Kang Chi: Beyond Life and Time

Chapter 25: Beyond Life: Memories in Dreams

Yeo Wool went to bed with a smile on her face—perhaps because of a time well-spent with Kang Cheol. She never expected that behind the strict and arrogant appearance of a CEO hides a gentle, sweet, and capable man that she had the privilege of meeting just earlier that day. That was why waking up from another dream—rather, nightmare—in the middle of the night, sweating, catching her breath, hands on her neck, because someone tried to strangle her, was unanticipated.

Wae? Why are my dreams getting weirder and scarier?

Whether they were dreams or nightmares, she still could not quite comprehend her own emotions whenever they happen, especially now that she knows that they could be subdued memories. But the fact that she had dreams set during the Joseon era made her wonder more about why or how they could be memories...and her most current dream is the latest addition onto the list.

She stood up to get some water, gently massaging her neck. Her dreams are becoming more and more realistic every time she has them. She wondered if she should be concerned.

I just hope I don't end up going to a doctor for this....

On her way to the kitchen, she noticed that the entrance door is open. So Jung was propped on the floor, legs crossed, his back towards her. She did not know if he is sleep-sitting, meditating, or just spacing out. She stealthily made her way, had her drink, and took another cup of water with her—just in case. As she was making her way back, So Jung suddenly spoke.

"It seems that you had another dream."

She was so startled, water spilled from the cup that she is holding. She felt her consciousness scatter as she tried to collect them by closing her eyes and relieving a sigh.

"Would you like to tell me about it?" So Jung unexpectedly asked as he turned to her.

She was surprised as to how he knew that she had been dreaming frequently lately, but what surprised her more was his interest about them.

Wae? Why on earth would he want to hear about my dreams?

"Dreams are manifestations, if you must know."

"Manifestations? Of what?" She found herself asking, without thinking twice, to her surprise.

"Of anything."

She fell silent. She had been recently plagued by these dreams that she herself could not comprehend, she would willingly pay someone who could explain them. And this strange man could be that someone. Weighing her options between returning to her room and sitting down beside So Jung, the latter won.

"Geuraesseo..." She began as she sat down on the floor beside him while still holding the cup of water. "Malhaejeoyo, jebalryo."

"You have been dreaming frequently." He said, as if confirming something.

"Ye. Naneun imi geugeoseul algo isseoyo." She answered with a heavy sigh. "I just don't understand why my dreams are like that."

"Most of us do not comprehend why we dream such dreams. But the answer is within us all along."

"You mean I should know why my dreams are like that?"

"Ye. As I have said, dreams are manifestations. Of what, it depends. Every person is different. Therefore, you alone can answer that question for yourself."

"Eo...Geureonkayo...Geunde...." She trailed off, thinking twice about asking. She would not want this strange man named So Jung to think the same of her.

"Geunde mwo?"

"Geunde waeyo...Why...do I dream of...me in the...Joseon era?" She asked apprehensively.

Surprisingly, So Jung just looked at her, as if anticipating the question. But instead of giving her an answer, he turned to look at the darkness outside. If he did not blink, she would have assumed that he was already sleeping with his eyes opened.

"Uhmm...Jeogiyo...." She softly said.

"They are manifestations."

"Ye. You already said that. And I already know that."

"Of what, you ask?.."

"Ye?.." She leaned closer in anticipation. She must hear every word he would say. He could be the one to answer her questions....

"Of anything." He repeated his earlier statement.

"Ye. Geunde mwoyeyo?..." She asked again, disappointedly.

"You alone can answer that." Repeating himself for the third time.

She ran her hands through her hair, as if brushing away the frustration that she had been feeling for the last couple of minutes. This conversation is going nowhere and mostly nonsensical.

"Geuromyo...Jaljayo."

She stood up and made her way back to her room. As she was about to enter, So Jung spoke.

"There are things that take place that we do not quite comprehend. In order to comprehend, we must be patient. In order to be patient, we must be determined."

She decided not to answer, but she took in his words as she lay down on her bedding. She recapped her most recent dream.

As if dreaming of one man and not remembering what he looks like was not enough, her most recent one featured two men. One man was garbed in black and red, which implied that he was the one in her previous dreams, and the other was in all black. The two men were facing each other, likely about to begin a dogfight, with her standing between them.

"Kang Chi-ya!" She exclaimed upon seeing the man in black and red. The man in all black attacked her from behind, strangling her with his bare hands.

"Get away from Yeo Wool!" The man named Kang Chi exclaimed.

"In order to save this woman, you have only one option. Give up on becoming a human." The man in all black told the man named Kang Chi.

Kang Chi was demanded to make a choice, but she told him not to give up. Then, she spoke to the man holding her in Kang Chi's defense. Kang Chi attacked, and she was released from the other man's grip. A fight ensued, and she woke up.

This was the second time that she mentioned the name Kang Chi in her dreams. If only she could remember how he looked like.

Jamkkan...Is this another subdued memory?

The only dream she could confirm as one is that of her as a lost girl. The other ones, so far, are all groundless. She thought that knowing his name would help, but now, she thinks otherwise.

She sat up and stared at the night sky through her window. The moon is in its crescent phase.

Dreams are manifestations...Of what? It depends upon the person.

Then, the answer lies somewhere within her.