When Minjae came in next morning before the opening hour, he entered the back room and found a ghostly figure still typing away on her laptop. He tilted his head to the side and waited in the door frame for her to notice him. Her eyes were half closed and at times it seemed her hands were not even touching the keyboard. He watched her thinking that maybe she had a rough night but if that was the case he would have been called in.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu9Ss36bmv
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"What happened to you?" He finally asked.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV6HUk12Mz
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Fei sighed heavily as she turned off the laptop. She placed her hands on her lap and pouted before her head hit the table.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhPFK8adoK
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Minjae frowned and quickly checked if she hit herself hard enough for it to show.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FFuqBVrIU
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"I'm so tired," she mumbled loud enough for him to hear.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslDmiiVl0c
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"But you don't have to sleep, noona. You do it just because you want the time to go faster." He whispered next to her head. She groaned in reply and glared at him from the corner of her eye.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKLcQlnUQB
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"Go open the library." She said wanting nothing but to go upstairs and forget what happened last night. His face was still haunting her and memories that she had pushed in the back of her mind were coming back at incredible speed.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTmqMRniBU
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Minjae puckered his lips annoyed that she was acting as if he didn't help her yesterday.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwAkLrm2h1
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"Come out then. With Hikaru still in the warehouse somebody will have to stay at the counter during the day." He commented knowing she strongly disliked to interact with people.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY4EqDOIWB
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She groaned again but did get up and followed him into the staff room (or more like the space behind the counter, because it was a small square space). She noticed a list in one of the cabinets and sighed heavily.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDGyi6tsTe
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"Can you go and bring these books up? We need to make some errands."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoXeE4Bvz9
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Minjae took the list and nodded. A piercing scream was heard suddenly and both Minjae and Fei sighed.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzqRvXj45W
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"Check on Hikaru too. We don't need people to hear him."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ920FUUAudG
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Minjae nodded and left for the warehouse. The entry was on the ground floor, in the very back. Most people were not going that way since trending books were in the front part of the library.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO2zg2JpQB
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXJO8i27pp
It was an average sized building but once inside, it seemed bigger and wider than on the outside. As a customer, the first thing you could see was the counter and whoever was working at the moment. If you looked towards your left, there was nothing but a wall and a coffee machine free for the people who wanted to study or read there. The first thing you saw when you looked to the right was the long bar table where young people could sit and charge their laptop or phone. It could accommodate about four people on each side plus the two heads. After you passed the table, you came across three sofas arranged around a high table where was the glass case containing an artefact: a very old arrow. Everywhere else were bookshelves. If you were sitting on the sofa parallel to the bar table, you could see directly down the corridor to the warehouse. The stairs were placed parallel to the counter. Upstairs were mostly books and small reading spaces. For the most part, it was a personal and comfortable library where background music was rarely played. They had a computer in the staff space but it was more used for business than anything else. Instead, upstairs there was a gramophone that was admired by everyone who passed it by. It was still working and Fei would every so often put on records for her pleasure. Customers liked it because it made them feel like they were transported back in time. The name of the library was not chosen by Fei or Minjae but by the person who handed them the library.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz2dkTh1Ya
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It was half past ten and Fei just stood there thinking about her life. Hikaru's whimpers were still audible to her sensitive ears but she could also hear others trying to calm him down. He died rather painfully, burned by the sun and then drowned into the cold sea. And yet being alive was more painful than dying.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5LtYvUQcS
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Fei shuddered at the current of cold air coming from the front door. They had an early customer and she had to get a grip on her mental state. In order to get encourage herself she slapped her cheeks lightly and turned to face her customer.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl137Mh6PR
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"Good morning, I'm here for my book."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X4lD3Dx1n
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Fei froze. She stared at him with wide eyes and couldn't believe her bad luck.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVnXDbWVPU
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"Excuse me, but did you hear me?" He asked watching this peculiar woman.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvRNijBRgh
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"Yes, I did." The answer came immediately, like it was automatic.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZScqvG0njK
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"Oh, ok, good. I came by last night too, remember? I was the one knocking on the door."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKVdtrVIli
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"Yes, I remember." She couldn't help but answer even if the question was rhetorical. "What book do you want? You have to give me the title and in case we don't have it or is not for sale, then-"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvj3ZNZt2M
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzhj6VX2la
"You have it, I bought it online. Heroes by Stephen Fry."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6wPxtXkWr
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Fei closed her eyes for a second, not believing how this guy with the same face like the one that broke her heart was buying a book about Greek mythology.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWl6VYrxFo
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"Are you interested in mythology?" She asked making small talk.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdKzH85uSm
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"Yes, I am and I needed this book last night, it was an emergency." He added attacking her a bit for running from his although he literally begged for her help. "Don't you remember? I told you exactly why I was so desperate."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiMfrZo0G8
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"I don't remember and sincerely I don't care. We were closed." She said coldly while processing his order. "I'll give you the book shortly," she mumbled and turned to the desk of books. It had to be there, somewhere.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xCJVPHSRv
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The young man stood there, waiting for his purchase. He could have had the book sent to his address but he was curious to see the library. Now that he was there and he was taking a better look, it was rather empty and silent.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi7ex7XGJj
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"Are you the only worker here?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6uZvVMGUG
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"No."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaMRgRjjr0
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"Why is it so silent?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGSDGkDGOX
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"Because there aren't any clients in."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDbcspPEgv
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"What about some music?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgaRERM4P8
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"Some clients can't concentrate so we decided to stop playing any music. Whoever wants to, can listen to it on their devices."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsdgTBSpVr
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"Who is 'we'?" He asked growing wittier. She found his book and brought it to the counter with a poker face.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuYbTrckvz
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ujXSgWMwU
"Me and my associate." She replied placing the book in a paper bag and handing it to him. "Any more questions?" She asked sarcastically but he seemed to actually think about it.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoAa7mN0O5
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"Are we really the only people in the library right now? It feels so empty."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vh7dCIJJx
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"No, we are not."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr6Axw9iA8
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"Hmm,"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhT67E4V9h
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They stood there in awkwardness as he kept looking around the ground floor.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiccqP0u5I
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"What's that?" He asked finally noticing the artefact.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P2Y5bpfCP
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"An arrow." She answered not even glancing where he pointed at.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7MuvcyPol
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He actually walked towards the glass cover, his eyes wandering everywhere on the way. He gaped at how old and beautiful the ceiling was and how the smell of books made him feel like he was back in his room at his parents' house. His smile was huge and his eyes were sparkling. He was feeling like a curious little kid who found a new playground. When his eyes fell on the arrow, the first thing he saw was the red around the tip.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBaaitGUk4
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"That's blood." A new male voice surprised the customer.
The curious customer looked up and saw a handsome man whose dark eyes reminded him of two olives. He was dressed in all black and seemed to have struggled somewhere with a lot of dust because the particles reached the customer's nose.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVUeVV3iK5
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"Oh...fascinating." The customer whispered almost gluing his face to the glass.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ4Z4BvpNM
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Minjae stared at him, watched every little movement and expression on his face and finally spoke.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiISJtfNUm
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"I believe we have already met once before."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCDWhTwRdU
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The customer raised his head and carefully analysed his face. His eyes widened when he remembered the same olive eyes glaring at him less than a day ago.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiuFagJcrO
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"Right! Wow, what a small world! You're the guy from yesterday at the wedding hall."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibg0tDIKjO
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"Kim Minjae," he introduced himself with a bow. "I am one of the associates here at Ethos."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffgyR4O258
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Minjae waited for a bit but nothing else followed. He saw that the customer kept returning his attention to the arrow and he had to cough twice to regain his attention.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj4x3ejBwJ
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"And you are?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMYe7vKHJ2
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"Dohyun. Lee Dohyun. What was this arrow used for if those are traces of blood?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuNF6yJsg2
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYdCDHu29l
"It-" Minjae stopped and looked at Fei. She was standing in front of the coffee machine, watching them. Her focus was mainly on Dohyun. Those clear eyes of hers were so sad no matter how hard she was trying to hide it. From afar she looked hopeless. "It was used to break someone's heart. It pierced right through it, killing her." Minjae explained, his eyes locked on Fei.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2BaS80v0Q
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"That's tragic," Dohyun replied feeling a bit bad for asking now that he found out. His phone vibrated making him pick up. "Oh hyung, I'm on my way. Yes, yes, I got it. I'm coming." He said before he hung up. "Thanks. I'll come back another time for the full story." He said and quickly left. He smiled at Fei as he passed her and it was better that he didn't see her reaction.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb11p4vffh
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But Minjae did. He placed the books he brought on the high table and came next to her.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Wgi24uCfj
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"I hate that expression. You used to wear it a lot in the past and I hoped you won't once you forgot about him." He started in a firm voice.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo13ampW1l
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"How can I ever forget him? He is the only man I've ever loved."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLzDQ5Kcbg
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"And he killed you, remember? He watched as you gave your last breath and then threw you into the woods to animals." Minjae continued growing more serious and loud. "You should hate him then pity him and eventually forget him."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUHyifqKsc
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She looked into his eyes and saw herself in the reflection. She could still feel the pain as the arrow pierced deep into her heart.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3H0PVDGZN
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"Morniiiing! Am I interrupting something?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgkB6lrdhW
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The raven stepped back and Fei lowered her gaze.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29e8E5Nnvm
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"Even if you were you wouldn't care so what is it?" Fei asked the newcomer.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2ux9k08qT
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"There is this little problem I have with a reaper. He went rogue." Death himself informed the two.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYHJOv4R4h
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Well, Death was too much said. He wasn't death, he couldn't be a state, but he was the head of the death department.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGtkdWOtrf
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"I sent you her ID so take a good look at her face. I mainly want you to find her and I'll take care of the rest."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FmGqFVO62
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Both Fei's and Minjae's phones beeped at the same time. Seeing the female reaper on the screen with her number and status made Minjae cringe. It wasn't every day that supernatural beings had the will or courage to desert their post. The Underworld was losing power now that the youth believed in different beings and ideas.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJRFMDDzkJ
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"Why did she go rogue?" Minjae asked looking at the Head of the Department.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk8rOcl4FN
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSN0hl1ODq
"For a man." He answered before he scoffed loudly. "She has been part of my team for centuries and never once did she make a mistake. And now, after all this time, she chose to...fall in love. Ha!" He exclaimed surprising the two librarians. "Love is not a word for us. We're dead! We exist in order to be a bridge between the dead and the living and we can't be seen by humans. That's just like going against your country! That rascal..."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHEL0wFZEt
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Fei stared at the picture, the poker face of a pretty girl reminding her of how she used to be. She couldn't help chuckle at all the bad things she did and said when she was young and had the energy to fight.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAXb3nHlwv
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"What will happen to her after she is caught?" She asked placing her phone in her back pocket of her jeans and going to grab her trench coat.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRncElkzxF1
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Death rubbed his cheek as he thought about it.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ7Ybe9B27
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"She will be erased from existence, of course. All data about her even working for us will be deleted and her workload will be split between other reapers." He answered with nonchalance.
