The Night Of The Untraced Chapter 39
Muryeong sat quietly, staring at the person in front of him with closed lips. The man sitting on the couch with his arms crossed had deep wrinkles between his eyebrows. His eyes, without double eyelids, were filled with annoyance, and his usually indifferent expression seemed particularly sour this time.
He was Seungjoo, a long-time friend of Muryeong. They had lived next door since childhood, and they had seen each other every day until high school. Given their families’ close relationship, Muryeong knew that Seungjoo was aware of his role as an exorcist, and he was well-informed about supernatural matters despite lacking any spiritual sensitivity.
Though they got along well, Seungjoo was not the type to visit first unless necessary. It wasn’t because he didn’t consider Muryeong a friend, but rather because he didn’t see the need for it. Being naturally blunt, and often it was Muryeong who called him first when needed.
So it was unusual for Seungjoo to visit Muryeong’s place first, especially not his family home but his rented apartment where he lived alone. And he had even brought a bag with him right after school.
“So…,” Muryeong finally broke the silence with a stern face. His usually soft-spoken voice was unusually serious. It was understandable since Seungjoo’s sudden visit was accompanied by a serious matter.
“Hey, Muheun’s saying that a new faction aiming for power has emerged within the association. And apparently, they’re eyeing the country,” Seungjoo blurted out.
There were several surprising aspects, but nothing incomprehensible. There had always been people vying for power, and most of them sought the support of the Seo family. Some even believed that Muryeong’s family’s abilities originated from the Seo family.
Anyway, it sounded plausible enough, and it was realistic. Upon hearing this, Muryeong was momentarily speechless, his mouth clamped shut. He was momentarily lost for words at the thought of what might come next.
Especially because Muryeong, still a novice, didn’t know the details. He couldn’t help but worry that his friend had stumbled into a difficult situation while he was unaware.
“What does Muheun say about it?” Muryeong asked calmly, trying to gauge his brother’s reaction. He had plenty to say, but at times like this, it was necessary to make rational judgments. If Muheun relayed this information, he would have proposed some sort of plan along with it. That was the expectation.
“He says he’ll take care of it himself,” Seungjoo replied. As expected, the answer from Seungjoo’s mouth was what Muryeong had anticipated. If his brother, Muheun, said he would handle it, then Muryeong could also feel somewhat relieved. Muheun was the most reliable eldest son at home, and among the exorcists affiliated with the association, he was considered one of the most capable.
Of course, separately from that, Muryeong also considered personally investigating. After finding out exactly what the faction was for, how they were targeting Seungjoo, and such details, he resolved to do his best to help.
“Well, first, I…”
Just as he was about to say something, Seungjoo interjected sharply. It was completely unexpected for Muryeong.
“But I declined,” Seungjoo said abruptly.
“Huh?” Muryeong blinked in confusion. Did he mishear something just now? Unless his ears were playing tricks on him, it sounded like Seungjoo had just said, “I declined.”
“…You told him not to protect you?”
“Yeah.” Seungjoo nodded in confirmation. Muryeong had not misheard.
“Um…” Muryeong furrowed his brows in deep thought. He knew Seungjoo disliked being protected, but he didn’t expect him to refuse in a situation like this. If things really went south, that would be the last thing Seungjoo would genuinely dislike.
He wasn’t the type to stubbornly insist on things for no reason…
“Are you sorry to my Hyung?” Muryeong asked.
“That too…” Seungjoo evaded the question vaguely, his habit of raising one cheek when feeling apologetic evident. There seemed to be another reason behind his apology. Rolling his eyes, Muryeong thought, There must be some other reason.
…
…
There was no one to break the silence in the living room. Muryeong scrutinized Seungjoo, while Seungjoo seemed lost in thought. It wasn’t possible to know the details of their conversation, but Muryeong could roughly guess what it might be about.
“…Is that why you fought with Hyung?”
From a while ago, it seemed like something was bothering him. From the moment Seungjoo entered the house, he had been carving dissatisfaction onto his forehead. He wasn’t the type to go around smiling all the time, but he didn’t usually wear such a palpable air of discomfort.
“……”
This time, Seungjoo didn’t respond with a face full of displeasure. Though Muryeong didn’t know, it seemed there had been some friction between Seungjoo and Muheun.
“Hmm……”
Of course, Muryeong understood Seungjoo’s perspective as well. Being in a position where you’re unilaterally protected is undoubtedly frustrating. While he might understand it logically, it’s not something one can be satisfied with in such an absurd reality.
Especially for Seungjoo, this issue was like a chronic wound. From facing dangerous situations to receiving someone’s worry, from daily life deteriorating to witnessing others’ sacrifices, there likely wasn’t a single aspect he found pleasing.
While he understood those feelings, unfortunately this time, Muryeong also found himself leaning towards Muheun’s side.
“I don’t want you to be in danger either.”
If anyone had to be in danger, it was better for it to be him than Seungjoo. Perhaps Muheun harbored similar thoughts. Seungjoo probably detested sacrifices made for him, but in a way, it was not so much a sacrifice as it was selfishness. It was far better to do everything to protect than to feel guilty.
“I don’t like the idea of you being in danger either.”
Seungjoo responded in a subdued tone, as if stating the obvious. He sighed once and nervously splashed some water on his face. Despite his expression, his words were surprisingly calm.
“It would definitely be safer to stick with Hyung. Besides, it’s not like I’d listen even if I said I didn’t want it.”
“True.”
Muryeong empathized with that sentiment. Muheun wasn’t the type to just let Seungjoo go because he voiced some minor objections. If anything, Muheun would persistently try to convince him, and if all else failed, he would stay by his side anyway.
“Well, I’m not entirely without apology. So if more trouble arises, I’ll be even more sorry.”
Muryeong agreed with what he had in mind. Seungjoo blinked slowly and spoke hesitantly.
“But……”
Just when it seemed like he might speak his mind any moment, the follow-up didn’t come for a while. However, instead of pressing him, Muryeong decided to patiently wait. If Seungjoo, who usually brushed things off with indifference, was so troubled, there must be a good reason for it.
“……Ah, damn it, I don’t know.”
Finally, when his lips parted, Seungjoo muttered with a rough voice, tousling his hair. This level of frustration was something Muryeong hadn’t seen even when he was about to do something reckless.
Taking another deep breath, Seungjoo grabbed the bag he had set down beside him.
“Anyway, that’s why I came to talk. I wanted to see if Kim Muryeong knew anything. Or forget it.”
With that, Seungjoo stood up from the couch without any lingering hesitation. He slung the bag over his shoulder and took out his phone to check the time. Meanwhile, Muryeong widened his eyes and asked.
“Leaving?”
“Gotta go.”
It was as if he had finished his business already. It seemed Seungjoo had come to see if Muryeong knew anything, as he had just mentioned. To others, it might seem like an attitude lacking respect, but getting straight to the point was typical of Seungjoo.
“Let’s have dinner together before you leave.”
“Why?”
With that simple response, Muryeong didn’t insist further and got up to follow him. It wasn’t too late, but considering there were people targeting Seungjoo just now, he thought he’d take him home. However, before Muryeong could suggest going out together, a familiar voice intervened.
“Where are you going?”
Seungjoo was taken aback by the sudden interruption. It was a subtle reaction to others, but Muryeong, who had known him for a long time, could tell.
Well, that was unexpected. Muryeong, who anticipated Seungjoo’s surprise, looked towards the direction of the voice.
“Hey, Hwanyeong.”
The figure that emerged from the room was the apparition who had been inside while they were conversing. Seungjoo seemed indifferent, neither serious nor particularly interested in conversing.
Without giving Seungjoo any attention, the apparition looked only at Muryeong and asked.
“Is Seungjoo leaving?”
Since they were right there, they could have just asked directly. Despite knowing each other for such a long time, Muryeong and Seungjoo were the kind of people who rarely talked to each other when Muryeong wasn’t around. It wasn’t that their relationship was bad, it was just… their personalities. Of course, Seungjoo didn’t really pay much attention to that fact.
“Yeah. I’ll take Seungjoo and come back.”
“…Me?”
Wow, that’s news to me. Seungjoo let out a wry laugh. It seemed like he wanted to say something more, but the apparition shook its head quickly.
“Muryeong, you’re resting. I’ll take care of it.”
“What are you talking about? I can go alone.”
Seungjoo responded with another bewildered expression. What was there to take care of? He even started walking towards the entrance. However, the apparition followed after Seungjoo and spoke once more.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“No, I’ll go myself.”
“You have work to do later.”
“I’m fine…”
“Didn’t you hear me say I’ll go alone?”
Seungjoo tried talking again, but it was still ineffective. The apparition glanced at Muryeong and quickly added that it would hurry back and to wait a bit if he was hungry. What was even more amusing was Muryeong’s cool response of “Understood.”
“These guys are insane.”
In the end, Seungjoo decided to do as he pleased and put on his shoes first. Despite some back and forth, when it came down to it, Seungjoo was the one who gave in if Muryeong insisted. Despite seeming indifferent, he was keenly aware of others’ worries, so there was no helping it.
“But why did he do that with Hyung…?”
Muryeong furrowed his brows as he watched the two leaving through the entrance. His round eyes, without double eyelids, narrowed slightly.
No matter how much he thought about it, it seemed like something unusual had happened between him and his friend.
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