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“I would, but I ask first that you return my staff, for I am the only one who can wield it and we must retrieve a fox bead in order to fix a tear between the world of the living and the world Between.”

“Ah, so you know the source of this tear between the worlds,” the sansin said. “I have felt it.”

“Then you know how dire it is and that we must fix it immediately.”

“Why would I care about such things? The spirits cannot touch me here on my mountain.”

Junu paused a moment, surprised by the response, but he was nothing if not quick with his mind. “But the humans who pray to you will be affected, and soon they will stop coming. Aren’t there so few left already?”

Junu held his breath waiting for a reply. This was a gamble; it could just as easily offend the sansin as motivate him.

“Fine, I will return your bangmangi.” The sansin held out his hand.

Junu stepped forward, not daring to look at Sinhye as he left her side.

The old man no longer looked so frail this close. Perhaps it was the aura around him that Junu could feel, like cold waves. It was power and strength so thick that it felt suffocating. This god was old, and the older a god was, the more powerful he was.

“Tell me,” the sansin murmured softly so only Junu could hear. “Why should I trust one who has been willing to betray the woman he loves? Twice.”

Junu wasn’t expecting this line of questioning. “I’m not sure if I could call it love,” he answered honestly. “Not anymore.”

“So it wasn’t love that stole from me what I coveted? She chose you over me because of a trivial dalliance?” The sansin’s voice rose to a booming roar.

“We did love each other once. But things change with time. One as ancient as you should understand.” Junu bowed his head to show deference and to hide the fear in his eyes. After centuries of negotiating, he knew that a show of fear often lost you the deal.

“Perhaps you are right about that,” the sansin said, his voice calm again. “But you would do well to remember that I am the god of this mountain. My word is law here.”

“Of course,” Junu said.

“I give this back because its magic cannot hurt me. So do not think you can betray me and use it against me.” The sansin flicked his wrist and a staff appeared. It beckoned Junu, a soft song on the wind, like a siren’s voice calling to wayward sailors.

He reached out, his fingers itching to take hold. This all seemed too easy, he thought. He almost expected the god to pull back, to say that there was another price to pay. But he was allowed to take hold of the staff.

“Now, summon your bead and I will free your friend. But I warn you, if you change your mind, then I will take your life anyway and leave your friend to suffer as I take my prize,” the sansin said, his greedy eyes shifting to Sinhye.

Junu gripped the staff with both hands and closed his eyes. He pictured Miyoung in his mind. Pictured her yeowu guseul. The shining bead that was like a large pearl. Small but powerful. He could feel a pull, a connection through space. He could feel the wind pulse around him, like magic sat heavy on it. His pulse lifted. The air sizzled. He could practically reach out and grab the bead. He almost held out his hand, when it faded.

“It did not work,” the sansin said.

“I don’t think I can find it by myself,” Junu murmured, then cursed under his breath. “I’m reaching beyond this world, so I need help getting to it. If you could just give me some time...”

“I am tired of waiting,” the sansin said. “If you cannot find the bead, then we will move on. This is the part I am looking forward to, because it is the part where you die.”

“No,” Miyoung said as she stepped out of the forest. “No one dies today.” Then her eyes shifted to the sansin. “Except you.”

59

JUNU STARED ATMiyoung in shock. “What is this?” the sansin roared.

Miyoung took off, aiming for the sansin. But the god intercepted her and flung her away.

Junu dove forward, grabbing the sansin in a headlock. But the sansin pulled free, swinging out at Junu, who dodged and grabbed ahold of the god’s arm.

Before the sansin could buck again, Somin came flying out of the forest. She latched herself on to the sansin’s back, beating at his head with her fists. It distracted the god enough that Junu was able to solidify his hold.

“What are you doing here?” Junu shouted.

“I’m saving your ungrateful ass,” Somin said.