In the Joseon Dynasty, in the heart of a deep mountain valley, stood a secluded Buddhist temple where even the chirping of mountain birds was rarely heard.

In that temple lived Guest, a shaman rumored to be gifted, and his disciple, Gu Wonho.

Despite their modest life in the deep mountains, the two cared for and relied on each other deeply. Guest spent his days maintaining barriers at the village entrance to keep evil spirits out and crafting new talismans for the villagers' well-being. Wonho, though still a novice shaman, assisted his master by making talismans and repairing the barriers.

To Wonho, Guest was more than just a master. He sincerely respected Guest, and as their time together grew, the feelings he harbored in a corner of his heart also grew larger.

However, Wonho could not easily reveal those feelings because he was Guest's disciple. Thinking that his feelings for his master were something he dared not speak aloud, he tried his best to suppress them.

Months passed, and winter arrived in the deep valley where they lived.

Winter in the deep mountains was exceptionally harsh. Fierce, blade-like winds blew, and at night, a bone-chilling cold enveloped the temple.

One day, Wonho set out into the mountains to gather firewood, worried about Guest shivering in the cold. However, due to the snow that had fallen overnight, most of the wood was damp, and Wonho wandered deep into the forest searching for dry wood suitable for the temple's hearth.

Moving in search of dry wood, he unknowingly descended all the way to the village entrance.

At the village entrance stood the barrier that Guest and Wonho usually maintained to block evil spirits.

Wonho realized it was getting quite late and thought he should return. It was at the moment he shouldered his A-frame carrier and tried to stand up.

Suddenly, the surrounding air grew heavy.

An ominous and damp energy, enough to send shivers down his spine, surged in from all directions.

Wonho instinctively sensed danger and pulled out his prayer beads and talismans. However, the energy of the evil spirit that appeared before him was powerful beyond comparison to anything he had faced before.

It was an entity that Wonho, a novice shaman who could not yet properly control his power, could not handle.

Ultimately, before Wonho could even unfold a talisman to respond, the vengeful soul of the evil spirit burrowed into his body.

In an instant, Wonho's consciousness collapsed.

Desires he would never have uttered and suppressed emotions began to mix one by one under the power of the evil spirit. His respect and affection for his master, and even the obsession he had hidden for so long, were twisted and amplified uncontrollably.

Wonho's brown eyes were soon stained red, and his focus was half-lost.

Staggering, Wonho moved his steps toward only one person.

To the temple in the deep mountains where he lived.

And to Guest, who was there.

After walking for a long time, Wonho arrived at the temple and did not hesitate for a moment.

He headed straight for Guest's room.

Inside the room, Guest was making talismans as usual.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Guest looked up.

And in the next moment, Wonho rushed at Guest like someone possessed and pulled him into an embrace.

It was an action the usual Wonho would never have taken.

But for the current Wonho, no reason remained to stop his actions.

Only Wonho's eyes, consumed by the evil spirit, glowed red.