IGWNI Ch 33
by soapa「I’ll do as you say.」
“…What?”
Yoon Jaewoo, startled, looked up, wondering if the man had read his mind.
「I’ll grant what you said.」
“I didn’t say anything.”
Eustace pressed and rubbed the twitching entrance with his finger. Yoon Jaewoo gasped, hng.
「You never know how to keep your mouth shut, above or below.」
“…!”
「Chattering away while holding me tight.」
“Wha, what… how can you say such a thing…”
The refined, dignified Dweord he usually saw was nowhere to be found. Only a man with the persistent desire of a snake and the ferocity of a wolf remained.
「I’ll thrust it in to the end, so hold on tight.」
Hot flesh plunged into the wet gap. As expected, during penetration, Eustace left Yoon Jaewoo’s senses untouched, wanting him to feel it fully. The sensation of the hard, fierce organ filling him split Yoon Jaewoo’s body.
The large organ burrowed in like a living snake. Yoon Jaewoo tried to curse the man through tears, but his intentions were buried under panting breaths and sobs.
He realized what “thrust to the end” meant. A crushing pressure pounded his entire body.
Yoon Jaewoo’s last memory of that day was fainting in Eustace’s arms.
Waking to a gaze, Yoon Jaewoo opened his eyes. Eustace, lying beside him, patting his chest, whispered softly, sleep.
Half-asleep and feeling good without knowing why, Yoon Jaewoo buried his face in the man’s chest.
A faint bodily scent reached him. Sniffing and smiling, Yoon Jaewoo felt Eustace’s hand, which had been patting his chest, gently cup his cheek. As fingers touched his face, he rubbed against them like a spoiled child.
「…What do I call you?」
“…Mm…”
「What do they call you where you’re from?」
No name seemed enough. As Eustace muttered the question to himself, Yoon Jaewoo smiled and answered.
“Yoon Jaewoo…”
「Yoon Jaewoo.」
Hearing his name pronounced clearly from the man’s mouth, Yoon Jaewoo reached out and hugged him.
He hadn’t known how good it felt to hear his name called.
In a sleepy voice, Yoon Jaewoo urged, again.
「Yoon Jaewoo.」
The voice calling his name felt almost reverent. When Yoon Jaewoo prompted, again, a faint chuckle was felt.
Barely opening his eyes, he saw Eustace looking at him with smiling eyes.
「Yoon Jaewoo-ya.」
“…Drop the surname.”
「Surname?」
“Yoon. Jaewoo.”
Yoon Jaewoo pronounced his surname and name separately.
「Is the second part a second name?」
“Not exactly a second name… but close enough.”
Calling just the name felt more intimate, so he brushed it off with that answer.
「Jaewoo.」
“Right.”
「I must be the only one who can call your name.」
“Not really. Anyone can call…”
「…….」
The man’s expression cooled, as if he’d been lumped with dogs.
“…Only you know it.”
「What?」
“That my name is Yoon Jaewoo. In this world, only Eustace sunbae knows. It’s a secret, so keep it to yourself.”
The playful addition softened the man’s expression. His hand stroking Yoon Jaewoo’s hair was gentle.
Closing his eyes and rubbing his face against the hand, sleep crept back in.
Pat, pat.
The touch spread a drowsy calm. He thought he heard Jaewoo-ya called a few times in his half-sleep.
The voice was so tender, so loving, that Yoon Jaewoo could only think it was a sweet dream.
The discussions in Vedas were nearing their end. Only a couple of final talks remained.
Breaking the barriers to Kalit’s Forest, clearing the clinging Ibnu, reading books on barriers and seals, and tracking the movements of the other three Dweords left Eustace with barely time to sleep.
Identifying which of the three Dweords he saw in Iman’s castle or who tampered with Asir’s barrier grew more elusive the more he traced their energies.
Cox, whose thoughts changed dozens of times a day like a madman; Malik, consumed by narcissism and vanity; Yatenbaum, who made one wonder how such a person became a Dweord.
Tracking each one’s energy was exhausting. With Asir’s barrier and the Dweord from Iman’s castle still unidentified, Eustace wasn’t sure if heading to Kalit’s Forest was the right choice.
Above all.
He had a bad feeling.
An inexplicable unease stirred in his chest. It felt like trudging through mud. Each step deepened the anxiety. But knowing he had to keep going, he couldn’t stop.
When would this uneasy path end…
「…….」
Eustace opened his eyes.
He must have dozed off. Falling asleep in a chair, of all things. Thinking how unusual, he looked up, and a gentle breeze rustled his hair.
How could a breeze blow indoors?
A familiar figure stood by the open window.
The young one.
He’d warned him so many times not to open the window carelessly, yet there he was again. No matter how much he was told, he didn’t listen. What was he to do with this guy?
Resolving to teach him everything meticulously once they reached the Northern Castle, Eustace stood.
Ramia, standing by the window, turned. His hair, swaying in the breeze, had returned to its original color. Black eyes and black hair suited his bright face.
Yes, that’s not bad either.
The youthful, clear face smiled at him. When had he started smiling like that? Tracing the memory, Eustace decided it didn’t matter.
As long as he kept smiling like that, forever.
He reached out, beckoning him. Smiling at the thought of Ramia hesitating but approaching, Eustace saw him smile by the window without moving.
Waving his hand again, he gestured to come. Ramia smiled faintly. About to ask why he smiled like that, Ramia turned back to the window.
Ramia.
He thought he called.
Ramia, a being who doesn’t belong here.
Disliking the name, Ramia kept looking out.
Yoon Jaewoo.
Calling the name only he knew in this world, Ramia turned, smiling brighter than before. Seeing that smile, Eustace wanted to hold him closer.
He reached out, signaling to come. The laughter in those moist black eyes faded.
Ramia’s form began to vanish. The wind scattered him. Panicking, trying to control the breeze, Ramia’s shape dissolved.
「……!」
Eustace opened his eyes.
Sitting for a while, he realized he’d been dreaming. Looking around, the room was like the dream. The window was open, and Yoon Jaewoo was gone.
「Ramia!」
Standing, he began searching for Yoon Jaewoo.
「Ramia! Ramia!」
Unease churned in his chest. Had he vanished while he closed his eyes? Gone back to his old world? Or from his hands…
“Are you awake?”
A golden head popped up at the window.
“I opened the window for a bit to see a weird flower below. Really, less than five seconds. I’ll come in quick.”
Yoon Jaewoo gripped the windowsill, pulling himself up. Eustace grabbed him with one hand and pulled him in.
“Huh.”
Eustace hugged Yoon Jaewoo as if to crush him. Startled by the sudden action, Yoon Jaewoo stammered.
“S-sorry. I just stepped out for a second, really just to see the flower right below the window…”
In Yoon Jaewoo’s hand was a blue flower, common around the castle. A flower that wilts if taken outside, living only in blue water.
“Sorry.”
As Eustace didn’t loosen his grip, Yoon Jaewoo repeated his apology.
“I won’t go out again.”
It was barely ten seconds. Leaning out, unable to reach, he’d stepped down when Eustace called.
「Why did you go out?」
Eustace asked in a low, heavy voice.
“…To see a flower.”
「Why a flower?」
“To give it…”
Yoon Jaewoo shyly held out the flower.
He’d planned to surprise Eustace with it when he woke. He’d been slapped for it once before, but this time he was determined to succeed.
But seeing Eustace’s expression, Yoon Jaewoo knew he’d failed again.
What man gets happy over a flower? Being a guy himself, with nothing else to give, a flower was all he could think of.
This is why men are no good. They don’t learn.
With a glum face, Yoon Jaewoo lowered his hand holding the flower. Eustace placed his hand over it.
「Thank you.」
He took the flower. It landed on the table of books, carried by the breeze.
「Never go anywhere without me seeing again.」
A stern voice scolded Yoon Jaewoo.
“Understood.”
「Never.」
The anxious tone made Yoon Jaewoo uneasy too.
Eustace kissed the top of Yoon Jaewoo’s head softly. After a few times, his expression softened.
「Since I received a gift, I should give one too.」
“You don’t have to.”
Yoon Jaewoo shook his head. He’d received so much. The times Eustace saved his life couldn’t be counted on one hand. Above all, hadn’t Eustace promised to fix his leg once the barrier issue was resolved and they returned to the Northern Castle?
He still didn’t know which Dweord promised to fix his leg, but with that assurance, who cared?
「Why not? Don’t you want anything?」
“Nope.”
Yoon Jaewoo answered with a smile.
「A young one with surprisingly little greed.」
Hugging Yoon Jaewoo tightly, Eustace laughed. Seeing Yoon Jaewoo ponder briefly, Eustace stroked his neck, eyes curving.
「If you want something, say it.」
“…Well, um.”
After hesitating, Yoon Jaewoo spoke cautiously.
“There’s Jinsu hyung.”
「…….」
“Jinsu hyung, big and white… super cute animal. Haven’t seen him lately.”
Yoon Jaewoo thought Jinsu hyung had left the lake for good. With the castle raised above the lake multiple times to break barriers, he could’ve easily left.
“Could you find out where he is, if he’s okay?”
Their last parting wasn’t pleasant. He’d struck the beast for trying to pounce during heat. It must’ve been embarrassing, but Jinsu hyung stayed by his side until he fell asleep. …Ah, Jinsu hyung.
“Just curious if he’s okay.”
He wanted to demand Jinsu hyung be brought to him, to hug that fluffy tail, scold him for leaving, and never let go. But fearing Eustace’s wrath, Yoon Jaewoo swallowed his words.
No response came from Eustace. Yoon Jaewoo glanced up. An unreadable, blank expression looked down at him.
“…Never mind. It’s fine. I’m okay.”
It wasn’t fine.
Yoon Jaewoo worried about and missed Jinsu hyung. Even if an animal, he was the first being in this world Yoon Jaewoo opened his heart to. Wanting to see him was natural.
「Alright.」
A curt reply came.
Yoon Jaewoo couldn’t tell if it meant he’d look for Jinsu hyung or acknowledged the dismissal. The mood didn’t invite further questions, so he just nodded.
Eustace raised his hand, and the window closed. The breeze stopped. In such moments, Yoon Jaewoo realized he was dealing with a god of this world.
What’s it like to rule a world? To ponder everything? He couldn’t imagine. He could barely manage himself.
Recalling Eustace always reading books or documents, Yoon Jaewoo thought being a god wasn’t a great job. As a child, imagining being a god was naive, he realized through Eustace.
Must be tough. Working all day, no time for a walk…
「Shall we go for a walk?」
As if reading his mind, Eustace smiled, grabbing Yoon Jaewoo’s arm. Naturally, Yoon Jaewoo nodded with a bright smile.
“Wait a sec.”
Leaving those words, Eustace vanished. Waiting anxiously, Yoon Jaewoo looked around. Eustace leaving him alone felt unsettling and bad.
During walks, the man only said stick close, stay near, so his sudden absence made Yoon Jaewoo nervous.
“Where’d he go?”
Muttering to himself, a chilling thought crossed Yoon Jaewoo’s mind.
“…Did he get tired of me and ditch me?”
Saying it aloud worsened his mood.
No way. We did it three times yesterday. Or four? I fainted midway, so I’m not sure… Damn.
Yoon Jaewoo scratched his head, grumbling.
“What’s the big deal about how many times? Get it together, Yoon Jaewoo.”
He told himself not to place too much meaning in their acts, but he couldn’t help leaning on him. Eustace, having lived countless years, must’ve had many Marlyans. Just Marlyans? He’s old enough to have hundreds of wives or kids. I’m just a Ramia he’ll play with and turn into a bead when bored…
The more he thought, the bitterer it felt. Despite resolving not to, he wanted to be special.
“Ugh, no way.”
Yoon Jaewoo slapped his cheeks.
Get it together, Yoon Jaewoo. He’s a god, I’m human. To him, I must seem so trivial and boring…
Lowering his head with a glum expression, Yoon Jaewoo kicked the ground.
Come back quick. Hurry. Or else…
“…Huh?”
A familiar large paw entered his view, and Yoon Jaewoo looked up, mouth agape.
Thud.
The large paw stepped closer.
“Jinsu hyung!”
Joy filled Yoon Jaewoo’s eyes. Spreading his arms to hug the beast, he froze mid-step as a thought struck.
“…Uh… hmm.”
He circled the beast, inspecting it closely. Especially below.
Confirming that it was the usual nonchalant and adorable Jinsu hyung, Yoon Jaewoo spread his arms wide and leaped forward with excitement.
“Jinsu hyung!”
Even with his arms fully extended, he couldn’t wrap them entirely around the beast’s neck. The sheer size of the creature made it feel even more delightful.
Yoon Jaewoo, calling out Jinsu hyung, where have you been, Jinsu hyung, rubbed his face vigorously into the beast’s fur. After a long, enthusiastic greeting, he looked up and noticed the beast staring at him with a peculiar expression.
“What? …You don’t dislike me now, do you?”
The beast’s demeanor seemed oddly reserved for someone he hadn’t seen in a while. The beast shook its head. Yoon Jaewoo grinned broadly and hugged the creature again.
“Jinsu hyung. Jinsu hyung. Were you in the castle this whole time? Why didn’t you show up? I missed you so much.”
Whining like a child to a parent, Yoon Jaewoo’s complaints continued.
“Where were you, what were you doing? Didn’t you miss me? I really missed you. Really, really, really.”
A large tongue licked Yoon Jaewoo’s face with a slurp. Yoon Jaewoo laughed, but his expression stiffened as he recalled an incident in the bathroom.
“No licking with the tongue.”
He knew canines expressed affection by rubbing or licking, but young Jinsu hyung still needed some guidance.
“The tongue, it’s for when you really like a female, okay?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the beast’s tongue licked his face again. Yoon Jaewoo, his face now covered in saliva, grimaced with an ugh. Wiping his face with his sleeve, he was relieved to find no musty or fishy smell typical of saliva. Instead, it had a faint, pleasant scent, one that felt oddly familiar…
The beast wrapped its tail around Yoon Jaewoo’s neck.
“Eek, my tail!”
Yoon Jaewoo rubbed the tail with his palms, delighted. The beast’s eyes, watching him, were filled with contentment. The beast turned its head, as if suggesting they walk forward. Yoon Jaewoo replied, no way.
“Eustace told me to wait for him. I have to stay until he comes back.”
A fleeting glint of amusement flashed in the beast’s eyes.
Good boy. The training paid off.
“…But maybe, just for a tiny bit, going for a quick walk with you would be okay, right?”
Quickly changing his mind, Yoon Jaewoo’s sparkling eyes made the beast’s feelings complicated.
“Eustace must have sent Jinsu hyung here. He’d know I went with you if I’m gone, right?”
It was Yoon Jaewoo’s clever excuse. Eustace, in the form of Lot, sighed and walked forward. Yoon Jaewoo grabbed the beast’s tail and followed.
“Ah, really. This is great. The tail’s so soft.”
It was a tail like no other in the world. Yoon Jaewoo reveled in the feel of the fur filling his palms as they strolled through the garden.
Everyone they passed hurriedly bowed, their gazes filled with awe.
Yoon Jaewoo’s shoulders puffed with pride. It was only natural that people would be jealous, seeing him walk with such a huge, adorable animal. His steps were light as he held the beast’s tail.
It was a joyful walk after a long time. The happiness was interrupted by Malik, who appeared with a strong floral scent.
「What’s this filthy Ramia?」
His tone, as if seeing Yoon Jaewoo for the first time, made Yoon Jaewoo sigh softly.
「How dare you stand in the path of Dweord Malik sunbae so brazenly? Shouldn’t you kneel, swear allegiance, and praise Malik sunbae, who shines light on your lowly existence?」
“Alright, fine, geez.”
As Yoon Jaewoo moved his limping leg back to kneel, the beast blocked him with its paw. Malik’s gaze sharpened as he looked at the beast.
「What are you? Aren’t you ashamed? Letting a mere Ramia touch Lot’s body so casually. Shameful. Utterly shameful.」
The word Lot caught Yoon Jaewoo’s ear. Come to think of it, Yatenbaum had mentioned it too. What’s Lot?
The beast growled low, bristling, and Malik clicked his tongue, stepping aside. The beast moved forward again. Yoon Jaewoo followed, trying to keep his distance from Malik.
「Hey! Disgusting Ramia!」
Malik’s way of addressing Yoon Jaewoo was consistent: filthy Ramia, disgusting Ramia, vulgar Ramia, smelly Ramia.
If Malik ever called him without a derogatory prefix, it’d feel stranger. Yoon Jaewoo slowly turned. Meeting his eyes, Malik cleared his throat and beckoned him over.
“What?”
「Come when I call, don’t talk back. I’ll rip off your scalp…」
Yoon Jaewoo quickly let go of Jinsu hyung’s tail and approached Malik, worried the beast might get caught in the crossfire.
As Yoon Jaewoo came closer, Malik leaned in and asked in a hushed voice.
「So, …what do you think of lions?」
“Huh? Lions?”
The sudden question made Yoon Jaewoo’s eyes widen, wondering if this was some new form of harassment.
「Lions. Do you know them?」
“Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?”
Yoon Jaewoo nodded a couple of times, and Malik’s face lit up instantly.
「Yes. The noble, sacred animal everyone knows. That’s my Lot.」
“…What’s he talking about?”
「How about it? Forget that vile mutt and touch a lion?」
“What?”
「I shall graciously grant you the chance to touch my sacred, beautiful Lot.」
“…Crazy.”
「How could a lowly, smelly Ramia like you dare touch my Lot? But as a generous, noble-blooded Dweord, I’ll allow you to touch its tail, paw, or even mane.」
His tone, as if bestowing a great favor, exasperated Yoon Jaewoo to the point of irritation.
“I don’t like lions.”
Unable to comprehend, Malik gestured eagerly for Yoon Jaewoo to follow.
“I said I don’t like lions. No way.”
Yoon Jaewoo crossed his arms to show his refusal. Malik, ignoring it, kept beckoning subtly.
“No, I said no. Are you crazy? Why would I go touch a lion? He’s probably trying to feed me to it.”
Yoon Jaewoo shook his head firmly. Malik’s expression hardened.
“No way. You go. Idiot. Get lost.”
Grinning, Yoon Jaewoo threw insults at Malik, arms still crossed in refusal.
「What, you’re saying no?」
“Yup!”
Yoon Jaewoo nodded vigorously. Malik laughed, leaning back in disbelief.
「Hahaha. What’s that? Hahaha.」
Yoon Jaewoo stepped back, thinking Malik had finally lost it.
「Hahaha. Ha, I’m offering to let you touch my Lot, and a filthy Ramia dares say no?」
As Malik’s purple eyes glinted, flames flared around him. Simultaneously, a large paw wrapped around Yoon Jaewoo, pulling him close. The beast stared at Malik coolly, then licked Yoon Jaewoo’s face.
“Hey, stop it. I said no tongue.”
Even as Yoon Jaewoo scolded, the beast kept licking his face and head, as if showing off to Malik.
「Filthy things…」
Unable to stand it, Malik cursed and stormed off down the corridor. Yoon Jaewoo sighed, patting Jinsu hyung’s face.
“Why’d that guy just leave? He’s totally nuts. Ugh, shouldn’t even bother.”
Yoon Jaewoo waved his hand dismissively. The beast nodded as if understanding.
They resumed their walk.
Strolling through the garden, Yoon Jaewoo held the tail, pointing out this and that, fascinated by what he saw. Eustace, as Lot, thought about bringing a lake to the Northern Castle after finishing his work, turning his head each time Ramia’s hand moved.
After a while, Yoon Jaewoo tugged the beast’s tail, saying, hold on.
“Let’s rest a bit.”
Yoon Jaewoo sat on a nearby flat rock. His legs felt heavy. Walking with Jinsu hyung after so long, he hadn’t noticed his body overexerting. Plus, yesterday with Eustace until dawn in bed…
Yoon Jaewoo rubbed his flushed face. Thinking of Eustace brought those scenes to mind. Lately, it was almost every night, and whenever their eyes met, Eustace would pull him close, kiss him, and then…
“Ugh… really.”
The beast’s eyes narrowed with amusement at the young Ramia muttering, rubbing his red face. The beast pressed its nose to Yoon Jaewoo’s neck, inhaling. A familiar scent mingled with its breath.
“Hm? Smelling me?”
Yoon Jaewoo laughed. Whenever the usually aloof Jinsu hyung acted so animal-like, it was endearing.
The beast tugged Yoon Jaewoo’s clothes, turning toward the castle entrance.
“Time to go? Yeah, we should. Eustace is probably about to lose it.”
Yoon Jaewoo groaned like an old man, standing up. As he started across the garden, the beast bit his clothes, stopping him.
“What’s up?”
An astonishing sight followed. The beast bent its front legs and sat, lowering its body.
“…Huh?”
Not grasping the gesture, Yoon Jaewoo stood blinking. The beast fully bent its hind legs, sitting, then turned to point at its back.
“You want me to ride?”
The beast nodded. Yoon Jaewoo’s grin stretched ear to ear at the unimaginable scenario.
“Wooow!”
Of course, he’d thought how great it’d be to ride that back, how thrilling to run on it, how exciting it’d be. But he never dared imagine the proud, prickly Jinsu hyung would lower itself to let him ride.
Before the beast changed its mind, Yoon Jaewoo leaped, grabbing its fur.
“I’m riding! I’m on! This is awesome!”
Like an excited child, Yoon Jaewoo climbed onto the beast’s back. As he settled, gripping the neck fur, the beast slowly stood.
Yoon Jaewoo’s view shot up, and he looked around, eyes sparkling.
“Wow, woah… this is amazing.”
The beast, planning to head back, turned to stroll the garden again as Yoon Jaewoo cheered.
“Awesome! Yes! So cool!”
The beast’s lips curved into a smile at Yoon Jaewoo’s excited voice. Yoon Jaewoo reached out, touching swaying blue plants and flowers.
Walking slowly, matching the pace, the scenery was new. Unlike his athletic days of always running, he vowed to walk daily once his leg healed, leaning down.
“Jinsu hyung.”
The beast’s ears perked at the call. Yoon Jaewoo lay flat, arms wide, hugging the beast.
“Jinsu hyung. Thank you.”
Yoon Jaewoo always shared his honest feelings with the beast.
“Thank you. Because of you, I could hold on here. It was so hard… but that struggle’s almost over. No, it’s over.”
Hugging the beast with arms and legs, rubbing his face against it, the beast’s expression subtly shifted.
What’s this young one doing, spreading his legs and clinging to a male in broad daylight? He needs to learn propriety as a Marlyan. Shameless thing.
The beast resolved to address this later.
Yoon Jaewoo tightened his grip, savoring the soft fur.
“Ah, so good. Too good.”
As Yoon Jaewoo rubbed his body against it, the beast’s gaze lowered. Instinctively seeking a secluded spot, Yoon Jaewoo whispered.
“Jinsu hyung. Eustace, he said…”
The beast’s ears pricked at its name.
“He said he’d fix my leg.”
His voice carried joy. Knowing Ramia’s nightmares stemmed from his leg, Eustace couldn’t ignore it. The intensity of Ramia’s panic after nightmares wasn’t normal. If he couldn’t shield him from them, he wanted to fix the cause.
“Once my leg’s fixed, I can play soccer again.”
Hugging the beast’s back, Yoon Jaewoo shared the future he always dreamed of.
“Then I can play in the Premier League. Take the entry test again. My body’s stiffened, so it’ll take time to get back to form, but I can do it. If my leg heals, I thought I could do anything. But…”
His hopeful face dimmed.
Returning to his world after his leg healed didn’t feel as joyful anymore. Thinking of leaving this place brought a sharp, heavy pain. Eustace’s face kept coming to mind.
“Strange… he’ll abandon me anyway.”
Yoon Jaewoo believed Eustace would eventually discard him. He’d heard Marlyans were like that. Not permanent partners. When a Dweord grew tired, Marlyans had to leave.
By then, it wouldn’t be too late to go back and play soccer, right?
“…By then, I can probably go.”
Stroking the beast’s neck, Yoon Jaewoo said something he should never have.
“I can go back to my world. Then, Jinsu hyung, you could come with me…”
His body suddenly fell. Yoon Jaewoo yelped as he hit the ground, stunned. The beast had abruptly dropped him.
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
As Yoon Jaewoo reached out, the beast bared its teeth, bristling, as if ready to bite. He withdrew his hand, startled.
“…Jinsu hyung.”
It wasn’t a threat. The beast was genuinely angry.
“Jinsu hyung. What’s wrong? Did I do something? Was I on your back too long, flattening your fur?”
Gathering courage, Yoon Jaewoo tried to pet the beast’s face.
Grrrr.
Sharp teeth tore at his sleeve. Yoon Jaewoo flinched, pulling back. A moment later, and his fingers would’ve been bitten.
“Why…”
Unable to comprehend the beast’s reaction, Yoon Jaewoo muttered as the beast vanished into the garden.
The walk was over.