CHAPTER 19…………………………………..
“Do you really have to do it that way?”
“Yes. You can do it, right?”
“I can, but it doesn’t have to be that method. I have my own magic…”
Gahwa shook her head firmly.
“We will go with this method.”
Faced with her resolute will, the Taoist had no choice but to consent.
“Then I have no choice but to use this as well.”
He shook the object hanging from his waist.
“Waaaah! Waaaaah!”
A baby’s cries echoed through the dark grass. The stillness of the night amplified them, making them irresistibly haunting to anyone who might hear.
Someone was following the sound. Their unfocused eyes and blank stare seemed hypnotized by the cries.
It was Gahwa.
And she was alone. Drawn by the sound, she walked forward, completely unguarded.
“Waaaaah!”
The child’s cries grew nearer, and she soon arrived at the source. When the sound abruptly stopped, her steps faltered.
At that moment…
A large, dark shape lunged at her. In an instant, it raised its forepaw and opened its massive mouth, charging toward her.
Just as its sharp claws were about to rake her face and shoulders, an invisible barrier suddenly knocked aside its strike.
Thak!
It was the dragon, hiding its presence and form with its power. Standing next to Gahwa, it stretched out its hand and formed a transparent shield around her.
“Wake up!”
From behind, the Taoist leapt forward and pressed a talisman to Gahwa’s back. The writing on the talisman burned, and her body wavered.
Thud.
The dragon at her side immediately supported her by the waist.
As the yokai’s treacherous magic unraveled, Gahwa’s eyes gradually refocused. Strength returned to her once-limp body. She sprang to her feet.
“Have you caught the tiger?”
“Not yet.”
The dragon extended a hand, deflecting Hogurokmo’s attacks. Gahwa glanced ahead.
A tiger covered in green fur constantly raised its claws. Sprouting from its back were emaciated, fin-like wings resembling those of a bat.
If it managed to fly, they might lose it.
“Roaaar!”
Gahwa studied Hogurokmo again, irritated that its attacks weren’t landing. The creature let out a deafening roar.
It lunged forward with raised forepaws.
“Now!”
Gahwa signaled to the Taoist, who retrieved an old horibong from his waist.
At the signal, the dragon withdrew its hand, carrying Gahwa to safety.
The Taoist opened the horibong and extended it toward Hogurokmo. Startled, the creature recoiled—but too late.
With a howl, the yokai was pulled inside the horibong.
Thak!
The Taoist immediately sealed the jar. But the creature’s energy was so potent that the horibong continued to shake.
The Taoist strained, chanting spells while gripping the jar. After a long struggle, the shaking finally ceased.
“Phew…”
He exhaled heavily, wiping away cold sweat.
“It really is strong. It pushed me to my limits. Even with the spell to nullify its power and the horibong, it still exerted this much trapped inside.”
“Still, we did it!”
Gahwa offered a small cloth to the Taoist, a convenient piece for wiping sweat, praising his efforts.
As he accepted it, Gahwa’s eyes shifted back to the horibong.
“We really managed to seal Hogurokmo!”
Although she had planned it, succeeding sent a thrill through her chest. This was the second life-risking plan she had ever executed.
The first time, she had risked her life and failed. This time, she had the certainty of survival. She trusted the dragon and the Taoist’s power, having seen it with her own eyes.
Initially, she had considered letting the dragon confront Hogurokmo directly, but it was currently sealed in the palace and could only exert a fraction of its strength.
While its aura deterred ordinary yokai, defeating a mountain-spirit-level yokai like the tiger was impossible.
So the backup plan involved the Taoist’s magic. Among the Taoist’s many spells was a sealing technique.
Fortunately, he also had a horibong—a miraculous object from a fox capable of imprisoning life itself. This completed the setup.
Her plan was:
- Use herself as bait to draw out Hogurokmo.
- Have the dragon and Taoist follow, hiding their presence.
- When attacked, the dragon defends and the Taoist seals.
Knowing the dragon and Taoist were nearby, she deliberately appeared to be alone while fetching water.
“Waaah!”
Filling the bucket, she began to hear the baby’s cries.
She had been clear-headed at first, grasping the cries and keeping her wits. But as soon as she regained her senses, she found herself in the dragon’s arms.
She had no idea when the deceptive magic had drawn her there—but there was no time to dwell. Hogurokmo awaited.
“I will make good use of it. But it’s not over yet.”
The Taoist took the handkerchief and wiped sweat, then cast a new spell. The horibong glowed and trembled before finally settling.
Gahwa widened her eyes, observing the Taoist’s actions.
He opened the horibong and turned it over, revealing a small, round object resembling a jade tablet.
He held it up, smiling in satisfaction. Carved on it was Hogurokmo’s face.
“What is this?”
“It seals Hogurokmo’s power. Possessing it allows you to draw on its strength—or, if trained well, command it. But it can also be broken, erasing it forever.”
“Truly marvelous.”
“Yes, but if broken, it vanishes from the world. Hey, otter! You’re listening, right?”
The Taoist tossed the jade tablet in his hand, calling out to someone. From the grass, Gureungdalgwoo appeared. His face was soaked in tears.
“I didn’t think you’d really do it!”
His face held both sorrow and relief. Seeing the jade tablet, he burst into tears.
“If I’d had this power, I wouldn’t have lost my mother so easily!”
Gahwa paused, recalling the moment when, before leaving the city, she had resolved to act at Yeonhwagung.
Yes. If I’d had power, I wouldn’t have lost my mother so suddenly.
She needed strength—a power to survive, a power to endure. She silently resolved this.
“Here. It’s yours to do with as you wish.”
The Taoist flicked the jade tablet, tossing it to Gureungdalgwoo, who caught it midair.
He opened his palms, gazing down at the tablet with Hogurokmo’s face, eyes burning with emotion.
“You may break it or keep it.”
Gureungdalgwoo wiped his tears and shook his head.
“I’ll bury it with my mother. That will be the greatest punishment for this creature.”
“Yes. Trapped and powerless is no different from death. Then, with your decision made, it’s time to finish the calculations.”
The Taoist gestured at Gahwa with his thumb. Gureungdalgwoo nodded, retrieving his mother’s hairpin from his bosom.
“Here.”
Gahwa received the hairpin she had longed for.
“It’s mine, but I’ll give it to you!”
Gureungdalgwoo pouted cutely. Gahwa was exasperated but corrected the oversight.
“Wasn’t it originally mine?”
“The finder is the owner! So it’s mine!”
He was shamelessly confident, and Gahwa knew arguing would be fruitless.
She was exhausted. From losing the hairpin to the days of trekking, planning, and being bewitched by magic, her body and mind were drained.
“Let’s say you’re right.”
Gahwa gathered her remaining energy and patted Gureungdalgwoo’s head. She praised herself silently for enduring so much, then closed her eyes.
As the tension melted, fatigue overwhelmed her. Darkness claimed her.
“Gong!”
A voice faintly called her name.
Sounds of bustling activity reached her ears. Gahwa opened her eyes.
Blinking several times, her vision focused. The busy figure froze at her movement.
“Awake!? Are you awake? Want to drink this?”
It was baby Gureungdalgwoo, suddenly in her face—far too close.
“I’m fine.”
Gahwa gently pushed him aside and sat up, taking in her surroundings—a lush riverside with tall grass.
“Where are we?”
“This is where Mom and I used to live!”
Behind him, a nest of grass and straw could be seen, with a small cave and a raised mound inside.
“Did you send her off properly?”
“Yes, the grumpy Taoist helped! And the jade tablet was buried with her, so she should rest peacefully.”
The dragon, annoyed, had probably slouched somewhere nearby.
Gahwa collected some flowers, placing them before the mound, and clasped her hands.
May you go to a good place.
Returning, she saw Gureungdalgwoo’s eyes sparkling, clearly moved.
“You really are kind humans!”
“Not really.”
Especially the Taoist, who was arrogant, and the dragon, who was mischievous.
Gahwa shook her head, realizing the two were missing.
“Where are the others?”
“The Taoist was dragged off by the scary brother because he was lazy. They went to check something, but they told me to protect you in the meantime.”
Gahwa scanned the area. They’d likely gone somewhere together.
“Is there a small shrine nearby?”
“Shrine?”
Gureungdalgwoo looked confused, so Gahwa formed a shape with her hands.
“A small roofed nest, like this.”
“Oh, a triangular roofed nest?”
“Yes. That’s it.”
“There is one!”
He nodded, pointing in a direction, though too far to see them.
Gahwa buried her face in her hands. It was about a day’s journey to the next shrine.
To think I slept through that whole time.
She thought of the Taoist carrying her—her heart felt heavy. The dragon would have refused, and little Gureungdalgwoo was too small to carry her.
Only the Taoist had borne the greatest burden, despite being least involved.
Sigh.
As she sighed, Gureungdalgwoo placed a small paw on her leg.
Its soft, plump pad lightened her heart, her tension melting.
“You okay?”
“Not really.”
As a child, he spoke honestly, his round eyes comforting. Gahwa stroked his head habitually.
“How long was I unconscious?”
“About three days.”
“Three days? Not a week?”
“Yes, I guided you via a shortcut!”
The child proudly puffed out his chest. Gahwa, charmed, ruffled his hair, forgetting her questions.
