The Last Imoogi

A Brewing Storm

Just because she didn't look like it, didn't mean she wasn't curious. In fact, Sandara had always wanted to meet people with the same abilities like hers. She even thought of meeting shamans before. Her ability to read minds and see the future seemed to be a taboo for a noble married woman like her. How could she just keep on touching people to hear their thoughts and penetrate into their minds?

At the moment, she just wanted to see how other people do it. How come the commoners could use it to earn a living while she had to keep her it all to herself? She barely could even put it to good use except for her little mischiefs and accidental encounters.

As she walked into the bunch of people, she was tiptoeing and stretching out her neck to get a better view when she suddenly noticed a high establishment behind the shack in front of her. She wasn't sure if it was instinct or what, but when she switched her gaze tothe balcony of the top floor, a familiar man stood there with a lady in tow but it was too far for her to see their faces. Still she couldn't help but think the man was way too familiar. Was that Kwon Jiyong? She asked herself, for Kwon Jiyong's presence was undeniable. But when the two figures disappeared, she shrugged off her thoughts and realized that that seemed too impossible.

Since when did Kwon Jiyong enjoy going out? And with a woman? How preposterous!

She was already in the middle of the crowd when she saw Hong coming her way. She didn't drive him off, instead, she felt at ease that he followed her, but as she kept bumping and touching other people, she kind of regretted her decision.

How could she even manage to squeeze herself into this mob of people when her head was already starting to ache after hearing all these people's thoughts? Her ears were already buzzing, as if an alarm to tell her to get out of there but going back was also difficult. In the end, she was pushed into the crowd even more until she bumped into a man in front who was sharing his testimony to the onlookers.

"Thank you so much for helping me find my son's dead body! After we gave him a proper burial, at least he'll finally be in peace!"

Everyone roared, seemingly convinced by the man, but Sandara had long figured out what's inside his head. She tried to keep it within her though, not really wanting to interfere with matters that doesn't concern her, until she saw the people throwing all their monies just to get the chance to meet the seer. Just what kind of horrible person rips his fellow commoners just to earn money? Ah, surely, this so called clairvoyant and his witnesses are scammers!

"You foolish people! They are only tricking you! They are swindling your money!" Sandara shouted earning everyone's attention while Hong who was still a few arms away, wanted to cry upon hearing their lady's words. Why can't this Park Sandara just stay still? Why was he assigned to her of all people? Grieving at his own misfortune, he pushed everyone on his way aside, and he immediately rushed to get near Sandara, but a man in straw hat suddenly blocked his way.

"Out of the way!" Hong tried to walk past the man but he was already using so much force yet the man still looked unbothered. "Yah!!!"

"This man is their accomplice! There was no way his son died because he has no family to begin with. He was lying to gain sympathy so that you would pay a fortune to meet the fake seer!" Sandara continued with a loud voice.

"How did you know, young lady?" An old man asked followed by a thug-looking guy. "Right. How can you prove your claim?"

Sandara took a step back when the people started questioning her. What is this? She asked herself. She was only trying to save them from these frauds! But then again, it could be dangerous when everyone was already trapped by blind faith.

"Mama!" Hong was trying to reach out to Sandara but the man in straw hat suddenly grabbed Sandara away from the crowd in such a movement so swift, everyone had to blink their eyes twice. Meanwhile, Sandara almost stumbled and fell if not for the man suddenly hauling her up on his shoulders. Sandara couldn't understand, but she felt dread and unexplainable anxiety that she almost puked her guts. Is this man helping her? Or was she being kidnapped?