Chapter 16:
Joon could no longer pretend that this life, as idyllic as it was, existed in isolation. The shadowy man wasn't just a figure from the woods—he was a manifestation of something larger, something that had followed Joon through each of his lives.
The weight of knowing this danger could destroy his newfound family pressed heavily on his chest. And yet, for the first time since he had started this journey of rebirths, Joon realized he wasn't ready to let go.
Not without a fight.
Joon spent the next few days preparing. He didn't know what the man wanted, but it was clear his family was being used as leverage. The thought made his blood boil.
While Hana and Minho carried on with their daily routines, Joon worked quietly in the background. He reinforced the cottage, discreetly installed traps around the property, and hid weapons in places he could quickly access if the worst came to pass.
But it wasn't just physical preparation. Joon also began to observe the man's patterns. He caught fleeting glimpses of him at the edge of the forest or near the village square, always disappearing before Joon could approach.
He would wait for the right moment to confront him.
Despite the looming threat, Joon found himself holding tighter to the moments of peace with Hana and Minho. He took Minho fishing by the river, laughing as they both slipped on the wet rocks.
He helped Hana in the kitchen, their playful banter filling the air with warmth. And in the evenings, they sat on the porch together, watching the stars and talking about the future.
"We could expand the garden next spring," Hana suggested one night. "Maybe grow more vegetables. Minho's been asking for carrots."
Joon smiled softly. "That sounds perfect."
He wanted so badly to believe in that future, to fight for it.
It happened on a quiet evening, just as the sun dipped below the horizon. Joon had sent Minho to bed early after a day of playing in the fields, and Hana was tidying up in the kitchen.
Joon stepped outside, ostensibly to check on Lucky, but his real purpose was clear. He had seen the shadowy figure lurking near the barn.
Gripping the axe in his hand, Joon moved silently through the yard, his eyes scanning every corner. He reached the barn and slipped inside, the air heavy with the scent of hay and earth.
"I know you're here," Joon said, his voice steady. "Stop hiding."
There was a rustling sound, then the man stepped out from the shadows. His expression was calm, almost amused.
"You've gotten bolder," the man said. "I didn't expect you to come looking for me."
Joon tightened his grip on the axe. "You're not welcome here. Leave my family alone."
The man tilted his head. "Your family? Is that what you think this is? A real life?"
Joon's jaw clenched. "It's as real as any life I've lived."
The man smirked. "Maybe. But you know how this ends, don't you? Every time you settle, every time you think you've found peace… it slips through your fingers. You die, and you wake up somewhere else. Do you think this time will be any different?"
Joon took a step closer, his eyes blazing. "Maybe it will be. Maybe I'll fight harder. Maybe I won't give up this time."
The man's expression darkened. "You still don't understand, do you? This isn't about fighting harder. It's about accepting the truth. Your lives aren't yours to control. You're a passenger, Joon, nothing more."
Joon's grip on the axe faltered for a moment. The words stung because they echoed a fear he hadn't been able to voice.
But then he thought of Minho's laughter, of Hana's warm smile, of the life they had built together.
"No," Joon said firmly. "I'm more than a passenger. I've made connections, built something real in every life. And in this one, I'm staying."
The man's eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that."
He stepped forward, and Joon braced himself for a fight. But instead of attacking, the man smiled coldly. "Enjoy your family while you can. Time's running out."
And with that, he vanished into the shadows.
Joon stood in the barn, his heart pounding. He didn't know what the man's words meant, but he refused to let them dictate his actions.
When he returned to the cottage, Hana was waiting for him, concern etched on her face.
"Is everything okay?" she asked softly.
Joon hesitated, then wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "It will be," he said, more to himself than to her.
As he held her, he made a silent vow. Whatever the shadow wanted, whatever it tried to take from him, he wouldn't give in.