Episode 8
“What Curse Are You Under?”
“That murder maniac? No way, it’s not like him.”
“I think so too, but look at this,” Ser said, handing a report to Ian.
Ian quickly read it, and his eyes widened.
“This is weird. He suddenly started stealing. But why steal something like this?”
“I have no idea. Who knows what’s going on in that guy’s head.”
Ian dropped the paper like it was trash. Ser sighed and picked it up again.
“Anyway, I’m going on patrol tomorrow. Be ready, or I’ll make you spar with me.”
“Fine, fine. If my boss says so, I’ll go.” Ian replied sarcastically and walked off.
Ser thought about throwing another cherry at him but let it go and fiddled with the report again.
“Kidnapping, huh…”
She let out a cold laugh.
“So, the man who was supposed to be dead is now someone I have to kill.”
And she was honestly pleased about that.
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Every evening, Huz brought me food and a children’s storybook.
At first, it was hard to read. But after reading the same book several times, I got better.
Then, after a week, he brought a poetry book. It had a lot of difficult, musical phrases. But I kept practicing and could read it in a week.
I also copied the writing into the dirt in the front yard. It helped me learn faster, and my handwriting got neater too.
After two weeks, I could read and write fairly well.
“If I study more, maybe I can find information about my curse.”
That made me proud. I smiled and erased my writing with my foot, then sat under the shade and relaxed in the sun.
Suddenly, I heard unfamiliar voices.
“…There should be good junk around here to sell.”
I woke up quickly and saw two children—one boy and one girl—in ragged clothes. The girl hugged a ripped teddy bear.
“Brother, what if the murder maniac finds us?”
“Don’t worry. That’s why no one else comes here—he scares them off. That means more stuff for us.”
I couldn’t believe it. I hadn’t seen anyone but Huz for almost seven weeks!
The kids started digging through the trash pile, picking up broken stuff.
They walked right past me.
But they didn’t see me.
“So I really am invisible to them…”
I expected it, but it still stung. The girl’s clothes were barely stitched together scraps. I remembered how I used to look just like them—not long ago.
“Hey kids, if you want to stay alive, get out of here.”
Of course, they couldn’t hear me. I just sighed, watching them get dirt all over their hands.
“Wow, look! Some of this stuff is like new!”
“We’re not gonna starve now!”
They laughed happily.
“Let’s keep this place secret—our treasure trove!”
What?! I was stunned.
This isn’t a treasure trove—it’s a living hell.
I thought hard, wondering if there was any way I could warn them. But then I sighed.
“What can I do? I’ve got my own problems to deal with…”
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After that day, the children didn’t return for a whole week.
“Did my prayer work?” I thought, feeling both relieved and strangely hurt.
“Unus, you really ignore my prayers but listen to other people’s? That’s not fair.”
I grumbled out of habit.
Then one morning, Huz came home early.
“Welcome back, Huz!”
He didn’t say anything—just started cleaning the dishes.
“What did you do today?”
“Same as always.”
It wasn’t much, but it was a real conversation. I smiled and watched him dry his hands.
Then I asked him something I’d wanted to ask for a long time:
“Huz, what curse are you under?”
I was just curious. Maybe if I knew, I could help.
But Huz froze.
His face went cold, his eyes full of danger. He stepped forward with a frightening glare.
I flinched, expecting pain.
But instead… he gently held my hand.
“Why do you want to know?” he asked.
Even though his voice was scary, he touched me so carefully, like I was breakable.
“What will you do, knowing my curse?”
I looked up. There was a sad smile on his face.
I knew that expression.
It was the same face I saw in my own reflection years ago—when I had to smile through pain just to survive. I hated that face.
Now here it was, on Huz.
He gently traced my hand, even rubbing my nails and fingertips. His movements were so tender it made my heart ache.
“Snow White…” he said.
Then his tone grew sharp.
“Don’t try to find out about my curse. If you do… I’ll kill you.”
His voice was full of pain, like a desperate plea.
I was stunned but nodded quickly.
“Okay. I won’t ask again.”
“…You’re obedient.”
Huz smiled, then lowered his head and rested it on the back of my hand. I flinched at how close he was.
‘W-What is this?!’
His hair tickled me, and I was so embarrassed. I wanted to pull my hand away—but I held still.
After a while, he let go and returned to his usual cold self.
He walked to the door.
“Are you going again?”
“Yes. Stay here.”
That usual, distant voice.
I hesitated, then quietly said:
“…Okay. Take care.”
Just then, I noticed something outside. The kids from earlier… they were coming back.
Oh no! I panicked. But Huz had already opened the door.
I didn’t think. I just acted.
I leapt forward and hugged him from behind.
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I buried my face into his back and wrapped my arms tightly around his waist. He stiffened instantly.
When I realized what I was doing, I mentally screamed.
‘What are you doing, Inea?!’
I was hugging a dangerous man just to protect some kids who didn’t even know I existed.
‘Should I let go? Explain? What do I even say?’
My brain scrambled for an excuse. I tightened my grip.
“Uhm… In my village, people hug from behind before someone leaves. It’s supposed to give good energy… so you can do your best at your job…”
There was silence.
“Uhh… So, um… do your best at, you know, killing people? Just don’t get hurt?”
My brain:
What the heck are you even saying?!
