A Hand Reaching Through the Dark

In the end, Seha had to go as far as answering, “I’m not being threatened,” to the question, “If you’re being blackmailed, cough twice, hyung,” and even step out onto the balcony to send a photo of the incredible night view before he was finally cleared of suspicion.

“…You’re too damn cute.”

Seha muttered with a smile spread across his face.

Not just because he was his brother, but because he genuinely couldn’t believe someone like him even existed.

Handsome face, tall, smart, and kind on top of it all.

There wasn’t a single flaw to be found.

Feeling much lighter, Seha hummed softly as he leaned against the railing and looked down at the scenery spread out before him.

Scattered lights sprinkled across the vast darkness of night reminded him of the universe itself.

There had been days without scenery like this.

Back when they lived in a semi-basement studio.

In the dead of winter, the boiler would break down constantly, and the brothers would pile every blanket they had on top of each other, clinging tightly together as they fell asleep.

Back then, the only “view” they were allowed was a palm-sized window blocked by bleak iron bars.

“I guess this counts as making it in life….”

The night scene reflected in Seha’s eyes.

It was such a beautiful night that he almost felt guilty enjoying it alone.

He wanted to tell his brother that nights weren’t always cold or frightening.

That some nights wore clothes this beautiful and dazzling.

He didn’t want it to be a dream that passed in a single night.

He hoped every night Sejin would face in his life could be like this.

Enduring in this house was the first step toward that dream.

Steeling himself once more, Seha took a deep breath and turned around to head back to his room.

As he closed the balcony door and crossed the living room, the owner of this house naturally came to mind.

After Jeongyun stormed out alone earlier in the day, Seha hadn’t seen him again.

Even after Jeongyun returned, it was the same.

Following Donghyun’s advice that it would be better not to run into Jeongyun again today, Seha had holed himself up in his room and tried not to come out.

Even when he did step outside briefly, he was careful not to catch Jeongyun’s eye.

It wasn’t particularly stifling or uncomfortable.

Compared to Seha’s own place, the room was far more pleasant, and there was even a huge TV with access to every OTT platform imaginable.

If anything, it had been a great day.

But he couldn’t go on avoiding Jeongyun forever.

Seha decided that after sleeping and waking up, he should apologize for the nonsense he’d said today, and headed toward his room.

“Ugh…!”

That was the exact moment Seha stopped short and lifted a hand to his forehead.

A sharp beep rang in his ears, and his vision spun violently.

Terrified he might topple backward, Seha hurriedly bent his knees and dropped to the floor, bracing himself on his hands.

Even with his eyes closed, he could feel the world whirling around him.

Then suddenly, an intense chill spread through his entire body.

Goosebumps raced down his spine.

It wasn’t the kind of cold you’d feel with summer just around the corner, nor was it like winter’s chill.

It wasn’t simply cold air or a breeze—

It felt like icy energy was invading his body, scratching beneath his skin.

“Haa….”

Seha let out a trembling breath at the pain-like sensation.

He half-expected white vapor to puff from his mouth, but nothing appeared between his parted lips.

His thoughts grew hazy.

What on earth was happening.

Was he sick.

Should he call emergency services.

He desperately tried to think, but the situation ended abruptly.

The horrific cold vanished in an instant.

“……?”

Still kneeling on the floor, Seha blinked.

Was he numb from the cold.

No matter how carefully he checked his condition, nothing was wrong.

Everything had suddenly returned to normal.

He cautiously stood up.

Not only the chill, but the ringing in his ears and the dizziness were gone without a trace.

It was embarrassing, considering no one had even seen him.

Was he really under that much stress.

Or was something genuinely wrong with his body.

The thought sent a chill down his spine.

He’d tried to take care of his health because he had to look after his brother, but he’d spent years grinding himself down just to make money.

It wouldn’t be strange if his body had broken somewhere along the way.

With a hardened expression, Seha bit his lip and walked back toward his room.

He’d have to ask for a day off soon and get a health checkup.

This was the opportunity of his life, and Sejin was still young.

It would be disastrous if he got so sick he couldn’t work.

Even if he did get sick, he had to hold on until Sejin became an adult and settled properly.

If possible, holding on until Sejin got married would be even better.

Thinking thoughts that would’ve horrified Sejin if he heard them, Seha grabbed his doorknob.

“…….”

He didn’t open it.

A thought flashed through his mind.

Seha reflexively turned his head.

Toward the direction of Jeongyun’s room, unseen but clearly there.

“Don’t tell me….”

A doubtful murmur slipped out.

It was too vague to even call a hunch or a premonition.

There was no reason his strange symptoms would be related to Jeongyun.

They had no connection whatsoever.

And yet, Seha found himself wondering if something had happened to Jeongyun right now.

Was he getting water on the brain from hearing so much talk about talismans and warding off misfortune.

Or was it just that the image of Jeongyun under sleep paralysis last time had left such a strong impression.

No matter how he thought about it, it was groundless imagination.

Seha ignored it and opened his door.

“Ah, seriously…!”

But instead of diving into bed, Seha turned around and headed straight for Jeongyun’s room.

Just checking.

He knew nothing would be wrong, but just checking.

Because it bothered him.

He justified his foolishness that way.

If he lay down like this, he’d keep worrying whether the ten-billion-won project might run into trouble.

Better to check properly.

It wasn’t even difficult.

Stopping in front of Jeongyun’s room, Seha held his breath.

It was dawn—surely the frail young master was already asleep.

But at the same time, he imagined Jeongyun suddenly flinging the door open and yelling that the fake shaman was a stalker now too.

Clasping both hands tightly in front of his chest so he wouldn’t accidentally make noise by bumping into something, Seha carefully pressed his ear to the door.

“…….”

Silence.

There were no groans of pain or anything like it.

Seha shut his eyes tight and focused even harder for any other presence.

Still nothing.

No sound.

No sign.

Of course.

Seha nodded to himself and straightened up.

Seeing Insuk’s desperation earlier must have messed with his head.

Otherwise, he’d never have thought he could sense Cha Jeongyun’s crisis without even seeing him.

Sudden exhaustion crashed over him.

After staring at Jeongyun’s tightly shut door for a moment, Seha turned away.

Jeongyun would be fine.

The one who needed to go to the hospital was Seha himself.

Please… please, someone help me….

Jeongyun screamed desperately.

It was useless.

As always, his earnest voice never made it out of his mouth.

He wanted to avert his gaze, if only he could.

If not for the blood-red eyes weeping tears of blood, he thought he could look at anything.

Even under sleep paralysis, being unable to move even his eyes was rare.

Today was one of those rare days.

The worst nightmare Jeongyun had.

A ghost in the form of a woman, her entire body shattered and torn apart, crying tears of blood.

That ghost had come right up to Jeongyun’s face, meeting his eyes as it wept.

The nightmare didn’t contain just that woman.

He could sense other shadows shifting around them.

But Jeongyun almost wished something else would rush at him instead.

At least then, he wouldn’t have to keep staring at the horrific woman before him.

Please, save me….

Tears flowed down, soaking his cheeks.

This was clearly a dream, yet the sensation of tears spilling from his eyes was far too vivid.

He strained desperately to shake his head.

He focused on his fingertips, tried to move them.

He even attempted to move his tongue, just a little.

He was desperately trying every method said to break sleep paralysis, but his rigid body showed no sign of loosening.

How much longer did he have to live in this hell.

If it was going to be like this, why not just kill me.

That day, in that car—why didn’t you just kill me then.

He hadn’t wanted this life in the first place.

Why prolong it on a whim and then torment him so cruelly.

Jeongyun was exhausted.

He wanted it to stop.

What meaning was there in a life spent waiting to die like this.

…Yoon!

At that moment, a point in the darkness enveloping Jeongyun’s world tore open, and an unfamiliar voice rang out.

Jeongyun’s fingertip twitched, just a little.

…Sir! I—…!

Fragmented syllables slipped through the gap one after another.

Jeongyun instinctively knew that voice was a lifeline that could pull him out of here.

Just a little.

Just a little more.

Praying the voice wouldn’t cut off, Jeongyun strained to focus on the sound.

The horrific woman was still before him, but now Jeongyun could turn his gaze ever so slightly away.

The sensations that had been completely gone from his body began to return bit by bit.

Suddenly, Jeongyun felt someone gripping his shoulder, and from that point of contact, a strange energy seeped into him.

“Ah…!”

Jeongyun’s mouth opened, and a small but unmistakable sound burst out.

As he spoke, Jeongyun realized that the unfamiliar sensation invading him wasn’t unfamiliar at all.

It was something he’d felt before.

Only once, but unmistakably.

“Wake up! Cha Jeongyun!”

At that moment, the darkness was torn completely apart, and a single, complete phrase crashed into Jeongyun’s mind with tremendous force.