Second Lead Syndrome (1-187) | ✓

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Author's note: I'll be slowing down updates to 2 chapters per week for a few weeks. I got too caught up with my own life and I have run out of pre-written chapters, apologies 🙏

"...I'll merge souls with you." 

The moment Zasiok declared that, his parents appeared relieved and happy. Hana decided to spread the joy as well, smiling along with his parents whereas, Xue remained indifferent, opening up his hand and summoning out his red marble again. 

Cecil was the only person that appeared troubled. 

Xue started to approach Zasiok when Cecil intercepted his path, stretching her arm out and dragging Zasiok away gently. His parents were taken aback by the sudden intrusion, along with Hana.

"Zasiok, come here for a second."

"Ce-Cecil?"

Xue halted in his steps, blinking in shock before narrowing his eyes at the place where Cecil's hand was holding Zasiok's arm. He watched as Cecil brought Zasiok to a corner of the hut, allowing some privacy to themselves, and he felt an itch in his chest as he saw them together. 

He knew that itch in his chest means that he disliked seeing Cecil together with Zasiok, alone. 

He knew that itch in his chest would only dissolve away if he separated them. 

...and so he moved, only to be stopped by Hana. 

"Xu-Xue." 

Xue stopped, glancing down at Hana who blocked his way, his eyes wide. He never expected Hana to take the initiative to talk to him, after what he had done in front of her.

"There's something...I need to tell you." 

"...go ahead." Xue smiled gently, but his eyes strayed towards Cecil and Zasiok, a hint of frustration flitting past his grey eyes. 

***

"Are you sure that's what you want to do, Zasiok?" Cecil asked, letting his arm go.

Zasiok blinked before nodding slowly. "Since it's the answer that makes my parents happy, yes, I plan to merge souls with Xue." 

"Do you know what it means to merge souls with Xue?" 

"I do," Zasiok nodded once more. "I overheard you explaining to my mother." 

"You were awake the entire time?" 

"Yeah." 

Cecil still seemed uneased. "Are you sure, you don't want to spend your remaining time with your parents, in your original body?" 

"My original body?" Zasiok scoffed bitterly. "My soul isn't even my own, it's a small part that belongs to that man you call Xue." 

Cecil widened her eyes. "You finally figured it out?" 

"You..." Zasiok furrowed his eyebrows at her response. "You know about it?" 

"I do," Cecil bit on her lower lip, nodding her head. "I thought you would never know until you were fully absorbed." 

"Why didn't you--" 

Cecil clasped her hands over his, pulling him closer to her as he stumbled. "Now that you figured it out, it's even better. You can spend your last moments with your parents, Zasiok. No matter what happens, Xue will still be able to absorb your soul, it will never disappear." 

Zasiok blinked rapidly, he was perplexed by Cecil's actions and words.

"I'm sorry, Zasiok. It was all my fault, I wasn't thinking clearly and that slight mistake is now slowly killing you." Cecil squeezed her hands over his, her voice shaky. "I will--I will convince Xue to not absorb you for the time being, I-I will find every herb I can to delay your death, I will do everything I can to help you--"