Haetae.
In Korean folklore, the haetae is a scaled goat-like creature that was believed to know right from wrong, and helped pass judgement on guilty and innocent parties.
Choi Gayoung is the last known Haetae to exist in the world. Lee Yeon is...
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"No. That woman is born with a face that only I can recognize," Yeon told the possessed Gayoung. "And I don't see it in you. You aren't A Eum, and I never gave Gayoung my fox bead."
The possessed Gayoung laughed lightly, putting her hand down and away from the mystical sword. Amusement was clear in her eyes as she looked at Yeon.
"You... really think you know everything, don't you?" She asked him, a smirk on her face. "Poor, stupid, Yeon. How I ever allowed myself to fall for such a narcissist is beyond me."
She then tightened her grip around Yeon's neck, meeting his shakiness with cold determination. Unknown to her, the gold eyes of the Haetae overtook her brown eyes, the wound mark was lit up again, and her iridescent scales had returned, taking over the ugly gray and green scales on her arm.
"F**k," Gayoung muttered, dropping her hand and looking at the healed wound on her arm. "Yeon, whatever you used still burns. I don't know how you managed to do that, but--"
She was cut off by Yeon suddenly hugging her tightly; she could feel her ribs cracking from the force Yeon was using, and she blushed when she heard him take a deep inhale of her hair. She didn't know what brought this on or why he was practically nuzzling into her neck, but she didn't have the heart to push him off like she normally would. Instead, she hesitantly put her hand up, patted him on the back, and waited for him to collect himself so they could go back to normal.
Yeon suddenly pulled away; his hands were still holding her arms, and he stared her down with a frown on his face and a hint of anger.
"Who are you?" He asked her, his grip on her tightening ever so slightly.
"Seriously? Why bother asking me that now when you rubbed your scent all over me?" She asked, annoyed by the sudden question.
"Answer me," Yeon persisted.
Gayoung frowned at his look of desperation and hurt as he waited for her to answer. Whatever had happened while she was lost in that fog must have really scared him.
"Choi Gayoung. Probably the last Haetae in South Korea," She told him. "Is that enough for you, or do you want my entire biography?"
Yeon huffed at her sarcasm, amusement and relief washing over him like a wave, and then he lightly shook his head. She was here. And herself again. That's all he could ever ask for.
The two stilled as the familiar scent of another annoying fox registered in their brains. Yeon reached for a rock, throwing it at his younger brother. Rang caught it with ease, and Gayoung stood up while staring him down.
"Aren't we too old to be playing catch?" Rang asked Yeon with a taunting grin on his face.
"We hate each other too much to play catch," Yeon answered. He then tapped the side of his head while saying, "I actually meant to kill you."
