Monday 30 November 2020

오네죽 Side Story

“Only your death will make me realise how much you mean to me, and how much I had taken you for granted before …”


“He gave a name to a dragon who was nothing more than an imperial tool … and in doing so, he also gave his heart.

And that’s why the dragon also gave him its heart in return.”


 



 

오네죽 SIDE STORY


TRYING TO BE A BIT ANALYTICAL FIRST!

Oh, oh, oh, first of all, I’d been waiting for this side story even before the main story ended! Seriously, when Cullen and Kiyen’s relationship reached its peak in chapter 129, it then plummeted to the worst! Anything and everything unimaginable had come between them — third person, breakoff of lover status, estrangement, long distance and even misunderstanding. And even death! And when we were anxious towards the ending in the end of August, it then seemed impossible for Cullen and Kiyen to return to their sweetest, highest moments yet. Awwwww, that’s why this long-awaited side story is super-mega-ultra crucial to the crazy fann! I had been anticipating and expecting such friendly moments oh- oh-so-much, so much that even when they spoke with each other civilly could already a miraculous scene to see TT


At the end of chapter 212, we have an epilogue, but in a way, it’s only an epilogue of the fight against the monsters. And so, this side story of 오네죽 is more like a real epilogue for me—when Cullen and Kiyen are going back home and going back to their relationship.


And somehow this 2-month in-between makes the timeframe real for readers. Like a mini hiatus after chapter 162, where readers can better absorb the feelings of shock, disbelief and loss of Kiyen. This side story means we can take time to see how Cullen adjusts to Kiyen and slowly opens to his dragon.


Before the story was released, I had many expectations and oh, how can I say? Everything is even beyond my super high expectation again! One biggest aspect is the writer created the side story in one whole story, instead of many fragments, and so we can see real life of the beloved characters continuously, making the sentiments even more real. Another equally satisfying aspect is the length—we can do read 31 chapters! And that’s more than I can hope for too!


A NEW DIRECTION

And so, we see the new direction in Cullen-Kiyen relationship. This time, they try to understand each other as they are, rather than seeing each other based on what they think the other person is. By the same token, they are moving forward since they learn to embrace the mistakes they caused and misunderstandings they had as parts of their relationship. Not only do this human (or high priest now (: ) and his dragon try to be better and treat the other better, but they also cherish good memories they have had even more while not creating the same mistakes/ misunderstanding again. It seems they have been together through thicks and thins, through rainbows and clouds, and everything together is memorable for them. This is especially true that the scars the other has is not to see with guilt and shame, but with love and reverence as how the other sacrifices.


Along with this new direction for their relationship, the side story is also about the new direction for themselves. It’s certain that they love the other, to the point that Cullen and Kiyen can sacrifice themselves for the other easily, and perhaps too easily. We have seen Cullen dug his heart out for Kiyen, and Kiyen was about to drain his life force for Cullen. But then, such sacrifice can also mean they do not cherish their own lives enough. So, here I especially love the side story because they now learn to love themselves as well as live for themselves too. Since they had been bound to responsibilities and duties they had had for all their lives, they never had time to value themselves. So, I love the fact that they can slow down and find what they want to do… and live leisurely. It’s heart-warming to see Cullen enjoy reading and Kiyen start painting. And what is even sweeter is they can find the middle ground to enjoy time together while indulging in their own interest. Their silent happiness is simply beautiful!  


Even when they have to stop living leisurely and go to help the children with the monster-stopping task, they don’t see it as a burden but another round of adventure to see the world and experience life together. 


Awww, if we say it meanly, it’s just two in-love persons who are just happy to be anywhere since they are together! Ahahaha! If Kiyen has to go alone with no Cullen by his side, he would not be this ready!  


Still, Cullen and Kiyen’s new-found maturity too shows in the way they care for the young dragons. Before, both of them only need to care for themselves and live by themselves. But now, with the kids to raise, they have to more responsible and look beyond the two of them. It is particular touching that both care for the children and secretly try to find the way to raise them in their own ways. Yet in the end, they talk to each other about their concerns and find the best parenting way for the kids together.


I like that from Kiyen’s perspective, he wants the kids to be sufficient and independent to live their own lives. But from Cullen’s position, the young dragons should be encouraged and given love and care. Such differences reflect who they are and what thy experienced in life so perfectly, while saying about how they try to lay foundation for children after they’re gone.


Aha, Papa Dragon and Mama Dragon raise Baby Dragons differently (:


Anyway, have to admit that the best part about kid-raising is Cullen thinks that children should not endure hardship. Somehow this reflects how Cullen sees himself and how he can overcome this habit of himself.  


SEXUAL TENSION

We can say that Kiyen and Cullen’s relationship starts from sex to relationship. Since they were together because of aphrodisiac, the sex was functional to help release Cullen’s needs. And apart from the night at the lake, their sex is normally seen as a duty. However, when their feelings are clear, it reverses from relationship to sex now—the feelings of wanting to be intimate with the other because you love him. So, because both Cullen and Kiyen want to hold each other, but they don’t know how to approach, this unfulfilled need turns into tension. And even more intense when they have to guess the other’s heart.


Especially for Kiyen, it seems to be roughly 3 years and 6 months (if we count the time when Kia appeared and when Kiyen was separated from Cullen when he first returned to the palace, plus the time after Cullen returns) that he has been wanting to hold Cullen tight and feels that Cullen is truly alive. But he’s also been rejected by Cullen too many times. (Actually only a few times, but that’s already far too many times for Kiyen!!!!) 


So, when Cullen decides to break the wall, Kiyen’s pent-up feelings becomes an avalanche. And yes, unsuspecting Cullen is buried deep under this emotional landslide. Awww, yes, "I wanted to kiss you every day from the day you came back. I wanted to touch you and I wanted to feel you.” Remember how Kiyen touched Kiyen’s face and stared at Cullen’s lips the day they woke up together, and that’s only a tiny part of this torturing feelings accumulated inside the dragon!


Oh I wanna go serious, but somehow, it’s a bit too cute when Kiyen drops the tree branch he’s holding. At the first read, I misread it to Kiyen broke the tree branch. Haha, if he broke the branch, it shows his tension is high. But then when he drops the branch, it rather means his surprise. And it’s especially cute that Kiyen doesn’t dare to hope Cullen suggests something else apart from just washing together. And it seems that he will accept Cullen’s idea and endure his desire if Cullen wants two of them to bath at the same time. But fortunately, Cullen really means ITT. So, it’s time to say congratulations to the Dragon, as Kiyen can finally get lucky! Hoorayyy dragonnn!

 

But well, there is a dragon who once said he was not the carnal creature! And now he can only go on throwing his love to Cullen till dawn arrives??? Cullen boy, you had been totally wrong when you did think that “maybe Kiyen didn’t want to get there right now”—it’ totally different from what you assumed! He definitely wants to get there since the moment you return anew! Don’t think there will be no going crazy for not being able to release the lust …  as well as the love, Cullen! Your precious dragon has gone crazy enough! Ask himmm!


But oh, the gesture on the number of horses to buy is funny too! Cullen feels it natural since his beloved dragon has always traveled on the same horse, while Kiyen still takes Cullen’s words seriously and consider Cullen’s choice out of economic reason! Two hearts are working hard to see each other’s mind! Oh! Oh!  


A NIGHT TOGETHER  

Well, apart from their sweet moments together, who wouldn’t want to see their steamy nightssss? Love it so much since this time together can symbolise so much about their relationship and feelings toward each other too. And somehow since the narration is mostly done through Cullen’s point of view, the time in bed mainly tells us how Kiyen feels. And yes, from the cool and collected man doing an observation/ performing his service without inspiration (only initially actually!) during their first night, Kiyen goes uncontrolled more and more as the time passes. And Cullen? It starts from releasing Rodiac’s power to sharing his body with someone he loves.


And how it goes this time? Well, it’s wrong to say that Kiyen is a hungry dragon. He’s actually been a starving dragon! STARVING DRAGONNN! Who lets go of reason! The hungry dragon is the dangerous dragon, and the starving dragon is the even more dangerous one! So, this time, Kiyen goes beyond fierce till the morning comes. And then, he gains his control later after he’s eaten his fill of Cullen!


Still, I find one interesting aspect. Normally, after mixing the bodies, Kiyen would always be the one who remains conscious, but this time it’s Cullen. So, when Cullen asks about Kiyen’s conditions afterward, this switching position somehow shows they are on equal footing now. The talk later just tells us how and how much they care for each other too.


But oh, the dragon traits! Those dragon scales used to come when Kiyen used too much power in Duke Lepelen’s territory (If I recalled it right?). But Cullen only asked about them, without telling he loved them I think?? How could Kiyen knows? Or Cullen didn’t speak out, but his actions showed? Is it because of his expression-and-emotion-full eyes?? Anyway, if Cullen kisses those scales, will Kiyen go wild too??? Hohohooo (:


Hmm, BUT Kiyen’s gone wild already anyway! Can Kiyen go any wilder? Oh, in that case, can Cullen handle this dragon?


But Cullen, though you always speak innocently and sincerely in bed, your words also are provocative, don’t you know? Even when you say Kiyen’s size is too big, the dragon has long seen your words as a way to seduce him already! Sooo, this can be highly dangerous when some dragon these days doesn’t have much self-control in bed. Even with healing power, you can be drained! This dragon now is an incubus incarnation!! Awwww, how he tastes your semen so deliciously???? Baddd dragoonnnn!


But oh, at least Cullen realises that he can use words to escape Kiyen's claws too! That phrase "You have engraved enough that I can no longer think of anything else" is somewhat unlike Cullen. Is it because even the most honest person has to find the way to survive in the claw of the starving dragon?


REPETITIONS OF EVERY LITTLE THING

Clearly, one of the greatest strengths of Flona lies in the use of details. They are indeed so interweaved that we need to see them closely.


The repetition of the very same events, concepts, and actions can express different meanings and convey different emotions and feeling when time passes. Among them, the dance, the sex, the intimate time at the lake, and the lover status are particularly meaningful.


[the dance]

Once in the palace, the cultured dragon wanted to teach Cullen how to dance as a way to pay his debt, but it turned out it showed how strong Cullen dislikes receiving people’s touch and being in close proximity with others to the point of choking. He even thought about stabbing the dragon with the sword to keep him from getting close. Indeed, our human felt Kiyen was too close and felt only stiffness then. While the dance was done through music simply yet beautifully created by the winds and birds, it seems to be just a rehearsal—unfamiliar and awkward.


But then, the village’s festival, their dance holds different meaning. Both look forward to the dance as the time to cherish together, and Kiyen teaches Cullen the dance as a gift in return for the happiness he is feeling. This time, instead of feeling the dragon is too close, Cullen keeps asking Kiyen to step closer. And while being in his beloved dragon’s arms, Cullen only feels fullness. He even feels the beauty and meaning of life by being together with Kiyen while feeling ordinary and normal. Also, the dance this time is complemented by the musician playing upbeat and romantic melody. 


What’s more? Kiyen also told Cullen to look into his eyes. But instead of feeling suffocated and blank, Cullen only feels loving and loved there (:


[the intimate time at the lake]

Their time at the lake is also recreated once more. In the past, their hearts were not yet properly connected. Cullen did know his own heart, and he also knew their relationship was on precarious ground. On the contrary, the feeling was still fleeting for Kiyen. Although the dragon wanted to be close to Cullen and he initiated all the touch, he didn’t understand how his heart felt. And in this way, even it seemed like they momentarily shared the heart, it later became a bittersweet memory. For Cullen, this is because right after that, Kiyen met Kia who completely held the dragon’s attention. And Kiyen only belatedly understood the value of happiness with Cullen in that night only after Cullen’s gone. So, the intimate time there seems to be only the end.


Again, in the side story, they have already cleared their own hearts, and so Cullen and Kiyen do understand how much each other means to them. This is especially true for Kiyen who has been forced to see the truth in such a bitter and brutal way. So, the time at the lake is not just about mixing their bodies but also about sharing their feelings and thoughts and opening up to each other, especially when they do talk in the hut. This means, with such clear hearts, the night can simply represent such contrasting outcome: this time it is the beginning of their new relationship. It is also interesting that the one who starts reaching out is Cullen as this subtly tells how he becomes in control. This not only means how Cullen’s heart has been melt during Part 2, but also how Cullen’s position equals to Kiyen now.


LOVER STATUS

Kiyen once used lover status with Cullen as he felt Cullen preferred clear definitions and certainties, but he strongly stressed that he didn’t and couldn’t love Cullen. That “no way” that replied back to Cullen easily represents Kiyen’s cold rationality. While saying that he allowed Cullen to call him a lover as long as Cullen lives, the tone is only authoritative as he only gave permission to Cullen. Yet it’s also dismissive since he said it’s only Cullen’s choice to accept it and didn’t really care how Cullen would react nor feel. Therefore, in Kiyen’s eyes, Cullen is replaceable, and this lover status was only short-lived, despite the fact that he increasingly enjoyed touching and being with Cullen. And for Cullen? Although he was sad about his one-sided love, he still felt gratitude towards having more connection with Kiyen. It’s clearly asymmetric love where one can hold influence over the other and have a say in defining everything, and this imbalance is painfully clear when Kiyen unilaterally decided to end the lover status too TT 


That’s why in another time, when Kiyen eventually understands how Cullen means to him after all the loss and estrangement, being a lover with Cullen reaches a new dimension. There, the status is no longer arbitrarily given, as Kiyen seeks permission from Cullen first and askes carefully in reverent and loving tone. And the feeling of an expendable lover who will be only connected when Cullen is alive has now become "my first and last, my only lover" even with the promise of not letting his human feel any regret in the future. In addition, here the uncaring and cold attitude in the past turn into anxiety when he waits for Cullen’s to reply to him. And when Cullen’s answer, the feeling this time also goes in full happiness with no disappointment nor regret like last time. What’s more is they have learnt about the mistakes in their previous relationship, and so they are even more careful and even willing to do better for each other. Indeed, Cullen’s unrequited love becomes mutual when Kiyen returns the heart Cullen has given with his own heart in the end.  Once Cullen thought of Kiyen as his saviour, his heart, and now Kiyen thinks of Cullen as his saviour, his heart as well (:


More importantly, now they are both proud to announce their relationship to the whole world. So, in the festival time the brooch becomes the concrete object to help symbolise and commemorate their status. It’s enchanting that the materials themselves are not extravagant, but the design and pattern of petals and a sword is meaningful for the two. It’s distinctly heart-warming that the dragon takes an active role when he pays for the brooch himself and even gives the whole Luna to the merchant while stating it is what his lover likes. Yes, this dragon lord is acting grand and generous!!! Also, it’s even more gladdening that Cullen finally fulfils his wish to buy a small item as a love token for both of them.  


HOME

And here home holds special meaning. It’s not just a place to return to, but a memory to form with your precious ones. I love that even when feeling enraged, disappointed and exhausted, Kiyen subconsciously settled down at Cullen’s birthplace as he was unknowingly rooted to the person. In a way, Cullen is home to Kiyen.


And when Cullen is revived, the act of reserving the hut and graves and of restoring the mountains becomes even more purposeful since he wants Cullen to be happy there.


As for Cullen, it’s hard to feel anything when he returns partly with his emotions sealed by the goddess, and partly with his feelings jaded by the dragon’s harsh words and actions. But when he opens up his heart, the place he returns is where he can slow down and stay still. It is where he settles down with his new-found family.


Indeed, home is both a place and a person for two of them.


CAOIRSERUS/ KIRARSHARUS

Every little thing Writer-nim puts in the story has always been meaningful! And it’s the same with these purple flowers. At first, Cullen and the flowers are alike because of their purple colour and because of Kiyen’s pampering joke. But later, the hypothesis that Cullen’s mother named him after the flower is true. Dedication and miracles are what make up Cullen, and what Cullen are to Kiyen as well. So, in a way, it is enchanting that this impression of the name is the family’s legacy that passes on when Cullen learns the loving message from his parents through the careful discovery of his lover. And the flower serves as a link between his past with his family, and his present and future with his lover…. Like the answer he gives back to Hope that "And that flower is a gift from my mother and my lover for me.".


(BUTT despite the proper spelling, I have long been more familiar with ‘Kirarsharus’ from chapter 127. Sorry the right spelling TT)


CULLEN AND HIS HERO'S JOURNEY

Cullen can be seen as a protagonist in classic mythological tales. His ordinary life changes when he returns to his hometown, just to receive a call to adventure from the goddess through the high priest Lassano. So, Cullen’s so-called adventure starts when he has to settle in the palace, and later when he goes on his long journey. During these periods, he meets and binds a contract with the dragon who somehow acts as his mentor and protector (and oh, yes, his lover! Oops!), as well as gathers colleagues, namely Lassano, Arne, and Ully.


Along the way lie numerous trials as Cullen and his party have to fight many evils and earn various allies while finding a true purpose for the journey. When he approaches the end of the journey, many ordeals are poured in, including estrangement with Kiyen, a test from the goddess, and even betrayal from Lassano.


But Cullen’s most agonising trial is proving his sincerity to the jaded dragon. This is not because Cullen has to sacrifice his life, but this is because he has to perform his act after the hateful treatment from his most precious person.


And still, this last and hardest ordeal continues when he is later revived and has to overcome his own feelings. Also, somehow, this ordeal becomes two-way since Kiyen belatedly realises Cullen’s significance to him and has to prove himself to Cullen instead this time.


However, unlike the classic mythological tales, his reward does not equal the grandiose fame throughout the empire nor the supreme title of a king. Instead, Cullen receives the only greatest reward he himself has ever wished for: the heart of his beloved dragon. And the idea is more emphasised when Cullen wants to return home with Kiyen in the end.


[further thought]

Although the story is somehow hinted to the ‘chosen one’ theme, Cullen’s role as ‘the child of fate’ doesn’t truly dominate the main plot. Even the goddess’ trust urges for the future emperor to travel, the decisions of the main characters indeed play much bigger role. Cullen decides to travel, and Kiyen also plans to leave the palace. In this way, such decisions then set the conditions for the two to interact with and therefore increasingly care for each other along the way as they have opportunities to learn about each other and later fall in love. Otherwise, without such conditions, they cannot open their heart for each other enough to sacrifice.   


 

 


 


AND NOW TIME TO GO EMOTIONAL, SENTIMENTAL, AND IRRATIONAL!!!!!!!!


Oh my goddd, what would I scream first???? In truth, if the reading time is too long, this is because I do absorb every single sentence and react wildly in the heart! It’s far beyond my wildest imaginationnnnnn! I don’t wanna scream EPICC, but everything is way too good!


HOW TO FEED THE FAMILY?

First of all, wowww, we can clear money problem for the family! This is so, so, so unparalleledddddd! I tried to think before how a human who is sensitive about small money and the dragon who is insensitive about big money can live harmoniously while raising 3 children… at that time, the only way possible seemed like having Cullen hunted animals and Kiyen grew herbs. (Cullen as a healer was out of question since Kiyen would not like his darling human to run around for other humans for sure!) and the real outcome turned out even more gracefully!


KIYEN CAN NOW BE A FAMILY RAISER BY BEING A FLOWER GROWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Wow, that’s so grand, and that’s so Kiyen! Congratulationsss dragon-nimmm! You soar so grand and so mighty in my eyes again! Such a proud man to raise a lover and 3 kids!! And the greatness about this career job is … Kiyen needs zero effort in making the flowers bloom! The dragon is simply like a high-end organic vegetable grower in the 21th century! He can grow selectively and sell expensively! This is so true that Kiyen’s products are so unique that no other growers can beat him, and he can sell with high prices! And what’s more? He even has a middle person who comes to collect the flowers and hands him money. Ancient flowers can be super good this way! And Kiyen, how many types of rare and already-extinct plants you have known in your near 2,000-year life?? Let’s bring them all back! Yeah! Let you and Cullen become flower tycoons then!


And it’s something for Cullen too. Remember this rustic child cares nothing about flowers, unless they are medicinal or edible? Now he at least has to know more about flowers unconditionally when he enters the flower industry, oops I mean when he stays with Kiyen (: How many ancient flowers he will know in the next 10 years? It has to be more than one Cullen flower, oops Kirsiarus flower, and Lucienne for sure!


But when talking about making money. It’s quite unexpected that the no-nothing-about-money-value dragon can sell flowers so expensively in the first place! Thank goodess Cullen do not have to so any threats to increase the flower’s value! Ahahaha! But then when Kiyen’s asked by Cullen to guard the flowers carefully, how can he not do it with all his might? Although many times this ancient dragon is wise and mighty, there are also times he’s so pure and innocent like a baby cat too. And by taking Cullen’s order seriously, he accidentally sells flowers with his beauty! Oh this scary beauty trap!! Ahahaa! I feel if the dragons want to earn extra money urgently, let’s have Kiyen, Black, White, and Cat (Or Gold??) stands in 4 corners of the town, money will sure fly almost immediately! But hmm, who can sell the most? The big dragon or the small dragons?? And oh, what if we turn this into a competition to gain Cullen’s praise? Kiyen and Gold will be surely super motivated!


WE NEED THE CAVEEEE!!

But we still haven’t seen the cave! We have to see how many precious stones one adult dragon has been collecting! Will it be enough to build another empire? If we see that dragons love shiny, pretty things, there will sure be many valuable items from the beginning! And can Kiyen adds precious gems from the empire into his cave during his captivity? If so, there should be even more priceless!


Too bad! It would be great if we were in the modern era, and Kiyen put all his treasure in the bank! Aww, imagine how much the interest will accumulate after this 1,500 years?  Kiyen can buy Hastens bed, and Cullen won’t say a thing! And all 3 kids will have Hastens bed of their own too (:


MORE OF NEW CHARACTERS

When the re-appearance of Selem and Hope in the side story were first mentioned in the tweet, I only imagined that they would just have a brief mention, but then their roles are quite prominent and permanent. They even had more roles than the old main characters like Ully and Lassano who only appeared in the first few chapters. But then, this also the way to signal the new direction somehow. Since Kiyen and Cullen are now living for themselves, they are to build relationships with new people and have normal slice-of-life aspects too.

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This is especially true that Hope becomes a middle merchant who helps sell flowers our independent grower Kiyen blooms and Selem becomes an occasional food supplier who rescues Kiyen from Cullen’s cooking! Oops!    


BUT THE OLD CHARACTERS?

Oh, no matter the story takes new turn, I still feel rooted to the old colleagues too! Maybe it’s like when Ully states that first coworkers are the best? Somehow Ully and Lassano and Arne are all also the hearts of the story, and I feel this five-piece group is also 오네죽 to me. So, when Cullen and Kiyen can find their happiness, I want Ully and Lassano to find theirs as well.


Yes, I feel it would be great if Ully can see Selem and Hope too. I feel although the two are just village girls, they are fortunate because they can grow up happily with love. Ully may find herself relaxed and feel what it is like to be a normal girl a bit. And maybe she can find the place she can escape from all the burdens and responsibilities too. Ully said she would come play, so Writer-nim, let her come enjoy the village life and see the beautiful flowers together please!


And oh, the weight of guilt and the need for atonement will always be heavy for Lassano. It is true that he hardly shows his own feelings, but I do feel for him when he says thank you for calling him a colleague, especially when we consider he has no one else in the world TT And the way he holds ully’s gift when saying goodbye is equally heat-wrenching too!   


Phew please! Ully and Lassano be happy too!


DRAGON PORNNN!

And awwwwwwwww! Chapter 30 is a chapter to be remembered! It had been long suspected that Kiyen enjoys making Cullen crying in bedddd! And the truth comes out finally! I mean it’s so clear that that bad dragon says him himself! It’s been confirmed!


“I won’t be able to make you cry for a while, so I have to watch a lot today” What? What? What? The dragonnnnnn! You are one big bad dragon! You are one meanie, meanie dragon! From the first time you were with Cullen, you seemed to be surprised to see expressionless Cullen have tears scattering on his face. But at that time, it’s more like a bit of observation and a bit of discovery. And now? Kiyen, you are far too addicted to that to turn back, and sometimes your obsession turned even BADDERRRRR!


Who says he would not never ever make Cullen cry again? And Cullennn, you are too indulgent in your precious dragon too much! You can’t let this happen! Let’s fight backkkkk! If you act serious and ask the dragon like who says he will never make me cry again. I bet we can see the go-bad-go-wild dragon goes hardened …. before he blinks his blue eyes and whispers his apology sadly to Cullen.

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But but…. later why I feel this friendly beast will act apologetic for 5 seconds and then continue to ‘bully’ Cullen happily??


Awww… poor Cullen. Your darling beast is having too much his own way in bed! And that’s also a scene when Cullen takes initiative! Ohhhh, my baby Cullen, how much that bad dragon is having his way with you that you can act this way?? But then, when it says Kiyen smiles. I can’t help wonder what kind of smile that dragon makes? Because before, I would see it like a happy and unbelievable, and even pure, smile from the dragon. But these days …. After this beast gets feral, I feel it can be a smug smile too!


But well, as Kiyen attacks innocent Cullen nonstop, seems like Cullen has become a better kisser? Cullen won’t go out of breath by now right? Oh, with the happy cooperation/education (?) from the dragonnn! This is good for you right? Lustful dragonnn!!!


And aww, Kiyen always wants to mark Cullen when they are in bed. Is this his own preference or the dragon/beast’s character? How many bites in one night by now???!!! But still, it’s a happy cooperation too since Cullen also wants Kiyen to engrave him! Naughty, naught Cullen (:     


Another thing I need to vent out! Since Kiyen always speaks bluntly, this trait also follows him in bed. And oh, it used to be rather straightforwardly as he observed Cullen’s expressions and reactions and speaks out his mind. But it’s gradually changed when they are together, and in the end, his blunt words have officially turned into kinky words! Haha! There’s also the fact that Kiyen likes Cullen to say shameless words too! Sooo, it has been dirty talk from the beginning, and it’s getting dirtier (:


But hmmm, maybe I shouldn’t blame only Kiyen? This is because Cullen is so naïve and inexperienced in bed that he tends to feel everything and bubble out everything in his mind. This is oh-so-true when Cullen usually cries “too big”, “too deep”, and “too much” with so many tears every time they mix their bodies. That’s why those frank and heartfelt words can stimulate Kiyen and make Kiyen addicted to hearing Cullen’s screaming/sobbing/begging cries.  


And when I expected steamy bed scene, I didn’t know it could turn dragon porn tooo! Love it, love it, and love it! But poor Cullen! Though we end the age of self-sacrifice, my innocent boy remains a dragon’s sacrifice still! Oh, who says that the male body is not his taste??? Now one particular dragon is having Cullen as his snack, appertiser, main course, and dessert wherever and whenever he wants to!


(Aww, except when the children are around! Ahaha! A year of agony for Kiyen will start soon! But hmm, even then I feel Kiyen will still find a way to have his time with Cullen anyway. He can’t help it! This lustful dragon may lure Cullen out and fly him away to somewhere wicked! And even he can hold on for a year, he will become TOO ferocious later. And our Cullen will need to grasp for his breath then!)   


(But IF he flies Cullen out, and the children follow him …… !)


And this means Cullen’s status has permanently changed from "A DRAGON TAMER" to "A DRAGON FEEDER"????? Only he needs to feed his body to the desire/lust/libido-full dragonnnn!


And this dragon even creates a toy in bed. I fear if their relationship became clear when they were in the market in Linden, and merchants approached them with accessories/goods for lovers, how many wicked items Kiyen would then buy? It may be quite fortunate for Cullen that the dragon didn’t taste Cullen at that time yet. But ohh, with the prospect of the new family trip, oops, adventure, how many markets they will encounter along the way? And how many strange things Kiyen will buy?? Oh no my dear Cullen! Confiscate the dragon’s money right now!!


However, we all know that the most important element the dragon wants Cullen to feed him most is love, right (: ? 


“Feed me with your affection, feed me with your attention, feed me with your gentleness, and only you can make me happy (: “


Nonetheless, hmmm, I can’t help thinking about this—if it’s a classic dragon tribute, and Cullen is chained to the stake/rock/etc. Will one dragon fly quickly, if not immediately, to snatch Cullen away? This sure be a sight to behold! Ahahahaaaa! Have fun in the dragon’s lair my dearest Cullen! The dragon will have his wicked way with you, and you will have freedom to do anything except cooking!


But oh, now Kiyen learns how to take of clothes instead of tearing them off finally??? Is it Cullen’s education (nagging?? and complaining??) or Kiyen’s self-enlightenment?


But why they never have sex in the bed properly? Or you won’t show us Writer-nim??? Even with the blankets on, the floor will still be too hard especially when Kiyen is pushing hard! You have to be considerate for Cullen too!


Still, don’t get me wrong! I really enjoy reading about the make-out on the blankets. Such a notion indeed gives a feeling of lovers’ hide-away really well and beautiful too!


 But aww, if we don’t have a real sturdy bed, it might not survive Kiyen’s strength?? Oh no, the dragon has the great tendency to break furniture (apart from tearing clothes!). Thank you rare flowers for making lucrative income for this wasteful dragonnn! 


 Another thing is … Kiyen paints according to his mood of the day. What if, what if, one day he declares he wants to paint Cullen naked????? Oh nooo! My prince Cullen, cool and collected! I know you can NOT turn down the request of your beloved dragon, no matter how unreasonable he seems! So, please, make sure the children will not see those paintings later! And let’s pray that wicked dragon will not ask for your portraits in erotic theme later on!  


LET’S GO PDA!!

With I-don’t-care attitude, Kiyen has been doing what he pleases from the beginning. But when he feels for Cullen, it also becomes I-don’t-care-about-other-humans attitude too. Hmm, or should we say I-only-care-about-my-Cullen attitude when Kiyen’s eyes only see Cullen and he enjoys touching Cullen oh-so-much? But now, this dragon wants to touch Cullen as much as he can, and the innocent holding hand and hugging can even turn into kissing and near making out! We have earlobe-biting and finger-sucking too! Ahahaha! Public display of affection is real for the dragon! He doesn’t have a concept of where or when anyway (:


 And even Cullen is shy at first. He’s now proud to shower affection to his precious dragon whenever and wherever too! When the love is reciprocal, the feeling of shame and regret has long gone, and when touching the dragon is good, why hold back?????


Poor Ully, Lassano, Selem, and Hope! (And to some degree Celen! And the unfortunate merchants!) You are to survive being single like thisss!


FOOD FIGHT

Oh my god, we saw Cullen take initiative in cooking when the journey began, and we thought Cullen cooked the meal out of duty, but somehow it’s clear now that it has become out of love?? This ex-mercenary wants to feed his beloved dragon with his love-packed food, and this somehow becomes his life mission now! Cooking even comes before Kiyen’s disturbance in the town, and even money! But too bad, his affection and devotion can’t be received at the other end!


I don’t know whose side I should take this time! The problem is that Cullen is one rustic child … an ex-mercenary who ran around the empire fighting evil. And since he’s always on the road, imagine the quality of food a group of fighters makes? It’s mostly hearty for sure, but tasty we question? And on the other side, we have this dragon-nim! A cultured creature like Kiyen always enjoy finest things, combined with the fact that he’s locked in the palace, his taste bud is seriously high! To please such a picky beast, the rustic Cullen needs to work harder!


But somehow I wonder about this too! If Kiyen can be so good in everything he does, can he be good at cooking too? At first, when I read in Flona’s tweets that there would be a fight when cooking, I imagined that both Cullen and Kiyen were trying to cook their own dish in some kind of competition. But oh now … the competition was not real. But the fight is so real. So real it’s funny that this is the only issue Cullen won’t be let Kiyen away easily. He will be indulgent with everything Kiyen does, even when Kiyen turns ferocious and demanding in bed. But never about cooking! This is something that can cause family problems!


But Kiyennnn! Somehow your standard is too high? According to Cat/Gold, at least Cullen does not completely burn the omelette? Oh, or we should say that the cooking standard of a band of the so-called fighters (including Cullen!) is too poor? This is too disheartening! But then back from cooking aspect, we have more reason to rescue the kids from killing monsters. It’s sad to kill living creatures, and it’s sadder to endure bad foodddd!


ALSOOOOO, IF we think in long term, IFF the young dragons grow up eating food cooked by a group of fighters and by Cullen, will their taste bud go downhill??? This sounds scary since they will think that Cullen does make delicious food and eat it happily. And this means Kiyen will be the only one in the house who feels the food is not quite right! Oh the Papa Dragon will be isolated from the rest of the family this way??? No! No! No!


 And there’s also Kiyen’s fear of unfamiliar food. Well, not so sure if we should call it PHOBIA instead, or if we should consider it just the fear of food in particular. But then the dragon seems super reluctant when he finds new food?   


So, Kiyen-nimm, do the cooking please! LOLLLL   


PS. Oh, then it seems that the only issue Cullen won’t spoil Kiyen is cooking, while Kiyen will only do what he wants to do in bed (:


 KIYEN’S OBESSION WITH THE HEDGEHOG

Although Kiyen compares Cullen’s act of hiding himself under the ‘expressionless’ to the hedgehog hiding under its spines, this comparison eventually holds a special meaning in Kiyen’s heart that a hedgehog is basically a very small and cute creature. But does it have go the degree of magical? Now everything relating to a hedgehog is good. Oh, how Kiyen goes on his happy imagination without hearing what Cullen says.     


Hmm, to summarise, the side story could be “a tale of a dragon who loves a hedgehog and a hedgehog who loves a dragon.”


But oh, dragonnn! If you imagine how someone is cute when he was young, you are hopeless beyond redemption! But oh, actually, Cullen has such a weakness towards mini Kiyen too!


 MUTUAL JEALOUSY

Kiyen has long wanted to occupy Cullen for himself—to the point he doesn’t want Cullen to speak to others at all. In the past, he became upset even when Ully started talking to Cullen, and the act of drifting around his human changed to the beast bordering the realm. There were also situations where this dragon doesn’t like Cullen to show his smiles nor pay attention to others. But then Kiyen didn’t understand his feelings and seemed to dismiss them as his usual irritation toward humans (or we can even call it his usual irritation toward the world!).


As for Cullen, he did know his heart, but he also knew he couldn’t wish for more in his position. The only time he admitted his jealousy over Kia, it only led to their lover status broken up. Therefore, he tends to keep everything inside even more.


So, when Selem and Hope show up again in the side story after both Kiyen and Cullen clear their heart, they also act as triggers for the two. Yes, seeing Kiyen with Hope makes Cullen jealous, and seeing Cullen with Selem makes Kiyen jealous. But then this time, they do trust each other’s heart, and they can also speak out their minds and tell each other how they feel. And it’s most endearing that Cullen think it seems disrespectful for jealous when their hearts are connected too.   


Yet it turns out that the dragon possesses a lot of jealousy! Somehow the degree seems to FARRR exceed Cullen’s! Somehow when Kiyen grabs the coat for Cullen to wear over a shirt, I can’t help feeling he doesn’t like to have Cullen reveal his flesh to others too! And oh, this time the beast is not just bordering his territory. But he is claiming his territory loud and clear! He always snatches Cullen into his arms, but now? This beast even declares that the three young dragons are their children! Oh Kiyennn! That’s the way to clear all the love rivals permanently and effectively!


 But oh, 오네죽 is in a way the book of karma. Do you plan for this too Writer-nim? When Cullen feels forever sad that Kiyen seems to open up for Kia so easily, Kiyen later feels bitter than Cullen opens up to Ully too. And his bitterness is even mixed with grudging gratitude since Ully helps the dragon to get his human back too…     


 (And still, 오네죽 is also the book of consistency! Ully is always and forever the Mother Hen who tries her hardest to protect little innocent chick Cullen from the big dragon named Kiyen too! Too bad this little chick doesn’t follow the Mother Hen’s advice but run after his heart to the dragon!)


NEW KIYEN

Although Kiyen appeared omnipotent and grandiose in Part 1, he becomes bitter and sullen in Part 2 to the point that I mostly remember him as a sulking kitty there. Aha, the grand dragon with 30-meter wingspan who flies mightily and soars high in the sky turns into a 30-centimeter cat who always cries sadly in the dark corner TT


Still, this time in Part 3 (AKA the side story!) Kiyen is back with his grand self again! Wow! Standing ovation to the dragon! He’s becoming responsible and reliable while being gentle and considerate too! It’s cute that he is willing to do the chores previously done for Cullen because he wants to spoil Cullen like the time Cullen wanted to please him. What’s more? Instead of doing what he pleases, Kiyen sees Cullen’s signs first before acting. And he now cares so much about Cullen’s feelings. This is especially such in the most sensitive topic like cooking, where Kiyen even learns to not speak bluntly, but tries to circumvent instead.


(And well, if Kiyen accuses Cat of abandoning the dragon’s pride, it is actually Kiyen who does exactly just that! Not telling the truth can be considered lying too! And so, Kiyen, you are indeed abandoning the dragon’s pride to show Cullen well!!)   


Furthermore, Kiyen also wants to be dependable in the matter of money. He knows Cullen is sensitive about money. So, when he cares about Cullen deeply, he wants to have Cullen live with ease and spoils his precious human with everything possible too. Still, too bad, his message about his wealth has not taken effects on Cullen. Cullen, see the cave and change your mind! This is a millionaire dragon! And you hit the jackpot! He’s wealthy enough with the gems to spend in the entire life, and now he’s the flower tycoon too!


Still, whenever Kiyen tries to tell Cullen that his darling human does not have to live tight with money because he can provide when Cullen tries hard to support the family, I can’t help thinking about love across classes, whether it is the refined and cultured grand noble VS the unpolished and rural peasant boy, or the rich and extravagant CEO VS the down-to-earth and live-by-monthly-salary office worker! Let their different mindsets on money blend so harmoniously then (:


 (MORE REASONS FOR KEEPING KIYEN?)

Oh, the dragon is especially useful as a dust vacuum. All the more the reason why Cullen should keep Kiyen (:     


And hmm, he doesn’t eat meat well. He only eats flowers, vegetables, and bulbous plants. He doesn’t dress much — only his white robe! We can consider Kiyen eats cheap and dresses cheap! It’s economically reasonable to have him as a lover!


But oopsie, he SHOPS expensively actually! Oh the balance scale destroys! Lol! And we might need to dress him in other clothes too! Hmm, hmm, Cullen may find a new hobby to see Kiyen looks different every day? Hahaha!


KIYEN’S POSE!

But despite becoming a new dragon, I think I’ve found a pattern! Hmm, Kiyen always leans against something when he first appears, or is discovered, in the scene. This dragon will just lean against the door, the window, the tree, and everything. And sometimes even with his arms folded too! Back in the palace, when he seeks Cullen for the dance lesson, he leans against the long window in the drawing room. While waiting for Cullen to heal the injured mercenaries, this dragon also leans against the tree. And oh, while Mama Dragon and the youngest kid goes out talking, Papa Dragon leans against the cabin door when they return! Are you trying to act aloof and cool dragonnn (: ???


(DID HE FALL FIRST?)

In retrospect, despite seeing Cullen falls head over heels for Kiyen, Kiyen’s feelings for Cullen might also happen at the same time, or even before Cullen? The act of giving name made one dragon felt positive towards one human, and one human became dazzled with the dragon’s overflowing happiness. Oh, but remember it’s Kiyen who approached first, whether in their first dance at the palace, kissing in the mine, or even kissing at the Exion’s estate. Still, this is a big bad wild cat who enjoys drifting near the human with tsundere face! He loves teasing the contact-averse Cullen, but he will not admit that. Oh, I would say he’s been courting Cullen in his own way from the start (:


Only that …. the one who stays true to his feeling and speaks first is Cullen...   


NEW CULLEN

Oh, but it is necessary to scream about the new Cullen too! Let’s call him Version 3.0! (And oh we too have Kiyen 3.0 tho! Haha!) So, gone are avoiding and burying feelings, our shy hedgehog has learnt to confront them all. Indeed, he becomes straightforward and vocal towards his inner feelings as shown in his sincere talk with Kiyen, and in his attitude towards raising the young dragons when he does not want Cat/Gold to suppress his fear and depression.


Somehow, it also seems Cullen and Kiyen meet half way (or becoming each other?). Indeed, the hedgehog is becoming more direct, while the big cat is becoming more considerate!


Still, one thing will never change for Cullen—his money-conscious mind! Oh, it’s normal for the former prince to manage the money during the journey. Buttt … what does it mean when Lassano says Cullen uses the household account book? He carried that during the trip too? And my princely Prince Cullen was recording the expense fervently over the camp fire/ during their break? Oh! Oh! Oh! With his mercenary family, Cullen was indeed the money keeper too? My lovely Cullen!!! 


SMITTEN CULLEN

The trait that we do love whenever Cullen is with his precious dragon is back! Our ex-prince is super happy when he has his dragon by his side, and everything is good just because of this dragon! And now, when Kiyen also loves him back, his mood becomes even brighter! Hmm, Kiyen acting cold towards human is cute! Kiyen showing only special appearance to him only is cute! Everything Kiyen does is cute, cuter, and cutest! 


Oh imagine Cullen in this digital age? In his accounts, from rarely posting in the past, now Cullen is venting his feelings many times a day with only sweet words for his dragon — photoes of Kiyen painting with caption like “Kiyen is perfect in anything he does” or “He is a picture himself”, pure tweeting words like “Kiyen acting cute is really cute” and “Kiyen holding Lucienne in white robe is amazing” and “I like Kiyen smiling”. Oh myyyy, how others will react? Kiyen sure comes like these tweets and/or Instagram posts. But from time to time, Ully and Lassano might be the only two to dare break their sweetnesss like “Please get a room” and “Do spare a single dog” respectively! Hahaha! 


And oh, what if Cullen in the 21th century logs in into cooking/ advice forum and posts messages like “My beloved won’t eat what I cook well. Seek advice …”


NEW THEM

Now their relationship goes symmetric as they are on equal ground. And it’s becoming normal for Cullen to initiate the touch without asking for Kiyen’s permission as in the past. So, when Kiyen subconsciously asks for praise when he does good deeds, Cullen can’t help but patting the dragon’s head. While Kiyen’s act tells us he needs to seek confirmation and approval from Cullen, Kiyen is loosening up as well. He no longer has to act formidable in front of humans just to gain respect (if not fear) from then, act aloof just to separate himself, or act indifferent just to not feel. So, he can become ordinary and happy with Cullen. So, we can see this oh-so-mighty creature acting cute as a norm now! He loves to go seek love and comfort (love and attention actually!) from Cullen wherever and whenever he can, especially when leaning on Cullen’s shoulder. And oh, such behaviour implies that no one is superior to the other now—Cullen makes Kiyen smile so easily, and Kiyen makes Cullen happy just permanently (:


US, ONE OF A KIND

Kiyen had long wanted to find his own race — not only in the sense that only creatures of the same kind should mix together because he always observed animal groups in nature, but also in the sense that those from the same type will protect each other because he felt he was used and betrayed since he was not of human kind.


 But he now understands the true love is beyond that when he meets his only person. And so, he becomes proud when he is half a dragon without immortality, and Cullen too becomes half a human with divine power. And both Kiyen and Cullen even feel they had been alone in the past just to meet their missing piece and complete each other in the end (:   


 Oh, Kiyen says Cullen is the only one with 5-syllable name, and Cullen thinks his dragon is the only one with 6-syllable name. So, in a way, their names are also pet/ endearing names in themselves indeed. No need for sweetheart, darling and the like, as it’s also unique with “my most precious person” and “my dedication and miracle” just by addressing Kiyen and Cullen (:”     


 But hmm, Cullen, do you still feel the need for Kiyen to call you as “Len” by now?


DISCRIMINATION FOR CULLEN (DISCRIMANATION AGAINST OTHER PEOPLE)

It’s too easy for any outsiders to see how much Cullen means to Kiyen from long time ago. While it is true Cullen was Kiyen’s contract binder, Kiyen also treats Cullen with extra care. Whenever Cullen is injured, the dragon himself holds Cullen in his arms. On the other hand, when Lassano was bleeding, he only used magic to lift the then high priest in the air! Oops! This discrimination is real! Or if we want a clearer evidence, when Cullen was parting with Ully, Kiyen gave a small lizard to Ully and Cullen each. And oh, the one with Ully simply acts coldly, whereas the one with Cullen is acting cute—approaching and rubbing our human’s neck. (And what’s more? We m-u-s-t call Ully’s lizard Kiyen’s magic, and only the one with Cullen can be called Small Kiyen!) But oh, I wonder if Cullen will separate from Kiyen enough that Small Kiyen will be used to communicate? And hmm, this guardian uses rather harsh tone with his young charges (Gold in particular!), and yes, he turns soft when he is talking with his first and only love.


 And we do know the world is truly an unfair place!


 ANIMAL COMPARISON

One thing that makes 오네죽 a little more unique is the comparison with animals above anything else! It’s normal to compare Kiyen with a beast since he’s one himself. But then other human characters are also mentioned in that way too, such as Ully who are contrasted with a searching beast when she sees Cullen and Kiyen together in the room. And yet, the most endearing aspect is using other animals as well. Therefore, we see Cat jumping like a quick squirrel when he hugs Cullen, and we see Kiyen as a surprised rabbit after he realises Cullen is upset.  



 DRAGON TRAITS & SCENTS

Well, suddenly I have been curious about this! What is the typical characteristic(s) of the dragon race in 오네죽? It is said that dragons in the past were aggressive since they were the creations of Archesis and contained the spirit of destruction. But then, if we talk about genetics VS environment, it is more likely that the latter will win. Well, theoretically, if they were blessed with eternal life, and there were too many of them, it was easy to imagine that they would have to fight for resources, and the fight would be especially fierce when humans were created as a new race. Therefore, dragons would just have to kill humans not just for fun, but for resources too! Even dragons may not need to eat (if we take Kiyen as an example), the conflicts for land must be real.


Then when it comes to Kiyen, it is very much nurture before nature. This is because he is the one of his kind, and so this dragon has to learn to be aloof and indifferent when there were no other dragons for him. Later, when he loves Cullen, it is quite obvious that his characteristic will easily turn into possessiveness since there has never been anyone who cherishes him enough, and Kiyen wants to be assured that Cullen only belongs to him alone.


Then we have the three little endearing dragons. Hmm, I feel, since they were born in group, it’s natural for them to be cooperative and sometimes dependent for one another. This is oh true that they are still young, and therefore they are both innocent and curious about the world while having compassion they learn when staying together. And aww, if nurture prevails nature in this play, it is a must to raise them well and let them be good and be high-quality big dragons in the future! So, Papa Dragon, Mama Dragon, Nanny Dragon, do your bestest in taking care of Black, White, and Gold!


Oh yeah, still, is it natural for the dragons to have their own scent? Kiyen has gentle lily scent, while Cat has subtle grass scent. How about the other two? What kind of trees (or not?) scent Black and White have? And I also wonder, does Kiyen think Cullen has his own scent too? If Kiyen thinks Cullen’s voice makes him feel like swimming in the night sea, and if the sea is what he’s once longing, will Cullen smell like the sea to him (: ??


THE KIDS’ TURN TO RETURN HOME + RAISE THEM RIGHT

Well, Cat mentions that he wins the first place in this order to return home, and White and Black come the second and the third. Still, from their personalities, I feel suspicious that the big brother Black, this wise and perceptive little dragon of mine, knows the needs of other people, and therefore he lets the order for the one who needs the break most? That’s why the little brother can visit home the first?


But ohh, Black, please don’t be little adult dragon! Please Mama Dragon come spoil him too! And hmm, I want someone to especially spoil him. If Gold is a bit favoured by Cullen who can’t help go softened for mini Kiyen, and White belongs to Lassano Camp, can Kiyen feel indulgent towards this responsible boy? But then, is there the slightest, smallest chance that Kiyen can see other being too? Aww, may we have to leave our hope in Auntie Ullyyy??? Someone come spoil Black pur-lease!!!!


But first of all, we need to rescue the children from child labour and taste bud abuse! This won’t be very healthy for the young children in long run, particularly when the treatment will affect their long dragon life! Let the children see more than mountains and forests and desolate land too! Their lives should be more than trees and plants and monsters! So, let Papa Dragon and Mama Dragon arrange this family trip to the sea! How the little adorable three will react? They will sure marvel at the endless water like their Papa Dragon does (:


And oh, if this 5-piece family visits the market together. How can Cullen keep order? Imagine that all the 4 dragons can’t stop looking around? Papa Dragon and Big Brother Black will sure be expressionless, but then the Youngest Gold will sure run away with White (“:


We may need more helping hands in managing the children in the markettttt! Post recruit request now!


And another aspect similarly urgent is that the three dragons need to have the right sense of money! Well, Papa Dragon is too extravagant and Mama Dragon is too restrained! And if we ask Nanny Dragon, he is also in lavish camp in the past! Awww! How can we find the right balance for the young ones? If we give them money and let them wander in the market, can they use money at all?


But somehow, in this child-raising side, since Kiyen plans to have the children weed for their sugar/candies, children sure grow up knowing the value of money I hope!  


MAP AND CHAPTERS

Oh yes, I really, really love the map! It simply helps us see how extensive the journey has been! And I must admit I am really, really happy that the names are in English—really help me for the right spelling TT And I just know how to spell Lassano correctly! But oh, there’s Cullen’s town, and Lassano’s town, and I was quite surprised that there’s no record for Ully’s town in the map too? (Maybe I will know I miswrite her name all along too TT)


And oh, so in love with the chapter titles too! Should I admit that I did scream inside when I saw them all? These even make the richness to the story! (But in a way, they are hints too (:) So, I love how you represent the fire concepts, from Ember, Flame, Fire, to Blaze, which can tell about the intensity of the journey and Kiyen-Cullen’s relationship. And then, you contrast them with the ideas of A Wall of Iice, which also act for the setback of Cullen’s feelings and his relationships with Kiyen (and to some extent, the barrier that Kiyen faces!) … before the Crack comes, following by Avalanche that Melt Ice.


And the finishing touch, Get back to home, with you, is especially expressive! Oh! Love everything!


Love the chapter pages too! The black pages with mediaeval feel (:


LAST MESSAGE

I thought I would be satisfied with the side story, but the truth is … I still want to see more of Cullen and Kiyen. I feel I can give them no privacy as I oh-so-want to peek into their daily life and everything, even when they are in bed! Oh! This side story is not just an extension to the main story, but the complement to make the main story even more meaningful. I can go back and read the main part with even more appreciation because everything Writer-nim has written is full of many hidden meanings behind. Also, I feel when going back and forth, I can understand Cullen’s and Kiyen’s feelings even better. So, 오네죽 will always be my Korean-learning bible for a long, long time I promise! (And perhaps the only reason I now go on Korean study!!!!!!!!)