Lowered eyelashes trembled faintly. The rejection he harbored toward exorcists was palpable, as if it seeped through his very skin. To some, it might seem like a trivial matter, but to Hwan-young, it was a heavy burden."But when I look at you, I start to think differently."He lifted his gaze, staring straight at Mu-ryeong. For a moment, Mu-ryeong wondered if those pitch-black eyes possessed some kind of power to captivate people. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so utterly entranced."Maybe exorcists really are meant to save people."Hwan-young’s words echoed what Mu-ryeong’s late father had always taken pride in. We are meant to save people. That is why we must always live with integrity. Mu-ryeong had inherited that mindset, prioritizing the safety of others above all else."Just like how you helped me…""…….""I want to be that kind of person too."Hwan-young’s voice carried nothing but sincerity. Faced with such an earnest gaze, Mu-ryeong felt an unexplainable thrill. The realization that he had influenced Hwan-young’s choice filled him with an indescribable sense of pride."…Do you think I could do it too?"That question carried two meanings. Was he capable of becoming an exorcist? Or, could he help others the way Mu-ryeong did? Without hesitation, Mu-ryeong nodded."Yeah.""…….""You can do it."Not everyone with spiritual energy could become an exorcist. First, one had to awaken their spiritual sight, but more importantly, they needed the right aptitude. It wasn’t something achievable through mere effort—one had to be born into the right bloodline.That was why joining the Exorcist Association was only possible after reaching adulthood and proving one’s abilities. Even those born into exorcist families were sometimes deemed unfit and cast aside.But none of that applied to Hwan-young."You’d more than qualify."He was born on a leap day, capable of erasing spirits with just a touch. His spiritual energy was so overwhelming it could dominate an entire space, and his natural talent allowed him to wield spiritual power like a shield. If even someone like Hwan-young couldn’t become an exorcist, then no one could."…Do I have to join the Association?"Hwan-young’s question made Mu-ryeong pause for a moment. The Association had already abandoned Hwan-young once—perhaps they had given up on recruiting him. He didn’t know the reason, but if that was the case, then there was no need for Hwan-young to join."Probably not.""You said you’d work for the Association in the future, right?""Me? Yeah, that’s the plan."Hwan-young pressed his lips together as if deep in thought. Then, avoiding Mu-ryeong’s gaze, he muttered softly."…Then I guess we won’t be working together."Mu-ryeong blinked. Exorcists typically worked alone. Their individual techniques and approaches were too different, leaving little room for collaboration. Occasionally, ghost hunters partnered up, but even that wasn’t truly cooperative work."Exorcists usually work solo."At his casual response, Hwan-young’s expression turned complicated. He frowned slightly, staring at Mu-ryeong with conflicted eyes, as if debating something. But before he could speak, Mu-ryeong took the initiative."If you really want to do this, I’ll help you.""…How exactly?""First, you need to learn a few things—how to control your power, how to handle vengeful spirits."Hwan-young hesitated, his expression unreadable. Then, raising an eyebrow, he asked slyly:"Are you planning to teach me yourself?""Mm… at least at first."After that, maybe he could ask his mother. Mu-ryeong could teach him the basics, but as time went on, an expert’s guidance would be necessary.His mother had trained all three Kim siblings—Kim Mu-heun, Kim Mu-yeon, and himself—to become full-fledged exorcists. While their father had focused on real-life experience, their mother had built their foundation with thorough theoretical knowledge. She would be a great help to Hwan-young as well."…But we won’t be able to meet once break starts next week.""Why not?"Mu-ryeong looked genuinely puzzled. It’s not like I’m going abroad. Why wouldn’t we meet just because of some vacation?"We can just meet up. I have your number, you know?""……."For some reason, the moment Mu-ryeong said that, Hwan-young covered his mouth. His gaze dropped to the floor, but this time, it didn’t carry the same sorrowful air as before. Mu-ryeong simply grinned, scrunching his nose playfully."Actually, this works out perfectly. Why don’t you stay over at my place during break?""…What?""The annex next to our house—it’s where we train. You can stay there, and we’ll practice together. We can call Seung-joo over and eat together too."His voice was filled with excitement, as if he were planning a vacation. Mu-ryeong was practically bouncing in place. His house had more than enough rooms, and having Hwan-young stay over would make training far more convenient."Seolgi will love it too.""…Would your family even allow that?""My mom loves it when I bring friends over."Mu-ryeong grinned, dimples forming on his cheeks."You’d make a great exorcist.""……."Hwan-young let out a small, dry laugh. It was almost a scoff, but it wasn’t a rejection. I’ll ask my mom tomorrow and get ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ things ready, Mu-ryeong thought to himself. Then, remembering something he had been curious about, he decided to ask."What kind of exorcist did you think was a good one?"Hwan-young had once mentioned that he had met only one exorcist he considered ‘good.’ Mu-ryeong was curious—what kind of person had earned that rare approval from someone as wary as Hwan-young?Hwan-young’s response was calm, almost nostalgic."The one who taught me how to control my spiritual energy."As he spoke, he furrowed his brows slightly, as if sifting through old memories. His sharp, double-lidded eyes narrowed into thin lines.This translation is the intellectual property of ."I never saw his face. He always wore a strange mask."So he had come there for work. High-ranking exorcists affiliated with the Association often concealed their identities. Some wore masks, while others opted for sunglasses or pulled their hats low to obscure their features."He started visiting me every day after watching me erase my parents."That must have been around the time the Association had abandoned Hwan-young. But for an exorcist to visit him afterward—there had to be something going on behind the scenes."That guy just taught me a bunch of things. How vengeful spirits disappear, how to handle spiritual energy, the difference between purification and eradication—stuff like that."The absolute basics. If exorcism were a subject taught in school, these were things a first-year elementary student would learn. But for a young Hwan-young, it had probably been just the right amount of information."I didn’t know him for long, but… you just get a feeling, you know? That he was a good person."Mu-ryeong nodded. Sometimes, feelings were more accurate than what the eyes could see."But… after a while, I asked him to show me his face. The next day, he stopped coming.""…Just like that?""Yeah, just like that."For a fleeting moment, disappointment flashed across Hwan-young’s face. Mu-ryeong could tell how attached he must have become to this "mister" during his childhood. And he could guess how much it must have hurt when the man suddenly vanished without a word."…I have something I want to ask, too."Hwan-young hesitated slightly, as if debating whether to change the subject. When Mu-ryeong gestured for him to go ahead, he spoke carefully."What were you talking about with your brother earlier?""…Oh."Right. Hwan-young must have been concerned. Mu-heun might have overheard what had happened at the gate. Remembering the awkwardness from earlier, Mu-ryeong unconsciously scratched the back of his neck."Nothing much. Just about work and stuff."Seolgi was sprawled out between them, fast asleep, oblivious to their conversation. He had even stopped wagging his tail, completely lost in his dreams. Mu-ryeong glanced at Hwan-young, who still seemed a bit wary, and carefully brought up the topic."Um… remember how I told you I did a saju reading for you?"The night he had pulled Hwan-young down from the rooftop. The moment he revealed that he had already known about his spiritual abilities. That was when he had confessed that he had read his saju. Hwan-young, recalling that moment, gave a small nod."My brother was the one who read it.""…Isn’t he an exorcist?""Yeah, but saju is one of his specialties. His readings are different from the usual ones, though."Hwan-young’s expression showed that he didn’t quite understand, but he didn’t argue. Mu-ryeong fidgeted for a moment before offering a small smile."He said your saju changed for the better."‘At least he won’t be lonely anymore.’It had been just one sentence, but it was enough. Originally, Hwan-young’s fate had been one of isolation—consuming others before ultimately devouring himself. But now, everything had changed. He no longer had to be alone. That thought alone filled Mu-ryeong with an overwhelming sense of satisfaction."You won’t have to walk two hours everywhere anymore.""……."At the lighthearted comment, Hwan-young pressed his lips together. He looked down at Seolgi, still fast asleep, then glanced at Mu-ryeong’s bright, beaming face. Finally, his gaze dropped again."Yeah… I guess so."His lips curved into a soft smile.It was faint, barely noticeable, but the moment Mu-ryeong saw it, his eyes widened. His well-shaped lips formed a gentle arc, and a barely-there dimple appeared on his left cheek."……."It felt like someone had popped a balloon right next to his ear. His mind went blank, and every word he had planned to say vanished from his throat."…Let’s just go to sleep."With that, Mu-ryeong abruptly shot to his feet. Ignoring Hwan-young’s puzzled look, he reached for the light switch and flicked it off. With a soft click, the room was swallowed by darkness."…What’s with you all of a sudden?""…I’m just sleepy."Mu-ryeong’s excuse was weak, and he knew it. He hurriedly crawled under his blanket, carefully avoiding Seolgi. His stomach churned—probably from overexerting his spiritual energy. Hwan-young, apparently tired as well, didn’t push the matter further and pulled his blanket over himself."…….""……."As usual, they didn’t exchange goodnight wishes. Mu-ryeong lay with his back turned, taking deep breaths to calm himself. He shut his eyes, willing himself to sleep—but all he could see was Hwan-young’s smile.…He looks ridiculously good when he smiles.He had never expected a dimple to suit Hwan-young so well. Maybe it was because he was always so expressionless that seeing him smile felt like something entirely new. That fleeting moment, where the still air seemed to stir with life, had been more captivating than anything Mu-ryeong had ever seen.He should smile more often.Now that the thorn in his heart had been removed, Mu-ryeong hoped nothing but happiness awaited him. This fluttering feeling in his chest—surely, it was just anticipation for what was to come.The long full moon night was finally drawing to an end.

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