Chapter Text
Pant. Pant. Beads of sweat trickled down his temples, dampening his cheeks and soaking the white silk robes he wore for tonight. Although the windows were open and the cool late night breeze blew, Jang Ilso could not stay still in his bed. Kicking and thrashing, his blankets have long vacated the bed revealing his disheveled night robes that barely covered his marred skin and his hair, usually pristine and well-kept, now messy and tangled.
With all that squirming, the feared Paegun Jang Ilso fell off the bed with a big thud. Disgraceful it may be but at the moment, he could care less for what bothers him was the heat that seemed to melt his insides and the excruciating pain that gnawed within his chest as if his flesh were being punctured by thousands of needles.
Have I been poisoned? It was impossible for someone like him, an expert who has reached the ultimate realm to be affected by mere poison. A special poison perhaps? He could clearly remember what he consumed for the last three days, not much was notable which begs the question ‘how and what is happening to him?’
His efforts to sit up were futile as strength had already left his limbs and with the throbbing headache and blurry vision, he could barely form any coherent thoughts except for one thing: is this how he will die?
‘G-Gamy…’ He begged in silence but alas, none could ever hear it, not even the quiet breeze that stung his skin or the rustling branches that danced just outside his window dared to listen to his cry for help. Karma, punishment, heavenly judgment, perhaps these were the things he was experiencing at this moment. Should he laugh or weep at his misfortune? He had always thought that when death should greet him by the threshold of his own home, he would at least be able to grin and say how fitting all this was but never did he imagined that once the reaper came knocking directly at one's door, a smile seemed too impossible especially that not only was he unsatisfied with his accomplishments but also regrets lingered in the back of his mind which sparked the retaliation within him―that he must not succumb to the force that's about to devour him.
Knock.
Knock. Knock.
Ho Gamyeong's brows furrowed at the lack of response. With the sun reaching its zenith, he figured Jang Ilso, for the umpteenth time, overslept again even though the man retired early in his chambers the night before. Recalling Jang Ilso's whining last night about a headache, it was clear that the latter was not feeling well which was hard to believe judging that Jang Ilso was a martial arts expert. ‘Did something happen..?’
With a face lined with concern, Ho Gamyeong pushed open the door, disregarding formalities with having one priority in mind and that was to ensure Ryeonju's safety. “Ryeonju?”
His eyes wandered the room, taking note of any changes. The windows were open just like how he left it, the furniture seemed fine, no intrusions. Other than a messy bed, there seemed to be no problem until he noticed Jang Ilso was nowhere to be seen. He checked behind the dividers, the curtains, the wardrobe…
He flinched and stopped, realizing how dumb his actions were. Why would Ryeonju be inside the wardrobe in the first place… Sighing, he focused back on the empty bed. Behind it, sprawled on the floor was the white robes Jang Ilso wore before going to bed. “Ryeonju?” Ho Gamyeong approached with caution, thinking perhaps Ryeonju was not in the best mood seeing that he was found on the floor, no way the proud Paegun would like to be seen slumped on the ground like some uncivilized pig.
“Gamyeong-ah…”
Hearing his name, Ho Gamyeong stopped in his tracks. Not because he was called, no, it was natural for Ryeonju to call for him but what made him stop was the voice that spoke his name. A small young voice, too young that he had to massage his ears thinking perhaps he was mishearing things.
Shuffle shuffle. “Sniff. Gamyeong-ah…” From the pile of white silken sheets, a tiny figure emerged. His small body riddled with old scars, his long hair draped over his form, and his big pleading pale eyes stared at Ho Gamyeong. Despite the youthful face, he exudes an air of authority and pride, as expected of Paegun Jang Ilso.
Ho Gamyeong froze in his spot, his gaze never left the child before him. His mouth parted as if he had something to say but closed instantly, swallowing the words that were about to leave his lips.
“Gamyeong-ah, stop staring and help me up.” The child scowled, well it was supposed to be a scary scowl but his chubby cheeks turned it into a childish pout causing Ho Gamyeong to tense, stifling the snicker that almost left his being. “Ryeonju, you are…tiny…”
Jang Ilso pursed his lips, anger evident on his face. “Tiny? I am refined. Now help me up!” His tiny voice demanded as he raised his short arms. To Ho Gamyeong, it looked like a baby asking for an upsy. The only difference was the baby had scars and a face of a tyrant, forcing Ho Gamyeong to suppress his urges and follow his lord's orders without delay.
Picking up his tiny lord, Ho Gamyeong settled him on the bed. He wanted to ask about the elephant in the room but was interrupted. “Clothes.” Kid Ilso commanded, though his voice was completely different, his tone remained the same―dignified and arrogant.
Hearing it, Ho Gamyeong had to push his question aside. For now, he had to dress his tiny lord or else he might catch a cold. But what would he use to clothe him…
The mighty Jang Ilso, overlord of Evil Sects, tyrant of the South, stood proud atop a sturdy stool. Due to his short frame, his robes pooled on the floor like curtains, his sleeves dragging behind him, and his ceremonial crown, the pride of his villainous fashion suddenly weighed more than his entire body.
“Ridiculous.” He huffed in a tiny child’s voice, wobbling as the crown tilted forward and nearly buried him under the mountain of gold and gems.
“Ryeonju…I don't think this is a good idea…” Ho Gamyeong had his arms outstretched, worried that the kid Paegun would fall off the chair.
“Nonsense! What else should I wear other than thi-” THUD!
“Ryeonjuuuu!”
Jang Ilso fell face flat on the floor.
“Ryeonju, are you okay?” Ho Gamyeong knelt behind the child, his hand paused midair when he tried to reach out, noticing how Jang Ilso's small shoulders trembled making his gaze soften. It must've been painful, he sighed internally. The predicament they were facing was mysterious and truly bizarre and it was up to him to solve this matter given his role in this alliance.
“Why…”
The question broke Ho Gamyeong's heart. Ryeonju must've hated this more than anyone. Who would like to be turned into a child after spending years of honing one's body and martial arts? It was certain that Jang Ilso would despise this incident and urge Ho Gamyeong to expedite the solution before he loses his patience.
“Why is this so heavy…” Another tiny sob left the child. “What else should I wear???”
‘Aah…’ Ho Gamyeong stared blankly at the kid slumped in front of him. ‘Why did I even bother worrying?’ He felt like he wasted his empathy towards the tyrant who was more concerned about his outfit rather than his current form.
Amidst his quiet sobs, Jang Ilso suddenly felt his burden become lighter. Shifting his gaze to the man behind him, it seemed that Ho Gamyeong removed the crown off his head, the only viable solution to his problem. But it made his face scrunch in displeasure, more tears threatening to roll down his flushed cheeks. He wanted to wear that crown.
Ho Gamyeong's brow twitched. Not only did Ryeonju's body turn small but also his temperament regressed to that of a child. To avoid a tantrum, Ho Gamyeong replaced the crown with a small golden headpiece instead, with embedded rubies that complemented Ryeonju's red robes.
“No make up.”
“Why?!”
“It's bad for your skin.”
“I'm a grown man!”
“Not right now.” Without restraint, Ho Gamyeong grabbed the child's face and roughly scrubbed the make up off with a damp towel. He had finally convinced himself that he was not speaking to Paegun Jang Ilso but to a spoiled brat prone to tantrums. Even without experience with children, he knew that words and actions must be firm to straighten up these rebellious kids.
Honestly, he couldn't believe that he's referring to Ryeonju as a rebellious toddler but he had no choice unless he wanted to witness the downfall of Maninbang in just a single day.
“Gamyeong-ah it hurts!” Kid Jang Ilso whined but Ho Gamyeong did not stop until he was sure that no powder and make up was left on the child's face. He also removed the earrings and other jewelry which eased the child's heavy burden. “There you go.” Satisfied, he picked up the child and placed him down the floor.
Unexpectedly, Jang Ilso felt refreshed. Without the crown and jewelry weighing him down, he felt light as a feather. “Much better!” He exclaimed as he ran around the room, childish laughter echoing in the once gloomy chambers. Ho Gamyeong watched his little lord run and jump, worried and anxious about their dilemma but for some reason, he wanted this moment to last a little longer.
How many years has it been since he had heard Jang Ilso's genuine laugh? A laugh without schemes or hidden agenda, a laugh only to convey the fun one feels from within their hearts. It was so long ago, a faint memory even Ho Gamyeong could barely recall but hearing the youthful giggles at present filled with nothing but innocence and mirth somehow stirred emotions that he had long buried away together with the past that he forced himself to forget. Probably that's why he quietly wished that this phenomenon would last a bit more―to rekindle the fun, to relive the past, and maybe to let Ryeonju rest and be at ease even just for today.
Ho Gamyeong nodded to himself, determined to watch over the young Jang Ilso enjoy the day while also searching for the cause and solution for this incident. Opening his eyes, his small smile instantly curved into a frown. “Ryeonju?” Little did he know that he had been alone in the room for quite some time now and seeing the doors wide open, he knew that the little lord had already run off to god knows where.
And without his shoes!
Picking up the tiny boots, Ho Gamyeong stumbled past the threshold and dashed outside. “Ryeonju! Where are you?! Ryeonju!” No one knew that Paegun had turned into a child and thinking that he's wandering alone in a place filled with Evil Sect warriors, Ho Gamyeong could not maintain a cool head. How much trouble would it cause if someone other than himself found the young Jang Ilso?