Chapter 4
Ethan's scream was lost in the void.
Suddenly, a faint glow emanated from Minsoo's phone. The screen displayed a text from Jaehoon: "Get Ethan out of there. NOW."
Minsoo's voice trembled. "Ethan, we have to go."
Ethan's response was a strangled whisper. "What's happening?"
Minsoo yanked Ethan up, dragging him toward the door.
As they stumbled into the hallway, the lights flickered back to life.
But something was off.
The walls seemed to shift, like a maze rearranging itself.
Ethan's disorientation deepened.
Minsoo's grip on his arm tightened. "Stay close."
They stumbled through the twisting corridors.
Until they reached the front door.
Which swung open to reveal...
Jaehoon standing in the doorway, his eyes locked on Ethan.
With an unnerving smile.
"Welcome, Ethan," Jaehoon said. "I've been waiting."
Ethan's mind reeled.
Jaehoon's eyes seemed to hold a sinister intent.
And Minsoo's grip on his arm felt like a betrayal.
"Minsoo, what's going on?" Ethan demanded.
Minsoo's voice was barely audible. "I'm sorry, Ethan. I didn't know."
Ethan's heart sank.
He was trapped.
And Jaehoon's smile grew wider.
The air thickened as loomed, its smile twisted.
Minsoo's voice sliced through the tension, low and commanding. "That's not Jaehoon."
Ethan's heart stuttered.
"Sooyeon," Minsoo spat. "Deceitful spirit."
Sooyeon's eyes gleamed with malevolence as she wore Jaehoon's face like a mask. Ethan's mind reeled, struggling to comprehend the deception.
Minsoo's voice cut through the tension, his words weaving ancient incantations.
"gwageoui agmaui jinjeonghan moseub-eul chwihasibsio" Minsoo chanted.
(Translation: "take your true form demon of the past")
Sooyeon's expression contorted, her face rippling like water.
Her body began to shift, reforming into the tiger that haunted Ethan's dreams.
Ethan's breath quickened, fear clawing at his chest.
The tiger charged, its eyes blazing.
Minsoo yanked Ethan aside, dodging the deadly swipe.
The tiger's claws scraped against the wall.
Ethan stumbled, shaken.
Minsoo grasped his face.
"Look at me," he commanded.
Ethan's gaze locked onto Minsoo's.
"I'm from the same ancestral lineage as the changgwi," Minsoo revealed.
"Sooyeon can't harm me... or mine."
Ethan's confusion reigned.
"I don't understand," he stammered.
Minsoo's eyes softened.
Without warning, Minsoo pulled Ethan into a deep kiss.
Ethan's lips parted in surprise.
Minsoo's teeth grazed his lower lip.
A sharp pain followed.
Ethan tasted blood.
Minsoo sucked on the wound.
A strange energy coursed through them.
Ethan felt his heart racing.
His thoughts tangled.
Minsoo broke the kiss.
"Trust me," he whispered.
Ethan's world teetered but in Minsoo's eyes, he saw a glimmer of hope.
Sooyeon's fury intensified, her energy coursing through the air like a palpable force. The tiger's form began to twist and contort, its body elongating into a grotesque amalgamation of human and beast.
Ethan recoiled, his heart racing with fear. Minsoo stood firm, his eyes locked onto the creature.
"Sooyeon, your power is no match for mine," Minsoo declared, his voice steady and commanding.
The creature's eyes blazed with defiance, and a dark energy surged forth. Ethan felt the air thicken, the tension building to a breaking point.
Minsoo raised his hand, and a subtle glow emanated from his palm. The energy clashed with Sooyeon's, sending shockwaves through the room.
As the battle raged on, Ethan's mind was flooded with visions of Sooyeon's past. He saw a life cut short, a tragic death, and a soul bound to the tiger.
Ethan's empathy stirred, and Sooyeon's rage began to falter. The creature's form shifted, its twisted limbs reforming into Jaehoon's likeness.
"Minsoo," Sooyeon whispered, her voice laced with sorrow and recognition.
Minsoo's expression softened, his eyes filled with compassion. "Sooyeon, it's time to let go," he urged.
Minsoo's voice was a gentle breeze on a summer's day, soft and soothing. "Sooyeon, it's time to let go of the past."
Sooyeon's gaze snapped to Minsoo's, her eyes blazing with defiance, like embers fueling a fire.
"No!" she screamed, her voice shattering the tension, sending tremors through the air.
Her form began to shift, contorting into its true shape. Ethan watched, transfixed, as Sooyeon's original form took shape before them.
A woman with long, flowing hair and a white hanbok stood before them. Her beauty was haunting, her pain palpable.
Sooyeon's eyes flashed with anguish, her face twisted in a desperate plea.
"Don't ask me to forget," she whispered, her voice cracking.
Minsoo's expression softened. "I'm not asking you to forget, Sooyeon. I'm asking you to let go."
Sooyeon's face contorted, her body trembling.
And then, she vanished.
The sound of rustling leaves signaled her transformation.
The tiger's roar echoed through the streets, growing fainter with each passing moment.
Minsoo's shoulders sagged, relief etched on his face.
"Thank goodness," he breathed.
Ethan's eyes met Minsoo's.
"What happens now?" Ethan asked.
Minsoo's gaze drifted toward the window. "The 14th district will return to normal... for now."
As if on cue, the lights outside stabilized, their flickering ceasing.
The night air lost its oppressive weight.
The silence was almost deafening.
Ethan let out a deep breath.
Minsoo joined him, sinking onto the couch.
Their breathing synchronized.
Chests heaving.
Hearts pounding.
The tension dissipated.
Exhaustion claimed them.
Ethan leaned back.
"What the hell did I just go through?" Ethan asked.
Minsoo chuckled.
"You'd rather not know," Minsoo teased.
Ethan playfully rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on."
Minsoo grinned.
"You're just mad because you got kissed." Ethan's face flushed a shade of pink.
"That was not a kiss! You clearly bit me" Ethan protested.
Minsoo raised an eyebrow. "Really? Felt like one to me."
Ethan's laughter filled the room. " You're ridiculous."
Minsoo's smile faltered. "It's not over, Ethan."
Ethan's grin faded. "What do you mean?"
Minsoo's gaze turned serious. "Sooyeon will return."
Ethan's heart sank. And then, the lights flickered once more. The 14th district's eerie energy pulsed.
The night air grew thick.
"Soon," Minsoo whispered.
Ethan's eyes locked onto Minsoo's.
"Soon?" Ethan repeated.
Minsoo nodded. "Sooyeon's tied to the changgwi's power."
Ethan frowned. "What does that mean?"
Minsoo leaned back. "It means she'll keep coming back."
Ethan's unease grew. "What can we do?"
Minsoo's expression turned determined.
"We'll find a way to break the cycle."
Ethan nodded.
Together.
They sat in silence.
The flickering lights casting eerie shadows.
Suddenly, Ethan spoke up.
"Hey."
Minsoo turned. "What's up?"
Ethan's grin returned. "You kissed me."
Minsoo's face flushed. "That was necessary," Minsoo said.
Ethan chuckled.
"Necessary?"
Minsoo shrugged.
"To bind you to me."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"Bind me?"
Minsoo nodded.
"For protection."
Ethan's teasing tone dropped.
"Oh."
Minsoo's gaze locked onto Ethan's.
"But I didn't mind," Minsoo whispered winking at Ethan making Ethan's heart skipped a beat.
Their eyes held a lot of unsaid things. Even the tension between them palpable.
The darkness outside seemed to press in, as if eager to reclaim its hold on the 14th district.
Suddenly, Ethan's phone buzzed, shattering the calm. The sound echoed through the room,
making Ethan's heart skip a beat.
Minsoo's eyes snapped open, his gaze locking onto Ethan's.
"Who is it?" he asked, his voice low and cautious.
Ethan checked the screen, his brow furrowing.
"Unknown number," he replied, uncertainty creeping into his voice.
Minsoo's expression turned serious.
"Answer it," he urged.
Ethan hesitated, then picked up.
"Hello?" Ethan said.
A low, gravelly voice spoke on the other end.
"You think you've won, but this is just the beginning."
Ethan's grip on the phone tightened.
"Who is this?" Ethan demanded.
The voice chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound.
"You'll find out soon enough."
The line went dead.
Ethan's eyes met Minsoo's.
"What did they say?" Minsoo asked.
Ethan relayed the message, his words tumbling out in a rush.
Minsoo's expression turned grim.
"It seems we have a new player in the game."
Ethan frowned.
"What game?" Ethan asked.
Minsoo's gaze drifted into the darkness.
"A game of survival."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
Ethan's unease grew.
"What do we do now?" Ethan asked.
Minsoo's eyes refocused.
"We prepare," he said.
For what, Ethan wondered.
Minsoo stood, his movements fluid.
"I dunno... Learn more about sooyeon than we know?."
Ethan nodded, still reeling.
"Okay. How are we gonna do that? Isn't there anyone in your family that knows about it?"
Ethan's thoughts lingered on Sooyeon.
"Is there anyone in your family who knows more about Sooyeon?" Ethan asked.
Minsoo's expression turned guarded.
"My parents," he replied.
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
"Will they tell us?"
Minsoo shook his head.
"They won't talk."
Ethan sighed.
"Great."
Minsoo stood.
"Let's get some rest."
Ethan nodded.
They trudged back to the bedroom.
As they settled into bed, Ethan's curiosity resurfaced.
"What do you do, anyway?" Ethan asked.
Minsoo's smile hinted at secrets.
"I'm a fashion designer."
Ethan's eyebrows rose.
"No way."
Minsoo chuckled. "What's surprising?"
"Your style's so... understated," Ethan teased.
Minsoo laughed. "That's the point."
Ethan leaned in. "For which brand?"
Minsoo's smile faltered. "That's no-need-to-know."
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
"You're hiding something."
Minsoo shrugged. "Maybe."
Ethan poked Minsoo's side. "Spill."
Minsoo swatted Ethan's hand away.
"No."
Their playful banter escalated.
"You're killing me," Ethan said.
Minsoo grinned mischievously.
"That's the plan."
Ethan rolled onto his side.
Minsoo mirrored him.
Their faces inches apart.
The tension shifted.
From playful to charged.
Ethan cleared his throat.
"Goodnight," Ethan said.
Minsoo's whisper echoed.
"Goodnight."
Their eyes locked in the darkness.
Ethan's eyelids drooped, his body surrendering to exhaustion.
He lay on the floor, no pillow cushioning his head.
Minsoo's gaze lingered on Ethan's peaceful face.
A mischievous spark ignited within him.
Without warning, Minsoo swung a pillow down.
It slapped Ethan's chest, the sound echoing.
Ethan's eyes snapped open.
"You're on!" Ethan growled.
Minsoo grinned.
Pillows flew through the air.
Feathers burst forth, dancing in the darkness.
Ethan launched himself at Minsoo.
Minsoo leapt from the bed.
Their bodies collided.
Minsoo's arms flailed.
He tumbled backward.
Onto Ethan's chest.
Their faces inches apart.
Breaths mingled.
Hearts pounded.
Ethan's hands cradled Minsoo's head.
Minsoo's eyes locked onto Ethan's.
The air thickened.
Tension crackled.
Minsoo's face descended.
Ethan's pulse quickened.
Their lips inches apart.
And then...