As Seo Dawon answered, he reached his hand out. The crimson jewel slowly landed on his palm.

However, as soon as Seo Dawon received the jewel, Koo Hui-seo, who seemed fine earlier, suddenly began to stumble. Flinching, I approached him and tried to support his weight. But because Jung Garam didnt let go, I couldnt take another step.

Dont come here, Lee-kyung-ah. Surprisingly, it was Seo Dawon who grabbed Koo Hui-seos arm. After stopping me, he lifted the gradually drooping Koo Hui-seo and allowed the guildmaster to lightly lean against him. As soon as it seemed like Koo Hui-seo was calmly held against his side, I suddenly heard the clothes swelling behind his back and something bursting out.

Following that, black string-like things began indiscriminately popping out from Koo Hui-seos back. It was as if a black firecracker had exploded from his body.

I-Is he okay? I asked.

Choi Lee-kyung, back off.

The servants obviously had little interest in Koo Hui-seos grave appearance. I was plenty worried that the other would die if the situation continued, but Jung Garam pulled me away, widening the distance between us and Koo Hui-seo.

Slither

What is that

At that moment, the limp black strings suddenly made strange noises, wriggling on the floor before slowly rising up.

Because Koo Hui-seo still seemed unconscious, the strings felt like separate creatures with their own sentience. Furthermore, the strings slowly bent their heads and became hook-shaped; Seo Dawon, who had been supporting Koo Hui-seo all this while, began to bind the others arms together.

W-What is that?

So, thats why Im saying to not get close. Sloppy people like you will get hunted.

When I shouted in surprise, Jung Garam rebuked mehis tone seemed to ask if I now understood the reason for his strict hold.

Then, isnt Seo Dawon in a lot of danger?

I looked towards Seo Dawon urgently, observing the strings that began to constrict his torso. However, whether or not Seo Dawon noticed my anxiety, the Mage calmly grabbed the guild masters arm and dragged him onto the sofa.

Slitherrrr Slither

Even then, the black strings climbed up Seo Dawons torso, wriggling through his shirt collar and going through his sleeves. The strings suddenly became pliable, like fingers, and began to unbutton the Mages shirt, one by one.

.Mm?

What? Why is it unbuttoning his shirt?

Gah, why the buttons! Anger suddenly swelled within me, and I inadvertently shouted out. Seo Dawon glanced at me, chuckled a little, and soon, in one movement, tore off the strands that were annoyingly attached to his body.

Its durability must be worse than I had thought. Shortly after being ripped off, the black strings strands quickly fell to the ground, transformed into black smoke, and disappeared.

However, there were still a lot of black tentacles remaining from Koo Hui-seos back; the wriggling mass insidiously hovered near Seo Dawon.

Seeing that, Jung Garam poked me in the ribs, Choi Lee-kyung, are you a fool? If you just left it alone, you would have had a chance to see hyungs naked body.

No need, alright? I dont want to see it in that manner

You didnt deny wanting to see him naked, though, huh?

I pushed Jung Garam and his accurate read away. During that time, though, I met Woo Ragis contemptuous gaze. He looked as if he were seeing a pervertthere were no words to describe how unfair it felt when I saw his expression. Honestly, its not like I brought this topic up first

While I was feeling unfairly wronged, Seo Dawon continued to be grabbed by the black strings. Seo Dawon wrinkled his forehead, as if he were annoyed, but ignored them and raised one hand above Koo Hui-seos chest.

As soon as he did that, the black strands covered Seo Dawons arm, as if the Mage had been snared in a trap; they began to tighten tightly. The force was such that I was worried the Mages arm would break, Seo Dawon simply uttered a skill. [Purify].

As golden light flowed from Seo Dawons palm, Koo Hui-seos blue lips gradually returned to its original pink. Even the guild masters breathing, which was hard to hear before, could be heard.

I felt relievedat a surface glance, it seemed as if Koo Hui-seo had recovered somewhat. The black strands continued to grasp Seo Dawons arms like an anaconda, strangling the breath from its prey.

Do we have to cut those off? Kim Olim asked.

Leave them alone for a moment. Itd be counterproductive to disturb him now.

After watching quietly, Kim Olim asked her question while fiddling with the handle of the sword on her waist with one thumb, but Seo Dawon shook his head, turning his frustrated gaze upon her.

Soon, coughing, Koo Hui-seo woke up. Hnngh. Hm?

Your tentacles. Sheathe them.

However, even as Koo Hui-seo returned to his senses, he looked around with an expression that belied his confusion towards his situationwhy he was slumped.

I had experienced the same in the hospital room recently, so I was sympathetic to his befuddlement, but Seo Dawon suddenly slapped Koo Hui-seos cheeks. I gasped in shock, startled by the sudden violence.

Even though that slap may be to return him to consciousnessWas it okay to wake someone who had collapsed from anemia like that? His ruthless sidesomething I havent seen in a long timemade me uncomfortable.

However, Koo Hui-seo, the one that hit, blinked blankly without a word of protest, as if he was familiar with this sort of treatment. He slowly stood up; simultaneously, the tentacles holding onto Seo Dawons arm loosened, one by one.

When the tentacles completely released him, the Mage opened and clenched his fist; he walked a couple of steps away from Koo Hui-seo.

Slither

The black strings, which looked a bit like electric wires when relaxed and stretched out, began crawling towards Koo Hui-seos back. Gradually, the strands became shorter until they disappeared behind him.

Looking at that sight, Jung Garam giggled, Its like he vacuumed up some electrical wires.

I-If you say that, its a bit Of course, I had similar thoughts

In any case, I glanced at Koo Hui-seos slightly swollen cheek before going into my room, bringing out the cardigan I had been wearing. I carefully handed it to the guildmaster, who had been staring blankly at the ground. I was still concerned about the recently released black tentacles, but Seo Dawon didnt stop me after seeing me move. Therefore, it didnt seem dangerous.

Koo Hui-seo stared at the cardigan in my arms before looking up at my face.

You should wear it. I said.

Its cold

Hes cold? I checked over the guild master once more at his unexpected remark. I belatedly realized that ones body temperature would be affected after being drained of a great amount of blood.

With an apologetic heart, I wrapped the cardigan around Koo Hui-seo and started walking towards the kitchen to bring him some warm water. Suddenly, something coldlike icetouched my wrist.

Koo Hui-seo trembled and held my wrist. Simultaneously, Seo Dawon approached us, but I didnt remove the guild masters hand. Instead, I laid my hand atop his.

Koo Hui-seos attitude was quite strange though; though he was the one to first grab onto me, he flinched as if my hands were fire before looking at me in amazement. He opened his mouth as if he were about to say something, but eventually said nothing and placed more power behind his skinny fingers.

Why dont you drink some warm water? Ill bring some for you. I said.

Imfine.

Arent you dizzy? Even if Hui-seo-ssi had a peculiar constitutionthis must have been difficult.

Koo Hui-seo blinked while staring at me. Was that his way of telling me that he was fine?

Ha In front of us, Seo Dawon sighed deeply. Somehow I felt like he was sighing at me, but the Mage said nothing in the end. I must have violated some unsaid conventions.

Koo Hui-seo held onto me for a long while, and, all at once, jumped up from his seat. Then, he released his hand that had become lukewarm.

Are you okay now?

Yees Koo Hui-seo responded, his expression blank as usual.

He recovered so quickly? I was alarmed at his amazing recovery speed.

After answering, Koo Hui-seo looked at me for a long while; the cardigan I had dressed him in began ripping at the seams. Because I had no intention of getting it back from him anyway, I paid it no mind.

When I said nothing, Koo Hui-seo calmed his wringing hands. Then, he called out to me in a pleading voice, Lee-kyung-ssi

Yes.

You dontsmell something strange from me? He asked, randomly. I immediately sniffed at the surroundings. The servants had previously told me that they smelled something bad from Koo Hui-seo, so I was a little curious

However, this time as well, I couldnt grasp a single bad stenchexcept for the slight scent of wood and grass, I smelled nothing. Rather, it was as if he had been scented with perfume

Well, the servants wouldnt point the smell out for no reason I just assumed it was a scent I wouldnt be able to perceive, and I wasnt so concerned

First, I replied honestly, I dont smell anything.

Then, Lee-kyung-ssi cant smell himself, right?

What? Do I smell?

Yees Koo Hui-seo told me that he smelled something strange from me!

I didnt expect to hear such a thing; flustered, I raised my arm to sniff at it. However, there was no odor except for the slight scent of sweat. I-Is it severe?

Well? At times, its worse than now.

What?

Koo Hui-seo spoke casually, but I was shocked. It was the first time Ive heard I smelled.

Almost involuntarily, I looked towards the servants When I locked gazes with Jung Garam, he opened his eyes innocently; Kim Olim closed hers and crossed her arms.

And Woo Ragi

You didnt know?

He completely blocked his nose while smirking at me.

Then, I looked up at Seo Dawon desperately. He stared back without avoiding my gaze.

D-Does it really smell that bad? I asked.

Even Seo Dawon, my last hope, crooked the corners of his lips and smiled. Enough that its hard to endure.

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TL: Ive got a theory that the smell that comes from both Koo Hui-seo and Lee-kyung is actually the stench of death. Dunno if Im right though.

Also, >.< The hamster cant stop being nice. My heart~

I know I wouldnt be so kind to Koo Hui-seo.