Season one, chapter twenty-seven

"But for you,
You, I'd leave it all"

WHEN THEA opened her eyes she was already in Yung in the middle of Mun and Hana. She took some moments to look at her surroundings and instantly knew that something bad was going to happen, Hyun-ki was sitting in a white chair next to the other five, looking at her with a serious expression, so serious that it managed to intimidate Thea, and she's not easily intimidated.

She also noticed the famous inspector behind the five counter colleagues, her gaze was so cold, so serious and so deep that Thea's heart managed to stop for a few milliseconds.

"Whoa, this is no joke. She must be the famous inspector" Mo-tak whispered to the eldest on his side, but it was loud enough for the other members to hear

Although the group of counters turned around when what happened a few hours ago began to play behind them as if it were a movie. Everything that happened, what each of them did was exposed for the others to see. Thea looked down in shame as she saw herself spraying the disgusting liquid at the bastards with an amused smile on her face.

"You are not allowed to use your powers for anything unrelated to evil spirits" The inspector began to say "Yung has already warned you prior to this for breaking the rules as a counter, but I received a report that says your behavior wasn't corrected. Is this true?"

"It's true" Gi-ran responded as if they were addressing her

"I'm asking the counters" The inspector confirmed with a serious face

"It's true" Mo-tak responded

"You are aware that you get dismissed after five warnings, aren't you?"

"Yes"

"Chu Mae-ok" The inspector began to say as Ms. Chu took a step forward and Thea could see the nerves in her. The counters and the others were able to watch the videos that were playing behind the eldest "Chu Mae-ok, two warnings" Ms. Chu bowed, letting out a long sigh of relief, and then took her place once again "Ga Mo-tak. Ga Mo-tak, four warnings"

"Four?"

"Objection" Gi-ran got up from her place

"What? Why?" Mo-tak started to stutter, probably thinking that Gi-ran would say something against him

"He disclosed their identities as counters in order to receive help to summon a level-three evil spirit. Please take that into consideration" She explained

"Was that so? I mean, yes" Mo-tak hesitated "That was of. That's why"

"I'll discuss that with the other inspectors"

"I'm so relieved" Mo-tak said returning to his place

"Park Athena" Thea flinched upon hearing her name, however she forced herself to take a step forward under the watchful gaze of Hyun-ki and the others. Videos started playing behind her back and one video in particular caught her attention "Park Athena, four warnings. Do you object?"

"I did that..." Mun began to say, trying to take the blame for the time he made her help him with the favor those parents asked him for

"I dont" Thea exclaimed, interrupting him, turning around to return to her place, sending a warning look to the black-haired boy who already had his eyes glued on her

"Do Hana. Do Hana, four warnings" The inspector said "So Mun"

"Yea" Thea frowned when she saw the fights he had at school, surely none of the Counters knew about this

"So Mun, three warnings. Do Hana, Park Athena, you must remember that you'll be dismissed if you break the rules as a counter one more time as you carry on your duties. You'll be stripped of your rights as a counter and also lose your life"

Both girls nodded as Mun quickly turned his head to look at them. His eyes lingering a little longer on the brown-haired girl who was biting her lower lip to hide her nervousness.

"We're aware" Mo-tak nodded in acknowledgment

"Now, we'll wrap up the hearing...."

"Before we wrap up" Wi-gen interrupted, getting up from her seat "I'd like to say something" She carefully approached Mun "Regardless of the number of warnings, I believe that counter 1543 So Mun should be dismissed"

Thea and the others widened their eyes when they heard what the older woman was saying. Thea parted her lips, not knowing what to say about it, but she was so surprised and terrified that her hands began to shake involuntarily.

Wi-gen took a few steps towards her companion who was more than shocked like everyone else.

"Based on my observations, I've concluded that he does not qualify to work as a counter"

"Wi-gen..."

"What?"

"He's not qualified?"

"Why? Why would you say that?"

"What are you saying?"

"Silence! This isn't a place to argue" The inspector exclaimed, silencing all the Counters who were beginning to shudder

"Tell me why I should be dismissed" Mun asked swallowing the lump in his throat as Wi-gen turned around avoiding his gaze at all costs

"He has difficulty controlling his emotions, so we had to reevaluate his qualifications as a counter" Wi-gen began to explain

"I took time to reflect on what I did and I deeply regret it" Mun defended himself

"You were able to keep your job as a counter thanks to Ms. Chu" She approached Mun once more "But you haven't changed at all"

"Mun, you can't do this alone. The others will be there soon. Join them" A video started playing behind them

"No. We may never catch Ji Cheong-sin if we lose him this time" Mun said. The fight that had left him severely injured began to replay and for a few moments those memories came back to life inside Thea's head

"He failed to control his emotions and endangered his life as well as Yung"

"Mun" Thea's worried voice was heard

"Thea..." He said in a weak voice

"It's okay, Mun. You'll be okay" Thea said with tears in her eyes

"Wi-gen!" The scene changed to where the oldest was lying on the ground

"Contact the counters and tell them to go find Mun" Wi-gen said weakly

"Things like this never happened before he joined us" Gi-ran assured, getting up from her chair "Respect for each other's lives and a sense of partnership were the basis of our relationship"

"All right. Okay, Gi-ran. We'll be more careful from now on" Mo-tak began to say

"I agree that Mun should be stripped of his rights as a Counter" Gi-ran said turning around, completely ignoring her partner's words

"Had he waited for his teammates, we wouldn't have lost Ji Cheong-sin. Since we kept losing our targets, evil spirits had chances to learn enough about Counters" Wi-gen explained walking from one side to the other

"This is it. This is how you suddenly become so strong. Hazy like smoke. It feels like a cold fog" It was heard again in the video

"That evil spirit... now knows how to avoid Yung's territories" Wi-gen added

"That bastard killed his parents" Ms. Chu pointed "I'm older, but I would've had a hard time staying calm and collected too. Think of how he must've felt at that moment. Can you please try putting yourself in his shoes? He's really trying to put his emotions in check. You see, Mun is... he's really trying his best"

"His vengeful thoughts are the problem, Ms. Chu" That said the evidence began to play out once again, the videos of Mun beating up the bullies was more than enough evidence and everyone knew it "Mun has occasionally exhibited the urge to murder"

"No" Mun shook his head with tears falling down his cheeks "I never... that is not true"

"Mun. The motions that you feel, I feel it all too. You admit it, don't you?" However, Mun did not respond and just lowered his head, though Thea could tell that he was trying his best to contain his anger

"I'm holding back my emotions. You know that I didn't kill anyone!" He raised his voice finally exploding "My contract said nothing about my emotions. Am I wrong?" The group of counters began to hold him so that he would not go over the limits

"Mun"

"I'll announce our decision" The inspector began to say "The committee has decided to dismiss Counter 1543 So Mun from his position"

"What do we do?" Ms. Chu began to whisper desperately

"Wi-gen, go ahead and terminate your contract with So Mun"

"Come forward, Mun" Wi-gen asked and Mun slowly positioned himself in front of her before looking at the inspector with teary eyes

"I... cannot accept this decision" He wiped the tears from his eyes "You're right. Wi-gen, I didn't think I'd end up putting you in danger. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. But can you please give me one more chance? My mom and dad...are locked inside Ji Cheong-sin's body. My parents... are locked inside that bastard. They've been locked in there for seven years. I don't know when their souls will dissipate" He took the hands of his partner who didn't even look at him "I must save my parents within my own two hands and until the day I save them, I... I can't quit this job" He refused to do it

"With the powers bestowed upon you by the heavens if you feel the urge to kill, you're no different from an evil spirit" Wi-gen exclaimed coldly

"Wi-gen..." Thea exclaimed, feeling the tears fall down her cheeks uncontrollably

Thus Wi-gen's eyes lit up blue like Mun's and he immediately fell to the ground unconscious.

"Mun!"

"Mun!"

"Hey, Mun!"

"Mun!"

The group desperately ran towards Mun's unconscious body on the ground. Thea refusing and praying to the gods that this was just a horrible dream and nothing more. Because she really didn't want to have to live without him by her side, she couldn't.

Author's note;

I remember that when I first saw this scene I was desperate to know why Wi-gen would do something like that, I also had my questions about whether she wouldn't die if her contract with him ended, but well, I think this answers my questions 🥲

Question of the day: Favorite K-drama? 🎞️

Today's chapter concludes here, hopefully I'll see y'all tomorrow. See you cuties! 💕