“Once we get back, I’m putting you through brutal training. Don’t think I’ll keep playing shadow-tag with you forever.”
Kkiwoong…….
At the terrifying threat, the Dark One cautiously poked its head out. Fortunately, the small-fry had already scattered after Dojin’s violent outburst, so the Dark One was no longer frightened and was peeking its face out from atop the pocket.
As usual, Dojin and Iri walked along the hiking trail, then ignored the barricade that signaled there was no longer a path for people and went further inside.
After passing Yongchu Falls and walking a bit more, they spotted yokai playing with the final fragment of the curio beneath three densely grown chestnut trees. They were about the size of young children, with long ears and bulging eyes—Night-Glow Goblins.
“Immortal Iri? It’s Immortal Iri!”
“What brings Immortal Iri here?”
“Immortal Iri! Did you come to play hide-and-seek with us?”
The Night-Glow Goblins scurried over to Iri. Smiling gently, Iri bent his knees and crouched down.
“That thing you’re playing with is part of a curio, so I came to take it back.”
“You mean these wooden clogs?”
The fragment of the curio was shaped like a yut stick piece and absolutely did not look like wooden clogs.
“We were all so happy because we got new shoes…….”
“I’ll give you different shoes instead.”
At Iri’s glance, Dojin opened the briefcase he was holding. He plunged an arm inside, rummaged around, and pulled out brand-new shoes.
Since you never know what might happen when you go out, it really paid off to always carry spare clothes and shoes.
“Oho, these are sneakers! Perfect shoes for playing hide-and-seek.”
“Fine material indeed. I can smell the brand.”
“Take the clogs. We’ll take these.”
The exchange was completed with ease. Dojin put the final fragment into the briefcase. As the Night-Glow Goblins buzzed with excitement over their new shoes, Iri asked them,
“Where did the Mountain Divine Spirit go? All of the nearby mountains were empty.”
“He said he had a meeting today.”
“So the meeting was real,” Dojin muttered.
“What kind of meeting?”
“We don’t know. We didn’t ask in detail.”
“These days, divine spirits often go to some kind of gathering.”
“Every time he comes back, he brings loads of rice cakes and sweets.”
“Will you wait and eat with us, Immortal?”
“While we wait, we’ll show you all the shoes we’ve collected!”
Iri hadn’t even answered yet, but some of the Night-Glow Goblins had already run off to fetch the shoes they treasured so dearly.
Only after the rental shop’s sharp-eyed new employee glared and warned, “Immortal is busy. Don’t bother him,” were they finally able to part ways with the Night-Glow Goblins.
As they descended the mountain, Dojin spoke with deliberate seriousness.
“Don’t tell me that meeting was, like… related to the ‘Saeboreumi Research Group’?”
“Why would the ‘Saeboreumi Research Group’ come up here?”
“I mean, it’s suspicious, right? All the divine spirits go to some meeting at once and even turn off their phones. You said the Deokyusan Divine Spirit wasn’t answering either. What kind of reason is there to gather on a Saturday afternoon, if not the ‘Saeboreumi Research Group’?”
“Don’t ordinary humans also have gatherings on Saturday afternoons?”
“…….”
Dojin shut his mouth. Thinking about it, that was true. People usually make plans on weekends.
Iri wondered if his disciple had developed paranoia from the Saeboreumi incident and gently patted his broad back. It was physical contact he rarely initiated.
“Don’t be so suspicious. Divine spirits are living beings too…. It could just be a mutual-aid gathering.”
“What would a Mountain Divine Spirit need a mutual-aid gathering for? They don’t even need money.”
“They probably exchange mountain energy or the bounty of acorns. Divine spirits really like acorns.”
Dojin, who had been spinning serious theories about the ‘Saeboreumi Research Group’, deflated at the cute word ‘acorns’. Still, because he wanted Iri’s soothing to continue, he deliberately kept his grave expression…. Seeing through him instantly, Iri sighed and withdrew his hand. He really was a merciless Immortal.
By sunset, the two arrived in Muju and picked up takeout from a famous restaurant Dojin had found by searching online. Just as they got into the car and started the engine, a call came from the Deokyusan Divine Spirit.
—I-Immortal. Did you call?
“Yeah. Have you been well?”
—Y-yes, of course I’ve been well…….
For some reason, the other end of the call was suspiciously quiet. If divine spirits really were gathered together, they were clearly keeping their mouths shut because they knew the caller was Immortal Iri.
—You called because of the newly created curio, right? I brought it home and put it away safely. Where are you? I’ll bring it to you.
“A young Yung that’s due for molting contacted me, so I was thinking. If it’s okay, could I borrow your place?”
—O-of course. Anytime you want, Immortal.
“Thanks. It’ll take five minutes.”
—…It seems you’ll arrive before I do, Immortal. The front door password is 827911*. Go ahead and go inside…….
Dojin entered [Deokyusan Mountain Divine Spirit’s House] into the navigation. The Dragon Horse’s navigation, which had most divine spirit residences already registered, guided them flawlessly.
Usually, the mountain entrance was as far as the Dragon Horse could go by car, but this house could be reached right up to the front. It looked like a country home with its own parking lot.
No sooner had the call with the divine spirit ended than another call came in. Checking that the caller ID was a public phone, Iri answered.
“Ttanttori, where are you?”
—I-I think it’ll take another 30 minutes…….
“I’ll come meet you, so if you see a tall, big-eyed man—”
—I can find my way just fine, I don’t need anyone to come meet me!
“Alright. Ring the bell when you arrive.”
—O-okay.
The young Yung exercised the privilege of ignorance—speaking casually to Immortal Iri. Iri smiled as if amused and ended the call.
They arrived at the divine spirit’s house quickly. Just as Dojin expected, it was a country home, but unusually, it was right next to the road. It was closer to a human village than to the mountain.
After easily opening the divine spirit’s barrier and stepping inside, they found a modest parking area.
[╰(°▽°)╯]
[ヾ(^▽^)ゝ]
[~＼(≧▽≦)/~]
“Master, the Dragon Horse says it wants to run around.”
“Alright. Just don’t leave the barrier.”
The moment permission was granted, the Dragon Horse immediately changed form. It was slightly bigger than a puppy and slightly smaller than a horse—about the size of a foal.
Kkihing!
After rubbing its snout against Dojin and Iri once each, the Dragon Horse set off to explore the parking lot.
Kkiwoong…….
The Dark One, hidden in Dojin’s shirt pocket, cautiously poked out what was probably the area where its eyes would be and followed the Dragon Horse’s retreating figure. It seemed curious, but didn’t follow.
Dojin and Iri climbed the low steps and stood before the closed front door.
“Master, do you remember the password? You didn’t even write it down earlier.”
“Oh.”
“I knew it, so I memorized it. Totally lucky, right? Totally helpful, right? Totally an awesome disciple, right?”
Dojin bragged to his heart’s content as he tapped the keypad. Iri had actually planned to open it with Taoist arts, but for the sake of his disciple’s pride, he simply nodded and yielded.
Entering with his impressive memory on full display, Dojin let out an impressed “Whoa.” The Deokyusan Divine Spirit’s house was modern, just like a normal human residence.
As soon as they stepped inside, an automatic sensor brightly lit the interior. A living room equipped with an air purifier and humidifier. A standing air conditioner, a large TV, and a height-adjustable table. The kitchen even had an oven and an air fryer.
It wasn’t just the appliances and furniture that were modern.
Seeing the items packed inside the transparent glass-doored bookshelf next to the TV, Dojin clicked his tongue.
“A Mountain Divine Spirit who collects idol merch….”
Bromides, light sticks, and albums from a famous male idol group filled the shelves.
Modern was an understatement…….
“‘Shaman’, huh.”
When Iri came up beside him and said it quietly, Dojin startled.
“You know them too, Master? You, who never watch TV at all?”
“The Musician is a fan of these kids. There were posters up when we visited his place last time.”
“Ah, right….”
Dojin stroked his chin.
“Bodhisattva Bo and Lord White-Browed Tiger also had these idol posters at their places. Guess they’re popular with divine spirits these days.”
Bodhisattva Bo was the Yeongchuksan Mountain Divine Spirit, and Lord White-Browed Tiger was the Namsan Mountain Divine Spirit.
Wondering what was so appealing about this idol group, Dojin examined the posters. The five members, each with different hairstyles, were so thin it made him want to ask if they were eating properly. They just looked like typical idols, but perhaps there was something especially captivating to divine spirits.
Dojin lost interest in the idols and continued looking around the house.
“Looks like he cooks, too. The fridge is packed with side dishes. This is a seriously meticulous household.”
“Dojin. Don’t rummage through other people’s houses.”
“But the divine spirit gave permission…….”
“Don’t.”
“Yes.”
Though pouting, Dojin obeyed. Iri headed straight to the living room table, because the final curio was placed on top of it.
The last curio, carefully enshrined by the Mountain Divine Spirit, was a single sheet of white paper, about the size of a palm.
“Should we take all the curio pieces out? Let’s finish before Ttanttori arrives.”
“Yeah.”
Dojin placed a wooden stick with a hollowed end and five divided fragments on the table beside the white paper.
That made all three curio pieces complete.
“This one really looks like a spatula.”
Kkiwoong!
Dojin picked up the Dark One with his fingers and set it on the hollowed part of the wooden stick. As the Dark One squeaked in panic, Dojin pressed down on the end of the stick.
Kkiuuwoong.
The Dark One slid straight down. Chuckling, Dojin pressed the opposite end. The Dark One squeaked kkiuu and slid back this way.
“A seesaw? Isn’t it a seesaw toy for young Wia? If not a seesaw, then a spatula. Or maybe a spoon for someone with really big hands.”
“That’s close.”
“Huh? Really? Is it actually a seesaw?”
“No. Think of it as a spatula or a spoon.”
After rescuing the squeaking, teased Dark One, Iri picked up the wooden stick.
“If you mix ginkgo leaves, a bit of seawater, dragon saliva, and soil in here and then eat it, this curio lets you taste whatever flavor you want most at that moment.”
“So… it becomes food?”
“Food that tastes good to anyone.”
Now that he knew the ingredients included saliva and soil, Dojin didn’t think he’d be able to eat it with much enthusiasm.
