Mark of Bond (1)
“N-Now?”
[Yes, I want to see you right now.]
“Uh... aren’t you tired? You just came out of clearing that gate.”
[I’m fine. Not tired at all.]
“You’re doing okay, then.”
[Jinseong, are you... uncomfortable meeting me?]
Yoo Seo-ah’s trembling voice came through the phone speaker. Why’s she shaking like that? It couldn’t be because she was scared of getting dumped like I was. Wait, could it be...? Maybe she was so fucking pissed she wanted to beat the shit out of me right then, and now that I seemed like I was backing out, her anger was making her voice shake even more? If that was the case, it was the worst possible scenario. Just imagining her saying in a flat, emotionless voice, “Jinseong, you’re gross and creepy. I’m not joining. Never see you again,” was terrifying enough. But a Yoo Seo-ah who was that furious and out for blood? No way in hell did I want to meet her.
But I was the one who sent that message. I was the root of this mess. So I couldn’t say it was hard to meet. Is this what a pig feels like on the way to the slaughterhouse?
“No, not uncomfortable at all. Uh, where should we meet?”
I felt conflicted inside but forced a bright tone on the outside as I asked.
In response, Yoo Seo-ah’s voice instantly brightened.
[I’m right in front of your house, Jinseong!]
What? I’d been heading out and was already at the front door, so I turned and checked the intercom. I pressed the button, the monitor lit up, and there she was—Yoo Seo-ah.
No fucking way, for real?
[Let me in!]
Yoo Seo-ah beamed at the intercom camera like she owned the world, grinning ear to ear. She looked genuinely happy, not pissed at all. Which was unexpected.
What the hell? Didn’t she get that creepy-ass message I sent and want to ghost me or kick my ass?Am I okay? Or not? Maybe she was just thrilled because the door would open and she could finally beat me up? My head was a total mess—I’d never imagined reuniting with Yoo Seo-ah like this, out of nowhere.
But messy or not, I had to let her in right now. If she wasn’t mad, great. If she was, leaving her standing there would only make her angrier. The moment she showed up at my door, I was already on the hook.
Beep—click!
I pressed the intercom button, and the sound of the outer gate unlocking echoed from beyond the front door. Light footsteps approached—tap-tap-tap.
Gulp.
I steadied my pounding heart and opened the door with a greeting.
“C-Come on in, Seo-ah.”
To that, Yoo Seo-ah replied with a smile as beautiful as a flower.
“Hi, Jinseong! Ehehehehe.”
What? She looks so damn happy. Like, not at all like someone out for blood?
Contrary to my worries, Yoo Seo-ah’s face looked great when we met. Not the face of someone thrilled to finally kick my ass—just purely, innocently happy. Seeing that expression melted my fears away like snow in the sun. No more worries about getting dumped or beaten.
“Come in.”
I let out a silent sigh of relief as I ushered her inside.
“Okay, pardon the intrusion!”
Yoo Seo-ah stepped in with a lively voice, no hesitation at all. Into my house—the house of the guy who sent her that message. She really wasn’t offended by it? Is that even possible? It was so sleazy and clingy...
I watched her back as she slipped off her shoes and went inside.
“Hm-hmm~ Hmm~”
She was humming a tune, clearly in such a good mood. Looked like the message really hadn’t upset her.
I stared in genuine admiration. Damn, Seo-ah’s got a huge heart. Guess heart size really does match bust size.
As I followed her in, her eyes standing in the living room scanned me up and down.
“...Huh? You’re dressed to go out, Jinseong?”
“This? You just noticing now?”
I’d been tense until moments ago, but now that my fears were unfounded, I could banter easily. I smirked and asked, and Yoo Seo-ah laughed shyly, ehehehe.
“Ehehe, yeah. I’m just so happy to meet you at your house like this that I only noticed now...”
How can she say something so cute?! Why’d I feel so scared around someone this adorable?Was I worried she’d hate me over the message? Yeah, that makes sense. She wants to keep our connection going.
I figured out the root of my anxiety and fear.
“D-Did I interrupt you on your way out...?”
While I was sorting my thoughts, Yoo Seo-ah peeked at me cautiously and asked.
That question was actually welcome. I needed to tell her about what happened three days ago anyway.
“No, you didn’t interrupt. I had something to talk about with you anyway.”
“With me?”
“Yeah. It’s a bit long, so wanna sit?”
I sat on the living room couch with her and started explaining my current situation.
※
“...And that’s how it happened.”
Kang Jinseong’s 30-minute story came to an end. Summing it up:
His shattered mana circuit was fixed, and he got a new unique ability. But that ability was none other than Yoo Seo-ah’s Man-gae-hwa. His body wasn’t suited to wield it with a sword, so he’d use it with a gun instead. He bought a new gun, and apparently naming it would let him change its form to match. So that’s what he was worrying about. Anyway, he could return to being a hunter now.
“Man, announcing my retirement and then flipping it in less than two months feels kinda embarrassing. Haha...”
Finished with his tale, Kang Jinseong scratched the back of his head, feeling awkward. Yoo Seo-ah had heard his retirement declaration twice now, which made it worse. He’d sworn up and down, “I’m retiring for real! I have to!” twice, only to come back like this. He figured he looked ridiculous.
But to Yoo Seo-ah, his sheepish look wasn’t ridiculous at all. If anything, it was a huge relief—and she was thrilled.
“J-Jinseong... I’m so glad...”
Tears welled up in her eyes.
“Wh-whoa?! Seo-ah, you’re crying?”
“I-I’ve felt so sorry the whole time...”
Kang Jinseong had thrown himself in front of the Grim Reaper to protect her, shattering his mana circuit. He’d told her he was fine over and over, but that guilt wasn’t something he could shake easily. Especially not for someone as kind-hearted and conscientious as Yoo Seo-ah.
They’d shared that they needed each other, promised to look out for one another, built a great partnership—and still, the guilt hadn’t lightened. Every time she thought of him, that sharp pang stabbed her heart.
But now, his mana circuit was back. The heavy weight on her chest lifted in an instant. Sure, her literal chest was still heavy, but this was a good kind of weight.
“Really, really glad... Hueeng...”
For about a month and a half, that guilt had tormented her. Now gone, relief flooded in, and she burst into tears.
“Aigoo. How’s someone as sweet as you gonna survive this harsh world, Seo-ah? Stop crying now. My circuit’s fixed, and I can hunt again.”
Kang Jinseong patted her back lightly to soothe her. Each touch spread warm heat through her body, calming her mind instantly.
Her tears subsided, and suddenly her lips twitched upward.
“Hee. Heehee. Hi hi hi.”
She knew laughing after crying meant butt boils or something silly, but she couldn’t hold it back.
“If you’re coming back as a hunter, we can team up again!”
Because he was returning as a hunter. She’d awakened four years ago and spent them all hunting with him—through life and death, building camaraderie as perfect partners.
Then her team disbanded, she joined Cheongmyeong Guild, and she realized how precious he was. Ever since, she’d suffered from Kang Jinseong deficiency syndrome.
Now he was back, and she could cure it. Full of anticipation, she said it.
“Uh... that’d be tough. We live in different worlds now.”
But cold reality spilled from Kang Jinseong’s mouth.