Season two, chapter eighty

"Your past self
is so proud of you"

THE COUNTERS' TEAM joyfully entered the expansive white room, their cheerful expressions contrasting with the stoic smiles of their Yung counterparts. The overwhelming love and admiration in her parents' eyes filled Thea with immense pride, nearly bringing her to tears.

Not only had she successfully sought vengeance for her parents, but also for Mun. Although a sense of sorrow lingered in her heart, she found comfort in the thought that Mun would have been pleased with her actions, as her parents were now. Consequently, Thea chose to smile without shedding a tear, convinced that her past self would have been proud of the individual she had transformed into.

Hyun-ki gently whispered, "Thea," with a slight grin appearing on his face as he approached her with open arms, to which she eagerly responded to with a long-awaited display of affection "You're incredible. You had no territory, but summoned a level-three evil spirit" Hyun-ki affectionately played with her hair, gracefully stepping aside as Thea's parents came closer to envelop her in a comforting familial hug

"I didn't do it alone. Jeok-bong and Jun-seo helped me" Thea declared, enveloping her brother in a tender embrace while Jeok-bong looked on with a sense of accomplishment. Thea then playfully tapped Jeok-bong on the chest, prompting him to react with a mixture of surprise, placing his hands over his heart before breaking into a shy smile and making peace signs with his hands

"I knew you wouldn't just sit on your hands. You're too good for that" expressed Gi-ran confidently, displaying a proud smile as she looked at the assembled family in front of her

"Of course she's too good for that" Thea's mother expressed with a beaming smile and affectionately patted her daughter's back, her eyes radiating with pride

Thea looked at her mother with a broad grin, her eyes displaying a combination of admiration, affection, and a touch of bashfulness.

"Eomma..."

"Indeed, our beloved Thea is truly remarkable," exclaimed Thea's father with a smile, as he tenderly reached out to caress the head of his cherished daughter, who blushed with embarrassment where she stood

"Appa..."

"Exactly" Mo-tak concurred, as he walked towards Gi-ran and indicated towards Thea "Thea just doesn't listen, you know? Oops" he continued, gently touching Gi-ran's shoulder and nearly losing his balance in the process

"Mo-tak"

"Yes?"

"I know you encouraged them" Gi-ran exclaimed with a clear expression on her face, despite being fully aware that Mo-tak was attempting to conceal it

"These are some big shoulder pads" Mo-tak casually commented, skillfully redirecting the conversation as he playfully tapped Gi-ran's shoulder pads, causing amusement among the group with his actions

Suho confidently expressed with a proud smile "You caught Lee Chung-jae and summoned Gelly too" He stood with his arms resting behind his back "The Chinese counters that Gelly consumed arrived safely in Yung. They want to thank you"

Ms. Chu's countenance lit up with a smile as she expressed "We just did our job" while affectionately patting her son's shoulder in confirmation

"You're not hurt, are you?"Jong-guk asked as he meticulously assessed Jeok-bong's arm, his expression betraying his worry

"Come on, Jong-guk" Jeok-bong declared, attempting to free his arm from his friend's grasp. Feeling insulted by his companion's comments, Jeok-bong scowled and asserted, "I'm not the type of man who gets hurt that easily"

"Of course not. A doorman like you..." Mo-tak asserted with a commanding tone, immediately drawing the focus of everyone in the room

"What?"

"Never mind" Mo-tak dismissed the issue with a shake of his head, choosing to avert his gaze to avoid the displeased expression on Jeok-bong's face. He kept his lips slightly open, not daring to exhale

"I was ready to jump in if I had to!" Jeok-bong asserted, his frustration evident as he raised his voice in response to the lack of belief from others

"Of course!"

"What? I'm serious!"

"Of course"

All of a sudden, a wave of ecstatic laughter swept through the group, causing Thea to yearn for the company of her beloved Mun, whom she longed for deeply on a daily basis.

"I wish Mun and Wi-gen were here with us"Thea expressed wistfully, leading to a somber atmosphere as the joy on everyone's faces dimmed. The true value of their contribution becomes apparent to everyone only in their absence

There's no one here... my home... is gone...

Thea struggled to contain her emotions, her heart heavy with a sense of emptiness and hopelessness that seemed to follow her both day and night. She found it difficult to rest without her dear boyfriend by her side. Each evening, she devoted herself to caring for Mun, opening up to him in ways she never had before, confiding in him, and sometimes even singing to him in the futile wish that he would suddenly awaken and reveal that it had all been a charade. However, she understood deep down that such a miraculous outcome was highly unlikely.

It was a source of great distress to have to wait.

Thea attentively watched as Jangmul swiftly drank the liquid in his cup, his demeanor grave. He had been displaying signs of agitation and unease ever since arriving at the hideout. After explaining the recent events, a wave of anxiety swept over everyone as they mulled over the implications of being found by Mr. Ma. The looming threat meant they were once again facing danger, compounded by Mun's unconscious state adding to the uncertainty of their future course of action.

"Are you saying Ma Ju-seok might've found out about our hideout?" Ms. Chu asked, her brow furrowed, leaning in towards him with her hands firmly on the tabletop

"If he did, he would've gotten here before I did" Jangmul sought to rationalize, his apprehension and anxiety evident in his vocal inflection "Judging by how he just left me there, maybe he had a change of heart"

"Maybe Mun's grandmother disappearing out of the blue was all part of his plan" Mo-tak stated seriously, his eyes focused on the table in front of him as he sought to connect the clues

"We should leave this place with Mun"suggested Jeok-bong with a sense of worry and urgency, showing a desire to quickly go to Mun's room and relocate him to a safer place. However, Jun-seo immediately advised him to remain seated in his chair

Hana interjected with seriousness and conviction, stating "No. That won't change anything" as she held Jun-seo's gaze for a brief moment "Ma Ju-seok knows us too well. If he's determined to find us, we won't be able to run forever"

"Then do you want us to fight him?" Mo-tak asked with sincerity, turning his head towards Hana in astonishment, his tone reflecting a blend of seriousness and confusion

"It's impossible without Mun. He's unfathomably stronger than Gelly" Mrs. Chu conveyed with exasperation, punctuated by a deep sigh "While Mun's unconscious, we can't—"

"I need to bring him back"Thea interjected suddenly, with gravity, standing up resolutely and fixing her gaze on each member of the team, demonstrating her unwavering resolve

"But... what if that puts you in danger?"Jeok-bong asked, displaying genuine concern for her welfare and determined not to allow her to endanger herself once more, as she consistently offered to prioritize others over herself

"He's been alone for way too long. This time, I'll bring him back" Thea stated firmly, looking tenderly at her fellow team members for any sign of approval for her resolution. She was steadfast in her determination not to abandon Mun in his coma any further; she was prepared to revive him at any expense

"Thea..." murmured Ms. Chu gently, her compassionate eyes fixed on Thea with worry, viewing her as a beloved daughter and recognizing her as the one most deeply impacted by the situation. She had full trust in Thea's words, yet she was determined to shield her from further distress. Ms. Chu had never met a young woman as determined and steadfast as Thea; she was truly unique and extraordinary in her resoluteness. The sincerity of her intentions was so apparent that it troubled Ms. Chu to see her consistently putting others' needs above her own. However, who was there to offer her the same level of support and aid in return?

Her own family, unable to broach the topic, had consciously steered clear of discussing Mun's coma, out of an understanding that Thea, known for her reluctance to open up, would resist acknowledging her emotions and displaying vulnerability. Consequently, they opted to sidestep the matter altogether. However, upon reflection, Ms. Chu realized that it may have been more beneficial to encourage Thea to address the situation, allowing her to release pent-up emotions and find solace.

Once again, Thea found herself enveloped in a dense, white fog, her vision obscured by the mist. The atmosphere was chilly and fraught with tension, fueling her determination to locate Mun and bring him to awareness. However, given the outcome of their previous encounter, persuading him to acknowledge the reality would prove to be a formidable task.

"Mun!" The sound of Thea's voice echoed within the place, creating the illusion of emptiness. She gazed into the distance, questioning softly, "Mun! Mun— Ji Cheong-sin?" Confusion evident in her expression as she squinted her eyes. Mun, experiencing a surge of fear, retreated from the threatening presence of Ji Cheong-sin, who was advancing towards him with calculated steps

Thea's lips fell apart in stunned disbelief as she struggled to comprehend the scene before her. Realizing that all that unfolded was a manifestation of Mun's vivid imagination, his deepest fears appeared to materialize without a conscious effort.

"I bet you think it's over now" Ji Cheong-sin's voice rasped and warped, blending with the sinister tone of the evil spirit "This fight will go on forever" With a sudden force, he gripped Mun's face, locking eyes with him as Mun quivered in his hold "Your cursed fate will lead you to a painful death. And everyone around you will also die like that because of you" he chortled malevolently, taunting Mun and dredging up memories from the events of three years ago

Thea was taken aback by the unexpected and disturbing sight of Ji Cheong-sin laughing as he walked away, her eyes tracing his movements with a sense of dread. The evil intent in his gaze made Thea shudder with fear. Upon turning her attention to Mun, she felt her initial shock give way to compassion as she noticed the fear etched on his dear face, rendering him so defenseless and fragile that she felt an overwhelming urge to shield him from harm. The sight of his eyes, brimming with sorrow, anguish, and dread, tugged at Thea's heartstrings.

"Whats going on?" Thea asked, expecting a response from Mun. Instead, he recoiled in fear, his expression betraying his terror, rendering him unable to face Thea. Observing this, she noticed Mr. Hwang approaching Mun from behind, his countenance calm and impassive

"You have so many things you need to protect" stated Mr. Hwang confidently yet playfully, placing his hand on Mun's shoulder as he leaned in closely to speak softly in his ear "I'm glad you're here. This will be your gravesite"

Thea hastily moved closer to Mun, her heart racing, while she watched Mr. Hwang vanish into the fog. The apprehension in Thea's gaze displayed the depth of her feelings about potentially losing Mun and her efforts to persuade him to confront his fears.

"Mun..." Thea gently and emotively called out from his back, conveying "None of this is real. You must stay strong" In response, Mun shook his head and retreated, while Ma Ju-seok emerged beside him, his indifferent expression causing frustration for Thea as a result of Mun's obstinacy

"That's right Mun. There's nothing we can do about this" Ma Ju-seok's grave demeanor alerted Mun of his presence, causing an immediate sense of unease "Neither of us will regret this"

Mun was overcome with fear and collapsed to the ground as Mr. Ma vanished into the mist with a stoic demeanor. Meanwhile, Gelly materialized behind Mun almost supernaturally, pressing the pointed spikes of her gloves against his neck and seizing his hair with her other hand. This action left Mun gasping for air, shaking uncontrollably under the woman's firm hold.

"What'll happen once the power you've acquired disappears?" Gelly laughed mockingly before disappearing into the mist, leaving Mun quivering with fear as he sat on the ground, his gaze empty and haunted by the taunting words of his adversaries

"Mun..." With a sense of urgency and worry, Thea hurried towards him, dropping to her knees next to him and delicately placing a hand on his shoulder to attract his notice, as he had not acknowledged her presence

"Why?"Mun regarded her with a stern expression, his eyes betraying a sense of detachment as he slowly redirected his gaze towards her, seemingly provoked by her mere presence "Why did you come back?"

Thea asked, with a quiver in her lower lip and a lump in her throat "What do you mean?" She adamantly refused to leave him trapped in his own mind, facing the prospect of dying in a coma, stating "I can't leave you here"

Mun icily declared "Stay away" his eyes filled with disdain and rage, leading Thea to retreat in fear "I told you to stay away from me!" He elevated his tone, his kind demeanor abruptly shifting to one of irritation, causing Thea to tremble and shut her eyes in response

Upon opening her eyes again, Thea found herself in a familiar yet distressing location – the hotel where her worst fears had materialized, the same place where her dear boyfriend had slipped into a coma. She was burdened with fragmented recollections and the weight of sorrow, clinging to hope for a miraculous recovery and for Mun to awaken from his unconscious state.

Thea carefully watched as Mun stood up gradually from the ground, tears evident in his eyes, observing him as he navigated through the motionless bodies of his fellow family's members. This was Mun's perception of the situation. Thea was left speechless, hearing Mun's anguished cries as he made his way among the deceased individuals.

Thea's sight became unfocused as Mun's steps came to a stop in front of a specific individual. Her attention was drawn towards the motionless figure lying on the ground, causing a sudden ache in her chest upon seeing her own lifeless body surrounded by blood. Mun was overcome with inconsolable sorrow as he grieved before the body, emitting cries filled with anguish and remorse that compelled Thea to shed a tear in sympathy.

Did Mun believe that all of them didn't survive?

Mun's anguish was so overwhelming that even with Thea standing in front of him, he found it difficult to accept that she was truly alive and not deceased. He perceived her presence as a mere illusion, similar to everything else in that place, and desired nothing more than for her to be distanced from him, to alleviate his intense suffering. As a result, he deliberately suppressed his memories of her, so he couldn't recognize her instantly, a coping mechanism to ease the agony of her absence.

"I told you. Everyone around me... dies" Mun wept, his voice shaking, as he looked upon his cherished family, lifeless and strewn across the hotel corridor

"No, Mun" Thea quickly intervened, asserting herself by placing her hands on Mun's shoulders, in an effort to persuade him to acknowledge the truth "No one died. So you can stop feeling this way. Let's go back together"

"Don't lie!" Mun yelled, prompting Thea to let go of him reflexively. The room's lights started to flicker as Mun breathed heavily, his eyes reflecting agony and animosity as they bore into Thea's gaze "In the end, everyone died. In the end, I couldn't... save anyone, I couldn't save... her" Mun shook his head, tears falling down his face as he slowly backed away, casting one final glance at Thea's motionless form beside him

Oh my dear love...

Nevertheless, Thea remained steadfast in her determination. With her environment gradually disappearing and being enveloped by a dense white mist once again, she pursued Mun and positioned herself in his path to block his progress.

"If you don't believe me, let me show you" Thea stated assertively, placing both hands on Mun's head. She proceeded to shut her eyes and incline her head, immersing Mun once more in their shared recollections - their love story unfolding from their initial encounter to the blossoming of affection, the formation of their romantic relationship, each gentle touch and fond kiss, all of it flooding back into Mun's consciousness "You're not alone, Mun" Thea murmured softly, opening her eyes to lock gazes with Mun, who remained speechless for a fleeting moment, reviewing the novel memories in his mind with conviction "Believe in all the moments that we spent together" Thea slowly withdrew her hands from Mun's countenance, prompting him to tightly close his eyes and low his head as tears continued to cascade down his cheeks

"No" Mun replied, shaking his head as he gazed at Thea intently, his expression betraying a mix of coldness, disdain, and sorrow "I'm... too exhausted now" he informed her before taking a step back, observing Thea with a watchful eye. In an instant, the scene around them shifted once more, transporting them to the very road where Mun's parents had tragically met their demise

The rain started to drench them swiftly, Mun stood in the center of the street observing the car containing his parents and his younger self before their lives took a tragic turn. Thea experienced a chill coursing through her entire body as she sensed the cool raindrops trickling down her head, face, and back. The headlights of the stationary vehicle on the road illuminated the scene as a melodious tune played from inside, triggering Thea's recollection of the moment when they discovered that Mun's parents had met a deliberate demise.

"Dad"

"Why are you back here again, Mun?" Thea inquired from behind him, her body becoming drenched by the cold rain. She hurried towards him and grasped his arms"Let's go. Let's go!" She shook him. Despite her pleas, Mun stood immobile, his gaze fixed on the parked car as though mesmerized "Let's go! You need to return to everyone who's waiting for you! Why are you back here?" Thea begged, shaking his arm in desperation "No" Thea sighed, observing the approaching car in the distance. There was a looming threat of being struck by the vehicle, leading to their potential demise "No. Mun, we really have to go. We need to go, please! Let's go! You need to live! You need to return to those who are waiting for you! Let's go! We need to go, please!" Thea cried out urgently, feeling her heart race in her chest, with raindrops obstructing her view

She was adamant that Mun should not perish, especially in her presence. Thea was fully willing to reciprocate all the affection and gratitude Mun had shown her over the years; she was fully prepared to lay down her life for him without any second thoughts, driven by her deep love for him.

If it were up to me, I'd take everything that has ever hurt you and erase it from your past...

After coming to a resolute decision, she freed Mun and positioned herself behind him, gazing intently at the swiftly advancing truck that appeared ready to collide with them imminently. Thea exhaled deeply, her body trembling, as the truck approached nearer. In a reflexive action, she pivoted around, enfolding Mun in a tight embrace while he reciprocated by pulling her close by the neck and extending his hand definitively to halt the approaching truck.

Thea shut her eyes firmly and pressed her face against Mun's shoulder, preparing for the collision, yet to her surprise, nothing transpired after a brief pause. A profound stillness engulfed her, intensifying her confusion and compelling her to cautiously gaze around when she distanced herself from Mun. Observing the surroundings, she noticed that time seemed to have frozen, with water droplets hanging suspended in midair, and the truck perilously close, barely inches away from striking them.

As Thea turned, she locked gazes with Mun, who was regarding her with a tender expression. Overwhelmed with happiness, tears welled up in Thea's eyes at the sight of Mun's loving gaze, which dispelled any trace of animosity and bitterness, giving her a sense of relief and freedom.

His perception of her had experienced a profound change, almost like a sudden recollection of her led to a rekindling of the love he had previously neglected for her. Thea's body quivered with emotion, sensing a weight being lifted off her shoulders.

He's just a beautiful boy with a beautiful soul. And I love him.

"Thea.." Mun softly called out, which prompted Thea to move closer to him and embrace him tightly in a warm and urgent hug that she had been yearning for during the difficult three days without him. With hands shaking slightly, she grasped his shoulders and examined him with determination, almost as if searching for something within him. He tearfully inquired "Is everyone.. really... waiting for me?" His tender brown eyes remained fixated on Thea, brimming with deep affection

Thea nodded in agreement, tears pooling in her eyes as she delicately caressed Mun's head, eliciting a quickened heartbeat from Mun "It must've been tough for you. You should tell us if you're struggling or exhausted" Thea spoke in a gentle tone, giving his shoulder a comforting pat as she let out a repressed sob "We can protect you too, you idiot. We're family" she continued, tenderly stroking his cheek. Mun let out a prolonged, quivering breath as he turned around to meet the gaze of his younger self, who nodded back at him

Upon regaining consciousness, Thea found herself surrounded by her enthusiastic family members eagerly anticipating her awakening. Upon observing her return to consciousness, they gazed at her with hopeful expectations, eager to receive any updates, whether they be favorable or unfavorable.

"How did it go with Mun?"Mo-tak was the initial one to ask. Upon hearing this, Thea gently removed her hand from Mun's forehead. In an instant, the lights of their territory illuminated the surroundings with unprecedented brilliance, leaving everyone in awe of the colorful radiance. Overcome with happiness, tears of joy flowed down Thea's cheeks as she beamed with delight. The return of the team's ace was a well-known fact to all

"Mun..." Ju-yeon spoke softly, her voice quivering as tears welled up in her eyes "His hair..." she observed Mun's hair returning to its natural curly state. The well-defined curls, which had earned him the endearing nickname "noodles" from Thea, never failed to amuse Mun, as they bore a striking resemblance to small noodles

"May..." Mun started speaking with a raspy voice, gradually opening his eyes as everyone's attention shifted to him following a prolonged period of silence "...I wake up"

"Mun!" They chorused exultantly, Thea softly patted Mun's chest as he rose on the bed, triggering tears of joy from everyone present, who felt compelled to express gratitude and praise the deities for Mun's revival

Mun, with sleepy eyes surveying his surroundings, asked "Come on. Weren't you waiting for me? I expected a bouquet of flowers. I should go back to sleep then" With a slight smile, he laid back down, conscious of the reactions his words would elicit

"Mun!"

"You little brat!"

Almost all individuals gathered around the poor boy, exuding happiness upon his homecoming. Thea rose from her chair, graciously opening up space for others to greet Mun. With a smile reflecting a blend of joy and wistfulness, Thea's expression remained unwavering; she was overjoyed by his return, delighted at the prospect of a return to regularity.

Jun-seo greeted Thea with a warm embrace, one hand placed gently on her shoulders while the other remained tucked in his pocket, as they gazed at the picturesque scene in front of them. Thea leaned her head on her brother's chest, their expressions filled with joy. Mun observed the siblings with a smile, his thoughts questioning the presence of Hana's partner and the intimate relationship he shared with Thea.

Oh if you were aware that he happens to be your brother-in-law.

Author's note;

Apologies for the delay in updating, as of late I have been lacking motivation and have struggled to find the drive to write a chapter. This is why I have chosen to create this lengthy chapter as a form of compensation, in the hopes that there are still readers out there anticipating this update.

Question of the day: Public school or private school? 🏫

I greatly prefer public schools, as I have never attended a private school and hope to never do so. I have heard that students there can sometimes be very spoiled 🤷‍♀️

New characters introduced:

Woo Hee-Jin as Kang Ji-hye (Thea's and Jun-seo's mom)

Gong Yoo as Park Hyeon-Jun (Thea's and Jun-seo's dad)

See y'all in the next chapter!😘