Chapter 6
“Grandfather! How can you even trust that man with the axe? It’s a miracle if he doesn’t chop his own foot off!”
Hyukjin exclaimed in alarm, trying to intervene, but Saengmok simply held the teacup in silence.
For the first time in his life, Saekyung grasped an axe. The first swing barely dented the wood and bounced off. The second attempt struck in the wrong place, nearly snapping the handle.
Hyukjin crossed his arms and clicked his tongue.
“See? I told you he’s hopeless. Step aside—I’ll do it.”
Just as Hyukjin reached to snatch the axe from Saekyung’s hands,
“Wait.”
Saekyung held firm, refusing to let go. His eyes were fixed not on Hyukjin but on the log pile before him. He recalled Hyukjin’s stance and technique—splitting wood was not just about brute force, but about reading the grain and directing the weight precisely. He raised the axe again.
Thunk!
Still clumsy.
Thunk!
This time it sank a little deeper. Hyukjin couldn’t suppress his smirk at the pitiful sight, but Minseo noticed something else. Each swing subtly adjusted Saekyung’s posture. Through failure, he was collecting data and immediately applying it to his next attempt.
An hour passed. Drenched in sweat, Saekyung slumped to the ground, looking at the split logs in front of him. They were uneven and rough—something Hyukjin could have done in less than five minutes.
“Ugh, this is useless. Minseo! Let’s go dig some arrowroot! I’ll make you something tasty tonight!”
Hyukjin deliberately clapped Saekyung on the shoulder, showing off his influence over Minseo.
“Go alone. I need to work the clay.”
Minseo rejected him coldly. Hyukjin’s expression froze. She had always followed his lead with a smile. His gaze shifted back to Saekyung, wiping sweat and gasping for air. Ever since that blasted city boy arrived, everything had been thrown off balance.
Hyukjin deliberately nudged the logs with his foot in Saekyung’s face.
“Hey, fancy pants. You think you’ll get a fire going like that tonight?”
“Mind your own business.”
“I’m concerned because your slowpoke efforts are making our Minseo struggle.”
The moment Hyukjin referred to Minseo as “our,” Saekyung lifted his head.
“What Minseo needs isn’t clumsy hammering—it’s real work.”
Hyukjin pointed toward the upper slopes.
“Tomorrow, we have to collect materials to make the ash water for the glaze. It only grows on the cliff edges up there. No one but me can get it. People like you wouldn’t even stand a chance. It’s hard work, real hard work.”
It was a blatant provocation, almost a declaration of war—a mark branding him an outsider, unfit for this mountain.
Saekyung looked at his blistered palms and slowly stood. The fatigue in his eyes was replaced by a sharp, determined gaze.
“I’ll go with you.”
Both Hyukjin and Minseo’s eyes widened.
“What did you say?”
“I want to try it too.”
Hyukjin laughed incredulously.
“Hahaha! You’re insane. There’s no path! It’s a cliff! You’ll fall to your death climbing up there!”
Saekyung wrapped his sweat-soaked shirt around his palms and said,
“Do I look like I can’t?”
Minseo interjected urgently.
“It’s really dangerous, Mr. Park Saekyung. Hyukjin’s right—the path is…”
“I don’t care.”
Saekyung cut her off, locking eyes with Hyukjin. He would abide by the mountain’s rules. Though he could not surpass Hyukjin, who had fully adapted to this environment, he resolved not to lose on his own terms.
He drove the axe into the log pile and declared,
“Tomorrow morning, let’s see who proves to be more capable.”
The next morning, before the fog had lifted, Hyukjin stood outside the shed in sturdy climbing gear, carrying a sickle and rope, urging Saekyung to hurry. He sneered openly at the expensive equipment Saekyung unpacked.
“Well, aren’t we equipped! Planning to climb the backyard hill?”
Saekyung said nothing, silently tightening his hiking boots. His palms, wrapped with the torn shirt from last night, were now protected by professional climbing gloves from his backpack.
Minseo emerged from the main house, carrying a bundle with water and steaming boiled potatoes.
“Hyukjin, take this with you.”
“Oh, only our Minseo would think of that!”
Hyukjin accepted the potatoes with pride, then nudged Saekyung.
“Too bad, city boy—you don’t get any. Go hungry if you want to follow along.”
As Saekyung turned to leave, Minseo grabbed his arm, pressing a small pouch of herbs into his hand.
“If you get hurt, use this. It should stop bleeding.”
“….”
“And it’s really dangerous. Listen to Hyukjin up there—don’t be reckless.”
Her eyes showed a sincere concern Saekyung hadn’t seen before. He glanced at her rough hands, then at her face. Covered in dust and tied-back hair, he hadn’t noticed her pale skin before. Beneath her furrowed brow, her features were striking and precise. Hidden under dirt-streaked work clothes, she clearly had beauty that would be striking if she cared to present it.
He studied her briefly, then nodded silently.
The mountain path was more treacherous than imagined. There was barely a trail—only overgrowth where a wild animal might walk. Hyukjin moved like a flying squirrel, deliberately taking faster, more dangerous paths to wear Saekyung down.
“Hey, city boy! Stop dragging your feet like a slug! We have to be back before dark!”
Saekyung’s lungs burned, but he followed without complaint, keeping his own measured pace. He was not climbing from experience like Hyukjin; he climbed with analysis and calm.
He quickly judged the sturdiest rocks for footing, the strongest branches for support. His expensive boots and gloves compensated for his lack of experience.
After two hours, they reached the cliff edge, shrouded in mist. A dizzying valley stretched hundreds of meters below.
“There. There they are.”
Hyukjin pointed at the green herbs precariously clinging to the cliff edge.
“These are the ingredients for the glaze my grandfather uses. See? There’s no shortcut to the afterlife.”
He flaunted the rope tied around his waist.
“From here on, only real men go. City boys can just watch…”
Saekyung cut him off.
“I’ll go first.”
“What?”
“I said I’ll go first. No time to waste.”
Ignoring the rope, Saekyung began examining the cliff’s rocks. He didn’t take the most dangerous route Hyukjin indicated but immediately analyzed a slightly longer, safer path with solid footing.
