“What are you staring at?”
Hyungoh smiled wryly at Theo, who flinched when their eyes met. Feeling awkward at Hyungoh’s unexpectedly composed appearance, Theo scratched his cheek. I thought he’d be whimpering like a puppy needing to relieve itself. Theo approached and perched on the windowsill.
“You’ve managed not to run away.”
“…Where would I run to?”
Not anymore. Hyungoh turned his head back toward the window and slightly bit his dry lips.
Choi killing me in a dream.
Michael’s voice was still vivid in his ears. I should have trusted your words when you told me to wait in the car. In the end, because of my arrogance, you became trapped in a dream.
When he saw Michael lose consciousness, he instinctively backed away. Perhaps he wanted to turn away from the cruel reality. I’ve stabbed someone again. The sticky blood soaking his hands was unbearably disgusting.
Only when the flames grew stronger, surrounding Michael as if about to devour him, could Hyungoh stop backing away. The intensely flickering embers emitted black smoke. As Michael’s form blurred and became distant in his hazy vision, his mind also grew foggy.
Was it from inhaling the smoke for too long? Hyungoh staggered and then collapsed. He dragged his body across the floor, covered in dust and ash, before eventually giving up and curling into himself.
Is this our end?
He exhaled a faint breath against the terrible smoke that muddled his thoughts. This is too empty. Just when I could finally accept you.
…I won’t run away anymore.
At that very moment, as his heavy eyelids obscured his vision, the promise he had made to Michael awakened his consciousness. The image of Michael throwing himself into the rushing river after him flashed through his mind like a kaleidoscope.
Hyungoh wiggled his fingers. There was no time to waste. Barely covering his nose with his sleeve, he slowly crawled toward Michael.
Let’s struggle together.
He had promised Michael. And now he needed to keep that promise. With all his strength, he hoisted Michael onto his back and moved his feet. His legs weakened, and he nearly fell several times, but murmuring the promise etched deep in his heart, he forced strength into his faltering legs.
Now it’s my turn to throw myself into the river after you.
“Wait, Hyungoh. That’s dangerous.”
As he tried to gently poke his head out the partially opened window where cold air was coming in, a large hand quickly approached and covered his face. Hyungoh opened his mouth in surprise as he met the trembling eyes through the gaps between the fingers.
Could Theo make such an expression? It felt awkward, but it meant he was that worried about him, which naturally brought a smile to his face.
“I’m really fine.”
Though he spoke confidently, Theo still seemed uneasy and silently furrowed his brow.
“Good grief… Because of that Ghost guy, I’m doing all sorts of things.”
“Ah, did Theo also interview with the agents?”
“Yeah. I had to pretend to be close to that guy.”
“Ahaha.”
Hyungoh laughed lightly and stood up, dusting off his pants.
“Why don’t you try to actually become friends now? You’ve known each other for a long time.”
“What’s the point of getting friendly with Ghost? Hunter and Herick are enough people to grate on my nerves.”
“It’s Michael, Theo. Not Ghost.”
“Well, suddenly…”
“Don’t call Michael ‘Ghost’ anymore.”
Though his voice was gentle, it was easy to notice the chilling warning hidden within it. Was this kid always this type of character? Theo discreetly turned his head away from the smile that felt almost menacing.
“Fine, whatever. If the guy wakes up, I’ll call him that. Happy?”
“…Good.”
Hyungoh strode down the corridor. Theo, with a dumbfounded expression, quickly followed behind him.
“Where are you going?”
“To wake up Michael.”
“What? How are you going to wake him up?”
Standing in front of the hospital room, Hyungoh took a deep breath. No matter how much time passes, it doesn’t matter. I will never give up on you.
“By any means necessary.”
“Huh?”
Ignoring Theo, who was chattering about not doing anything reckless, Hyungoh opened the door forcefully. As the door opened with a rather dull sound, Hunter, who was standing right in front, grimaced.
“You make quite an entrance.”
Marsha, Herick, and even Taylor were gathered in the hospital room, but Hyungoh could only see Hunter. It was the first time he had faced him with a clear mind since that day when Hunter had taken a bullet and collapsed in his place.
“…Uncle.”
“Yes. Looks like you’ve recovered from your gas poisoning and confusion.”
You must have had a hard time escaping while carrying that big guy. Hunter patted his shoulder, and Hyungoh glanced at him before averting his gaze and asked.
“How are your injuries?”
“Haha. Are you actually worried about me?”
“……”
“Anyone looking at you would think they were already at my funeral. This isn’t the first or second time I’ve nearly died, so there’s no need for you to worry. Here, take this instead.”
Before he knew it, Hyungoh found himself holding Hunter’s phone, which was already in the middle of a call with an unsaved number.
“What is this?”
“There’s someone who’s been eager to talk to you.”
As Hunter gestured for him to answer quickly, Hyungoh brought the phone to his ear with a puzzled expression.
[Hello, Hyungoh?]
A voice that sounded like a whisper greeted him. In the moment of contemplating the familiar voice, as his eyes met Hunter’s, he could identify the owner of the voice.
“…Enya?”
* * *
“Hoho, you guessed it right away. I’m honored.”
Enya took a sip from her swirling glass of alcohol. She frowned at the bitter sensation in her throat but soon raised the corners of her mouth in satisfaction.
[…What’s the matter?]
“I have a confession to make.”
Enya sat comfortably in her chair and closed her eyes. The lingering effects of alcohol seemed to heighten her emotions even more.
“It’s about Maria.”
Enya recalled the day she had dinner with her. Unlike usual, Maria had exuded a serious atmosphere, so Enya had no choice but to accept that there wasn’t a hint of falsehood in what she said.
I already know how I’ll meet my end.
Maria, moistening her lips with cocoa while basking in the warm sunlight, maintained her calmness with a composed voice. And I’d like only you to know about my end. At these words, Enya quietly gazed at her through her sunglasses.
What does your end look like?
She asked Maria, who was absently staring at a man who had paused while clearing her plate. When the man retreated, Maria met her gaze again and rolled her eyes, pondering deeply.
I sank into the water. It was cold and lonely. Through large and small bubbles, I could see the dark sky, and someone was looking down at me, wailing.
Maria nodded to herself as if recalling a dream. Enya felt sorry for her, so nonchalant despite having tasted her own death.
Even though it was a blurred shape distorted by the rippling water, I instantly knew who it was.
Who was it?
She urged for an answer, but Maria merely smiled brightly. Not entirely bright—a bitter smile.
* * *
“…Why are you bringing this up?”
Hyungoh clutched the phone as if he might crush it. Whether aware of his surging emotions or not, Enya laughed and said:
[I don’t blame you. She didn’t blame you either. We’re just pitiful humans, toyed with by an absolute existence—dreams.]
“Ha… What exactly are you trying to tell me?”
I don’t understand why you’re suddenly calling me and saying these things. For a moment, he lost his strength and slid down the wall he had been leaning against. The words stirring up memories made him feel nauseous.
[I wanted to let you know that there’s a way to stop dreaming.]
A way to stop dreaming? Hyungoh suddenly lifted his head, looking for Michael. He asked urgently:
“What’s that method?”
[Overcoming the end that the dream has determined.]
Enya picked up Maria’s photograph and stood from her seat. She extended her hand outside the window where a cool breeze was blowing, and the photo fluttered with the wind.
[She threw herself into the river exactly as she had seen in her dream. That was the end that the dream had determined for Maria.]
Since she said she never once dreamed of what happened after falling into the river. Enya slowly released the photograph. Watching it flutter away with the wind in various directions, she continued:
[She succeeded in ending the dream and gained the freedom she so desperately wanted.]
Let’s say one human being, oppressed by an absolute existence, didn’t give up and struggled fiercely, thus finally breaking free. Isn’t that an educational and touching conclusion? After closing the window, Enya looked quietly at her empty hand before clenching it tightly.
[…Now it’s time to hear your conclusion.]
I’ll be looking forward to it.
With those final words, Enya ended the call. Still crouched down, Hyungoh dropped the phone to the floor and blankly faced those looking at him. Only when her voice disappeared did he become aware of the silence permeating the room.
Hunter approached with his lips firmly pressed together and extended his hand. Though he must have heard the entire conversation, he didn’t ask a single question.
Is this his way of being considerate? Hyungoh hesitated momentarily before grabbing his hand and standing up.
It’s time to hear our conclusion? Hyungoh walked with heavy steps toward Michael and knelt beside him. When he grasped Michael’s hand, the familiar warmth was nowhere to be found—only cold, lifeless skin remained.
Will we be able to reach the conclusion we desire?
“…Get up now, Choi.”
Unable to bear the sight of Hyungoh endlessly kneeling, Herick approached. Seeing him stubbornly tightening his grip on Michael’s hand, Hunter sighed and nodded to Taylor.
“He’s going to kill himself at this rate. Go lift him up.”
As Taylor carefully approached and touched his shoulder, Theo narrowed his eyes and shoved him aside.
Hyungoh was easily lifted by Theo’s one hand. Though his body was limp, his hand still clutched Michael’s.
“Torturing your body won’t miraculously make Michael open his eyes.”
Hunter’s cold voice struck the back of his head. Hyungoh felt a surge of anger at such words in this situation, but since they weren’t wrong, he held his tongue.
Though he was reluctant to let go, since a miracle seemed unlikely as Hunter said, he finally released Michael’s hand.
“…Choi.”
At the touch that grasped his collar, Hyungoh froze. Everyone fell silent at the voice. As Hyungoh struggled to move his hand to fumble with his collar, he touched a cold hand.
Turning around with courage, Hyungoh couldn’t believe his eyes when he discovered Michael, blinking with a dazed expression.
However, seeing him smile gently, Hyungoh couldn’t help but smile back. He instantly knew:
That Michael had finally succeeded in ending his dream.
The Angel Who Devoured the Ghost_The End
