The Madman
The Madman
An idol is someone who possesses the charm to captivate others' attention.
Not just the casual glances one might give to a handsome or pretty stranger on the street, but the ability to literally steal the gaze of everyone nearby, leaving mouths agape. And among such idols, Yu-jeong was one whose beauty stood out even among the most striking.
Thus, she was accustomed to being the center of attention—yet never once had she found those stares burdensome. Her agency's director had praised her as a "born idol" for that very reason.
But now, for the first time in her life, she felt the weight of someone's gaze pressing down on her.
And it was no mystery why. Anyone would feel uneasy knowing a man wrapped in bandages was staring intently at them—especially if that man could kill you with a mere gesture.
Yet it didn't take long for her to realize the reason behind his gaze—not because she was some infallibly perceptive idol, but because Si-woo spelled it out bluntly.
"If the fox calms down before we arrive, you can get off midway."
"Huh?"
"You weren't planning to follow us all the way, were you?"
"But if Mi-ho stays like this until the end—"
"Time will solve it. You're family, aren't you? She's probably just shaken from being kidnapped."
At his words, her face brightened, and she nodded.
He was right. She and Mi-ho were family who had spent years together. Given time to recover from the shock, Mi-ho would surely return to her. That was what she believed.
"Th-thank you!"
Yu-jeong bowed her head, gratitude swelling in her chest. For a moment, she even thought he might not be such a bad mage after all.
And in that same moment, the sheer recklessness of what she was doing dawned on her.
She had just volunteered to follow a group of mages—infamous for their danger—straight into their stronghold. She didn't need to ask anyone to know how suicidal that was. A hundred out of a hundred people would be horrified.
Gulp—
She swallowed hard and turned to look at Mi-ho.
"Kkyung~"
Mi-ho sat primly beside Si-woo, stealing glances at him before pretending to look away whenever he noticed.
Shiver!
The lantern tied to Si-woo's waist had seen it all. Unable to tolerate it any longer, she glared at Mi-ho in warning. But Mi-ho only smirked back, unbothered by the immobilized spirit.
"Guess getting off midway won't be a problem," Se-chan remarked, watching their silent battle through the rearview mirror.
"Probably not."
"But where's the fun in that?!"
Se-chan suddenly shouted, jerking the wheel.
Let me pause here to explain: Gu Se-chan was a hardcore hedonist. Even Si-woo, who had seen all sorts of people, acknowledged the severity of his condition. The fact that he blew all his hard-earned money on counterfeit cursed tools? Entirely because of this addiction.
For him, dopamine was everything. What he despised most were safe, uneventful situations. Hence, the tantrum.
"I thought you were taking her to the family! Why'd you even ask if it was okay earlier?!"
"Had to ask. It's not my car."
"Why not just come along? The gumiho's clearly smitten with you. Say she's your assistant—no one'll bat an eye."
"Doubt it. A magician showing up in a den of mages? The reaction's predictable."
"Ugh... But what if the gumiho refuses to leave your side?"
"Time will handle that."
"Too late—we're already here."
"Huh?"
As Si-woo turned, the car screeched to a halt.
"Out, out, everyone out!"
Se-chan cheerfully flung the door open and stepped outside.
Si-woo glanced at Yu-jeong.
"U-um... Mi-ho..."
Mi-ho still ignored her. Was it because there hadn't been enough time? Or had she truly no intention of returning? Yu-jeong couldn't tell. All she could do was wait, anxiety gnawing at her.
"You should turn back here."
"But Mi-ho—"
"Wait for her at home. I'll return her safely."
"No."
She shook her head.
"It's not that I don't trust you... You saved her once, so I know you'll protect her this time too."
"Then why?"
"Because we're family."
Her eyes burned with resolve as she met his gaze.
"Who in their right mind would entrust their family's safety entirely to someone else?"
Surprise flickered in Si-woo's eyes.
"When Mi-ho was kidnapped, and I could do nothing but wait helplessly for her rescue... It was agony."
"That recklessness could bring disaster to your family."
"I never want to lose someone precious again. So if my presence endangers Mi-ho, I won't hesitate to die for her."
"I see."
One might call this extreme selfishness. A self-centered desire that disregards how her death would devastate those left behind—though such a critique could only come from the warped perspective of a psychopathic mage.
"Then follow me."
Against all reason, Si-woo found himself agreeing. He had no choice. He, too, loved his family more than anything. There was nothing in her words he could refute.
Others might have said:
"Your life matters too."
"What about the family you'd leave behind?"
But Si-woo shared her brand of selfishness.
That was why he understood.
The way one's own precious life could become worthless in the face of family.
That was why he would take her with him.
Si-woo was neither a saint nor a villain. He wouldn't give up his seat to an elderly person struggling on the subway—but if asked directly, he'd yield without hesitation. An ordinary man, by all accounts.
But where family was involved, everything changed.
If someone hindered his sister's treatment, he'd kill without remorse.
That was why he showed Yu-jeong kindness.
Because he recognized her as someone who loved her family just as fiercely.
"Let's go."
In a way, this was why Si-woo remained untouched by the corrupting influence of the Mysteries.
Not because of his talent or some special quality.
But because he was already mad.
"Thank you!"
Beaming, Yu-jeong followed him out of the car.
The hanok possessed a pristine, harmonious beauty that made it hard to believe it was built with ancient techniques.
The walls surrounding the tiled roofs loomed high to deter intruders, and the massive gate at the end of the long enclosure was more than just imposing—it felt alive.
That was Si-woo's first thought upon seeing the towering entrance.
"What're you staring at?" Se-chan asked, sidling up to him.
"That's no ordinary gate."
"Oho! Knew you'd spot it right away."
Se-chan clapped his hands like a seal before launching into an explanation.
"That gate's one of the family's treasures. A magic tool that identifies mages."
"How?"
"Step through, and it'll assess your realm before granting you robes befitting your rank. Even this snazzy outfit I'm wearing? The gate's doing."
"How good is what you're wearing?"
"Hmm. Brown, gray, red, then gold, in ascending order. This gold robe? Only granted to the family's elite."
"Really?"
"Honestly, you might get one too."
"What's the benefit?"
"More privileges within the family. Gold robes grant access to anywhere."
"Any special functions?"
"Uh... Never really thought about it."
"Why not?"
"Because just wearing this opens so many doors. Isn't that function enough?"
"So it grants power?"
"More like rights. Things you're owed, so they don't deplete like power would."
Se-chan studied him with a peculiar look, as if waiting for something.
"Oh, and the gate doesn't judge by talent or skill. It evaluates your Unique Magic. Even the most gifted mage gets a low rank if their magic's weak."
"What if you haven't awakened your magic yet?"
"Doesn't matter. The gate reads the formulas engraved in your body, not whether you can use them."
Si-woo frowned at Se-chan's barely contained grin. The man was practically vibrating with anticipation.
"I'd kill to see their faces when they meet you. Pfft—!"
Coming from an outsider like Se-chan, the remark was odd. Why would they be shocked by him?
Just then, a mage who radiated "pompous bureaucrat" energy stormed over.
"Halt! How dare you lowlifes slither into this place?!"
Si-woo assumed he meant Yu-jeong, the magician.
He was wrong.
"Know your place!"
The man was glaring at him.
"Pfft—HAHAHA!"
Se-chan burst out laughing, delighted.
He couldn't wait to see their faces twist in shock.