CHAPTER 21…………………………………..
“Ugh.”
After waiting for a while, a large lump waddled out. Looking closely, it was Soso carrying a huge bundle of belongings.
The three who had been waiting for him flinched at the sight. Especially the Taoist, who frowned and scolded him.
“Are you really going to carry all of that?”
“Yes!”
“No wonder you’re a yokai—you’re greedy too.”
The Taoist let out a heavy sigh and shook his head, which made Soso flare up.
“Humans are greedy too! I’m just taking the things I’ve worked hard to collect!”
“But Soso, you can’t carry all of that.”
To prevent this from turning into a full-blown argument, Gahwa intervened.
Glancing at the Taoist, he still wore that sulky expression. It was strange that someone older by more than ten years than Soso would be so eager to scold a child.
Gahwa knelt down to Soso’s level to calm him. After all, the Taoist’s words weren’t without reason.
“This will be a long journey. If you carry too much, you’ll be exhausted before even leaving these hills. So choose the things you treasure the most.”
“The things I treasure the most?”
“Yes. Maybe three… no, five things would be best.”
Gahwa quickly corrected himself. Seeing Soso’s teary eyes made him soften.
“Five things… five things, then…”
Soso rummaged through the bundle with drooping shoulders, seemingly unsatisfied with the limit.
“This is precious. That is precious too…”
As Soso pondered for a long time over his choice, the dragon, standing a step away, spoke up.
“Take the sky-blue orb.”
The object he pointed to stood out among the dazzling jewels, not because it was flashy, but because its plain color made it strikingly simple. Even the Taoist’s eyes lit up at the sight of it.
“You, an otter, have something truly remarkable.”
“I’m not an otter, I’m a sea otter!”
“Yes, an otter.”
“What is this thing, that you say such things?”
Gahwa intervened again. Changing the topic caught the attention of both the Taoist and Soso.
The Taoist raised a finger before answering, a habit he had before explaining anything.
“This is a fox orb.”
“A fox orb?”
“Yes. Even Taoists covet it. Long ago, a Taoist swallowed this orb and gained unprecedented spiritual power. Its power is mysterious—it can transform one into someone else or help one understand the truths of the world.”
“No wonder it’s coveted.”
“Don’t covet it!”
Soso blinked his big eyes and quickly hid the orb from the Taoist.
The Taoist pursed his lips at that.
“I’m not taking it. I don’t need it. I don’t particularly like that power anyway. So hurry and pack your things. The sun is already high.”
“Hmph. I’ve already packed everything!”
With the fox orb as the last addition, Soso slung the bundle over his back. Once preparations were complete, the Taoist led the way.
Soso’s gaze lingered on his mother’s grave, as if his feet wouldn’t move. Gahwa patted his shoulder.
No words were needed. At last, Soso gave a slight nod.
“I’ll be back.”
Leaving a brief farewell, he bravely stepped forward. Watching this, Gahwa gave a short bow toward the grave.
Silently, she promised herself to protect the child. The moment she finished her vow and lifted her head, the dragon, still lingering behind, brushed past her.
“Keep a close watch on the Taoist.”
There was no time to ask why. Gahwa turned to watch the Taoist walking in the distance.
The climb resumed, and they could only catch their breath after reaching the third shrine.
Contrary to their estimate of five days, it was now the sixth night.
The delay was caused by constant bickering between the Taoist and Soso at every fork in the path. Each time, Gahwa acted as mediator.
Even now, it was the same.
“Because of you, we’re a day behind schedule.”
“No, it’s your fault, Taoist! We’re four days behind because of you!”
“You went the wrong way because of you.”
“If we hadn’t turned back, we’d already be there!”
“Quiet, otter.”
“You’re the noisy one, Taoist!”
“Both of you, stop it. What’s the point in arguing now?”
Gahwa swallowed a sigh, looking at the dark sky. At every fork, their quarrels slowed the journey. She glanced at the Taoist.
He had someone waiting, and yet he wasn’t in a rush.
Until recently, he had seemed reliable, but ever since Soso joined, he had turned into a five-year-old in behavior.
The dragon had instructed her to watch him carefully, and she did—but that was all she had achieved.
By comparison, the dragon seemed a hundred, no, maybe a hundred times better.
Yet, when she looked back at the dragon, her thoughts immediately shifted. He was fine compared to the other two, but only barely.
It was like the saying: “The sister-in-law who intervenes is more hated than the one who hits.” The dragon simply stood by, doing nothing, which made him hard to trust.
Gahwa sighed again and gathered the three.
“The day is ending; we should rest here. Tomorrow, we can check the shrine at first light.”
“I’ll gather some firewood,” the Taoist said, lifting Soso with one arm. Soso scowled from underneath, but he ignored it and smiled brazenly.
“Stop teasing him,” Gahwa said, and he finally released Soso. Turning to gather firewood, she got up as well.
Since the Taoist had been in charge of firewood the entire journey, Gahwa intended to go with him without suspicion.
“Taoist, I’ll come along.”
“You will?”
The Taoist blinked in surprise.
“Yes. Our supplies are almost gone. I thought we could pick some fruits while gathering firewood.”
“Fruits? No, stay here. You’re not well. I’ll get the food myself.”
The Taoist held Gahwa’s shoulder to stop her. She sat down, caught off guard.
Gahwa raised her eyes in confusion. The Taoist smiled as usual, but something felt off—perhaps it was the dragon’s warning from earlier.
Glancing over her shoulder, she caught the dragon’s eyes on her from behind the Taoist. Perhaps his suspicion was now taking root.
In truth, it should have already grown.
She had resolved to be suspicious of him, but had dismissed him as harmlessly passing by.
Gahwa pushed the Taoist’s hand away and gestured at the dragon.
“Then go with him instead. If even one person goes, it will make things easier.”
“Me?”
The Taoist looked awkwardly at the dragon. Taking advantage, Gahwa asked pointedly:
“Is it uncomfortable to go together?”
“No, not uncomfortable… I just can’t trouble you. I’d rather go with this one!”
The Taoist scooped up Soso beside Gahwa and hurried off. From the path they left, Soso’s loud voice could be heard:
“You blasted Taoist! Let go of me—!”
Only once the shouts faded did Gahwa speak to the dragon.
Though unintentional, they were now alone.
“You told me to watch the Taoist. Why?”
The dragon, leaning against a tree with closed eyes, spoke quietly.
“Is it really necessary to check that?”
Gahwa moved her lips but realized there was no need.
Even after spending several days together, the Taoist was still a stranger, acting suspiciously. There was no reason to trust him.
‘Yet…’
“Don’t you want to doubt him?”
Gahwa flinched at that and shook her head.
“No.”
Yes, that was right. She repeated firmly:
“I am doubting him.”
That was true.
The dragon finally opened his eyes and looked at her, an unreadable emotion in his narrowed gaze.
“Good. As I said before, the Taoist is hiding something.”
Before she could define the feeling, her thoughts were interrupted. Gahwa nodded in agreement.
Now that she thought about it, there were many suspicious signs.
He had insisted on joining them at their first meeting and never revealed what he knew.
He hadn’t checked the first shrine, and was reluctant to visit the second, according to Soso.
The dragon had been suspicious of him from the start. Gahwa’s eyes widened.
“Is this related to the time he disappeared alone?”
“He had already checked the shrine in advance. There was no lie.”
“Wait… he came here alone?”
“Yes.”
Gahwa was speechless.
‘He went back and forth alone in such a short time…’
“So there was no need for us to struggle along with him?”
“No.”
“Pardon?”
“You want me to carry you?”
Gahwa didn’t want that either. She had assumed his ability allowed him to travel far instantly—but he had walked.
“…He walks that fast?”
“Faster than a snake.”
‘Right, he’s a dragon, faster than a snake or even an Imugi.’
Still, she felt inexplicably irritated—probably because of the dragon’s brazen face and answers.
‘Annoying, really.’
She raised her hand to cut the topic, not wanting to get angrier.
“Enough. Let’s drop this here.”
“If you want.”
Gahwa restrained her frustration but continued. Both the Taoist and the dragon were secretive, leaving much she wanted to know.
“Why did you let him go if you suspected he was hiding something? It wasn’t necessary to accompany him, right?”
“We were going there anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“The fragment that should be in the hills—it originally belonged in this shrine.”
Gahwa looked toward the shrine in surprise. It was already dark, and only its shape was visible.
