The Devil Judge [BL Version]

Chapter 9: The KnockOff

Soo-hyun's anger softened into a mixture of worry and skepticism. "I'm watching you," she warned, her voice low but unwavering. "If you harm Ga-on in any way, I won't hesitate to make you regret it."

Kang Yo-Han's gaze held hers, his calm demeanor unbroken. "Soo-hyun, I assure you, I mean him no harm. In fact, if there's one place Ga-on is safe, it's with me."

Soo-hyun's skepticism lingered, but she couldn't deny the intensity in his gaze. She knew Ga-on had formed a unique bond with this enigmatic man, and her trust in her friend's judgment wavered. With a final, searching look, she stepped back slightly.

"You better not be playing games, Kang Yo-Han." Her words held a mix of a warning and a plea.

He nodded once, his expression remaining inscrutable. "I understand."

Without another word, Kang Yo-Han turned and walked away, leaving Soo-hyun standing in the corridor, her thoughts tumultuous. As his figure disappeared around the corner, she sighed and whispered to herself, "You better be true to your words Yo-Han."

****

On the other side,

As Ga-on's senses gradually returned, he was met with a loud crash that seemed to shatter the stillness of his surroundings. His eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the soft light that filtered through the room. Before him stood a woman, her eyes wide as saucers, a food tray scattered at her feet.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," she stammered, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness. Ga-on blinked at her, still groggy from his recent ordeal. "It's alright," he mumbled, his confusion evident.

The woman's gaze seemed locked on him, an expression of bewilderment on her face. "You... you look so much like..."

Ga-on raised an eyebrow, prompting her to continue. "Like who?"

She shook her head, her gaze finally breaking away from his. "It's nothing. I'm just surprised. Master Yo-han didn't mention..."

Before she could finish her sentence, she excused herself hurriedly, leaving Ga-on to puzzle over her odd behavior. He watched her leave the room, his mind a swirl of questions.

Curiosity piqued, Ga-on decided to explore the mansion. It was a grand, luxurious place situated on a picturesque seaside cliff. It felt like something out of a fairy tale, a stark contrast to his usual surroundings. He perused the shelves of the expansive library, the scent of old books and the sound of crashing waves outside creating an oddly soothing atmosphere.

A sudden presence caught him off guard. A young girl stood there, her expression less than welcoming. Her eyes glowered at him, and she folded her arms with a distinct air of hostility. "And who might you be?" she demanded, her voice dripping with disdain.

Ga-on straightened, slightly taken aback by her confrontational attitude. "I'm Ga-on," he replied, a hint of confusion in his tone. "I'm here with Master Yo-han."

The girl's scoff was almost palpable. "Ga-on? Really? I don't know what he sees in you." She introduced herself with a roll of her eyes, "Elijah."

His brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of her antagonism. "Why are you so hostile? Did I do something to offend you?"

Elijah's lips curled into a snarl. "It's not about you personally," she spat. "It's the fact that you're a knockoff."

Ga-on blinked, taken aback by her words. "A knockoff? What are you talking about?"

She waved her hand dismissively. "You know, a cheap imitation of something better."

Ga-on's confusion deepened, and he couldn't help but feel the sting of her words. "I don't understand. I'm just trying to figure out what's going on here."

Elijah's gaze remained sharp, unyielding. "Well, good luck with that. Just don't get in my way."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Ga-on standing there, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. As he stared after her, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this mansion and its inhabitants than met the eye.

To be continued........