Chapter 5

Baek Eu-jin woke up a full day later.

“Gasp!!”

The sight of an unfamiliar ceiling sent a jolt of panic through him, and he shot upright, momentarily forgetting his pain.

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“Ah, so you’re awake now?”

A feeble voice addressed him. Turning his head, Eu-jin saw a frail elderly woman sitting beside him. Startled, he instinctively pulled his shoulders back, his guard up.

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“W-Who are you?”

“Looks like you’re feelin’ a bit better now. Let me have a look.”

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Ignoring his unease, the old woman leaned forward and placed her hand on his forehead. Her rough, branch-like fingers brushed against his skin.

“Your fever’s gone down a bit. Goodness, child, I thought you were going to die right here.”

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“……”

Frozen in place, Eu-jin scanned the room with only his eyes.

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Faded wallpaper, yellowed linoleum floors, a musty smell lingering in the air, and this unfamiliar woman.

He vaguely remembered collapsing on the street from sheer exhaustion. It wasn’t hard to piece together that the elderly woman had found him and taken care of him. Slowly, the situation began to make sense.

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“Thank you for helping me,” he said hurriedly, moving to throw off the blanket and stand up.

Before he could, the woman reached for a tray nearby. Tilting a chubby glass jar, she poured brownish barley tea into a cup with a soft glugging sound.

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“What’s the rush? Have some water before you go.”

“……”

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Eu-jin’s gaze locked onto the cup she held out to him. His mouth went dry just looking at it. He knew he should remain cautious, but his thirst was overwhelming. Unable to resist, he accepted the cup.

Gulp, gulp.

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His Adam’s apple bobbed rapidly as he drained the lukewarm barley tea. It flowed down his throat, soothing his parched esophagus and settling into his empty stomach. After finishing, Eu-jin licked his cracked lips, his thirst far from satisfied.

But he couldn’t stay here any longer. Placing the empty cup gently on the floor, he stood up and grabbed his neatly placed backpack from a corner of the room.

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“Well…, thank you, but I should get going now.”

He bowed politely and moved toward the door. The elderly woman made no effort to stop him, letting him leave without a word.

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The house was old and traditional, with the door leading straight out to a wooden veranda. Stepping outside, Eu-jin found himself under a pitch-black sky. The air in the countryside was unbelievably fresh, and the only sounds were the occasional chirps of insects.

“…Haa.”

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Letting out a deep sigh, Eu-jin shouldered his bag and took a moment to collect himself. The tranquility of the rural night felt surreal compared to the chaos he had left behind.

With a heavy sigh, Eu-jin walked across the creaking veranda to where his worn sneakers sat on the stepping stones. He was just about to shove his foot into one of them when a voice stopped him.

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“It’s pitch dark outside. Where do you plan on sleeping? You’re so thin you look like you haven’t had a proper meal in days. Keep this up, and you’ll collapse again.”

“……”

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“Eat something and leave tomorrow at sunrise. It’s just me living here, so there’s no one to bother.”

The elderly woman had followed him outside, her tone laced with genuine concern. At the mention of food, Eu-jin’s stomach growled fiercely, and saliva pooled under his tongue.

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“Well… I…”

Having gone days without eating, Eu-jin found himself unable to refuse outright. As he hesitated, the old woman slipped into her slippers and headed across the yard toward the kitchen.

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The sound of clinking dishes came from the slightly ajar kitchen door. Caught in limbo, Eu-jin awkwardly shuffled for a moment before eventually following her inside.

The cramped, dimly lit kitchen buzzed with activity. Despite her hunched posture, the old woman moved deftly, her hands nimble and efficient. Before Eu-jin could say anything, she was already busy preparing a meal.

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The sweet aroma of freshly steamed rice filled the air, and the nutty scent of seasoned vegetables wafted from a ceramic dish. The tantalizing smells made Eu-jin’s mouth water involuntarily.

“Grandma, really, I’m fine…”

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“Stop fussing and get out of the way! Or better yet, go wash up! You’re so dirty even a crow would call you its brother.”

“No, I—really—”

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“Hurry up and go wash! The bathroom’s over that way, and there’s hot water, so don’t dawdle!”

Though small in stature, the old woman was surprisingly strong. She shoved Eu-jin toward the bathroom with enough force that he couldn’t resist. Giving in to her persistence, he reluctantly stepped inside.

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Leaving the door ajar to keep an eye on his surroundings, Eu-jin turned on the faucet. Warm water poured out immediately, and he tentatively wet his hands. Grabbing a cracked peach-colored bar of soap, he worked up a lather, which quickly turned gray from the grime on his skin.

Scrubbing his dirt-covered hands and greasy face until they were clean, he felt a rare sense of relief. He even squeezed toothpaste directly onto his finger to brush his teeth. The sensation of freshness made him feel almost alive again.

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After drying his dripping face, Eu-jin cautiously exited the bathroom. The house was now filled with the aroma of a freshly prepared meal. By the time he returned, the old woman had already set the table on the floor.

“Come and sit,” she called out, motioning to the low dining table.

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On it sat a bowl of steaming white rice, soybean paste stew, seasoned wild greens, perfectly fermented kimchi, and even a sunny-side-up egg.

Eu-jin stood frozen, staring at the meal. The sight of real food after so long left him dazed.

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Without pressing him further, the old woman quietly stepped out, the sounds of her tidying up in the kitchen filtering through the open door.

Taking a seat cautiously, Eu-jin glanced around the room before being drawn in by the enticing smells. Giving in, he scooped up a spoonful of the stew and tasted it.

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“……”

Damn it, it’s so warm and delicious.

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The simple yet hearty meal was almost too much for his frazzled nerves to handle.

The soybean paste stew was as simple as it could get—just a few pieces of zucchini and tofu floating in the broth—yet somehow it tasted heavenly. Before he knew it, Eu-jin had his head down, shoveling food into his mouth. His spoon moved relentlessly, and he stuffed his cheeks until they were ready to burst.

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“Goodness, slow down, child. You’ll end up with indigestion,” the old woman chided softly.

At some point, she had seated herself across from him, watching him eat with a mix of concern and pity. She poured a cup of barley tea and placed it on the table, then pushed the untouched plate of fried eggs closer to his rice bowl.

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“…Thank you,” Eu-jin mumbled, bowing his head slightly.

He couldn’t tell if the lump in his throat was from the food or from the unexpected wave of emotions welling up inside him. Taking a sip of the lukewarm tea, he managed to swallow down both the food and the rising tears.

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“Do you not have a home?” the old woman asked.

“……”

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“How did you end up all the way out here? Do you have anywhere to go?”

Judging by his ragged appearance, she must have assumed he was some sort of wanderer.

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Despite his empty mouth, Eu-jin couldn’t bring himself to answer. Where was I even planning to go? he thought. Someone being chased didn’t have the luxury of a destination. The weight of it all started to sink in again, leaving him with a hollow feeling.

“I’m sorry. I’ll just finish my meal and leave right away,” he said eventually.

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“It’s fine, I shouldn’t have asked,” the old woman replied gently.

She dusted off her purple work pants and stood up. Crossing the creaky wooden floor, she slid open the door to the room where Eu-jin had woken up earlier. The misaligned wooden panels scraped noisily as she pushed them aside. A faint light spilled out, and the sound of her organizing something reached his ears.

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Eu-jin couldn’t stay seated. Feeling restless, he glanced over his shoulder repeatedly and fidgeted in his seat.

Finally, he shoved the last piece of fried egg into his mouth, swallowing it whole as though it were a drink. He wiped his greasy lips with the back of his hand, stood up, and followed the old woman to the far room.

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There, she was crouched down, scrubbing the floor with a dry cloth, her slight frame looking even smaller in the dim light.

“This house is old and shabby, so it might not be much, but if you’ve got nowhere else to go, you can sleep here for the night,” she said.

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“……”

“My grandson was about your age. I suppose thinking about him makes me soft. Don’t go worrying that this old woman’s lost her marbles or anything like that.”

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The old woman finished tidying the bedding with practiced ease before stepping out of the room. When she started clearing away the table, Eu-jin hurried to help, but she waved him off firmly. In the end, he could do nothing but stand there awkwardly.

“…Thank you. I’ll stay just for one night,” he said hesitantly, his gratitude clumsy but genuine.

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Either she didn’t hear him or chose not to respond, as the old woman left without another word.

Eu-jin’s steps led him back toward the room. The small space, covered in yellow linoleum, was warm from the fire stoked beneath the traditional floor heating system. The shiny, well-worn cotton blanket on the floor looked familiar—something he might have seen at his grandmother’s house years ago.

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He sank down into a corner of the toasty room. Leaving the sliding door slightly ajar, he pulled the blanket over his knees. The warmth from the meal and the cozy room worked together to dissolve the sharp edges of his wariness, leaving him feeling uncharacteristically relaxed.

Leaning his back against the wall, Eu-jin closed his eyes for a moment. The lingering fatigue from days on the run weighed heavily on him, and he found himself unable to resist the pull of exhaustion.

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For the first time in what felt like forever, he was surrounded by soothing warmth. His eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and before he knew it, he had dozed off where he sat, lulled into sleep by the rare sense of comfort.

* * *

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What Eu-jin thought would be a brief stay of one night stretched into an entire month.

The elderly woman, Bok-soon, had suggested he stay and keep her company, and he had agreed without much hesitation. His life as a fugitive had left him exhausted, both physically and mentally.

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Geumchon was the perfect refuge: a remote mountain village with minimal contact with the outside world. There wasn’t even a police station or community center. The residents, mostly elderly, seemed disconnected from recent events and didn’t concern themselves with things like Espers, Guides, or rifts. It was as if the village existed in a bubble, untouched by the outside world—a pristine sanctuary.

“Eu-jin, watch the house while I’m out, okay?”

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“Yes, ma’am. Have a good trip!”

On market day, Bok-soon left early, eager to make her way to town. Eu-jin, who had been busy cleaning, followed her to the gate to see her off.

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The bus stop was far from the house, so he didn’t go beyond the gate. Instead, he held onto it, watching her slowly shrink into the distance until she was no bigger than a speck.

Even in this remote village, Eu-jin wasn’t willing to take chances. He avoided going out during the day, limiting his activities to helping with the small vegetable patch beside the house.

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When he did go out, he wore a sun cap with a wide brim and draped himself in a farming hat to keep his face hidden. It wasn’t until the sun set that he ventured out for short walks, wearing a simple baseball cap pulled low over his face.

The autumn weather was pleasant, with a crisp breeze and golden hues in the air. His favorite pastime had become walking hand in hand with Bok-soon to the village’s tiny market, picking out snacks and treats to share.

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Back at the house, Eu-jin finished cleaning, wringing out the cloths thoroughly before laying them out to dry in the sunniest spot.

Satisfied with his work, he sprawled out on the polished wooden floor of the veranda. A playful puppy that had been bounding around the yard came over and flopped down beside him, belly to the ground.

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Eu-jin propped one leg up, resting the other across it, and laced his fingers behind his head. A gentle breeze tousled his fine hair as he gazed up at the sky.

Are they still looking for me?

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The thought lingered, drifting lazily in his mind like the clouds above.

Surely they’re not still wasting resources just to track down one Guide, right?

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As Eu-jin grew more accustomed to the peaceful life in Geumchon, his curiosity about the outside world grew alongside it.

The house did have a TV, but it was mostly used for dramas and lifestyle programs. Without internet access, he had no way of gauging what was happening beyond the village.

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Still, he couldn’t stay here indefinitely. Sooner or later, he’d need to figure out a plan for his future.

“Haa, what should I do?”

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Eu-jin lazily rolled onto his side and began stroking the puppy’s soft, squishy belly. The simple pleasure of it melted away his worries, leaving him content for the moment.

That evening, Bok-soon returned home with a bundle of aged kimchi and began slicing it up to make savory kimchi pancakes.

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Sizzle.

As the batter hit the heated lid of the iron pot, it crackled and fried to a perfect crisp. The nutty aroma of the oil filled the air, making Eu-jin’s mouth water.

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“Grandma, should I go get some makgeolli?” Eu-jin offered, unable to resist the tantalizing scent.

“That’d be great. I’m busy with the pancakes—think you can handle it on your own?”

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“Of course! I’ll be back in no time.”

Eu-jin hurried to his room, grabbed some money and a flashlight, and shoved a black cap onto his head before confidently stepping out the gate.

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The unlit rural road was pitch dark, with not a single streetlamp to guide the way. The fresh night air carried the earthy scent of fertilizer. Eu-jin shone his flashlight on the ground, carefully navigating the bumpy dirt path.

Before long, the small sign for “Yeongsik Supermarket” came into view.

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At the outdoor fridge, he grabbed two green bottles of makgeolli and pulled a crumpled 5,000-won bill from his pocket. The note, having been stored in his piggy bank for ages, was wrinkled and worn. Eu-jin flattened it against his thigh before stepping inside to pay.

“Here’s the payment.”

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“……”

The man behind the counter lowered his phone and glanced at Eu-jin.

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This was Park Yeong-sik, the heir to the supermarket and the only young man left in the village. Today, he was manning the shop in his mother’s stead.

With sharp, monolid eyes, Yeongsik scrutinized the unfamiliar stranger standing before him.

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Something about Eu-jin’s face made him pause, his gaze lingering as if trying to place him.

 

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