A Hollow Play Begins

So Eun did not fail to fake a smile and bowed, trying to greet him while avoiding his eyes at the same time.

But all he knew was that these days have been taking a toll on him, and that smile was rather looking out of place.

Jaebin was astounded at that gesture and proceeded to wave his hands dismissively, a wide grin occupying his face.

"Your valued Deity does not need to act tough with me, I came here because His Majesty The Emperor forgot that Tipolo already has a Deity, and so sending me here to investigate the matter in hand isn't my choice either."

Then he wandered his eyes and feign to inspect the surroundings, while So Eun knew he wasn't paying attention to anything but him.

The high-esteemed Deity clicked his tongue and darted his eyes back to him.

Looking like he was holding back from speaking to him.

"So Eun, right? I'm Gim Jaebin, the one you saw in the Forest."

He smiled and stretch his hand forward, a mysterious smile displayed on his lips and mischief swimming in his eyes.

So Eun took a moment to discern his intentions but then worried over the other finding him suspicious instead.

So he accepts the hand and shook it, while he spoke at the same time,

"Yes, I remember you're one of the twins. I couldn't thank you for that day, Your High--"

He had assumed first thing that that was the term of every living Deity in the mortal world, and so regarded him with the title.

But Jaebin has other plans, he grinned playfully and shook his head.

"Nah, that's overly reverent. You should call me by my name from now on."

He uttered and noticed Dong-Hyun who was watching them finally standing up.

So Eun had yet to figure out if this one is up to the child's liking, considering he's been admiring Deities since they first met.

But he came to avert his thoughts and instead, tries to figure out this worthy Deity in front of him.

Because that look on his face wasn't really promising, be it mocking him or what.

Just like Yun Hwa, when he recalled their encounter in the forest, he was Han Min's second hand, and this one was not exempted from the Demon King's past.

When So Eun was assessing him quietly, Jaebin's hands fell at his side before peering directly at the sleeping child in the middle of the hall.

"This ghoul is quite peculiar, never seen like it before."

He commented, while So Eun can tell that he was smiling at himself.

"Your twin has other plans?"

Gim Yeonbin crossed his mind, the other twin who looked like him but lacked the professionalism in being a Deity.

If they certainly get a hold of each other and do the Emperor's words with diligence, then Jaebin wouldn't come here alone.

"Why? Afraid I might arrest you here and call my brother?"

He rests his hands on the blinding shackle of thunder, and not a single flinch from him was seen.

So Eun didn't show any expressions, he just glanced at Dong-Hyun who perked up at the words.

"You can come again later after this."

He whispered, giving him another light smile to ensure the child's safety.

So Eun assumed that the young man's worried face was all for the child's sake, but he didn't mention anything when he saw a glimpse of fear in his eyes. Or perhaps he wasn't worried at all.

He stayed his attention on Dong-Hyun even after the door was closed.

And looked forward to seeing Jaebin kneeling in front of the shackle.

So Eun raised his fist and emitted a cough to call his attention.

"What sort of help can I provide? Jaebin?"

He asked plainly, watching how the lightning prickled at his hands.

"I'm afraid if the child woke up, he wouldn't be willing to talk to us. So it's best if we inquire around his lucid dream, a place where he doesn't know who we are."

Jaebin stood up to raise his palm, and wrote an incantation out of nowhere, whispering an unknown enchantment.

"But will that work? I mean, An unknown being talking to him?"

So Eun genuinely asked, feeling a little more serious than he'd ever felt before.

Jaebin had his eyes closed and lips in a thin line.

A while later, he pointed his palm towards the binding seal, causing it to flicker within seconds.

"You're right. He will not be willing either." He replied, turning around to So Eun.

With his left hand resting atop his head, Jaebin walked back and forth in front of him before stopping at the same spot.

He promptly lifted his head and smirk joyfully at him, and said, "I've finally figured out why I found this Ghoul very bizarre in the first place."

The fine-looking Deity announced, with his index finger poking out.

Then So Eun waited and ignored his blissful and euphoric smile that speaks more of a sinister one.

"A ghoul child like this won't survive in a day out with humans, but it somehow managed to."

He uttered, implying something So Eun doesn't have any idea.

He managed to spill his monologue for now, but another person decided to forget his manners and kicked open the front door once again.

They both got distracted and looked over at the person who intruded.

So Eun had the feeling that this will eventually come, and he, unfortunately, manifest it.

Gim Yeonbin sprinted the hall up to the front without sparing a single glance at So Eun standing at the side.

The other twin who was earnestly hunting them back at the forest unexpectedly came too.

But to his surprise, he bolted inside and stopped beside his brother, completely unaware of So Eun, and said in a grunting voice, "Is this the ghoul?"