Page 99 of Vicious Spirits

“Because you want revenge against those of us who trapped you. But you never thought that you could go up against a mountain god. Not with that mortal body. I can help you.”

Junu had thought this through his whole walk home. There were two things at stake here: his bangmangi and Jihoon. He had to be very careful how he orchestrated this dance. Sinhye had to come with him to the mountain if he was going to trade her for the bangmangi, but she couldn’t know about the second part of the plan or else she might try to run or hurt Jihoon’s body.

“What do you have that could kill a sansin?”

Junu hesitated. If he said it now, there would be no going back. But he knew he needed to do anything to convince her to come with him. If she didn’t come, his whole plan would fall apart. “Dokkaebi fire.”

Now Sinhye looked truly surprised for the first time. “Why would you use that, after what it did to your family?”

“How do you know about that?” Junu asked, surprise distracting him from his mission.

“Spirits talk. And I was trapped in the land of the spirits for a long time. Your mother and father were not restful souls. They lingered a long time on their hate. Perhaps they linger still.”

Junu truly hoped Sinhye was just trying to mess with him. He had no idea what would happen to his soul when he died, but he knew he didn’t want to meet the vengeful spirits of his parents if and when that happened.

“And why would you do such a dangerous thing? That’s not like my cowardly Junu.”

“You don’t know what I’m like anymore. Do you want my help or not?”

“I still don’t know why you want to give it.”

“Because I hate that sansin as much as you do. He wasn’t kind to me either back then. Plus.” Junu paused. This part was delicate,and he needed to be careful. “That sansin has my bangmangi and I need it back.”

“So, what? We get your dokkaebi staff and I get my revenge?” Sinhye sounded like she wasn’t quite buying Junu’s story. He didn’t really blame her. They’d both betrayed each other. They both had proven they weren’t to be trusted.

“Pretty much, and if it doesn’t work, you can just go back to your original plan of making me miserable.”

“You always were persuasive.” Sinhye chuckled. “This sounds like fun.”

ooo

Junu walked through the dark garage, bypassing the bright yellow Porsche. It was a beauty, but it wasn’t what he wanted right now. This wasn’t the time for being flashy. Not tonight. He pressed the key fob of a staid black Hyundai sedan. And as the headlights flashed, they lit up a dark figure.

He bit back a yelp but couldn’t quite slow his speeding pulse.

“Hyuk,” Junu said. “What are you doing here?”

“Whatever you’re planning,” Hyuk said. “You shouldn’t do it.”

“There really isn’t any other option. I’m doing what I must to close the tear.”

“You shouldn’t give your life for this,” Hyuk said.

“And why do you think that I’m risking my life?” Junu asked.

“I don’t know your plan, but I know what the result will be.” Hyuk held out a worn leather notebook.

“Is that what I think it is?” Junu eyed the journal.

“My list. The souls I must reap. And five minutes ago, your name appeared.”

Junu shook his head. “Maybe it will change.”

Hyuk moved closer so he could study Junu. “You don’t sound surprised.”

“What? Of course I’m surprised. It’s not every day a jeoseung saja warns a guy he’s about to die.”

“Yes, that’s true. Which means you should be much more upset.”

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