Jungho ran.
Past the neon-lit alleys, past vending machines buzzing in the silence, past a couple of drunk college students laughing in the dark. His breath came in short, panicked bursts, heart thudding like a drum inside his chest.
He didn't dare look back.
That man — no, that thing — had burned a monster to ashes with a flick of his wrist. And then he'd spoken like they knew each other, like they had some tragic past together.
Jungho was just a student.
A nobody.
Wasn't he?
He reached the subway stairs and stumbled down them, gripping the railing to keep from collapsing. His reflection in the train window looked pale and shaken, lips pressed tight. A thousand questions tangled in his mind, none of them with answers.
But one thing was certain.
That man wasn't human.
And for some reason, he believed Jungho was someone… important.
Elsewhere, Raon stood alone in the alley, staring at the spot where Jungho had just been.
The ashes of the creature still clung to his boots. The scent of fear still lingered in the air — Jungho's fear. His own chest ached in a way it hadn't in decades. The expression in those eyes… confused, frightened, unfamiliar.
How could that be?
"He doesn't remember," Raon whispered.
The realization struck deep. If Jungho had truly reincarnated, something had gone wrong. He shouldn't be scared of Raon. He should remember the life they once shared — the nights under the sakura trees, the stolen kisses in the snow, the way he had promised to come back.
But Jungho didn't know him.
Not yet.
Raon clenched his fists. "Then I'll make him remember."
The next day, Jungho sat at his university's library, pretending to focus on his laptop screen. But his eyes kept darting toward the window, heart racing at the smallest sound.
He hadn't told anyone what happened. Who would believe him?
He'd looked up "vampire attacks Seoul," "K-pop idols secret identities," and even "am I being stalked by a supernatural being?" but got nothing useful.
The more he thought about it, the more insane it seemed.
Until he saw him again.
Standing outside the library window — dressed in black, sunglasses on, hands in his coat pocket — was Raon.
Jungho froze.
No. Nope. Not again.
He grabbed his things and made a run for the back exit, pushing through double doors and ducking around the building toward the campus park. The last thing he needed was another creepy midnight alley encounter. He just wanted to be a normal guy.
But of course, that wasn't in the cards.
Raon was already waiting under a tree.
"How—?" Jungho gasped, stumbling back.
"I told you I'd find you," Raon said softly.
Jungho held out a trembling hand. "Stay back! I don't know what kind of obsession you've got, but I'm not the guy you think I am!"
"You are," Raon said. "You just don't remember."
"You're insane."
Raon's expression darkened. "I watched you die in my arms, Jungho. I carried your body into the ocean. I listened to your soul shatter. And then, I waited — for you to return."
"Wait. Wait." Jungho shook his head, trying to process. "Are you saying… I died? That I'm some kind of reincarnation?"
"Yes."
"That's impossible."
Raon stepped closer. "Your blood… it's the same. Your soul carries the same rhythm. I could feel it the moment I saw you. You're him. You're mine."
The possessiveness in Raon's voice made Jungho's breath catch. Not just because it was intense, but because, deep down, it stirred something familiar.
Something buried.
A memory… of fire. Of silk robes. Of a man with glowing eyes leaning close and whispering, "I'll find you again, no matter how long it takes."
Jungho blinked — and the memory was gone.
"Stay away from me," he whispered, backing away again.
Raon's face twisted in pain. "Even if you hate me now, I won't stop. You're in danger. Last night wasn't random. You were targeted."
"Why me?"
"Because of what you are."
Jungho stared. "And what exactly is that?"
Raon looked at him for a long moment, then said, "A vessel. A reincarnated soul bonded to something ancient. Something powerful. And the dark creatures of this world… they want you."
Jungho felt like the ground was slipping beneath his feet.
He turned and ran again.
But this time, Raon didn't chase him.
That night, Jungho sat in his tiny rooftop apartment, hands wrapped around a warm mug of tea that had long gone cold. The city lights below twinkled like stars. Above him, the sky was heavy with clouds.
He stared at the photo frame on his desk — a picture of him and his older brother before he passed away. He'd always believed the universe had no magic, no miracles, no justice.
But maybe… just maybe…
It did have something more.
Meanwhile, Raon stood atop the skyscraper across the street, watching over him.
His silver eyes glowed faintly in the dark.
"I'll protect you this time," he whispered.
"No matter what it costs."