Page 106 of Vicious Spirits

Sinhye grunted, twisting and turning like she was held in place by chains.

“You bound her? To what?”

“To me,” the shaman said. “My master approaches.”

She turned to face the north.

Junu did as well, and soon he made out the outline of a man in the forest beyond. He had the look of a man approaching the century mark, but Junu knew better than to underestimate him because of that. He was a god; his physical form was in no way an indicator of his power. He had a long white beard and was robed in a traditional hanbok more common two hundred years ago. Silk and satin sewn together to form a robe-like top that mostly hid white pants. But despite rubbing against low shrubs, no dirt or leaves stuck to the pristine material.

He rode on the back of a giant orange tiger. Junu wondered if it was the same tiger he’d met all those centuries ago.

“My master has decided to grant you an audience,” the shaman announced.

Junu stepped forward and folded in a ninety-degree bow. “I’ve come to accept your deal.”

“You are brave to return to this place.” The sansin’s voice reverberated, like it was echoing through a canyon instead of spoken out of the lips of a frail old man.

Junu reminded himself again that this god was stronger than he could even fathom. And he had a short temper. Junu had to tread lightly here.

“I am hoping that because enough time has passed, and I’ve reflected on my past, that you might be lenient with me,” Junu said.

“I will consider it. I hear I have something you want.” The sansin dismounted so gracefully, it was almost like he floated to the ground. The tiger bent, its head lowering in a bow before it loped back into the forest.

“I’ve brought the fox spirit, as you asked,” Junu said. “In return, your shaman said I can ask for my bangmangi back.”

“I see,” the sansin said.

When he didn’t continue, Junu cleared his throat. It seemed the sansin wasn’t looking to make conversation. “But we also have an ailing friend. The one that the fox spirit possesses.”

Sinhye stiffened beside Junu. This was it. If he did this, there would be no going back.

“And why should that be a concern to me?” the sansin asked.

He swallowed to wet his suddenly dry throat. He was used to bluffing and talking his way in and out of things, but this felt completely different. The last time he’d met this god, he’d been incapacitated with a single flick of the sansin’s wrist. If Junu wasn’t careful, would he end up with his soul trapped for a millennium like Sinhye? Maybe the punishment would be fitting after how he’d squandered his existence. But he couldn’t lose courage now.

“She has bonded to this body, but it is not hers to take. I ask that you save the life of my friend. I have brought all the tools I was told you require to cut her from this vessel.”

The sansin let out a low rumbling laugh that seemed to shake the trees around them. “The soul you wish to sever is immortal; to do that, you need to sacrifice another immortal soul.”

“Exactly,” Junu said, stepping forward on shaky legs. He really hoped this plan worked. “I have an immortal soul. Sacrifice me.”

57

SOMIN WONDERED, NOTfor the first time or even the tenth time, if this plan was bound to fail. Well, it seemed likely as she made her way quietly through the thick foliage. But it’s all they had. So she’d have to at least try.

Somin and Miyoung had parted ways down the path, thinking they’d make less noise if they weren’t together. Plus, it was smarter for them to attack separately. They didn’t have the strength to go up against a sansin, so they’d use their smarts.

Miyoung had fought her on this, saying she’d be better suited to initiate a sneak attack. But it had to be Somin. It was something Sinhye had said, actually. That Somin wasn’t involved in this world. That she didn’t belong here. And if she didn’t belong, then no one would be looking for her. She could more effectively attack from behind while Miyoung persuaded Junu to help her attack from the front in a pincer move.

Somin prayed again this would work as she heard voices. Someone spoke in a voice so low she could only make out its timbre, not the words. But the one that replied was Junu. She was close.

58

“YOU WOULD SACRIFICEyourself for this human?” the sansin asked, his eyes moving between Jihoon and Junu.

“Baesin,” Sinhye said under her breath. “This was your plan all along. You never planned to kill him at all, you coward.”

Junu ignored her.

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