The Nature of Possession

424 – EP.15 The boundary between reality and dreams

***

When the men and women’s panting subsided and the endlessly rising heat finally cooled down, the sound of insects chirping could be heard outside. I thought it was a very appropriate sound, bringing peace to a night that could easily be dark and scary.

If you surrender yourself to this silence, the hustle and bustle of the day and evening feel like a lie. This is the charm that only the night possesses.

I drank the water on the nightstand and got up. I couldn’t tell the exact time because I didn’t have a watch, but it felt like three or four hours had passed since the incident.

The two men and women in this small room were drenched in sweat. Chunhyang, who was sleeping with even breathing, was like that, and so was I. I pulled off the clothes that were stuck to my stiff back and got out of bed.

As I went outside, a cool sensation spread over my body, which had been warmed by body heat and the blanket. I carefully opened the door so as not to wake Chunhyang and went out.

The warmth of the cold floor helped to drive away some of the sleepiness. Every time I put weight on it, the wood on the floor creaked softly. Maybe tomorrow, Bangja will take care of it.

I enter the kitchen on tiptoe like a night guest. If Chunhyang or Hyangdan had seen me, they would have come running out of breath and dragged me out, but they are both asleep now.

He took out a suitable bowl and scooped out the crystal fruit that had been placed in the poison. It didn’t look as pretty as the ones Hyangdan brought, but whatever. As long as it tastes good, that’s fine.

I returned to my seat, holding the correction. When I put my butt on the floor, it creaked.

There was a croaking sound like a bug. It seemed like it had been a while since I had heard a frog.

The occasional breeze and the sound of insects. I listened to the song that nature created, and sipped the watermelon as if I was drinking a glass of soju.

A sweet and tangy taste that is difficult to describe in words filled my tongue and my entire mouth.

“I don’t usually drink much, you know.”

I liked shikhye more than sujeonggwa, but for some reason, sujeonggwa suited my taste better.

I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go back someday and compare the two while drinking some sake.

“If I go back….”

Have you been thinking like this until now?

I had already given up on going back to the original world, but it was a little funny that I unconsciously brought up something like that.

“I have to admit what I have to admit.”

I can’t go back to where I used to live. I’m just repeating the endless cycle.

I can’t even see the smiles of my parents who always welcome me.

I can’t drink with friends who curse at me whenever I see them.

I can’t go to a company that gives me both stress and reward.

I can’t even meet my colleagues, whom I spend as much time with as my family.

We can no longer meet the foundations that make up the person called Kang In-ho.

They are destined to wander forever, wearing other people’s shells, awkwardly forming relationships with awkward people, and living their lives as the seasons pass by.

Ah- I feel depressed. Maybe it’s because it’s night that I’m feeling more emotional.

I took a sip of the juice again. I could taste the tangy and sweet flavors again.

it’s good.

I did that several times, staring at the dim moon for several minutes.

I felt the sleep I had chased away creeping up on me, slowly making its way to me.

Should I go back to my room? It feels a bit hot.

Now is a good time, but I think it would be better to just close my eyes here for a bit.

Lean back against the pillar, close your eyes, and put the bowl you’ve finished drinking in somewhere.

The wind blew through the gaps in my clothes, cooling down the remaining fever.

“Ah, good.”

Like an old man entering a bathhouse, words came out of my mouth without me knowing.

The sound of insects, the wind, silence, and a gloomy feeling.

The best environment for a refreshing drink.

I gave myself over to the approaching water with a bitter smile.

***

And when I opened my eyes, I knew clearly that I was dreaming.

The creaking of trees and the sounds of insects were still there, but the sudden presence of the woman in front of me solidified that thought.

The woman was crouching down in front of me, looking up at me.

There was a huge smile on his face, as if he was having so much fun.

“You still have that stupid face.”

A woman with long hair tied back, wearing a black uniform, and striking red eyes.

The woman pinched my nose with her finger.

The feeling of being pressed was vivid, but the more it felt like it was a dream.

A heat rushed over my face. It was such a strong heat that it even ate away the scent of flowers that I always smelled.

“You always look cute when you first wake up. I never get tired of seeing you.”

The woman chuckled, saying something good. Then she stroked my head with her small hand.

“Master.”

I made a voice that sounded like it was underwater.

“Yes, indifferent disciple. I am here.”

“How have you been?”

“How are you doing?”

Her face darkened. It was a bitter smile, like mine.

“Your complexion looks good.”

Her brow furrowed.

“You don’t know how much I cried when I sent you away. Do you know that feeling of being dead even when alive, and awake even when sleeping?”

A pair of red eyes turned towards me. I froze involuntarily at the sight of those eyes filled with anger and resentment.

She glared at me with resentful eyes, then smiled brightly.

“Well, a womanizer who has slept with many women wouldn’t know what’s on my mind.”

“That, that is…”

“It’s done. I’ll be the one to have you in the end anyway.”

“I missed you, my dear disciple.”

She stroked my head again. Slowly, gently.

The moment I saw her, I knew I was dreaming.

That’s why I was sad. Because this meeting was just a dream that would disappear as I woke up.

Her hand, which had been stroking my hair, slowly moved down to touch my cheek. She traced the outline of my face.

“Hmm, this is what the face looks like here.”

“Come to think of it, you managed to recognize me. I bet your face is different.”

“Huh, are you afraid I won’t recognize you?”

“haha….”

I couldn’t think of anything else to say in response, so I just laughed.

She touched my face without saying a word. I didn’t hate that touch.

After caressing me for a while, she clapped her hands and got up from her seat.

“Well, it’s time now. Let’s wake up.”

“Is it time to wake up from this dream?”

Something made me think that I’ve had dreams like this a lot.

I’ve been having a lot of dreams like that lately, where I meet someone, talk to them, and then wake up.

They say that when you wake up, you forget your dreams, and I think that might be the case this time too.

When I wake up, I won’t even remember this moment.

“dream?”

She laughed at my question.

I tilted my head, not knowing what that laughter meant.

“Do you think this is a dream?”

She bent down and brought her face closer to mine. My face was reflected in her red eyes.

“Well, it’s not real, so it’s not unreasonable to think it’s a dream. But, this place is neither reality nor a dream.”

“…then?”

“This is the border.”

“boundary?”

The teacher nodded.

“Yes, boundaries. A kind of defense mechanism created by your subconscious.”

“What is that… a defense mechanism against what…”

“It might be hard to understand now. You’ll understand it little by little. Well… I don’t have time, so I’ll just tell you the important things.”

“What are you talking about…!”

Something that looked like a master covered my lips with its finger.

“My dear disciple, you must wake up.”

“Feel the trees, then you will see the forest.”

With those words, I woke up from my sleep.

***

My eyes opened with a gasp. It was as if I had been pulled out of water.

The sweat that had cooled down soaked my clothes again, and my breathing became rapid.

“What kind of dream is this….”

Is it really that vicious?

How much must I have missed you, how deep must the impression have been for you to appear in my dream?

He shook his head and stood up, holding onto the pillar.

I wondered if I had this dream because the bed was uncomfortable, and as I walked back to my room.

[Feel the trees, then you will see the forest.]

The words I heard in my dream caught my ankle.

***

The door opened wide. Chunhyang, who had just woken up, turned on the light with a grumpy face.

“…master?”

Chunhyang looked up at the man, who was gasping for breath, her voice hoarse from sleep.

“master?”

The man’s condition did not appear normal.

It seemed as if he was excited, but also as if he was shaking with fear.

“Your Majesty, what is the matter?”

Because he looked so uneasy, Chunhyang drew a line on his mouth to reassure him.

I don’t know why, but I wanted him to feel comfortable, and I wanted the excitement to subside…

“tree….”

Suddenly scolding me? Chunhyang’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“It’s strange when you think about it….”

He smiled with a half-souled look on his face.

“Your Majesty, why are you like this?”

Despite Chunhyang’s question, the man could not suppress his excitement.

“…I can see it now. I can see it.”

What could she see? Chunhyang felt with her hand where the man’s gaze was directed.

And then, realizing the sensation of it touching her hand, she let out a deep sigh.

She smiled and looked up at the man she loved.

“Oh no… I got caught.”

Her eyes were golden, like the golden eye plant I had seen some time ago.