Before him stood a figure, tall and imposing, with a presence that seemed to fill the entire space. Chunho instinctively knew that this was Yooshin, the ancient dragon deity that had blessed and cursed Jeoyoon with his unique constitution.
As Chunho approached, he was surprised to find that Yooshin was not the female figure he had expected. Instead, Yooshin was a man, his form strong and regal, with an aura of wisdom and power that radiated from him.
The realization caught Chunho off guard, but he quickly recovered, bowing his head in respect.
The dragon's voice was deep and resonant, echoing through the vast emptiness of the dreamlike realm. "You seem surprised, Chunho," Yooshin said, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Did you not expect to find me like this?"
Chunho straightened, meeting Yooshin's gaze. "I... had always heard of you as a goddess, not a god."
Yooshin chuckled softly, the sound reverberating through the air. "Gender is but a mortal concept, Chunho. I am beyond such distinctions. I have taken many forms over the ages, depending on how I wished to present myself. But what matters now is not my form, but the reason you have come."
Chunho began, his voice steady despite the swirling emotions within him. "I seek answers. I want to know if I am Jeoyoon's destined partner."
Yooshin regarded Chunho with a calm, unreadable expression. His eyes, deep and ancient, seemed to pierce through Chunho, weighing his soul. "You are not," Yooshin said after a moment, his voice resonant and firm. "Jeoyoon's destined partner is another, not you."
Chunho's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his composure. His fists clenched, he had a feeling he wasn't going to be Jeoyoon's destined partner but after knowing he still didn't want to let him go.
Yooshin's gaze sharpened as he spoke, his voice carrying a hint of something deeper, something darker. "I have plans for you, Chunho. Great plans that go beyond your mortal understanding. The thread connecting Jeoyoon to his destined partner is fragile, it can be easily severed. I can cut it… if you so desire."
Chunho's eyes widened slightly, the weight of Yooshin's words sinking in. "You're offering me a chance to become Jeoyoon's destined partner?"
"Yes," Yooshin replied, a faint, knowing smile playing on his lips. "But only if you're willing to take it. You can cut the thread, tie Jeoyoon's fate to yours instead, and claim him as your own."
Chunho didn't hesitate. The thought of someone else being tied to Jeoyoon, of Jeoyoon belonging to anyone but him, was intolerable. "I want it," he said firmly, his voice resolute. "I'll cut the thread and become his destined partner. Whatever happens to the original one… I don't care."
Yooshin's smile widened, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Very well. But know this, Chunho: if you want my help, you must help me in return."
Chunho smiled, he was not expecting anything less from the this sly deity, he stood back wary of the conditions Yooshin might impose. "What do you want?"
Yooshin stepped closer, his presence overwhelming as he loomed over Chunho. "I want you to become the new Yooshin," he said, his voice like thunder. "To become the new god of Goyeo. Tie your fate with Jeoyoon, and in return, take up my mantle. You will have power beyond your wildest dreams, but with it comes the burden of divinity."
Chunho stared at Yooshin, the enormity of the offer sinking in. To become a god, to rule over Goyeo, and to have Jeoyoon by his side—these were things he had never imagined.
"What I want is Jeoyoon, I have no desire to become the next Yooshin.."
Yooshin laughed as he flicked his fingers, as three threads appeared in the air, the red and white one were already tied while the black roamed around aimlessly.
"You see this? This is Jeoyoon and his destined partner, while this lonely black thread is you. No matter how much you try to defy fate, Jeoyoon will still end up with his destined partner…unless you do something about it.."
Chunho frowned as he stared at the towering man in front of him. He took a step back and smiled, becoming Yooshin would mean he would have the power over Jeoyoon's fate.
After a moment, he nodded slowly. "Fine. I'll become the new Yooshin."
Yooshin's eyes gleamed with approval. "Then it is done. Prepare yourself, Chunho. Your journey has only just begun."
Yooshin's gaze grew more intense as he studied Chunho, the air between them thick with anticipation. The dragon deity's voice lowered, carrying a weight that made Chunho's skin prickle with unease.
"My time in this world is nearing its end," Yooshin said, his tone somber. "My body grows weak, unable to contain the power I've wielded for centuries. I need a new vessel, a body strong enough to bear the weight of a god. I need your body, Chunho."
Chunho's breath hitched, the realization of what Yooshin was asking dawning on him like a dark cloud. This wasn't just about power, or even about becoming Jeoyoon's destined partner. Yooshin intended to take over his body, to merge his essence with Chunho's.
Before Chunho could react, Yooshin stepped forward, his hand moving with a deliberate, almost predatory grace. He placed two fingers on Chunho's forehead, and the world around them seemed to warp, reality itself bending under the immense pressure of the dragon deity's power.
The moment Yooshin's fingers touched his skin, an unbearable pain surged through Chunho's body, unlike anything he had ever experienced. It was as if his very essence was being torn apart, reshaped, and reforged in the crucible of divine power. His muscles tensed, his veins felt like they were on fire, and his bones vibrated with an intense, otherworldly energy.
He wanted to scream, to pull away, but he was paralyzed, trapped in the grip of Yooshin's power.
The process was agonizingly slow, every second feeling like an eternity as Yooshin transferred his power into Chunho. His features began to change—his skin took on a faint, otherworldly sheen, his eyes darkened, glowing with a deep, mysterious light, and his once-human aura became something more, something far more terrifying.