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Jaegal Lin hated this situation. He didn’t know how to say it exactly, but after five whole days of suffering, cursing, and trying to break free, he could only come to this conclusion.
His body had been possessed.
By an evil ghost, no less.
And not just any ghost, no… It was the ghost of one of his enemies — one of those people he had brutally killed in revenge because they destroyed his Jaegal Clan.
During these five whole days of suffering, Jaegal Lin had screamed and roared at the ghost to LEAVE his body, for fuck’s sake! But the ghost refused, instead laughing at him and enjoying the use of his body gleefully.
Jaegal Lin had heard of the term ‘possession’ before — it usually took place when an evil ghost, filled with resentment and unfinished business, found a suitable body and took over the body, kicking out the original person’s soul. Jaegal had even heard rumors that some Demonic Clans were capable of doing this, but it was said that ‘possession’ was rare and difficult.
Besides, most ghosts would pick a body whose original soul was weak and easily bullied, or a person’s body who had just escaped death…. Jaegal Lin didn’t think his soul was particularly weak, so how and why could this ghost possess him?
Jaegal couldn’t understand it — no matter how hard he tried, the situation was ridiculous.
And he hated it.
After possessing him, the ghost had tried to kick Jaegal Lin’s soul of his body, but he had failed thanks to Jaegal Lin’s fierce fight. While the fight had left both of them drained, Jaegal had been horrified to discover that now, the ghost could access his memories, along with his feelings.
Due to this, during these five days, Jaegal Lin had watched as this Ghost controlled his body, greeting the Clinic members, ordering Yooho to do tasks, and, worst of all, interacting with his disciple, Jin Cheonhee — and since the Ghost had his memories, nobody suspected a thing.
The feeling of having his body and autonomy stripped away mercilessly was painful to begin with. The knowledge that the person possessing him was his enemy, one that he had once brutally killed, made it worse. Then, the feeling of having his memories and feelings siphoned away, having another entity peruse his memories as if it was an interesting catalogue — it was horrific, to say the least.
But for Jaegal Lin, the worst part of it all was watching this utter degenerate use his body to interact with Jin Cheonhee, his precious, precious disciple. Jaegal felt even worse when he saw, through his body’s eyes, that Cheonhee didn’t doubt a single thing.
This was a nightmare. A true nightmare.
Jaegal wished he could scream.
“Tut, tut,” the Ghost chided. “What were you trying to do? Scream? You don’t have the luxury to do that, remember?”
The Ghost’s cackling was heard in Jaegal Lin’s mind.
“Your vocal cords are now mine,” the Ghost giggled, and Jaegal Lin wished he could gag.
Instead, he could only watch helplessly as the Ghost steered his body towards Jin Cheonhee’s quarters and knocked on the door.
[What do you want to do?] Jaegal Lin hissed at the Ghost — they shared one mind, so communication between them was… effortless.
[What do you think?], the Ghost teased. [Of course, I want to greet that lovely disciple of yours, heheh. After all, I’m a good Master~].
[You’ve been doing this since yesterday], Jaegal Lin growled, unease shooting through him. [What do you want?]
[What could I possibly want, hm?], the Ghost’s voice was laced with venom. [I’ve seen your memories. I know how much you care about him… In fact, he’s the only one you care about at all, right?].
Jaegal Lin felt his stomach churn and his heart drop. The Ghost, sensing his turbulent emotions, laughed wildly.
[I only teased you a bit, and you have such a big reaction?] The Ghost sneered. [I never thought I’d see the day you, Jaegal Lin, care so much about someone!]
[Don’t you dare touch him], Jaegal Lin warned, his anxiety drowning him in desperation.
Even though he couldn’t feel the Ghost’s emotions just like how the Ghost could feel his, he knew this person was up to no good….
Jaegal Lin wanted to say more, but the door was opened, and he saw Jin Cheonhee. Upon seeing his “Master”, Jin Cheonhee visibly brightened — Jaegal Lin felt his heart hurt at the sight. His disciple didn’t know this wasn’t him…
“Master!” Jin Cheonhee greeted, smiling happily.
Jaegal Lin felt sick to the bones when he heard “his” voice reply sweetly.
“Good morning, Hee,” the Ghost said. “How was your sleep?”
“It was good, Master. Thank you,” Jin Cheonhee replied. “How are you feeling, Master?” Jin Cheonhee asked, concern written all over his face.
“Ah, I’m alright, Hee. Don’t worry about me.”
“How can I not worry?” Jin Cheonhee sighed. “Master, your health is the most important…. Don’t overexert yourself.”
“…Thank you, disciple. Now… let’s go, we have a whole day ahead of us.”
“Yes, Master!” Jin Cheonhee nodded happily.
[Did you see that?], the Ghost snarked.
[Your disciple didn’t suspect a thing, hahahaha!]
Jaegal Lin didn’t deign that with a reply.
[By the way…] the Ghost mused. [Having a disciple is truly a blessing… I almost want to indulge in this game forever.]
[Don’t touch him with your filthy paws], Jaegal Lin warned.
[Filthy?], the Ghost cackled.
[You’re acting all high and mighty], the Ghost scoffed.
[Aren’t you and I the same? Does your precious disciple know what you did to me? To all the enemies of your Jaegal Clan? Does he know of the atrocities you committed, all the disgusting things you’ve done? Come now, Jaegal, acting all hypocritical like those fools from the Orthodox Clans doesn’t suit you.], the Ghost sneered.
The Ghost’s words seemed to lodge itself in Jaegal’s heart — it was true, Jaegal knew that he wasn’t some sort of angel. Sometimes, he even hoped that Jin Cheonhee wouldn’t hear about his ‘evil deeds’, about the things he had done… What if his disciple became disappointed in him? What then?
His disciple was too kind….
[I can’t believe you were so lucky and got yourself such a filial and intelligent disciple], the Ghost mused. [That kid is one of a kind…]
Of course he is, Jaegal Lin wanted to retort, but he didn’t say anything aloud.
[Well, well, let’s have a fun day together again, yeah?] the Ghost giggled.
Jaegal Lin felt his blood boil.
This would be another day of suffering.
At the end of the day, Jaegal Lin — well, more like his own body — was steered back to his own bedroom, where the Ghost changed his clothes and appraised himself in the mirror.
“Can’t believe I’m in the body of the most beautiful man alive,” the Ghost teased, making Jaegal Lin retch in disgust — internally, of course. He couldn’t physically do anything.
[Now… shall we get to the main course for tonight?], the Ghost grinned eerily.
Jaegal Lin felt his stomach drop.
This person had a malicious smile…
[What are you planning?], Jaegal Lin asked, feeling a surge of panic in his chest.
The Ghost simply laughed, not giving him a clear answer.
[What are you planning to do? What do you want to do? HEY! What do you want to do?!] Jaegal Lin roared, but the Ghost ignored him.
Instead, the Ghost sat at the edge of the bed, as if waiting for something.
The silence was deafening, Jaegal Lin felt like every minute he waited, he was losing something.
When the clock struck midnight, the Ghost finally moved.
Jaegal Lin felt his heartbeat quicken — he wanted to ask, wanted to demand an answer from the Ghost, but he decided to be quiet for now, see where all this was going. Perhaps the Ghost was going to hurt his body in some way…
No matter what nefarious plans this Ghost had, Jaegal Lin had to stay calm—!
Jaegal Lin could not stay calm when the Ghost landed on a familiar rooftop — it was Jin Cheonhee’s room.
[What are you doing?], this time, Jaegal Lin did not even bother to hide his panic.
[Why are you here? Cheonhee didn’t do anything wrong. What do you you want to do to him?] Jaegal Lin asked, his panic overwhelming him.
This was his disciple — his one and only disciple. What did this person want to do?!
Noiselessly, the Ghost maneuvered into Jin Cheonhee’s room, where Cheonhee lay fast asleep, his head resting on his desk, buried in papers and notes.
Jaegal Lin’s heart clenched at the sight of his disciple, so vulnerable like this. He must’ve been working so hard….
[Weren’t you asking me what I wanted to do?], the Ghost spoke up.
[Watch, Jaegal Lin], the Ghost cackled, slowly placing his hand — Jaegal Lin’s hand — on Jin Cheonhee’s head.
[Watch as I kill your disciple, as I murder the only person you care about in cold blood… hahahaha!!!].
Jaegal Lin had faintly guessed the Ghost’s intentions when he saw they had landed on Cheonhee’s rooftop, but hearing the Ghost admit it himself, Jaegal Lin was infused with rage and panic.
[No… no.. no no no… Don’t do this, please], Jaegal Lin began to plead, desperation in his voice. [My disciple is innocent. He doesn’t even know what I did back in those years…. You can use my body to do anything else, ruin my reputation, go on a fucking killing spree… I don’t care, I really don’t!!! So please…].
The Ghost merely cackled at Jaegal Lin’s words, and, as if Jaegal Lin’s pleas were music to his ears, the Ghost began to move even more unscrupulously, yanking the sleeping Jin Cheonhee away from the desk and unto the ground.
The sudden yank startled Jin Cheonhee, who woke up, only to come face to face with none other than his Master.
[Hahahah!] Seeing the shock on Jin Cheonhee’s face, along with the desperation and anger that boiled within Jaegal Lin, the Ghost cackled even more.
[Look, Jaegal! I’m going to kill your disciple… I’m going to kill him, and he’ll think that you’re the one who’s trying to kill him…. Hahahahah!!!]
[What do you think the whole Murim will think, hm? Jaegal Lin, killing his own beloved disciple…] the Ghost sneered, a manic glint in his eyes as he pounced on Jin Cheonhee, gripping Cheonhee’s neck and squeezing with all his might.
With Jaegal Lin’s body and martial arts, the Ghost could easily kill Cheonhee with a flick of his finger. However, he wanted to prolong Cheonhee’s suffering, and, in extension, prolong Jaegal Lin’s suffering….
Jaegal Lin was losing his mind.
[Let him go!!! I’m telling you, let him go! LET! HIM! GO!!!!] Jaegal roared, but the Ghost simply laughed as if it was a joke.
Beneath the Ghost, Jin Cheonhee was struggling, pushing away the hands that held an iron-grip on his throat.
[Watch this, Jaegal], the Ghost gave a diabolical sneer. [Watch as your disciple has to pay the price for your past sins—! Hahahahahaa!!!!]
Jin Cheonhee’s face was red and there were unshed tears in his eyes as he struggled, trying to gasp for air.
[No… Get your hands off of him, get away—!], Jaegal Lin yelled, trying to wrench control of his body from the Ghost.
He had to take back control over his body…. He had to. He couldn’t allow this maniac to kill Cheonhee.
Jaegal Lin didn’t know how he did it, but he used the full force of his spirit — his soul, to kick the Ghost, repeatedly slamming into the Ghost and hoping it would somehow distract the Ghost from hurting Cheonhee.
Jaegal Lin’s repeated slamming somehow worked, and the Ghost was caught off guard, loosening his grip on Cheonhee’s neck. During that brief second of reprieve, Cheonhee took the chance and wriggled away, crawling to a safe distance.
[Stop that!] the Ghost roared, shoving Jaegal Lin deep into the recess of his own mind, but Jaegal refused to be cowed and continued hitting the Ghost.
The two souls were busy fighting, and Cheonhee was coughing and spluttering, gasping for air as he looked at his “Master”, who seemed to be going through an internal battle.
“Master…” Cheonhee whispered, and even though he was was busy fighting, Jaegal Lin heard his disciple’s voice.
“Please don’t get hurt, Master…” Cheonhee was crawling closer to “Jaegal Lin”.
[Yes… Come here, child. Come!], the Ghost cackled, his voice laced with pure sadism even as he fought Jaegal Lin’s soul.
“Master…?” Jin Cheonhee asked, clutching his throat and looking at “Jaegal Lin” with concern.
[Your disciple is so foolish, crawling back to me, asking to be killed], the Ghost sneered.
Jaegal Lin felt his heart clench and launched a ferocious attack on the Ghost, wrestling for control of his body.
He had to kick out this Ghost once and for all….
[Why are you fighting so hard?], the Ghost sneered. [Don't you remember what happened the last time we fought?].
Memories of that day flow into his mind — that day, he had tried to kick the Ghost out of his mind for good, but they both fought to a draw, and the result? The Ghost could access his memories and feelings…. It had been terrible.
[You're afraid], the Ghost realized, cackling at that. [You're scared that this time, if you fail, you'll lose not only your memories and feelings to me, you’ll lose your entire body… You’re scared you’ll just disappear, right?].
The Ghost had hit the nail on the head.
Jaegal Lin was afraid. He was truly, truly afraid that if he lost this battle, he would lose his body once and for all, and this person would hurt Cheonhee.
His disciple.
“Master,” a clear voice was heard, and Jaegal instinctively knew it was Cheonhee.
“I know you’re in there somewhere, Master, so please… wake up, Master!”
“I know you would never hurt me.”
Jaegal Lin was stunned.
I know you would never hurt me.
His disciple trusted him.
Jin Cheonhee trusted him.
This was all the reassurance he needed.
With renewed vigor, Jaegal Lin sprung upon the Ghost, his fighting spirit reignited.
His disciple believed in him, and he… He would not let his disciple down.
Jaegal Lin was panting as he sat on the floor, and his eyes slowly opened.
Seeing his Master’s eyes open, Jin Cheonhee quickly sat next to him.
When he saw his Master’s clear and gentle eyes, Jin Cheonhee let out a shaky breath of relief.
“Master,” he whispered in relief.
“Hee,” Jaegal Lin spoke, and Cheonhee’s eyes began to water.
“It’s you, right, Master?” Cheonhee asked again.
“Yes, Hee. It’s me,” Jaegal Lin reassured.
Jin Cheonhee bit back a sob and threw his arms around his Master, hugging him.
“Welcome back, Master,” Cheonhee whispered, and Jaegal Lin smiled, a single tear falling down silently.
Jaegal Lin hugged his disciple back.
The master-disciple pair had finally calmed down, and the two of them sat on the ground, facing each other.
The first to speak was Jaegal Lin, who looked at Cheonhee’s red neck in pain.
“Are you okay?” Jaegal Lin settled on asking, and Cheonhee smiled.
“I’m alright, Master. Don’t worry.”
The two were quiet for a while.
“How did you know?” Jaegal Lin asked.
Cheonhee bit his lips.
“Four days ago, I noticed something was off with you, Master. You were talking and acting like usual… but, I don’t know, it didn’t feel like you…. But, I didn’t have any proof, so I didn’t say anything… I just kept observing you…”
“I see,” Jaegal nodded.
He looked at his disciple and ruffled Cheonhee’s hair.
He had been foolish, thinking his disciple didn’t notice any changes with him. Even Yooho hadn’t noticed anything. Unexpectedly, Cheonhee did realize something was wrong….
As expected of his disciple.
“So… is that ghost gone for good, Master?” Cheonhee asked.
“Yes,” Jaegal Lin nodded.
“That’s good,” Cheonhee smiled.
Jaegal Lin looked at his disciple and felt his heart again.
This was his disciple, ah.
He had almost lost him tonight.
“Hee,” Jaegal Lin spoke seriously. “I would never hurt you. I would never let anyone hurt you either… Do you understand?”
Cheonhee nodded at his Master’s words.
“Master, I know.”
“Even if I have to protect you from myself… Even if I had to kill myself to protect you… I would,” Jaegal Lin declared.
He would never let something like this happen again.
“Master,” Cheonhee spoke up, a firm glint in his eye. “Just as you will not let anyone or anything hurt you… I, too, want to protect you, Master.”
Jaegal Lin felt his heart bloom with warmth at his disciple’s words.
“I know, Hee. Thank you.”