Hometown Sea (2)
I had Aqua riding on my shoulders as we headed out to the beach. Part of it was to complete the Human World Sightseeing Quest, but honestly, the bigger reason was that I just wanted to play with Aqua.
The summer sun was warm and pleasant, but thanks to Aqua's cool body temperature, I didn't feel the heat at all.
[Ooh! There are so many humans!]
Samcheok Beach was packed during peak season.
"It'll get even more crowded once elementary, middle, and high schools start their summer breaks."
[Even more than this?!]
Aqua gawked at the crowds in disbelief, her head swiveling every which way. That's when something caught her eye.
[Ah! Aren't those undines?!]
A few undines were gliding across the water near the shore, playing. I could sense the Spirit Affinity of their contractors nearby, so they must have been contracted spirits rather than wild ones.
Spirit users must've come down from the resort.
There was a luxury resort at the northern end of Samcheok Beach, taken over by a major guild. Hunters often stayed there to enjoy sea leisure activities or fresh sashimi.
As we got closer, the undines seemed to sense Aqua's presence and turned toward her with excited cries.
[Ah! It's Lady Aqua!]
[Lady Aqua!]
[Play with us!]
[Very well!]
The undines rushed toward Aqua. She hopped off my shoulder and dashed across the sand with dainty steps. Midway, she met them and they all hugged tightly.
Since Aqua was relatively taller, it looked like little siblings swarming their big sister.
[It's been so long!]
[We're so happy to see you!]
[Can you come to the human world like this?]
[Play with us! Please!]
[Ahaha! Very well! What shall we play?]
Aqua smoothly started playing with the undines. As the supreme water spirit, they followed her lead perfectly.
[Tag! Let's play tag!]
[Very well, tag it is! Everyone, run!]
[Kyaaa!]
[Run away!]
The undines fled toward the sea. Aqua chased after them, catching one by one and scooping them into her arms.
[Got you, you rascal!]
[Kyaaa! I got caught!]
[Save me!]
The screaming undines looked utterly delighted. Aqua caught them all and hugged them fiercely—a display of affection only possible because of her larger size.
[You rascals! Who told you to be so slow?!]
[Lady Aqua's just too fast!]
[Yeah, yeah! Long legs!]
[I wanna be as fast as Lady Aqua too!]
"Huhu…"
I couldn't help but chuckle. Watching spirits play together was incredibly healing, a precious sight.
And my spirit was right in the middle of it. My fists trembled.
That's my spirit!
I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. Surprised by my own childish pride, I clutched my stomach and laughed alone for a good while.
It was the first time I'd felt this watching spirits play. As an F-rank, they had always been out of reach for me.
Suddenly, my eyes met those of other spirit users. We nodded politely in greeting. It felt so perfectly "spirit user"-like that I chuckled again.
After playing with the undines for a good long time, we headed to Park Uncle's shop.
Banana boats ran every 30 minutes. We'd timed it right, so customers were already lining up in front of the shop.
"Hey, Hyunwoo. You're here."
Park Uncle, who had left customer service to his part-timers and was polishing his sunglasses, straightened up with a grin.
"Banana boat, right?"
"Yeah. 40,000 won for two?"
"Nah. Why would I take money from you?"
"You sure?"
"It's the bond between old acquaintances."
Park Uncle laughed heartily and clapped my shoulder.
[Thank you!]
The manifested Aqua bowed in thanks to Park Uncle.
"Sure thing. She's a smart-looking one. Different from the other undines?"
"Yeah. This is Aqua."
Park Uncle was used to spirits, since many spirit users enjoyed water sports with theirs.
He loaded us and the other customers onto the banana boats. Aqua wiggled excitedly in all directions.
[This is thrilling! Riding something that cuts through water—it's been since the unicorn!]
Moments later, the boat began to move slowly. Following the lead jet ski, it sliced through the sea and soon hit top speed.
[It's like riding a sylph!]
Aqua shrieked with joy. Then she threw her hands up in triumph—and went flying.
[Egyaaaah!]
"Aqua!"
Startled, I reached out quickly, but she was already soaring far away.
"Hup!"
I kicked off the banana boat and dove into the sea.
"Aqua!"
I gauged her direction and swam hard.
"Aku…?!"
Then I realized—no waves were crashing. Stopping, I saw I was swimming on a massive palm made of water.
[Ahahaha!]
Laughter drew my gaze up to a gigantic Aqua ahead, having absorbed seawater to grow.
[Did you think this water spirit would drown, and try to save me? Such a cute thing to do! Water is no different from my own limbs!]
All strength left me, and I flopped onto her palm, muttering blankly.
"That scared me."
Glancing back, the banana boat sped on, oblivious to our fall.
[Shall we catch up?]
Aqua asked, poised to move.
"Nah. Since we're already like this, there's something I've always wanted to try."
[Something you want to try?]
The giant Aqua peered at me with sparkling eyes.
"I've imagined it before…"
I explained my idea to her.
[Oh ho. That sounds fun!]
Aqua's eyes twinkled.
Soon after, I was waterskiing.
"Yah-hoo!"
[Thrilling!]
Back to normal size, Aqua pulled me along as I skimmed the water. As a water spirit, the sea was her domain.
She manipulated the water with spirit power, going faster than most cars.
[Let's go even faster!]
Her hand connected to mine by a watery rope. I slid across the surface, guided by her.
Thanks to the Water Shield around my feet.
My only skill, I shaped it beneath me like skis.
[Boats are nothing! I'm the fastest in the sea!]
Aqua overtook the banana boat in a flash, splashing water as she passed. Glancing back, the riders looked stunned.
"Ahahaha!"
[So exciting!]
Aqua pushed her top speed, accelerating further. Then a massive wave reared up ahead.
Unable to dodge, we rode its face upward.
[Hygyaaa?!]
"Whoaaa!"
Brief airtime—dozens of meters—and we plunged into the sea with a splash.
Sploooosh!
I thrashed back to the surface. Aqua popped up beside me, looking around in surprise.
Our eyes met, and we stared before bursting into laughter together.
"Ahahaha!"
[Ahahaha!]
Our high laughter echoed across the empty sea under the shattering sunlight.
In the afternoon, we had a barbecue party on the house rooftop.
It was a paid facility rented to guests, but whenever I came home for break, we'd grill meat here as a family.
Sizzle—!
While I grilled over the charcoal, Mom and Dad set the table. They lit mosquito coils, wiped the mat, laid out the low table with chopsticks, and arranged wraps and sides.
Aqua rode on my shoulders.
[Gyaah! I'm gonna evaporate!]
"Aqua, you can get down if it's tough."
[No way! Aren't you hot too?!]
Despite shrieking from the grill heat, she clung tight to my head, cooling my tropical-night fever.
Is this what filial piety feels like?
A dopey grin spread across my face. Reaching for salt and pepper, I paused.
Should I use that?
I opened the Spirit Shop.
Aqua's eyes widened at the sudden shop window.
[Why open the shop?]
"To buy this."
I opened the sales list tab and found the item from earlier.
The sudden light coalesced into a simple salt shaker—no packaging or stickers.
Purchase completed.
I caught it. Aqua sniffed curiously, her voice pitching up.
[Indeed, it smells of the Spirit Realm!]
"Wonder if it tastes like the Spirit Realm too?"
I sprinkled it over the sizzling meat. The grains melted instantly, soaking in.
Soon, the meat was done. I pulled them off, slicing thickly.
"Here, Aqua's share."
I plated pineapple slices grilled in the corner for her. Water spirits couldn't eat solids, so they sucked juice and spat pulp.
[Heehee! Thanks!]
Aqua happily took her bear-faced kids' plate.
"Shall we eat?"
"You worked hard grilling."
"Let's see if our boy's skills have rusted."
Mom and Dad wrapped big bites. I grabbed a piece to test the Spirit Realm salt.
Charcoal smoke filled my mouth first. Then, as the fattiness coated my tongue, the salt shone.
Just as the saltiness hit, it wrapped the grease cleanly away.
Like pork belly with seasoned fernbrake.
"Mm!"
I ate more. No veggies or kimchi needed—no greasiness, just refreshing.
"Wow…"
A gasp escaped me. The family wore similar expressions.
"Today's meat is extra delicious!"
"Did you learn grilling at school?"
"Ahaha. I used special salt."
Glancing over, Aqua sucked pineapple juice, eyes crescent moons—clearly delighted.
"Well, cheers then?"
I brought drinks from the cooler. I wasn't big on booze, so alcohol was for parents.
Aqua and I will have this.
I pulled out our special prep.
[……Huh?]
Aqua twitched her nose, sniffing around.
"Hehehe…"
The magic drink water spirits adored: maesil tea.