TGHD Ch 33

The head of the family was greatly angered by the commotion in Dujedong.

He had sent them there to restore the family’s honor while dealing with the landslide damage, but they ended up causing a disturbance. There were many witnesses, including police, soldiers, and firefighters helping with the recovery in Dujedong.

They destroyed houses that had been painstakingly cleaned up, broke roads, and then went up the mountain to perform a flashy spell, triggering an additional landslide…

Though it was all said to be in the process of hunting an evil spirit suspected to be from Sagwido, the extent of the damage was severe. In the end, only Cheon Ryubeom successfully eliminated the evil spirit, while the rest of the family floundered in the swamp and had to be rescued by Cheonho Foundation staff.

The tiger head scolded them for bringing disgrace to the family’s honor, calling their actions shameful and pitiful. The grandchildren had to kneel in front of the main building and face the head’s anger, ending with a house arrest order.

“Sagwido will be entirely entrusted to Cheon Ryubeom.”

As a result, Ryubeom received unprecedented trust from the head and even obtained an identification tag signifying his membership in the Cheon family. Though it was said he would only be recognized as a family member after resolving all Sagwidos, the disturbance caused by his cousins in Dujedong highlighted Ryubeom’s achievements, earning him the tag in advance. The head personally provided it, stating it would aid in his search.

This tag meant that the bearer, a Cheon family tiger, could go anywhere in the land. Ryubeom looked down at the wooden tag in his hand, feeling a sense of wonder. When he had been cast out of the family, he received nothing, but now he had the Cheon family’s symbols and various treasures at his disposal.

“…Cheon…”

Ryubeom spent an unknown amount of time stroking the wooden tag. It was a circular wooden tag with the character ‘天’ engraved on it. It resembled the one he had seen in the chest his mother carried during their frequent moves.

His heart pounded clearly. It felt like a dream to be getting closer to his wish.

With these excited feelings, Cheon Ryubeom headed to a place far from Yuseom Mountain. Instead, he was among the bustling crowd in a completely different area.

“Two boxes of traditional snacks for ten thousand won!”

“Try calligraphy! A teacher will guide you personally!”

This was the SeoHan Fortress, where a traditional festival was being held.

As it was a festival held at a famous cultural heritage site, it had been extensively promoted by the local government. Consequently, the festival venue was packed with people. Numerous booths lined up, selling a variety of foods and offering unique experiences.

And by Ryubeom’s side were the Gold-Silver-Bronze triplets.

“Wow, Beom-i! I want to try that!”

“I want to eat honey candy!”

“I’ve been good at playing jegi since I was little.”

“Aren’t you still little, Dongo…?”

Over the past few days, while staying with his family, Ryubeom hadn’t been able to contact the triplets properly. Remembering their interest in this festival from their last call before losing contact, he had invited them to join him today.

Seeing the triplets after a few months was a delight. Ryubeom was willing to do whatever the children wanted.

But there was a curious gaze fixed on Ryubeom. A look of disbelief that Cheon Ryubeom had come to the festival just to play with the triplets.

Ryubeom spoke, feeling awkward under the gaze.

“Yeohwi. This time, I’m really not here to search for Sagwido. So don’t look at me with such suspicion.”

“Oh, was it that obvious?”

“You never even tried to hide it.”

Despite Ryubeom’s insistence, Yeohwi’s gaze remained suspicious. He even glanced around the space as if thinking they might be there to gather clues, leaving Ryubeom even more perplexed. But given his past, he felt compelled to explain further.

“The recent chaos made the mountain unstable, so we can’t search Yuseom Mountain for a while. If we go in hastily, we might get into trouble just for being part of the family. I really came here just to spend time with the triplets…”

“You really just wanted to play?”

“Is it so surprising that I might want to have some fun?”

“Hmm. Sometimes I understand why Guil looked at me like I was possessed by an evil spirit.”

“What? Why would you be possessed by an evil spirit?”

As Ryubeom looked at him with a puzzled expression at the odd comment, Yeohwi just shrugged.

While he was left speechless, the hat strings were quickly and perfectly tied. At that moment, the triplets appeared with the shop owner, having finished their outfits.

The owner clapped their hands upon seeing Ryubeom’s attire.

“Oh my, you dressed so well on your own! Did the person next to you help? It looks like the work of a master who has been wearing hanbok for at least a hundred years!”

They kept giving thumbs up with both hands, making Ryubeom feel a bit embarrassed. Indeed, Yeohwi had improved his appearance by adjusting his clothes.

Meanwhile, Yeohwi smiled at the rainbow-colored shoes the triplets were wearing, saying they looked cute, and he also helped straighten their outfits.

Naturally kind, he took care of everyone like that. Ryubeom tried to calm his pounding heart from the close moment they shared earlier.

After changing clothes, they entered the fortress and looked around.

Inside, there were quite a few people in hanbok, so Ryubeom was relieved that he didn’t stand out. On the other hand, he was excited because it really felt like they were there to have fun.

Various traditional events were taking place inside the fortress, and one of them was pansori. Listening, it seemed they were performing recent works converted into pansori, not old plays.

“There was a master with the ability to restore collapsed buildings!”

Ryubeom, who had been planning to just glance and move on, found himself stopping unknowingly. At that moment, the drumbeat rang out, holding him in place. They were narrating several works as pansori, and people gradually gathered around.

“One day, a monster appeared through the spreading fog…!”

“Students on a field trip suddenly get trapped in a training center!”

Before he knew it, Cheon Ryubeom had taken a seat and was listening intently to all the stories. He could have left after a while, but a strange sense of familiarity kept him listening. The triplets also sat with him, saying, “If Beom-i likes it, I like it too!”

Only Yeohwi seemed puzzled and asked,

“Do you like pansori?”

“I don’t know… It just seems pitiful that the protagonists go through so much hardship…”

“You really empathize with the characters.”

Though Yeohwi gave Ryubeom a slightly reluctant look, he didn’t force him to move elsewhere. Thanks to that, Ryubeom could listen to all three performances.

After each performance, the actors stamped their pamphlets. There were spaces to collect stamps in the pamphlet they received before entering the fortress, and collecting stamps through various activities inside would earn them a prize at the end.

As an enthusiastic audience member with three stamps, Ryubeom received cheers from the triplets. They clapped, saying he had a plan all along, while Ryubeom shyly scratched the back of his neck. He had just felt a sudden sense of familiarity and listened…

The triplets’ competitive spirits ignited.

“Let’s come in first place!”

“Yes! With Beom-i, it’s possible!”

“It’s time to write ‘The Moment Beom-i Descended on This Land, Part 2′!”

Geumo, Euno, and Dongo cheered in turn, clenching their fists. Cheon Ryubeom, bewildered, was led by the children without a chance to ask what they meant.

Thus began the real hunt—collecting stamps.

There were various activities to experience. Tightrope walking, jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking), ttakji chigi (playing with folded paper), stone balancing, ring toss, tuho (arrow throwing) games, and more. Cheon Ryubeom scored full marks in all physical activities. In tuho, every throw landed in the jar.

As people around marveled at Ryubeom’s incredible skills, the triplets’ pride soared. They proudly showed off Ryubeom’s accomplishments as if they were their own. It was like the second act of basking in reflected glory.

There were plenty of activities for the children to enjoy. From seesaws to giant yutnori (a traditional Korean board game), tangram puzzles, and more, there were many activities that kept the triplets happily busy. They especially enjoyed throwing the giant yut sticks, so much so that their fox ears even popped out.

By now, Ryubeom was no longer surprised by their clumsy attempts to appear human. He simply smiled and patted their heads. When they cried because they tripped during hopscotch and missed a stamp, he adjusted their clothes and said,

“It’s okay, you don’t have to get them all.”

Today was about having fun, and he wanted the children to leave with happy memories. Ryubeom had already collected many stamps, so they had some leeway.

Ryubeom thought to himself that he was saying things he found very unfamiliar. “It’s okay if you can’t do it” was an unimaginable phrase in the tiger family. In any field, failing was considered a lack of ability and a shame. Having been pressured his entire life, it felt oddly liberating for Ryubeom to tell the children it was okay.

While Cheon Ryubeom was particularly kind to children, Yeohwi’s words had a significant impact. He had told Ryubeom to find value in the effort itself.

Feeling a bit ticklish inside, Ryubeom looked at Yeohwi.

“Aren’t you doing anything, Yeohwi? Is there nothing that catches your interest?”

“Just watching is fun enough for me.”

Although Yeohwi answered nonchalantly, Ryubeom was concerned about him. So far, only he and the triplets had been busy with activities, while Yeohwi had just clapped along. It seemed enough for Yeohwi, but Ryubeom felt a bit disappointed.

Ryubeom quickly looked around. Activities that were too childish might not be interesting for Yeohwi; he needed something that could catch his interest.

“How about we try that? Maybe a little competition for points…”

What finally caught Ryubeom’s eye was the archery experience. He mentioned a competition to make it more interesting, but Yeohwi narrowed his eyes.

“Won’t I lose in physical activities? Are you trying to make me feel bad like others?”

Earlier, when Ryubeom was gathering stamps, people around him had felt quite awkward. With his every successful throw in tuho, people quietly left, feeling they couldn’t compete. Mentioning that situation, Yeohwi tried to decline, but Ryubeom quickly shook his head.

“No. I haven’t used a bow much. I’m more used to throwing things directly; with a bow…”

“Hmm, saying it like that makes me believe you.”

Yeohwi nodded as if recalling Cheon Ryubeom’s past. It was just something Ryubeom said to convince him, but Yeohwi accepted it so easily that it was a bit surprising.

Ryubeom sighed, and Yeohwi smiled.

“Still, since it’s unfair for me, let’s add a condition that the winner gets a wish granted.”

“…Alright.”

Agreeing that rewards could motivate, Ryubeom slowly nodded. It made sense that Yeohwi would be at a disadvantage, given that tigers were generally skilled in various martial arts.

He even considered letting Yeohwi win out of curiosity about what he might wish for…

After the competition, Ryubeom stood in front of the target, speechless. The arrows were clustered tightly in the smallest yellow center circle.

“This is cheating… How did you score all 10s?”

“You should have known your opponent better before betting.”

Though Ryubeom belatedly felt wronged, Yeohwi answered calmly. Despite scoring high himself, Ryubeom couldn’t compare to Yeohwi’s perfect shots. Yeohwi seemed to have anticipated this reaction, as he laughed joyfully.

The triplets blinked in shock. Especially Dongo, who greatly admired Ryubeom, plopped down in disbelief. Euno and Geumo also shook their heads vigorously.

“Our young master lost…!”

“No way! How could Yeohwi win?!”

“A tiger can’t lose…”

“Hey, are you sure you’re in the same family as me?”

Yeohwi was flabbergasted that no one seemed happy about his victory, while Ryubeom sighed deeply. He knew that Yeohwi was from the Joseon Dynasty, but he hadn’t thought that living long would relate to skill with a bow.

How can he shoot arrows so well with such delicate hands?

Though Ryubeom felt a bit wronged, seeing Yeohwi smiling with his eyes crinkling up left him speechless. All he could think was that it was good Yeohwi was having fun.

Moreover, Yeohwi’s serious look while shooting the bow had struck him as quite different. The eyes staring straight at the target, the slight tension in his brows, the taut bowstring pressing against his lips…

Just seeing this new side of him made Ryubeom feel it was worth it, so he willingly accepted his defeat. It was amusing to see Dongo argue that the bet was invalid because they hadn’t known all the details…

“Yeohwi definitely won. I’ll grant you a wish.”

“It’s a hollow victory.”

Muttering that he would say his wish later when he wasn’t feeling sad, Yeohwi’s behavior made Ryubeom laugh out loud.

A gentle autumn breeze swept through the area, lifting his spirits. The clear sky, bright sunshine, and fluffy clouds spread out like a painting.

It was truly a good decision to come to the festival today.

* * *

At the end of the festival.

An event was held on the central stage of the fortress to rank the number of stamps collected throughout the day. The triplets proudly handed over their pamphlets to the host, expecting to come in first place. Thanks to Yeohwi’s excellent archery skills, they had even gained two more stamps at the end.

Having completed most of the activities at the festival, Ryubeom also thought they would come in first. So he checked the first prize. One million won, a hanbok made by a famous artisan, and the latest tablet PC. It was a prize combining tradition and modernity. The children also gleamed at the sight of the prizes.

But the result was shocking.

“Ah! The triplets have collected 51 stamps and are in second place!”

The children stood frozen, their mouths wide open as if struck by lightning. Even Ryubeom, who had stayed back while the kids went to the stage, widened his eyes in surprise.

“This is very interesting! First place has 53 stamps, second place has 51, and third place has 48! Over ten teams have collected more than 40 stamps! It seems everyone has really enjoyed the traditional activities today, thank you!”

As the host excitedly announced, Ryubeom quickly looked around to find the first-place team. It wasn’t hard to spot the people celebrating the most.

A couple, a dog Suin and a cat Suin. A Golden Retriever and a Black Persian cat were joyfully holding onto each other, and Ryubeom decided to accept the results. They must have worked hard too. He just felt sorry for wasting too much time listening to pansori.

He was about to apologize to the kids and let go of his regrets about the ranking. Today had been fun, and he thought that was enough. Yeohwi mumbled,

“It would have been nice to get first place. A bit disappointing…”

At that moment, Ryubeom’s heart dropped.

“But, depending on the activities, the number of stamps you can collect varies, right? Since each activity takes different amounts of time! So, we’ve prepared a special event for a last-minute comeback!”

The host’s shout rang clearly in his ears. Although they could still get some prizes based on their current ranking, participating in this event would double the prizes, capturing everyone’s attention.

“The special event is a treasure hunt!”

Cheon Ryubeom’s eyes glowed.

The host explained the rules of the treasure hunt in detail. Pouches with the SeoHan Fortress emblem were hidden throughout the fortress, and points would be added based on how many were found.

“A green pouch is worth 2 points, a red pouch is worth 5 points, and a yellow pouch is… 50 points!”

People cheered at the host’s announcement. Even if they found just the yellow pouch, they could instantly take the lead. The host added that there was only one yellow pouch, and it would be very difficult to find and retrieve.

The current leading couple seemed a bit dissatisfied, but the idea of doubling the prize if they participated in the special event made them exchange intrigued glances. Being a dog and cat Suin couple, they seemed confident in their treasure-hunting abilities and soon nodded in agreement. They already had an advantage at the starting point.

The triplets ran down from the stage, excitedly shouting at Ryubeom.

“Beom-i! Beom-i! Let’s do the treasure hunt!”

“I’m good at finding things!”

“My dream was actually to become a detective!”

Ryubeom nodded at the enthusiastic remarks from the triplets. However, he was already too focused on scanning his surroundings with a serious expression to fully listen to them.

“I’ll leave the green and red pouches to you.”

Already in second place with 51 points, they needed a high score. The single yellow pouch. Ryubeom quickly formulated a plan in his head.

They had to take first place, no matter what.

He had never felt such competitive spirit even during the family’s regular exams. Even while walking around the festival today, he had never been this cautious. He had behaved carefully to avoid drawing attention, acting moderately. That alone had earned him perfect scores in all areas, but if Cheon Ryubeom had taken it seriously, some items would have likely been damaged.

With the sound of the bell, the special game began.

The triplets quickly ran to the back, and Yeohwi had to step aside due to participant limits. The treasure hunt allowed teams with more participants to have an advantage, so there was a cap on the number of participants per team. However, there were no participation restrictions for children, so the triplets and Ryubeom could join in.

Ryubeom climbed to a high point on the fortress to look down at the site. After all, he was an experienced professional who had been searching for Sagwido until recently. From his high vantage point, he spotted the leading couple.

“They’re not ordinary either…”

The dog Suin and cat Suin couple searching the area looked very familiar. They communicated with hand signals and skillfully climbed the outer walls, suggesting they worked in search-related professions. It wouldn’t be an easy task to beat them.

Soon, cheers erupted from various spots as people found the pouches.

“Wow! We might make it to the top ranks!”

“I found a red pouch!”

The green and red pouches were found in locations like booth displays and decorations on staff uniforms. Some people even found them stuck under chairs in front of the main stage. Noting the varied and fun hiding spots, Ryubeom began deducing the yellow pouch’s location.

Hiding the highest-scoring pouch in something like a drawer or jar inside a building wouldn’t be interesting. As the key to this special event, the yellow pouch’s location had to be unique. It had to be a place that drew a lot of attention and, as the host said, would be difficult to retrieve… A spot generally out of human reach.

Ryubeom’s gaze swept towards the forest behind the fortress. The forested area within the fortress grounds contained a tree with a long history.

Ryubeom, confident in his deduction, ran towards the forest. Just as he entered the woods, someone inside shouted,

“I found it! The yellow pouch!”

The loud shout instantly drew people to the scene. Those outside the forest, skeptical about whether the yellow pouch had truly been found, entered cautiously but soon gaped at what they saw.

The yellow pouch was perched high atop a tall tree.

“Who can reach that?!”

Cheon Ryubeom decided he would.

However, he hesitated for a moment before moving. Climbing the tree here would attract too much attention, he thought. Watching some people try to use long poles to hook the pouch, he considered whether he should do the same to stay inconspicuous…

But Ryubeom’s hesitation vanished the moment he saw the leading couple. The cat Suin placed a foot on the tree and declared with determination,

“I’ll climb up and get it…”

It couldn’t be taken away.

Driven by that thought, Cheon Ryubeom sprinted forward. People flinched and turned their heads at the sudden presence approaching from behind, their mouths dropping open as they saw a scholar in a sky-blue hanbok. Leaping off the ground, he used the neighboring trees, zigzagging up by pushing off one tree, then the other, in a seemingly unreal display.

His hanbok spread out as if blending into the blue sky.

Thud! Gracefully leaping high, Cheon Ryubeom pushed off a final tree, using the momentum to flip his body… and snatch the pouch in mid-air. His elegant arc and rotation left the onlookers momentarily stunned, as if they were witnessing a piece of performance art.

“Wow…”

Everyone stood in shock before slowly expressing their admiration. Even the dog and cat Suin couple were genuinely surprised, their mouths opening and closing without words.

At that moment, the triplets and Yeohwi, having heard the commotion, arrived and clapped their hands. While Ryubeom felt embarrassed by the sudden attention, Yeohwi leaned in and whispered to him.

“It was impressive, but winning first place like this won’t be seen as unfair, will it?”

…Cheon Ryubeom felt guilty and couldn’t respond.

* * *

The first-place medals were hung around the triplets’ necks.

Feeling too guilty to accept the prizes, Cheon Ryubeom donated his winnings back to the local development fund. He felt it was more appropriate to buy the hanbok and the latest tablet PC with his own money. He felt awkward about a supernatural entity standing out so much in a space meant for ordinary people to have fun.

Fortunately, the kids weren’t after the prizes but the honor of first place, and they were overjoyed with just the medals. Their fox ears and tails wiggling energetically showed how happy they were. It was a shame they had to change out of their hanbok after the rental period ended because the triplets looked great in them.

Unlike before, Ryubeom looked at their fox ears and tails with fondness. Then, startled, he turned to Yeohwi and asked,

“Was there anything among the first-place prizes you wanted, Yeohwi…?”

“There wasn’t anything in particular, but why do you ask suddenly?”

“You said you were disappointed we didn’t get first place, so I thought maybe there was something you wanted…”

Yeohwi chuckled and shook his head.

“No, I just meant it was a shame the triplets were disappointed by coming in second.”

Yeohwi laughed softly.

“Someone once said that feelings linger in the subconscious for a long time. Even if memories fade, the emotions might stay…”

Ryubeom was puzzled by the low murmur. Did he mean that childhood memories become vague as you grow up? Certainly, an experience of winning first place would stay special in one’s memory…

At that moment, Guil’s car arrived. The triplets bounced excitedly and boasted to him.

“Gugu! We came in first!”

“Beom-i helped us…!”

“Our young master was the hero of the day!”

Guil laughed heartily at the triplets’ excited exclamations, patting their heads fondly. He then thanked Ryubeom.

“Thank you. The kids had a really happy time thanks to you, young master.”

Startled by Guil bowing deeply, Ryubeom waved his hands, feeling undeserving of such gratitude. It was then that Ryubeom noticed the peculiar look in Guil’s eyes.

Guil sometimes looked at him with those eyes. They seemed to gaze at him with a sense of pity. Just as Ryubeom was about to ask what was wrong, Yeohwi waved his hand.

“Go ahead. I have something to discuss with the young master.”

His tone was gentle but carried an oddly firm undertone. Ryubeom, having thought Yeohwi would leave with the triplets, looked at him in bewilderment.

“What do you want to talk about…?”

“You haven’t told me your wish yet, have you?”

Yeohwi tilted his head slightly, gesturing towards the fortress. Most of the booths had closed as evening fell, but the area was newly decorated for an event called “Night Journey.”

“I heard there’s a nighttime walking path. Let’s take a stroll together.”

“That’s your wish?”

“Wow, trying to dismiss my wish like this.”

Yeohwi let out a dry laugh. Though he had earned the wish by showcasing his archery skills, he acted incredulous that Ryubeom would just wave it off, leaving Ryubeom sheepishly scratching his neck.

The idea of taking a walk together felt slightly disconcerting, especially since they had spent the entire festival together, and now, oddly, the notion of ending the day with a walk alone together felt somewhat unfamiliar.

Deciding not to attach any particular meaning to it, Ryubeom nodded.

The inside of the fortress looked quite different during the night compared to the day. The traditional lanterns hanging between the trees emitted a beautiful light, creating an atmosphere as if they had stepped into the past. Traditional music played softly in the background, making the air feel leisurely relaxed.

Ryubeom curiously looked around, and when he met the eyes of a few people, he quickly pulled his hood down. Since he had changed from his hanbok into casual clothes, they didn’t seem to recognize him immediately, but he still felt a bit embarrassed.

“I guess I stood out too much today…”

Although his face was covered by a hat, his fully dressed hanbok look had left a deep impression on people’s minds. Throughout the festival, he heard remarks like “the scholar in the sky-blue hanbok hides his strength.” He didn’t know what it meant, but it was clear he stood out.

He worried belatedly about whether there were any people from the Cheonho Foundation around. After all, during the foundation’s anniversary event, he sat next to the head and greeted many people. The triplets had excitedly shown their fox tails everywhere today…

Reading the worry on Ryubeom’s face, Yeohwi smiled.

“It’s okay. I actually placed a spell on your hat, so no one will properly remember your face.”

Ryubeom was surprised by the soft explanation. No wonder Yeohwi had personally put the hat on him; he had enchanted it. While relieved that his face wouldn’t have been exposed to others, a strange tightness settled in his chest.

He felt an odd frustration about having to meet Yeohwi in secret. Even though he understood it was necessary, it left him feeling regretful and somewhat guilty. If anyone found out that a tiger was with a fox, the family would react harshly, and Yeohwi had taken care of it.

However, Yeohwi, as if it were no big deal, lightly changed the subject.

“So today was really just about having fun.”

“…Wait, were you suspecting that the whole time?”

“Given your track record…”

Ryubeom was flabbergasted, but Yeohwi responded as if it were obvious. Cheon Ryubeom had always focused solely on his tasks and never had any leisure time. How could he leisurely close the Sagwido when even after collapsing in exhaustion, he would immediately start searching for the next one?

He mentioned having to train even at popular tourist spots, and not even seeing the sea until others dragged him there. With Yeohwi recounting all these, Ryubeom found he had no rebuttal.

“I used to think you didn’t know how to have fun.”

It was a slightly harsh expression, but Ryubeom didn’t deny it and instead nodded slowly.

“…You’re right. I didn’t know how to have fun, and I never thought I had the time. I even thought I didn’t deserve to rest.”

Since entering the tiger family, Ryubeom hadn’t rested a single day. He struggled just to keep up with the family’s education. Born and raised cousins had a different starting point, but he was constantly compared to them, with his shortcomings attributed to his mixed human blood. The determination to find his father was the only thing keeping him going.

Despite training every day, he never received praise; instead, the criticism of being a disgrace to the family worsened over time. So, even after being given the Sagwido task and practically driven out of the family, Ryubeom believed he had to resolve it quickly.

But today, unlike before, Ryubeom found himself wanting to have fun without anyone forcing him. It was supposed to be a break for the last day, but he wouldn’t have thought this way before.

“…But Yeohwi told me it’s okay to take it easy sometimes.”

Ryubeom had grown after resting and even received praise from the head. He reflected on his feelings with a sense of wonder. He recalled Yeohwi telling him not to be too hard on himself because he was doing well, and a slight smile formed on his face.

“Thank you. It’s because of you, Yeohwi. Since meeting you… a lot has changed.”

Yeohwi paused at Ryubeom’s sincere gratitude. He seemed taken aback, not expecting this reaction, and briefly looked away before returning with a picture-perfect smile.

“Aren’t you glad you became friends with me? They say a good friend is worth more than ten.”

Though it was a playful remark, Ryubeom simply smiled. He found Yeohwi’s jokes amusing now. He enjoyed this moment, walking with Yeohwi, and the sight of Yeohwi’s face beautifully illuminated under the gentle glow of the lanterns.

Yeohwi truly suited the night.

They continued walking along the trail, sharing trivial conversations. They talked about the fun sights at the festival, marveled at the floating lanterns on the pond within the fortress, and admired the tunnel adorned with numerous small red lanterns…

The evening scenery was different from the daytime, making Ryubeom think that the triplets would have enjoyed it too. But, in truth, he liked being alone with Yeohwi a little more. His heart kept fluttering for some reason.

Earlier, he had thought it was awkward to go on a walk alone, but now he felt regret that the walk was ending. As they quickly reached the end of the path and he glanced back, Yeohwi spoke.

“Young master. For my wish, I want us to search for the last Sagwido together.”

“…What?”

Ryubeom blinked in surprise at the unexpected request, and Yeohwi answered calmly. It was as if he had prepared a reasonable explanation while they walked.

“The Sagwido in Yuseom Mountain is unusual, right? The mountain is large and affects many nearby villages, not just Dujedong. I’m worried about the humanitarian impact on other areas… And the fox clan is especially concerned about natural disasters.”

“……”

“Having resolved the previous Sagwidos together, I also want to do the last one together…”

But as if tired of giving reasons, Yeohwi shook his head and smiled beautifully, using a universal reason.

“Because we’re friends.”

He added jokingly that he was worried the precious young master might get hurt somewhere he couldn’t see, exaggerating playfully. He gently coaxed that since the cousins wouldn’t suspect sorcery and follow anymore, it should be fine to be together.

Ryubeom blinked slowly, very slowly… then brightened up his face.

“Okay! Let’s do it together!”

His voice, full of excitement, radiated joy. Ryubeom was thrilled to be able to be with Yeohwi. Although he had previously been reluctant to have him join, now he felt he would be disappointed if they couldn’t be together.

Was it because of Yeohwi’s exceptional magic skills, or had he simply become accustomed to being with him? Whatever the reason, Ryubeom was excited that he could continue to be with Yeohwi for a while longer.

“I promise I won’t let you get hurt this time either. I’ll do even better than last time!”

Yeohwi laughed as the promises poured out. He couldn’t help but laugh cheerfully at Ryubeom’s enthusiastic reaction.

“Young master, you seem to like me a lot. You’re very happy.”

It was a playful tone, as usual, with a gentle voice and a slightly teasing, mischievous look.

But Cheon Ryubeom froze at those words. He had heard similar words from Yeohwi before, but now he felt something quite different.

Suddenly, his mind went blank, and he felt as if something inside him burst. What had been growing unnoticed until now exploded at Yeohwi’s words, spilling into his heart.

Thump, thump, thump. His heart beat loudly.

Today’s events suddenly came to mind. When they missed first place at the festival, he had accepted the result calmly but then changed his attitude and ran around at Yeohwi’s single word. He wanted to play with him and suggested archery, and even when Yeohwi adjusted his hanbok, he had been startled…

Even the events from a few days ago rushed through his mind. Meeting Yeohwi in Dujedong while being chased by Changgui, his heart pounding wildly, and laughing with him after taking revenge on his cousins.

At the time, he thought his reactions were just due to surprise or relief. But looking back, Cheon Ryubeom had been reacting differently all along.

He had thought it was just because Yeohwi was his first friend and held special significance. Yet, he found himself tense at Yeohwi’s every touch, following his gaze…

As a child, Cheon Ryubeom had been told by his mother that swallowing watermelon seeds would make a watermelon grow in his stomach. At five years old, he believed it wholeheartedly and spent a whole day in fear after accidentally swallowing a seed, only to learn the truth from his father later.

Everything gets digested and disappears, so there’s nothing to worry about.

Ryubeom had been treating his emotions similarly, swallowing them down. All the emotions he had felt after losing his family were negative, so he forced them down, believing they would eventually be digested. Though he often felt indigestion and occasionally vomited, he managed to get by. He ignored the traces left behind.

But for the first time, Ryubeom realized there were emotions that only grew the more he swallowed them, thanks to someone who embraced those traces. Although sometimes fearful of how they swelled like bubble gum, now, facing the emotion that had finally burst, Ryubeom was left dazed.

This intoxicatingly sweet scent, undoubtedly…

Ryubeom sighed.

“…Indeed.”

Looking up at Yeohwi, Ryubeom’s eyes were filled not with confusion, but with certainty.

“…I think I like you.”

A crack appeared in Yeohwi’s smile.

A crack spread like a hairline fracture, but Yeohwi quickly painted the smile back on. It was a picture-perfect smile, but somehow it felt awkward.

“Are you joking back now? Okay, okay. Thank you for liking me as a friend.”

Shaking his head as if he had lost, Yeohwi took a step back. However, Ryubeom followed with a step forward, meeting his gaze directly. It was usually Yeohwi who met his eyes playfully, but now it was he who avoided eye contact while Ryubeom looked at him resolutely.

“It’s not a joke, and I don’t mean I like you as a friend.”

“…I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

Yeohwi turned his head. He gestured behind them as if nothing had happened, saying, “Shall we head back?” and tried to change the subject, but Ryubeom shook his head. He didn’t want to let this moment pass after finally confronting his feelings.

Ryubeom looked down at his hands, pressing his chest. He had thought the rapid heartbeat whenever he was with Yeohwi was discomforting, but now it all felt different.

“I think I like you. No, I do like you.”

At his unwavering declaration, Yeohwi hesitated. He briefly looked to the side, then slowly lowered his gaze… and spoke in a somewhat hesitant tone.

“…I didn’t want to mention this because it might make you take it seriously.”

A small sigh escaped.

“I’m much older than you, young master.”

“Of course, I know that! At first, I thought you were about twice my age, but now I know you’ve lived over a hundred years. But in Suin society, it’s not uncommon for couples to have large age differences…”

“Why are you already assuming we’ll be a couple…?”

Yeohwi let out a dry laugh, baffled. But realizing that Ryubeom’s confession was neither a joke nor a lie, he glanced at Ryubeom with a complex expression and covered his mouth with his hand.

“This wasn’t part of the plan…”

His muttered words were barely audible through his fingers.

An awkward silence stretched between them. The sounds of the fortress festival couldn’t penetrate the stillness between them, fading into the distance. Though noise was all around, it felt like this spot was isolated from it all. Yet, Ryubeom couldn’t notice because his heart was pounding so loudly it reverberated in his head.

Finally, Yeohwi shook his head firmly.

“You’re just confusing your emotions, young master.”

“No, it’s not that kind of confusion…”

“You said I was your first friend, right? And after the accident, you always stayed with the family, so the time you’ve spent outside is completely different from the past ten years, making you mistake new, thrilling feelings.”

His voice, discussing Ryubeom’s emotions calmly and steadily, showed no wavering. He explained that after spending a long time in the family, constantly mindful of their gazes, the feelings experienced outside were new and felt more intense.

Ryubeom opened his mouth to argue but found himself at a loss for words. Yeohwi’s reasoning was quite plausible. Indeed, after receiving the Sagwido task and leaving the family, his life had changed drastically. He had even tried to escape the positive feelings he hadn’t felt in so long…

Moreover, as Yeohwi said, being his first friend, Ryubeom might be cherishing their friendship and feeling it more profoundly. He had no other friends to compare it to.

However, Ryubeom couldn’t label these feelings as mere friendship anymore. Even now, his heart pounded just hearing Yeohwi’s voice.

Yeohwi, sensing the resistance in Ryubeom’s silent gaze, finally sighed quietly.

“And even if you genuinely like me, I don’t think of you that way, young master. To me, you’re almost like…”

A mixture of a dry laugh and a sigh followed.

“Like a newborn cub.”

“…That’s an exaggeration. Does a newborn cub walk around like this?”

“It’s all relative. Even if you were crawling, I’d think it was natural since you’re twenty.”

“What the…”

“I don’t have feelings for a newborn cub. Just the fact that you confessed makes me feel like I’ve done something terribly wrong.”

With a smooth reply, Ryubeom looked up at Yeohwi in disbelief. He had regained his usual playful demeanor. How old did one have to be to see someone as a newborn cub? But even assuming a minimum age of a hundred years, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable, so his spirits dampened.

Moreover, it implied he had never seen Ryubeom that way… Slowly, Ryubeom lowered his gaze.

Seeing Ryubeom silent and dejected, Yeohwi spoke in a soothing, almost coaxing tone.

“So, there’s no possibility. Plus, it seems like you’ve misunderstood your feelings, so let’s just forget about today’s conversation…”

“I’m certain I like you. It’s not a misunderstanding, so stop correcting me.”

Cutting him off, Ryubeom slowly lifted his head. Since confessing his feelings, Yeohwi had remained silent. Ryubeom stared at him, organizing his thoughts. He realized something from Yeohwi’s reaction.

“I think I’ve given you the wrong impression.”

“…Wrong impression?”

“When I said I liked you, I didn’t mean I wanted something from you. I don’t expect you to feel the same way… I just want to do good things for you because I like you.”

Ryubeom spoke directly, his words deliberate and sincere.

“I want to protect you so you don’t get hurt and treat you well.”

“…”

“That’s what I meant by saying I liked you… Is that a burden?”

After confidently stating his feelings, Ryubeom hesitated at the end. He realized belatedly that his confession was abrupt. Yeohwi’s playful teasing had prompted him to realize his feelings and blurt them out.

So he understood Yeohwi’s reaction. Although it stung that his feelings were dismissed as a misunderstanding… it could be burdensome. Cheon Ryubeom now understood all of Yeohwi’s actions and validated them. He felt no negative thoughts toward him, only the desire to treat him well.

Carefully, Ryubeom asked Yeohwi.

“…Then, is it okay if I keep liking you?”

“…”

“I won’t ask for anything. I just want to keep treating you well…”

At the request to just let him like him, Yeohwi’s mouth opened slightly, then closed. He seemed to suppress a laugh that almost escaped. The request was not only absurd but also comical, seeking permission to continue harboring feelings.

After a long pause, Yeohwi slowly answered.

“…As long as you don’t say it out loud.”

It was a reluctant response, but Ryubeom’s face lit up immediately.

“Okay, great! I mean, thank you. I’ll keep that promise.”

Though Yeohwi’s condition meant not to verbalize or even mention his feelings, Ryubeom felt elated.

Realizing belatedly that his confession was sudden, he had feared the worst – that Yeohwi might distance himself, feeling burdened. Thus, even this response, which wasn’t outright rejection, made him happy. More so because he could continue treating Yeohwi well.

“Thank you, Yeohwi.”

At Ryubeom’s heartfelt gratitude, Yeohwi finally sighed.

Did he really understand what I said? With a complex look, Yeohwi glanced down at him before turning his head and rubbing his tightly pressed lips with his hand.

“…I guess this is right…”

The voice fell quietly, as if resigned or trying to soothe his own surprise.

It was a night where the lights of the traditional lanterns flickered especially beautifully.

* * *

The next day.

Cheon Ryubeom received an unexpected message. He intended to start his search for the Sagwido in Yuseom Mountain by meeting someone from the Jeokdan Corporation. This was a conglomerate that had lived on Yuseom Mountain about twenty years ago. However, the house suddenly collapsed, resulting in the death of the entire family, followed by a series of business failures leading to the company’s bankruptcy.

On that day, the entire family had gathered for an event, and only those who planned to attend later survived. However, they too couldn’t withstand the series of bankruptcies, ending their lives by suicide or dying in accidents while fleeing from creditors.

And among them, there was only one survivor.

Jeon Seunghyeok.

As the chairman’s youngest son, he had been in long-term hospitalization in a psychiatric hospital. Using his Cheon family identification tag, Ryubeom managed to secure an interview with him, but today the hospital called.

— Jeon Seunghyeok has disappeared!