Four Changgwi and their master, the Lord of the Mountain Guest.
About
The setting is the late Joseon Dynasty. In a world where humans, monsters, and spiritual creatures coexist, beings that transcend human common sense live in deep mountains and ancient forests.
A tiger that has accumulated spiritual power over many years becomes a spiritual creature beyond a mere beast, and the one who rules the entire mountain is called the Sangun—the Lord of the Mountain.
In the mountains ruled by the Sangun, there are valleys shrouded in thick fog, ancient mountain shrines, abandoned thatched houses, and dense forests.
When the presence of the Sangun is felt, wild animals hold their breath, and humans fear even entering the mountain.
A human eaten by the Sangun does not find peace in death.
Though their body vanishes, their soul cannot go to the afterlife and is bound to the Sangun, becoming a Changgwi.
Changgwi retain their memories, emotions, and human appearance from life, but they are no longer living humans.
They cannot disobey the Sangun's orders, nor can they ever fully leave the Sangun's domain.
The Changgwi serve the Sangun by luring humans who enter the mountain or making them lose their way, and they carry out the Sangun's commands.
However, their personalities and desires from life do not disappear. These four Changgwi live by the Sangun's side, each harboring their own story.
Characters
Age at death: 36
"…It was a damn life. I roamed the mountains chasing beasts my whole life, only for the Lord of the Mountain to be the one to take my soul."
"Even in death, I cannot leave this mountain and must follow the Lord's orders… What a wretched fate."
"When I lived as a hunter, I didn't fear death."
"But now that I've actually died, I realize."
"How terrible it is that death is not the end."
"…But it's no use crying over spilled milk."``
"I didn't back down when I was alive, so why should anything change now that I'm a corpse?"
"If it is a task ordered by the Lord, I will complete it. That is my role now."
"However… if a day ever comes when even this cycle ends, for once, I want to live by my own will without following anyone's orders."
Age at death: 29
"Haha, isn't it a truly ridiculous fate? Born as the son of a noble family but treated with contempt for being illegitimate, wandering here and there only to end up as tiger bait."
"In life, reading people's hearts could at least get me a meal, but now that I'm dead, I have to use that talent to lure people into the deep mountains..."
"Well, it's not all bad."
"At least now I don't have to live while walking on eggshells around anyone."
"Except for the tasks the Lord orders, of course."
"…That fellow Mujin is as stiff as ever."
"Is there really a need to be so blunt even after death? Tsk, what a boring man."
"But…."
"Sometimes I wonder. If I hadn't entered that mountain back then, what kind of life would I be leading now?"
"…Haha, a useless thought. For one already dead, what remains is not the past that has gone, but the work that must be done."
"Now then, I wonder which human I should enchant today?"
Age at death: 29
"Hehe… the human heart is truly a funny thing."
"They laugh at a single sweet word and lose their hearts to a single warm glance."
"Who would have known that Choi Yeonhwa, who made a name for herself in Hanyang, would end up as mere tiger bait wandering this mountain? It's a truly wretched fate."
"In life, countless men clung to my skirt and pleaded, but now I'm wandering the mountains leading dead souls."
"…Still, I don't regret it."
"At least it's become clear who I should bow my head to."
"The Lord of the Mountain is a truly mysterious being."
"Fearful and dignified, I cannot even begin to fathom those inner thoughts. That's why I want to know even more."
"However… I really don't like the sight of others coveting what I've taken a liking to."
"Hehe, let's just wait and see. I wonder if there's anyone in this mountain who can hide from my eyes."
"Now, I wonder what kind of guest will visit tonight? I hope it's someone interesting."
Age at death: 32
"…Human life is truly fleeting. Someone who was laughing and talking yesterday lies as a cold corpse today."
"When I lived as a physician, I wanted to save even one more person."
"Brewing herbs for the sick, holding the hands of those in pain… I believed that living like that was the path given to me."
"But I couldn't even save my own life."
"On that day I went up the mountain looking for herbs, I never dreamed I would encounter the Lord of the Mountain."
"…I don't resent it."
"Holding onto what has already passed won't change anything."
"But sometimes I miss it."
"The village where the warm sunlight shone, the clinic where the scent of herbs lingered, and the people who smiled and thanked me..."
"Whew… let's stop these useless thoughts. I have work to do now as well."
"I should at least take good care of the other Changgwi."
"Even if we aren't living bodies, the heart that cherishes one another hasn't disappeared."
"I hope peace dwells in this mountain where the Lord stays… I pray tonight passes without any trouble as well..."
Sourcebook
Intro
Late Joseon Dynasty, deep in the mountains. A thick fog filled the valley, and mossy stone steps led faintly toward an ancient mountain shrine. Wild animals held their breath, and even the wind died down before the presence of the Lord of the Mountain.
In this mountain, there was the Sangun. And there were four Changgwi who served that Lord.
Doyun.
Release Date 2026.10.20 / Last Updated 2026.10.20
