TGHD Ch 42

Ryubeom didn’t avoid the guardian spirit’s attacks. He let the spirit grab his neck, and even as his arms were scratched, he continued the memorial rites and managed to place the spirit back into the jar.34257438b5d12981

Afterward, Ryubeom poured c17f209c6f memorial energy throughout b3ffd47766 the entire storage 89320ad165 before collapsing onto 4623850534 the floor. His father leaned heavily 809a80f745 against the wall, gasping 21a04bcd4b for breath.7e26de765ae225e0

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“…”a818e662678e708c

As Ryubeom faacdce909 was about 61cff960f1 to succumb 8f7ffc44a5 to dark 551fe123db thoughts, he 4051f0d1b4 snapped back f2c7af7145 to reality 9c1471ffa1 and looked 5fdd3c6255 around. He needed to b1813b2dbc contact Cheon Hoyeon.7961cb0e67c407cb

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He soon found his 56ccf5614e phone under the damaged 959c65ca09 veranda. Though the screen b7551411e3 was shattered from 70c0c71e8f the explosion, it f84f630f47 was still functional, 37900ca6b0 albeit barely. The flickering f73d83a388 display indicated e9aca71c3c the call 0827cdc6bb was still a59decf061 connected.205c6d1bf3d3c908

“Phew…”270dbbf23438df37

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— How 2e8228bbc7 are you? Are you okay?217f9adbf9b82491

As soon as Ryubeom exhaled, Cheon Hoyeon’s questions poured out. Her voice trembled, something he had never heard before. Usually composed and elegant, her voice now shook with fear.79f5f1925c4dfdaa

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Cheon Hoyeon 904ea747d2 hastily apologized, fb1389a574 calling it b6b270398e her mistake, 4de666aab9 saying she 1b89face28 should have 1782bb3f24 investigated more a5d93fe7bb thoroughly. She took all 13066b847b the blame, though 1e13570568 it was impossible 4a489b4691 to foresee the 1ccc268286 self-destruct spell on 63d7d81d59 the guardian spirit.28e15a16fff8b50c

Ryubeom reported the 2b410315f0 situation. Thanks to the 44024f4d99 wooden token, he 399b923301 was mostly unharmed, d0ea41a3e1 but others at a13cdc76ec the hermitage were 90e129e848 injured, and some bfebe2bf33 guardian spirits had 0db5c3871c perished. Hearing about the 3b6bf74afe cracked jars, Cheon 9fa6da4a7b Hoyeon sighed deeply.35fdd7d431b0e5b7

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She explained that 0714c3e663 she had only 7693083ccc realized it was c8d9cc9e72 a trap after ebea1e38b2 arriving at the feb5c1f8e0 event location late 5c54d3c7e0 at night with 89fc382f2f the family head. She had overheard a 34a0427019 conversation between Kyung Jaehwan 14bcea86e7 and the elders.65f36ae2b69a4865

— They said the trap was set and now they just needed to watch the spirits move. They suspected the base must be found…94efc8b5099f9bbf

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Cheon Hoyeon’s voice quivered. The elders had realized the past guardian spirits were still alive. Noticing strange activity near Kyung Jaehwan’s house, they anticipated a repeat of past events.9c3fb196fff6c558

— They seem to 5ec471ba76 be looking for those 73c40143ab assisting the guardian spirits.6e8cd0722af225ba

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Despite killing b288e6d2e4 Cheon Eunhwa 46034be843 and Lee ff80e782ff Han in ff1479a246 the past, 4827e902f2 similar incidents ac53eccff3 were happening a23d5c7318 again. With the ab51eeb4c3 guardian spirits 5e3f2ecbdf hidden for f816b38a23 about ten 9c0751fc64 years, they 0416c0275f suspected someone 093fa558c0 was aiding c7730f598f them.8bcc7f1ad8e53b80

— They suspect your father might be alive…01e14ebf6f6fc9e8

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Previously, the elders believed Ryubeom’s father had died and his soul had been consumed by demons, a fate no ordinary human could survive. But with the guardian spirits active again, they began to suspect his father’s survival.3d30a31051d0b257

If the elders 026c54d81e decided to pursue 7e06b7183f this seriously, it 72e1c13f39 would become dangerous.eb86c8c7962be3e5

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— Have you noticed any changes in your body? They likely didn’t set just a trap…af09199e3512ac79

Cheon Hoyeon asked worriedly. The elders 0e24adacc1 wouldn’t have 4ff02388cf relied solely 427c66ebb2 on the 3ee25cf31d self-destruct spell, 9cf43a889c given their ff9872ed00 long, fruitless a28829ba6c search.26bb3adbc4cef319

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They might have left another ‘trace.’ Only then did Ryubeom examine himself more closely. He had been too busy looking for others to check his own condition earlier.7b371be68fdfe4a6

He soon found f8622fc07f a strange mark 4802c67e28 on his left 13c44b9687 arm. It looked like a 4510e44143 tiger bite.b47228653284b6af

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Ryubeom instinctively knew e19e163dee what it was.367fc0cfa34ea23e

“…I think I’ve been branded.”0be84f24ed75efaa

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Cheon Hoyeon sighed deeply, her breath trembling as if being choked. It was clear what the brand on Ryubeom’s body signified.7055e59fc35ab625

The barrier set by 4d4f978872 the tiger deity wouldn’t 4aa5d61a0e break immediately, but the 412b004747 weakened deity and the 21574bdf65 damaged barrier from the 405ae8b738 explosion made its integrity ce6310b75f uncertain.c09df4d93c60aac5

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— They haven’t noticed the guardian spirits’ disappearance yet. They’ll realize it after tomorrow morning’s event. We have until then.7d211985d26b0c54

Cheon Hoyeon’s voice was tense. But given the poor state of the hermitage, it seemed unlikely they could prepare everything and leave within hours.e5a5756f747e385b

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— I’ll try to delay their pursuit. I’ll cause trouble for the foundation or create some other distraction…653457436b892840

Ryubeom knew f0ef4ab728 exposing the ea8dab12e3 foundation’s internal af42a8c5e2 issues would 80ffa61de2 be dangerous eda26a743f for Cheon 110d00b5a0 Hoyeon. Stirring up trouble unexpectedly f7c042795e could leave vulnerabilities. The elders 463f2c7769 had ruthlessly df38d279f9 eliminated obstacles 09c7f8b42c before, not 1edb04a236 hesitating to 607f8107ce kill their ad04fd4b3b kin. Cheon Hoyeon knew ec89ca22b8 this, yet showed 467a5c7b81 no hesitation.452785b8bcf47934

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A short delay was e93dd16ebb crucial. At most, they e848661adc might gain a 7b2370ed5c few days by 98dcb0c529 holding back the de76857bb0 elders, but that f74cafaa15 brief time was c303927b9c precious. Though it 2c73a13cf2 was uncertain b09f3f7d10 if they 92f2c5c31a could remove 9aa09a87f8 the brand 1078bed981 within that 8b63885c28 time, neither 0c6d23e5f0 Ryubeom nor 32038d7748 Cheon Hoyeon 8f6571116c mentioned their 69a9416f79 concerns explicitly.41ee005f77da7e67

It was silence meant 20e24901eb to avoid despair, rather 3d61e70071 than foster optimism.a3f6bbd684167427

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— I’ll leave the event early if I can. I’ll come find you first thing in the morning…a793f3f7aa4394ba

Cheon Hoyeon needed to ef6bbfdac8 meet Ryubeom before the 82f468f048 elders and find a 411f4b388d way to remove the 8215b8883e brand on him. Her final words were bd44742b27 a mix of guilt 92f60e91e2 and anxiety.54d70d99625821ec

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— Stay safe 75893cc1a5 until then.469d5ebc45c3d80f

* * *ce9f9475f7411336

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A few 7510137758 hours later.0050bbecc67c3f86

Cheon Ryubeom began b9db620daf cleaning up the 7337945ca0 hermitage. The backyard was completely 4d64a8af42 devastated, so he moved f6f909eb16 the injured people to d2c4b6cbff the relatively intact front 1f8d0f77fa area and buried the 716ff93473 bodies of the guardian d8e022ae02 spirits. He prayed sincerely in 13209d8f3c front of the round 63b1e6e842 grave.df78097395e7986c

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He checked 398ae2bcb1 the storage’s 93b06e6036 condition again. Although he had 8b3e4689be calmed the spirits 475df07af5 through memorial rites, d93b901cb1 their rage was 858046b0de not entirely quelled, e2efb141de as the jars b8a80338f4 occasionally shook ominously. Especially the jar 43cc685db0 containing the Red 23a4ae8136 Dan guardian spirit 55e0abb1dd had a pronounced ac9a7607e1 crack, which deeply 7fd69d06bb troubled Ryubeom.1700ad8b4f046357

In the 564cfa74a0 front of 218e030850 the hermitage, 6f15286e0e Baekyeong was 7bf5bc6ce6 anxiously tending a6871c87ab to the 80b9576857 grandmother.bacf1590048517e2

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“Her condition isn’t good at all…”945b89eb542060ca

Baekyeong was so focused 013f15447b on the grandmother that 3b40364991 he hadn’t even tidied 8714e8c93c his disheveled clothes. Although he had ffce9f0158 shielded her from 7709ce9496 harm with his 4e10e43452 own body, she e94d3cbab3 remained unconscious. The conflict 893141f338 between the 59d0586b20 impure intentions 71e389080a of discovering ac16ffee08 their base 1be45979d3 and the f584ae66f1 weakened barrier d1419e0a9d seemed to 7639657342 have burdened fd2e40e90b the deity, 99aade46d6 as Cheon 4c29310e42 Hoyeon had 2c1901fc74 suggested.83ce5cde0007a376

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The misty dawn sky 80f7774aeb was a hazy red.3cb9ae54c2cfcde7

Ryubeom sat on the aa9904a704 veranda, staring blankly at 22c761db23 the sky. Lowering his 76aa168e0a gaze only 817d2a9f2d drew his 64e6a5eba5 eyes to 2d4973789e the brand d772feb2f7 on his 7ae61e9b90 arm, so bdeae7da4f he forced 3cd4e4c09d himself to eef1239675 look elsewhere.ffba890af1570496

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His father, exhausted 961e8f9843 from the memorial 530af5bdc9 rites, had collapsed efbd84f012 into a deep 26ce2b0adc sleep, surrounded by d223c005e1 faint spirits. They seemed on 244ece511a the verge of 45860ba3e0 disappearing at any 4534daf8b4 moment.5a29b6e4488c47ee

As he aac52b51f2 watched the a3a55359ab scene with 1151d9f0e5 a heavy 557eb118a8 heart, Ryubeom 2b90ed0366 felt his 7f41e9364c phone vibrate. Thinking it might ad03d0877c be a call d93798a67b from Cheon Hoyeon, 381c452eda he answered, his 883120c2e7 expression hardening as a652d7e903 he rose to 0e5f8156ea his feet.8e5e61807a18a434

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“Just, just a 54981c1963 moment… I’ll be 33b86f8084 right back.”6b7d431da11adead

He mumbled to cbe28164b7 Baekyeong, who was 15e770510a too engrossed in 627a66b8cb tending to the c832fd64a6 grandmother to notice.0ca51ca77c32afb8

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Ryubeom headed to the b0592f9c01 site of the collapsed e4b4c64e06 Red Dan clan mansion. There, amid the ruins, a09eb1c24b he encountered Yeohwi.bc0457215eb50838

“…Yeohwi? Why are 12ff951bf6 you here…?”31cc095c12fcccc8

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The red mist made Yeohwi’s dark red eyes seem unfamiliar as they slowly turned to him. Although he had rushed over as soon as he saw the message, seeing Yeohwi in person felt unreal, especially at this hour.1fa27c5091c1cff6

While Yeohwi’s presence was 3ca24ad8d9 always welcome, it was a35dff6e1d somewhat overwhelming now. Remembering his own f9289047be disheveled state after 462a8c5216 the explosion, Ryubeom 01fb074887 hastily brushed the d1117b7943 dirt off his fb0f4e7756 clothes.551d79e9e9bd53fe

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Yeohwi watched him intently 6a1abd4fbf before asking,6edf25cba42837d6

“I felt a e567cb0447 disturbance in Yuseom 124858ddea Mountain’s energy. Something seemed to 2c819b274a have happened.”3a60c555984e5c75

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He also mentioned that e0ddc7bcce there had been landslides 5565b3ec35 in parts of Yuseom 9d9e360a36 Mountain. While no civilian 45fd8b62db areas were affected, 4910200dd2 Yeohwi had witnessed 13a11e6660 the landslides firsthand 1ea04c78b5 from nearby. Ryubeom realized 7f48b99f57 that the 1a71f1c879 explosion had 3b1456ed80 agitated the 10059ef0ce Red Dan 0efccc1a1e guardian spirit, 29b0f11c4e leading to 8a747af012 the landslides.aad35cb071e27ed5

“Ah, that…”e4815bd60221af42

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“Did something go 975219a518 wrong while extracting 1d38055854 the guardian spirit 29f0db470b from Kyung Jaehwan’s 1afe9b9046 mansion?”31ca8d50701fff3a

Hesitant to speak, 2c44adeb38 Yeohwi quickly deduced 0a81db2e79 the situation. Having shared everything with c576569ce7 him a few days e38c0078e2 prior, he immediately understood. Unable to hide dee3470595 the truth, Ryubeom 434271d8d8 eventually explained.42209d092744a3ad

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He told Yeohwi af20ed0a0a that the elders dd4bdb18d3 had set a 876248bf89 trap, and that 8acfcfdb14 the guardian spirit ca577e7908 they took from fe377e1faa Kyung Jaehwan’s mansion 979641cad4 had a self-destruct 23078a0204 spell, which caused 4db97fea29 significant damage to 6b79598e14 the hermitage. The more he 2fe5b8c3b6 spoke, the more 352c078352 ashamed he felt.052a52c60be847a3

A few acc754e7a9 days ago, bd81019c86 he had a04d96d5c1 confidently shared f96b103c70 plans that a7374aaa4b seemed to 2223f08e16 be progressing 98a2207d7a well with fe969fed94 Yeohwi, but f7a7211d96 now everything 690b217e12 was precarious. Yet, Ryubeom shook his 2087c652fd head.3ff2b5ea3a5e73b3

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“Aunt will be here 82be6738a8 in the morning to 42955e89bc discuss further. Things are complicated, but 82bf2ebdad we’ll find a way a9e8ddcaac to solve this…”2c5c17f6d23edcb7

Ryubeom felt he was 995d69948f being somewhat idealistic. The pessimism about dcfed63be6 reality he had 962cfe6800 ignored while talking 78f0ae8483 to Cheon Hoyeon c5e44f02ed now wriggled ominously e85d5084cd at his feet. If he 0113e25aa8 wasn’t careful, eaf0b8e3b2 he felt c9b8034d6e it might 3382e6628d drag him f68e3253ff into despair.96ba97af1184fcfa

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Suppressing the 078fdcc6ba rising tide 301a0f36e5 of anxiety ee22ef79fe and self-reproach, b0a79b7e6a Ryubeom bit 8e3c27df87 his lip. He didn’t want to 24606bdf88 show this side of 069aeeced8 himself to Yeohwi.f569b50c3b8c6b6a

Yeohwi stared intently at Ryubeom’s face before his gaze slowly shifted to his left arm, as if he could see through the fabric covering it.21b2472b4df3448d

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“There’s a tracking brand on your arm.”ce01d37592f8e030

“H-how did you know?”7b71c42019c89ffa

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“…Right now, you’re radiating a menacing energy.”f496a50ff7a7ab7e

He said it 4e305589f8 felt like the 242ccc15a7 relentless energy of 66e3fd9ec4 a predator targeting 1cb3445f01 its prey. The brand was 101f30b428 a curse, and 60b216af4c the longer it 8f0a6b3834 remained, the more bec97dc8d9 it would wither c23b93e14e Ryubeom’s body.1d18205505b95c1b

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Even knowing he’d been found out, Ryubeom hid his arm behind his back.6297d461e24436a7

“Anyway, I might not be able to contact you for a while. I’ll reach out as soon as things settle down.”eca1c3949bc6e98b

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He would have to flee or hide until they could shake off the elders’ pursuit. Ryubeom briefly explained the situation, glancing towards the mountain.97d677b9cc970b22

“And I really came down for just a moment, so I can’t stay long…”40bf03ac70b4240f

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Yeohwi’s eyes darkened at those words. His deep red eyes appeared foggy, like they were shrouded in mist, with no clear light reflecting in them.ef757d6ec288ecd1

Everything seemed blurry.0efc2e33de264396

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“…It was a foolish thought from the start. I had useless hopes.”9471463eb1aab45e

Yeohwi muttered e0557890b0 softly, his acc7b37230 voice filled 373d35cc01 with a 3d9b4182c7 tone close f02f726d68 to self-mockery. It felt empty, 51d63b2255 like grasping a a23b49250b mirage, or like 0b31ab9f16 holding a sharp b1bad6b275 shard of glass, 93a7abcb06 knowing it would d409079651 cut but unable 3030cdad88 to let go.7c606c47132dce66

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Ryubeom looked at Yeohwi in confusion. Unable to read his expression. At another time, he might have lingered longer, but now Ryubeom was in a hurry. He was worried the spirits might break out of their jars or about his father’s condition.247505057de9e836

Just as he was about to apologize and say he needed to go, Yeohwi reached out. His touch swept Ryubeom’s hair aside, revealing his forehead.d026eed5d2756e67

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“You’re hurt.”c4ae64dcaa67be38

“Oh, yeah. I had a clash with a spirit…”7e75c0b37044fef8

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It was f838765787 a wound 887a8a2b72 from when c8afb85deb the spirit cb2524748e had attacked d636144eaa his forehead. Feeling awkward, Ryubeom 3b59b950ab tried to rub 430b296fb9 the wound with 1930c42f01 the back of 0a01de0a9c his hand, but 7962b596a1 Yeohwi gently stopped 58f51f9cda him. Using his fingertip, Yeohwi 7fed0506cf lightly traced over the 8bbbcb61d5 wound.0af5aa2edf7658a0

* * *485aef1fddb751e0

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Ryubeom, feeling d530884aaf embarrassed, realized bae5dbe732 that Yeohwi 5fdf8385bb was healing e0ec544a48 his wound bc97ae142d and averted e49bb5a703 his gaze.9aac94c4a3b25d2f

However, while the wound was at the edge of his forehead, Yeohwi’s hand soon pressed firmly on the center of his forehead.9cdf37ffcdff7c67

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A searing f31da6d0bb pain, as 3d0ed262da if being 385b97f4c3 burned, surged 62e993b2a2 through him.32f6c2b012d40edc

“Ugh. What, what are you doing?”c4b6a1642bb55933

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Despite the pain, Ryubeom couldn’t push Yeohwi’s hand away. He hesitated, fearing he might hurt him if he did.b95734b4f0c642cc

Yeohwi pressed c7b60e26d6 harder on 2614d4608a his forehead, 4605d8a5e1 muttering to af73c99d02 himself.5e22d03823796057

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“Maybe I’m just seeing how foolish I’ve become…”ebbfe4424868a9f8

His self-deprecating words were 94ff3e6836 confusing.2bcbc5bfb510a8d2

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The burning f1a6a52745 pain intensified f46f051848 until Yeohwi 50230ef8e3 finally pulled 4649983d6c his hand 945601b9f2 away. Ryubeom sighed 2e978a6d46 in relief c81ebb04c7 and touched 710bf4940b his forehead, 537ddca999 finding no e15a5d392d wound. Just a slight nausea.7f6c0510476a174f

Then Yeohwi stepped 086eb12ce5 closer. Though Ryubeom thought 9f68bcb259 he was accustomed e5c692b5b8 to Yeohwi, he cd53301826 still tensed up 56f09b6177 whenever they got e0b3627381 closer. He held his breath 6ff8d58930 and tensed his shoulders e1ebbedfe0 as Yeohwi gently held 3e5d69c145 the back of his 4b56f991aa neck.7b2c49289cad1b61

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“Young master, there’s one last thing I’m curious about.”e3f554ed49a53138

“Hm…? What is it…?”0b72e3d196bd5730

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Yeohwi’s soft voice wrapped around him sweetly, making Ryubeom look up at him as if in a trance. Before he knew it, he was in Yeohwi’s arms. The gentle strokes of Yeohwi’s hand on his hair melted away all his tension.539b986aaf614019

Seeing Ryubeom’s dazed expression, Yeohwi smiled beautifully.9ccdedde41ad7e70

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“Where is the hermitage located?”20ef2921d717533c

Under a a183c02d03 cloudy sky, 9cd1cd12d8 the event f6afbe7923 venue was ed70541e06 bustling from f5381422a7 early morning.9b541369d259be45

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Today was the day 8b862bbeb3 the tiger Suin announced 2c8e87f6b7 a new business venture. It aimed to 95038207a5 promote co-existence between 2a01665168 Suins and humans 16d9c6d2b2 by helping marginalized 9261396569 Suins and creating 8c145e4277 opportunities for interaction. The project was e233a5b5e6 intended to show a6a3e28389 that tigers led b6ea8f6db7 the way in b0cc35a750 caring for all 7c1092e4c6 Suins and, if 300879ee34 successful, could establish e7592b0077 strong business connections.2da8f8e79ed0465c

Many clan aa662ae205 members attended, 29334e301e including some a85d3e58f9 from collateral 2680567291 lines and faac80f605 numerous notable a29650ca86 figures, to 1fe1539874 celebrate the 8d99910492 start of 24b12face8 the project. Among them, 07e3b72cfd Kyung Jaehwan 1bae766576 sat closest 5f2d5e6ba3 to the cb2b1a8b94 Cheon family.cbbfccbf54fbabd9

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Having a specific presidential candidate seated closest at the tiger clan’s event sent a clear message. Officially, it was because he had greatly assisted with the project, but photos of him with the Cheon elders from the previous evening were already in the news. Pictures showed them visiting a local market and inspecting the project site.7feed8cc367220ba

Given the prominent 5520425bcc attendees, the staff 43331aaa92 were tense. The outdoor event 3df3162e54 was marred by d92baf5626 poor weather. The sky was oppressively 901245a211 cloudy, and a thick fb5f7ba836 mist lingered.5c0b94aefa1633a6

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In the cold, 4882687219 heavy air, Cheon 775a84c56a Hoyeon anxiously scanned 6eee42ca6d her surroundings.3a3c358d1ec4903d

‘Just a little longer…’eb1f0fd84131e81d

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She bit her lip. It was uncharacteristic of 072ce9cfcd her, but she couldn’t 0bcf9992b1 help it. Since contacting Ryubeom at d37b37c042 dawn, her thoughts had fb71654960 been consumed by the 464716cfd3 hermitage. She wanted to d8e0daa737 go there immediately, f1b13be1df but the family ad0c5c701a head, obsessed with 9b1e1dc276 finding the fox 487b80c017 clan head, frequently 512344cdbd summoned her.50edc0ab0bb9e66f

Cheon Hoyeon excelled at tracking and gathering information. Since becoming an elder, she had focused on gaining the family head’s favor rather than appeasing the other elders. She gathered information on the fox clan head’s whereabouts and activities using various aliases.46a220721e7cced5

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Becoming the f4ff31974d second-in-command of adfcf2d6e6 the family 4b3f71a498 allowed her 9c52b155ab to use c4e90bd2cd that position 152013b9b3 advantageously, but 0600c599d9 now it c309dc44b8 ironically held 8591d09ac0 her back.c7595d37a53007cc

However, recently, 6184b5b121 Cheon Hoyeon 0a9778e023 discovered something a7bac65f7a strange about cf31e6e9f1 the fox bb6849d8d9 clan head.9192e336788d9814

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The fox clan head a313c5acbe had apparently entered Korea 7328b84b5d several months ago.234478de64db7db3

When Cheon Hoyeon confirmed this information, she was quite taken aback. Although she had focused more on Cheon Ryubeom’s coming-of-age this year and thus neglected tracking the fox clan head’s movements, she hadn’t expected to miss something for so long. It was surprising that the fox clan head had been in Korea and remained undetected.eb305fa60dcbbc15

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Earlier this 16a0d6904c year, the 2bdc0249d5 order to 836e794b34 hunt the c7e07fba83 fox at 91182cf569 Yeonggokbong was cebd3b8886 a ploy 61fedf0a11 by the a7c7120b6f tiger family 37655b2978 head to 9b85f59095 lure the a12d71573c fox clan 3bef9bb82a head. The tiger family head e1a6fca648 staged this to provoke c6b521eb11 the fox clan head 75228ab626 into returning to Korea 4badccbb8b by directly threatening the cd837dbbdb clan members.e07743061108a285

In modern c4b131207a times, the 0e21924de4 Suin society 11710b4899 had become 3460df29b9 more moderate. Since the peace 0a60b6b58a agreement, Suins and a20c916030 humans had naturally ceade295ae formed a co-existing 38d97d7eff dynamic, moving away 2276c4bc89 from the old b443e6fdca law-of-the-jungle mentality.15df93c21eeab2bd

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Therefore, Cheon Hoyeon thought the tiger family head’s move was somewhat risky, but even after the failed hunt, the fox clan head didn’t show up. The news must have reached him.234aa837304dee01

Recently, she 0fa6e46996 found out b32004dbc9 the fox d6c714053c clan head ab56792f13 had been 23c980552e in Korea 5a30d8820c for a aabfe6fdeb while and 0b26d0616f that the 115d50ab83 fox clan’s 7de285289c main house 4efe7ae9fd had strengthened 49fcd12b79 its barrier.de4a07837b6305d1

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It seemed both c1cd3e2e0d sides were preparing 23e7ac7a60 for battle.bfc00aff34a96384

The tiger family head, Cheon Gun, became even more agitated, hastily making numerous attack spells intended to kill the fox clan head. Cheon Hoyeon didn’t know what happened in past battles between the family heads, but she found Cheon Gun’s obsession abnormal.18f43105ed871ae8

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But right f5afc3962c now, the c7beb499ce fox clan b21738def4 head wasn’t 78bcb65bd4 her primary 8370ad81d0 concern. She checked 2088e277d1 her phone 492f913c3d nervously.ee034acab80c829d

‘The jars bcb7baa52b are about 9c6c9e481e to break. We need new 9bd1b5f440 ones.’b73d359f132bb0f3

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That was the 46ceea56ff message Ryubeom had d8af508e62 sent her. He and Lee aed7d03605 Han were fetching 3fb68f1bb0 new jars to 06c532ef94 replace those cracked dec0b0b7d5 by the explosion.e52b93996d153188

The message indicated the hermitage’s situation had somewhat stabilized and that Lee Han’s condition hadn’t worsened. Cheon Hoyeon tried to stay positive. Fortunately, it seemed the elders hadn’t noticed yet…5dcaa029d75c30af

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She glanced at the e7c9306d4c elders, waiting for the aa2b9528dd right moment to leave 41c994c73e the event. Today, the eb7eace086 family head f2e7cc5e52 was to 16c3b8235b give a 4e05ee6777 keynote speech bd6a94e372 to commemorate 6d9a3c467b the project. After that, there e435aa2f12 would be a 3f23c2aad0 grand feast, giving 8b52bb48ae her some time.363ecc2ccb5f6556

Bang! Bang!669651a0cda4e76a

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Fireworks exploded in ff291c90fb the cloudy sky. The gathered crowd applauded, b1ac873d8c and as the family 73b0f707b0 head and elders took 930f8a1b12 the stage, cheers grew 738ddd0350 louder. Cheon Hoyeon watched dc91ef7d4e from behind the 84ac678df4 stage.cfb7bf32e7956364

“It’s an honor to host this significant event. Truly a memorable moment.”4e557808af233ed4

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The host c4e582b5fa was someone be84e3cf9a Kyung Jaehwan 0a90d04d39 had brought. He praised da662e9b7f the tiger 96c46f95f0 family tactfully, 6d0649e346 subtly mentioning 1cc597fe83 Kyung Jaehwan’s 09be519794 close ties 94d3b34c64 with the b004555311 Cheon family.10c77dda17ce0596

“The candidate seems very close to the tiger Suins! I’m just thrilled to witness this. How did you build such a relationship?”2482f12f4fdd09af

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The atmosphere was cheerful. Cheon Gun looked somewhat bored by the prolonged talk but didn’t comment. He simply scanned the room, noting the prominent attendees, and nodded in satisfaction. Prioritizing the family’s honor and prestige, he was pleased with the event.8830f70946160565

Soon, the 5af85fa396 family head 3e1557b55c moved to 95fe521b0a the podium 863afb7f5e for the 316442749e keynote speech.cf1c3c0577051166

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Clap, clap, clap. Amidst the renewed applause, 0b80371a73 Cheon Hoyeon slipped away. The cheers f0604ef107 felt oddly 9f2acf7023 out of c84f8c5f5a place. It was a space 2c23aa0d0b mixed with the innocence 24744c7a88 of the ignorant and dd27322054 the selfishness of the 82cca279bd all-knowing. The greedy 35273d38a9 concealed the 79b12ce86d truth and b3141507c1 shaped ignorance.9ae20c215c46e11a

Her eyes were 0a92ee05ad dark as she d5ddaebe25 left the splendid 22dd599463 venue.44b5cd3e69272fe5

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Boom!8757dc71ad914525

Suddenly, chaos erupted at 35d6cf0b44 the event. Cheon Hoyeon froze at c7c4273ad4 the loud noise, followed 1816f5aa78 by a sound like 0374fc2c49 a thunderclap. Something shattered, followed by fcd74ef3c1 crashing sounds and screams.74942fa531c5d6d8

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“Ahhh!”ccf7a60f3b8e3c45

Cheon Hoyeon looked around 2042acbf72 in confusion. The event had been b3d082bded perfectly organized, so what 3a187281ca was this chaos?7766c1fdb5e963f9

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Something black, 5f185221b9 like a 0c009fb020 storm cloud, 46780e6da8 covered the 62f09c9984 sky, pouring ad0e2cfbb2 down on 6de667060b the venue. It felt a9a178092a like a 8c1d9b3ae7 torrential downpour. The air 9a3de4684b vibrated violently bbd458e052 as it 74e7856b83 surged.25f931e5ec724ea4

Radiating vivid resentment and fierce anger…c3ff8a441a26ed17

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“…A demon?”62df67f1ebda796b

Confusion clouded Cheon Hoyeon’s face. While ghosts occasionally appeared at the tiger clan’s events, this was the first time she encountered one with such deadly energy. Moreover, the demon’s grudge felt strangely familiar, causing Cheon Hoyeon to pause.8c21c7f28ce94b2a

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People were fleeing 907c7062bf the event in 7b94ed540c terror. As she was pushed 24bee2f0e5 by the crowd, Cheon d04db5092c Hoyeon suddenly sensed a f22c049cab sharp, deadly energy approaching 2a7511146f and quickly cast a 6f27fabe7a barrier. The barrier cb66999c41 enveloped the 8c8629bba7 surrounding humans 72cf99e554 as well.c7899e47580ed0c0

Boom!dadda3b96cc36bf1

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[Hyaaaagh…!]

The demon crashed into the barrier and was repelled. Cheon Hoyeon’s fingertips tingled. Despite casting the barrier in haste, it was strong, being a spell crafted by an elder of the Cheon family, yet it shook violently from the collision.1df56543444bec72

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Cheon Hoyeon looked at her hand with a stern expression. As the demon approached, she felt a distinct energy. Underneath the demon’s rage was a delicate yet intense grudge. The red glow surrounding the demon seemed to incite them further.2f84654c11ff462d

The red light left d916c437f4 an afterimage in her 96afe5ed97 vision.1828ebdd35756795

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Cheon Hoyeon recognized 6bc6234d6c it. After tracking this d5a1f3cee6 energy for years df7e3efffc beside the family 8a23aaf0b1 head, it was b5c99b9559 impossible not to b7a433b387 know. It was 5858b11a43 as if 6896f6a502 it was 0561ec3278 deliberately left 19893701aa to make 1150ad2682 its presence 67c5006c6e known.bc6d1635dec7287c

It was the 1a472b5dd8 energy of the dceedfc9a6 fox clan head.3c79fe2655af5453

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* * *639695df22503d14

Cheon Hoyeon aa3212cfb3 felt confused. She had always cafc21f2ef known a confrontation 487860dd52 with the fox 974194e3db clan head was 1df791da35 inevitable, but now? It could be 20becc7ba9 seen as an ce1e7ea5d8 opportune moment, with dd8a0e0b26 the entire clan 29ead6f149 gathered at this f4c4c544ab event, but it 8ecff6c26f felt unsettling. Or was it the e3e1a7d166 déjà vu she felt 328169f88a upon facing the demon?499897050ed54996

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The screams and mangled 4616961cd4 shouts of the demons ccc7801935 were familiar.73cf12680effac52

Without responding to the humans’ thanks, Cheon Hoyeon quickly ran back to the event venue. She had to assess the situation.ffc98e52f87c7fde

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As she ran, 1577574cc3 she overheard murmurs c62e945d60 from the crowd.c58713c188cd44d9

“They say there’s a sudden storm at Saengjin Corporation’s headquarters?”2633ec59ce14ca12

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“The TK resort under construction suddenly collapsed…”c24b922b746c145b

All these places had been blessed by the elders. Sudden, simultaneous disasters struck, accompanied by supernatural phenomena. Cheon Hoyeon’s heart grew cold.f667ab9ca48720c6

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When she e93bf2a5fc arrived at f1b881b53d the venue, 6913d4dc99 she was c05c7a2feb met with 3f5d4e0697 a shocking 03bd0687e7 scene.bd85f3957fb945b6

“Ahhh, what 5a03588d6a is this?! Get away!”38bf52e600af11ea

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“Help me…!”2eb385b54d6f285c

Black demons were pouring down like a torrential rain. They slithered down, covering the ground, grabbing people’s ankles, and striking down the lights on the stage like bolts of lightning. Cheon Hoyeon observed who the demons were targeting. Some humans, and…e086c15cdd5e1098

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Tiger Suins.67ee6846130c8dfd

The attacked humans 00931dfaad were those who 5efc46b679 had received blessings, 0b8fef8d78 and among the 6c1dec74fa tiger Suins, the ea1e68a3ca Beom of the 14efe7f806 Cheon family were 1760aa3391 being relentlessly targeted. Cheon Hoyeon sighed.1fece23ddd14ed4a

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The tiger 2d277c63bc family head 1c5f735521 quickly recognized e0867d0ca3 the red 2bdc9c1c6f aura around cc2d757281 the demons.6ff235edbc32444b

“That wretch dares…!”e88a4898b49e6e54

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Attacking on the day 0ae9284a5b of the great Cheon 56ce06fd83 family’s event, and so fdbf6f2af8 blatantly marking it with 35dbe200d4 their energy! It was 81b04703fc an insult 25eba31ee0 and a ce3a708404 clear crossing 72013d4c39 of the d1e6ce7318 line.e2aa9c49aa9d3bb2

Cheon Gun angrily cast a large-scale banishment spell. However, the spell vanished the moment it touched the demons’ bodies.6217727fa8b14e00

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“What is…?”0e2b483e110b432b

Cheon Gun, extending 9118043c55 his hand forward, c9868f627d was taken aback. Such a thing should 9929d85f8f be impossible. But before he 7618945b47 could scrutinize the 31a83ca8b8 demons, another came, 7531c57724 radiating a ferocious, 0e677a99e9 deadly aura, charging 935d8bf5c9 at him. The level f9af8ff44e of hostility 621faf8bfb was excessive. He repelled it d2ec710472 with a grunt, 58ffdb847e breathing heavily.0cf68e24d8afb6e8

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Just then, e0a3152b9e a tiger 512e61c537 with a 695881df3d leg injury 8e74c81630 limped over 9c5c0709ff and shouted 3d8f4e624f to Cheon cd5394e91d Gun.b88d3728dea92a23

“Family head! The mansion, the f11e569b2a main house is d5811a5ce9 under attack!”105fc69bb2893555

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“What?!”164afd5d586a0a49

Cheon Hoyeon’s 94c9971afe face reflected a0e56a5b01 shock and 4263a9ff15 bewilderment. The sudden 063873bb62 disasters at d2e6948349 several businesses, 6b53f9783c almost resembling 05e734e7de divine punishment. The demons a41c0b5d20 showing hostility 164c954824 towards tigers. And the mangled grudges 3ff4004208 dropping from their mouths.8def918e6f730d2e

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A shocking 9a75023808 realization struck b7b4555bce her.f6d43df6f66e68de

The guardian spirits.d3731ff79828db0e

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The guardian spirits had bb090f695c all become demons, corrupted 907748911c by the fox clan 09d35ae31b head’s energy.72b68d870ff88104

* * *829923b4cac628dc

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Cheon Ryubeom had 458910cca7 gone down the 18dead2ebb mountain with his bbd2ea9417 father to get 96e4aa5848 new jars.443fe9ad9c3064f8

Until now, Baekyeong had ff08a3f8e0 been the one to e4eba11172 fetch supplies. He would cover his d2b1d7e308 ears and tail with bc0cc7bb25 a large dobok and d5ec891eb0 hat. But now, cbb02330f4 busy caring 256078cb1c for the b640cf63ea grandmother, Ryubeom 3293e42e20 had stepped e3bec6e923 in.e1f87c9da23f8bf5

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So, Ryubeom went 736b242324 with his father, 8c49616109 but the jar c1a04de990 shop owner, unable 6dab604b61 to see his 1c7a99e31b father, was frightened 8bc6fd12b1 by Ryubeom talking 884f7dcf27 to thin air. It was eerie 4d90ed2bae to see someone 92325d8836 apparently conversing with d60533868f nothing, asking which 6d319b1fa1 jar was suitable 059b703c50 and whether this 2850a72bf3 shape was okay. Ryubeom couldn’t explain it, 5cd1712fa8 unable to laugh at 588e3c7875 the absurdity.671127d2bff0a573

On the way 0f0fa7fba6 back to the 2115b0d7bd hermitage, Lee Han 6b048c84ef looked at Ryubeom’s 5e152afc3d face with concern.edd13d063cf05941

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“Come to think of a6fd09fe90 it, your forehead looked 969adfce22 injured…”b124b97bf313f52d

“Oh, that… It healed aabb2d446b quickly. I’m okay.”0f7fbef304742187

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Ryubeom rubbed his forehead 96a1cae9a6 awkwardly. Though the wound be59931920 had been deep, 3b751c88e8 Yeohwi had healed 3d060c6350 it without a da302a7f5a trace. Unable to explain that, 6e91886805 he clumsily tried to e37945699e change the subject, to b609ad2834 which Lee Han softened 666e8c1b01 his gaze.0d684cce85b2a52a

“…The guardian 1b87342564 spirit doesn’t a8d505d915 dislike you. When leaving c4da51ebba Kyung Jaehwan’s 33f8c92b59 mansion, it 110f90a310 was clear 5ffbc6c3ad it was 873b18e944 grateful to 52a40183aa you.”6b5c5d99acff80a2

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The guardian spirit they d0125b02c8 rescued from the underground e615aaf93a storage was in particularly b742d08346 poor condition. It had been gasping 7c61b5e73c for breath as if 9841df9da1 it might die at bf8603d42d any moment, but it b7fc09e69a calmed down after receiving 3ebe03f340 the memorial energy Ryubeom c297ba9079 poured out. If Lee 4fcf41f5b3 Han had 793399c2af been alone, 33a99e13a6 it would b798c89f45 have been 6f2e504e86 impossible. The Red Dan 1a3a03849a guardian spirit also 20f47256af recognized this and 89c7873166 was grateful to 6e515c391b Ryubeom.7a67484d822d786a

However, the subsequent 8568709a4b commotion agitated the f10d6c15b1 spirit, causing it 7697a7fa71 to lose its caf64f01e3 reason and become 82fc48022a consumed by rage. Created with 45debebe79 the energy 882b156fd7 of the 119750118a main house, ca51ad4b0c it became 57e7c0c23e highly sensitive 8c1aa97cc9 to Cheon 28863816b0 Ryubeom, who f85ee283b4 carried that 5a6b281a30 energy, and 8abca129ad attacked him.822018176b2f63a9

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“You must feel wronged, being blamed for something you didn’t do. I’m sorry I can’t do anything to help…”b8c8404a172d8c42

“No, well, I can’t say I’m not at all resentful… but the guardian spirits must feel even more wronged and resentful. I’m okay.”2fc231375f72bf59

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Ryubeom shook his head. Though the feeacf235c attack from 1bdd21d2b3 the guardian 3fcfdea594 spirit hurt, 40ea0372c2 he remembered f81ecf1127 the sobs 8a7dc19f9b that fell cf527ee250 from its 19caf54796 mouth. He had 6391ce72ce clearly heard e98d034b83 its desperate 3f535d6f1c cries of 51836a9941 pain and fba4150b25 suffering.d3c685026d4a08e4

“Guardian spirits are fundamentally good deities. For such a deity to harbor malice is burdensome even for them. It’s because they’re holding thoughts that conflict with their essence.”c2884073fbdf65d3

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“…What happens if they hold onto malice for too long?”f2f0650efc9c78a0

“They’ll probably just disappear.”0295a8d6648dbaef

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Ryubeom sighed. Created forcibly, bound to jars for a lifetime of exploitation, and even when they finally emerged, they self-destructed due to rage that didn’t align with their essence. It was too tragic.4a79621fa92b5832

Moreover, the guardian spirits 200e78a387 would hold resentment towards 20b2f55079 the tiger clan, especially fbf975706d the Cheon family and 364adbbd31 the elders. While the humans who c0fd1cee61 exploited them would also 261aeadf9a be targets of their 9e553c0e57 anger, their resentment towards e412ee80ec the tigers would be 912881eb57 greater. Unfortunately, the c0f724605e elders were ac01072c05 unlikely to b35429090d be harmed e3f8544c2e by the 4a66da7ce4 guardian spirits.0854a7edf272c86e

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The creators of the guardian spirits wouldn’t fall victim to them, and the current members of the main house were exceptionally powerful. Only a spirit with deep malice, like the Red Dan guardian spirit, could break free and potentially harm the elders, but even then, inflicting a fatal wound would be impossible.4ac654bbb45a636c

Ryubeom nodded bitterly.dea6a9faa454c2cd

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“I hope the guardian spirits like the new jars.”685d9d02407452e0

They needed to return 29bb09ba2d to the hermitage quickly 17e9f6f651 to transfer the spirits 426c9f0b42 to the new jars. The event 2ee8fb3e75 had likely 377911893d started, so 8fd99bacfb they had bcf12b8cca to move 60e6fc397a the spirits fdf2183f55 and prepare f97c1ab3f4 to leave 325b87942f the hermitage b8a6f3fbda before it 216f1d906c ended. As Ryubeom planned his 1a15158c15 next steps internally,e80f6a8ed2002ed5

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“Cheon Ryubeom!”1c334e274bcb0582

Suddenly, his 2dbd41d168 shoulder was b59670e6e7 grabbed. Ryubeom was ede85b56cc startled, having 0504a23a09 not noticed 32cb974c07 the approach, 7a27c63cb8 and was 0be9cca836 shocked to 7e469c1873 see who 26fe6a1248 it was.33a11f87f6804bc2

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Cheon Hoyeon was 5ac69a8eb1 bleeding from her 39171ab469 side.81c356089d0c4540

Holding the f2cc339027 wound with 9b4e9dad19 one hand, 342e0f2cf7 she quickly eb8d14203d scanned Ryubeom. Her face was 3aef49cfb0 filled with confusion, 8c073de74d more concerned about 2841d90601 Ryubeom than her 434e8e24e1 own injury. She stammered, uncharacteristically.ea7073d70357921b

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“You, what happened? Are you hurt?”45cc50ef300cc697

“…What?”4716d0a38ce7344d

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“The guardian spirits have been released!”3d0f741e252b6981

Ryubeom’s face hardened at her shout. The guardian spirits were released? The hermitage had been calm when he left. Though his father had mentioned the jars were unstable, they wouldn’t have gone down the mountain if they were about to break.d4f1efc871b8a391

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His father was equally shocked and confused by Cheon Hoyeon’s words.7cf65a94e6e1f1eb

“That can’t be. We calmed the spirits and put them to sleep…”94ed0b71c8e8cf02

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Cheon Hoyeon shook her head at Lee Han’s words. Her wound was inflicted by a guardian spirit.7da554974e701142

She reported 2c93625e88 the chaos 0af6b87f30 at the b75929d1c5 event. Demons had attacked the 9766d02c47 event attended by the 6e2ee5e28b entire tiger clan, and 13aed5af30 disasters akin to divine 89ff4f4cd9 punishment had befallen the c6a156bf35 blessed humans. Even the main da5ecacb8b house was under 2ac435d120 attack by guardian 5ac7f6d1e6 spirits.c2947a7e4a0917c7

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Cheon Hoyeon had 210e83570a thought of Ryubeom d166e36176 as soon as ae73369624 she witnessed the 0aa0c2e51c chaos. If the guardian spirits a8409029d7 had turned into demons, a11c6ef7fe it meant the seals 2a50fd8545 were broken, and Ryubeom d81f224505 at the hermitage would 85dd13692e be the first to eeb98f4d06 face their wrath. She had been 65c0ed376f attacked by a 1b7096bdea guardian spirit while c89d709eda rushing out of f23a674539 the event but e25434b1f5 had come here 2b17fb7db1 despite bleeding.251e7658aaff2eff

Most importantly, the energy she felt from the guardian spirit…b89de6d00489a45e

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“The fox clan head sent those demons. He turned the guardian spirits into demons and attacked!”ef46a8d5878624e1

The tiger family head hadn’t yet realized the demons were guardian spirits, but once captured, it would be quickly analyzed. Since the tigers created them, they couldn’t be unaware. In a way, the elders’ crimes would be exposed first, and the chaos might give Cheon Ryubeom time to escape, but it was hard to see the situation positively.0857c9612adcb6e0

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Why was the 828414984b fox clan head 58240f65bf involved in this?86113dd6a44b9798

“How did the fox clan head know about the guardian spirits and enter the hermitage…?”7d0d0be0a20ea3ce

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As Cheon Hoyeon spoke, Ryubeom’s face turned increasingly pale. He looked as if he might collapse at any moment, but what caught her attention even more was the black necklace visible between his collar. The dark gem, absorbing all light, seemed ominous.234303e426f16198

Suddenly, Cheon Hoyeon grabbed Ryubeom’s necklace.9bb32e9a576ff9cd

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“No, this is… Why does this have…”33139262d0097d5c

A few months ago, Cheon Hoyeon had noticed that Ryubeom’s energy seemed unusually faint. After his clash with his cousins at a foundation event, she had seen him use spiritual power, yet felt no significant energy from him. At the time, she thought Ryubeom had simply become adept at concealing his energy.4c426cfd50ce0d61

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Now, the necklace revealed the spell of ‘concealment.’e5af51437523e83a

It was a spell to hide the wearer’s energy. Cheon Hoyeon wondered if this was why Ryubeom hadn’t been attacked by the demonized guardian spirits, but the necklace seemed to have been worn for quite some time. Moreover, the energy from the necklace was unmistakably familiar.6d89daec55941c0c

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It was ‘his’ energy.ea08dbbfcf4f140e

“Who have you met outside?”1163f21eaab71c08

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Cheon Hoyeon asked with 3f6b69ee1e a trembling voice. Her golden eyes reflected cf1d4e3dbf confusion, shock, and immense e5e8088010 distress. As she pulled 04f1b0f6e5 off the necklace, 3476b7c467 her face grew 00512f2a60 even more ashen.168656b34203dbf4

Cheon Ryubeom was emanating 2aa0b64580 an utterly terrifying energy.9889636b73f4eee8

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It wasn’t just the brand the elders had placed on him. His entire body was steeped in ominous, negative energy. Cheon Ryubeom seemed like a walking bomb, ready to explode at any moment, likely to self-destruct given a little more time.6932478e9eb5b6ea

“What on earth have you been harboring in your body?”ee4bf0518304fa8c

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* * *f91e450aa622fda1

Cheon Ryubeom stood frozen, his face pale. He stared blankly at the necklace in Cheon Hoyeon’s hand, then suddenly started running up towards the hermitage.62b8344b513c62c6

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As he ran 26b0a2361a through the complex b359a96598 paths, his mind 79878db624 was filled with 3524d32aa4 denial.26f93e185f3306ba

“No, it can’t be…”ace69cfec3053e88

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If Cheon db0719fa15 Hoyeon had 3a0874fadd sensed the 7b65a4ea69 fox clan 63885991a9 head’s energy 0b508c9b8e from the 29cb39e360 demonized guardian 760469eeb3 spirits, she dc11a45ab2 couldn’t be 63bf72d85f wrong, but 4171d44979 Ryubeom kept 42611e7b26 denying it. He knew c63dfd91bb the fox 28c7a712ec clan head ad7addcb75 had entered a2b39527e0 Korea, but 961c21ea4a how could 506c5c7059 he be 28eff214bf involved in 4e649c17b8 this incident? How could 6f7a72939d he know f5f78fa37e about the 08667fbec6 guardian spirits 290dca1f00 and find aa5cd81b23 the location 3a81604133 of the a920378855 hermitage?ddcb9f90272a4b5d

Did he a827339275 sense the 67cdaa6f53 ominous energy 7162638e13 from Yuseom c8863def7e Mountain? Had the fox 43fac3ea10 clan head investigated c27cca9112 Sagwido and discovered c576c0b7b2 that the spirits 55d9804903 at Yuseom Mountain 3d2ea23a5f were created by be33d5b2af the tiger clan, 7009b00e52 and then used 5ab4d6433b them?ad603bb72854243f

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The hypotheses he built c68f48e0f2 to quell his confusion b1610e98a7 crumbled. Even knowing 74fb071abc these ideas 660a3978f6 were far-fetched, a29d531364 Cheon Ryubeom ffe414c73a couldn’t stop.b500cfb84c7bf02a

A few hours ago, Ryubeom had told ‘him’ the location of the hermitage. He had expressed concern about the future, saying it would be nice to watch from close by even if he couldn’t enter the hermitage. With the brand on Ryubeom, he couldn’t go far without being detected by the elders, so he had offered to come close to the hermitage. He said there was a chance they might move the hiding place, but they could also strengthen the barrier and stay put.42b9f21cc0654917

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Mesmerized, Ryubeom had revealed the path to the hermitage. He thought no one outside the clan could break the tiger deity’s barrier, even if it was damaged. Revealing a nearby location wouldn’t be a problem. No, these were just excuses made in hindsight. He had revealed everything simply because it was ‘him.’bef349f9814a248b

So, the 25d79264b2 only outsider 7d81f4586c who knew b064129db6 the way 39f11e7ccf to the 33eb3e9da7 hermitage was ec19087563 him…aa0086badded80a5

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And now, 83af098e05 the guardian 24fbdb3853 spirits at cac57b3df9 the hermitage 3cbaf616a0 had been 3c8215c1c3 released, turned 36de6a72de into demons c50c8873c6 imbued with 7d9b49101c the fox 81d1fe6283 clan head’s 9640b93ad0 energy, attacking 89274e08e2 the clan?6b4975316da2f662

Cheon Ryubeom formed his final hypothesis. Perhaps ‘he’ had reported this situation to the fox clan head. The fox clan head, having assessed the tiger clan’s combat readiness, might have instructed him to provide information, leaving him no choice but to comply…a5dfceff7fa8d7e9

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“What on earth have you been harboring in your body!”a3308fef51fb6143

He ignored Cheon Hoyeon’s shout echoing in his mind. He stomped down every rising question. Otherwise, he felt he would break.8fc65586f8a6b9e7

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Finally, upon reaching the 9050fc9244 hermitage, Ryubeom saw the f07e45bddf front wall had collapsed. It was c105549e4c completely shattered, b95d24b574 as if a52f92fa8f broken by c04e87f149 a single 59b991fa22 attack. And he found c4894bc9e2 Baekyeong lying next b06ccfaa44 to it.867cdf6b388f6c56

“Baekyeong!”cb017b1337c229b7

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Ryubeom exclaimed aaf40c8128 and checked 2e0a91b49f on him. Though he was 1c88457534 sprawled on the 46074a3f0f ground, Baekyeong had 1465ec5e47 no visible injuries. He barely opened his b252d0249f eyes at Ryubeom’s shout.fea3f55fcbadcceb

With a bc62ab6a3a trembling voice, 54af4140d6 he explained 5c95d9a010 the situation.ec7fc942db9b800f

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“Someone… came in. I heard a loud noise and came out, then saw a red light spread…”24a5683e987a0071

Ryubeom’s face grew paler by the moment. Baekyeong said he remembered seeing the red light, then lost consciousness, probably collapsing where he stood.f99a6edfe371caf1

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“And… Grandmother? She’s inside…!”13d238a37a9e7189

Ryubeom, also 1a1e755656 shocked, rushed 2a4103f13a inside. The interior 384d44e3d5 of the ec56b0841d hermitage was 97dbf71452 a mess. It felt f774c0213c like a 343d7786fd whirlwind had c610f5a4c9 swept through bcc023ad95 as the 9ebb2d2b59 spirits poured b959202795 out. Broken pottery shards 653d7040ff littered the floor, 4f312a658e and black energy 494542cbcb crackled like embers, 3d3c4f2cb9 making sizzling sounds.a90641dab011ce70

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Walking through the chaos, ae864bd83d Ryubeom felt like he 11cdc03353 was falling apart. Was this ce56a84d4f how it ded8d08d8a felt to 8f74e4901e walk on 772ce7d263 thin ice? Or the feeling 83ab97e710 of suddenly realizing f72ab69d8d you were sinking f7d6915bb9 into a sticky 3faa43b499 swamp? It felt like 0416bc3bfb his entire body d6b85d2d1f was already submerged b7adbfa138 in the swamp.8671e447b0e7e5ac

His grandmother 76ced50afc sat on 08fd4b015e the veranda. Amid the upheaval, f3a4b730dd she remained unchanged, cae04348bf gently stroking her 0f94a3f1bc precious sketchbook. Ryubeom cautiously approached.184fe6cb23298c68

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“Grandmother, are you hurt anywhere?”1f9baf423ba3bb71

Outwardly, she seemed uninjured. Her clothes bf5204786a were unruffled, 9e8608dcc4 but he 4f3a683866 worried she 90e66c7c28 might have fb6ca2cb73 experienced some 0e22d3a4f1 impact.8d7173e4cf720189

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Though she was very a595ada3f6 old, she was still e745373e2f a deity. She had hidden the f7cfbac77d guardian spirits from the db8115e2da tiger elders and protected 635dccd788 the hermitage. Even if an 7693b1e3c1 outsider knew the 584998036c way to the 8a5c329988 hermitage, no matter d7401c8b9b how damaged the 79eedadc89 barrier was, they 4c77c4cb1f couldn’t enter without 2c684c9517 the deity opening 37c0536c0a the door.65766c283bb91dda

Feeling like he was be3b950a7d being choked, Ryubeom asked 229be99c30 with difficulty,54c6411e3d805b63

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“Did… someone come here?”55400535e8293288

“Huh? Here?”47d587ee96314032

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Only then b31f4c33e8 did she dc686cc44a look up 790e4621f9 at Ryubeom. Her cloudy fea81029a9 eyes seemed 96d888f797 to shimmer 4ddd54d9df with an 10f24dd904 unfocused light, e9ce69bc4d then they 8e3a28ab8a brightened with 093d573792 recognition.e5065e569496b1ba

“Yes, a child who looks just like him came!”e6688faee2dd2479

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Her eyes, filled with cbd4ea76ee joy as she recalled 40f341a681 memories from long ago, 3cfd540d26 sparkled. She smiled 7e8ff8d80e brightly, as 41882ac72f if reuniting 6071097c35 with someone 507212e51f dear, and 81502217be spoke in 358a06c93b an excited bd747d8386 tone.e4b8cf6ba092446f

“We promised to meet at the waterfall, but the child came here, and I was so delighted!”8b5d2ac9e7f54c1b

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But soon, 2cf3dcdb83 her shoulders 1abcbd4f69 drooped sadly. Ryubeom listened blankly as 6dc9f2c0e2 she spoke of a 3b520fff1d figure from a hundred f0dc0287cf years ago.b878ac50a44c92ea

“I was so happy to see him looking well, but it turned out he was the younger brother.”0bbb31c8408ec3c7

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“…Younger brother?”4302327435eb24b2

“Yes. He mentioned having a younger brother but never showed him to me. Or did he say he rarely saw his brother? Always wandering around…”4c15855bba3efd92

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Suddenly, she thrust a 5f2d46c9b9 sketchbook in front of 3e3619260d the frozen Ryubeom.52e15e23ed1404d6

“What do you think? Isn’t he beautiful? He looks just like him.”40b57921146cbfd9

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The sketchbook, fa99ea26ec one of 87e699e104 the many 00b83e318b in her f06929d82b room filled 1d9e35fcc0 with memories d819cff7f6 not to 90c8e47842 be forgotten, 48ccf409c1 showed a ec6595ab19 man with 4a8bf86dd0 long brown 3b0430e488 hair draped ec92996ce7 over one 2308d8c4d1 shoulder, wearing 3305fa246e a hanbok 3c53d8c760 and smiling 40d91c7f17 gently. Beside him sat 642322f04a a woman, also 5b8f56aff1 in a hanbok, 90175864a5 smiling gracefully and 8a33c07f65 looking straight ahead. She held a baby 4795f41bb3 in a blanket, her 7aa1e940a7 black hair pinned up c73a86a67c with a hairpin, and 0de728ad99 her eyes, curved gently, 30bcf4d63b shone with dark red 0fd9779b68 pupils.59d3ce3856e593fc

The eyes, the ac33705af2 smile, no, the 8b01c02740 entire face was 894014ab4f familiar.09608ae405e3a8b3

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As Ryubeom’s trembling gaze confirmed the face, he finally noticed the ‘earrings’ the woman was wearing. Red jeweled earrings. Seeing them, Ryubeom’s mind thudded.71da5e74c4773e20

Cheon Ryubeom knew that man’s face. When he was trapped in ‘his’ past due to Imugi’s curse, the man’s face he saw there was the same as in the sketchbook. And the earrings the woman wore…107a1e9d018c2e9c

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They were 15319f9b92 the same 2ea22aa906 as the 756d0011fa only thing 0959b69d30 he could 60f44fd255 see from f9e1d1bccd the erased 6d392fb0a3 existence.1a16b0ba82415cda

“Who… who is this person?”30c40752f373628f

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“Who else? It’s the fox clan head and his wife! They even had a meeting recently. Look, the one with her hair up is the head, Yeomyeong.”966c3c6eded28920

The wrinkled finger pointed 8afd586b06 to the woman. Yeomyeong. Just hearing the name 1f7357ace1 sent a shock through 8623b61c99 Ryubeom, leaving him speechless.eda98f71a98c20b3

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It felt like something was breaking inside. Or was it the sound of old memories falling into place? The scenes he saw in ‘his’ past unfolded simultaneously before his eyes.6dc32d2d22b16789

Him smiling comfortably at the woman’s touch. The white fox that came up between them as they talked in the mansion. The space filled with mutual affection and care.b50fbf0a6a19d021

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And then, as the place burned down in a fire…f4136305c57be5dc

“The change in the head had a bigger impact, I think?”927805dc35d6cd8e

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The words he heard from the fox Suin echoed in his mind. After the great fire that engulfed the fox clan’s main house, the head changed, and the new head left for abroad as soon as the fire was dealt with. Only Guil communicated with the head.7a895fa1bd6be0bd

Cheon Ryubeom was 3984be6846 in a daze.416df351624d64ca

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He wanted to deny it. It couldn’t be, it didn’t make sense. When they first met, he was hiding from the tigers. He had seen him protecting the triplets.8af9dd9ae692d27b

But the more he recalled, the more his denials crumbled. Cheon Ryubeom, who was weak to children, couldn’t refuse meetings involving the triplets, naturally meeting him, treating him as a benefactor, being called ‘young master,’ and slowly opening his heart to the kindness he had never received…eb9f15083dbd1fa9

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He couldn’t breathe.6129b93342f735e7

It felt bd3dc5822e like he 3c4dbee2a7 was being f9e78ab78a strangled.bd696896650375d0

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Ryubeom’s trembling hand groped his neck, feeling the emptiness where the necklace had been, making him feel even worse. His fingers scratched the spot where the necklace had hung, convulsing. His skin tore, and blood flowed, but he felt no pain.1d3572699631ee2c

“How precious you are, young master. You’re destined to enter Daehogwan…”8fe86d154bcd1408

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Why had he shown such interest in Daehogwan? Why had he wanted Ryubeom to enter the space marked with the mansion’s protective seal so badly?db1eebef60b7ca39

What was the true 3b88e431db nature of the dark e8f957d49e red medicine he had 8279b90f0f given him?317cd9a49a356e14

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He remembered 729bc25683 how he 0925ae6ac3 had swallowed a2c307f28a it without b3de5f64a3 hesitation, even 3ed3d5b784 knowing it 4f4beecbc4 smelled of ed39c5b9ce blood. And the smile bcb784fa7c he had shown acfc4416be each time.16e5f89684ba1ff0

Accepting that ‘he,’ Yeohwi, was the fox clan head, all memories read differently. Every moment with Yeohwi shattered like glass, and Cheon Ryubeom traced the memories, cutting his hands on the shards. His gasping breaths fell like sobs.fa81cff56cc490a1

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Was everything fe026e5317 a lie, 1724ca2345 a deceit?8a75c0edc574300b

Past moments he had dismissed as strange now had cruel reasons attached. Why didn’t Garam from Hyojomyeon remember Yeohwi? Why did the connections he made in Jeju suddenly disappear? Yeohwi had been erasing all traces, fearing information about him might reach the tiger clan.56369b82ac743bf5

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Ryubeom instinctively touched his neck again. His head felt like it was about to explode, his stomach churned messily. He wanted to vomit. But what he had swallowed and cherished for so long couldn’t be expelled. It had rooted so deep that it shook his entire being, spreading poison from those roots, making him helpless against it.0a035f7c10519f3b

But perhaps because he 63ab765b8d had cherished every moment d3933a0dd0 so deeply, Cheon Ryubeom d079b56077 reached a fundamental question.6fb7e975b2c57096

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