TGHD Ch 5
by mimiThud…
Ryubeom slowly lifted his head at the sound coming from the window. He had been curled up by his bedside, lost in thought for so long that he had lost track of time. The branches, swayed by the cold early spring wind, intermittently tapped against the attic window.
The barren branches extending beyond the window seemed like cracks in the sky. The sky was entirely overcast, suggesting rain was imminent. Ryubeom stared blankly at the fragmented sky.
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Although it had been a while since he thought about it, the past was so vivid and deep that it quickly dragged him down. While the surface shimmered with a beautiful blue light, each step he took sank him deeper into a dark abyss. His body, weighed down by deep memories, felt heavy.
Four days had already passed.
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The meeting at the Daeho Hall still hadn’t concluded. Ryubeom couldn’t tell if the unusually prolonged meeting was a good omen or a bad one. Was it because it was rare for the Tiger Clan to expel a member that the meeting was taking so long?
Ryubeom’s mother, Cheon Eunhwa, wasn’t an exiled member. She was merely a member who had fled the clan, and Ryubeom had entered the clan one day as her child.
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Even though he had lived here for over ten years since that day, he still couldn’t shake off the feeling of being an outsider.
“I can’t be kicked out…”
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Ryubeom carefully unfolded the photo he was holding. It was a picture taken at his first remembered home in his childhood. Against a snowy background, his parents held him as a baby, smiling brightly. Ryubeom’s finger slowly traced over them.
Where was his father now?
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He hoped that his inherently kind father might have safely crossed the Samdocheon even if he was taken by the evil spirit. However, he wasn’t confident that his father had escaped from the evil spirit powerful enough to kill his mother, who was once the next in line to lead the Tiger Clan.
He wanted to find his father’s spirit and bring it to the clan, at least in the form of a memorial tablet…
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Sometimes, he felt ridiculous clinging to a mere memorial tablet, but whenever he did, his mother’s words vividly came to mind.
‘Once everything is settled… then let’s go to the clan together.’
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Ryubeom couldn’t let go of the desire to bring his family to the place his mother had longed for and loved. He didn’t want to. Without that hope, he felt he would find no meaning in having survived alone. Sometimes he resented the clan, but he still wanted to love it as his mother had…
However, Cheon Ryubeom hadn’t merely waited for the clan’s mercy all those years. At twenty, if he could be recognized as a clan member and prove himself capable enough to be a ‘next clan leader candidate,’ he could enter the Daeho Hall.
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The Daeho Hall was a place where the clan’s 600-year history and countless books were stored. The clan’s strategies, secrets, and more. He thought perhaps there would be records about the entity that had attacked their car that day. Whether it was an evil spirit, a monster, or merely a hallucination conjured by a frightened child, he wanted to find out.
Additionally, there might be a spell to restore his erased memories. His parents probably erased his memories out of kindness, but Ryubeom wanted to know at least the end of it.
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Whoosh…
The branches beyond the window shook violently as if they might break. When they tapped closer to the window, the room seemed to grow darker. The sound of the strong wind, the branches hitting the window, and the ticking of the clock all mixed, creating a chaotic noise in the room.
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Despite this, Ryubeom felt an eerie sense of detachment from all the noise, blinking blankly until…
“Cheon Ryubeom. The elders are calling you.”
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Startled by Cheon Yeongdo’s call from beyond the door, Ryubeom felt a chill from the mockery in his voice but tried hard to suppress his anxiety.
Boom…
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Thunder roared just as they arrived at the Daeho Hall. Though the rain hadn’t yet started, the ominous intensity of the thunder suggested a downpour was imminent.
The distinctively heavy, oppressive air before the rain weighed down on Ryubeom’s shoulders. That weight seemed to reprimand him, telling him that he didn’t belong in this place.
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Currently, Ryubeom was inside the Daeho Hall. The hall, facing a vast bamboo forest, was as grand as a palace. Except for the time he had accidentally wandered in as a very young child, he had never been able to set foot in this place. He had always dreamed of entering it…
But today, the place he stepped into felt endlessly cold.
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“…”
Ryubeom tried his best not to show his nerves. The elders sat around a semi-circular table in the center, staring down at him intently.
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The clan leader was not present. Saying he was tired and that it looked like it might rain, he had left, and Ryubeom still couldn’t determine if that was a good or bad sign. Was it a good sign because it meant the matter wasn’t serious enough to warrant the leader’s attention, or a bad sign because Ryubeom wasn’t worth his time?
Cheon Hoyun, who was seated in the center in place of the clan leader, spoke.
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“Cheon Ryubeom. Have you reflected on your mistakes during this time?”
“Yes. I have reflected deeply. Everything is entirely my fault. If you would just give me one more chance…”
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“I didn’t ask to hear your plea, so spare us the details.”
“…”
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“And don’t bother kneeling. What do you think your knees are worth?”
Ryubeom flinched and corrected his posture. Just as he was about to resort to kneeling, Cheon Hoyun’s slight frown seemed to show she had seen right through him. She looked at him with disdain, as if she found him pathetic for failing to display the dignity of a tiger.
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“I’ve reviewed your regular test records from the past few years. You’ve failed to meet the minimum standards more than five times, and even then, you barely scraped by. On your first test at twenty, you even failed.”
“…”
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“Moreover, this time, there was an issue during a meeting with humans due to your carelessness. Even considering that you are of mixed blood, it’s clear that your inadequacies are severe. We’ve tried to keep you for twenty years, but your failures disgrace the family name…”
Her cold voice carried no warmth, and despite the shocking content, her tone remained steady. Ryubeom’s eyes trembled. The continuation of her words sounded unmistakably like a declaration of his expulsion.
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And as Ryubeom feared, Cheon Hoyun delivered the verdict dispassionately.
“The decision is to expel you from the clan.”
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“Please, anything but that…”
“However, the year of adulthood has not yet ended.”
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Just as Ryubeom was about to kneel and beg, Cheon Hoyun’s voice cut through. She slowly lifted her gaze from the documents and looked directly at him.
The year of adulthood: one year at twenty.
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“So, I will give you one last chance. You must prove yourself within this year.”
“I-I can do it! Anything…!”
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Ryubeom immediately lifted his head and straightened his posture. As he clenched his hands tightly, Cheon Hoyun’s eyes narrowed. Around that time, Ryubeom heard mocking laughter from the surrounding elders. Some even openly laughed at him.
As confusion and anxiety mixed, Cheon Hoyun explained.
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“There are strange occurrences happening all over the country. The reports from humans are unending, and although some of our kind have gone to investigate, they couldn’t easily handle it and it remains unresolved. If you can solve all these issues, we will acknowledge you and accept you as a member of the clan.”
“…”
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“We will grant you what you’ve long desired and also the right to take the honorable test.”
Ryubeom’s eyes trembled.
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The thing Ryubeom longed for most was to find his father’s spirit. And the mention of the honorable test implied granting him the qualifications to become the next clan leader candidate. Ryubeom didn’t dare wish to become the clan leader; he merely wanted to belong to the clan. This would give him the chance to enter the Daeho Hall.
These strange occurrences across the country were suspected to be related to evil spirits or monsters, with such strong malevolent energy that it was hard to investigate or approach them. That was all Ryubeom knew, but his determination surged.
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“I will do it.”
“Investigating this issue could lead to your death. Will you still do it? If you’re afraid, you can leave the family and live on your own. If you choose that, the family has agreed to provide you with a certain level of support.”
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“No, I will gratefully accept this opportunity.”
Ryubeom answered resolutely. The elders sneered as they saw his face light up with hope.
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“He’s blinded by the reward and doesn’t even realize the danger he’s in.”
“He doesn’t even know if he’s being sent to his death…”
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The mockery was sharper than usual. Previously, they had held back somewhat because he was “Cheon Eunhwa’s child,” but now that even the family head had agreed to let him go, there was no need to restrain themselves.
However, Cheon Ryubeom’s eyes did not waver. This task might be too difficult for someone like him, who hadn’t even passed the family’s regular exams, and it could indeed be a path where he would have to face death as the elders suggested. But Ryubeom couldn’t give up.
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“Don’t think of returning to the family until you’ve resolved everything.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
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At Cheon Hoyeon’s final words, Ryubeom bowed deeply and accepted the map she handed him with both hands. His fingertips trembled slightly, but he gripped the map tightly.
The elders were mistaken about one thing.
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Cheon Ryubeom had never done anything simply because he could.
He had only endured because he had to succeed.
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As soon as Ryubeom returned to his attic room, he began packing his belongings.
He had been told not to think of returning to the family until he had resolved the issue, so he would likely be away for a considerable time. He could come back to report progress, but he wouldn’t be able to stay.
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Preparing for a period of at least three months, Ryubeom gathered clothes and various daily necessities. He collected the money he had saved bit by bit and estimated his living expenses outside. Though Ryubeom knew little about living independently, he figured this amount would suffice for temporary accommodation and put the money into his bag.
As he passed through the mansion’s garden with all his belongings, Cheon Yeongdo and Cheon Joomyeong burst into laughter.
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“So, you’re finally being kicked out of the family.”
“Is there any need to look so solemn when you’re going off to die?”
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Their faces were full of delight, knowing the verdict given to Cheon Ryubeom. They had always hoped for the disgrace of the Tiger Family to disappear, so they were thrilled with the current situation.
Not wanting to waste his energy, Ryubeom tried to walk past them, but they naturally blocked his path, making him sigh inwardly.
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“Please step aside. I need to get there quickly and find a solution.”
“A solution? Do you think you can even investigate that? If it were easy to find a solution, it would have been resolved long ago.”
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“What’s with that expression? Don’t tell me… you don’t know what Sagwido is?”
Cheon Joomyeong tilted her head, staring intently at Ryubeom. Her gaze suggested she found his straightforward plan to go there rather puzzling.
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Ryubeom tried to maintain his composure, but she laughed loudly at his fleetingly shaken eyes.
“Aha! No wonder you were so confident! The saying ‘ignorance is bliss’ fits you perfectly!”
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In fact, this was the first time Ryubeom had heard the term ‘Sagwido.’ He only knew that problems caused by yokai or evil spirits were occurring across the country, and from the map he received from Cheon Hoyon, he understood that he had to resolve issues in four marked locations.
However, from Cheon Joomyeong’s laughter, it didn’t seem like the term ‘Sagwido’ was used simply because of problems in four regions.
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“Do you know why it’s called Sagwido? The path of demons has opened up because of rampant yokai and evil spirits. It’s not just an ordinary dangerous path; it’s so perilous that it uses the character for ‘death’ (死).”
“In other words, it wouldn’t be surprising if someone like you died while trying to close Sagwido. In fact, it seems like the elders wish for that. They probably think it’s better for you to die out there than to take an honorable test.”
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Cheon Yeongdo clapped his hands as if he had an epiphany. The mockery in his exaggerated reaction was clear, but Ryubeom calmly asked,
“Is it such a severe and significant problem that someone like me would die instantly?”
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“Of course!”
“But if that were the case, wouldn’t our family have taken care of it already?”
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“…What?”
“Although I lack in many ways, my physical abilities are still better than those of ordinary humans. If it’s dangerous enough for me to die easily, wouldn’t humans suffer even greater damage? In that case, it would have been dealt with strictly beforehand… Since I haven’t heard of our family intervening, I don’t think it’s an extremely severe problem. I’ve learned that tigers bear great responsibilities as representatives of this land.”
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Cheon Yeongdo and Cheon Joomyeong were taken aback by Ryubeom’s calm response and his words filled with pride for the Tiger Family. They exchanged uneasy glances, not expecting Ryubeom to speak this way. They themselves took great pride in being tigers, which was why they had always been dissatisfied with the family’s disgrace, Ryubeom.
“W-well, of course! If it were really severe, our family would have intervened immediately! The elders would have resolved it quickly!”
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“Exactly! Besides, I heard those areas are mostly under control now, so if you go there, you’ll surely die!”
Ryubeom slightly bowed his head at their loud voices, which seemed to have grown louder out of embarrassment for their brief hesitation.
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“Yes, thank you for your concern.”
“…What? Con-concern?”
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“Who would ever be concerned about someone like you!”
“You kept warning me about dying. I’ll try not to die. Then, I’ll be off now.”
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This time, Ryubeom walked away, leaving the two stunned behind him.
While he was constantly taking the regular family exams and trying to blend in with his clan, he had pandered to their whims. But now, he had a different opportunity. He no longer had to worry about his cousins or about being ostracized by his family. He had a chance to enter the Daeho-gwan.
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Feeling relieved, Ryubeom boldly left the mansion.
However, as he passed the guards at the gate and descended the hill, Ryubeom’s steps gradually slowed. His once proud shoulders drooped slightly, and the grip on the map in his hand weakened.
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“Sigh…”
The only thing Ryubeom received when leaving the mansion was the map. It roughly indicated the regions where Sagwido had opened, but he received no tools or support to close it. He hadn’t even had the chance to look at any of the family’s treasures like sacred weapons or talismans.
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While he hadn’t expected any precious treasures, he had hoped for at least minimal support. Now, he had to cover the cost of his lodgings himself. He started to question whether this was really the right choice and looked back at the mansion.
He had only walked about ten minutes from the mansion’s main gate, but it already felt like it was far away. It felt like he had finally walked out of the mansion that he had been desperately trying to hold on to.
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“…But this is the only way.”
Ryubeom barely managed to suppress his feelings and shook his head. He had learned that when faced with a task, he shouldn’t dwell on it for too long. Anxiety grows faster than anything else, so it’s best not to feed it at all.
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He hadn’t expected the last chance given to him to be easy. Moreover, if he succeeded in this task, he would fulfill his wish and gain entry to the Daeho-gwan. It would have been strange if such a reward came without a price.
Even if this path led to death, as the elders and his cousins suggested, Ryubeom had no other choice. And, in fact, he wanted to believe that it wasn’t as severe a problem, trusting in the family, as he had told Cheon Yeongdo and Cheon Joomyeong.
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‘It’s better to start with the nearest region…’
As he unfolded the map again to make his plan, a buzzing vibration came from his pocket. It was a call from an unregistered number. The number seemed somewhat familiar, but he was focused on the map, so Ryubeom absentmindedly answered the call.
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“Who is this?”
– …….
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“If you called the wrong number, hang up….”
– Have you forgotten me, benefactor?
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The somewhat abrupt statement made Ryubeom gasp sharply. He was so surprised that a sound escaped his lips. He couldn’t forget this soft, familiar voice.
Yeowhi.
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Thinking of him brought back memories of their last encounter. Yeowhi had saved him from being chased by a chang-gwi, and they had promised to meet again after parting hurriedly.
However, the family became chaotic that night, and Ryubeom completely forgot about the promise. He had been too preoccupied with the fear of being expelled from the family to think about anything else. This was no excuse, especially since it revealed that he hadn’t even saved Yeowhi’s number.
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Flooded with guilt, Ryubeom could only move his lips soundlessly. Yeowhi sighed and murmured.
– I waited day and night, wondering when you would contact me, but you never planned to, did you?
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“No, it’s not that. I was just so busy…”
– So busy that you forgot my contact information.
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“That’s… I’m sorry….”
Ryubeom had no excuse. Feeling more helpless at Yeowhi’s disappointed voice, he fell silent. Yeowhi then asked in an even more subdued tone.
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– Are you really sorry?
“Yes. You helped me, but I didn’t even properly thank you…”
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– In that case, can you spare some time today?
“…Today?”
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– Yes. The children want to see you, benefactor.
Ryubeom’s mind flashed with the image of the triplets bouncing around. Although it was brief, during that time he could relax without worrying about others. He even managed to smile a little there.
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Hesitating, Ryubeom alternated his gaze between the map in his hand and the phone, eventually deciding.
“…Alright.”
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He hadn’t properly thanked Yeowhi for saving him from the chang-gwi last time, and since he didn’t know when he would return after leaving, he felt he should meet one last time.
Although the family often warned him to avoid getting involved with foxes, he had already left the mansion. It would be quite some time before he returned, so he felt more at ease.
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Oddly enough, just leaving the mansion had lifted a weight off his shoulders. While he was ultimately striving to belong to the family, he felt so relieved just being outside. Maybe he had been more stressed in there than he realized.
With a noticeably brighter tone, Cheon Ryubeom said he would leave immediately, and Yeowhi, sounding happy, replied that he would be waiting. The image of Yeowhi’s smiling face unexpectedly came to mind, making Ryubeom shake his head and shiver at the unfamiliar feeling.
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That title never felt right, no matter how many times he heard it.
“I told you not to call me ‘benefactor’…”
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– I’ll keep calling you ‘benefactor’ until you arrive. It seems like the only way to ensure you won’t forget.
Ryubeom shuddered at the playful tone and abruptly hung up the phone. He faintly heard laughter at the end.
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That guy can be quite mischievous. Ryubeom sighed inwardly and continued on his way.
As Ryubeom arrived at Yeowhi’s house, a downpour started.
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He had taken a taxi, got off nearby, and visited a fruit store. The rain started pouring as he left the store. There was no place nearby to buy an umbrella.
Even though he had felt it would rain all morning, he was so focused on the last chance he got at Daehogwan that he completely ignored the weather. In the end, Ryubeom had no choice but to run through the rain.
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So when he arrived at the door, he was half-soaked as he rang the bell. The noisy sound of children could be heard from inside, and soon the door opened.
A beautiful face was the first thing that came into view.
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“This time, you really did come to visit…”
Yeowhi, who was smiling and greeting him, suddenly widened his eyes. It seemed he was taken aback seeing Ryubeom’s state, with the rain pouring down behind him in the hallway of the villa. Ryubeom casually brushed his wet hair with his hand and spoke lightly on purpose.
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“Oh, it suddenly started raining while I was coming up from the bottom of the hill.”
“You should have called me.”
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“That… I didn’t think of that…”
Ryubeom was taken aback by the genuinely concerned voice. He was also surprised by Yeowhi’s suggestion. He could have called from the bottom, as Yeowhi said.
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Maybe it didn’t occur to him because they weren’t that close yet. Or perhaps he wasn’t used to asking for help from others.
“Wow, a tiger is here!”
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“Why are you all wet?”
“You came through the downpour to visit us, we will serve you without any shortcomings.”
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“…Dong-o, serving him is my job.”
Three fox cubs rushed out from inside. Geumo welcomed Ryubeom by jumping up and down, Euno tilted his head and wondered why Ryubeom was wet, and Dongo politely bowed deeply. It looked so much like a butler’s gesture that Ryubeom couldn’t help but laugh.
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Seeing the sudden commotion, Yeowhi sighed and shook his head.
“Please come in, benefactor. Shall I give you some clothes to change into?”
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“No, this will dry quickly enough.”
“But your bag is quite wet…”
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Yeowhi’s eyes softened as if he was upset. Ryubeom assured him it was fine, saying he had only been in the rain for less than 10 minutes, and handed him the fruit. He had seen the luscious red strawberries and couldn’t pass by the fruit store.
“Thanks for helping me last time.”
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And also for not asking anything so far.
Yeowhi’s face lit up with a smile at Ryubeom’s sincere gratitude. The triplets’ eyes sparkled as they shouted “Strawberries!” Ryubeom felt relieved they liked them more than he expected.
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Ryubeom looked around briefly as he entered the house. This time, it felt different with the furniture inside. The villa building itself was old, and since it was a space for the children, it wasn’t particularly tidy, but it was a cozy space filled with items of daily life.
After looking around the unfamiliar house, Ryubeom sat in the living room and opened his bag. He started taking out his stuff to check if it got wet, and the triplets rushed over again.
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“Wow, the bag is huge! Are you going on an adventure or something?”
“I know… you’re going to the desert or the jungle, right?”
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Ryubeom nodded to Euno, though he wasn’t sure what Euno meant. He even praised him for being smart, causing Euno’s face to slowly blush.
“Yeah, I’m studying these days…”
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Ryubeom impulsively reached out with his right hand and patted Euno’s head, responding to Euno’s shy reaction. Previously, he avoided close contact, fearing the fox scent would rub off on him, but now he didn’t have to worry since he wouldn’t be returning to his family for a while.
With a flap, fox ears popped up.
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“Oh, your ears…”
Ryubeom was startled as Euno’s fox ears popped out as if something folded had sprung open. For a moment, he worried that Euno hadn’t managed to fully transform, but seeing the child receiving his pats without a care, he calmed down. This place wasn’t one where a poor transformation would result in scolding.
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On the contrary, Euno seemed to enjoy it, blinking shyly with lowered eyes.
“Hey, pat me too!”
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Seeing this, Geumo eagerly pushed his head toward Ryubeom with sparkling eyes. As soon as Ryubeom patted Geumo’s head with his left hand, his ears popped out too, and even his fluffy tail appeared.
Ryubeom found their immediate reactions fascinating and patted both of their heads with both hands. Just then, Dongo approached.
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“I brought a towel.”
“Oh, thank you.”
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Dongo respectfully handed over a thick white towel with both hands. Only then did Ryubeom stop patting Geumo and Euno and took the towel.
Ryubeom thought Dongo seemed mature, being the eldest of the triplets, but he also worried that Dongo might find it displeasing that he had patted his younger siblings so freely. Typically, shapeshifters were wary of other species.
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However, what unfolded before Ryubeom was entirely different from his expectations.
“…?”
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After handing over the towel, Dongo was subtly staring at Ryubeom’s hand. Standing still with both hands gathered in front of his belly, he looked like he was silently asking for a pat as a reward.
Hesitantly, Ryubeom reached out and patted Dongo’s head. While Dongo’s expression didn’t change much, the fox ears that soon touched Ryubeom’s hand revealed the child’s state, making him laugh.
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This moment felt very strange and novel. In the tiger clan, showing your ears was taught to be disgraceful. If one accidentally revealed their ears, they would get whipped. Although he wasn’t scolded when he lived with his parents as a very young child, the punishments he received from the clan were so severe that they overshadowed those earlier memories.
It felt like a cozy softness was tickling his heart.
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The sound of the rain outside was chilling, but the warm sensation in his hands felt like cream. It was oddly addictive, so he continued to pat Dongo’s head diligently until Geumo clung to his arm, asking for more pats.
Euno, with a wistful look, was also staring at Ryubeom, and just as he was wondering how to pat all three at once, Yeowhi approached.
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“If you keep patting them, they’ll get spoiled, young master.”
“Oh, sorry. I treated them too much like children…”
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“No, I meant that if you keep patting them, the children will keep following you around asking for more. I was worried it might bother you.”
“…”
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“And since they’re children, isn’t it natural to treat them like children?”
Yeowhi replied in a calm tone, handing Ryubeom a cup of warm milk. The soft words to warm himself after coming in from the cold rain tickled his ears. Ryubeom wasn’t sure if it was Yeowhi’s consistently pleasant voice or the statement about treating children like children that surprised him.
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Slowly blinking, Ryubeom watched as Yeowhi placed a plate of strawberries in front of the triplets. The children, excited, nearly dove for the strawberries but remembered past admonishments and first bowed to Ryubeom, thanking him. Only then did they quickly start eating the strawberries.
“…”
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Until this year, when he became an adult, Ryubeom had never been treated as a child in the clan. Perhaps the only time he was treated as a child was when they took him to the clan because they couldn’t send him to an orphanage.
Feeling this novel and strange sensation, Ryubeom stood still as Yeowhi asked curiously.
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“Do you not like milk? Should I get you something else?”
“Oh, no.”
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Shaking his head, Ryubeom quickly drank the milk. The warm milk traveled down his throat, making his insides feel cozy. Perhaps because it was a place where children lived, the milk tasted richer and sweeter.
Soon, Ryubeom found himself holding the mug with both hands, sipping slowly. Seeing this, Yeowhi smiled. His gaze then shifted to the floor.
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“Fortunately, the things inside the bag are okay. Where were you planning to go with all this stuff?”
“It’s nothing special. I just have somewhere to go for a bit…”
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There were quite a lot of items spread out on the floor. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Ryubeom hurried to put his things away, but Yeowhi’s hands moved faster.
Yeowhi picked up a carefully rolled map, causing Ryubeom to panic. It was a map given to him by Cheon Hoyeon. He thought Yeowhi wouldn’t recognize it since it only indicated rough locations, but Yeowhi tilted his head slightly.
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“Isn’t this a map showing where the Sagwido have opened?”
“What? How do you know that?”
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“Sagwido is quite famous. It’s also known as the Four Great Problems… Plus, I grew up near Hyojo-myeon, Gangwon-do.”
Ryubeom was shocked. Not only did Yeowhi know about Sagwido, but he had also lived near one of the areas. He had been worried about how to find it, and now this unexpected stroke of luck made his eyes widen.
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Around that time, the triplets also showed interest in the map.
“Sagwido? Four Great Problems? What’s that?”
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“Is it like the Four Heavenly Kings?”
“…Where on earth did you learn that, Geumo?”
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When Yeowhi asked in a somewhat bewildered tone, Geumo replied brightly.
“Gugu told us. He said there are four great beings we need to be wary of in our family.”
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“The Four Heavenly Kings of the fox clan…? I haven’t heard anything about that from Gugu…”
“I’ll tell you, Euno! The first one is our patriarch from the Joseon era, the second one is our current patriarch, the third one is our patriarch when he worked for a foreign company, and the fourth one is when he returned to Korea… mmph, mmph!”
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“Geumo. Most of what Gugu says is nonsense.”
Yeowhi gently whispered as he covered Geumo’s mouth. Though his tone was kind, there was a chilly undertone that made Geumo’s shoulders tremble. Ryubeom blinked in surprise.
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Stories about the fox clan’s patriarch were rare, so it was fascinating to hear about them this way. Did the patriarch really have such a sinister reputation within the clan? And “returned to Korea”… could the patriarch be in the country now?
The fox clan was known not only for running Hn.Ent but also for a global luxury jewelry brand. Hence, the patriarch was often active abroad and rarely came to Korea. However, the thought that if the patriarch were in the country, the tiger clan would surely know, reassured Ryubeom. The patriarch would be found quickly given the tiger clan’s vigilance. Besides, Geumo’s words were quite playful and should be taken lightly.
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It was simply intriguing that someone named Gugu seemed to be close to the patriarch. Just as Ryubeom pondered this, Yeowhi waved his hand in front of him.
“Shall we talk outside for a moment?”
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Without saying much, Yeowhi’s glance at the triplets conveyed the message clearly. The house was too noisy with the triplets around. Although they were now focused on the strawberries again, Ryubeom agreed and stood up to follow Yeowhi outside.