The House of Moon

Chapter 3

Na-eun let out a piercing scream that echoed through the hollow halls of the temple.

The sound bounced off the ancient stone walls and faded into the cold midnight air. For a moment, the entire temple seemed to hold its breath.

Si-woo spun around instantly, his tall silhouette cutting sharply through the pale moonlight pouring in from the broken windows.

His amber eyes locked onto her.

"Wh-who are you?"

Na-eun’s voice trembled as her mind struggled to process what she had just witnessed.

"Are you even human… or are you a cat?"

Her words came out in broken fragments as confusion swirled inside her head like a storm.

Just moments ago, she had been holding a black cat in her arms.

And now—

That same cat was standing in front of her as a human man.

Her brain simply refused to accept it.

Driven by a chaotic mix of terror, disbelief, and strange curiosity, Na-eun slowly stepped forward.

Her eyes narrowed as if she were examining a rare scientific specimen.

Then, cautiously, she raised her index finger and began poking Si-woo’s cheek.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

It was as if she were checking whether his molecular structure was stable.

"You must be an alien!" she suddenly declared with absolute certainty.

"Some creature from another planet! How else can a person turn into a cat and then back again? This is scientifically impossible!"

Si-woo’s eyebrow twitched.

Clearly annoyed by the relentless poking, he grabbed her wrist and swatted her hand away.

"I am not an alien, Na-eun," he said flatly.

"I am a living, breathing human being."

His voice sounded sharp… but underneath it was a hint of exhaustion, as if he had repeated this explanation far too many times in his life.

But Na-eun wasn’t even listening anymore.

Because suddenly—

A horrifying memory resurfaced in her mind.

Her body froze.

Her eyes slowly widened.

"Oh no…"

Images flashed rapidly through her brain.

She remembered hugging the black cat.

She remembered whispering her personal secrets into its fluffy ears.

And worst of all—

She remembered gently pressing a soft kiss onto its tiny forehead.

Her face turned bright red.

Then darker.

Then almost purple.

"Oh my god!"

"I… I kissed you!!"

She shrieked so loudly that even the birds outside the temple fluttered in panic.

Na-eun jumped back several steps as if she had just touched something dangerous.

Her finger pointed accusingly at him.

"Your intentions were never pure!"

"You crept into my home pretending to be a pet just to take advantage of me, didn't you?!"

Her imagination was now running completely out of control.

"Well listen here, you creep!"

"I won't let you fulfill whatever sinister goal you have!"

For a brief moment, silence filled the temple.

Then—

A mischievous glint appeared in Si-woo’s amber eyes.

Slowly, he stepped closer.

And closer.

And closer.

Until Na-eun instinctively stepped back.

Her back soon hit a cold stone pillar.

Si-woo leaned forward slightly, towering over her.

"Oh?"

"So you've finally figured me out?"

His voice dropped into a low whisper, carrying a dark yet playful tone.

"You're sharper than I thought."

His lips curved faintly.

"You're right."

"I am here for a purpose."

"And I fully intend to see it through to the end."

Na-eun’s breath caught in her throat.

Her heart began beating wildly.

"S-stay back!"

"Don't come any closer or you'll regret it!"

She tried to sound threatening.

Unfortunately, her trembling voice completely ruined the effect.

Si-woo raised an eyebrow.

"And what exactly are you going to do if I don't?"

Without thinking—

Na-eun clenched her fist.

And swung it directly into his chest.

THUD.

Si-woo staggered slightly.

"Ugh!"

He grabbed his ribs with a pained groan.

"Do you have bricks in your gloves?"

"What kind of woman are you?"

Na-eun immediately puffed out her chest proudly.

"I am the kind of woman who isn't afraid of you!"

In a desperate attempt to appear intimidating—

She suddenly barked.

Yes.

She literally barked like a dog.

"Woof!"

Si-woo stared at her.

Half amused.

Half completely done with life.

For a long moment he simply sighed.

Then slowly, the amusement faded from his face.

His expression became serious.

Ancient.

Heavy.

As if the weight of centuries had suddenly settled into his eyes.

"Listen to me, Na-eun."

"My current miserable existence…"

"...is all because of your ancestors."

Na-eun blinked.

"My ancestors?"

She pointed at herself in disbelief.

"What on earth did they do to you?"

Si-woo turned his gaze toward the altar of the Temple of Silver Moon.

Moonlight illuminated the old carvings surrounding it.

"Three hundred years ago," he began quietly,

"the guardian of this temple was a Goddess."

"She was one of your direct ancestors."

Na-eun’s eyes widened.

"She protected this sanctuary in the form of a cat."

"My forefathers… blinded by greed… tried to seize this temple."

His jaw tightened.

"And they mistakenly tried to kill that feline guardian."

The air felt heavier with every word.

"Enraged, the Goddess revealed her true form."

"And she cursed our bloodline."

His voice lowered.

"We were doomed to become cats during the day… and humans at night."

Na-eun stared silently.

"But the curse has a final stage."

"A cruel one."

He looked back at her.

"After a specific Great Full Moon…"

"...we will remain cats forever."

Na-eun’s eyes widened again.

"When my ancestors begged for mercy," he continued,

"the Goddess said the curse could not be undone."

"But…"

"It could be broken."

He paused.

"Under one condition."

The temple seemed unnaturally quiet.

"She prophesied that the 9th male descendant of my bloodline could only be freed by the 9th female descendant of her bloodline."

Slowly—

His gaze locked onto hers.

Sharp.

Unavoidable.

"Na-eun."

"I am that 9th man."

"And you…"

"You are the 9th woman."

“But I don’t know if it’s the complete truth. If anyone knows what really happened, it’s probably your grandmother.”

Na-eun folded her arms immediately.

"What kind of fairy tale is this?"

"If something like this existed in my family history, my grandmother would have told me."

Si-woo smirked slightly.

"Legends like these…"

"...are usually reserved for people with higher intelligence."

Na-eun exploded instantly.

"Are you insulting me?!"

"Are you calling me stupid?!"

Si-woo gave a dramatic bow.

"Oh heavens no, Goddess."

"How could I dare insult your royal highness?"

Na-eun clenched her teeth.

"Your ancestor's Goddess was too kind."

"If it were me…"

"I wouldn't have turned your family into cats."

"I would have cursed you all to become stubborn, long-eared donkeys!"

She burst into laughter at her own joke.

But the laughter didn't last long.

Because suddenly—

Si-woo grabbed her wrist.

And pulled her forward.

Hard.

Her body crashed lightly against his chest.

His amber eyes burned intensely.

"No more jokes."

His voice vibrated with seriousness.

"You are the only one who can break this curse."

"And you will do it."

Na-eun glared back stubbornly.

"I won't."

"You can't force me."

A cunning smile spread across his face.

"Is that so?"

He slowly pulled out his phone.

"Then perhaps I should call your grandmother."

Na-eun froze.

"I'll tell her everything."

"I'll tell her her beloved granddaughter doesn't live in a luxurious penthouse."

"I'll tell her you live in a tiny rooftop room."

"And struggle to even pay your bills."

Her heart dropped.

"You… how do you know?"

Si-woo calmly showed her photos.

Her small apartment.

Her office files.

"I have enough proof."

"You've been stalking me?"

"Yes."

"I had to make sure you were the one."

Na-eun’s anger faded instantly.

Only vulnerability remained.

She thought about her grandmother in the countryside.

Waiting.

Believing in her success.

"Please…"

Her voice trembled.

"Don't tell her."

"In this suffocating city, success is already hard."

"But I don't want her to suffer knowing the truth."

She looked down.

"Just tell me what I need to do."

For a brief moment—

Si-woo’s expression softened.

"There are only three full moons left before the curse becomes permanent."

"To find the final key…"

"We must go to your village."

"And talk to your grandmother."

Then suddenly—

His eyes sparkled mischievously again.

"But for now…"

"I only want one thing."

Na-eun instantly crossed her arms over her chest.

"Your gaze is scandalous!"

"Stay away from me, you pervert!"

Si-woo placed a hand dramatically on his chest.

"What are you imagining?"

"All I meant was—"

"From today onward…"

"I'm staying at your place."

Na-eun turned completely red.

"My room is a shoebox!"

"I can barely fit myself in it!"

Ignoring her protests, Si-woo turned and walked away.

"Follow me."

Na-eun stomped her foot angrily.

"What an arrogant jerk!"

"His family committed the crime yet he acts like he's doing me a favor!"

She glared at his back.

"Just wait, Moon Si-woo."

"I won't let you get away with this!"

Still fuming, she hurried after him—

Her mind a chaotic storm of confusion, curses, and questions.