Is this what they called a life flashing before your eyes moment?Memories surfaced when faced with danger—the split second of a wrong decision, the last face seen before disaster struck, or the person who would be most worried when something went wrong.[People who get close to me always end up hurt.]"……."Mu-ryeong scowled and gritted his teeth.Using every ounce of strength, he planted his foot against the fence and wrenched himself free from the spirit’s grasp. The lone goblin that had stayed by his side whirled around him as if trying to help."Ugh…!"He managed to break free, but there was no stopping the momentum of his body tipping over the ledge.The bolts securing the fence popped loose one by one, and a heavy shadow cast itself over the edge. A weightless sensation flooded him as the ground disappeared beneath his feet.[This is bad…]Time slowed.The fall stretched out like an eternity.He probably wouldn’t die—but he’d break something, maybe badly. And there was one person who would bear the heaviest guilt because of it.This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.Just as Mu-ryeong shut his eyes, bracing for impact—Bang!A thunderous crash.The rooftop door slammed open, and two brilliant blue flames erupted into view.The goblins from the classroom.The ones he had left behind in 2nd-year, Class 3.They streaked through the air, fusing with the flickering flame that had stayed by his side. In an instant, all three latched onto his back and arms."……."Time froze.For a moment, it reminded him of how he had caught Ye-jun once before, suspending him midair.As his body halted in the void, a desperate voice cut through the silence."Kim Mu-ryeong!""……."His mind snapped back.That frantic, tear-choked cry hit him like a fist to the chest.Time lurched forward again, his body beginning to fall once more—But before he could drop, a rough, powerful hand grabbed his arm.A desperate grip yanked him back with such force that his neck snapped to the side.Mu-ryeong tumbled over the ledge, crashing onto solid ground.Thud!He rolled across the rooftop, tangled in another person’s arms.Somewhere in the chaos, he heard a sharp intake of breath, felt the quivering form pressed against him."Hah…"The tension melted away as cool spiritual energy flooded over them, soothing the lingering fear.Mu-ryeong’s heartbeat pounded wildly, though he wasn’t sure if it was his own or the person holding him.Dazed, he murmured, "…Ki Hwan-young?"Hwan-young didn’t let go.Instead, he buried his face into Mu-ryeong’s hair, his grip trembling.His body was warm.Mu-ryeong, pressed against his chest, found it hard to breathe, but he couldn’t bring himself to tell Hwan-young to release him."…….""……."The sharp, ominous energy from before had already vanished, erased by Hwan-young’s presence.How fast had he run? His normally icy skin was warm—warmer than Mu-ryeong had ever felt it.Only his fingertips remained cold."How did you…"Mu-ryeong started to ask, but his voice trailed off.He had locked the classroom door.There was no way Hwan-young could have gotten out.The goblins wouldn’t have helped—not without Mu-ryeong promising an even greater reward.Then how—?"……."Hwan-young didn’t answer.Instead, he rose, gently releasing Mu-ryeong before stepping past him.Toward the vengeful spirit.Mu-ryeong’s stomach clenched.[No…]Something was wrong.Hwan-young’s expression wasn’t his usual unreadable mask.There was something else beneath the surface, something dangerous.Mu-ryeong’s eyes widened in alarm."No!"Hwan-young halted.His outstretched hand froze in midair, just inches from the spirit.For some reason, the ghost didn’t move either."Don’t…""…….""You can’t do that."There was no need to explain further.Mu-ryeong stumbled to his feet, staggering toward Hwan-young.The moment he moved, the spirit vanished into the shadows."……."Hwan-young’s hand fell limply to his side.Mu-ryeong stepped in front of him, tilting his head back to see his face.And what he saw made his breath catch.Hwan-young’s carefully composed mask had cracked.His face twisted with an unspoken, unbearable despair."……Kim Mu-ryeong, you…"Hwan-young’s lips moved slowly, his voice barely above a whisper.Mu-ryeong followed his gaze downward.At his own arm.The white fabric of his sleeve was stained red.His protective aura—normally ever-present—had disappeared.If he had just reached a little farther, he might have touched his brother.But his energy had faltered.Hwan-young’s fingers curled into fists.Then, through gritted teeth—"Are you insane?""…….""Or are you just trying to die?"The razor-sharp accusation left Mu-ryeong speechless.There was nothing Hwan-young couldn’t figure out on his own.What Mu-ryeong had been planning.What he had almost done."This is insane!"Hadn’t he said it before?That Mu-ryeong was too kind for his own good.That he couldn’t stand watching people get hurt—so much so that he had made himself a loner.He spent over four hours commuting to school every day, returning to an empty house with not a single living soul inside.And now this."Do you think I’d be okay with this?!"Hwan-young’s voice cracked."You think if you just throw yourself into danger, if you just get hurt, then everything will be fine?""…But I’m not hurt."Mu-ryeong’s voice was quiet.Hwan-young’s gaze flickered to his bleeding arm.A thin, trembling whisper followed."You're hurt.""…….""And just now—you almost died."His normally dark eyes seemed even blacker, devoid of reflection.Despite the blue flames flickering around them, his pupils held nothing.Emptiness.Despair.Like someone moments away from breaking entirely."If you…"Hwan-young’s voice faltered."If you disappear too—"Mu-ryeong moved before he could finish.He grabbed Hwan-young’s hand, gripping it tightly.If he didn’t—if he let go—he felt like Hwan-young would slip away, disappear entirely.His skin was ice-cold.Mu-ryeong instinctively poured warmth into his grip, letting his energy flow between them.Hwan-young’s fingers twitched at the contact."…I’m sorry."The words came without hesitation.Mu-ryeong met his eyes, his voice unwavering."…I’m really sorry."This translation is the intellectual property of ."I won’t get hurt anymore.""…….""I swear I won’t let that happen again."Mu-ryeong exhaled softly, regret settling into his chest.He had been reckless.Just as he had wanted to keep Hwan-young safe, Hwan-young had likely felt the same.He had been so sure he could handle things alone, so confident that everything would work out—he had acted without thinking.Even knowing that Hwan-young wouldn’t approve, he had convinced himself that as long as he kept him in the dark, it would be fine."This kind of injury will heal in no time.""…….""You saved me, didn’t you?"Hwan-young’s expression twisted.His lips pressed together tightly, eyes squeezing shut in frustration.Then, wordlessly, he bent down, resting his forehead against Mu-ryeong’s shoulder."Please…""…….""Please don’t get hurt…."Maybe it wasn’t just Mu-ryeong he wanted to say that to.Maybe it was meant for all the people who had touched his life—his friends, the ones who had come close to him.Even Seung-joo, whose wrist had been broken just recently.How many times had Hwan-young repeated those words in his head, even as his expression remained cold and impassive?"…I’m sorry."Mu-ryeong reached out, slowly wrapping his arms around him.Hwan-young wasn’t crying, but Mu-ryeong still ran a soothing hand down his back, as if trying to comfort him anyway.Surprisingly, Hwan-young held him back just as tightly."…I thought you were going to die.""…….""You were falling—""I wouldn’t die from something like that."An exorcist’s body was much more resilient than an ordinary human’s.Enhanced physical abilities came with heightened recovery as well.Mu-ryeong’s siblings had jumped out of second- and third-floor windows before without a second thought."So you don’t have to worry."He deliberately kept his tone light, even as Hwan-young trembled against him.If Hwan-young was overwhelmed, then Mu-ryeong needed to be the one to stay steady.He had to reassure him—make him believe that Mu-ryeong was stronger than he thought."Hah…"A slow, shuddering breath ghosted against Mu-ryeong’s neck.Even though he was the one doing the comforting, the size difference between them made it feel as though he was the one being held.Mu-ryeong lightly patted his back, and in response, Hwan-young’s grip only tightened.For a long time, he stayed still, his face buried against Mu-ryeong’s shoulder.Eventually, his turbulent energy settled, and when he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse."…Did we lose him?"It was only after calming down that he thought to ask.It was natural for him to assume that the spirit had slipped away, given what he had just witnessed.Mu-ryeong, still resting a hand against his back, shook his head."No. I put up talismans, remember?"The barrier they had set up last night was meant to keep Hwan-hee from escaping the school.It cut off the pathways of the shadow realm, forcing him into a confined space with no place to hide.Like sealing someone in a room and draining the oxygen."If we wait, he’ll get restless and come out."At most, Hwan-hee would last five minutes before surfacing again.But before that happened, they needed to prepare—They had to make sure there was only one way out.All the surrounding shadows had to be erased, leaving only the one at their feet."…Hey."Mu-ryeong murmured, gently pushing Hwan-young away.Hwan-young flinched, as if startled by the sudden distance.His reaction was more intense than expected—he even took a full step back."…What is it?""Well…"Mu-ryeong avoided his gaze, shifting uncomfortably.Around them, three blue flames floated lazily, casting an eerie glow.The goblins.They hovered around Hwan-young, waiting for the conversation to continue.But Mu-ryeong hesitated, his expression awkward."Sorry, I kind of… lied about something.""What?"Hwan-young narrowed his eyes.His confusion was clear—why bring this up now?Instead of answering, Mu-ryeong raised his right hand and pursed his lips.Then—A whistle.A long, drawn-out note, ringing high and clear across the rooftop.It echoed in the still night air, almost like a melody.Hwan-young shivered.The flames around him trembled—then drifted toward Mu-ryeong’s outstretched hand."……."Hwan-young blinked.The three flames multiplied into six.Then, when he blinked again—twelve."This…"His eyes widened.Twelve flames?He hadn’t expected Mu-ryeong to have that many.How many had he gathered?Just as he was about to ask, something changed."…!"A flicker—Then, suddenly—fire.The flames surged outward.They spread too fast to react—engulfing the entire school in an instant.The surrounding walls, the buildings, even the very rooftop they stood on—Everything was engulfed in blue fire.The school was burning.No, not burning—blazing.Not just "a few flames" anymore.The entire area was consumed by a searing, ghostly inferno.The one responsible, the very person who had summoned them all—Kim Mu-ryeong—Turned to Hwan-young, flashing an unapologetic, lopsided grin."Yeah… about that. Turns out it wasn’t just three goblins."

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