Ever since fighting the Panmal and going to the hot spring the young male lived a rather ordinary life. His parents were initially shocked when he told them about how he and Taeyong were trapped in the house then defeated the creature. Jooheon didn’t understand how much danger they were in until his parents told him in detail was the Panmal which was an assembled being of animal and humans used as a guard for more a demon. Jooheon figured out the demon was the actual house they were in. What was probability the most interesting thing was that the Panmal was something of s treasure, once defeated a person could reach in its remains and receive a gift. The young male knew this was true as the marbles he got turned out to be glass eyes that allowed him to see clearly in the dark. He called then owl eyes. Jooheon’s parents did say he was lucky because the Panmal was difficult to kill. However with the praise for his work he was also berated for breaking his spirit camera.
“You know these cameras are hard to come by,” he father sighed examining the pieces,”You’ll have to make a new one out of this.”
“What? How?” Jooheon was shocked.
“That’s part of the test. If you can make one and it works you pass,” his father spoke in a matter of fact tone.
“And if I don’t?” the young man asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Failure is not acceptable.” he glared
“What are we? Really?” Jooheon asked to avoid the anxiety he was feeling,
“I know it’s not human but what?”
“You’re misunderstanding, we are human but with more awareness. Think of an oracle or shaman, they have a connection to a higher power. It’s how we’re able to gain powers however . . . “ his mother explained, “given our limited understanding of what’s beyond this world that power can corrupt. Our bloodline was one of the more redeemable ones. Still sins must be punished.”
“Explains the exchange of us taking in the evil.” he reasoned. “but what did we do that was so bad.”
“War,” again his father glared.
“That’s right, everyone you know in our group is related to the bloodline in some way however it’s not as pure as it once was. Sooner or later it’ll end.” compared to his father, Jooheon’s mother was more calm about explaining things. Did she know more than she let on?
“Then that means no more fighting?” he asked.
“That’s the assumption,” his father was short in his reply.
“I have one other question. . .the virginity pack. . .is it a lie,” He asked them both directly but was met with silence, “I knew it.”
“Emotions are a powerful thing and can used to strengthen the spirit. However a great deal of self-control is needed. The virginity pack teaches that plus it keeps young people like you in line.” his mother explained.
“Who really benefits from that?” Jooheon had a ting of anger in his voice
“Remember your place,” his father was quick to kill such a response from his son “Now you have a camera to make, that’s your focus. Finish the test and you graduate.”
The young male quietly excused himself taking his broken camera and new information with him to his room. It was a lot to process. . . plus raise some more questions he had. However Jooheon knew that he had rocked the boat enough for one night no need to make things worse. His eyes looked over the pieces not sure where to start. How was he supposed to make working camera with supernatural abilities work!? This task was far more complicated that his father made it seem. . . .
