episode_0374

『Have you killed a person?』

I lived because I didn’t want to die.

Because of the guilt.

To find peace in death—

Would be far too selfish.

“Meow…?”

The underground confessional.

A place to realize and repent for one’s sins.

That’s why Yang So-ah deliberately chose this place.

She had committed a sin too heavy to carry through life,

and after failing to finish even half the soju she bought for the first time,

she limped down to the basement on aching knees.

『……Those who bear falsehood upon their lips, rise and depart.』

『You have killed 0 humans.』

And then,

what Yang So-ah encountered in the dark underground was—

“Ms. Yang So-ah. We meet again.”

The smiling face of ‘someone’ reflected in the mirror.

…….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not a church, but a dark room somewhere.

A chilling air settled over the living room.

On a modest dressing table, a single ‘mirror’ lay.

“……Huu.”

A woman exhaled lightly as she stood before the mirror.

A woman with an expressionless face.

The ‘her’ reflected in the mirror also stared back with the same blank expression.

“……Mirror, mirror.”

Eventually, the woman facing the mirror

habitually brushed a hand down her face,

and like something out of a spine-chilling urban legend—

she spoke to the mirror.

“Who is the person I love most in this world?”

『…….』

A question fit for a fairy tale.

At that moment, the corners of the woman’s lips reflected in the mirror

curved upwards smoothly, as if in a horror movie scene—

『……Ms. Ban Ha-rin. Stop messing around.』

Thud!

She rapped the mirror with a lazy smile.

What kind of nonsense was this?

Blink.

Having finished her ‘nonsense,’ Ban Ha-rin—now wearing a cold expression—turned on the living room lights.

The ‘Ban Ha-rin in the mirror,’ squinting under the bright light, hastily straightened her stiffened smile.

Ban Ha-rin, expressionless.

The ‘Ban Ha-rin’ inside the mirror, wearing a languid grin.

“My apologies, Ms. Eunha. I just wanted to try it once.”

『Yeah, sure.』

“Is the inside of the mirror peaceful?”

『Very. Nice and cozy.』

A few minutes before Yang So-ah followed ‘Eunha’ into the church,

Baek Ha-rin, holed up in her apartment, was peacefully conversing with ‘someone’ inside the mirror.

…….

Yesterday’s events.

Having become Ban Ha-rin, she survived having her neck snapped by Yang So-ah, and as Kang Na-ri, she saved ‘Rat’ as he was dying.

Two swaps.

The price was two days of Eunha and the ‘shoddy mirror’ swapping places.

The strange creature who went to work at the café as Eunha,

and Eunha, trapped inside the mirror as the strange creature.

And yet,

surprisingly, it wasn’t so bad.

‘Ah… It’s quiet… Since I’m inside the mirror, the strange creature can’t come after me.’

She thought positively.

She felt like she was enjoying a rare, peaceful rest.

It was so nice. No pain, either.

Though she couldn’t move freely, her body felt comfortable.

Should she just stay inside the mirror, throwing a tantrum when the ‘shoddy mirror’ returns, saying ‘This is my spot…’?

“Aren’t you worried? That strange creature might be doing something reckless in your body.”

『Hmm… Not really? It’s just a really lousy thing…』

“It was absolutely not lousy. Have you seen yourself in the mirror?”

『……A completely useless thing, and I left ‘Rat’ to keep an eye on it.』

Eunha reflected in the mirror pouted as she answered.

An identical twin.

Somehow, she felt like a younger sister—perhaps that’s why Ban Ha-rin wasn’t overly concerned about the ‘shoddy mirror’ inhabiting her body.

Only the thought of leaving ‘Rat’—who had survived an attack—to keep watch nagged at her.

Lost in thought, Eunha glanced at Ban Ha-rin.

Creak…

The usual expressionless beauty.

The only anomaly was the missing upside-down cross hairpin in her bangs.

And the dark circles under her eyes, like someone who hadn’t slept in days.

Her exhaustion was palpable in just one day.

As if she’d been tormented by strange creatures all night.

“……Do I have something on my face?”

『What happened to your hairpin?』

“People should grow stronger.”

『Are you human?』

“Have some faith in me.”

What came to mind was the ‘spider-silk-like strange creature’ she saw in Eunchon Park.

That time, she helped Eunha and saved ‘Rat.’

Back then, the ‘spider-silk’ clearly stood in the way of the ‘bathroom strange creature’ seeking revenge.

Was it alright, then?

Deciding to observe Ban Ha-rin closely from inside the mirror for the time being, Eunha turned her head away.

『…I’ll make you a new ‘clay doll’ later. I left it at home.』

“Thank you.”

『Is ‘Rat’ doing fine outside?』

“Yes. Since they must’ve assumed we were dead, surveillance has slackened. It’s quite comfortable.”

Ban Ha-rin and ‘Rat,’ hiding to evade the [Rare Hunter Protection-Execution Division] Team 4 hunting them.

They decided to keep pretending since the situation unfolding was oddly entertaining.

But soon after,

Ban Ha-rin shifted the topic and asked Eunha in a low voice.

“Ms. Eunha. So, what will you do?”

『Huh?』

“About Yang So-ah.”

Yang So-ah.

The cotton candy sweetheart who came to kill Ban Ha-rin, only briefly snapping Eunha’s neck before leaving.

The ones who attacked ‘Rat’ were taken care of, but what about Yang So-ah?

Eunha in the mirror contemplated deeply.

『Hmm… We had a meal together at a restaurant and heard some of her story.』

“Ms. Marshmallow Cow, coming back from a date with your would-be assassin.”

『She seemed… pitiable when we talked…』

“Humans who pity even the strange creatures that tried to kill them…”

『No one was actually hurt in the end…』

“Does covering for an assassin who broke your neck and ran hold any special sentiment?”

『Wouldn’t it be okay to spare her?』

“If the one who died and came back says it’s fine, I won’t argue further.”

Ban Ha-rin poked Eunha’s side with every word.

Finishing her piece, Eunha glared and smacked the mirror.

『……Ms. Ban Ha-rin. I’m really pissed right now.』

“Loser.”

Frustrated.

She couldn’t even leave the mirror.

Was this resentment?

Thud… thud…

Eunha knocked on the mirror with her soft fists.

Expressionless, Ban Ha-rin watched before covering the corner of her mouth with one hand and placing a canned beer in front of the mirror.

Then, a canned beer also appeared before Eunha inside the mirror.

Two people facing the mirror.

Eventually, Eunha stopped her fist, forced an awkward smile, and picked up the canned beer.

『Haa… Whatever. Just don’t hurt me.』

“Thanks to you, every day is filled with happiness.”

Clink—

The two clinked their beers against the mirror.

…….

Sip…

A leisurely conversation over drinks.

Just another peaceful moment, no different from usual.

But dark emotions brewed silently in their hearts.

『……So, when are you going to tell me?』

“Tell you what?”

『The Rare Hunter Protection-Execution Division. You’re the team leader, right? Yang So-ah told me.』

The conversation paused.

The sound of sipping beer followed the heavy silence.

『…….』

“…….”

Ms. Ban Ha-rin. You have a call.

Ms. Ban Ha-rin. You have a call.

Right on cue, Ban Ha-rin’s phone rang with the notification.

“A moment, please.”

『Why did you set my voice as your ringtone? Bang Ul-i did that too.』

“It’s trendy.”

Excusing herself, Ban Ha-rin answered the call.

Nyaaa~ nyaaa~ The voice of ‘Rat’ crackled through.

“……’Eunha’ has left the café. But instead of heading home, she entered a nearby church.”

『Oh… Any other updates?』

“Yang So-ah followed her inside.”

『Ugh, that’s gonna be a disaster.』

Clink.

Eunha set down her beer and stood up.

Ban Ha-rin, mirroring her movements, rose as well and asked:

“What will you do?”

『We have to go save her. There’s something I want to hear… We’ll talk about your question when we get back.』

Let’s go to the church.

To see what unfolds—and to stretch her stiff body, even if trapped in the mirror.

“Is there a way to reach the church?”

『…There must be a mirror in the church, right?』

Smiling faintly like always,

Eunha closed her eyes, stroking the mirror.

Mirror, mirror.

…….

…….

『Have you killed a person?』

And then,

when she opened her eyes again—

Eunha heard a voice.

“…….”

The dark underground confessional.

Yang So-ah sat on a chair, facing the wall.

Her fluffy pink hair buried deep in her arms, she hung her head low like a sinner.

What was happening?

Fluffy…

A mirror hung on the confessional wall.

Reflecting the profile of Yang So-ah sitting in the chair.

Eunha, borrowing Yang So-ah’s appearance, plunged her hand into the soft mass of hair.

Her fingers, diving deep into the strands, gripped a [Black Book].

Just what kind of structure did this hair have?

Eunha pulled out the [Black Book] and read aloud the rules of the ‘Guiding Church.’

『Who did you kill?』

“…….”

Meanwhile, a voice from somewhere in the confessional urged Yang So-ah.

Yang So-ah remained silent.

Like a frightened little lamb.

She knew how to survive—

but guilt, clogging her throat, blocked her answer.

An assassin burdened by guilt—what a mismatch.

Eunha smiled wryly and shook her head.

Yang So-ah hesitated, unable to speak.

This wasn’t good.

Either spit hatred at those who break the rules,

or reflect on resentment through those who survive by following them.

One of the two.

Silence was not the best option.

(‘Ah… Answer quickly… My spot isㅡ Wait, what am I even saying?’)

Unconsciously, the ‘Yang So-ah’ in the mirror bit her nails.

『……Confess.』

“…….”

The benevolent voice of a man.

But as time passed, ‘something’ descended upon the head of Yang So-ah, still bowed in hesitation.

『Who did you kill?』

“…….”

Like guilt pressing down on her shoulders—

A bloodstained ‘something’ seized Yang So-ah’s throat.

The suffocating sensation tightened slowly.

A handprint-shaped mark appeared on Eunha’s neck inside the mirror as well.

“I… killed Ban Ha-rin.”

Unable to bear it any longer,

Eunha finally spoke up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

■. The Guiding Church is a place for those departing.

– It exists for a comfortable journey .

– If you entered by mistake, visit at least two more places listed below before exiting. Follow the rules in reverse .

3. The Confessional

– Confess your sins truthfully.

– Do not speak falsehood.

–

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The way to survive in this church?

Follow the rules in reverse.

Meaning—in the confessional, she had to lie.

(‘Since I’m Yang So-ah reflected in the mirror, it’s fine if I answer, right?’)

Yang So-ah, frozen, couldn’t utter a word.

How many lives had she taken to wear such despair-filled guilt on her face?

But… At least Ban Ha-rin was alive and well.

Any other sins—she could repay them while alive.

Just as Eunha herself had done.

Fluff!

Startled by the voice of ‘Yang So-ah’ beside her, Yang So-ah turned her head.

Eyes wide like a frightened herbivore.

Eyelids drooping with a drowsy smile.

Their gazes met.

『You have killed 0 humans. You lying brat. Kids these days…』

“Meow…?”

『Rise and leave this place.』

Then, the ‘something’ looming over Yang So-ah’s head—

swallowed its regrets and retreated into the darkness of the ceiling.

Yang So-ah, who had been blankly staring at the confessional wall, now dumbly faced the ‘mirror’ beside her.

(‘0 people?… Huh? I thought you came here to kill Ban Ha-rin—so you’re just a harmless little fluffball without blood on your hands?’)

The words of a strange creature betting its life on the rules.

Eunha, visibly shocked, looked at Yang So-ah, who mumbled quietly, sleepiness gone from her face.

“……0 people…? How…… Meow…?”

The dazed fluffball curled into a ball and rolled around the confessional.

Eunha gazed down at the pink, hedgehog-like creature.

Watching silently for a moment, she stifled a rising smirk and clapped her hands.

“Ms. Yang So-ah. Snap out of it. We have to leave.”

“Meow… Meow…”

Plop…

The marshmallow candy froze.

Slender legs peeked out from the furball as she rose.

Her suit nowhere to be seen, her pale skin barely concealed by tangled hair.

Realizing the ‘Yang So-ah’ in the mirror was talking to her, she hunched over again.

“……Devil…”

“Not a devil.”

“Not tasty…”

“Exactly, so don’t even think about eating me.”

Nod.

Still not fully lucid, huh?

Eunha continued gently.

“I’m not a devil, and you don’t look unappetizing either. Probably taste like lamb.”

“……Sheep?”

“I was chicken salad before. Anyway, calm down and get up. We need to leave the church.”

Soft, coaxing words.

Her own voice, but familiar speech patterns.

Yang So-ah felt déjà vu.

Right. Just recently—

At [Eunchon Restaurant].

Someone who understood her well,

treated her kindly,

and in the end—

had their neck snapped by her own hands……

“……Ban Ha-rin… Seonbae…?”

Why did she see the image of ‘Ban Ha-rin,’ whom she killed, overlaying the living ‘Yang So-ah’ in the mirror?

Limp.

Yang So-ah forgot her sore knee and approached the mirror.

“Hello. It’s been just a day.”

The woman in the mirror smiled.

Just like back then.

Like always.

“Seonbae…?”

“It’s me.”

“Euk…… Meow…!”

She was alive.

She didn’t know how or why—

but that was enough.

(It’s okay to make mistakes. You’ll surely have many precious people and things you love.)

Words her grandmother once told her.

A family she killed accidentally with a stray ‘skill’ in her sleep—yet their words remained.

(『You have killed 0 humans.』)

She hadn’t killed Ban Ha-rin.

That was enough.

How could she describe this feeling?

Clink—

Then, a glass bottle fell from Yang So-ah’s sleeve.

Unthinkingly, Yang So-ah bent down and picked it up.

A common ‘first-aid potion’ sold everywhere—capable of healing minor wounds.

A gift from an old lady earlier that morning… when she crossed the street with a puppy.

(Thank you, dear. Thanks to you, I’m alive.)

Something pierced through.

A tiny needle-hole in her heavy heart.

(Did you… do this, So-ah? With your skill?)

(It’s a wonderful power—protecting people.)

The heavy lump inside flowed out through that hole,

replaced by something warm.

“……Meow…”

“You can resent me. You almost died for no reason.”

The Guiding Church.

A place where the lost pray to the North Star.

What she encountered in the dark underground confessional—

was a shining North Star.

“Meow…! Meow…!”

Fluff—

She saw the light.

The little lamb hugged the mirror, her meowing cries spilling out uncontrollably.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, warm as fluffy wool.

…….

…….

“How…?”

“How am I alive? Well… humans don’t die just from a snapped neck.”

Time passed.

Having barely calmed herself, Yang So-ah finally left the confessional.

Fluff. Fluff.

Healing her sore knee with the ‘potion,’

clutching the ‘mirror’ in her arms,

she climbed the stairs, giggling absently.

‘Ban Ha-rin’ was alive.

Come to think of it, earlier on her way to work, ‘Rare Hunter’ Eunha had also turned her head 180 degrees to stare at her.

(‘Human necks… are super flexible…’)

So, necks snapping doesn’t kill people.

She learned something new today.

“Then… Seonbae, you’re not…?”

“I’m Eunha. Somehow, I ended up impersonating Ban Ha-rin.”

“Yang…?”

“The ‘Eunha’ you chased isn’t the real one. Just leave her be—let’s get out of the church first.”

Eunha patiently explained to Yang So-ah, who only half-understood, her mind still in tatters—yet she happily wobbled her way out of the basement.

The first-floor hallway of the church.

A wooden door leading to the chapel entrance came into view.

Yang So-ah was joyful.

Though terrifying things had happened since morning, her steps out of the church were as light as lamb’s wool.

The headaches plaguing her daily after entering the church were gone, too.

As if the ‘signal’ couldn’t reach her anymore.

Scritch scritch.

She lowered her head.

Like a lamb begging for affection, she scratched the corner of the mirror with her glossy obsidian-like metal horns.

Had she ever been this happy before?

『Ah… You’re scratching it pretty hard…』

“Meow.”

『Could you at least speak like a human?』

The ‘Yang So-ah’ in the mirror chuckled.

Huffing in amusement, she quietly rubbed the scratched surface of the mirror.

Was this resentment?

Later, once she escaped the mirror, she’d grab that cheeky marshmallow candy by the scruff and stretch her until her feet touched the ground.

Scritch scritch.

While Eunha in the mirror plotted her revenge with a smile,

Yang So-ah rubbed her soft cheeks and horns against the mirror, meowing happily.

Was she this delighted?

(‘Now… meet the ‘team leader’… wrap things up…’)

Fluff. Fluff.

Walking down the church hallway, she thought.

‘Eunha,’ visiting the church on her way home.

‘The team leader,’ who ordered her to tail Eunha and gather intel.

Support—two team members were supposed to arrive as backup, right?

And currently, Yang So-ah was leaving the church—without doing anything with ‘Eunha.’

She needed an excuse.

At the very least, she couldn’t let them discover Ban Ha-rin was alive.

Neither ‘Ban Ha-rin’ nor herself would make it out unscathed otherwise.

Fluff…

Yang So-ah absentmindedly touched the metal horns embedded in her head.

“Eunha… Seonbae… I’ll protect you…”

“Huh? You don’t have to.”

Just then,

as Yang So-ah walked down the hallway,

chatting with ‘Eunha’ in the mirror while approaching the wooden door to the chapel—

“By the way, why do you do things like this?”

“Yang?”

“You killed no one.”

“……When I was young… I killed… my precious family with my own hands… Huh?”

Crash!

A noise interrupted her.

“Gah…! Hhk—! What the hell! Where even is this place…?!”

The staircase leading upstairs.

A sign reading ‘Mirror Room.’

A bloodied man tumbled down recklessly.

A hunter in ash-gray formalwear—clearly affiliated with the Association.

“……’Goat’?”

“Uk—! Yang So-ah!”

[Rare Hunter Protection-Execution Division] Team 4.

Support dispatched to tail Eunha—both to assist and to monitor Yang So-ah for reckless behavior.

The man called ‘Goat’ spotted Yang So-ah at the base of the stairs and grimaced.

Yang So-ah tilted her head.

Two backup members were promised—

where was the other one?

『Ah. Perfect timing. Someone to explain things.』

Slither—

‘Goat’ snatched up a fallen weapon and hurried toward Yang So-ah.