I felt crushed by his overwhelming presence.

Now I understood what that phrase truly meant.

The heat radiating from Gu Cheolwoon was suffocating. The forest, once alive with the songs of insects, fell silent, and the animals lurking around had already fled.

Crackle, crackle.

Though spring had just barely shaken off the lingering chill of winter, the spreading heat made it feel as if everything around us was boiling.

Struggling to breathe, Moyong Tae forced himself to speak as he looked at the figure before him.

“…Ho Hyeop.”

At the mention of the title, Gu Cheolwoon’s gaze shifted to Moyong …