The God Of Death✓

#05

Chapter 5: The Boundary Between Worlds

Days passed in a blur for YN. The torment from her classmates persisted, and the cold indifference from her family weighed heavily on her heart. Yet, there was a change within her, a subtle shift that she couldn't quite place. Her dreams had become her solace, her escape from a reality that seemed to hold nothing but pain. And Hoseok… Hoseok was always there, waiting for her.

But as comforting as these dreams were, a growing tension accompanied them. Hoseok was different lately, more guarded, more reluctant to let their connection deepen. It was as if he was holding something back, something that YN was desperate to uncover.

A Walk in the Dream World

When YN found herself in the dream world that night, the setting was different. Instead of the peaceful lake, they were in a dense, mist-covered forest. The trees were tall and ancient, their branches twisting and intertwining above them, creating a canopy that blocked out the sky. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, and the only sound was the soft crunch of leaves underfoot as they walked side by side.

YN glanced at Hoseok, who seemed deep in thought. His usual warmth was still there, but there was a distance in his eyes, a barrier that hadn’t been there before.

“Hoseok,” she began, her voice soft yet insistent, “you’ve been different lately. What’s going on?”

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he led her to a fallen log and gestured for her to sit down. She did, and he followed suit, sitting close enough that their shoulders brushed.

After a long pause, he finally spoke. “YN, there are things I haven’t told you… things I’ve kept hidden because I didn’t want to scare you.”

A chill ran down her spine. “What do you mean? You can tell me anything, Hoseok. I trust you.”

He smiled at her, but it was a sad, almost wistful smile. “This place… this dream world it’s not just a figment of your imagination. It’s a bridge, a place between life and death, where souls can sometimes meet.”
YN’s heart skipped a beat. “Life and death? What are you saying?”

Hoseok turned to face her fully, taking her hands in his. “YN, I’m not just a dream. I’m real. But I don’t belong to your world. I’m the god of death, and this place, this world we’ve created together, it's where I can meet you, where I can keep you safe for a while.”

She stared at him, her mind racing. The god of death? It sounded impossible, yet something deep inside her resonated with his words, as if she had always known the truth but had been too afraid to acknowledge it.

“So… every time I come here… every time I dream of you… I’m closer to death?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Hoseok squeezed her hands gently. “Yes. But it’s not just about death, YN. It’s about connection, about finding peace. I’ve been drawn to you because of your pain, because of the way you’re struggling with life. I wanted to help you, to give you some comfort. But I never meant for you to get this close.”

“But I want to be close to you,” she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. “You’re the only one who’s ever made me feel safe, who’s ever made me feel loved.”

His eyes softened, and he reached up to brush a tear from her cheek. “And I do care for you, YN. More than I should. But this connection between us… it’s dangerous. If you keep coming here, if you keep seeking me out, it will only bring you closer to the edge.”

An Unbreakable Bond

YN shook her head, her grip tightening on his hands. “I don’t care. I don’t care about the risks. I need you, Hoseok. I need to be with you.”

Hoseok looked at her, his expression pained. “You don’t understand, YN. I’m supposed to guide souls, to bring peace to those who are ready to move on. But you… you’re not ready. You still have life left in you, things you need to experience, to feel. If you keep coming here, you’ll be giving up all of that.”

“I don’t have anything left in my life,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “My world is nothing but pain and loneliness. You’re the only light I have, the only reason I want to keep going. Please… don’t take that away from me.”

Hoseok’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and for a moment, he looked as if he might say something more, something that would change everything. But then he closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the sadness was back, but so was the resolve.

“I can’t promise you anything, YN,” he said softly. “But I’ll be here as long as I can. I’ll stay with you, I’ll protect you, I’ll give you the love you deserve. But you have to promise me something too.”

“What?” she asked, her voice small and fragile.

“You have to keep living. You have to try to find happiness in your world, even if it seems impossible. Don’t give up on life, YN. Promise me.”

YN hesitated, the weight of his request pressing down on her. But then she nodded, her eyes locked with his. “I promise.”

A Fateful Decision

As they continued their walk through the misty forest, YN couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between them. The connection they shared was stronger than ever, but so were the dangers that came with it. She was torn between her growing love for Hoseok and the fear of what it all meant.

When she woke up the next morning, her heart was heavy with the knowledge of who Hoseok really was, but also with a new determination. She had made a promise, and she intended to keep it. But the pull of the dream world, of Hoseok, was too strong to resist.

Every day, she fought to stay in her reality, to keep herself grounded. But every night, she found herself back in the dream world, back in Hoseok’s arms. And each time, it became harder to leave, harder to face the cold, empty world without him.

The line between life and death was growing thinner, and YN knew that she was walking a dangerous path. But with Hoseok by her side, she felt like she could face anything even the unknown.

Please Vote.