<div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">붉은 양탄자가 덩그러니 펼쳐진 어두운 밀실</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">반쯤 녹은 양초가 던져주는 붉은 불빛이 핏빛 양탄자위로 흐르며 신비로운 분위기를 자아냈다</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">칠흑 같은 공기는 이국적인 아로마의 향기로 가득 채워져 있었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">. </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">불빛이 닿지 않는 방 구석에는 온갖 과일의 껍질이 널브러져 있었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그리고 들려오는 가느다란 떨림</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">삶의 소리 없는 비명</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">조용한 숨소리가 온 공간으로 스미고 있었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">거뭇한 수염</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">때에 찌든 런닝 셔츠</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">모든 것을 버린 자들이 그렇듯</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">아래에는 아무것도 입고있지 않았다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그리고 모든 것을 초월한 듯한 표정의 노인이 몸을 굽혔다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">매끄러운 곡선이 그의 목덜미를 타고 등허리로 이어졌다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">“</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">후</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">-”</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그가 조심스럽게 숨을 뱉었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">여기서 긴장을 풀게 되면 모든 것이 허사가 된다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">조심스레</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 근육의 긴장을 느끼며 허리를 활처럼 밀어 당겼다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">오랜 단련을 통해 부드러워질 대로 부드러워진 그의 몸은</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">,</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">인간의 한계라고 여겨지는 기이한 자세들까지도 어렵지 않게 넘보고 있었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">몇 시간이나 흘렀을까</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">일정한 모양대로 몸을 이리저리 굽히고</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">펴고</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">접고</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">말기를 반복하던 노인의 눈에</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">결연한 빛이 떠올랐다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">“</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">스승이시여</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">제가 그대를 넘어서도 되겠나이까</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">”</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">녹슨 청동 촛대를 바라보며 그가 조용히 되뇌었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그도 이제는 알고 있었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그에게 주어진 얼마 안 되는 시간이</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">- </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">손아귀에 쥔 모래처럼 흘러내리고 있었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">완벽주의자인 그로서도 더 이상은 결단을 미룰 수 없게 된 것이다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 자기 자신을 믿어야만 했다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">이 일을 위하여 얼마나 많은 시간을 오롯이 이 빈 방에서 울어야만 했는가</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">긴긴 시간 모든 집념과 번뇌를 모두 버렸다고 생각했지만</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">막상 삶의 마지막 시험대 앞에서</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 희미하게 밀려오는 긴장과 두려움의 냄새를 맡았다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">‘</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">바보 같긴</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">이 나이가 되도록 수행이 이다지도 모자라다는 말이냐</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">!’</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 자기 자신에게 치밀어 오르는 분노를 삼키며</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">신중하게 각 동작의 청사진을 머릿속에 그렸다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 반드시 해내야만 했다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">. </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">어린 날의 자신 앞에</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">목이 뒤틀려 꺾인 채 절명해야만 했던 그의 스승을 위해서라도</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 마지막으로 성호를 긋고</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">이제는 그의 몸과 같아진 그 붉은 양탄자 위에</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">,</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">깃털처럼 가벼워진 등허리를 뉘었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 조심스럽게</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">두 다리를 쭉 펴서 들어올렸다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">두 발바닥은</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, -</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그의 스승이 가르쳤던 대로</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">- </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">완벽하게 북극성의 위치를 가리키며 하늘과 마주했다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">. </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">매끈하게 뻗어 흐르는 다리의 직선</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">기역자로 부드럽게 휜 허리</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">모든 것이 계획대로였다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 숨을 한 번 더 들이쉰 후</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">거침없이 다음 단계로 나아갔다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">발을 조금씩 더</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">더</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">더</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">앞으로 밀며 자신의 머리와 발이 평행한 위치까지 오도록</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">허리를 말아올렸다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">찌릿한 통증이 허벅지를 타고 허리께로 전해졌지만</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">,</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그가 그토록 긴 시간을 수련한 것은 바로 이러한 통증을 견디기 위함이었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">“</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">고통은 좋은 것이다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">......”</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 스승의 말씀을 되뇌며</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">발을 가차 없이 더욱 끌어당겨</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">- </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">마침내 발가락이 지면과 거의 맞닿게 되었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">“</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">후우</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">- </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">후우</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">-” </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 거칠어진 숨을 몰아쉬며</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">마지막 동작을 준비했다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">. </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">궁극의 동작이자</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">인간에게 허락되지 않은 마지막 </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">1cm.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그가 평생토록 믿고</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">따르고</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">의지하고자 했던 스승의 목숨을 앗아가버린 그 잔인한 거리</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 지난 세월의 모든 힘과</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">지혜와 믿음을 담아 발을 내리 눌렀다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">-</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">묵직한 통증과 함께</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">발끝이 지면에 닿았음을 느낄 수 있었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 마침내 해낸 것이었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">. </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">기쁨이 폭발하듯 터져나왔다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">지난날의 고통과 스승의 생각에 눈물이 터져나왔다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">“</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">스</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">스승님</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">- </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">제</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">- </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">제가 해냈습</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">...</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">니</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">...</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">... </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">끄흑</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">... ”</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">“</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">보이십니까</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">언제나 부족했던</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">이 못난 놈이 드디어 스승의 계보를 이을 수 있게 되었어요</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">!”</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 한참을 감격에 젖어 울다가</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">흐르는 눈물을 손등으로 훔쳐냈다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">. </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그리고</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">- </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">맑아진 시야에 들어온 그것</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">얼마나 이 거리에서 이것을 볼 수 있기를 고대했던가</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">우람하고 검은 흑산도 지렁이 한 마리와 마침내 얼굴을 마주할 수 있게 되었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">남성 인류의 꿈</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">신이 허락하지 않은 인체의 신비</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 감히 신과 대적하고 있다고 말할 수 있으리라</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그는 조심스레 입을 벌리고</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">거사를 거행하려 했다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">. </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그 순간</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">턱을 벌리며 가해진 하중이 목을 짓누르며 몸의 전체적인 균형을 무너뜨렸고</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">외마디 비명을 지를 틈도 없이</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">- </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">정확히 그의 스승이 </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">34</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">년전 그러했듯</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">-</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그도 목이 꺾인 채 그 자리에서 세상을 등지게 되었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그의 시신은 대략 </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">10</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">여년이 지나서야 </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">오지를 탐험하던 한 여성 영국인 여행가에 의해 발견되었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">현지의 경찰들과 탐정들은 이 도인의 사망 원인을 규명하는 데에 총력을 기울였고</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">마침내는</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">- </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">자기 자신의 그것</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">...</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">을 자신의 입으로 물어보려다가 사망했다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">... </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">라는 </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">황당하면서도 얼굴이 붉어지는 남사스러운 결론에 도착하게 되었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">그의 이야기는 삽시간에 널리 퍼졌고</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">탈무드</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">천일 야화</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">, </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">우솝 이야기등에 인용되며 인류의 지식에 지혜의 샘물 한 방울을 더하게 되었다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">.</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">후세 사람들은 그를 기리며 그의 묘비명에 이렇게 적었다</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0"><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">-</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">안되는건 안됩니다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">굳이 작성자가 해봤다 실패한 건 아니구요</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">... </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">하여튼 안되는건 안됩니다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">여러분 하지 마세요</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 함초롬바탕">목 부러집니다</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt; font-family: 함초롬바탕; mso-font-width: 100%; mso-text-raise: 0pt" lang="EN-US">...-</span></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div> <div style="background: #ffffff; text-autospace: ; mso-pagination: none; mso-padding-alt: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0pt" class="0">  <div></div></div>