infamous ‘Hyojomyeon’… #ScaryMoments #AlmostCried

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[Warning: Loud] Horror special in December!? Taking a scaredy-cat friend to Hyojomyeon LOL

Hyojomyeon = Whole village is a horror experience 😱 We’ll go anywhere you suggest! ★Like & Subscribe★

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Reading the flashy titles of videos clearly designed to grab attention, Cheon Ryubeom’s face finally showed a look of dismay.

“Capitalism that even beats ghosts…”

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Not only personal channels but even broadcasting companies have posted videos with shamans visiting Hyojomyeon. Although the total number of videos is not large, two to three new ones have been uploaded steadily every year.

Cheon Ryubeom, having been preoccupied with adapting to his family, lived a life detached from human culture. Due to the belief that an incompetent tiger could not be presented as a member of the family, his outings were restricted, resulting in his limited knowledge of the outside world. With only minimal knowledge, he could not have predicted the existence of such videos.

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It was both fascinating and somewhat disheartening that even bizarre phenomena were being filmed and promoted. He wondered if it would have been easier to address Hyojomyeon’s issues had he investigated this way from the beginning.

“Does this mean we can search for other Saguido phenomena too…?”

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Despite finding a surprisingly positive direction, he muttered to himself, but Yeowhi shook his head.

“Other problems are more widespread and some areas are completely off-limits. Hyojomyeon isn’t heavily restricted because there haven’t been major casualties, so it’s relatively easier to visit.”

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“Oh…”

“And I doubt these videos contain any significant information…”

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As Yeowhi suggested, a brief look at the videos revealed that most were just about experiencing fear. The content was mainly about entering empty houses in Hyojomyeon, getting startled by noises like doors opening and closing, and leaving. Videos with shamans ended with them walking around and then leaving after ‘taking measures to suppress the eerie atmosphere’.

Ryubeom’s expression showed a strange curiosity as he skimmed through the videos.

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“The phenomena in the videos seem surprisingly mild.”

Last night, the door shook as if it would break off, drawers rattled as if they would fall apart, candles flickered violently in a windless room, and there were continuous strange sounds. In comparison, the videos were relatively quiet.

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In the most recent video, a man was climbing a mountain at night, saying he wanted to show his subscribers Hyojomyeon. After resting halfway up, he entered a building that looked like an emergency shelter, and with a loud noise, the door closed before he could. The trees around the shelter shook, casting chaotic shadows, and the man panicked and fled through a window, screaming as he ran down the mountain for about 2-3 minutes. Watching this chaotic scene, Ryubeom was puzzled.

“It doesn’t look like the door closed because of the wind.”

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The direction in which the trees shook matched the direction in which the door closed. And there was no further disturbance inside the shelter until the man escaped through the window. If ‘it’ had appeared, drawers inside the shelter should have been rattling and the door opening and closing repeatedly.

Other videos were similar. Although they didn’t seem to be caused by the wind, the phenomena recorded were just drawers shaking briefly or knocking sounds.

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Yeowhi, who was also watching the videos, nodded.

“It seems to have gotten worse recently. Compared to what I heard before.”

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Yeowhi thought the evil spirits were more active last night because the environment was favorable for them. Although there might be some influence, Ryubeom recalled what a resident had said earlier.

“The residents mentioned that fewer people have been coming to film recently…”

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Looking at the list of videos, the most recent one was from six months ago, the one with the man escaping the mountain shelter. There had been no new videos about Hyojomyeon since then. Perhaps ordinary people instinctively felt the change in the atmosphere and avoided coming here. Ryubeom pondered this as he looked around.

Although it was best to hear directly from the residents, given the hostile stares he had received before, the chances of getting a positive response were low. They already seemed to view him as an outsider recklessly coming to film videos for entertainment, treating a place where people lived as a source of amusement.

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“If I say I’m investigating for my family… no, I shouldn’t…”

Ryubeom muttered. Introducing himself as a member of the tiger family might gain some trust from ordinary people, but he hesitated to mention it. If problems arose after revealing himself as part of the Cheon family, the family would be very displeased. He had received no token when he left the family, which implied that he shouldn’t easily reveal his affiliation.

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Feeling a bit dejected, Ryubeom soon shook his head. Three years ago, there had been a broadcast about Hyojomyeon on public TV. Although a brief look earlier had revealed no significant information, it was more credible than personal broadcasts and might yield some insights if examined thoroughly from the start.

As Ryubeom resolved to strengthen his determination, Yeowhi, who had been watching him silently, suddenly walked off somewhere.

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“Where are you going?”

Ryubeom followed, puzzled, as Yeowhi walked briskly without answering. Could he have connections from living near Hyojomyeon in the past?

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However, Yeowhi stopped at an unexpected place.

“You’re here to buy land…?”

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Yeowhi entered a real estate office and abruptly announced he was there to buy land. The middle-aged manager and young employee looked at him as if he was speaking nonsense, but they stood up in surprise when Yeowhi handed them a business card. Ryubeom glanced at the card.

Hn.Ent. CEO, Guil

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…Guil was the CEO of an entertainment company? And can you just hand out business cards like that? While Ryubeom was silently amazed, Yeowhi continued his conversation. He didn’t seem to be acting on a whim; he spoke sincerely about needing the land.

He explained that his company was collaborating with a resort company to create a new tourist destination and that he liked Hyojomyeon after looking around. Although his story was somewhat strange, his confident demeanor made the manager and employee listen seriously. Ryubeom thought his appearance probably helped too.

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After his story ended, the manager cautiously asked,

“Are you aware of the disturbances in our village?”

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“Yes. That’s why I want to know the exact origin.”

“…What origin are you talking about?”

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“Where the first incident occurred. It’s happening all over Hyojomyeon now, but it didn’t start this way, did it?”

Yeowhi tilted his head as he spoke, and the manager and employee exchanged uneasy glances. They seemed to be father and daughter based on their similar appearance. The manager soon asked again.

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“Why are you looking for that…?”

“I thought maybe we could get rid of it by addressing the origin. There are cases where buildings said to be haunted were demolished, and new ones built, and the hauntings stopped.”

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“Oh! Physical exorcism…!”

When the employee gasped in surprise, the manager smacked her back lightly, telling her to stop making a fuss. Then, the two retreated to a back room in the office to have a private conversation.

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“What’s this about suddenly wanting to buy land here? Did they really see the phenomena?”

“Since it’s the Fox family, it should be okay, right?”

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“Yeah, they have uncanny knowledge about ghosts… maybe because they produce gumiho.”

“Oh, please don’t make weird jokes. It’s not funny at all.”

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Although they tried to speak as quietly as possible, unfortunately, Cheon Ryubeom heard everything. He caught every word, including their suspicions about whether they were playing a prank and their certainty that, judging by appearances, they were indeed from the Fox family.

He wondered if Yeowhi heard it too, but Yeowhi just smiled as if to say he did a good job. It was clear that this was all to gather information for Ryubeom.

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Asking the real estate agents was indeed more accurate than questioning the residents one by one. These agents would know the area better than anyone else.

Ryubeom sighed and asked, “Is it really okay to use that…?”

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“Guil’s business card? It’s not like we’re actually going to buy anything. And even if we did, Guil has plenty of money.”

“I meant, is it okay to expose our family like this? The moment you showed Guil’s card, it linked us to the Fox family…”

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“Does the family’s reputation hinge on the actions of one member? It doesn’t seem like a big deal.”

Ryubeom’s lips parted slightly at Yeowhi’s light-hearted response. A family not shaken by the actions of a single member. It seemed like an obvious statement, yet it felt foreign, contrasting starkly with Ryubeom’s own thoughts just moments ago.

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Soon, the manager and employee, having finished their conversation, returned. Having overheard their entire discussion, Ryubeom could predict their response. They had been talking about the decreasing number of visitors and the need to sell as much land as possible while they could. Thus, they were sure to…

“This isn’t something we usually discuss…”

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“But since you’re a fox shapeshifter, we thought you might understand. You know, right?”

As expected, they began talking about ‘it’. When Yeowhi smiled and nodded at the employee’s words, the manager and employee exchanged glances before the manager continued.

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“I don’t know the exact details since it was so long ago, but a very skilled shaman visited here. That was about ten-some years ago, when rumors of strange phenomena first started… It was around the time a big fire broke out at the villa on the front mountain.”

“The villa on the front mountain?”

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“Yes, yes. We thought there were no victims… but the shaman told us otherwise.”

Recalling the event seemed to make the manager tense, and he spoke with a stern expression.

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“They said a child who died in that fire became a ghost.”

“…”

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“They said the child couldn’t find the way to the afterlife and was wandering around, becoming an evil spirit…”