The key dangling from the ring around [Seo Dawon]s wrist shook before my eyes.

With my mouth still blocked, I pointed out [Seo Dawon] to Koo Hui-seoI wanted to know if his tentacles could sneak the key away while we were still left undetected.

However, Koo Hui-seo shook his head immediately. The moment I touch the key, our stealth will break With that sort of personality, theres no way he wouldnt have manufactured some sort of trap

Well, now that I think about it, Seo Dawon No, Fake Dawon was at the precipice of his anger right now. He was sure to have done something to his surroundings or the key.

However, waiting things out would be futile as well. I gently bit Koo Hui-seos fingers, which were still blocking my mouth. I intended to convey that I wanted to speak, but, unpleasantly, the ex-chimera caressed my tongue with his fingers. It was only when I bit down until he almost bled that he removed his hand.

I thought you were joking around the ex-chimera stated sadly.

Why would I joke around with *you* like that? I huffed and punched Koo Hui-seo on the side, but the guy only whined that he was hurtnot that it physically showed. He didnt budge one inch.

Anyway, I stopped punishing him because we were able to talk in whispers due to his skill. I asked, How many minutes are left in your [Lay Low] skill?

Around 20 minutes.

What about the cooldown time?

About 10 minutes

That meant we needed to run away in 20 minutes, but all the windows and exit points for this room were closed. The room remained completely locked due to Fake Dawons mysterious skill, and the monster himself did not leave and remained in the room as well. It seemed like he still hadnt rightfully rid himself of the suspicion that we were unable to leave the room yet.

Then, how should we leave? Or should you launch a surprise attack from behind him?

I cant fight unsophisticatedly, like a Mage 1

With a frustrated heart, I pressed at Koo Hui-seo, but he simply stared meaningfully off into the distance while saying, I cant beat Seo Dawon.

When I followed Koo Hui-seos gaze, I saw an old chimney. I looked back at the ex-chimera and asked, So, were running away through that thing?

Yes.

But that doesnt change the fact that Seo Dawon has the key in his hands.

If we dont snatch away the key herewell be in the same situation in a few hours anyway.

Koo Hui-seo frowned, as if he couldnt refute my points. However, contrary to my expression, he cut through the silence and began talking about something else. Lee-kyung-ssi. If Lee-kyung-ssis body dies here, your body back in reality wont be safe either.

What?

Ive said that when youre hurt in the nightmare, your body will be injured as wellIve experienced it so many times. Koo Hui-seo seemed to always be concerned about my physical condition. Wrapping the tips of his softened tentacles around my broken leg, he created an enveloping cast; his brows furrowed as he surveyed my injury. Then, very carefully, he pressed his lips against the upper portion of my injury. Flinching at the soft touch against my calf, I tried to pull out my leg. However, the ex-chimera removed his lips quickly.

Because of this, I felt like I missed the timing to be angry at this pervert. Koo Hui-seo smiled at my stammering self and spoke in a soothing tone, Lets first leave through the chimneyand then Ill place you in a safe locationeven if you were to be left alone.

After that, I think itd be best if I tried to retrieve the key from Seo Dawon alone.

I tried to say something at those words, but Koo Hui-seo moved faster than I could speak. He pulled at the tentacles around my waist and quickly leaped towards the ceiling.

This all happened before I could respond. Koo Hui-seo pressed a thin, soft tentacle to my glabella to smooth out the wrinkles there. Please dont be upset. To me Lee-kyung-ssi is

Im worried youll get more injured Though he spoke slowly, he stuffed his thickest tentacles up the chimney quickly. I heard crumbling rock roll down the chimney; whenever that happened, I looked back at [Seo Dawon], frozen with horror. Although, I didnt think we were noticed.

Afterwardswith his tentacles firmly affixed to the structureKoo Hui-seo strained his tentacles and began slowly pushing us up into the dark chimney. The tentacles holding my legs went up first, though, and we entered upside-down.

The problem, though, was when my waist was halfway up the chimney, [Seo Dawon] looked my way. Creepily, his red eyes seemed to met mine exactly. I knew that this was just in my headthe [Lay Low] skill was still maintainedbut I didnt feel so good.

[Tsk, Lee-kyung-ah]

Unfortunately, my hunch was correct.

[Seo Dawon] smiled and reached out to me; simultaneously, the shadow underneath his hand fluctuated ominously. The shadow soon rose up from the floor; a large canine head popped out. If Koo Hui-seo hadnt blocked it, the attack would have ripped off my head.

[Woof!]

No!

The [demonhounds] bit and ripped some tentacles off of Koo Hui-seos shoulders; the ex-chimera didnt even groan in pain. I wanted to say something, but my head was already ascending the chimney, so I couldnt see what had happened afterwards. However, the fact that the tentacles wrapped around my legs kept reeling felt ominous.

It was then.

Nnnngh! Suddenly, all the tentacles that were holding my leg released their tension simultaneously, and I crashed down. It was clear that if I fell head first I would break my neck, and I had no time to cover my head.

But, as soon as I tightly shut my eyes, I fell into someones arms and not the hard floor. The fragrance of blood wafting from those arms was appalling.

[So, we finally meet.]

I could tell who it was without opening my eyes. [Seo Dawon] rubbed my cheek with a fingertip, slippery with some strange liquid. I desperately hoped it wouldnt be Koo Hui-seos blood, but, within a few seconds, I heard something bluntly fall to the ground.

I opened my eyes at that sound. Rather, I tried to open my eyes, but [Seo Dawon] was peppering brief kisses over my eyes.

[Whats with your expression?]

He looked down onto my face frozen with fear and laughed. As if this was all some amusing prank. However, the laugh was cut shorta cold sneer grew on his face.

[Did I interrupt something nice?]

* * *

First, [Seo Dawon] tied both my hands. He attached a bracelet shaped like a snake biting its own tail onto each of my wrists; when he brought my wrists together, the snakes opened their mouths and bit the others tail. The bracelets had transformed into handcuffs.

[How did you break that?]

While disabling all movement in my arms, he moved to take something out of his inventoryhowever, he saw my limp leg. He paused his efforts to retrieve whatever he wanted and asked me about my injury.

I couldnt answer the [Mage], nothing came to mind.

[Does it hurt a lot?]

Though the tone of his voice was affectionate, when I didnt answer, he didnt hesitate to hold the broken leg in his hand. Then, he applied strength, as if he were about to crush it.

Ah! Nngh! Aaagh! It hurts! HurAahh! I couldnt endure the pain and screamed, tilting my head backwards and shaking. Only then did he release my ankle. He even gently wiped the tears that formed at the corners of my eyes. Afterwards, he gave me a light embrace.

[Are you hurt anywhere else?]

Th-There isnt Unable to win against the threat of pain laden in [Seo Dawon]s crooked eye smile, I answered quickly. Then, he hugged me tightly within his arms and strode out of the room. I closed my eyes, unable to look anymore at Koo Hui-seos collapsed body.

This fake [Seo Dawon] seemed to be familiar with the mansions infrastructure. After passing through a labyrinthian hallway and numerous rooms, he stood in front of a heavy gate engraved with thorny branches.

As if the doors had been waiting for him, they opened. The inside looked pitch black, so I couldnt see what was there, but I could feel a bone-piercing chill from the threshold.

Trembling, I couldnt endure the cold and burrowed my face into [Seo Dawon]s nape. He stopped moving for a brief moment and took a deep breath. However, we soon started moving again, and, finally, we entered through the door.

After a long time, we entered a space filled with bright light. A different corridorsimilar yet different to the ones in the mansion earlierhad manifested. We entered the nearest room which contained a gargantuan bed.

[Seo Dawon] gently laid me down on that bed and reached for my broken leg. When I shrank reflexively awaystill frightened by the earlier eventshe grasped my knee. When I grit my teeth and stayed still from the strength the [Mage] silently exerted, he finally loosened his grip.

I thought he would begin to torture me again. However, contrary to my expectations, he stroked my broken ankle and soon removed his hands.

[Seo Dawon] left me on the bed and began to slowly peruse the room. It was as if he was browsing through the decorations here.

Of course, I couldnt afford to let my guard down. I felt like I was trapped in a cage with a lion. I was sensitive to every one of his movements because I didnt know when he would suddenly turn on me and kill me.

On the other hand, [Seo Dawon] seemed relaxed as he leisurely looked at the ornaments that surrounded the bed. His attention was drawn to the old frame on the bedside table. After looking at it for a long while, he took the picture out of the frame and approached me. Then, he showed me the picture and asked,

[How old were you?]

Surprisingly, I was the subject depicted in the pictureme at 12 years old riding a bicycle.

Become a Patron!

TL: RIP Koo Hui-seo, RIP Woo Ragi.

This [Seo Dawon] is mega creepy.