CRT Ch 23

💎

A piano melody drifted through the well-lit VIP hospital room. The table, brimming with fruit and flower baskets, resembled an expensive bonsai arrangement. On one side of the table rested a scrapbook for The Lake of Gods.

Yejun sat in a whirlpool bathtub. Careful not to wet his casted right arm, he played with the warm water using his other hand. Repeated skin graft surgeries and physical therapy had left Yejun’s face haggard, but his eyes sparkled with vitality.

“Please lower your head for a moment.”

Seok Ryu, checking the water temperature nearby, washed Yejun’s face. As he shampooed Yejun’s hair, Yejun squeezed his eyes shut and whined. Yejun had sustained severe burns across his entire right hand, requiring skin graft surgery. With proper rehabilitation, the nerves were expected to recover.

Thanks to the swift arrival of emergency services on the day of the incident, Yejun’s burns were treated promptly. To Director Kwak and Manager Byun, they explained it as an accident involving boiling water. The PR team distributed photos of Yejun’s burns to the media. The severity of the injuries was too gruesome to dismiss as mere publicity, so half the public mocked him while the other half expressed sympathy.

Additionally, when Yoon Inoh withdrew his lawsuit just before disappearing, the attacks on Yejun fizzled out. The comments, once filled with insults and criticism, gradually saw an increase in messages of support.

Seok Ryu dried Yejun’s hair with a towel. Like a playful child, his master shook his head back and forth.

“The curtains, please.”

Seok Ryu pulled back the curtains, closed for the bath, inviting abundant sunlight into the room. The view was merely concrete buildings, but Yejun loved having the curtains opened.

“The weather’s so nice. Who’s coming to visit today, I wonder?”

Yejun peered down at the street beyond the window, as if awaiting someone. While Yejun soaked in the bubble bath, Seok Ryu tidied the hospital gown he’d shed and cleaned every corner of the room. Gifts from followers left the room perpetually cramped. With no more tasks in sight, Seok Ryu finally sank into the sofa after hours.

Since Yejun’s hospitalization, Songhyul actors had gathered in the hospital lobby, creating an unprecedented spectacle. Songhyul’s staff and actors alone numbered in the thousands. If all of them visited, Yejun’s energy would be drained. With visits strictly limited, followers could only linger anxiously at the entrance.

“By the way, it should be healed by now. Let me see.”

Seok Ryu rose from the small sofa. He removed his shirt, baring his back to Yejun. The brand of betrayal likely remained on Seok Ryu’s back like whip marks. Yejun bit the end of the choker’s cord with his teeth. Wrapping it tightly around his hand, he gripped the conical core stone firmly.

“I sometimes wonder. They say you take on the hatred directed at me as a side effect of the garnet effect, but isn’t it because you deserve to be hated?”

Yejun plunged the sharp tip of the core stone deep into Seok Ryu’s right shoulder. He began dragging it in long strokes. Seok Ryu bit his lips until they tore, stifling screams. Flesh, already slashed and healed multiple times, ripped and gaped again. The bathtub rippled with blood in an instant.

Unable to endure, Seok Ryu collapsed, clutching the tub. Having completed the ritual, Yejun swept back his hair with a bloodied hand. Tilting his head slightly, he studied Seok Ryu’s expression.

“You’re not in pain, are you? Feeling pain would make you defective.”

Fearing a groan might escape, Seok Ryu clenched his teeth and shook his head. Yejun’s eyes curved slyly.

“Without me, who’d take in a defective thing like you? Right?”

“…I’m always… grateful.”

At times, Yejun, engrossed in the ritual, would touch bone with the choker, causing Seok Ryu to faint. His back would eventually heal, but a scratch on the core stone was permanent. That was what he feared most.

Having bathed in Seok Ryu’s blood, Yejun rose from the tub with a satisfied expression. After changing into a fresh hospital gown, he hopped onto the bed with a bounce.

Seok Ryu staggered to his feet. He cleaned the blood-splattered tub and floor, then bandaged his torso. A guardian stone’s regenerative ability surpassed that of humans, so wounds healed quickly. But as the torn flesh mended, Yejun would repeat the punishment.

The wounds on his back were less troubling than his stomach. Since that day, his insides burned constantly. It seemed Cha Yilhyun’s semen, which had entered his stomach, was causing issues. Seok Ryu thought he’d drunk enough soapy water, but it hadn’t fully dissolved. Telling Yejun would likely result in being sent to the workshop for treatment. Fearing he’d never return, he kept silent.

Seok Ryu had only returned to the workshop once, unavoidably.

“You’re a cursed gem. Being with you turns me into a demon.”

The sculptor was unlike the masters Seok Ryu had served before. He wasn’t weak or desperate for others’ attention. Driven by an insatiable craving for artistic inspiration, he’d learned of humanoid guardian stones. Though melancholic and reserved, he was kind to Seok Ryu alone. He whispered that he’d be Seok Ryu’s destined master.

Seeing Seok Ryu’s battered state upon arrival at the workshop, Heewan was furious. Typically, when guardian stones with damaged bodies were sent to the workshop, Heewan would treat them and return them to their masters, but this was an exception.

Seok Ryu didn’t know how Heewan persuaded him, but Master Hyun willingly sent subordinates to the sculptor. No detailed news about what happened to him followed.

After the room was tidied, cheerful footsteps echoed outside. Yejun’s gaze snapped to the door. Manager Byun entered through the wide-open door, carrying a large flower basket as usual.

“I ran into a delivery guy out front. Looked like it was for you, so I grabbed it quick.”

“I wish they’d stop sending flower baskets. The pollen scatters, and they wilt fast, making it hard for Seok Ryu to clean.”

“This isn’t your average flower basket! Guess who sent it.”

When Yejun looked puzzled, Byun grinned.

“It’s from CEO Cha Yilhyun.”

Yejun’s eyes widened. His reborn master’s cheeks always carried a flush, and his resolute lips glistened. Byun was as excited as if the gift were for him.

“The CEO felt bad he couldn’t visit due to his overseas trip! Still, he arranged this VIP room and the country’s top burn specialist. Yejun, you’ve hit the jackpot, haven’t you?”

Miracles were guests that arrived unexpectedly. Perhaps the shock Seok Ryu delivered to Yejun had reached Cha Yilhyun, as he didn’t appear at the company for days. Employees trembled, fearing a bigger bombshell. But when Cha Yilhyun returned, he was said to be a completely different person.

Yejun extended one arm toward Byun. Unlike the usual baskets relegated to the floor, Cha Yilhyun’s earned the honor of resting on Yejun’s lap. Burying his nose in the flowers, Yejun smiled radiantly. Having overcome divine trials, his master shone brighter than any gem, captivating even the arrogant, ruthless god to claim paradise.

Seok Ryu suffered several aftereffects. Perhaps due to cracks in the core stone, a dull pain lingered in his heart. When his chest ached as if it might shatter, he obsessively sought tasks. He’d startle at the sound of the hospital door or avoid meeting his own eyes in the mirror. He stopped sighing consciously.

💎

A lake patterned with clouds filled the screen. The melody of a geomungo rode the breeze from a canyon. A white falcon skimmed the water’s surface, soaring gracefully.

The camera angle followed the falcon’s perspective. Over the rapid plucking of a geomungo solo, an orchestral performance joined in. The white falcon stirred waves, shooting skyward. The endlessly rising angle flipped dramatically, revealing a continent shaped like a hawk. The teaser culminated with the protagonists’ black silhouettes united.

“Ugh! This scene gets me every time!”

Byun hugged his arms, shivering with excitement.

Recently, the first teaser for The Lake of Gods was released—a blind-format ad interviewing citizens about their most anticipated novel-to-drama adaptation. The Lake of Gods dominated, sparking public buzz.

Today, the second teaser dropped. Online communities and international K-drama fan sites erupted. The intricate, dazzling trailer drew relentless praise from media and original fans, with pre-sale contract inquiries flooding in globally. The membership loss from the hate-comment scandal was dwarfed by over five times the influx of new members.

A month from now, the third teaser would reveal the protagonists. Some actors had already begun filming on pre-built sets.

Days after that incident, Cha Yilhyun reappeared and abruptly released the teaser. He’d also circulated Yejun’s burn photos to garner sympathy. The hate-comment scandal and Yoon Inoh’s disappearance faded from public memory. Now doped, Cha Yilhyun protected Yejun with a power no follower could rival.

As the tide turned, Winple played its final card, exposing Songhyul’s mid-process acquisition of The Lake of Gods’ rights.

However, original fans favored Songhyul, known for consistently high-quality productions, over the erratic Winple. Songhyul’s financial capacity to lavishly invest in a grand-scale, multi-season drama earned significant points.

Outmaneuvered in the PR war, Winple descended into panic. D-Day, losing public interest in the hate-comment saga, turned to attacking other celebrities.

Yejun and Byun sat on the hospital sofa, endlessly replaying the second teaser on a laptop.

“The teaser’s view count is skyrocketing! When the third teaser reveals the cast, people will lose it. The CEO’s ad planning is just phenomenal! Oh, did you know he personally shot the aerial footage with a drone?”

“Really?”

“He’s won world drone competitions, apparently. Managing hundreds of buildings while running a business as a hobby—how does it feel to be a landlord since age three?”

Seok Ryu stored laundered clothes in the dresser and organized incoming gift baskets. Curious about the teaser, he knew he wouldn’t see it anytime soon. For now, he wanted to avoid anything tied to Cha Yilhyun.

Yejun’s expression suddenly darkened.

“They said the Biryu role will be cast through auditions, so it’ll be decided before the final teaser, right? Only a month left until the reveal…”

With The Lake of Gods drama confirmed, the hottest topic was who would play Biryu. Byun smiled gently, reassuring Yejun.

“The CEO will handle everything. Focus on the Seunghyun role for now after discharge.”

“When’s the CEO returning?”

“Well, he watches every nominated film at international festivals, so it might take a while…”

Yejun looked disappointed, gazing at the flower basket by his bed. Cha Yilhyun supported Yejun wholeheartedly, sending daily cakes and fruits in fervent courtship. His devoted gifts earned a place beside Yejun’s bed.

Since going on the business trip post-doping, neither Seok Ryu nor Yejun had met the transformed Cha Yilhyun. It was hard to imagine how he’d changed.

Yejun’s medication alarm sounded. Seok Ryu, mid-sheet-tidying, prepared antibiotics and water. His hand slipped, dropping the glass. Since Yejun shattered his hand with the phone, the bones had regenerated, but occasional numbness persisted.

Seeing the broken glass, Yejun’s gaze turned cold in an instant.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. As long as you’re not hurt.”

Yejun offered a merciful smile. On his uncasted wrist, Seok Ryu’s choker was wrapped. As a condition for not returning Seok Ryu, Yejun kept the choker. Holding Seok Ryu’s lifeline, Yejun reigned as absolute master.

Seok Ryu cleaned the floor and brought Yejun fresh water and pills. A knock sounded at the door. Yejun, holding the glass, stared at the door with trembling eyes. Seok Ryu froze in place. Staying in the hospital, he’d jolted at every knock.

Moments later, Jinguk and his stepmother peeked through the opened door.

“Hyung, you’re awake! Can we come in?”

Yejun’s brows furrowed, but he didn’t outright dismiss them. Though repulsed by his half-brother and stepmother’s cheap loyalty, he kept them in his orbit, taming them.

Jinguk approached Yejun cautiously, as if avoiding dirtying the carpet. The stepmother unpacked a lunchbox, storing it in the fridge.

“Hospital food must be bland. If I stayed a few days to nurse you, wouldn’t that be better? A mother’s care is always best.”

“The hospital food is fine, so no need for side dishes. Yejun needs rest, so please limit visits.”

At Seok Ryu’s remark, the stepmother muttered under her breath, glaring sideways. Byun warmly welcomed the pair. Since meeting Jinguk, they’d bonded like brothers.

Jinguk looked pityingly at Yejun’s casted hand, then shoved his phone forward.

“Pick five of the jerks who left hate comments on you.”

“Why?”

Yejun, taking his antibiotics, asked irritably.

“So I can track them down and mess them up. I’ve got a friend who’s a pro at finding people…”

“Instead of wasting time on that, get a job. I’m already in pain; you want to annoy me more?”

Receiving scolding instead of praise, Jinguk turned his anger on Seok Ryu.

“That bastard should’ve been the one doused in boiling water! You better thank your stars you’re not dead, you prick!”

When Seok Ryu ignored him, murderous intent flashed in Jinguk’s eyes.

“This bastard’s really asking to die…!”

“Lower your voice; it’s hurting my ears. You used to be all over him—why so eager to tear him apart now?”

“What, dragging up my dark past? I must’ve been blind back then. Getting tangled with that vermin—even burning it all down wouldn’t be enough.”

Seeing Jinguk seethe, Yejun’s lips curled upward. Byun suddenly clapped, making a fuss.

“Right! Since Jinguk’s here, how about becoming a bodyguard?”

At Byun’s proposal, the half-brother’s face lit up. Having stuck close, he was angling to install Jinguk as a bodyguard.

Yejun’s antis were growing more organized and persistent. Threats to stab him at his doorstep or send poisoned drinks as gifts were increasing.

Given Jinguk’s fierce loyalty and past as a judo athlete, he was a fitting bodyguard. A guardian stone must follow the master’s decisions, no questions asked. Though not in a position to complain like a mutt, the thought of seeing Jinguk daily gave Seok Ryu hives.

“I’ll work hard, hyung-nim!”

Seeing Yejun’s approval, Jinguk bowed politely to Byun. Standing tall, he flashed a toothy grin at Seok Ryu.

“Let’s get along, you bastard.”

Seok Ryu simply turned away. Suddenly wincing, Yejun clutched his surgically repaired shoulder. The devotees in the room rushed to him, pale with worry.

“I’ll call a nurse.”

Seok Ryu darted to the door. The moment he grasped the handle to open it, a cool fragrance hit him first. Then, a smoothly sloped shoulder, angled from opening the door, came into view. A sharply carved jaw, lips with fluid lines… Seok Ryu froze, unable to lift his head or pass by.