Gabriel's vision blurred as the terrifying figure of Seongji Yuk stood before him.
Every instinct screamed danger. Even half-dead, his body reacted on autopilot. He staggered forward, raising a trembling fist for one final desperate punch.
"Stay… away from my sister…!"
Before the punch could even travel halfway, Gabriel's body betrayed him. The accumulated exhaustion, blood loss, and broken bones finally won. He collapsed face-first onto the dirt, unconscious before he hit the ground.
Pearl's eyes widened in terror.
"Hyung!" The five-year-old girl ran forward on shaky legs and stood protectively in front of her brother's fallen body, spreading her tiny arms as wide as she could. "Don't hurt Hyung! Please…!"
Seongji Yuk stared down at the small child trying to shield this boy. For a long moment, the King of Cheonliang said nothing. Then his cold expression softened, just slightly.
"…I'm not going to hurt either of you."
Seongji carried the broken boy on his back and led Pearl up the mountain path to his secluded home. Once inside, he laid Gabriel down carefully and began tending to his wounds with surprising gentleness — cleaning gashes, setting broken ribs, and wrapping bandages with practiced hands.
While he worked, he handed Pearl a skewer of tanghulu — glossy sugar-coated strawberries and grapes glistening under the dim light.
"Here. Eat."
Pearl hesitated, then took a small bite, her eyes lighting up at the sweet crunch. It was the first real treat she had in over a year.
For three full days, Gabriel remained unconscious, his body fighting to recover.
During that time, Seongji Yuk — the feared Monster of Cheonliang Mountain — found himself in completely unfamiliar territory.
He was terrible with children.
Day 1:
Seongji awkwardly tried to feed Pearl rice. Most of it ended up on her face.
"…Why is it coming out of your mouth again?" Seongji said with an awkward funny face
Pearl giggled for the first time in months.
On day 2, While chopping wood for the fire, Seongji split logs with terrifying efficiency using his hand, one chop one log cleanly chopped. Pearl watched with wide eyes.
"Big brother… are you strong like Hyung?"
Seongji paused mid-swing. "…Stronger. He said flexing his arms"
Pearl puffed her cheeks, swinging her legs. "No one is stronger than Hyung!"
Seongji smiled.
Day 3:
Pearl sat beside her sleeping brother, holding his hand and quietly crying. "Hyung… please wake up. Pearl is scared…"
Seongji stood outside the hut, listening. He made a few calls that night.
Flashback (Seongji's Memory)
Years ago…
A young Seongji Yuk, abandoned by his own family and left to die on Cheonliang's shores, was taken in by Mujin Jin. He lived hidden on the mountain, training relentlessly under harsh conditions. When the shaman's forces and rival circles came to challenge the "monster" living on the mountain, Seongji defeated them all, a terror a living monster of the mountain.
That was how the King of Cheonliang was born. Not by choice. By survival, a monster of immense talent made by necessity.
Back in the present, Seongji stared at the phone in his hand after ending a call with the regional King who had been hunting Gabriel.
His aura flared violently for a brief moment — suffocating, heavy, and filled with killing intent that made the birds in the surrounding forest fall silent.
"If you want the boy and his sister… come to my mountain. I'll be waiting."
His voice was calm, but the message was clear.
No one would touch them while they were under his protection.
Seeing little Pearl's innocent face and hearing her worry for her brother stirred something deep within Seongji. It reminded him too much of his own lonely past. He made his decision silently.
No one will threaten their safety again.
On the morning of the fourth day, Gabriel jolted awake with a violent gasp.
Sweat poured down his face. His heart hammered like a war drum. He shot upright, eyes wide with panic, scanning the room desperately.
"Pearl—?! Where's Pearl?!"
He tried to stand but winced in pain from his still-healing body.
A small figure immediately tackled him back onto the bed in a hug.
"Hyung! You're awake!"
Gabriel wrapped his arms around his sister, breathing shakily. His eyes slowly focused on the tall figure standing quietly by the doorway.
Seongji Yuk crossed his arms, eyes piecingly staring at him, six fingers tapping against his bicep.
"You're finally awake, kid. We have a lot to talk about."