TGHD Ch 21

But he had something to argue. The way Yeohwi walked around at Hn, it was more like he was on a leisurely stroll rather than working. He seemed to just wander around as if he were inspecting the place, which made Ryubeom think he had a pretty easy job at the time.

“The staff seems to think you’re the heir, so I wondered if it’s really okay for you to not show up…”

“They think I’m the heir? The heir of the fox family?”

“Yeah. Since Guil brought you in, they all seem to think that.”

Ryubeom recalled how Ilok once told him that when he first appeared at Hn, people thought it might spark some sort of competition to become the heir of the fox family. Even though the misunderstanding had been cleared up, parts of what Ilok said still seemed somewhat plausible to Ryubeom.

He knew magic well enough, and even if his spiritual power was lacking, the bracelet he had could supplement that. And considering that Guil had given him the bracelet, the likelihood increased. If he was close with the elder of the family and could use his business cards without issue…

Suddenly, Cheon Ryubeom came up with a theory, like a flash of insight. He had heard that the current head of the fox family had been living abroad for a long time. Could it be that they didn’t intend to return to Korea and were planning to pass on the title of head? Was that why Yeohwi had been avoiding his questions? The possibility seemed more and more likely.

“… Are you really the next head of the family, Yeohwi?”

Ryubeom asked seriously and cautiously. If this information reached the tiger family, they might try to harm Yeohwi. He thought he should keep this a secret, or… as a member of the tiger clan, should he report it? No, he couldn’t betray a friend.

As Ryubeom’s face grew more resolute, Yeohwi remained silent. He looked down at the determined Cheon Ryubeom, then briefly covered his mouth with his hand, glanced to the side, and finally lowered his head… before bursting into a fit of giggles.

‘… Did I get it wrong?’

Ryubeom’s expression softened a little, feeling slightly embarrassed. He was seriously worried, and here Yeohwi was laughing. It was annoying, but if it was all a misunderstanding, it was also embarrassing.

Then, all of a sudden, Yeohwi lightly flicked Ryubeom’s nose with his index finger.

“There you go again, sneaking in questions like that.”

Startled, Ryubeom covered his nose with his hand. The unexpected touch surprised him, but what flustered him even more was the affectionate gesture that accompanied it, as if Yeohwi were treating him like something cute.

“You really set the mood with that question this time. I almost fell for it.”

“No, I didn’t mean it that way…”

“You know the condition for answering questions, right? You can’t just keep sneaking in chances like that.”

With a voice that sounded like he was soothing a child, Ryubeom could only move his lips silently. The “condition” Yeohwi mentioned referred to the mental magic he’d use to deceive him. Given Ryubeom’s current abilities, that still seemed like a distant goal.

He couldn’t fully claim that his earlier question hadn’t been an attempt to uncover Yeohwi’s identity, so he remained silent, though he felt the urge to protest something unnecessary.

Like, why did Yeohwi keep treating him like a kid? Which had nothing to do with the situation.

“This time, I’ll let it slide because it was cute.”

With a smile, Yeohwi started walking down the mountain. As he walked, he occasionally chuckled, probably recalling what had just happened. Cheon Ryubeom, watching his back, finally turned his gaze away, struggling to suppress the ridiculous urge to protest.

Ryubeom stomped out that inner fire.

* * *

They arrived a little early at the restaurant for their dinner appointment. Soon after, Ilok and Jimyo appeared from the opposite side, waving enthusiastically.

“Ryubeom, nice to see you! It’s been a while, Yeohwi!”

“We were worried since you hadn’t been at work, but it turns out you were with Ryubeom.”

Having already heard that Yeohwi would be joining them, they greeted him warmly. Though they had only worked together for a few days at Hn, the brief conversations they had with Yeohwi had already raised their opinion of him considerably. Not to mention, his appearance naturally drew people in.

Jimyo and Ilok happily welcomed Yeohwi’s company, though they found it surprising how close Ryubeom and Yeohwi seemed. They knew the two were acquainted from their first meeting at Hn, but seeing them together outside of work made them seem even closer than expected.

Ryubeom quietly greeted Ilok, who had approached him.

“Your horn decoration looks great today.”

“Wow, thank you! I was waiting to hear that!”

“You’re wearing a DAWN necklace.”

“Oh! You recognized it right away? As expected from someone from the fox family.”

Yeohwi smiled as he complimented Ilok’s horn decoration. The moment he mentioned DAWN, Jimyo reacted immediately. DAWN was the name of a luxury jewelry brand run by the head of the fox family abroad.

The necklace was a birthday gift Jimyo had saved up for last year, and Ilok was so careful with it that he only wore it on very special occasions, afraid it might get damaged.

Watching the conversation flow naturally, Ryubeom felt he had made the right choice in bringing Yeohwi along. Truthfully, Ryubeom had felt a bit awkward about seeing Jimyo and Ilok again after a long time, but they treated him with such familiarity, it was as if they had been friends for years. For the introverted Cheon Ryubeom, their energy was almost fascinating.

After exchanging greetings, they moved inside the restaurant. It was a popular spot, as Jimyo had mentioned, and the place was packed. Before they ordered, Ilok asked if Ryubeom ate only meat, and he quickly answered no. Although those from the carnivore families preferred meat, Suins were omnivores by nature. While they were somewhat influenced by their diet group, it wasn’t a strict rule.

While waiting for the food, the conversation naturally turned to catching up. Ryubeom listened curiously to Jimyo and Ilok, who talked non-stop.

And as expected, the most recent hot topic came up.

“Oh, right. Did you hear the news about the mermaid that died in the Han River?”

“They said it was caused by a yokai from a secret lab that was illegally harvesting Suin fur! I was so surprised when I heard the tiger family was stepping in to solve it. They said they’d support all the victims and track down everyone behind the lab. It was so reassuring! And I heard they already caught the remaining lab members?!”

This was a story that had been circulating among Suins, and the case of the mermaid in the Han River had gained so much attention that it had been all over the evening news for several days.

Information on how the mermaid was hunted was vaguely attributed to the Tiger Clan without mentioning the involvement of Cheon Ryubeom. The reports instead focused on how the Tiger Clan would respond moving forward, and people naturally praised the clan.

“I heard the Suin Protection Act is also being discussed…”

Although the Han River incident was settled months ago, the story of the mermaid was once again spotlighted as the Suin Protection Act was being newly debated. Since the incident was closely related to discrimination against Suin, it was a bigger issue within the Suin community.

Ryubeom had known in advance that the Han River incident would be covered in the news, but hearing about it directly caught him off guard. Since he didn’t use the internet or watch TV much, he hadn’t realized it had become such big news.

He felt a bit embarrassed and also guilty, as it seemed Yeohwi’s contribution had been buried. Even though the fox clan’s spirit had played a significant role there…

As Ryubeom glanced around nervously, Yeohwi merely gave him a picture-perfect smile.

“The Tiger Clan is really soaring. Absolutely untouchable.”

“I even heard the next presidential candidates are scrambling to meet with the Tiger Clan. I wonder what it feels like to be part of such a powerful family.”

“Cough…”

“By the way, that person’s face is quite something too. Ever thought about entering the entertainment industry? I’d love to dress you up.”

“Why is the conversation going in that direction all of a sudden? It’s absurd, but now that you mention it, I kind of want to try dressing up too. They’re always wearing hanbok or suits on the news.”

Before they knew it, the topic had shifted to the Tiger Clan, causing Cheon Ryubeom to cough. He found Jimyo and Ilok’s work habits amusing and baffling, but the mention of “the next presidential candidates” took him by surprise. Could it be the important meeting held at the Korean restaurant a while ago, where the clan leader personally attended?

Memories of ruining that meeting and getting scolded came back to him, and feeling awkward about hearing the Tiger Clan being talked about right in front of him, Ryubeom tried to change the subject. Looking around for a new topic, his eyes landed on the sparkling accessory Ilok wore under the chandelier.

“By the way, Ilok, is today a special occasion? Is that why you’re wearing that necklace?”

“Oh, I’m on vacation starting today! I was so excited I decided to wear it!”

“We’re going back to our hometown together. Though, it’s not for a happy reason…”

Ryubeom looked puzzled. It was natural to assume they were from the same hometown, since they were childhood friends, but he became curious about what had happened. However, since it wasn’t for a good reason, he hesitated to ask. That’s when Yeohwi, smiling, asked the question for him.

“Is your hometown Jeju Island?”

“What? How did you know?!”

“I overheard some staff talking about how you two came from Jeju Island.”

…Jeju Island?

Cheon Ryubeom’s eyes momentarily sparkled. Meanwhile, Ilok let out a deep sigh as she began to explain.

“My parents run an orchard in Jeju Island, but there was a huge storm recently that caused a lot of damage. It not only destroyed the orchard, but also knocked down the stone walls around our house.”

“There was nothing like that in the weather forecast, but in the middle of the night, all this chaos suddenly broke out. Sigh, my uncle should have told me about it sooner. I only found out after hearing it from other friends and had to ask him directly.”

Jimyo pouted, clearly upset. From the way they were talking, it seemed like the commotion had affected a fairly large area. Ryubeom blinked slowly, thinking for a moment, then cautiously asked:

“…By any chance, is your neighborhood near Mansagul?”

“What? How did you know that? Yes, it is!”

“Wow, it’s kind of scary how these two carnivorous Suin know all this about us.”

While Ilok exaggerated her reaction and got pinched by Jimyo, Ryubeom quietly sighed.

The area Cheon Ryubeom was planning to visit next, Sagwido, was located right near Mansagul in Jeju Island.

Throughout the rest of the meal, Cheon Ryubeom was deep in thought.

When he put together the facts—that their hometown was Jeju Island, their family home was near Mansagul, and they had suffered damage from an unexpected storm—an idea suddenly came to him. But he kept pondering whether or not he should say it. It wasn’t until the end of the meal that Ryubeom finally managed to speak.

“…Would it be alright if I came along to Jeju Island with you? I’d like to help out with the orchard.”

He awkwardly added that it was a way to return the favor for the meal. This was only their second meeting, and asking to go to their hometown out of the blue felt like it could come across as burdensome and awkward. Although the connection to Sagwido made him unwilling to let the opportunity slip by, he expected them to decline.

However, his worries were for nothing, as the answer came quickly.

“Huh? That would be great!”

“Wow, and Ryubeom, you’re really strong too!”

Ilok and Jimyo’s faces lit up, clearly delighted to have an additional worker, or rather, a “slave.” Though they didn’t know Ryubeom’s specific Suin type, it was obvious he was from the predator class. With a predator’s strength and stamina, he was certainly a reliable worker.

“And there’s plenty of room at the guest house, so you’ll have a place to stay!”

Ilok, determined not to let Cheon Ryubeom slip away, immediately offered him lodging and even called her family on the spot, cheerfully announcing that a friend she’d met at work would be coming along. Ryubeom blinked in surprise, unsure how to react to her bright, forward nature.

Though it was a positive development, he couldn’t help but worry about how easily they had accepted him. He asked hesitantly:

“…Isn’t it a bit sudden for me to join?”

“I’ve got a good sense for people, and Ryubeom, your face screams integrity.”

“…?”

Ryubeom was left even more bewildered by Ilok’s serious response.

In truth, several factors had contributed to Jimyo and Ilok’s trust and fondness for Ryubeom. His honest appearance played a role, as did his polite demeanor toward them, despite being a predator-class Suin. Within Suin society, a hierarchy resembling a food chain existed. Predator Suin, while not overtly dismissive, often subtly looked down on herbivorous Suin as lower beings. The more adept a Suin was at human transformation, the more likely they were to show disdain for others, as transformation was tied to one’s control over spiritual power, which formed the basis of shamanistic abilities. However, Cheon Ryubeom never showed any signs of looking down on them, even subtly.

Additionally, since he was someone referred to as “young master” by Guil, the CEO of Hn, they felt confident that his identity was trustworthy. Though Ryubeom had explained that the title was just a playful nickname, Ilok and Jimyo didn’t fully believe him. After all, why would a fox clan elder call someone “young master” as a joke? While they were curious about Ryubeom’s specific Suin type, it would have been rude to pry if he wasn’t open about it.

The only clue they had was that he was a Suin from a predator clan with a close relationship to the fox clan…

“Well, he’s definitely not a tiger!”

As Ilok came to her conclusion, she firmly reminded Ryubeom not to break his promise.

After parting ways with Jimyo and Ilok outside the restaurant, Cheon Ryubeom still felt dazed. He had unexpectedly found a reason to go to Jeju Island, which left him a bit flustered. Or perhaps he should be relieved that he was able to seize such an unanticipated opportunity so quickly.

As he watched the two friends walk away in the distance, Yeohwi spoke up.

“Young master. I’ve got a third wish now.”

“…Huh?”

It was a sudden statement. Ryubeom quickly recalled what Yeohwi meant by his third wish. After the incident in Hyojomyeon, Yeohwi had asked for three wishes in return. The first was for Ryubeom to contact him after visiting his family home, and the second was to help the triplets get home from school.

Ryubeom also remembered that there was still one last wish remaining, but why now? Though he found the timing strange, Ryubeom nodded. Based on the previous wishes, he figured it wouldn’t be anything too big, so he readily agreed. In fact, after all the help Yeohwi had provided since the incident in Hyojomyeon, he felt he could grant him even more wishes.

“What is it?”

“I want to go to Jeju Island with you too.”

“…Huh? To help with the orchard work?”

“No. I want to join you in your search for Sagwido there.”

Ryubeom froze. During their conversation at the restaurant, Sagwido hadn’t been mentioned once. How did Yeohwi figure that out? Looking at him with slight bewilderment, Ryubeom asked:

“How did you know I was planning to search Sagwido?”

“It’s the only thing that would suddenly interest you, young master.”

Yeohwi smiled, his eyes crinkling as if his deduction was obvious. Since he knew that one of the Sagwido locations was in Jeju, it was easy to connect Ryubeom’s reaction with Sagwido.

Ryubeom blinked, feeling conflicted.

“It’s dangerous… why would you want that as a wish?”

Since Yeohwi framed it as a wish, Ryubeom found it hard to outright refuse, but the idea didn’t sit well with him. He wanted to dissuade Yeohwi. Even though he was aware of Yeohwi’s impressive shamanistic skills now, Cheon Ryubeom still subconsciously saw him as vulnerable. This was partly due to having grown up believing that tigers were the strongest Suin species, and their first encounter had been quite intense.

What if the bracelet’s spiritual power runs out or it gets damaged? Wouldn’t it be dangerous then? And even if Yeohwi’s shamanistic skills are advanced, isn’t he physically weak? Ryubeom sighed inwardly. If Yeohwi had just said he wanted to accompany him to Jeju Island, he would have gladly accepted. He might have even welcomed it.

…Wait, why am I thinking it’s good for Yeohwi to come along? Is it because we’ve been spending so much time together lately? Or is it just because we’re friends…?

While Cheon Ryubeom tried to clear his confused thoughts, Yeohwi spoke.

“To be honest… my shoulder wound hasn’t healed yet.”

“What?!”

Ryubeom was shocked. All the concerns he had been mulling over were blown away by this sudden revelation. The wound on Yeohwi’s shoulder—he must be referring to the injury he received when they were attacked by the mermaid at the Han River. Since Yeohwi hadn’t mentioned it after the incident, Ryubeom had assumed it had healed. But to hear that the wound still remained…

It must have been infused with a powerful curse from the mermaid’s final desperate strike. But even with the potent elixir from the fox clan that Yeohwi had taken, it hadn’t been enough to heal it? Regret surged through Ryubeom—he should have grabbed another bottle of Yeongyahwa when they were at the Great Tiger Hall. Should he return to the clan now to get more? But what excuse would he give to enter the Great Tiger Hall? And what if even Yeongyahwa didn’t work…

Ryubeom, with a look of dismay, reached out to Yeohwi. When Yeohwi obligingly leaned forward, Ryubeom could see the blackened, rotting flesh on his shoulder through the collar of his shirt. The curse had spread even further than when the injury first occurred.

“I didn’t want to make you worry unnecessarily, young master. But since you’re going to Jeju Island, I thought we might be able to get ‘that’—its orb.”

Ryubeom sighed. “That.” There was a legend in Jeju’s Mansagul cave about a giant snake. People said that when you walked through the cave, you could hear the snake hissing and see its enormous shadow passing by. Though the details were unclear, based on the mention of a giant snake, they suspected the creature was an Imugi.

An Imugi possesses an orb that it guards in its quest to become a dragon. While the orb would likely be tainted by dark energy since Sagwido had been opened, it would still be a powerful object.

“Most treatments haven’t worked, so I thought perhaps handling it with a stronger dark energy might help.”

While purification was the typical method for dealing with wounds caused by cursed energy, another option was to combat it with an even stronger dark energy. A “fight fire with fire” kind of treatment.

Ryubeom’s lips parted slightly. It must have been painful, yet Yeohwi had never once let it show. Despite training with him every day, despite being so close to him, Ryubeom hadn’t noticed anything. He felt ashamed.

“…You’re in pain, but you think it’s okay to go to Jeju Island?”

“Yes. Haven’t you seen me these past few days? I’m not having trouble moving around. The task of retrieving the Imugi’s orb is tricky, so I want to help.”

Although Ryubeom’s question had a double meaning, Yeohwi quickly picked up on it and responded with a smile. His expression was one of satisfaction, as if he understood exactly why Ryubeom had asked.

Finally, Ryubeom nodded.

“Alright, I’ll make sure to get the Imugi’s orb for you.”

His voice was determined, almost resolute. In truth, the best approach would be for Ryubeom to retrieve the Imugi’s orb from Jeju and give it to Yeohwi. But as Yeohwi had mentioned earlier, taking a yokai’s orb wasn’t an easy task. The orb was essentially the core of the yokai. In the process of taking it, the orb could be damaged or even shattered.

So, to obtain the orb as intact as possible, Yeohwi’s help would be essential. Never before had Ryubeom felt so frustrated by his own shortcomings.

This time, even if they searched for Sagwido together, he had to make sure that Yeohwi wouldn’t get hurt.

“I swear, this time, I’ll protect you so you won’t get hurt.”

Ryubeom muttered under his breath, his gaze serious as he looked at Yeohwi. His expression was so intense that it seemed like he was making an oath. Yeohwi quietly observed him for a moment, then smiled, his eyes curving.

“Heh, you’re speaking like you’re proposing.”

“…You’re joking even while you’re injured?”

“Should I start crying in fear instead?”

For a brief moment, Ryubeom tried to imagine it, but he couldn’t even begin to picture Yeohwi being afraid, let alone not cracking jokes. He frowned, looking at him uncertainly.

If Yeohwi was joking around, the pain must not be too severe. If it was truly serious, he wouldn’t be able to smile and joke like this.

“…No, it’s fine. Just keep being yourself.”

Ryubeom averted his gaze, trying to stay positive.

The trip to Jeju Island proceeded smoothly.

Ilok, worried that Ryubeom might change his mind, immediately looked into flight options the night they had dinner and contacted him. Fortunately, there was a seat available on the same flight that Ilok and Jimyo were taking, so Ryubeom could travel with them.

They were delighted to hear that Yeohwi would be joining as well. Out of concern, Ryubeom asked if Yeohwi could be allowed to rest, offering to do Yeohwi’s share of the work. The fact that he had learned about Yeohwi’s injury late weighed on his mind.

In response to Ryubeom’s serious tone, Ilok burst into laughter.

“We wouldn’t make Yeohwi work anyway! How could we, with that face of his? Of course, that goes for you too, Ryubeom.”

Ilok joked that even if Ryubeom were just visiting as a friend, he would be welcome, and making Ryubeom work felt like a massive breach of etiquette. Though it was just a light-hearted comment, Ryubeom reflected on whether he had made a rough first impression when they first met and resolved to be more careful in the future.

As a result, Cheon Ryubeom found himself heading to Jeju Island the very next day. However, that morning, Yeohwi, looking tired after receiving a call from Guil, informed Ryubeom that something had come up, and he would be joining them later. Watching Yeohwi’s disappointed expression as he mentioned being caught trying to leave quietly, Ryubeom wondered once again about their relationship.

Was Yeohwi really not the next head of the fox clan? It seemed the only reason someone like Guil, an elder of the clan, would take interest in the actions of just one clan member. Yet when Ryubeom had asked about it before, Yeohwi had laughed heartily.

If Yeohwi wasn’t the successor, could they just be “friends”? They seemed to have known each other for a long time, likely much longer than Ryubeom. As Ryubeom prepared for his trip to Jeju, he entertained thoughts that others might find shocking if they knew.

It was noon, with the sun shining brightly.

Cheon Ryubeom arrived at Jeju Airport with Ilok and Jimyo. Ilok’s younger sister was supposed to meet them and guide them to their home.

She arrived in a gray van, and although she didn’t have deer antlers, her long, fluffy hippie-style hair revealed prominent deer ears. Her ears were adorned with piercings that glittered brightly under the sun, drawing attention.

She wore a khaki flight jacket and had an energetic presence. The moment she saw Jimyo, she beamed brightly, stretched out her long legs, and ran over to give her a hug.

“Unnie! You’ve gotten even cuter since I last saw you!”

“Ah, I told you not to pick me up like this!”

“Aww, I need to carry you around in my pocket.”

She lifted the petite Jimyo into the air and rubbed her face against her, much to Jimyo’s dismay. As she expressed how happy she was to see Jimyo’s rabbit ears again and tried to kiss her on the cheek, Jimyo raised her fist. She didn’t put her down right away and ended up getting hit a few times.

After the commotion settled down, the younger sister finally noticed Cheon Ryubeom and was startled. Though his face was shadowed by the deep blue hoodie he wore, there was an unmistakable presence about him.

With wide eyes, she sidled up to Ilok and whispered.

“Who is that, a celebrity? Now that you work at HN Entertainment, are you friends with celebrities too?”

“No, not at all. He’s just someone I met through work.”

“And you’re telling me that face isn’t that of a celebrity? Does HN Entertainment have no eyes?”

Ilok cleared his throat a couple of times and quietly whispered something to her. Ryubeom didn’t need to focus to know that he was likely explaining about HN Entertainment’s next director, the fox clan heir, and such. Since they had already cleared up the misunderstanding about him, Ilok would probably introduce him as a friend.

As expected, after hearing Ilok’s explanation, she became much more polite in her greeting.

“Hello, I’m Ilok’s younger sister, Lee Saerok. Please feel free to just call me Saerok! I’ll get you to the house safely!”

Although her tone had become more formal, her lively energy remained, making Ryubeom nod a bit awkwardly. He suddenly missed Yeohwi, but quickly shook the thought away. He realized he was starting to rely on him too much now that they had become friends.

“I just need to focus on doing my part…”

Cheon Ryubeom decided to keep things simple. Thanks to Ilok and his family, he had the opportunity to come to Jeju Island, and they had even provided him with lodging. He needed to repay their kindness.

Filled with a sense of duty, Cheon Ryubeom got to work the moment they arrived at the house.

Ilok’s family home was a modest one-story house with a view of the mountains in the back and the sea in the front, a beautiful yet simple place. However, it had been severely damaged by storms, with the stone wall surrounding the house completely collapsed and the yard in disarray. On the way to the house, they had noticed several damaged homes in the area, confirming the reports that the whole village had been hit hard by the storm. Some roads were even cracked.

Ilok’s parents came out to greet them. His mother was a deer suin, and his father was human. Jimyo, distressed by the extent of the damage, scolded them for hiding the situation, while Ilok, tearfully, checked to make sure they weren’t injured.

Saerok, shrugging as if it was all in the past, said, “We were surprised when the tree in the yard fell, but we’re all fine. We’ve already called someone, and they’ll be here soon to—”

Saerok’s words trailed off as she froze. Following her gaze, Jimyo, Ilok, and their parents also stared in shock. Cheon Ryubeom had nonchalantly picked up the fallen tree and moved it to the side.

“…?”

Having simply moved the tree because it was blocking the path, Ryubeom was bewildered by their stares. He had only relocated it to prevent anyone from getting hurt by the sprawling branches and was quite confused by the reaction.

“Did I… do something wrong?”

Was there a reason the tree had to stay in that spot? Did he mess something up? Ryubeom, sensing their surprise, looked around in confusion.

Being a tiger suin gave him extraordinary physical strength, but compared to herbivore suin like the deer, the difference was almost as stark as heaven and earth. Moreover, herbivore suin without spiritual power were often as weak as, or even weaker than, ordinary humans. So it was no wonder that Ryubeom’s strength had left them stunned.

Even while Ilok’s family was preparing lunch, Ryubeom’s efforts to repay their kindness continued. Feeling awkward just sitting and waiting for food, he decided to fix the collapsed stone wall.

Though his movements seemed as light as a morning stroll, he carried heavy stones in each hand, making it look almost comical—like he was holding foam rather than real rocks.

Saerok was genuinely impressed.

“Wow, you’re really strong. You could probably break someone like me with a flick!”

“……Maybe not with just a flick…….”

“What? So you could break me?!”

She responded dramatically. Saerok, who was twenty years old and the same age as Ryubeom, suggested they speak casually the moment she found out they were the same age. Ilok, horrified, insisted she show respect to a colleague, but Saerok stuck out her tongue and retorted, “Is Ryubeom my boss?”

Back then, Ryubeom awkwardly replied that he didn’t mind being treated however. He was a little worried they might start fighting, and he also couldn’t forget that Saerok was the child of the owner of the house he was staying at. Ilok was concerned that Ryubeom might be offended, but Ryubeom was only surprised by how friendly Saerok was. While Ilok was pretty sociable, Saerok seemed to be at least twice, no, three times more so.

As Saerok chattered away by Ryubeom’s side, Jimyo watched curiously from the other side. They had expected Cheon Ryubeom to be strong, being from a beast-type Suin family, but they hadn’t imagined it would be to this extent.

“Wow! Ryubeom, you’re amazing,” Jimyo exclaimed, eyes sparkling at the thought that reinforcing the orchard would be a breeze now. Deer and rabbit Suins already had bright, clear eyes, but with both of them gazing at him in awe, it felt as if there were lights shining all around him.

Ryubeom awkwardly avoided their gaze. Compared to the training he received from the tiger family, this was nothing. Objectively, he had grown much stronger compared to his childhood. Still, he had never been praised, always told he was weak and reprimanded.

That’s why their admiration felt unfamiliar but also a little amazing to him. He could feel that he was handling his energy much more smoothly than he had a few months ago. Was this the result of Yeohwi’s training? Maybe it wasn’t that he was lacking, but that he just hadn’t known how to harmonize his spiritual and physical powers.

As he looked down at his hands in wonder, a sudden thud came from behind.

“Ouch……!”

Along with the sound, Ilok’s scream made Ryubeom’s head turn immediately. It seemed Ilok, wanting to help with the wall repair, had tried to lift a large stone and dropped it on his foot.

Jimyo sighed as he walked over to help, while Saerok bent over laughing.

“Ha ha ha! What in the world made Ilok think he could lift that? Trying to act tough and got caught!”

“No, I was just trying to help……!”

“Okay, sure, Ilok.”

“That’s not it!”

Ilok’s face turned bright red as he yelled in frustration. Ryubeom looked at them, a bit confused.

Is this how siblings usually act?

Noticing Ryubeom’s confused expression, Saerok leaned in and whispered as if sharing a secret.

“Jimyo unni just said you were cool a little while ago, right? That’s why Ilok tried to copy her and ended up like that.”

Saerok shook her head in mock embarrassment. Ryubeom, who had suspected from their first meeting that Ilok had a crush on Jimyo, now confirmed it, sighing quietly. Jimyo had merely been amazed by Ryubeom’s strength, yet Ilok had tried to impress her.

Meanwhile, Jimyo was checking Ilok’s injury. Though the gesture seemed caring, on closer inspection, the atmosphere resembled that of an older sibling looking after a clumsy younger brother.

“He’ll have to overcome the limits of being a childhood friend before worrying about species differences,” Saerok quipped.

“They’ve been close since they were really young, huh?”

“Yep, they met when they were five. My earliest memory is of playing house with Jimyo unni and Ilok. That’s how close they’ve been.”

Saerok shrugged.

“Honestly, these days, different species isn’t a big deal. If you like someone, you like them.”

In the past, Suin society was closed off, so most Suins would only date within their species. However, with increased interaction and the peace agreement between Suins and humans, it was now common to see interspecies relationships. Media developments and broader opportunities to interact in shared spaces had contributed to this shift. The more you shared spaces, the more likely you were to develop feelings for someone.

Even marriage between Suins and humans was considered an interspecies union. Ilok and Saerok’s parents were a perfect example of this, as was Ryubeom, the child of such a union. However, when Suins from different species married, they couldn’t have children, which was one of the main differences.

“These days, even dog Suins and cat Suins—who are said to be incompatible—are happily living together. So, rabbits and deer? No big deal.”

Listening to Saerok, Cheon Ryubeom thought that dog and cat Suins living together wasn’t all that surprising. For something to truly be surprising, it would have to be more like him and Yeohwi……

‘……Wait, what?’

Ryubeom frowned slightly. Why had he suddenly thought of him and Yeohwi while discussing interspecies relationships? They were just friends; this wasn’t at all related to what Saerok was talking about.

Feeling strangely embarrassed, as if he’d crossed a line with a friend, Ryubeom shook his head to clear his thoughts and refocused on Saerok’s words.

“So, the real problem is that they’re too much like family. They went to kindergarten together, elementary, middle, high school—and now they even work together! Plus, their parents are super close….”

Saerok clicked her tongue as if the situation were hopeless. She explained that Jimyo’s parents currently lived with her in Seoul, but they still had family gatherings a few times a year. When both families got together, it was practically a large family reunion.

Ryubeom nodded as he listened. Hearing about someone’s unrequited love for the first time was fascinating, but what interested him more was the family closeness that came through in the story. Going on trips together from a young age, knowing every little detail about each other’s lives…

Though Saerok had laughed at Ilok’s injury, there was a subtle affection in the way she spoke about her brother. Even if her final comment was, “If he confesses poorly and makes things awkward with Jimyo unni, I’ll kill him.”

Ryubeom awkwardly nodded and looked ahead. By now, Ilok’s parents had come out of the kitchen to check on their son’s injury.

“Oh no, my dear boy! Can you walk?”

“Ugh, please don’t call me your dear boy. I’m an adult now!”

“You’re still our baby!”

Ilok, clearly embarrassed by how much attention his injury had drawn, turned red and groaned. His parents’ concern was evident, and Ryubeom took in the scene.

A close-knit family.

“…….”

Ryubeom quietly observed the heartwarming scene for a moment before turning away. As the sea breeze brushed through, it seemed to stir a quiet corner of his heart, but he ignored it, picking up another stone to continue his work.

* * *

After lunch, Cheon Ryubeom quickly volunteered to help with the orchard work.

Ilok’s parents, having just arrived in Jeju, suggested he rest a bit, but Ryubeom insisted on helping as much as possible before sunset. His words touched Ilok’s family, especially his father, who praised Ryubeom’s potential as a farmer.

However, Ryubeom had a deeper reason for wanting to move quickly. While he did feel the need to repay the family for their hospitality, he also wanted to confirm the traces of the ‘imugi’s energy’ left by the storm before they faded. It had already been five days, so he had to be prepared for the possibility that there would be no trace left.

Unfortunately, there was hardly any energy to be detected in the orchard. However, Ryubeom didn’t feel discouraged and calmly surveyed the entire area.

“The northern side seems to have taken more damage…”

The whole orchard had suffered from the wind and rain, but the northern side was particularly affected. Coincidentally, the Mansagul cave was located in the mountains to the north.

Ryubeom’s expression darkened slightly as he looked towards the mountain. Mansagul was quite far from the orchard. If the storm five days ago had indeed been caused by the Imugi, then it would be a significant clue to the events at Sagwido. However, if that were the case, it also meant that the Imugi’s energy was strong enough to cause damage this far away, which wasn’t exactly a comforting thought.

The Sagwido phenomena Ryubeom had researched in Jeju weren’t known to be this powerful. Most of the accounts involved strange experiences from tourists visiting the cave, but nothing this intense. Had something caused the Imugi to grow stronger? Ryubeom decided to continue helping with the orchard repairs and gather more information as he worked.

The tasks themselves weren’t too difficult—removing trees that were completely broken, setting up supports for slightly twisted ones, and trimming off broken branches. Though he was clumsy at first, he quickly adapted and took the opportunity to ask questions as he worked.

“Has there ever been a storm like this before, one that wasn’t in the weather forecast?”

“Well, the island’s weather is always unpredictable…”

“But nothing as strong as this, right? We’ve had sudden showers before, but…”

Ryubeom’s questions were met with thoughtful responses as Ilok’s parents tried their best to recall details. They were already quite fond of him, especially since he was so helpful with the work. Their appreciation for him only grew.

As Ryubeom listened carefully and organized the information in his mind, it became clear that, while they had experienced unexpected showers before, this was the first time they had encountered a storm so strong they couldn’t go outside. After confirming this, Ryubeom cautiously asked another question.

“By any chance, has anyone recently died in Mansagul?”

If the recent storm had indeed been caused by the Imugi, Ryubeom needed to understand why its power had grown stronger recently.

At this question, Saerok, who was passing by, was startled for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“Oh, so you’re interested in the Mansagul ghost stories?”

Saerok found it amusing that someone who seemed so calm and composed, almost like a model student, would be interested in ghost stories. However, she quickly shook her head with a look of regret.

“Unfortunately, no one has died there recently.”

“Saerok, that’s not something to be disappointed about,” Ilok’s mother scolded lightly.

“Oh, come on! I just meant I can’t satisfy our diligent worker’s interest in ghost stories. Normally, this is where you’re supposed to set the mood with a serious face and say, ‘Actually…’ before launching into a spooky tale.”

Saerok shrugged casually, and Ryubeom found her expressive face fascinating. He had heard from Ilok that she was an actress, and indeed, her facial expressions were more varied than anyone Ryubeom had ever encountered.

Saerok continued her story.

“About five years ago, someone did die there, and that’s when the ghost stories really started spreading. But honestly, they’re not that impressive. The most common one is about people seeing the shadow of a giant snake in the cave, but when they investigated, nothing was found.”

“There’s also a rumor that snake tracks were seen near the cave entrance. What about that?” Ryubeom asked.

“Oh, that one? There’s a rumor that you can see them on rainy days, but I think it’s a lie. They close off access to Mansagul on rainy days, so how would anyone see the tracks?”

Saerok explained that the path to Mansagul was unstable and blocked off during rain, making it impossible to see any tracks near the cave. She added that stories about people getting lost in the mountain were likely exaggerated into tales of the Imugi’s mischief. Ryubeom found this information a bit unsettling.

If even the locals downplayed the Imugi’s existence to this extent, could it really be as powerful as Sagwido’s legends suggested? Still, there had to be a reason why Sagwido was considered such an important site.

Suddenly, Saerok exclaimed.

“Oh! That ghost story was interesting—the one about the mountain caretaker!”

“…Mountain caretaker?”

“The path to Mansagul is pretty tricky, right? So, if you get lost, they say a mountain caretaker will appear and offer to guide you to the cave. But the twist is, there’s no actual caretaker.”

This was new information. Ryubeom hadn’t come across this during his preliminary research, which was mostly limited to internet searches and had questionable reliability. This was why he’d come to gather information in person. A ghost story about a mountain caretaker? That fit the classic mold of a good ghost story, with the background that the person who died five years ago might be mimicking the caretaker, seeking out new victims.

However, before Ryubeom could delve deeper into the subject, Saerok pouted and said,

“But I’ve gone up there several times hoping to meet the caretaker, and I’ve never seen them.”

“What?! Saerok, when did you go there?”

“I thought I’d get some inspiration for my caretaker ghost performance—ah, ouch!”

“You foolish girl!”

Startled, Ilok’s mother quickly climbed down the ladder and gave Saerok’s back a few firm pats. Saerok tried to justify her actions, but it only earned her more scolding.

Watching the scene unfold, Ryubeom began to understand why Saerok had never encountered the mountain caretaker ghost. If such a ghost did exist, it would probably avoid Saerok at all costs.

After all, it’s said that ghosts don’t haunt people who are too bright and cheerful, and Saerok seemed to embody that perfectly. If she ever did meet a ghost, she’d probably be more fascinated by how it doesn’t fall off the Earth due to gravity, rather than be afraid.