𝐄𝐗𝐈𝐋𝐄 ♕ 𝐉𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐎𝐎𝐊

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿

Gaeun searched around the Training Hall while Wook scanned the Southern Wing.

Mu Deok was nowhere to be found in and around the Training Hall but the Gwigu spirit was. It was creeping over the curved roofs of the block when Gaeun spotted it. "Wonderful," she muttered, immediately spinning on her heel to backtrack, "Tonight cannot grow worse than this."

She hastened to warn Wook and Mu Deok, not wanting to risk stopping Sapsali in case it attracted attention. The duo was behind one of the empty residence blocks. "I doubt you will be this up-close with someone often," Gaeun heard Wook say complacently as she neared them. Through the stilts, she could see him and Mu Deok stand chest to chest. "Just be careful when you kiss someone."

"Shut up!"

Mu Deok thrust her hands out aggressively. She shoved Wook away from her and unknowingly into Gaeun, who had been standing behind him. The maid froze, wide-eyed, while Wook closed his eyes in irritation and turned.

"Eavesdroppers are flogged, you...know..." he swallowed visibly at an unimpressed Gaeun that stared up at him and let out a strangled laugh, "Gaeun. Wife. What...what are you—"

"Couldn't you have your meeting outside of Songrim?" Gaeun demanded, frowning at the two who hung their heads like two children being scolded, "They haven't encased Sapsali yet and..."

Gaeun trailed off when her eyes accidentally fell on the spirit that was slowly crawling over the roof in the distance. Wook followed her line of sight and stilled. "She's right," he said stoically, "You might actually die tonight, Mu Deok."

"What?"

He nodded at the Gwigu, "The ghost, Sapsali. If it attacks you, will you turn into stone like that guy?" Mu Deok's expression darkened with fear.

"Find a way to stop Sapsali," Gaeun said, grabbing Mu Deok's sleeve and leading her away, "I'll protect her." When he didn't move, unsure of her real motives, Gaeun pushed him, "Go! We don't have time. Mu Deok, this way."

They split up, and the two women raced down the hallway, through the twists and turns. "Why are you helping me?" Mu Deok yelled again, her hand clasped tight around Gaeun's.

"Less talking, more running!" She said over her shoulder

Sapsali's growls were heard close behind as they left the compound. Hearts beating rapidly against their chest, the two sped through the alleys, praying that Wook would find a solution in time. Gaeun looked behind repeatedly and only ran faster, dragging Mu Deok with her as the spirit got closer. It jumped from rooftop to rooftop, catching up to them with ease. Unable to keep pace, Mu Deok tripped and went sprawling to the ground.

"Get up," Gaeun urged, shaking the maid's arm, "Get up!"

Wheezing, she pointed at her leg, "I can't. I twisted my..."

She looked past Gaeun, forgetting to finish the rest of the sentence. The spirit, standing on the edge of the building, roared. Eyes burning a dangerous red, it crouched down and prepared to attack. Mu Deok stared right at it in quiet resignation.

Before Gaeun could know it, she was standing in front of the maid. "Stay back," she said, "I'll handle it."

"My Lady, you—"

With a ferocious howl, the Gwigu pounced. Gaeun waited until it was close enough and then stretched her arm out. She wrapped her fingers around the wrist of her raised arm and unleashed a raging current of fire.

Gaeun had forgotten how bright the flames burned and was forced to shut her eyes. A brief moment passed where she thought she had heard the dog spirit whimper. She lowered her arms to find the smoke that formed the Gwigu was dissipating. Was it me, she thought guiltily, or was it Wook?