I think I know what's happening here. A wild guess, really ... Even I don't want to believe it, but I've seen enough of, well, things. What's the latest trending food that you remember?

성수호@theshadowsheir.bsky.social · 4w ago

[Blink, blink.] Are you...older than you look? Or are you talking about someone else, after all? Dad is fourty. At least.

That's ... He can't be older than I am. You're not even that much younger ...

성수호@theshadowsheir.bsky.social · 4w ago

Uh huh. That's what I said.

Right ... Detective Sung. ... Huh. And you said you're twenty-one?

성수호@theshadowsheir.bsky.social · 4w ago

Sung Jinwoo, you said? Detective Sung Jinwoo of Seoul district? That's my father. [Why did the man look so surprised-? Did he not know?]

Oh, we're — [ The gears in his head screeched to a halt. His mouth wide open. ] He's your WHAT?

성수호@theshadowsheir.bsky.social · 4w ago

Sun- [!! This man knew his father! Almost without thinking, the boy reached forward, grasping the other by the sleeve, startling grey eyes boring into the other's.] Who are you? How do you know my dad?

[ Rubbing his eyes. ] Huh? [ Rub rub rub ... ] What? [ Blink blink blink blink. ] You can't be Sung Jinwoo.

[ Sobbing. ] I miss my children ... Boy, how old are you?

[ WEEPING ] Lee Gilyoung ...

[ Gasps, covering his mouth. He can feel tears forming in his eyes. ] My kids ...

Maybe I'm hallucinating. He looks really young.

... Is that Jinwoo.

:0

Starting to miss Murim dumplings bad.

How ... How many days has it been?

Dokja had always been at a disadvantage ever since he stumbled upon this place. The Fourth Wall no longer worked with him, he couldn't hear nor use its abilities. They passed too many rooms, impossible to remember every turn and retrace their steps. His mind was a mess.

유중혁 (???)@denoftheslasher.bsky.social · 2mo ago

"We need to go faster," Joonghyuk insisted, breaking out into a run. "We need to make it, or there's no telling when the path will open next." Down they rushed the corridor, arriving into a room with doors branching off into every direction. Pausing a moment, Joonghyuk chose the one exactly to the

Strange. The man that he knew would turn and expect him to follow. Maybe it was the circumstances. If he was in Joonghyuk's position, he would have wanted to make sure he wouldn't slip away too. "Okay, okay. I'm following," he sighed. They walked further into the dark hallway, away from the light.

유중혁 (???)@denoftheslasher.bsky.social · 2mo ago

"I do know the way home," Joonghyuk returned. "The exit is not far from here. You need to come with me before it closes." A furrow between his brows, he gave Beru a once-over, but decided not to make any objections. Rather, grabbing Dokja by the wrist, he began to drag him away. "Through here."

Yoo Joonghyuk probably knew the way out, he would never doubt that. With the Fourth Wall's absence, it wasn't easy to mask the hesitation on his face. As disarming as that smile was, Dokja miraculously managed to stay composed. He was so close to giving in. "You know the way home?"

유중혁 (???)@denoftheslasher.bsky.social · 2mo ago

"Looking for you," Joonghyuk grumbled. "We need you for the scenarios back home, Kim Dokja. 𝘐 need you." The man's usually stoic expression seemed to soften, a smile taking over his lips. "Come with me, Kim Dokja," he urged, reaching out a hand for the other's. "Let's go home."

Too real not to be the real deal. Still, he glanced back at his shadow companion, silently telling him that he'd be fine. "It's a long story. I don't know how I end up here. How did 𝘺𝘰𝘶 end up here?"

유중혁 (???)@denoftheslasher.bsky.social · 2mo ago

"Don't be stupid, Kim Dokja. Who else would it be?" Slowly, the man shifted into the light. The same face, the same glaring eyes. "Do you know how long I have looked for you? Where'd you run off to, you fool?"

A warped voice, but it sounded like his nonetheless. There was no mistaking it. For a moment, he wanted to believe that it was his companion until what the detective said echoed in his mind. It was neither of their worlds. Still, he looked so 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭. Maybe surreal. "... Is it you?"

유중혁 (???)@denoftheslasher.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The figure waited. An impatient tsk resounding whenever Dokja would take a wrong turn. Until, finally, they were face to face. "I have been waiting a long time, Kim Dokja."

? That's odd.

I wouldn't dream of it. Not when I don't know for sure if I can be resurrected ... Thank you, Mr. Sung. I'll take care of Beru too. Be careful.

Of course. I haven't been in my world for a while, but I will be extra vigilant. We never know what's coming. Should anything happen, I will use the daggers.

... ? You're telling me to sit still while you're off looking for solutions? I can go look at the other rooms with Beru.

How's the exit search going?

Where'd you get water? I thought we've already run out.

A big idiot calling me an idiot.

[ Scratching the back of his ear. ] And then I hear that agitating, grating voice ...

Eugh ... Like a bad radio.