Beautiful photo by @cosycoffeereader!

Hey fairy friends!

Welcome to our fifth and final day of The God and the Gumiho readalong! Grab a snack and a coffee of course, and let’s dive in and see what awaits us!

Today we’re reading from Chapter 38 to the end of the book.

When you’ve finished today’s section, catch up with me in the comments down below so we can discuss the ending of the book. Happy reading!

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Please be warned, the following section will include spoilers for The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim from Chapter 38 to the end of the book. Please only read on if you have finished this section!

-!SPOILERS!-

 

15 CUPS OF COFFEE?! And I thought my caffeine intake was bad.

‘He cares for her. Deeply. SO, so deeply.’ I’m tearing up. My guy is going to get his heart broken I can tell.

Hani giving Hyun-tae the daggers Seokga bought for her and saying she has something else she can use… Pleaseeee tell me she isn’t going to use the Scarlet Fox daggers in front of him!

Can’t lie, Hani’s “Oopsies” whilst driving is so relatable.
Of course they can’t just go on a cute little shopping trip, the lights have to start flickering and then go out. Sighhhh. This can’t be good.

Welp, we now have a Plague Demon and I’m sure it looks as gross as it’s name suggests. Hani decides the best way to fight it is to launch coffee bags at it whilst screaming ‘it’s disgusting and to wear a mask.’ Who else would do the same? 😂 Eventually, Seokga is able to kill it without either of them being infected by it.

Hani is being eaten alive by guilt now her feelings for Seokga have developed. I’m hoping they somehow come out of this with a happily ever after but I guess we will find out soon enough.

Hyun-tae says he will do anything for Somi – Hani asks him to take her away somewhere Seokga can’t find her and keep her safe until she can come for her.

They plan to track Somi by her scent, with Hani in her fox form, and then hopefully find and kill the Eoduksini. Although it seems like a straightforward plan, I suspect they are underestimating the cunning of this demon…

Finally, they receive a call about fresh bodies and rush to the scene. Hani is perplexed by how Somi could steal so many souls, noting that it’s unnatural even for a gumiho. Is there something more at play here? She transforms into her fox form and tracks Somi’s scent to a decrepit warehouse, suspecting around 30 unrulies inside.

Well the end of chapter 41 has me in tears. Anyone else? 👀

After the roof collapses, they plunge into the warehouse, surrounded by unrulies. Hyun-tae is nowhere to be seen. Together, Hani and Seokga fight and defeat them all. Seokga wonders why Hani still has so much energy and hasn’t depleted her fox bead. He’s close to discovering her true identity, and I’m not ready for it.

Then, the Eoduksini and Somi arrive, and its identity is finally revealed… It’s HYUN-TAE.What a plot twist, I did NOT see that coming. Did you?

Hyun-tae explains he purposely made them think it was Dok-hyun and killed him. He also hints that Hani is hiding a very big secret, though he doesn’t reveal what it is.

I am a ball of nervous energt right now.He also reveals that his actions are driven by revenge, explaining he was never part of Seokga’s failed coup but was punished for it and locked out of his home. He finally discloses his name: Eodum.

‘Out of all the crimes Eodum has committed, throwing away Seokga’s precious caffeine is by far the worst. Violence brews in Seokga’s blood.’ I AM CACKLING at the fact he draws the line at his coffee being thrown away.

Hani and Somi argue, exposing that Hani had been misleading the investigation to protect Somi and had given her livers. Before Seokga can confront Hani, a fight erupts between them. Shortly after, Seokga and Eodum battle, and with most of his power gone, Seokga is nearly defeated. Hani incapacitates Somi and uses the last of her strength to attack Eodum, depleting her fox bead in the process.

As she lies on the ground, death looming, Seokga crawls over to her. Hani then realizes that Eodum is still alive and approaching. In a desperate final plea, she prays to Hwanin, who offers her a bargain: if Seokga kills her (the Scarlet Fox), he will regain half of his lost powers.

Hani takes one of her scarlet daggers, places Seokga’s hand on hers, and drives it through her own heart. NOOOOOO.Seokga, overwhelmed with confusion and grief, feels some of his powers returning. Amidst his turmoil, he finally admits that he had suspected Hani of being the Scarlet Fox for a while.

With some of his power returned, he defeats Eodum.

Hani’s soul and Seokga share a heart-wrenching final goodbye. She asks him to let Somi go and gives him one last, tender kiss before being taken away to Jeosung. Please tell me I’m not the only one bawling my eyes out right now?!In the final chapter, told from Hwanin’s perspective, he agrees to allow Hani to be reincarnated—whether in a day or years from now—on the condition that Seokga remains loyal to him. Seokga agrees, and I’ll take that as a happily ever after.

Before we wrap up this readalong, we need to talk about the epilogue—who else is crying (again)?! The red string of fate leading Seokga to reincarnated Hani? It’s the perfect ending! 🥺

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Wow, what a swoon-worthy, emotional and amazing story!

What did you think of The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim?

As always, thank you so much for taking part in another FairyLoot readalong! We hope you had the best time and enjoyed the book – we’ll see you again soon for another!

Love,
Jodie