part 4
1361 Words
Part 4
Su Jin threw herself against the door in a desperate attempt to escape. The moment she laid eyes on the ghostly girl, her heart had nearly stopped. Although she had seen many spirits at school before, they had always been kind and approachable. But this… this was different. This was something monstrous.
No sooner had she stepped outside than the ghost awaited her. Just as she reached for something, someone had grabbed her from behind, covering her ears and dragging her inside.
“Do you want to die?” the master snarled.
Su Jin tried to say something, but the sharp strike to her ear sent her sprawling to the floor, pain radiating through her body.
“Perhaps I seem cruel,” the master continued, “but that is not the case. From now on, you belong to me. You will do as I command.”
Su Jin opened her mouth to reply, but the master’s gaze bore into her.
“Say no, and not a single soul in this school will survive. I will destroy them all, one by one.”
“Yes… yes,” she whimpered. “Then… what will you do once you seize the talisman?” Her voice trembled as the pain flared. The master gently lifted her and placed her back where she had been.
“For now, you need to stay alive. Later, I may take your life. The old owner of the talisman will not obey a new master while alive.”
“I understand… I did not intend to ask. But why… why open the doors of worlds when you please?” she asked.
“Do not concern yourself with that,” he said coldly. “Your task is to serve me, not to question. You will teach me the secrets of the talisman quickly, and do not provoke me.”
“Then… my friends will survive?” she pleaded.
“Yes.”
“Then I promise to teach you the secrets of the talisman, and, in the end, I will surrender myself. But I will never submit willingly… to anyone.”
The master smiled faintly. “I understand… but I do not tolerate defiance. I feel the urge to sink my teeth into those who resist. Do you accept this risk?”
“Yes… I accept.”
The master, momentarily surprised by her boldness, hid his astonishment behind a smile.
“You are brave,” he said. “Very well. Now, tie her hands.”
In an instant, his men bound Su Jin. The master dragged her through the hall, her arms pulled taut. Even as they crossed the stairs, she did not cry out. In the grand hall, the gathered crowd fell silent at the sight of the bound girl.
“What do you think? Does her courage impress you?” the master asked the crowd. “No, she cares only for herself. She refuses to teach me willingly because she fears my wrath. You see, she prioritizes your lives over her own, yet you doubt her. Perhaps this is why the truth is so easily dismissed.”
“No… that is a lie! I am only…” she started, but a chorus of voices from those who had suffered under her enemies’ hands interrupted her. Su Jin’s heart ached as she listened; they had endured so much for her sake, yet still they doubted her. Only one person, Yon A, seemed to recognize the truth. If only he would speak, others might believe her.
“Yon A… Yon A! Tell them he lies! I am trying to save lives. If he seizes the talisman, none of you will survive!” she pleaded.
But fear silenced Yon A, and the crowd misinterpreted his hesitation as confirmation of the master’s claims. They turned against Su Jin. Had the master not intervened, she would have perished. Her body was battered and bruised, nearly broken beyond recognition.
“You see, if your friends attack you, it is difficult to withstand them, is it not?” the master remarked, observing her pain.
“She is barely alive,” someone whispered.
The master released her and gently laid her on a bed. He leaned over her, pressing his lips lightly to her wounds. To an onlooker, it might have appeared as if he kissed her tenderly, but in truth, he was healing her injuries with his abilities—a power he had not used until now.
Su Jin slowly regained consciousness, realizing that the glowing red eyes watching her were not ordinary. She pushed him away with all her strength.
“Disgusting!” she cried, covering her mouth with trembling fingers.
“Not enjoying this, are you?” he asked with a hint of amusement.
“You saved my life, yet I do not belong to you,” she replied, her voice defiant.
“Look at me. From this day forward, you belong to me in terms of the talisman. If you resist, it will be your friends who suffer. We will live together so that you may adapt to the talisman. I do not care for women, so if you are clever, I will leave you be. Understand?”
“Yes… I understand,” she whispered, her breath shallow.
“Good. Now rest. Later, you will open the doors, and I will see your world for myself.”
After he left, Su Jin collapsed onto the bed, tears streaming freely. She wondered what would happen to her now. Only eighteen, she had never known a life of light. Her father had gone bankrupt and perished in flames when she was just eight. Six months later, her mother lost her mind completely. Su Jin had survived by herself, working, cooking, and cleaning to survive. Perhaps this was why she had been unable to endure orders easily—she had learned hardship at a young age.
Now, faced with the master’s terrifying presence and her own powerless friends, she shivered, afraid of death or worse. Yet, in her heart, she felt gratitude—he had healed her, after all.
Two days passed.
“Wake up, class is about to start. Have you learned the talisman’s secrets yet?” she murmured to herself.
“Do not disturb me, or will you die?” the master demanded.
“I wish only to teach you the secrets and survive,” she replied firmly. “Whether you sleep or not is none of my concern.”
He sprang from the bed at her words.
“Did you say something? Repeat it!”
“I told you, I will protect you,” she said, sticking out her tongue playfully.
He looked at her, surprised and amused. “Are the spirits under control?”
“Really?” she said, opening her eyes and glancing at his bare chest. She fell back onto the bed, and he caught her just in time.
“You did not dream badly, did you?” he asked.
“I…” she said, blushing. “Your eyes… they are beautiful.”
“Why have they not sent you to the asylum yet?” he asked. “Do you speak to those who tried to kill you the same way?”
“No…” she whispered. “Those who wanted to kill me would not have saved me, not like you did.”
Two days before, after he had bitten her, Su Jin had lain unconscious, unsure of how long she had slept. When she awoke, a familiar face smiled at her.
“Am I alive, or dead?” she asked.
“You are sleeping,” the woman replied, smiling softly. “I am here to ask one favor: care for my son. I could not protect him. He will demand loyalty, even if selfishly, until death.”
“Your son?” Su Jin asked, wide-eyed.
“You already know him… the master,” she said.
Su Jin shivered awake. She was alone, surrounded by scattered medicines and bandages.
The master stirred beside her, opening his eyes slowly.
“Feeling alright?” he asked.
Overwhelmed, she threw herself into his arms, crying silently.
Part 4 ends.
__by seva__
- Writer
