"Why haven't you come out yet?!"
The Young Scholar's expression gradually grew frantic.
Every moment since he'd returned from the house had felt unbearable.
But in front of his older brother and sister-in-law, he couldn't let it show.
He tried to suppress the feelings inside him.
He pretended everything was fine.
Now that he was alone in the room, he could no longer hold back his growing agitation.
He struck his thigh hard several more times.
Pain spread through him.
A hint of relief appeared on the Young Scholar's face.
The Young Scholar stood up.
He paced back and forth around the room.
Come to think of it...
He'd never once wondered where the Black Monster had come from when it appeared in his room.
Especially since he'd closed the window afterward.
Right.
The Young Scholar froze.
A few times, after going to the door to collect the meal box, he'd gone over to the window and closed it on his way back.
At those times, had the Black Monster...
already come in?
If it hadn't...
how had it entered the sealed room?
So the Black Monster had been waiting in the room every morning for its food, right?
No, that didn't make sense...
The Young Scholar shook his head blankly.
Then what about today?
Had it simply not had time to come in?
The Young Scholar suddenly grew a little excited.
He strode over to the windowsill.
He placed his hand on the window.
After hesitating for a few seconds, the Young Scholar pushed it open.
A gentle breeze swirled past his face.
The Young Scholar looked up and slowly let out a breath.
The Young Scholar didn't open the window very far.
He only left a narrow gap.
He didn't want to attract his