I opened my eyes to a white ceiling. My mind felt hazy and I couldn’t see clearly. Was I still dreaming? Did I wake up already? The boundary between dreams and reality felt ambiguous. However, the cigarette smell on my body told me the truth. I couldn’t deny the painful reality.

“Hng.”

Chae Nayun sniffled. Then she sighed and looked out the window. The emotions that ate away at her disappeared after she released all her pent-up sorrow.

“You’re up?”

Chae Nayun turned in the direction of the soft voice.

“Master?”

Yoo Sihyuk calmly looked at her and sighed, “You can come back to the mountain whenever you want. Take your time and rest.”

Yoo Sihyuk rarely let go of the disciples he accepted. Chae Nayun and Chae Jinyoon were two of the few exceptions.

“Ah…”

Chae Nayun blankly stared at him, unaccustomed to his kindness.

“What, got a problem?”

“No, not at all.”

Chae Nayun quickly shook her head.

“Good, then­—”

“Actually…”

Chae Nayun cut him off and raised her upper body. Her heart ached when she saw the black mourning dress she wore, but she didn’t want to waste any more time lying around.

“I’ll return right away once the burial ends.”

She clenched her fists with strong conviction in her heart. Yoo Sihyuk shook his head out of concern.

“No, you shouldn’t push yourself.”

“I heard he was murdered.”

Chae...