Chapter 32

Having inhaled the food of the night market.

“…….”

“Do you have a question?”

“No, you just eat well.”

“Yes, I do.”

I was a big eater.

“Are you not full?”

“I’ve always eaten a lot, so I’m fine.”

“It’s to the point of being amazing.”

“If it didn’t taste good, I would have held back, but everything was so delicious.”

“Well, it has to be delicious for people to come.”

Though it was a sound argument, if all restaurants and food were delicious, no store would ever go out of business.

‘Anyway, in 31 years, the tourist spot has become quite substantial. When I visited with my classmates, wasn’t it almost like walking into history? It was quite tiring trying to soothe the bored kids.’

Having roughly lifted my head covering, I chewed on a rice cake grilled over charcoal and coated with rice syrup.

This was the Korean Tanghulu.

‘Gyeongbokgung used to have this typical cultural heritage… a sort of old-fashioned feeling.’

It was a place full of memories, but what created those memories was less Gyeongbokgung itself and more the communication with the students who, wearing hanboks, wandered around searching for their self-identity.

‘I wonder what happened to our idol trainee who said she must have been a king of Joseon in her past life since she cries for no reason. I wonder if they’re all living well.’

If it hadn’t been for the students who were faithful to their nonsense, as high schoolers who claimed they couldn’t live sanely, I would not have enjoyed Gyeongbokgung so much.

The Hanoks were beautiful and quaint, but was it just one or two students who protested when told they had to come here, especially in the summer?

‘But now, Gyeongbokgung has substance. There’s definitely a lot to enjoy.’

The people in hanboks each enjoyed their role-playing and they often traded the types of lanterns they had bought with others.

Everyone looked happy.

“…….”

If there was one thing I was curious about.

‘What is that.’

I saw something like a transparent shadow wearing a hanbok and strolling about.

‘At the fan shop, and in the alleys of the traditional korean village too… things similar to that were wandering around.’

There might be exceptions, but the ones I saw were all wearing masks.

A bunch of shadows in the guise of a sadangpae, sauntering on the ropes where lanterns were hung, a bunch of children with braided hair, hopping and skipping among the people, a bunch of civil officials coming and going inside the restricted palace grounds….

“…Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

“Hm?”

“What do you call those?”

“What… ah.”

Yu Seong-un spoke as if he naturally assumed I would know.

“They’re Donghwas, living stories. First time seeing them in a place like this?”

“…….”

“They’re guys who usually prefer places without people, so it’s rare to see them in a bustling tourist spot like this. Still, they’re one of the proper children of the Source.”

This, I had heard before.

“You’ve mentioned something similar last time.”

“What? Are you talking about the children of the Source?”

“Yes, could you please explain in a little more detail?”

“…Ah, right.”

Yu Seong-un scratched the back of his neck and continued.

“I think I mentioned it briefly while explaining the Gardeners last time… but I just glossed over it then. It’s hard to summarize simply, but I’ll explain.”

“…….”

“There’s a transcendent being that we humans have defined as the ‘Source,’ you could call it the god of gods. It’s a kind of system that manages balance and creates various rules throughout the entire universe and all dimensions.”

“A system, I see.”

“And this Source usually creates other children. We call them the ‘children of the Source.’ They are beings that can be classified as a part of nature, like waves or wind, or beasts and humans.”

“…….”

“These children of the Source can be categorized into a few types….”

Yu Seong-un pointed to the figure of a civil official moving inside the palace.

Its face was not visible, hidden by a large official hat and a head covering and its sleeves were strangely long, making it impossible to see any part of its body.

Their synchronized movements as they moved in a group were captivating, like watching a group dance, but that very quality made them seem not like living creatures.

It was as if shadows were wearing clothes and mimicking people.

“Those guys are called ‘Donghwa.’”

“What kind of beings are they?”

“Like most children of the Source, they are not interested in humans and do not cause harm. ‘Donghwa’ are living stories and at the same time, beings close to human form.”

“Then aren’t their minds close to humans?”

“They don’t really think like humans, they simply imitate traces. The children of the Source are skilled at adorning their outward appearance. It's not something they learned later; it seems to be an inherent trait of their nature.”

Yu Seong-un took a sip of his ripe persimmon juice and continued.

“All Donghwas, regardless of their type, wear masks, and beyond them, there is no face. They don’t possess a human body or the equivalent capacity for thought; they are merely imitating the appearance.”

“…….”

“Just because you draw someone in a picture, it doesn’t mean that picture becomes a real human, right? Ah, of course, I don’t know how it would be in your case… but usually, there’s a limit to dimensions.”

“I understand.”

A portrait like myself was probably not common in the world.

As I affirmed, Yu Seong-un continued.

“They have their own stories, and when those stories end, they disappear. Gyeongbokgung is crowded, but it’s a place where a fair number of such Donghwas inhabit, strangely enough.”

Observing the people, I asked.

“Can people not see those children of the Source?”

“Few people see them.”

Yu Seong-un nodded.

“Ordinary people can’t detect the frequencies used by dolphins or bats, right? It’s similar. The children of the Source exist in the world, but there are few people who can perceive them. That’s the case even though those guys aren’t particularly hiding.”

“Ghosts?”

“Uh… you could see it similarly, but I guess it’s a bit different starting from the fact that they don’t understand humans at all. No matter how much they mimic a human appearance, they’re empty inside. Their very roots are different.”

He spoke as if he had remembered something.

“Ah, right. They say that in the past, no one could see such children of the Source. It’s said that because Earth was greatly influenced by the Source, things like dungeons appeared… Awakeners were born… and the ecosystem itself changed, making it possible to see them.”

It was a story as mystical as a fairy tale.

“As you can see, I am one of the few talented individuals who can perceive such a Source.”

“I suppose I am too.”

“Well, I guess so.”

Though he tried to hide it, Yu Seong-un had a slightly awkward expression.

It was probably because he thought of me as something other than human.

‘Anyway, Mr. Yu Seong-un would know that whether I’m human or not, I’m a harmless being who can’t even kill an ant, so it doesn’t matter.’

Not bothering to correct him, concerned I might be dragged out of the portrait, I once again took in the view of Gyeongbokgung.

‘The Earth and humanity have grown stronger.’

I was certain I had been left behind.

I, who only knew how to eat, sleep, and draw, lost confidence in my ability to survive in this harsh world.

“How many people can see the existence of the Source?”

“Are you asking for the percentage of the total human population? Well, not many.”

“I see.”

Being special tends to get you stabbed. I once again resolved to dedicate my entire life to my portrait.

“…….”

As I sat blankly on a bench, I soon noticed a small commotion.

“I hear fighting.”

“That’s rare, in a tourist spot like this.”

Yu Seong-un, who had been leaning back on the chair, leaned his upper body forward.

“The guards will probably catch them soon….”

Sure enough, guards dressed in thick hanboks grabbed a person who was shouting loudly.

It was a middle-aged man who was making a scene, trying to lunge at a rather handsome man dressed in a scholar’s robe.

The scholar, who was adjusting his top as if his collar had been grabbed, had a troubled expression.

“…….”

He was clearly a young man with a kind impression, but….

Create a frame to assess the safety level (0/1)

Reward: Seal

I had a hunch.

“Jio?”

“…….”

A frame.

I raised both hands, formed a camera-like shape, and brought it to my eyes.

Danger ★★★★★

Five stars.

‘He’s very dangerous?’

It seemed the guards had grabbed the wrong person to be dragged out.

Would you like to check the history?

[Yes/No]

Do I really have to?

“…….”

My eyes met with the young man in the scholar’s robe.

‘Was I staring too intently.’

Yu Seong-un seemed to have sensed something strange about my sudden action but didn’t say anything.

The scholar scanned me up and down as if to size me up, then gave a slight nod and passed by.

Though his expression seemed to suggest he thought I was picking a fight.

“Kuruk.”

“Whoa, you startled me.”

Yu Seong-un jumped in surprise at Honey’s sudden appearance.

“…Huh? A water bird? Wait a minute, Jio, this fellow, you showed me last time….”

“This is Honey.”

“You could bring this guy out?”

“I’ve never tried with the other birds, so I’m not sure.”

“Hmm, right, uh… I see.”

Yu Seong-un had a somewhat enlightened expression.

“It’s about time for the world to end anyway.”

“I don’t know why you’re suddenly saying something so absurd when it seems to be holding up just fine.”

“Because it was clear it was a sandcastle that would crumble with a single touch….”

Yu Seong-un, who had been smiling with a look of resignation, soon returned to his usual expression and asked.

“So, why that person? Does he bother you?”

“He seemed dangerous.”

“…Really?”

“I think he didn’t like me.”

A scary person.

“I didn’t want to pick a fight.”

I had momentarily forgotten that making eye contact for more than three seconds was a choice between ‘Does that bastard like me?’ or ‘Does that bastard want to fight me?’

‘I should have spoken politely and kindly before the three seconds were up, but his history was so magnificent that I missed the timing to act friendly. The intuition of Seo Jio, once called the Po○mon trainer of the 21st century, must be completely dead.’

In other words, if eyes meet, it’s a battle.

Whether in a good sense or a bad one.

‘I think that man just now interpreted it in a bad sense.’

In this tough era where businessmen in suits beat down monsters, what did he expect to happen by picking a fight with a guy who has a danger level of five stars.

‘No, the danger level of a random passerby shouldn’t be this high in the first place.’

Resenting this crazy Hell Korea, I said with all my heart.

“I’m scared.”

“Even if you say you’re scared, it’s hard for me to take it seriously… Are you being sarcastic?”

“It would be best to return to the hotel.”

“If you wish.”

I gently tucked Honey, who was trying to peek out from between my scarf, back inside and left Gyeongbokgung.

The bird, seeming to like the sparkling fish lantern, had already stored it in its belly.

And at 3:32 AM, after passing out and waking up in the hotel bed.

“…….”

I confirmed that Honey was gone.

“Please.”

Can’t you just leave me in peace.

I’m going to cry.

***

“…….”

A dark, deserted alley in a slum.

“…So what the hell was that bastard earlier?”

The man, now out of his scholar’s robe, roughly swept his hair back.

‘It felt strange.’

It was some man dressed in a pitch-black hanbok.

He was so bundled up that his face wasn’t visible.

His height seemed to be around 190cm, but it was hard to guess who the person was based on gender and height alone.

“This is unsettling.”

Normally, he would have just passed it off as some weirdo picking a fight.

However.

“That time, the gesture was somewhat….”

A hand gesture that seemed to mimic something like a frame.

It was for a brief moment, but he felt as if his personal information was being laid bare.

“…….”

The man scratched his head vigorously.

“…This won’t do, fuck, it’s definitely strange. That bastard must have been an Awakener, right?”

The person sitting next to him was Hunter Yu Seong-un. Since Bisabeol’s curator was personally guiding him, he was probably a rich young master who had recently awakened.

‘He had that damn annoying courtesy ingrained in his body.’

But this was troublesome.

‘If what I’m plotting gets revealed…’

It wouldn't end with just him being demoted to a 5th-class citizen.

The number of Awakeners who possessed skills to freely check someone’s thoughts or memories, or to peek into their past, was greater than one might imagine.

It wasn’t that rare of a skill, it’s just that everyone kept quiet about it, worried they might get stabbed somewhere.

Therefore, the man in black he saw at the Gyeongbokgung night market might have peeked into his thoughts with that kind of skill.

Considering that sudden hand gesture, it was a very plausible conclusion.

“…….”

Hoo….

A sigh escaped.

“The event is about to start soon, what is all this?”

Considering the future consequences, he couldn’t let this slide.

The work he was currently doing was that dangerous, and it was an act of betraying humanity.

He had never felt a shred of guilt, but he couldn’t help but be troubled by being caught.

No matter how he thought about it, yes.

“I’ll have to kill him.”

How much time and effort had he invested to secure a position in the Temple of the Sun?

He couldn’t afford to leave a risk factor unattended now just because of a bad aftertaste.

It was just as he had made up his mind and was about to trace the man he saw at Gyeongbokgung.

“…….”

“…….”

“…What is this?”

A squishy-looking bird was sitting on a pipe.

Inside it, a tourist-souvenir fish lantern was swimming, making it quite bright.

So bright that he couldn’t understand why he had only just noticed it in this dark alley.

“…….”

It was strange.

‘…It’s a form I’ve never seen before for a city monster.’

Besides, monsters in bird form, especially small ones like this, usually moved in flocks.

Solitary beasts or monsters all had the power to protect themselves, which is why they were alone.

Then what was the probability that this insignificant-looking bird was an ordinary monster.

“…This, fuck, don’t tell me….”

Is this a surveillance monster sent by that bastard I saw at Gyeongbokgung?

‘Was he a Tamer?’

He hadn’t expected him to be a Hunter with a profession.

No wonder that sly bastard Yu Seong-un was treating him so well; it meant he was an Awakener of that much worth.

The man gripped his staff tightly.

“…Well, I guess this is for the best.”

It seemed the owner of this bird was a novice.

Wasn’t the owner’s scent blatantly emanating from the bird?

He seemed to have not considered that he himself would be discovered when sending a spy.

The man forced a smile.

“If you noticed something strange, you should have immediately reported it to Yu Seong-un.”

He felt no threat from this bird that was just staring blankly.

It seemed to be a surveillance camera, which, if so, actually made it easier to track in reverse.

‘He didn’t have enough conviction to report it to Yu Seong-un.’

Not reporting one’s suspicions to a superior in advance.

A common mistake made by rookie hunters.

‘How foolish.’

He didn’t know what this bird’s exact identity was, but he had to deal with it now.

Thinking so, the man reached out his hand to grab the bird that was not even a mouthful….

—Crunch.

“…….”

“…….”

“Huh?”

His hand.

It disappeared.

“…….”

Inside the bird’s transparent body, his hand was visible.

The slithering fish lantern wrapped around the severed hand.

Soon, the two of them slowly melted away.

“…Ah.”

“Kkuk.”

“Fuck.”

It wasn’t that the man was incompetent.

“Kuruk?”

“This, this kind of dogshit….”

“Kururururuk?”

“…No way.”

“Kkukkuruk.”

He was a Priest of the Sun, a by-no-means-easy grade, a position where he was allowed to be arrogant.

However, this whole situation was a catastrophe where impossibilities, by common sense, overlapped more like a disaster than a miracle.

It was not a crisis that a single individual could handle.

The small bird’s body began to swell bizarrely.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

“Kururuk?”

Feathers that glittered with a light indistinguishable from the moon or the sun.

Hard claws resembling hooks and long legs.

And, a large beak.

“No…!”

Gurgle—.

The sound of flowing water was heard.

“Ugh, oop…!”

Then the sound of stirring again.

“…! …!!!”

“…….”

“……!!”

“…….”

“…….”

And then,

Silence fell.

“…….”

The man was nowhere to be seen.

“Kuruk.”

Only a very small bird, leisurely flew away.

***

“Honey.”

I like things that are small and harmless.

However, the children of the Source were skilled at adornment.

“Where did you go?”

“Kuruu.”

“You’re cute, so it’s fine.”

If so.

What might their true nature be?

“There’s Bungeoppang over there.”

“Kkuk!!”

“You really are my son.”

“Kurureung?”

“You have a love for delicious things.”

That, even the children of the Source themselves probably wouldn’t know.

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