"Who's there?"
The young Li Ran's voice echoed across the garden. Seo Jin's breath caught. He was sure the question wasn't meant for anyone in the memory— it was meant for him.
The fox flickered into sight beside him, its fur glowing faint blue. "Host! Don't move, don't speak, don't breathe too loud!"
Seo Jin whispered, "He can see me?"
"Not exactly," the fox said. "More like he feels you. The soul link messed up the barrier between past and present. Congratulations, you're officially breaking every system rule."
Great.
Li Ran turned slowly, his eyes narrowing toward the fountain. He shouldn't have been able to see Seo Jin, yet his gaze locked right on him. The same eyes that once burned with warmth now carried quiet suspicion.
"Show yourself," Li Ran ordered.
Seo Jin's mind raced. Think. Think fast.
He stepped from behind the pillar, raising his hands. "Wait! I'm not here to hurt you."
Li Ran's brows pulled together. "Who are you?"
