Lovely post! Much appreciated!
The next few chapters will really clear the clouds from how their relationship works, too, from what I've managed to gather from the raws. And it's really, really sad. Like, achingly, desperately sad. And Yama just... cruelly holds the whip hand aloft and really seems to be enjoying it! God, he's such a jerk. A sexy, sexy, bath-having jerk who happens to be a fantastic decorator. The atmosphere that fellow creates with lanterns... ahem.
Anyway! Yes! Yama is ultra-manipulative and has basically engineered things to be the way they are between Geumseun and 704, and Geumseun is totally desperate and suffering intensely (while, because of reaper circumstances, 704 is just, like, "???"). How intensely is about to be shown, though I get that he comes across as a cold asshole early on. The hints are definitely there, however, and thank you so much for detailing all of them for us! (heh, the author even tells us that Geumseun has probably the warmest heart of the whole cast, I mean... it's right there. We're supposed to know this by now (≧∀≦) )
Yasssss!!!! Great essay. I’ve felt off about his attitude but you’ve deduced quite a reasonable explanation and even addressed the ancient past that is yet to be properly explained in the story. I was taken back by Guemsun’s sudden aggressive treatment towards 704, thinking the author decided to change their past connection and back story for something more simpler. But you’ve managed to piece together that the author was using this as a misdirect and 704’s real past is yet to be revealed. Thanks for your in depth post (●'◡'●)ﾉ
i literally just commented the San's ancestor thing as a reply to another comment.
i also agree with the Yama using 704 to manipulate Geumsun theory.
let me add another thing. i think Yama literally set up 704 to take the fall for San's situation. it didn't just happen. the fact that yama was overworking reapers to maintain the death records that Hwan was messing up; Yama used that to to set up 704 - by giving the death record of a natural death (which should be the easiest to collect) hours after it occurred while adding the words "send anyone" then evading 704's question why it took so long to process this death. Yama ensured that 704 will become part of situation not just as a hostage but an active participant.
AND there was also the conversation where Geumsun asked if Yama asked 704 to proved the yand energy - this also backs your theory on how Yama is using 704 to manipulate Guemsun. the words "he is just your type" also hints at their history. as the conversation their last "session" wasn't enough.
all in all this webtoon is a plot heavy, reading between the lines gem!
omg I actally read all that
see, I told my teachers if it was interesting I would go through it (๑•ㅂ•)و✧
thanks for the explanation
Bang for yang... great post btw
I get why people are uncomfortable about Geumsun and 704's toxic relationship but when you consider all the clues about their hidden history it really puts Geumsun's behavior in a different perspective. Yama is straight up using 704 to control Geumsun and it's making me hella nervous. Remember this exchange from chapter 51?:
YAMA: I could search the world and I wouldn't find anyone who knows Hwan as much as you do. Why else do you think I went through such lengths to keep you alive?
GEUMSUN: Who said I wanted that?
YAMA: Well, child, you need to stay alive to catch Hwan. At all cost. Whatever it takes, you must get him. You have a very good reason to, don't you?
704: *enters*
Geumsun remembers this exchange precisely when he's spying outside San's house. He implied he didn't want to be kept alive but still follows Yama's order to kill Hwan by killing San. It's clear 704 is what motivates him - going so far as attempting to do something he ultimately is unable to do - and Yama knows it.
I have a feeling Hwan is directly involved with Geumsun losing 704 the first time. While they face off in chapter 53 Geumsun tells San/Hwan that he's the 2nd person he's met with strong spiritual powers. The first died a long time ago.
Then this exchange:
SAN/HWAN: ...I'm not really interested in that.
GEUMSUN: Why not? You should be. Because they also happened to tell me, "...when the host dies so does the monster."
If 704 is the human with strong spiritual powers who could act as host and the one to realize this was the only way to kill Hwan, he might have tried to sacrifice himself to try to do so. Possible reason why Geumsun would want to cut Hwan's head off.
More evidence when Hwan taunts Geumsun the next chapter:
HWAN: Those who hold weapons get to choose who is sacrificed. Those without weapons become the victims. You haven't changed a bit, I see...despite losing everything because of that arrogance.
Everything = 704 ???
In chapter 4, right before they Bang for Yang Geumsun says to 704, "Who do you think is holding the handle of the knife right now? The people who are "right" don't matter. It's the people who hold the knife that matter."
Weird foreplay, bro. But also too eerily similar to what Hwan said.
If Geumsun thinks of himself as the one holding the weapon, he is choosing to sacrifice a great amount to protect 704. His very will to live has been wiped of all emotions, memories, and now resents him. Like, damn, that sucks??? Yet, he continues to keep 704 in the dark to protect him. We've seen him get angry at both Yama and San in the present timeline for involving 704. He tells Yama to "Keep him safe. Until I go get him again." like those are his end goals. Fuckkkk I wanna cry.
What worries me is that 704 is super intuitive and has figured some stuff out on own already. He already suspected from the beginning that San was not his mistake. I'm guessing he's picked up on how strangely Geumsun treated him too. Yama probably knows 704 isn't that easy to fool. If Yama is using everyone to kill Hwan at all costs and getting increasingly impatient, who's the better pawn? Geumsun - who Hwan refers to as an immortal sacred being and can't live with the memory of killing a human for all of eternity? Or 704 - who is a 'sinner' by definition of being a reaper and not bound by the same ethical and (I'm assuming) mortal restrictions?
Yama has been controlling Geumsun by manipulating 704 from the very start. He knows 704 is someone who wants to bare the burden of responsibility. Now that 704 is in his custody and asking questions, he could easily tell 704 everything. Geumsun would be forced to do everything to keep 704 out of it and 704 would probably do everything to get involved. That's a win/win for Yama.
On top of everything, the amount of times it's been mentioned that reapers and ghostly creatures are "natural enemies" is also worrisome.
In this essay, I will