The Spirits' Trends Research Society Through Samguk Yusa Analysis (1)
30 minutes ago. Samcheok Bus Terminal.
“Whoa... is she a celebrity?”
“Looks like a model or something.”
“They filming around here?”
All eyes converged on one spot, where a young woman leaned against a pillar at the bus terminal. Arms crossed, her dissatisfied expression somehow only amplified her allure—even the furrowed brow was captivating.
“Hey, go get her number.”
“Why would someone that pretty give me her digits?”
“That's what vacation spots are for, man. Go on.”
Two guys nearby shuffled hesitantly toward her.
The moment her gaze turned their way—
“What do you think you're doing?”
The sudden voice made the pair whirl around in fright. Looming over them was a towering man nearly two meters tall, his rugged face straight out of a fresh prison release.
“N-nothing!”
“Yeah, nothing at all!”
The would-be Casanovas bolted.
The giant snorted, smirking at their retreating backs like he'd seen it all before.
Then the woman by the pillar approached him, grabbed his collar, and yanked his face down to her level.
“Gah?!”
Han Deuri, the near-two-meter behemoth, blinked in wide-eyed shock.
Han Areum lowered her voice so no one else could hear, scolding her brother. “You scared those guys off again, didn't you?”
“Scared? I just asked what they were doing. They freaked and ran.”
“I've told you a million times—your face and build scream gangster. People get spooked if you're not careful. You know that, so why?”
“But they were hitting on you...”
Han Deuri shot her a sulky glance, though he kept it from his sister.
Han Areum sighed softly, released his collar, and straightened his clothes. “My sweet little brother. Didn't I tell you? Whether we're good people, why we were born into this world—it's all decided by how we act.”
She gazed up at him with a gentle smile. “You want folks thinking that giant frame of yours, our superpowers as siblings, exist just to intimidate others?”
“...No.”
“I'm grateful you stepped up for me, but acting like that just drags you down. It doesn't make me happy at all.”
“Got it. Sorry.”
Her brother's meek apology drew a smile from Han Areum. “You're too good-hearted for that mug of yours.”
“Pick one—insult or compliment?”
“Then you pick one too—ugly or awesome.”
“Whoa... savage...”
The siblings bantered playfully, as if their serious talk had never happened. It felt utterly natural, a glimpse into their everyday life.
“So, what's your apology for making your big sis wait ten minutes?”
“Sorry. Constipation. Struggled big time.”
Han Areum shook her head with another sigh. “Bro, please keep the shitting to games only.”
“What? I'm killer at games.”
“You get wrecked by me every time.”
“One win out of thirty, and you lord it over me?”
“Yup. You're trash.”
“Rematch then?”
“Nah, quitting that game.”
“No way...!”
They traded jabs all the way to the nearby bus stop, following the map app.
“Bus from here?”
“Yeah. Fifteen minutes, it says.”
The siblings took in the cityscape. “This the town our senior Hyunwoo’s from?”
“No skyscrapers—sky's even visible downtown.”
“Air's nice too.”
“No wonder Hyunwoo-hyung's so chill, growing up in a quiet spot like this.”
While her brother scanned the surroundings, Han Areum checked the bus schedule on the shelter wall.
Then she shrieked.
“Gah! Only four buses a day?!”
“What? No way!”
They double-checked. Samcheok city had buses everywhere—but to Samcheok Beach? Just four daily.
“And we just missed one! While you were in the bathroom!”
“Timing's cursed...”
“Next one's in four hours? Insane. Taxi it is.”
Taxi talk prompted wallet checks. Their combined funds? Barely three ten-thousand-won bills.
Han Areum struck first. “Be real—you pay the fare. Your fault we're late.”
“Punish me later. Show some sisterly mercy now?”
“We're twins. Who's sis or bro?”
“You milk the 'big sis' card to death usually.”
“This is experience and wisdom. Learn.”
Han Deuri grumbled but dug out a bill, guilt winning.
Honk honk!
A sleek sedan idled before them—Jang Gilsan's ride.
“Told you Gilsan-hyung's the best.”
Han Deuri grinned, pocketing his precious cash.
The 'miracle cure' Jang Gilsan mentioned? Academy juniors.
“Senior!”
I greeted Han Areum warmly. “What brings you here?”
“Part-time gig, obviously!”
She beamed. Every time, that smile lifted spirits.
“Whoa, senior... your face?”
Han Areum gawked.
“What? Something on it?”
“Why're you suddenly so handsome? You're glowing!”
“Haha...”
Aqua's intensive care, courtesy of her.
But her usual tagalong, Han Deuri, was MIA.
“Where's your bro?”
“Security check snagged him.”
“Security? He packing something sketchy?”
“His face is the weapon.”
“Ah.”
Made sense. Han Deuri got random cop stops just walking around.
Academy ID'll get him through soon enough.
No big worry. Han Areum seemed unconcerned too, turning to my arms instead.
Aqua blinked up at her from my hold.
“This your senior's spirit?”
Han Areum squealed, leaning close.
[Who might thou be?]
“Me?”
Her face turned mischievous. “Someone who's been tight with Hyunwoo-sunbae way longer than you.”
[Hm?]
Aqua's eyes narrowed.
[Know not who thou art, but none in this world is closer to my spirit master than I!]
“You two've been together less than a month. I've known him for years already.”
[But we contracted!]
“Haha, sunbae's got some jealousy going.”
Mandu peeked over my shoulder, eavesdropping.
[Chit?]
“Another spirit?”
Han Areum reached tentatively.
“Wild one. Taking her in temporarily—fate and all.”
Mandu sniffed her hand, then hopped aboard.
“Haha, she loves people.”
Mandu climbed to her shoulder, rubbing cheeks.
Spirits sense auras. Han Areum had that pure vibe they adored.
We chatted standing, then moved to a table.
“You two had a part-time gig, right?”
The siblings weren't well-off. Vacation job: high-risk, high-reward awakener work via Jang Gilsan.
“Gate cleanup?”
Han Areum stroked Mandu on her hand. “Boss reassigned us yesterday.”
“Boss?”
She winked at Jang Gilsan playfully. “Said VIP mental care here bumps pay 50%. Flew in at dawn.”
I shot Jang Gilsan a surprised look.
He scratched his neck, avoiding my eyes—guilty as charged.
I smiled gratefully. “Good call. Gate cleanup's rough.”
“We handle rough fine, sunbae.”
“I know. But easier's better when you can.”
“True that.”
She grinned, then pouted sharply. “But sunbae, I'm kinda bummed.”
“Why?”
“Contracted a spirit and didn't tell us?”
“Oh, that.”
Awkward chuckle. Aqua perked ears, amused.
“Wasn't hiding—just no chance.”
“Group chat! We yap there daily. You ghost or one-word.”
“Haha, sorry. Messaging feels itchy somehow.”
She puffed cheeks cutely—harmless grumble. I knew it masked regret over missing the celebration.
Han Deuri cleared security and met Aqua.
“Whoa, cutest thing ever—like a world-famous doll.”
He gazed in awe, hug-ready.
Aqua eyed him.
[Thou art pure of heart too. But thy face terrifies. Didst thou die and revive?]
Pfft.
Han Areum stifled a laugh.
Han Deuri smacked lips. “Praise or diss? Hard to tell.”
[Both.]
“Thanks. Hug okay?”
[Thy face scares. Nay.]
Aqua meant it.
Even I jumped at first sight.
Freshman welcome: thought a mobster enrolled.
Han Deuri drooped, arms down. Cute-toy lover despite size—hurt for real.
“Ah!”
Perked up, he upended his bag. Toys spilled everywhere.
[Hm?]
All kid-pleasers.
“Aqua, play toys with big bro?”
His kidnapper grin didn't faze her—toys did.
[Ooh!]
She leaped down, rummaged, snatched one.
That's...
Paper cup phone.
Aqua peered curiously.
[What is this? Why string on cups?]
Siblings exchanged glances.
Han Areum grabbed the other cup, hid behind Han Deuri.
He blocked with bulk, pointed. “Aqua, ear to it.”
[Ear?]
“Phone.”
[Nonsense. Phones are square!]
Millennial baby—no old phones seen.
[Think I, a spirit, know not phone shapes?]
Still, she held it to ear.
Han Areum's voice: Hello?
[Eek?!]
Cup dropped. Mandu scampered over, tongue-flicking inside.
[H-heard that?!]
Aqua gaped at me. I just smiled.
Knock knock? Anyone home?
I nodded at it, chuckling.
Aqua eyed me, then cup, poked cautiously, picked up.
[Who?!]
Clung to my finger with free hand.
You're there! Hi!
She whipped to me, eyes screaming Real phone!
Mandu, puzzled on shoulder, traced string visually.
Hopped off, followed to Han Deuri's back.
“Aw, busted already.”
Han Areum emerged sheepishly. “Sunbae's salamander's sharp.”
I explained paper phones to dazed Aqua.
[Trickery!]
Cheeks ballooned fist-sized.
[Fairy, my tail! Liar!]
She'd bought it fully.
Han Areum laughed. “Could be a person-shaped fairy?”
[Lie more, horns sprout from butt!]
“No horns? Guess I'm real.”
[Thou art wicked!]
Han Areum stroked her head gently.
[Hands off head!]
Aqua swatted, huffed into my chest.
I patted her back, asked Han Areum: “These toys from where?”
“Leftovers from orphanage kids.”
They donated most earnings to rent and kids.
This month's haul too.
“Kids doing okay?”
“Yup. Singing about missing you and Gilsan-sunbae.”
“Gotta visit.”
Aqua tugged my clothes. Pouted up, seeking comfort.
Jealous of my friendly chat with 'liar' Han Areum.
That adorable sulk nearly cracked my smile—I fought it desperately.