[How amusing.]

Koo Hui-seo raised his head again.

Though he was smiling and his words were positive, it felt like his demeanor changed with Seo Dawons wordslike he was poked in some sensitive area.

What bothered me was that, as Koo Hui-seo raised his head, his body and the branches of the melded tree inched close to us with a creaking sound.

.. Though I didnt think Koo Hui-seo could do much to us in his current state, I stood tall with a casual facade; still, I clenched my sweaty palms. Was this unexpected situation still a part of the Mages plans?

Seo Dawon, too, was not an easy opponent.

He stomped on the chimeras roots, which had been making suspicious movements near our ankles, and summoned a red sphere on top of his palm.

Judging by the fluttering heat that wafted to my face, he must be using a fire attribute skill. It was a threat: any funny business and the other would lose even his rotting wooden trunk.

His intimidation tactic was quite effective.

Koo Hui-seos branches, which had been spreading to the ceiling like ivy vines, and his wriggling roots calmed down.

In the first place, I came here to get information that only Koo Hui-seo would have. Before I heard your story, I thought that Koo Kyungman was imprisoning his brother here. Seo Dawon steadfastly said while looking at the chimera. I nodded softlythat was the truth.

Honestly, who could have imagined that a healthy human being would have been combined with a tree to turn into a chimera?

[Koo Kyungman? Too Hui-seo?] Our opponent grumbledthe nuance of his tone belied the fact that he could not believe those words.

Koo Kyungman had asked me to assassinate his brother. Of course, I declined though. Seo Dawon continued, steamrolling over Hui-seos confusion.

When Koo Hui-seo looked at the Mage in disbelief, Seo Dawon simply stood there with arms crossed over his chestas if he was saying Its your choice, believe me or dont. There wasnt much evidence to support our claims, though, since this had all happened before Seo Dawon died.

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However, Koo Hui-seo merely nodded and muttered to himself, as if we had agitated some hidden suspicions.

[Well, now or then, he was always that kind of guy. Even when Hui-seo was alive, hed always behave like a rat]

Come to think of it, though the original may have extremely adored his brotherwhen the disorder progressed, all the other personalities that appeared had wanted to kill Koo Kyungman, right? I wondered about the nature of the brothers true relationship, but the chimera had finished muttering to himself.

[I dont know what you want, but everything that Hui-seo should know, I do as well.] The chimera said, drawing the conversation to its natural end. He continued, desperation leaking into his voice as he looked at Seo Dawon. [If its Hui-seo you need, I can suffice.]

Perhaps he knew that the chances of being saved were growing slim. Since we informed him that Koo Kyungman was contracting an assassination, he must have realized that he couldnt expect anything from him.

Seo Dawon also noticed Koo Hui-seos changing attitude. He looked down at the chimera and said, in a soft voice quite different from before, All I want is information that could cause Koo Kyungmans downfall in the ranks of the [Red Dragon].

[]

If you give me valuable information, Ill lift the curse. He said, relentlessly.

After hearing our desires, Koo Hui-seo fell silent. Judging from his expression, he didnt seem like he was going to refuse our request and was instead lost in the past.

[I have no such information to disgrace Koo Kyungman; Ive been locked up here for long]

His answer was ultimately frank but disappointing.

Honestly, if what were searching for could be gained with just a few words, any old dog or cow could have headed a guild coup

What should we do now? At this rate, wed be leaving empty-handed

[But, if I return to my original form and persuade Mother, it wouldnt be difficult to disgrace Koo Kyungman.] Koo Hui-seo immediately offered an alternative trade.

Is he trying to say that although he has no information currently, once he returns he can grab the seat from his brother? However, I doubted the plausibility of his statementafter all, Koo Hui-seo was stuck here after parting with his mother on bad terms.

Didnt you say that you and your mother currently have a horrible relationship? Seo Dawon asked, sharing my view.

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[Returning to my normal body will be a sign to her that Ive become an obedient son who follows his mothers orders submissively. I bet shell forgive me after looking at my face.] Koo Hui-seo responded. [This curse, after all, can only be lifted if I forgo my ego and become Mothers doll.]

He gave a slight smileI saw chilly determination upon his face.

Seo Dawon looked towards me after the chimera finished speakingit seems as if the ultimate decision was left to me. Because of that, Koo Hui-seo also turned to look my way.

Why on earth would you leave something this important to me when youve been doing fine talking and making demands on your own.? However, weve already come this farleaving Koo Hui-seo behind was out of the question. I nodded in agreement.

Good. Then lets proceed with the contract. As soon as Seo Dawon received my permission, manifested a floating red parchment in the air.

The Chimera paused in the middle of reading the terms. He looked towards us and carefully asked [Koo KyungmanAre you going to kill him?]

Why? You want to take charge of that?

[No, thats not it. I was wonderingif you could hand him over to me for a few years before killing him.]

Why?

[..] Koo Huiseo was briefly silent before bowing his head. [I know this request must be worrying. But, I wont let him go or defy your orders .]

Thats.

[If several years is too difficult, just one year would be fine.]

Though he would not reveal the reason, his voice sounded so desperateStrangely enough, I couldnt bring myself to refuse his demand.

Seo Dawon saw my hesitation and sighed. Haah, fine. In return, Im adding another condition.

[I understand.]

At Koo Hui-seos nod, a feathered quill pen appeared above the parchment that floated between us.

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Under the clause [This contract will expire with Koo Kyungmans death], an additional term, [Barring unavoidable circumstances, custody of Koo Kyungman will be transferred to Party B after he has been secured], was etched onto the contract.

I wrote my name with my finger at the bottom of the contract; Koo Hui-seo struggled to sign his name, gripping the quill pen with his mouth.

Well thenBite onto this. With the contract finished, Seo Dawon took a glittering stone out of his inventory and stuffed it into Koo Hui-seos mouththe stone looked similar to a blue opal. Roughly biting onto something that must have been quite hard, Koo Hui-seo did as he was asked.

Youd better close your eyes. Seo Dawons advice sounded more like a threat. He placed his hands back in his inventory after the chimera closed his eyes.

He took out a razor-sharp, blue axe.

No way He isnt planning to chop down Koo Hui-seo with thatright? I looked at Seo Dawon in surprise, but he forwent any explanation and clapped his hands.

Alongside the clapping noise, the recently summoned axe automatically flew a moderately far distance away from Koo Hui-seo. The head of the axe and its blade faced towards the chimera.

My intuition was terribly on point: with a hefty thud, the axe dug deep into Koo Hui-seos torso.

[Mmm..]

Though the chimera groaned, he did not open his eyes as Seo Dawon had recommended. Rather, I was the one that felt sick from the sightit felt like he was logging a living tree.

Theres not even a blood splatter, whats wrong with you? Seo Dawon teased.

Eugh.

Should I hug you if youre so scared?

Im most scared of you

So mean. Seo Dawon parted from the chimera and walked over to me, spouting some nonsense. He attempted to place his hands at my waist, but I pushed him away and turned towards Koo Hui-seo instead.

Since the axe had buried itself into what should have been the chimeras waist, goosebumps raised all over me when the Mage touched minea morbid parallel.

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TL: What could he want with his brother for 1 year? Also Koo Hui-seo, as a character concept, is quite horrifying. Imagine being a living, rotting tree chimera for years.