Moon Issak’s seizure didn’t last long. His breathing became slower and more stable, as if he were falling asleep. The blood flowing from his nose gradually stopped.

Dawon released his collar and flung him away like he was trash. The sight of the man collapsing on the floor was both satisfying and somewhat relieving, as if some of the wounds in my heart were healing.

But the joy of victory didn’t last long. I looked at the Mage and realized that the outlines of his body were gradually becoming hazy; I hurriedly reached out to him, “Dawon-ah…!”

The summon time had expired.

I couldn’t hide my disconcerted emotions as I held onto Dawon’s disappearing hand. However, the weight of his presence gradually faded, and the background of the room began to shine through his body.

Dawon-ie placed his hand on my anxious head. Then, in a sweet but firm voice, he said, “Use Moon Issak to get out of here.”

“What?”

“Don’t use the other servants. When you leave the mansion, contact Koo Hui-seo and join him.”

“What about you? Why… are you going to disappear like this?”

Up until now, the servants remained visible to me even if the summon time had expired; therefore, it felt ominous to see that more than half of Dawon’s body had disappeared.

However, Dawon shook his head and reassured me, “It’s because this location is a bit… And your condition isn’t ideal right now. You’ll be able to see me again in a few days.”

“Then…”

“Don’t be scared, and just use Moon Issak. You can do it.”

“……”

“Let’s meet again.”

“……” I felt strangely insecure as I listened to those words. What if I lost my memories again after I let go of him? Such anxieties swirled around my entire body.

However, when I looked up and saw Dawon’s face before it completely disappeared, I felt ashamed for indulging in such weak thoughts. Dawon-ie was looking back at me without a single worried wrinkle; he had faith in me. I nodded slowly, and Dawon smiled.

In the end, I was left in the room with only the unconscious Moon Issak and the out-of-her-mind Da-hee-ssi. Da-hee-ssi leaned over the torso of her doll and continuously mumbled the same words with vacant eyes, “Darling… Jaeho-yah… Won’t you wake up?”

“……” I moved slowly so as to not provoke Da-hee-ssi–at least, as much as possible. Her weapon… I knew it had completely burned to ashes, but I didn’t know what she would do.

“> Holding my breath, I slowly approached Moon Issak, whose eyes were still closed.

“> “……”

Under my feet, Moon Issak breathed fragilely, as if his breaths would stop at any moment. Of course, I didn’t feel sorry at that sight. Not at all–honestly, I just wanted to step on him.

However, I forcibly suppressed that malicious impulse and tapped his side. Then, after just two taps, he opened his eyes.

Moon Issak looked at me before grabbing my ankle with a grip that almost felt as if he would drag me away. I didn’t think a chain and manacle would be able to clamp my ankle with a tighter force.

“Choi Lee-kyung?”

“……”

“What’s this… Why am I here?” Moon Issak looked at me with a confused expression. It looked as if he’d believe whatever came out of my mouth… His vacant and almost idiotic expression made me feel as if he wasn’t truly all there.

I had never seen such a meek and gentle look on his face before, but looking at that made my insides twist. Was that what I looked like when I was hypnotized? I wanted to hit him as he stared at me, but…

“Haah… Moon Issak-ssi.” I sighed.

“Huh?”

“First, let’s get out of this room.” I reached out to Moon Issak, trying not to let my personal feelings bleed into my actions.

He grabbed my hand quickly–as if it were a reflex. As he straightened up and got off the ground, he finally seemed to recognize Da-hee-ssi, who was in the corner of the room, and furrowed his brows. “What the…? What happened…”

I was curious as to what Moon Issak’s reaction would be, so I kept an observant eye on him and didn’t stop him.

It felt as if his mind was repeating the same thoughts, but he suddenly stumbled and suffered a nosebleed. The hypnosis effect had been triggered; whenever Moon Issak tried to repel various thoughts or doubt certain delusions…whenever he tried to reconstruct his memory… pain seemed to be inflicted on him.

‘I know. Because, I’ve experienced all that.’

In my case, I felt a piercing pain–like a needle stabbing my brain–accompanied by a deep depression; Moon Issak seemed to be suffering direct damage to the brain since he was inflicted with pain twice as strong as mine.

Eventually, Moon Issak couldn’t overcome the pain, stumbled, and leaned against the wall. As I looked at his blurred and dulled expression, I finally understood why Dawon had been relieved. Just leaving him alone like this could turn Moon Issak into an imbecile. Of course, the man had brought it upon himself, but…

“Could you tie Da-hee-ssi up?”

“…Why?”

“I can’t do it myself. My hand is like this, after all.”

“…Ah.”

Looking at him nodding his head gently at my instructions, though the logic barely supported my statements, I was sure that Moon Issak’s cognitive ability had completely deteriorated–plunged into the abyss–today. And that realization dulled a bit of my deep hatred.

Anyway, following my command, Moon Issak took out handcuffs from his inventory and tied up Da-hee-ssi. As soon as she was bound, she lost consciousness and collapsed. I laid her on the bed before quickly rushing to Kim Sangyoon’s room.

“Hhaaghh!”

“S-Sangyoon-ssi!”

“…Yes? Lee-kyung-nim!?!”

And, as soon as I told Moon Issak to awaken Kim Sangyoon, Sangyoon’s eyes fluttered wide open before he looked around with a puzzled expression.

Although his body had been immobilized and his weight had been cut in half while he lay on the bed, his expression, fortunately, didn’t look too bad after he opened his eyes. The reason the Warrior hadn’t been able to regain consciousness until now was because Moon Issak had forcibly put Kim Sangyoon to sleep using a skill.

Although I was angered by Moon Issak’s deception, I was greatly relieved when Sangyoon said he was fine and had not incurred any other injuries.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Lee-kyung-nim?”

“What? Yes… I’m fine.”

“But… your hand?”

“Ah…”

As soon as Sangyoon-ssi returned to his senses, he saw my severely injured left hand and began to worry. He was emaciated and diminished enough for his clothes to be incredibly loose on him, but he was only worried about my hand. Looking at his frown, I felt incredibly emotional.

When I bit my lips without being able to answer, Sangyoon-ssi looked restless, “A-Are you hurt? Are you sure you’re okay?”

“…I’m alright, Sangyoon-ssi… Rather than worrying about that, we have to get out of here quickly…”

“Get out? Where to?” At that time, Moon Issak, who had been silently observing our conversation, suddenly involved himself.

Kim Sangyoon looked at him and then back at me with an uneasy expression. His apprehension seemed to belie thoughts like, ‘What’s wrong with that guy?’

“First, Sangyoon-ssi. Try to stand up.” I said.

“What…? Ah, yes.”

Ignoring Moon Issak’s words, I began to help the Warrior. Kim Sangyoon still seemed a bit worried when I blatantly ignored the investigator, but, when I placed my hand on his shoulder, his startled body hopped in place. “I-I-I!! I can do it.. Stand up.. By myself!”

“Ah… I understand.” I forced myself to lower my hand when I looked at his reddened face. Fortunately, Kim Sangyoon was able to balance himself by gripping the bed frame.

However…

“Where are you going, Choi Lee-kyung…?” Moon Issak blocked my way and asked again. With a nervous expression I had never before seen on his face, he tried to grab my hand.

“Don’t touch me.”

“……”

As soon as he reached out to me, I hit his hand away. Moon Issak shrunk in on himself; his hand flinched back, like a mimosa flower. 1

Kim Sangyoon nervously flitted his eyes between us as he watched our interaction. I’m sure he was curious, but I merely smiled awkwardly at him; I couldn’t explain when Moon Issak was around.

Looking at my face and then at Moon Issak, Kim Sangyoon muttered something with a perplexed expression, “Is that guy having another seizure… Ah–It’s nothing.” 2

“……”

I knew who Sangyoon-ssi was referring to, but… I just pretended I didn’t hear him. Then, as if trying to cover up his slip of the tongue, Kim Sangyoon quickly changed into clothes from his inventory and walked out of the room.