An Unbreakable Bond of Obsession
Kim Seol-bi explained her situation to Kang A-jin. She tried her best to choose her words carefully and soften them, but they had no effect on the other woman.
"So, your cousin fell in love with the same man as you. Hmm... That's not an uncommon case. I hear this man has some special ability, and you want to free your younger cousin from its hold?"
She hadn't told Kang A-jin that she loved Kang Sung-gi. But hearing the word love from her lips made something inside Kim Seol-bi unclench. Yes. There was no other word for these feelings. It didn't matter how she'd fallen for him or how long they'd known each other. What mattered was the depth of her heart.
In that sense, she did love Kang Sung-gi.
"Yes... that's right."
"And what about you?"
"Pardon?"
"You seem caught in the same spell. Doesn't that bother you? Why try to remove it only from your cousin? Money shouldn't be an issue for someone like you, Kim Seol-bi."
"W-Well..."
Kim Seol-bi had no answer. The idea of erasing her love for Kang Sung-gi was horrifying even to think about. Looking back on her life, this was the happiest she'd ever been. How long had it been since she'd liked someone so unconditionally? If she ended things with him, she'd never have this experience again. That much was certain. This incident had taught her that S-rank hunters weren't for just anyone. At least in Korea—and even considering foreign male S-rank hunters—there was no one else she could love.
She'd go back to her old life: ignoring men, living glamorously but bored forever.
It was a curse, in a way. Others might never understand.
"Understood. Conveniently, I have no schedule tonight. Send me the address, and I'll come over."
"Thank you."
Kang A-jin's voice carried a faint hint of unease, but Kim Seol-bi wasn't worried. Everyone in the industry knew she kept her mouth shut. Rumor had it she knew more of the hunter world's deepest, darkest secrets than anyone.
After today, Kim Seol-bi believed it. She'd lived relatively cleanly, but the gossip about S-rank hunters' messy lives was endless.
She stood by the window overlooking the clear night outside, lost in thought.
Why did this have to happen...?
She couldn't blame Kim Eun-bi. She'd met Kang Sung-gi first and fallen first. In a way, she'd stolen him. If the roles were reversed, she'd hate her cousin beyond endurance.
Still...
She knew it was self-justification, but Kim Eun-bi was young, only A-rank. She had plenty of chances ahead, a wide pool of men. But Kim Seol-bi? Kang Sung-gi was it. No one else.
I'm sorry, Eun-bi.
This time, yield to your big sister. I'll make it up to you for life.
Words alone wouldn't have worked. She wouldn't have listened if the situations were flipped. That's why she'd called Kang A-jin, the sorcery specialist.
It was the strongest option, and she was sure it'd work.
She stared blankly out the window for dozens of minutes before spotting a car approaching from afar. A sports car, rare on these streets—but S-ranks often owned dozens, so no surprise. Kang A-jin didn't raid as a hunter, but her wealth likely surpassed most S-ranks. Her clients weren't limited to them; top figures in politics and business sought her for unsolvable problems.
Rumors said she even did fortune-telling with precognition, but who knew?
With such a sensitive, secret matter ahead, she'd sent the household staff home early. She went out to greet the guest herself.
# Kang A-jin arrived wearing oversized sunglasses and black clothes. The look suited—or didn't quite suit—her sleek sports car. Her skin was so pale, she didn't seem East Asian. Under the light, it almost gleamed. The sunglasses made her age impossible to guess, adding to her enigmatic aura. Combined with her unique background, she exuded mystery.
"Thank you for coming all this way so late."
"No need to thank me. I've always wanted to meet you, Kim Seol-bi. You're the only S-rank hunter who's never commissioned me. I rather liked that and held you in high regard... until this happened."
Her flat tone and expressionless face stung Kim Seol-bi's pride deeply. That phrase—this—implied something sordid. She'd handled all sorts of filthy, bizarre requests. Gossip from other S-ranks confirmed it.
In a way, living plainly amid temptations was a point of pride.
But this? Falling for the same man as her cousin and trying to erase her cousin's feelings? No matter the story, to outsiders, it was just ugly gossip.
"Don't worry. Client confidentiality is absolute."
"Yes..."
Kim Seol-bi led Kang A-jin inside. The sorceress didn't comment on the opulent house, as if it were routine. Kim Seol-bi figured hers was at least as grand, if not grander.
"Is your sister in her room now?"
"Yes. I've bound her to the bed."
Saying she'd tied up her cousin brought a twinge of shame. But at this point, nothing could embarrass her more. Kang A-jin's unnaturally calm demeanor even made her feel she could spill everything.
Truly a pro. No wonder people praised her so highly.
As they headed to the room, Kang A-jin asked, "Are you really okay with this?"
"Pardon? What do you mean...?"
"I mean, is it fine to only treat your sister? Aren't you upset? Your feelings were taken against your will."
"That doesn't matter."
Kim Seol-bi stated firmly. "I can handle my own affairs. Just fix her."
"I see."
Kang A-jin said no more and followed her into the room.
"Unni!"
Kim Eun-bi lay on the bed. The sweat beading on her face showed how hard she'd struggled against the restraints.
Kim Seol-bi's resolve nearly wavered at the sight, but she steeled herself. There was no other way. Cousins couldn't love the same man. It was drastic, but no other solution existed.
"Sorry, Eun-bi. It's for everyone's good."
"This is insane! Sung-gi oppa isn't your property! I have the right to choose who I love!"
"Sorry. We'll talk later."
Kim Seol-bi glanced back. Kang A-jin in black stepped forward smoothly. Before beginning, she removed her sunglasses. Her black pupils flashed gray for an instant.
"Unni! Who's this? What are you doing to me?!"
"Be quiet. It won't hurt."
"What are you—?!"
Kim Eun-bi's resisting face went slack; she fell silent. Kang A-jin touched her forehead with one finger. In a second, she was asleep.
Her eyes closed, head lolled to the side. Even, steady breaths—hhss, hhss—followed like magic.
Kim Seol-bi found it awe-inspiring. Even weakened by restraints, putting an A-rank hunter to sleep with a finger...
Kang A-jin turned to her. "I'll begin. No change of heart?"
"No."
Kang A-jin nodded, raising both arms flat forward, palms down. Mana rippled up. Between her palms and Kim Eun-bi, unknown characters floated, swirling in different directions, growing clearer.
Kim Seol-bi watched Kang A-jin's focused back. As an S-rank, she sensed the sorceress's powerful aura clearly.
Soon, cousin Kim Eun-bi would forget her burning feelings for Kang Sung-gi, dismissing them as a dream.
It hadn't been easy to decide, but now that it had started, she felt she'd done right.
But...
The ritual dragged on longer than expected. Stronger mana rose over Kang A-jin's shoulders. After about ten minutes, she turned, her usual poker face cracked, drenched in sweat.
"It won't work."
"What?"
"I can't break this power with my abilities."