While tidying up their things, Yohan thought he saw a pale, blurry face at the window. He rubbed his eyes, and when he looked again, all he could see was the Abyss’s usual gloomy scenery.
Lee Hyunmook, quick to notice Yohan’s unease, asked,
“Yohan? What is it?”
“It’s nothing. I think I just saw wrong.”
Yohan brushed it off. But even after that, it kept feeling like there were eyes on him—something flickering at the window—only for there to be nothing when he spun around. After it happened several more times, he realized why. He looked back at Hyunmook and Yoon Seungryong, who were both resting as if nothing were wrong.
“Um... is Mr. Joo Hoyoung nearby right now?”
“Mhm, looks like he’s been trailing us since earlier.”
When Hyunmook confirmed it, Yohan’s neck stiffened. And right then, a face appeared at the very window he’d been looking at. It flickered briefly before vanishing, but its human features were clear. The problem was, it looked exactly like something out of a ghost story, sending chills down his spine. Yohan had been hoping to meet Joo Hoyoung—but not to get a full-on horror experience.
“What if he suddenly comes in?”
“It’s a glass window. We’d know if he tried to break in. Besides, in a narrow, confined space like this, Hoyoung would actually be at a disadvantage, so he’s not likely to come inside.”
From Hyunmook’s calm explanation, Yohan realized they’d deliberately chosen such a small building to counter Hoyoung. Trying not to look at the flickering form in the window, he went over to help Seungryong prepare shaved ice.
The damp, faintly foul-smelling ice turned into clean, pure white under Yohan’s “human air purifier” touch. The shaved ice machine—so filthy and warped it looked like it might produce something disturbing—became merely an old, well-used appliance after purification. When Seungryong opened the canned red beans and fruit, the sweet smell made Yohan momentarily forget about Hoyoung and focus on the dessert.
Clatter, clatter—Seungryong worked the machine, and fluffy, snow-like ice piled high in the bowl. On top went a glossy heap of sweet beans, chunks of fruit from the jungle, and syrup. Even without milk, it was pure fruit bingsu bliss. Yohan was happy.
“Hey, should we give Mr. Joo Hoyoung a bowl too?”
Halfway through enjoying his treat, Yohan suggested it. Seungryong tilted his head mid-bite.
“Even if we made one, Hoyoung probably wouldn’t eat it. Ever since he came down to the Abyss, he hasn’t put anything in his mouth.”
“...Nothing at all? And he’s still alive?”
Yohan was shocked. But he could understand the sentiment—here in the Abyss, the only edible thing was monster meat, and it reeked with a nauseating stench. Back when he’d first fallen in, Hyunmook had brought frog meat as a side dish, and that had been horrifying enough. He hadn’t tasted it, but he doubted it was much different.
“Who knows? Maybe it’s just the Abyss. Either way, no harm in trying.”
Seungryong put together another bingsu, and Yohan packed it full of purifying energy. Seungryong took it outside and set it down in the middle of the road before coming back. Watching from the window, Yohan saw something appear in the blink of an eye.
Surprisingly, unlike Seungryong, Hoyoung looked almost human. Almost—his form was hazy, so it was impossible to make out his features clearly.
“I thought Mr. Joo Hoyoung would look... you know, like Seungryong-hyung.”
Yohan whispered like someone observing a wild animal. Next to him, Hyunmook leaned on the window frame and explained in his usual even tone,
“Hoyoung’s so fast he’s never once been caught by the Bumram. And since he doesn’t eat anything, he’s the best-preserved of us.”
Preserved. The word felt wrong when applied to a person. But in the Abyss, it somehow made sense—and that was unsettling.
The pale, flickering shape hovered near the bingsu, leaning in. His face—blurred eyes and mouth forming odd curves—almost resembled a smile.
With tense eyes, Yohan watched the ghostlike figure crouch in front of the dessert. Instead of eating, Hoyoung rested his hands over it like he was warming them by a fire. He didn’t consume it, but he ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) seemed to enjoy the purification emanating from it. Then, whether from the ice melting or the energy fading, he disappeared.
Seungryong retrieved the melted bingsu and downed it in one gulp. Yohan cleaned the bowl spotless and muttered in disappointment,
“It would’ve been nice if he’d eaten it.”
“Food alone can’t purify him.”
“Still... eating something tasty makes you feel better, doesn’t it?”
At his quiet lament, Seungryong gave him a long look before suddenly ruffling his hair. Yohan blinked up at him, baffled, but before he could ask why, Seungryong stood.
“I’m gonna take watch on the roof.”
“You’re not staying inside?”
“That way, if Hoyoung tries to get in, we can block him from both inside and out.”
Oh—that made sense. Yohan hadn’t thought of that. Just like in the jungle, Seungryong and Hyunmook showed the seasoned skill of hunters. It spoke of countless days surviving through constant fights.
Wanting to help, Yohan imbued an old seat cushion with a heavy dose of purification and handed it over. Seungryong happily tucked the glowing cushion under his arm and left.
Only then did Yohan realize he was alone with Hyunmook. Suddenly hyper-aware of the man’s presence, he tried to act casual while arranging the bedding. He deliberately placed the two mattresses—brought from the marsh—at a bit of a distance from each other. Hyunmook glanced at the gap for a moment, then lay down without comment.
“Good night!” Yohan said brightly.
“Yeah. Sleep well, Yohan.”
His voice was as warm and gentle as ever, with no hint of awkwardness.
Yohan lay still, eyes closed, trying to sleep. As always in the Abyss, faint monster cries echoed somewhere in the distance. He wasn’t scared of those sounds anymore—only aware of Hyunmook. But soon drowsiness took over, and he began to drift off.
Creak... creeeak... A faint, grating sound disturbed his sleep. At first, he thought it was just the old building settling—it came from all around. But the unease made him open his eyes... and he almost screamed.
Joo Hoyoung was staring at him through the window.
“Hhh....”
He looked exactly like a ghost out of a horror game—one with laggy, stuttering graphics. Yohan sucked in a sharp breath, forcing himself to squeeze his eyes shut and ignore it. But once their gazes had met, Hoyoung began whispering—just barely audible.
—Play with me.
—Comeoutcomeoutcomeoutcomeout.
Did he mean “come play with me” or “come out”? Maybe because he’d never been caught by the Bumram, unlike Hyunmook or Seungryong, Hoyoung could still form relatively coherent words. That made it worse. Even knowing he couldn’t get in through the glass, his appearance was terrifying. He popped up in different windows every few seconds, staring directly at Yohan each time.
He gave a faint, creepy chuckle, and Yohan’s back went cold. Shivering, Yohan looked toward Hyunmook—only to see that, of all nights, he was asleep!
Ughhh...
Yohan screamed silently inside. He knew from experience that neither Seungryong nor Hyunmook could sleep easily, so if Hyunmook was out, he must be deeply asleep. Yohan didn’t have the heart to wake him.
But Hoyoung seemed to be enjoying himself, making more noises or flickering into every place Yohan looked. It was obvious he was testing what he could get away with. When he appeared upside down with a bluish face, Yohan wanted to cry. That was when he realized—there was one window Hoyoung never came near.
He’s scared of Hyunmook...
The only place Hoyoung avoided was the window near where Hyunmook slept. Sniffling, Yohan whispered,
“Mr. Lee Hyunmook... are you awake?”
No answer—not even the sound of breathing. His breaths were so slow and quiet it was like he wasn’t breathing at all.
In the end, Yohan kept his eyes on the floor and crawled slowly toward Hyunmook’s sleeping spot. Outside, the eerie flicker of Hoyoung’s gaze sharpened, then vanished.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Yohan carefully set his head down near Hyunmook’s side. Curling up on the bare floor with the mattress as a pillow, he was just trying to get comfortable when a warm hand suddenly grabbed hold of him.
