Season two, chapter eighty-five

"I won't let em hurt you, sweetheart"

UPON SPOTTING HER BROTHER sprawled on the floor across the room, surrounded by shattered vases and audibly distressed, Thea immediately rushed towards him with a sense of urgency. She and Mun had only recently reached the hideout, donning their coordinated black tracksuits hidden beneath their usual attire in preparation for unforeseen circumstances such as the current one.

Thea swiftly knelt next to Jun-seo as he opened one eye, contorting in agony. Despite his discomfort, he mustered a smile of gratitude upon seeing his beloved sister.

Jun-seo uttered "Thea..." with effort, his voice filled with pain. He watched silently as Thea delicately ran her fingers over his abdomen, limbs, and extremities in a quest for any signs of injury

"Yes, I'm here" Thea smiled with reassurance, though inwardly she felt a sense of panic upon seeing the internal injuries sustained by her brother. "I will tend to your injuries, all right?" She expressed concern, not expecting an immediate response as she promptly utilized her abilities to mend Jun-seo's fractured bones and lacerations

"Let him go. I'm the one you want, so let him go" Mun declared in a grave tone, with a determined and vengeful gaze, observing as Ma Ju-seok suffocated Jeok-bong

"Mun..."

"Mun..."

Jangmul and Ms. Chu, both sitting on the floor, looked up weakly with relief upon hearing the voice of the group's Ace. Meanwhile, Thea had completed the healing of Jun-seo's injuries, depleting half of her energy and strength in the process. Despite this, she was slightly less worried about her brother's condition, as he was now panting from exhaustion, feeling relief as the pain had disappeared.

With an air of skepticism tempered by a subtle undertone of excitement in his voice, Ma Ju-seok remarked, "You're finally here" as Jeok-bong lay sprawled on the floor, rendered unconscious by a falling shelf

In a resolute tone, Mun asserted, "You don't belong here. And that body doesn't belong to you either" With unwavering determination, he took a decisive step forward, revealing his fearlessness

"I was expecting to find the territory. Where could it be?" Inquired Ma Ju-seok in a tone of derision, scanning the area in search of the vibrant lights of the territory "I see. Are you not summoning it in case I grow stronger?" He queried, tilting his head to one side

"There's no territory for you, you bastard!" Mun exclaimed loudly as he summoned the territory, then leaped into the air, delivering a forceful kick to Ma Ju-seok's face, causing him to be propelled backwards. However, it appeared to have no effect on him, instead seeming to entertain him even more

"You're wrong" Ma Ju-seok affirmed confidently while nonchalantly flexing his neck, "Your territory, this body, and even your power belong to me now" he asserted, manipulating the punching bag with his telekinetic abilities, propelling it towards Mun. In response, Mun deftly evaded the oncoming bag with his own telekinetic prowess, redirecting it away from himself

Meanwhile, Thea muttered curses quietly as she observed the unfolding altercation. She acknowledged Mun's considerable ability to defend himself, but the current situation involved a confrontation with Ma Ju-seok, also known as Hwang Pil-gwang, a formidable malevolent entity. She anticipated that this conflict would not be resolved by Mun alone; eventually, all of them would be required to confront the adversary.

Thea recoiled in reaction to Mun being abruptly hurled from the boxing ring and crashing his back into the staircase railing. Emitting a pronounced groan, Thea made a motion to rush to his aid but was held back by Jun-seo's firm grip on her wrist, implying the need to delay their collective attack.

"Mun!" Jangmul exclaimed in frustration, mustering his strength to rise from the ground, prepared to engage in battle regardless of the circumstances

Recognizing the opportune moment to strike, Jun-seo, Ms. Chu, Jangmul, and Thea decisively advanced towards Ma Ju-seok. However, their efforts were thwarted as they were immobilized by his telekinetic powers before reaching him. Despite Thea's attempts to move her hand, it seemed as though an unseen force was restricting her movement.

Struggling against the formidable unseen power that restrained Thea, she was aware of her own limitations in combatting it. Acknowledging her superiority over her peers, she recognized her inability to challenge the might of Hwang Pil-gwang or Ma Ju-seok.

She was no match for any of them.

"You annoying little pests" Ma Ju-seok expressed his frustration by clicking his tongue. Stepping closer, he forcefully pushed them backwards, causing them to crash onto the dinner table and shatter it. Their cries of pain fueled his anger further, prompting him to employ his telekinetic abilities to induce choking among the group

Thea, filled with dread, found herself unable to move her hands from her neck as she shut her eyes. She understood that Ma Ju-seok had not yet unleashed his complete strength, indicating that there were more challenges ahead that they were not ready for.

Mun vehemently shouted "No!" in frustration, his expression filled with dread as he raised his hands in the air, unleashing a wave of telekinesis towards Ma Ju-seok. This force propelled Ma Ju-seok backwards, freeing Thea and the others from the unseen hold that had been constricting them

Thea expelled blood with a cough, simultaneously struggling for breath, feeling the ache in her back from hitting the floor. She vocalized with discomfort, her entire body throbbing as she realized this was just the commencement of the ultimate confrontation. Abruptly, a warning signal reverberated throughout the entire structure, a crimson beacon commenced pulsating from above, casting a scarlet hue over the room. Thea observed in terror, recognizing that only she, Mun, and Jangmul were privy to the emergency system he had implemented in the edifice for situations such as the current one. With the activation of the alarm, the imminent collapse of the entire building was now mere minutes away.

"Ms. Chu!"

"Now's the time! Hurry and get out!" Mun urgently articulated while moving swiftly towards the individuals on the floor. With speed and care, he grasped Thea's arm, assisting her in rising from the ground, and swiftly escorted her out through the closing metal door. "Chairman Choi!" he exclaimed, giving Thea's shoulders a reassuring pat before returning inside to gather the remaining Counters

From her vantage point above, Thea observed as Jun-seo made his way towards her. With grace, she reached out her hands towards him as he approached. Upon his arrival, she engulfed him in a tight embrace. She anxiously awaited for the others to leave before the metal door sealed shut. The thought of them being trapped and consumed by the falling structure filled her with anxiety.

"Hurry and run!" Urged Jeok-bong with a sense of urgency as he dashed towards the metallic entrance, nearly stumbling but promptly rescued by Jun-seo who grasped his arm just in the nick of time

As Mun assisted Jangmul in reaching the metal door, Ma Ju-seok seized the chance to utilize his telekinetic abilities and apprehend Ms. Chu before she could exit. Thea's expression morphed into one of horror as she tentatively advanced, only to be restrained by Jun-seo, who then gently pulled her back towards him.

"Ms. Chu!" Thea urgently called out as Mun assisted Jangmul out of the room. In a moment of desperation, Mun quickly turned back to retrieve Ms. Chu, while Thea could only clutch her stomach and observe, wishing for a positive outcome

Mun positioned himself squarely in front of Ms. Chu as she clung to one of the pillars in the boxing ring, resolutely maintaining her grasp to resist being pulled towards Mr. Ma. Wearing a distressed expression, Mun employed his telekinetic powers to exert force towards Ma Ju-seok. Consequently, Ma Ju-seok lost his balance and fell to the ground, relinquishing his hold on Ms. Chu.

"Ms. Chu..." Mun quickly approached her, assisting her to stand and swiftly but carefully guiding her towards the closing metal door

"Ms. Chu!"

"Ms. Chu!"

"Get in Ms. Chu!"

Jangmul, Jun-seo, Thea, and Jeok-bong provided assistance to Ms. Chu as she faced challenges while trying to leave the room. Despite encountering significant obstacles, Ms. Chu managed to exit just before the door shut. However, Thea noticed Mun making no attempt to leave, causing alarm and surprise among all present. Thea's reaction quickly turned to horror, evident in her escalating heart rate and fearful expression revealing her inner fear.

"Mun!"

"Mun!" Thea yelled in anguish, scrambling to the floor as the door closed, her eyes fixed on Mun who remained on the other side, gazing back at her with a subtle smile that sent shivers of dread down her spine. She couldn't comprehend his intentions or the reason behind his actions, her desperation growing as she feared losing him under these circumstances. "No, Mun!"

Ms. Chu, Jangmul, and Thea collaborated diligently in their efforts to manipulate the metal door, striving urgently to reopen it. Nevertheless, their endeavors were ultimately in vain as the door remained steadfastly unmoved. Thea's anxiety grew as she observed the unyielding nature of the door.

The extended nails of Thea caused them to slide whenever she attempted to hold the metal door to open it. The texture of the metal was too smooth, providing no traction, which led to the discomfort of her nail breaking. Despite the bleeding wound, she was oblivious to the pain as her main focus was on rescuing Mun from the situation. Losing him was out of the question for her; she was determined to ensure his safety no matter what.

"What? Mun!" Ms. Chu exclaimed in disbelief, calling out in desperation to him as Thea rose from the ground and clung to the small window in the door. With tears welling in her eyes, she gazed at Mun on the opposite side

Thea exclaimed "Mun!" and frantically pounded her hand against the window "What are you doing!?" she shouted in exasperation, her hand firmly pressed against the glass as Mun stood on the opposite side of the metal door, gazing at her with eyes filled with love, sorrow, remorse, and above all, resolve

"I'll end this fight" Mun responded with composure and resolve. He locked eyes with Thea, placing his hand against the glass where hers rested on the other side "Thank you for everything. I love you." he expressed with a gentle smile, maintaining unwavering eye contact. Thea's breath caught in her throat; she refused to believe that this was a final farewell, convinced that their connection was far from over

"No, you can't do it alone" Thea firmly stated, while tears streamed down her face. She pleaded with him not to proceed, as the idea of losing him was unbearable. "Mun!" she shouted, her voice strained with emotion, but Mun remained unmoved, tears welling up in his eyes as a testament to his willingness to do anything for her. A resolute "No!" fell from her lips

"No!"

Thea emphatically exclaimed "No!" as she forcefully struck her hand against the glass. Despite Mun turning away and disregarding her, she remained petrified as she witnessed him being drawn towards Ma Ju-seok as if by a magnetic force, who utilized his telekinetic abilities to forcefully pull him towards him with malicious intent. Thea was overcome with despair, feeling utterly helpless as she could only stand by and observe, unable to intervene and rescue him. This situation mirrored a past incident at the hotel where he had been induced into a coma and lost crucial memories, leaving her incapable of safeguarding him

However, Mun was acutely aware that his actions were primarily driven by his unwavering commitment to Thea, as he was willing to go to great lengths to ensure her well-being. He was willing to go to extreme measures, he'd let the world burn, to safeguard her. Knowing that Thea would likely sustain serious harm if she engaged in the impending conflict, Mun was resolute in his determination to prevent any harm from befalling her. Ever since he became acquainted with Thea and learned about her troubled past, he made a solemn vow to shield her from harm under any circumstances. This was the sole motivation driving his current actions, as he felt compelled to take decisive action to bring an end to the conflict, regardless of the potential consequences for his own life.

I am grateful for your presence in my life, Thea, as you have truly been a blessing like no other.

However, Thea was determined to prevent him from causing harm to himself. She was resolute in her decision. The thought of losing him, the sole source of her happiness, the one who brought light to her darkness, was unbearable to her. He was the one who showed her the true meaning of love. He was the most precious and magnificent blessing from the divine beings. The idea of losing him was too much for her to bear; she would not let Mun go, as he was the love of her life. She had envisioned a bright future together with him, and she was not willing to let that slip away.

Hence, she resolutely brushed away her tears and bent down, taking hold of the metal door to try and lift it for access. Assuming she would be tackling the task solo, all the other colleagues converged around her and lent a hand in the endeavor to push open the metal door. Reflecting on the cherished memories she had created with Mun, Thea recalled the delightful moments from their initial encounter to developing feelings for each other, expressing their emotions, and navigating through disagreements, all leading up to the present moment.

Hana and Mo-tak arrived promptly, their urgency palpable as they observed the various attempts being made to open the metal door. Without a moment's hesitation, they swiftly took part in the collective endeavor, combining their strength to successfully raise the door. As the door began to ascend, a horrifying scene unfolded before them, revealing Ma Ju-seok choking Mun on the floor. Thea, in a state of shock, watched on with wide eyes, her bloodstained finger inadvertently leaving a mark on the metallic surface.

Thea letting go of the metallic door exclaimed "Mun!" with a sense of urgency before entering the room. As she entered, she raised her hands and utilized her telekinetic powers to seize Ma Ju-seok, who was startled by the unexpected invisible force restraining him

As the rest of the individuals entered the room, the robust metal door closed, trapping them in the imminent threat of an upcoming explosion. With a restricted amount of time left, it became crucial for them to promptly resolve the conflict to guarantee their safety.

"How dare you set foot in here?" Mo-tak inquired with a tone of anger, his jaw visibly clenched as he swiftly approached Ma Ju-seok and delivered a forceful kick to his face, causing him to be pushed away from Mun. Mr. Ma tumbled to the ground in response to the impact. "Mun, are you okay?" Mo-tak expressed concern as he observed Mun struggling to catch his breath

"Mun!" Thea rushed towards him, clutching one of his arms while Hana grabbed the other, assisting him to a seated position. Thea breathed a sigh of relief, reassured by his well-being, as they arrived just in time to provide him with assistance

"Mun, you were right" Hana softly spoke while glancing at Ma Ju-seok on the opposite side of the room, laboring to rise from the ground "Inside that evil spirit, Ma Ju-seok is still alive" she expressed with a relieved smile directed towards Mun

"Mun, change of plans" Mo-tak announced, gazing down at him with a subtle smile "We're not killing him. We're summoning him" Mun felt a wave of relief wash over him upon hearing this unexpected news. After encountering numerous obstacles and questioning the validity of his beliefs, he could finally take a breath of relief

"Everyone, we have four minutes left" Thea announced, glancing at the time displayed on the television screen. She then turned towards Mun, who returned her gaze with a smile, relieved that the group had united in their resolve to summon Mr. Ma 

"That's enough, right?" Mo-tak inquired with a touch of wit, exuding confidence as he extended his hand towards Mun. Without hesitation, Mun graciously accepted his gesture and rose from the ground with his assistance

"Of course" Mun concurred with a confident demeanor, standing upright as they all directed their gazes towards Ma Ju-seok who had risen to his feet. Each of them mentally bracing for the imminent showdown, anticipating the climax of the confrontation. "It's enough. Because from the start... I never once...gave up on him" Mun declared before swiftly charging towards Ma Ju-seok and delivering a powerful punch to his face. Following suit, Thea swiftly followed with a precise kick to his face, causing Mr. Ma to stagger on the ground but manage to stay on his feet

Transparently, Mo-tak administered a vigorous blow to Mr. Ma's midsection before hitting him in the facial area. In response, Ma Ju-seok employed his telekinetic powers to push Mo-tak back, leading Hana to step forward and deliver a kick to Ma Ju-seok. Following this, Hana retreated as Mun performed a graceful aerial maneuver, landing a powerful kick to Ma Ju-seok's face, resulting in him stumbling and crashing through the neighboring door.

Ma Ju-seok conveyed his discomfort, prompting the group to gather around him and eliciting a defensive reaction from him. Upon getting up, he made eye contact with the eight people present, then began coughing up blood, causing the others to exchange knowing glances. With Ms. Chu's approval, the group cautiously approached Mr. Ma as he was caught up in a fit of coughing. However, upon noticing their approach, he let out a loud scream that resulted in a chaotic scene, with pipes and lights breaking and everyone being thrown to the ground with a resounding thud.

Thea collapsed to the ground, a cacophony ringing in her ears while she fought for breath, revealing her distress. Seeing Mun stand up and quickly approach Mr. Ma, she observed him embracing the man's waist, with Mo-tak also hurrying to his side to hold his arm. Struggling to rise, Thea groaned as she moved towards Mr. Ma, skillfully dodging his telekinetic assault and firmly gripping his other arm and neck.

Upon the arrival of Jun-seo and Hana, Ma Ju-seok quickly engaged in a spinning motion, causing his attackers to lose their grip on him. Despite his weak attempt to stand up, Mun tried to strike Mr. Ma, who skillfully dodged the attack. Hana's kick was also effortlessly blocked by his psychic abilities. Ma Ju-seok then grabbed Mo-tak's flying fist and pushed him backwards, before stopping Mun's assault and delivering a kick to his face, causing him to fly through the air and collide with Thea as she tried to protect him from a potentially harmful impact on the ground.

Mun continued his efforts by standing up once more, lifting his hands, and employing his telekinetic abilities to prevent Mr. Ma from moving. At the same time, Mo-tak intervened by using his telekinesis to halt Mr. Ma's arm, and Thea promptly joined in by immobilizing his other arm with her own powers. Hana, Ms. Chu, and Jun-seo also pitched in by utilizing their telekinetic talents to help restrain Mr. Ma, while Jeok-bong, lacking telekinetic abilities, stood behind Mun with his hands on his shoulders for support.

"Mun!" Thea exclaimed from his side, wearing a concerned expression as she made an effort to regulate her abilities. "Go into Ma Ju-seok's mind! You need to find Ma Ju-seok in order to summon Hwang Pil-gwang!" she urged, straining as she sensed her energy depleting while maintaining her telekinetic hold on Mr. Ma

"I can't!" exclaimed Mun, vehemently shaking his head, his hands extended in the air. His telekinetic abilities were focused on Mr. Ma "I need the territory to do that, but that'll make him stronger" he expressed with a grunt and furrowed brows

"What are you worried about? Do you think we can't keep you safe?" Mo-tak shouted in agony, indicating that he was still in the early stages of mastering his telekinetic abilities and may not be able to endure for much longer "You don't trust us?"

Mun grimaced in pain while utilizing their telekinetic abilities in unison to push Ma Ju-seok against the wall, securely immobilizing him. The pressing nature of the circumstances compelled Mun to quickly choose a course of action, recognizing that their capacity to control Mr. Ma through telekinesis was waning.

Mun responded confidently "No, I do trust my family" His eyes displayed a sense of determination as he surveyed the area, ultimately resting on Thea. He harbored some uncertainty about letting her face Mr. Ma alongside the others, despite Mun's knowledge of her fighting abilities. The image of her lifeless body, which haunted him during his coma, still lingered in his mind, causing him significant fear even though he understood it was merely a figment of his imagination

"We'll try to buy you as much time as possible!" Jun-seo exclaimed, offering reassurance to Mun while standing next to Hana. Jun-seo understood Mun's hesitance, particularly due to his strong bond with Thea. Knowing Mun's devotion to his sister, Jun-seo recognized the importance of diverting Mun's attention towards gaining insight into Mr. Ma's head

Mun maintained a degree of doubt as he permitted his arms to fall to his sides. He proceeded to summon the territory, resulting in the prompt illumination of the entire place by its bright lights. Without delay, the injuries of Ma Ju-seok started to heal on their own. He closed his eyes and absorbed the energy of the territory as though it were vital oxygen. Upon opening his eyes again and clearing the blood from his mouth, he regarded the Counters with a feeling of contempt. His injuries had completely healed, and his malevolent stare pierced through each observer.

"You think you can handle it?" Ma Ju-seok inquired, blending the voices of both Hwang Pil-gwang and himself into an ominous and intimidating tone

Mo-tak shouted in frustration, "Worry about yourself, you evil spirit!" Hana let out a quiet groan as she trembled, feeling drained of her energy. They all quickly ran towards Mr. Ma while Mun closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face.

As Mun's body teetered on the brink of collapse, Thea skillfully intercepted his fall, cradling him securely to her chest. As the rest of the group engaged Ma Ju-seok in combat, Thea adeptly bore Mun's weight, moving him with ease. Steadying herself on unsteady legs, she guided Mun to a secluded corner, propping him against the wall with resolve to shield him until he regained consciousness.

They honored their commitment, each one making an effort to buy Mun as much time as possible. Thea experienced physical discomfort from the intense combat, her legs shaking and her face marked with blood, but her attention remained focused on Jangmul, Ms. Chu, and Jeok-bong, who were protecting Mun. She remained vigilant for any sign of Mr. Ma approaching them, prepared to act swiftly. Hana was propelled into the air by Mr. Ma's telekinetic abilities, resulting in a collision with a wall nearby.

"Hana!" Jun-seo yelled weakly on the ground looking over at her with worry, seeing this Jeok-bong stood up and tried to go help Hana, but Mr. Ma stopped him midway and threw him aside with his telekinesis

Ms. Chu called out anxiously, exclaiming "Jeok-bong!" as Mr. Ma moved towards her and Jangmul shielding Mun. Thea, witnessing this terrifying scene, stood up from the ground with a look of horror in her widened eyes, blood and sweat glistening on her face. In a swift action, Mo-tak reacted by seizing a lifting weight and hurling it in the direction of Mr. Ma, who managed to dodge the projectile and used his telekinetic powers to throw Mo-tak against a nearby wall

Hana grimaced in pain as she soared through the air and made contact with Mr. Ma's face with her knee, resulting in a forceful impact that sent her crashing into a pillar. The collision caused the pillar to splinter as she collided with it and then slumped to the ground. In the meantime, Thea noticed Mr. Ma gazing up at the hanging weight on the wall and quickly moved to protect Hana. She slid across the floor and embraced Hana from behind, absorbing the blow from the weight that was intended for Hana. Thea then collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness with blood seeping from her head as she fell next to Hana.

Hana and Jun-seo felt a sense of concern as they witnessed blood pooling around Thea's head. Hana quickly knelt down and, with trembling hands, reached out to support Thea's body, who once again acted to aid her.

Ms. Chu called out "Thea!" with an expression of worry, rising from the ground. However, in a sudden motion, Mr. Ma employed his telekinetic abilities to elevate her in mid-air, causing her back to collide with the ceiling

"Ms. Chu!" Jeok-bong shouted, gracefully cushioning her fall on his back instead of the hard floor. He quickly inquired, "Are you okay?"

Mr. Ma approached Mun's still figure, prompting Jun-seo to gather his resolve and stand up to him, striking him with force. Even in his weakened condition, Jun-seo found fulfillment in preventing Mr. Ma's schemes against Mun, understanding this as the duty imparted by Thea and the fundamental task of protecting Mun at any expense.

"Hey, you coward! You are not match for us in a fistfight" Mo-tak asserted with diminishing strength as he approached where Jun-seo, Ms. Chu, and the others shielded Mun's body. "You will never lay a finger on Mun, you bastard" he weakly chuckled, his fatigued face adorned with blood and sweat "I'll send you to hell, you asshole"

Mr. Ma delightedly watched as the group tried to shield Mun, finding amusement in their futile efforts. He found it entertaining that they thought they could defend Mun when they were clearly inferior to him. To Mr. Ma, the group were mere instruments of his entertainment, and he relished the idea of their motionless bodies scattered on the floor.

Jeok-bong rose from the ground and stood beside Mo-tak, raising his fists in the air and jumping up and down as he advised,  "Yes, smile while you still can" he commented to Mr. Ma. He further added, "Because this will be the last time you smile" causing Mr. Ma to roll his eyes in good humor

"Mun will find Ma Ju-seok soon" Thea declared, rising to her feet and clutching her injured head. With unsteady legs, Hana extended her arm to offer support  "He will succeed" she proclaimed, raising her fists in preparation for an attack. The others mimicked her actions, engaging in synchronized movements

"Of course, he will. He has never let us down" Ms. Chu affirmed, rising from the ground and grimacing in discomfort. "We'll protect Mun at all costs" she declared confidently, raising her fists in a determined gesture alongside her companions

Mr. Ma chuckled in amusement, gently resting his hands on the pockets of his dark trousers, and pondered,  "Are you all serious?"

"Bring it on, you bastard. Come on!" With a fierce determination evident on his face, Mo-tak shouted defiantly and spat blood on the ground

"All right. You can die together" Mr. Ma remarked skeptically as he observed the group of Counters  "Just like you wish" he continued, his intense gaze anticipating their downfall

"We must keep fighting!" Mo-tak shouted faintly, preparing himself for action. He emphasized  "We must protect Mun!" raising his clenched fist with unwavering resolve, motivating the group to launch powerful assaults against Mr. Ma

However, the situation took a drastic turn when Ma Ju-seok employed his telekinetic abilities to lift the individuals into the air and proceeded to strangle each of them. Thea found herself in a desperate struggle for breath, her legs flailing in a panicked attempt to gain oxygen. Frantically, she grasped at her throat, sensing a mysterious force tightening around it, mirroring the fate of the other victims. Through blurred vision, she observed Ma Ju-seok positioned at the heart of the room, steadily advancing towards the unconscious figure of Mun.

"No!" Thea gasped, witnessing Mr. Ma utilize his telekinetic abilities to maneuver Mun's motionless body towards him, clutching his neck as he lifted him off the ground. Gradually, the lights of the territory dimmed before her very eyes. "Mun..." she sobbed, tears streaming down her face, her vision growing increasingly hazy

Suddenly, all the Counters stopped resisting against Mr. Ma's grasp. Despite their efforts to stay alert and fight back, it was nearly impossible to do so. Thea allowed her arms to fall to her sides, her vision becoming blurry as she closed her eyes. The wound on her head was bleeding, leaving a stain on the ground beneath her. The idea that this could signal the end of everything was unimaginable; the thought of facing such a fate was too much to bear. Thea reopened her eyes, dropping to the ground and struggling to breathe as she tried to locate her brother, who was also struggling for air. It seemed that Mr. Ma's control over them through telekinesis had waned.

The spectators, among them Thea, were horrified as they witnessed Mr. Ma rushing towards a metallic object jutting out from the stairs to the storage room, ultimately impaling his abdomen on it. Despite the sight of blood oozing from his injury, Mr. Ma withdrew from the metal and fell to his knees, as a brilliant light emitted from his wound, momentarily dazzling everyone before he lost consciousness and crumpled to the floor.

Thea stood up hesitantly, deciding to ignore the incident with Mr. Ma, and instead, her main concern was getting to her boyfriend's side to make sure he was alright. She approached Mun, who was lying on the ground, and carefully held him in her arms while Hana and Ms. Chu watched as he remained unconscious. Taking a deep breath, Thea wrapped her arms around Mun more firmly, experiencing a feeling of comfort and happiness.

It was all over.

"Hwang Pil-gwang was summoned" Thea disclosed, glancing towards Mr. Ma's motionless body on the floor in the distance, encircled by Mo-tak, Jun-seo, Jangmul, and Jeok-bong

"What?" Mo-tak, puzzled, inquired beside Mr. Ma with a look of disbelief,  "But the evil spirit's body is still here. Did he really get summoned? How?" Seeking clarification, he turned to Thea

Thea smiled warmly as she gazed down at Mun laying down on her lap, gently brushing aside a few curly strands of hair from Mun's forehead. With a sense of pride, she exclaimed, "Mun did it from within" causing Ms. Chu to become emotional with joy and relief

"That's Mun. His specialty's performing miracles as if they're nothing" Ms. Chu said, affectionately caressing Mun's cheek, her eyes filled with tears of pride

Ms. Chu accurately evaluated Mun, noting his outstanding talents and capabilities. Mun consistently accomplishes difficult tasks, illustrating that miracles can be achieved through his flawless performance.

"Right. He would've easily done it" Mo-tak concurred in a gentle manner, expressing his admiration for Mun's achievements

"Does that mean he's back?" Jeok-bong inquired, raising an eyebrow as he gazed down at Mr. Ma's unconscious body "...to being Ma Ju-seok?"

"He is. The evil spirit was summoned" Jangmul explained with a strained voice. Being the most fatigued among them, he struggled to remain standing

"Let's treat his wounds first" Ms. Chu proposed, rising from the ground with effort and making her way towards Mr. Ma's body

"Okay"

Thea's smile quickly faded as she looked down at Mun, who was still unconscious. She felt concerned about his prolonged state of unconsciousness and the potential scenario of him being stuck in Mr. Ma's mind.

"But why... why isn't Mun... waking up?" Thea inquired with a tremulous voice, tears welling up in her eyes, indicating the seriousness of the situation

Soon, all of them were seated on the floor, surrounding Mun and Mr. Ma, who were lying next to each other. Each individual was eagerly awaiting the moment when Mun and Mr. Ma would wake up. Thea anxiously fidgeted with her hands, watching Mun closely for any signs of movement or assurance of his health. She believed in him and was sure that he would recover. Thea's face lit up immediately when Mun's eyes opened. Quickly moving towards him, she drew the focus of the assembled crowd, all attentive to Mun's resurgence.

"Mun"

"Mun"

Mun rose to a seated position with help from Jeok-bong and Jun-seo, who each supported one of his arms to ensure stability. Observing his surroundings, Mun recollected the circumstances and anxiously examined Mr. Ma, who remained unconscious beside him.

"Mr. Ma"Mun expressed concern, his brows furrowing as he carefully checked Mr. Ma for signs of life. "Mr. Ma. Mr. Ma"

"Mun" Mr. Ma whispered faintly as he struggled to open his eyes, he mentioned in a hoarse voice,  "I think... I had a very long dream" Mun gripped his hand anxiously, shedding tears of joy and relief

"Ju-seok" Ms. Chu gently grasped Ju-seok's shoulder, her voice and eyes still betraying a hint of resentment

"Ms. Chu" Mr. Ma expressed with a remorseful gaze. He acknowledged the gravity of his actions and realized he did not warrant any forgiveness for the harm he had caused. He acknowledged their ongoing support despite his actions, recognizing the efforts they made to assist him. Although his actions caused harm to them, he valued their dedication to helping him

"I wish I could heal your heart as well. I'm sorry. I'm afraid I don't have the power to do that yet" Ms. Chu conveyed with remorse as she gently placed her hand in front of his face. She then proceeded to put him to rest and erase his memories to prevent him from remembering the distressing events, sparing him from self-blame for his actions

"He won't remember anything from the moment he was possessed. He'll be very confused during the interrogation" Hana stated, holding Jun-seo's hand tightly on her other side as he nodded in agreement with her words

"If the police investigate all of Hwang Pil-gwang's crimes, Mr. Ma's crimes could be mitigated. So, everyone, let's keep our chins up" Mo-tak passionately stated, uplifting his colleagues with sincere words, emphasizing the importance of staying positive despite the challenging circumstances

"Right. Let's keep our chins up. We need to send that evil spirit to hell" Mun concurred with a solemn tone, as Thea offered a comforting gesture by placing her hand gently on his shoulder

Thea breathed a sigh of relief and a smile graced her lips when Mun sought comfort by resting his head on her chest. She gently embraced him, drawing him closer. The challenging situation involving Ma Ju-seok and Hwang Pil-gwang had come to an end, allowing them to now unwind and rest without any worries.

The final conflict reached its conclusion.

Author's note;

I am truly impressed by the nearly seven thousand words in this chapter. It seems I may have become overly enthusiastic in my writing. I hope you appreciate longer chapters as the final two chapters will be notably lengthy!

Question of the day: How are you spending your summer vacation? 🌞

I am currently relaxing at home, staying up late and waking up late, not engaging in any activities. I will see you all in the next chapter! ❤️