The air in the valley was still the same after the battle. The ground was still dark with dried blood, and smoke curled from the corpse of the beast.
Seo Jin sat by a broken rock, trying to steady his breathing. His wounds had stopped bleeding, but his body felt like a pile of bruises.
The fox sat beside him, tail drooping. "Host, you should rest. You look like a half-dead dumpling."
Seo Jin gave it a lazy side-eye. "Then you eat me when I die. At least be useful."
The fox gasped dramatically. "Host! That's so dark!"
Before he could reply, footsteps echoed. The Villain was walking back, sword sheathed, expression unreadable. His black robes swayed in the cold air, blood splattered at the hem.
Seo Jin looked up, smirking. "Lord Ice Statue, back from slaying more monsters?"
The Villain stopped in front of him, gaze sweeping over Seo Jin's wounds. "You should've died."
Seo Jin's grin widened. "Sorry to disappoint you."
For a moment, their eyes locked. The Villain's stare was like frost pressing against his skin — cold but not cruel, heavy but not hateful. Then he turned away.
"We leave in ten minutes."
Seo Jin frowned. "Leave? Already?"
The Villain's voice was flat. "The corruption spreads fast. We can't stay."
Seo Jin sighed and pushed himself up, his muscles screaming in protest. "Sure. Who needs rest anyway?"
As he stood, a pain ran through his arm. He hissed and rolled up his sleeve.
There it was.
A black mark, faint but visible, like ink crawling under his skin. It pulsed slowly, matching his heartbeat.
The fox froze, fur standing. "Host… that's—"
Seo Jin quickly pulled his sleeve down. "Shh. Don't say it."
The fox whispered in panic, "That's a curse mark! It's the same pattern as the beast's! You're infected!"
Seo Jin pressed a finger to his lips. "Quiet. He can't know."
The fox blinked. "Why not?! He's strong, he can help you!"
Seo Jin gave a small smirk. "And if he decides I'm a danger and kills me before helping? No thanks."
The fox pouted but didn't argue.
Seo Jin clenched his hand, trying to calm his racing heart. Great. Another problem. A cursed debuff. Just perfect.
---
They began their journey again. The path led deeper into the mountains, where the mist was thicker and the air colder.
Seo Jin followed behind the Villain, keeping his distance. Every few minutes, the mark under his sleeve pulsed painfully, burning through his veins.
He hid it well, biting his lip whenever the pain hit.
The fox peeked from under his collar. "Host, your face looks pale. Like milk gone bad."
Seo Jin muttered, "Thanks for the compliment."
The Villain suddenly stopped ahead. Seo Jin almost bumped into him.
"...What?" Seo Jin asked.
The Villain looked over his shoulder, eyes narrowing. "You're walking slower."
Seo Jin forced a shrug. "Maybe I like sightseeing."
The Villain didn't reply, but his stare lingered a bit too long before he turned back around.
Seo Jin muttered under his breath, "Great. Now he's suspicious."
The fox whispered, "Maybe he's just worried about you."
Seo Jin snorted softly. "Yeah, right. And maybe pigs fly in this world too."
---
Hours passed. The path grew darker, and rain started to fall. Small droplets hit the ground, turning the dirt into mud.
Seo Jin's strength was slipping fast. The curse mark burned hotter now, spreading faint black lines toward his wrist. His vision blurred.
He stumbled once, then twice.
The fox squeaked, "Host! Don't faint now!"
Seo Jin gritted his teeth. "I'm fine. Just lagging a little."
Then everything tilted. His knees gave out, and he crashed into the muddy ground.
The fox panicked. "Host! Host! Wake up!"
The Villain turned sharply, cloak snapping in the wind. He walked over quickly, kneeling beside Seo Jin.
Seo Jin's eyes fluttered open halfway. He tried to smile. "Guess… I needed a nap."
The Villain's gaze dropped to his arm. The sleeve had slipped down, revealing the black mark glowing faintly under the skin.
The Villain's eyes darkened. His hand shot out, grabbing Seo Jin's wrist tightly. "What is this?"
Seo Jin flinched, trying to pull away. "Nothing. Just a scratch."
The Villain's grip tightened. "This isn't a scratch." His voice dropped low, and with anger. "It's corruption."
Seo Jin met his glare, still forcing a crooked grin. "Then maybe I'm just special."
The Villain's jaw clenched. "You should have told me."
Seo Jin's smile wavered, but he still tried to sound calm. "Would you have listened? Or would you have killed me first?"
Silence fell. Rain poured harder, running down their faces.
The Villain didn't answer. His eyes burned like dark fire.
Finally, he stood, still gripping Seo Jin's wrist. "We're not done with this. Come."
Seo Jin tried to protest. "Where are we going?"
"To purify it before it spreads," the Villain said coldly.
The fox whispered, trembling, "Host… you made him mad."
Seo Jin sighed as he was dragged through the rain. "I always do."
---
They stopped in a cave hidden by vines and stone. The Villain lit a small flame with a flick of his fingers. The orange light danced across the walls.
Seo Jin sat on the ground, soaked and exhausted. His arm throbbed painfully.
The Villain crouched beside him, unwrapping his sleeve to reveal the mark. It pulsed darkly against the light.
Seo Jin tried to joke, "You sure it's not just a tattoo trend?"
The Villain ignored him. "Hold still."
He placed his palm over the mark. A surge of cold energy flooded into Seo Jin's arm.
Seo Jin gasped, body jerking from the shock. It felt like ice crawling through his veins, biting, freezing, burning.
He gritted his teeth, refusing to scream. The fox hid behind a rock, trembling.
The Villain's eyes glowed faintly. "If you move, you'll die."
Seo Jin managed a shaky grin. "Great. Motivational speech noted."
Minutes passed like hours. Sweat rolled down Seo Jin's face, mixing with rainwater and pain. The air crackled with energy.
Finally, the mark dimmed, turning from black to gray.
The Villain removed his hand slowly. His expression didn't change, but his voice softened slightly. "It's stable… for now."
Seo Jin slumped back against the cave wall, panting. "So I'm not dying today. Lucky me."
The Villain stood. "Sleep. You'll need your strength."
Seo Jin tilted his head up, looking at him. "You almost sound like you care."
The Villain didn't answer. He turned and walked toward the mouth of the cave, standing guard in the rain.
Seo Jin smiled faintly, eyes closing. "Cold as ever… but maybe not heartless."
[Ding! Mission Update: Villain's Favor – 72%]
The fox peeked out. "Host, progress up again! You're doing great!"
Seo Jin murmured, half-asleep, "If this is great, I'd hate to see bad."
The sound of rain echoed outside, and for the first time, the cave felt warm.
---
End of Chapter 12: The Curse Mark