Clutching her hungry stomach, sleeping was a familiar routine for her. Namgung Ryeo walked towards her own bed, separated by a folding screen.

It was when she lit the fire on the bed and bedside table. A round plate and carefully made fist-sized rice ball caught Namgung Ryeo’s eyes on the small writing desk in the lodging. And next to it was a concise letter.

Even without a name, it was obvious who wrote it.

The moment she saw it, Namgung Ryeo covered her face with both hands. If she didn’t do this, it felt like tears would fall.

‘Why is this person so affectionate?’

Yeon’s consideration was so affectionate that her heart was pounding. Namgung Ryeo bit her lip.

Meanwhile, Baekho was away from Yeon, staying in Shinsan.

‘If I want to protect Yeon, I have to eliminate the fundamental cause.’
Until then, Jegal Ryeo had thought that as long as she stayed away from Danmokbi, Yeon would remain safe. This was because, in Baekho’s eyes, the most threatening figure in the world was none other than Danmokbi.

“But not anymore.”

The character that had now risen to the top of the most dangerous figures in Baekho’s mind was none other than Hyeoljunghyeok.

“His eyes have completely changed. He’s not in his right mind.”

In Baekho’s view, Danmokbi would step back, shedding tears of blood if it was for Yeon’s happiness.

But Hyeoljunghyeok was different. In Baekho’s opinion, Hyeoljunghyeok was someone who would even try to resurrect a corpse if Yeon were to die because of him.

“He actually has that power too.”

Although Baekho didn’t say it to Yeon, that black doll.

If Yeon had been enchanted by it, she might not have known and would have moved to wherever the doll called.

“Trying to control people with sorcery. He really is a sinister guy.”

Thinking so, Baekho twisted his lips.

It had been ten days since infiltrating Shinsan. Shinsan was quiet, with nothing special happening. They were diligently building the lodging they would stay in.

But today was different. The shamans had finally started moving.

“Uwaaaah! Uwah!”

At a loud scream, Baekho subtly raised his head through the gap in the window to observe the situation inside.

“It hurts too much! Isn’t something wrong with this!”

“Endure it.”

“Uwaaaah!”

Inside the makeshift building, a man lay tied up with his hands, and the shamans were vigorously pricking needles into his back, carving a spell. The man was none other than Danmoksoo.

“Tsk tsk, isn’t that the spell engraved on Danmokbi’s back?”

That guy had been engraving it since childhood, as if it was extremely poisonous.

“That big adult can’t endure and is whining like that.”

Although Baekho didn’t hear him groaning, he must not have made a single sound, considering Danmokbi’s character.

While Baekho was looking at Danmoksoo with a slightly sarcastic expression, something seemed off. The pattern on his back looked unfamiliar.

“It doesn’t seem to be a tiger pattern.”

Danmoksoo had made great efforts to seal the divine beast Baekho.

But the spell on his back wasn’t for Baekho.

“It’s probably the evil dragon…”

It was right at that moment. Even without reading the signs, a large hand caught Baekho’s neck, but instead of squeezing, a clicking sound rang out.

“Nya?!”

Surprised, Baekho screamed and turned around. The one holding his neck was none other than Hyeoljunghyeok.

“Oh, a cat. I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before.”

Baekho’s gaze shook in all directions. Ideally, he wanted to transform into his original form and run away, but the problem was the object that was clicked into his waist.

“It’s that iron chain that was filled in Yeon’s ankle last time!”

An eternal iron chain made of perennial iron that wouldn’t break no matter what. It was filled in Baekho’s waist.

“If I transform into my original form like this, my stomach might explode.”
Completely caught. Only now did Baekho realize the danger, and claws protruded from his hands. Grinning, Hyeoljunghyeok, who lifted Baekho trying to snarl fiercely, revealed his sharp fangs.

“You’re that kid. The ugly cat raised by the ugly bread.”

“Hack!!”

“I get the same reaction just by looking at me. How did you end up here? You’re not an ordinary cat, huh?”

Various thoughts crossed Baekho’s mind. Whether it would be safer to reveal himself as Baekho rather than pretending to be a cat a little longer.

Whether Hyeoljunghyeok knew or not about Baekho’s feelings, he looked around Baekho and then embraced him.

“Anyway, since the ugly bread didn’t respond to my voice, I was upset. I should bring you instead of the ugly bread.”

“Hack!”

Suddenly held by the man with a massive build, Baekho, who was now in his human form, scratched Hyeoljunghyeok’s shoulder with his claws. Even though blood splattered, Hyeoljunghyeok laughed without feeling any pain.

“Don’t worry. Your owner will come to me soon.”

What flickered in the red, swirling pupils was a thick obsession. Realizing that he was caught by this fierce guy, Baekho turned pale blue.

In the morning, I woke up and had breakfast with Jegal Min and Unggi. It was something we could do because Jegal Min and I shared the same meditation method and could trust each other sincerely.

However, for some reason, Jegal Min couldn’t focus on the meditation today. He sighed deeply and said,

“I keep getting shocked.”

What could shock him so much? It was about Nam Gung Se Ga, a prominent figure in the Konggu household. I replied with a sarcastic smile,

“Because your older brother is a model student.”

“Is Yeon saying the same thing?”

Glancing at me, Jegal Min scratched his head, unable to deny, and said again with a small tone,

“I’ve realized that I’ve been a frog in a well.”

“So there’s an old saying that fits this situation. At a funeral, instead of crying, you should laugh so that the sound of laughter doesn’t come out.”

“Your words are correct, my younger sibling.”

Agreeing with a nod, Jegal Min, who glanced at me, added with a slightly lowered tone,

“I’m worried that Nam Gung Ryeo Sojo will be hurt.”