TGHD Ch 22

During the scolding, it was revealed that Saerok had gone to Mansagul even on rainy days, which earned her a reprimand from the man as well.

Her intention was to argue that, since she hadn’t encountered any ghosts even in the rain, the Mansagul rumors were just baseless. However, her parents were not swayed by this. Regardless of whether the Imugi or the mountain caretaker ghost were just urban legends, her parents naturally didn’t want their only daughter taking unnecessary risks.

Ryubeom, too, thought her actions were reckless. No wonder she knew the path to the cave was restricted on rainy days…

As Ilok and Jimyo approached and realized what all the fuss was about, they shook their heads knowingly. Saerok pulling off such stunts wasn’t surprising to them. Only Ilok seemed to have come to a realization, nodding thoughtfully.

“So, Ryubeom, you came all this way to help out because you were interested in Mansagul?”

“Well, not exactly…”

“Oh, don’t worry! I’m not calling you out. I’m just grateful you’re helping out with the orchard while also checking out Mansagul, haha. It’d be great if you found something interesting there, but honestly, it’s just a place full of rumors.”

Ilok waved both hands, trying to reassure Ryubeom, who was a bit embarrassed. Ilok even seemed apologetic, as if he felt bad that Mansagul probably wouldn’t meet Ryubeom’s expectations. Having grown up here before moving to the city for work, Ilok was well aware of the Mansagul ghost stories too.

Jimyo, who had been sympathizing, suddenly lit up with an idea.

“Oh, I just remembered! There’s a pond inside Mansagul that’s said to show you what you desire. How about we check that out?”

Mansagul, while small and tucked away in a remote corner, was still regularly visited by people because of that pond.

The pond, although it appeared shallow, was actually quite deep. It wasn’t clear if the water came from the sea or some other source, but the mystery intrigued people. The legend claimed that if you stared into the pond long enough, it would reflect your desired or dreamed image. That’s what drew people in, and eventually led to sightings of a giant snake’s shadow, snake sounds, and even the discovery of a body—all contributing to the spread of the ghost stories. Ryubeom was already aware of the pond.

Jimyo cheerfully exclaimed, “Let’s all go together!”

“I’ve never seen anything there myself, but this time, I might!” Ilok chimed in, suggesting they could all visit the place in the next day or two. Saerok showed interest too, but Ryubeom shook his head.

“Oh, I have something specific I need to check on, so I’ll go separately.”

Ryubeom wasn’t interested in sightseeing—he was there to confirm the existence of the Imugi. While he could visit with them and return later, he had to be cautious. The Imugi might sense his tiger energy and attack, and it would be dangerous if his companions got hurt.

Mansagul was a more confined space compared to Hyojomyeon or the Han River, and the cave itself limited movement, making it riskier. The recent violent storm wasn’t a good omen either…

However, Ryubeom’s refusal seemed to mean something else to them.

“Oh, I see. Ryubeom, you want to keep your wish secret, huh?” Jimyo teased, nudging Ryubeom in the ribs with her elbow. Ryubeom hesitated, unsure if he should be grateful they didn’t take his rejection the wrong way or if he should clear up the misunderstanding. Ilok, smiling in a similar way to Jimyo, added,

“I can’t even imagine what Ryubeom would wish for. It feels like he already has everything. He controls spiritual energy so well, enough to perfect his human transformation, and he’s super strong…”

“Ilok, you’re just jealous of his strength, aren’t you?”

“Can you please just be quiet?”

Saerok narrowed her eyes, and Ilok groaned in protest. Meanwhile, Ilok’s parents, overhearing the conversation, misunderstood and suddenly shouted from the back where they were clearing trees.

“Our Ilok has such majestic antlers!”

“Exactly! What’s wrong with not being able to fully transform? It’s even cooler that way!”

The unexpected compliments made Jimyo and Saerok burst out laughing, while Ilok, taken aback, turned bright red and yelled in protest, insisting they stop treating him like a child.

Ryubeom, silently watching, chuckled softly.

“Desired image…”

In truth, Cheon Ryubeom wasn’t concerned about what might appear in the pond; his only focus was figuring out how to detect the Imugi’s presence. But for a brief moment, he found himself wondering… and quickly squashed the thought. It was too obvious. He didn’t want to dwell on it.

Ryubeom slowly looked up at the sky. The afternoon sun was beginning to set, casting an ever-lengthening shadow behind him.

***

A few hours later.

The reinforcement work in the orchard was finished just as the sun began to set. In five hours, they had accomplished as much as Saerok and the couple had managed to do over the past five days. If they kept up this pace, they could complete all the orchard work within a few days. The one who deserved the most credit for this success was, of course, Cheon Ryubeom.

Ilok’s family was extremely grateful to him and wanted to treat him to a hearty dinner, but Ryubeom declined. He said he wasn’t feeling well and needed to walk for a bit, so they should eat without him.

Naturally, Cheon Ryubeom headed straight for Mansagul after leaving the house.

Originally, he had planned to search the area the following day during daylight. Since spiritual energy strengthens in the dark, he had intended to investigate when the sun was at its peak. However, on a whim, he decided to climb the mountain at night instead. His reason for this sudden change was nothing significant.

He simply felt a little uncomfortable—just a little bit—with the group.

Cheon Ryubeom believed the discomfort came from being unfamiliar with meeting other Suin and finding it awkward to converse with more outgoing people. He thought searching for traces of a spirit at Mansagul would be more familiar and comforting.

Unfortunately, his plan hit an obstacle.

“Hey, park it over there!”

“Pull the rope tight!”

The path leading to Mansagul was blocked. It seemed a part of the mountain had collapsed due to the storm a few days ago, and fences with warning signs were being set up in several places, marking it as dangerous. Ryubeom scanned the scene with a surprised look.

If there hadn’t been any humans around, he would have simply passed the fence, but with several people scattered around working, he couldn’t sneak through.

“I guess I’ll have to come back tomorrow after they finish putting up the fences…”

Ryubeom, a model citizen, turned away from the area without a second thought. For someone heading into danger, signs warning of it were like guideposts showing he was on the right track.

Night fell a little earlier in the mountains. As the path quickly darkened, Ryubeom strode down the trail, only to suddenly come to a halt when the sight of the night sea filled his vision.

Shhh…

The wind, blowing from the direction of the sea, carried the sound of crashing waves. It hit him hard, like waves breaking on the shore, filling the air with the scent of the sea. Ryubeom struggled to ignore the memories that threatened to bubble up, like foam from the waves.

The dark night sea overlapped with the shining midday sea he once gazed upon long ago. He faintly recalled walking toward the ocean, warmth in both hands.

“Hoo…”

Ryubeom let out a deep breath and pressed his hand against his eyes. He recalled what Cheon Hoyeon had told him back home: “Be cautious, as evil spirits can slip through the cracks in your heart.” Even after hearing such stern advice, here he was, lost in his thoughts. He shouldn’t allow himself to be so distracted.

He reminded himself that he had come to search Mansagul. He had to focus on the task at hand. Repeating this like a mantra, Ryubeom finally lowered his hand.

But just then, Ryubeom was startled.

“What happened for our young master to have such a face?”

Yeohwi stood right in front of him.

Having been completely unaware of Yeohwi’s approach, Ryubeom was so flustered that he stammered. All the composure he’d just regained was gone in an instant.

“When did you get here? And how did you know I was here…?”

“I just arrived. And we’ve become so close—how could I not know where you’d be?”

Yeohwi smiled as he spoke, explaining that he had barely shaken off Guil to get here. Ryubeom blinked slowly, wondering if Yeohwi had contacted Ilok after arriving on Jeju Island. But Ryubeom hadn’t mentioned Mansagul to Ilok, so perhaps Yeohwi had predicted he would begin his search from Sagwido and found him here instead.

Whatever the reason, Ryubeom was glad that Yeohwi had come straight to find him. Maybe being with lively people had drained him more than he realized. Now that Yeohwi was here, Ryubeom felt oddly relieved. It was strange to feel so at ease just because he’d met someone.

As he remained silent, just moving his lips, Yeohwi asked in a concerned tone, “Did someone bother you, young master?”

But the question was so absurd that Ryubeom let out a small laugh. Yeohwi surely knew whom he’d spent the day with—other Suin. Besides, a tiger Suin wasn’t someone you could easily bother. If anything, Ryubeom was more likely to be the one causing trouble among his own kind.

“Why? Are you planning to send him to a different school like the kid who bullied the triplets?”

“Aha, should we look into some options? I don’t know who it is, but we can prepare…”

“No, it was just a suggestion. Where exactly are you planning to send him?”

“There are many places in the world where he could go.”

“Why are you talking about it so dangerously?”

Ryubeom let out a hollow laugh and shook his head. He had just wanted to lighten the mood with some playful banter, but his counterpart was no pushover.

“Anyway, you came at a good time. I was just thinking about you.”

“You were thinking about me?”

Yeohwi’s eyes widened in surprise. He seemed genuinely taken aback but then smiled beautifully, narrowing his eyes with delight. It was a satisfied smile.

“What were you thinking about?”

“I was wondering if we would be able to train today. Since we’ve been doing it every day, it has become a habit, and…”

“…”

“So I was thinking, could we train today too? The Imugi in Mansagul seems to be using mental spells, so we need to be more prepared… Huh? Why do you have that expression?”

As Ryubeom was speaking, he stared blankly at Yeohwi. For some reason, it felt like he had seen that kind of expression before. Even without a festival this time, what was going on? Ryubeom rolled his eyes in confusion, and Yeohwi let out a soft sigh.

“…I think it’s really hard to hear your story, sir.”

“Huh? But I’m talking right now, aren’t I?”

“It’s fine.”

Yeohwi shook his head. Seeing his bemused, soft laugh, Ryubeom blinked and replayed his earlier words in his mind.

There was a time when Ryubeom had told Yeohwi that it must be tiring to train him every day and that it would be fine to train just once in a while. Yeohwi had replied that it wasn’t a burden at all, as he was just using a pre-made virtual space. All he had to do was select the yokai to use at the training site and set up the day’s mission—nothing more.

Even though Yeohwi explained it as if it were a simple task, Ryubeom couldn’t quite relate. Still, at that time, Yeohwi had assured him there was no need to worry and handed him some medicine, saying it would just make the training field feel a bit larger, nothing special…

So when Ryubeom asked to train now, he wondered if it was too much to request right after arriving in Jeju, even though it was supposedly easy. Reflecting on his words, he cautiously apologized.

“Sorry. I think I misspoke. You must be tired, Yeohwi, so asking right after we arrived…”

“No, I’m not particularly tired. But didn’t you help with the orchard work today, sir?”

Shaking his head, Yeohwi insisted he was fine but asked whether Ryubeom was the one who might be tired. His gaze made Ryubeom feel like he was being looked at as if he were a workaholic, so he just rolled his eyes.

In truth, Cheon Ryubeom had been busy all morning. Starting with clearing the tree in front of Ilok’s house, fixing a collapsed stone wall, and working on reinforcing the orchard for half a day. While none of it was physically exhausting, it was true that he hadn’t taken proper breaks. He even skipped dinner…

Still, Ryubeom wanted to focus on Sagwido. He made the excuse that the Imugi this time seemed to read minds, so he felt it necessary to prepare.

“…I think the Imugi’s power has grown recently. The orchard is quite far from Mansagul, but it still suffered damage from the storm. So, I think I need to prepare as much as possible.”

Ryubeom calmly explained as he reached out his hand.

“If it’s okay, can I take the medicine now?”

Yeohwi silently looked at Cheon Ryubeom. His tone was calm, but somehow, he seemed like he was being chased, and there was a compulsive air about how he was trying to distract himself. Staring quietly at Ryubeom, who was reciting his excuses, Yeohwi slowly lowered his gaze.

As he looked down at the hand asking for the medicine, a fleeting, strange emotion crossed his dark eyes, but soon after, he smiled gently.

“If that’s what you want, sir.”

***

In a dim space with no sunlight.

Cheon Ryubeom walked quietly down a dreary road where even the shadows were faint. The sky, darkened and monochrome like one would see in the late evening of a heavily overcast day, had become a familiar sight. The sky in Yeohwi’s space was always like this.

A delicate, chilling space that had faded entirely to shades of gray.

Though one might find this space frightening, especially with the occasional eerie wails that echoed through it, Ryubeom thought he was rather comfortable here. He even felt like this was where he truly belonged.

Today’s training was a variation of the maze from the first training with the egg ghost.

Disguised, Ryubeom was tasked with approaching the egg ghost and casting a mental hypnosis spell to make it guide him out of the maze. This mission, which involved using mental strength to hypnotize and control others, was said to also help improve Ryubeom’s mental capacity.

Although Ryubeom had never succeeded in completing the mission, he had been training diligently and gradually improving, which led to the promise of learning more advanced mental spells.

However, before the training began, Yeohwi had given him a serious warning.

“Never intimidate them with force.”

Yeohwi had stressed that he shouldn’t just beat the egg ghost with a sword. He even mentioned how a ghost Ryubeom had slapped before still appeared before him with a sorrowful face. Ryubeom had almost argued, “But the egg ghost doesn’t even have a face…” but held it back and simply nodded. He wondered what kind of image Yeohwi had of him, but couldn’t deny that it wasn’t entirely wrong.

Keeping Yeohwi’s advice in mind, Ryubeom followed the egg ghost. He found it easily near the entrance of the maze, and although he struggled with the hypnosis spell, he fortunately succeeded in less than an hour.

However, perhaps because the hypnosis wasn’t perfect, the egg ghost kept leading him in strange directions. At one point, it even tried to rush into a wall.

“Is this the right way…?”

Cheon Ryubeom followed, feeling confused. When they hit a dead end, he remembered Yeohwi’s advice to reapply the hypnosis, so he quickly drew a new spell formation. Fortunately, the egg ghost then led him in a different direction, away from the dead end. Yet, having already gotten lost a couple of times, Ryubeom couldn’t shake the feeling that he was still going the wrong way.

The sense of being lost was overwhelming.

In truth, it was a simple mission—just follow the egg ghost—but Ryubeom found it extremely difficult. Hypnosis wasn’t something that ended after the initial spell; he had to constantly control the ghost’s mind, making it feel like a continuous struggle as he walked.

Since the mental spell was much more complex than usual, Ryubeom needed to concentrate, but his thoughts kept drifting elsewhere. While he realized how difficult mental magic was because it required constant focus, being lost in the maze added to his frustration. Even though it was his first time learning hypnosis, and it was natural for it to be clumsy, sudden bursts of frustration surged within him.

All he had to do was follow, so why couldn’t he focus? How could he manage more difficult tasks in the future if he was already getting lost on something so simple? He even began to think it would be easier to train by physically getting hurt, as his thoughts continued to spiral deeper. Ryubeom shook his head wearily.

“I need to focus on the training. I know I’m not good at it, so I’ve been trying to practice steadily, but if I can’t even manage this…”

“You’re nothing, just a tiger cub.”

Suddenly, a sharp voice laced with mockery pierced his ears. Ryubeom flinched and looked up, only to be met with a stunned expression. From the other end of the maze, darkness came crashing down like waves.

The waves were so high that they seemed to cover the sky. Faces, smeared and distorted, began emerging from the sticky, oily darkness, one after another. They sneered at Ryubeom.

[Heh, you’re lost, aren’t you?]

[A weak little tiger cub should just die…]

Changgui.

“Oh…”

Is this real? Or is it another ghost created for the maze? But Yeohwi hadn’t mentioned using Changgui for this training…

Could it be that the void in his heart had summoned them?

While he was worrying about the future battle with the Imugi, he hadn’t paid enough attention to the present moment. Seeing the Changgui filling his vision, Ryubeom could only let out a soft sigh. Normally, he would have run, but now he stood frozen in place.

Was it because he was paralyzed by fear, or was he hoping, just like that day in the past, for his mother to come to his aid? Or perhaps… did he think that his own weakness deserved punishment?

“I’ll tear off your skin…!”

Ryubeom, still staring blankly at the advancing Changgui, suddenly saw a rush of red light enveloping his body. A sensation of warmth covered his eyes as he felt himself being forcibly lifted upward. Someone had covered his eyes with their hands from behind.

“I knew from the start that the training was just an excuse…”

Yeohwi’s quiet muttering reached Ryubeom’s ears, making him flinch. Then Yeohwi chanted an exorcism spell, and only after the Changgui’s screams disappeared did the warmth over his eyes fade away.

“No matter what, isn’t it a bit too much to not even try to avoid the Changgui?”

Before Ryubeom knew it, the maze had disappeared, and a night sea bathed in bright moonlight filled his view. The sight felt strangely distant, and Ryubeom slowly turned to face Yeohwi.

Yeohwi spoke with a hint of disbelief. Being on an island and in the mountains meant the area was full of wandering spirits. Unfortunately, the Changgui had somehow gotten tangled in the training field. Yeohwi had been watching from a distance but stepped in when he saw Ryubeom make no effort to react.

As Yeohwi continued speaking, he met Ryubeom’s eyes and fell silent. His face was pale, much too pale to be just from his encounter with the Changgui; in fact, he hadn’t looked well even before entering the maze.

A firm hand tapped Ryubeom’s eye lightly before carefully stroking his cheek.

“What could have happened for you to make such a sorrowful face?”

“No, nothing happened…”

Ryubeom flinched at the soft touch. Without even realizing what kind of expression he was making, he panicked at how close they were and tried to pull back, but Yeohwi held his face a little more firmly.

“You’re making the same face you did when we were at the Han River. Don’t lie.”

“…”

“Why? Did seeing Ilok’s family today remind you of the past?”

Cheon Ryubeom froze. He wanted to deny it reflexively, to say nothing had happened, but no sound came from his parted lips. He opened and closed his mouth several times before finally biting his lower lip hard.

…Yes, Yeohwi was right.

When Ryubeom was young, he had lived by the sea with his parents. The moment they arrived on the island, memories of the past resurfaced, but he had deliberately suppressed them. He didn’t want to leave himself vulnerable by clinging to something that had happened over a decade ago.

But unfortunately, really unfortunately… Ilok’s home resembled his old one, and the peaceful sight of the family stirred something deep in his heart. Perhaps it was because Ilok’s mother was a Suin and his father a human, much like his own family.

Although they looked nothing alike, watching the family love and care for each other made his heart churn so much that he couldn’t stand being there. Despite his efforts to escape the emotions and avoid being trapped by past memories, Ryubeom had finally been caught in their grasp.

The weight of those memories dragged him down like a heavy chain tied to his ankle.

Memories of the beach with his parents came flooding back unexpectedly. Although they had moved frequently, they usually lived inland in places like the outskirts of cities or mountain villages; the only time they lived by the sea was back then. They hadn’t even lived there for half a year, but those memories were intensely vivid for Cheon Ryubeom.

It was the first time he’d ever seen the sea, and it was also a place his mother particularly loved. She smiled more often than usual there, and even played in the water with young Ryubeom. It was there that Ryubeom realized he could swim well.

As Ryubeom marveled at the surface of the water glistening in the sunlight, his mother smiled and suggested, “Shall we try to catch the sunlight together?”

That memory of them cupping seawater in their hands, watching it sparkle, was etched brightly in his heart.

Maybe it was because he hadn’t been to the sea since then. He’d barely gone out at all since joining his clan, so it was his first time seeing the ocean in over ten years since leaving his family’s home.

At first, he was simply glad to see the sea again. But as he watched Ilok’s family, his heart began to stir. Was it ugly jealousy, longing for family, or guilt…?

The guilt of not yet recovering his father’s remains or spirit clung to him stubbornly. He was slowly closing in on his goal by sealing each Sagwido, and though he felt joy in that progress, he was strangely melancholy today.

Was it because he realized that, even at the end of this path, he would still be alone? Even after sealing all the Sagwidos, there would still be a mountain of things left to do. The thought of facing all that alone already made him feel bitter.

To focus on reality, Ryubeom deliberately suppressed his emotions. He avoided dinner and wandered outside, trying to distract himself. But no matter what he did, his mind kept returning to the moment he saw Ilok’s family in that house. His thoughts spun around and around, always leading back to that place, as if pinned down.

Finally, a worn-out Cheon Ryubeom let his emotions spill.

“…Yes. That house reminded me of the one I used to live in with my parents, and that’s why…”

Ryubeom had never confided in anyone about this before. Not only his feelings but also his family history; he’d never shared it with anyone. The clan wasn’t a place where such stories could be told—stories no one would want to hear and would likely despise.

So he’d always kept it buried, thinking he’d gotten used to it. But maybe he’d been mistaken. Perhaps his heart was more open after confiding in Yeohwi once before. And Yeohwi had even seen him, trapped in a hallucination under the Han River, calling out for his father.

“My mother was a Suin, and my father was human. Maybe seeing that couple reminded me of the past. I can’t go back, no matter how much I miss it… The only thing I can do, or rather, the only thing left for me to do, is to find my late father’s spirit…”

His story spilled out in disjointed sentences. This was the first time he was opening up about his family to someone, and the unfamiliar situation made him unsure of what to say. He simply followed his emotions, speaking haphazardly and without order.

Yet Yeohwi listened quietly, without interrupting or urging him on. Perhaps it was that calm response that led Ryubeom to reveal even the story he’d kept hidden.

The true reason he traveled, closing Sagwido, which he had been too ashamed to share.

Speaking with a subdued tone, Ryubeom recounted how his parents had been killed in an evil spirit attack when he was young. The clan had refused to retrieve his father’s body, disapproving of his mother’s choice to marry a human after fleeing the clan.

“They said that if I could prove my worth as a clan member, they’d help me find my father. But I still haven’t managed to do that. I’ve failed the clan’s tests time and again, and I even messed up an important meeting with humans last time…”

“…”

“I was almost expelled from the clan, but then they gave me one last chance: to close the Sagwido. They promised that if I succeeded, they’d help me find my father and even let me join the Great Tiger House… Ha, I should be focusing on eliminating the Imugi right now, but here I am, caught up in old memories…”

Ryubeom dropped his gaze, letting out a bitter laugh. It was obvious whom that laugh was directed toward. Having finally let it all out, he felt strangely lighter and a little drained.

After a moment of quiet, Yeohwi murmured softly.

“So, that was the wish you asked the clan to grant.”

Nodding as if he finally understood why Cheon Ryubeom pursued Sagwido so relentlessly, Yeohwi commented that it made sense now, seeing how familiar Ryubeom was with spirits and yokai.

Though his reaction was composed, Ryubeom suddenly felt anxious. Out of habit, he worried that Yeohwi might now view him as only half a Suin, incomplete. Though he’d always felt undeserving of the respect Yeohwi had shown him, now, after revealing his own flaws, he felt an unexpected shame.

But Yeohwi’s next words were completely unexpected.

“I knew the Tiger Clan was conservative due to their respect for tradition, but honestly, they sound like trash…”

“…Huh?”

“Oh, sorry. I was too blunt, especially when you take such pride in your clan. But I still think they were too harsh on a child.”

“…How old are you, Yeohwi, to think of it that way?”

Yeohwi didn’t answer and simply gave him a silent smile.

“Even if your mother left the clan, to ignore your father’s death just because he was human… that’s absurd. Conservative values really do seem to warp logic sometimes.”

It was clear Yeohwi was trying to be tactful, yet his criticism of the clan was scathing. Ryubeom blinked, a little taken aback. He wasn’t surprised that Yeohwi would criticize the clan. He was, after all, a fox, and it was understandable he might think poorly of the Tiger Clan…

But what startled him was something else.

“You… don’t think I’m lacking?”

“Of course not. If you were truly lacking, you wouldn’t have been able to close even two Sagwidos.”

“But that’s only because you helped me…”

“Why are you so insecure?”

Ryubeom flinched as Yeohwi flicked him lightly on the nose. Startled by the unexpected contact and playful gesture, Ryubeom looked up at Yeohwi in surprise, but soon, he was dazed.

Yeohwi met his gaze directly and spoke each word clearly, leaving a lasting impression on Ryubeom.

“Even if I helped you, it’s still you who ultimately purified the spirits.”

“…”

“And the past wasn’t your fault, so why blame yourself like this?”

“…I’m still unable to find my father’s soul because I’m not strong enough…”

“But you’re doing your best right now, aren’t you? Why keep punishing yourself when you’re working so hard? You should be encouraging yourself instead.”

“…”

“Sure, if the clan keeps criticizing you, it’s natural to be self-conscious. But honestly, isn’t it all because of issues between the clan and your parents, not because of you?”

Yeohwi tilted his head, seeming perplexed, and Ryubeom found himself at a loss at this unexpected reaction. He’d shared something embarrassing and dark, yet Yeohwi seemed to take it lightly, which was confusing. Moreover, he didn’t really understand most of what Yeohwi was saying.

Yeohwi’s words weren’t complex, but to Ryubeom, who was used to focusing only on his own shortcomings and constantly pushing himself, this perspective felt foreign. He felt as if he wasn’t qualified to see things this way.

Sensing the awkward resistance on Ryubeom’s face, Yeohwi narrowed his eyes, then leaned closer, as if he were about to share a secret.

“I never thought I’d tell this to a tiger…,” he muttered with a quiet laugh before speaking softly.

“As much as I hate to admit it, tigers possess incredible power in this land. This entire peninsula is often described as resembling a crouched tiger, and the reverence and respect that tigers can command here are massive.”

“…That is true…”

“Physical prowess, overwhelming dominance, remarkable control—all other beings instinctively bow in a tiger’s presence. Such is the power of myth.”

Ryubeom shifted uncomfortably. What Yeohwi was saying was similar to what he’d been taught in the clan, but hearing it from someone else felt strange and a bit embarrassing. It was also a notion that felt disconnected from his own reality.

“And that power is meant to be wielded by those who have earned it,” Yeohwi continued.

“…”

“You don’t just drive out spirits; you guide and console them. You genuinely strive to use that power for good. The fact that every spirit and yokai you’ve met in Sagwido has acknowledged you as a ‘tiger’ is proof.”

Cheon Ryubeom’s lips parted as he remembered the crow spirit he met in Hyojo, who had called him a descendant of the mountain god, and the mermaid in the Han River who had addressed him as the leader of the Suin.

Then his mother’s words came rushing to his mind:

‘No matter what anyone says, you are a tiger of this land.’

As the memory swept over him, his brow furrowed, almost as if he were about to cry. Seeing this, Yeohwi reached out and gently rubbed the spot between his eyebrows, a comforting touch that immediately shifted his focus.

“You’re doing well.”

The gentle tone echoed in his ears, unfamiliar and unexpected. Ryubeom blinked slowly, and then, strangely, he laughed. Yeohwi’s touch on his brow felt like a reassuring stamp of approval, almost like a “well done.” The absurdity of it all made him laugh, easing the tension in his chest.

Thinking back to the expression Yeohwi wore just before he shared his insights made him smile even more.

“Aren’t you being too nice to a rival clan?”

“I’m not thrilled about it either, but well, facts are facts.”

Yeohwi shrugged, adding that he could only say this because it was Ryubeom. Momentarily taken aback, Ryubeom felt his heart pound unexpectedly, the unusual reaction making him press a hand to his chest. As he tried to calm the odd sensation, Yeohwi mumbled softly.

In an almost satisfied tone, as if he had uncovered something interesting.

“So, completing Sagwido means you’ll enter the Daehogwan…”