RAP Chapter 8

That Smile Is Unfair

 

“Huh? What did you say?”

 

It seemed that Do-cheol had heard the words that had unconsciously slipped out. Bihee mumbled a vague response.

 

“Ah, no. Now that you’re living with a human.”

 

“Living together? She’s in the main quarters, and I’m in the detached quarters. We’re clearly living separately.”

 

How is it living separately when you’ve let a human into your domain? This land itself is you.

 

Bihee swallowed back those words, knowing full well that if she said them, Do-cheol would throw a fit.

 

“Sure, sure. Anyway, take care. I’m off now.”

 

“Thanks for your help today. We haven’t seen each other in a while, and I just made you work.”

 

“What do you mean, work? It was really fun. Call me again sometime.”

 

“Yeah. Go in and rest.”

 

Bihee patted Do-cheol on the shoulder before disappearing. With the move finished and Bihee gone, Do-cheol, now alone, plopped down onto a chair with a refreshed expression.

 

“Ha, I can finally get some rest.”

 

He had been up since early morning, carrying moving boxes, and was feeling a bit tired. It was the perfect weather to lie in the hammock set up in the yard and relax. Getting up from his seat in a good mood, Do-cheol headed towards the yard.

 

“What the—? You?”

 

The smile on his face disappeared instantly when he saw Yeouiju lying in his hammock, reading a book as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

 

“I was looking around and ended up here. It seemed like the perfect spot to read.”

 

“If you’re done reading, get out. That’s my spot.”

 

“I’m not done yet…”

 

He was so dumbfounded that he couldn’t even speak. How could a human adapt this quickly? Pressing his temple in disbelief, Do-cheol kicked the tree supporting the hammock.

 

As Yeouiju swayed unsteadily, Do-cheol flashed a smug, victorious grin and swiftly climbed onto the hammock himself.

 

“That’s so unfair.”

 

“What do you mean, unfair? The one who took someone else’s spot is the one at fault.”

 

Yeouiju, pouting at how quickly her spot had been taken, sat down against the tree that held up the hammock. Do-cheol cracked open one eye and, seeing her sitting on the ground, immediately sprang up.

 

“Hey! Why are you sitting on the ground?!”

 

You just told me to get out, and now you’re making a fuss about me sitting on the ground? Frustrated by Do-cheol’s unpredictable nature, Yeouiju replied flatly.

 

“There’s nowhere else to sit.”

 

“Why aren’t you inside? Why are you out here?”

 

“The weather’s nice…”

 

At her response, Do-cheol leaned his head back and muttered to himself.

 

“So annoying. So incredibly annoying. Absolutely annoying.”

 

Hearing his grumbling, Yeouiju pouted.

 

“Fine! I’ll go inside. I’m just a freeloader anyway. No matter how nice the weather is, I should just stay cooped up in my room, right?”

 

“Ugh, that mouth, that mouth, that mouth.”

 

Do-cheol, who had been making a motion as if to pinch her lips, suddenly called out in a loud voice.

 

“Haengnang-ahbeom!”

 

At his shout, an elderly man with snow-white hair appeared.

 

“You remember the leftover materials from last time? Bring them over and set up another one here.”

 

The moment Do-cheol gave his order, the old man vanished and then reappeared, swiftly setting up a new hammock with remarkable speed.

 

His movements were so fast that before Yeouiju could even close her gaping mouth, the hammock was completed.

 

“Wow… Thank you so much.”

 

As Yeouiju bowed her head in gratitude, the old man disappeared as quietly as he had come.

 

With wide eyes, Yeouiju turned to Do-cheol and asked, “What was that? Is he a yokai too?”

 

“Yeah. He lives in the servant’s quarters. He helps out with chores, so call him if you need something.”

 

“Even if he helps out, isn’t it a bit rude to treat an elderly man with white hair like that?”

 

Do-cheol scoffed, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

 

“Hey, he only looks like that. He’s actually the youngest one in this house.”

 

“What?”

 

“You seem to keep forgetting that I’m a 1,500-year-old dragon.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“You can’t apply human standards to yokai.”

 

Everything he said was completely logical. As frustrating as it was, she had to admit he was right.

 

“You’re right. Please forget my disrespectful words just now.”

 

Do-cheol had expected her to argue stubbornly, but seeing her back down so quickly, his fighting spirit drained away.

 

“I made you a spot, so go lie down. Why do you keep sitting on the ground?”

 

“You just said I was annoying earlier.”

 

“Should I call Haengnang-ahbeom back to take down the hammock?”

 

“No! Thank you very much, I’ll use it.”

 

Yeouiju quickly grabbed a book and lay down in the hammock, gazing quietly at the sky.

 

It was as if the real estate scam and the absurd events of yesterday had never happened—everything felt peaceful.

 

Enjoying a rare moment of leisure, Yeouiju put down the book, closed her eyes, and let the wind wash over her. The gentle breeze tickled the tip of her nose.

 

“If you snore, I’ll kill you.”

 

“I’m not even sleeping. Ugh, seriously. Way to ruin the mood.”

 

Yeouiju sat up and looked around the yard. The tranquil scenery before her eased her mind. Taking in the fresh air, she turned to Do-cheol, who was still lying down with his eyes closed.

 

“Right, but where exactly is this? I didn’t know a place like this existed in Seoul.”

 

“Nope. We’re in Taebaek, Gangwon Province.”

 

“What? Taebaek?”

 

“Yeah. Got a problem with that?”

 

Yeouiju was so startled that she scrambled out of the hammock and rushed toward Do-cheol, who looked far too composed.

 

“Then how am I supposed to get to work? All my part-time jobs are in Seoul!”

 

Since she had vanished in an instant and then reappeared just as quickly, she had assumed they were still somewhere in Seoul. Now, completely dumbfounded, Yeouiju slumped down in despair.

 

“I told you not to sit on the ground.”

 

“But I have to go to work tomorrow… what am I supposed to do…?”

 

Yeouiju clutched her head in frustration, not even registering Do-cheol’s voice.

 

Sighing, Do-cheol climbed down from the hammock, looking thoroughly annoyed.

 

“Hey, Yeouiju.”

 

“What…”

 

“Follow me.”

 

Sniffling, Yeouiju trailed after Do-cheol, who had told her to follow him but was already striding off ahead.

 

“You told me to follow you! Where are we going?”

 

“Shut up and keep up if you actually want to go to work tomorrow.”

 

Like a Pavlovian dog reacting to the word “work,” Yeouiju instantly picked up her pace, almost at a sprint.

 

Panting heavily, she finally caught up to Do-cheol at the outer wall of the house where she would be staying from now on.

 

“This should do.”

 

“What?”

 

“Wait here.”

 

Do-cheol examined the wall, then called out again.

 

“Haengnang-ahbeom!”

 

At his call, Haengnang-ahbeom appeared out of nowhere.

 

“Where does he keep coming from…?”

 

No matter how many times she saw it, it was still fascinating. Yeouiju took a step back and watched them curiously.

 

“Make a door here. Just big enough for that human to pass through.”

 

The moment Do-cheol gave his order, Haengnang-ahbeom disappeared again, only to reappear moments later carrying an armful of wooden planks.

 

Without a hammer, he started assembling them against the wall, and in just a few quick movements, a proper-looking door was complete.

 

“Not bad. Good work.”

 

Do-cheol patted Haengnang-ahbeom’s shoulder, and with a small smile, he vanished once again.

 

“Whoa… That was amazing…”

 

Yeouiju, who had approached without realizing it, ran her hands over the door in admiration.

 

“Will this do? It’s your old neighborhood.”

 

“Yes, but…”

 

What was he planning to do with just a door in the middle of a wall? Confused, Yeouiju stared blankly at Do-cheol. Do-cheol placed his hand on the doorknob and closed his eyes.

 

“Are you bonding with the door or something?”

 

At her flippant remark, Do-cheol opened his eyes and shot her a glare before dusting off his palms.

 

“Grab the doorknob and open it.”

 

But it was just a wall. What was there to open? Having watched the door get built from scratch, Yeouiju’s trust in the situation was at an all-time low.

 

Without expecting anything, she pulled the door open—only for her eyes to widen in shock.

 

“What is this?”

 

“What do you think? It’s your neighborhood.”

 

Do-cheol answered indifferently and stepped through the door.

 

“What are you waiting for? Coming or not?”

 

Hesitant, Yeouiju took a deep breath before following him.

 

“Whoa! This is incredible!”

 

Just a moment ago, they had been in Taebaek, Gangwon Province. But stepping through the door had brought them to a familiar neighborhood park.

 

“You’re going to dislocate your jaw.”

 

Teasing her, Do-cheol watched as Yeouiju stood there, mouth agape in disbelief.

 

Then, without hesitation, he closed the still-open door.

 

The door, which had been standing there just moments ago, slid away, leaving behind only the doorknob.

  

“If you step out through that door, you’ll arrive here. This path is hidden from other humans, so don’t worry about going to and from work. Got it?”  

 

“Yes…”  

 

Still unable to calm her startled heart, Yeouiju answered with a dazed expression.  

 

“Close your mouth already. A bug might fly in.”  

 

“But it’s just so amazing… It’s like magic…”  

 

“I’m a dragon who’s lived for 1,500 years. Wouldn’t it be strange if I didn’t have at least this much ability?”  

 

At Do-cheol’s words, Yeouiju shut her mouth and gazed at him with eyes shining with curiosity.  

 

“Just how many abilities do you have?”  

 

“Why? Planning to use them for something?”  

 

“No, it’s just incredible. How can a single door connect Gangwon-do and Seoul?”  

 

“Now that you understand how amazing it is, make sure to respect me and stop messing around.”  

 

Normally, if he said something like this, she would scowl and retort sarcastically. But instead, Yeouiju nodded with bright, admiring eyes, leaving Do-cheol so flustered that he even stammered.  

 

“W-what? Why are you looking at me like that?”  

 

“Because you’re cool.”  

 

“What?”  

 

“Seeing these abilities makes me realize I’m really living with a dragon.”  

 

“What nonsense.”  

 

Even though he couldn’t feel heat, for some reason, he suddenly felt unbearably warm. Feeling a wave of warmth rise from his toes, Do-cheol quickly opened the door and responded half-heartedly.  

 

“I’m leaving. Come or don’t, I don’t care.”  

 

Speaking coldly, Do-cheol hurried away as if escaping.  

 

“Ah, come on, wait for me! So mean.”  

 

Not wanting to be left alone, Yeouiju stepped toward the door. A single door connecting Taebaek and Seoul, and Seoul and Taebaek. Excited, Yeouiju bounced back and forth through the door.  

 

“Look at that. Look at what she’s doing.”  

 

Watching Yeouiju’s one-person show from atop a tree, Do-cheol clicked his tongue.  

 

“Is she an idiot?”  

 

Her childlike antics were so ridiculous, yet they made him chuckle.  

 

She was just another tiresome human from this tedious land, so why did she make him laugh like this?  

 

Even he couldn’t understand himself as he stood lost in thought. Then, he suddenly jumped down from the tree.  

 

“Hey! Yeouiju!”  

 

Startled by his call, Yeouiju quickly checked Do-cheol’s expression.  

 

“Oh no, did you see everything?”  

 

Leaning lazily against a wall with his arms crossed, Do-cheol smirked teasingly.  

 

“You looked like you were having the time of your life.”  

 

“Of course I was! It might be nothing to you, but for an ordinary human like me, this is incredible!”  

 

“Always talking back.”  

 

Yeouiju, still brimming with excitement, didn’t seem to mind his remark at all. She laughed like a child, then bowed her head toward Do-cheol.  

 

“Thank you!”  

 

When she lifted her head, her bright smile was even more dazzling than the sunlight he’d felt while lying in a hammock. Her curved eyes sparkled like a crescent moon. Even seeing it again, that smile was shocking.  

 

It was the complete opposite of her usual serious expression, and it held Do-cheol’s gaze captive.  

 

“What? Is there something behind me?”  

 

Thinking Do-cheol was looking at something else, Yeouiju turned around.  

 

Before she could turn completely, he needed to summon someone quickly, or she’d realize he’d been staring at her.  

 

Do-cheol hastily muttered under his breath as if whispering.  

 

“Wureong-ah.”  

 

Not even a second passed.  

 

Before Yeouiju’s eyes, a woman dressed in a hanbok appeared.  

 

“Huh? Who are you?”  

 

The woman didn’t answer but instead smiled softly. That smile somehow felt familiar—like when she had first met Jowangshin.  

 

“She’s my housekeeper. You know the legend of the Snail Bride? That’s her. Just call her Wureong.”  

 

“The Snail Bride is real?”  

 

“Why? Want her to turn back into a snail? Wureong-ah.”  

 

At Do-cheol’s call, the woman vanished in an instant. In the spot where she had stood, only a single snail remained.  

 

“Wow! Amazing!”  

 

Do-cheol shook his head and let out a quiet sigh.  

 

“That was close. Almost got caught.”