Racing (1)
Atop the northern cliff overlooking Samcheok Beach stood the Phoenix Resort. During the guild harmony period, the VIP wing had housed key figures from various guilds. With the event wrapping up the night before, most participants had opted to sleep one night and head out in the morning.
But a single video that suddenly spread across the internet had grabbed them by the ankles.
[Hahaha!]
Jang Gilsan, his face grave, watched the video filled with bright laughter. It was a YouTube video titled 'Welcome to Haynaru Guesthouse'.
On the massive conference monitor, Aqua beamed as she played in the sand with the kids, building sandcastles. The next scene showed her riding a dog, racing down the street.
[Wolf rider!]
Signs for Ppaji Surf Shop and the sashimi restaurant whipped by on either side of the screen.
[Summer is coming! Howl, wolf of the scorching sun!]
At Aqua's cry, the dogs howled in unison. Before long, every stray dog in the neighborhood was trailing behind her.
The next scene was inside the guesthouse.
[Wadadadot!]
Aqua, a lamb towel wrapped around her head, vigorously mopped the hallway. The footage cut several more times after that. But every time, Aqua was right in the middle of it.
'Third-rate promo video.'
The camera quality was straight-up smartphone level, with no trace of care for mise-en-scène or direction. But the framing of Aqua? First-class, no exaggeration.
'Dripping with affection.'
Jang Gilsan, watching with a serious expression, couldn't help but smirk. He pictured his friend grinning like a proud dad behind the camera.
'Less guesthouse promo, more spirit brag reel.'
The guesthouse promo ended with Aqua and the kids smiling brightly atop the finished sandcastle. Then the second video played.
This one captured Aqua singing with fish underwater. Even Jang Gilsan, who had met her before, found himself entranced by its beauty.
"Executive Director. Is that really Aqua?"
The chairman spoke up then. At his cue, the secretary switched the conference monitor feed. Onscreen appeared the Union Guild chairman—Jang Gilsan's father—seated in his Seoul office. Jang Gilsan was video-conferencing with the chairman while watching Aqua's videos.
Jang Gilsan cleared his throat and straightened up even more.
"Yes. It's the same spirit that provided the supreme-grade healing water."
The chairman leaned in, silently urging him to continue. The Union Guild chairman always expected tenfold insight from one question.
Jang Gilsan thought fast. The video had racked up over 200,000 views in less than a day, and countless guilds were on high alert.
'Some guilds at the harmony event must be eyeing Aqua.'
What info did the chairman want here? Assurance they were ahead, Jang Gilsan figured.
"The other guilds don't know Aqua can produce supreme-grade healing water. We're way ahead on intel."
Analysis of the healing water from Kang Hyunwoo and Aqua was complete. Far superior to high-grade spirit water, but not quite spirit king level. Supreme-grade, as advertised.
"Plus, that spirit's contractor is a longtime friend of mine."
"There are no eternal friends or foes in this world."
True enough. They'd seen too much to romanticize friendship. But Jang Gilsan declared anyway.
"Don't worry. I know my friend well."
The chairman's eyes gleamed faintly. He tilted his head with interest and murmured softly.
"……Worth sending him to the academy, then."
"Pardon?"
"Do as you see fit."
"Thank you."
The meeting dragged on after that. When the video call finally ended, Jang Gilsan let out a sigh he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"Whew……."
He loosened his suffocating tie a bit.
'Blessing or curse?'
The past few days had been nonstop for Jang Gilsan. Coordinating the guild harmony while directing research on Aqua's healing water.
That call from the Seoul lab had come just this morning, flipping it upside down. And that wasn't all.
Research on the empty spirit stone they'd paid to send to Seoul— just in case—yielded shocking results too.
'Kicked off multiple projects at once.'
He'd planned to head to Seoul to oversee them. But now a more critical mission had arisen.
'Who uploads something like this out of nowhere.'
A few days ago, talk of a "supreme-grade spirit" had swirled at the harmony event, thanks to Kang Hyunwoo and Aqua's full attendance. But now there was video proof—Aqua was exceptionally special.
'Everyone's scheming hard right now.'
In this VIP wing, an intel war was likely underway to investigate and scout Kang Hyunwoo and Aqua. Plenty would head straight to Haynaru Guesthouse.
'He's not the type to get swept up.'
No real worry. Jang Gilsan knew his friend. Kang Hyunwoo had spent three years as best buds with Korea's top guild heir without ever bending.
"Heh heh heh……."
A smile crept across Jang Gilsan's lips.
'This is getting fun.'
His cherished friend had suddenly become prime talent chased by guilds nationwide. Jang Gilsan was thrilled for him—yet anxious.
'Can't let them snatch him after all the groundwork.'
Beyond Aqua's value, Jang Gilsan didn't want to lose Kang Hyunwoo to another guild. He had few friends. First, he was picky; second, even pure intentions soured into expectations eventually.
Of those rare few, Kang Hyunwoo was his closest.
'Dare to reach for my friend?'
Jang Gilsan chuckled softly. This vacation was shaping up to be spectacular.
After breakfast, Jang Gilsan called.
"Yeah. What's up?"
"Come to the resort real quick."
"Phoenix Resort? Why all of a sudden?"
"Aqua's healing water grade assessment is done. Gotta pick up the payment."
They needed to meet once more before Jang Gilsan headed to Seoul anyway. Spirit Shop balance was down to 1,135 coins.
"Alright, let's meet. When you free?"
"Can you come now if possible?"
"Now?"
I asked, puzzled. The Jang Gilsan I knew was always chill.
"Yeah. Let's grab a bite."
"Haha, got it. On my way."
Looked like he needed a lunch buddy.
[Off to the resort for fun!]
Aqua, overhearing, pumped both fists excitedly.
"Wanna go see the undines again?"
[Of course!]
I scooped up Aqua. Mandu scampered up my body and perched on her shoulder. I told Mom and Dad I was heading out, hopped on the scooter.
[Go, go, go!]
Aqua yelled from the basket. As the scooter started, Mandu freaked, darting around inside.
[No need to panic!]
Aqua hugged him tight; Mandu finally relaxed, flicking his tongue.
We scooted toward Phoenix Resort. Minutes in, cars from the opposite lane barreled past in a group.
'Group tour or something?'
I shrugged it off. The resort was close.
"Ah, sorry. Chairman emergency call. Be out in 10. Or come here?"
"Nah, I'll wait."
"Lunch on me as apology. Wait somewhere quiet, away from crowds if you can."
"Hahaha. Good one."
Call ended; Aqua clung to me.
[Then let's go see the undines!]
"Sure."
We headed to the resort's central plaza—the vast outdoor space where the water spirit users had gathered last time. A few spirit users and spirits played around.
Something zipped past Aqua. Her eyes sparkled.
[Whoa! What's that?! A car so tiny!]
Aqua gawked at the kid-sized electric car. It was a stroller-sized mini car, slow and safe for kids to drive—huge hit with boys.
[Whoaaa…….]
Aqua stared, mesmerized.
"Wanna ride?"
[Eh?]
She blinked in surprise.
[I can?]
"Sylphs are riding too."
[Ooh! Me too!]
I asked a nearby staffer and rented one for Aqua on the spot.
"Turn this steering wheel to go that way."
The staffer patiently explained to manifested Aqua.
[Got it! That's the wheel!]
Aqua listened intently, mastering controls. The staffer explained extra thoroughly—maybe overkill—then wandered off with a healed glow.
"Aqua, hold up."
I stopped her pre-start and slipped on sunglasses.
[What's this?]
"Essential summer driver fashion."
I snapped a few pics quick.
[Show me!]
I showed her. White BMW mini car suited her blue body perfectly; sunglasses made her look like a rich American spirit. Red lizard on shoulder? Total 'hip' and 'cool'.
[Hehehe! Suits me, right?!]
Aqua pushed up the glasses with tiny fingers, striking a pose.
[Sisssit!]
Mandu flicked his tongue in approval.
[Launch!]
Aqua hit the pedal; the car rolled.
[Ooooh!]
[Shaaa!]
Aqua and Mandu marveled at the motion itself. Her unicorn-riding boasts weren't bluff—she handled it like a pro fast.
Confidence surging, she pulled up slickly near the central fountain's undines.
Off came the sunglasses with one hand; hair flip.
[Hey! Hop on!]
Post-apoc driver vibes.
[Lady Aqua!]
[Aqua's driving!]
[Me first!]
Undines piled on, stacking like steamed buns in the trunk—no passenger seat.
Speed dropped hard, but laughter soared.
[Shaaa!]
Mandu perched on the hood, head high like a car emblem.
Then.
[Hm?]
A car pulled up beside Aqua. Three sylphs crammed sideways into a mini Lamborghini.
Undines stacked vertically; sylphs squished horizontally.
[…….]
[…….]
Tension crackled between the vehicles. The pint-sized cars' aura had me gulping.
Click. Aqua adjusted her shades.
Pew. Sylphs blew bubblegum.
Fierce revving echoed right after.