Shopping (1)
The clear, warm summer sunlight poured through the glass windows into the entrance of the Haynaru Guesthouse, caressing each of the photos hanging there one by one.
Many shops hung pictures of local landmarks simply for interior decoration or to promote tourist spots, but the photos here weren't for that purpose. Every single one at Haynaru Guesthouse featured the same spirit.
"Whoa! Look at this! It's a picture of the Spirit King!"
The son of Shin Cheol-su called out to his father in a loud voice. Unable to resist his son's urging, Shin Cheol-su peered at the photos.
There was an adorably cute water spirit dressed in a blue dress. Below it hung a photo of her with sunscreen slathered thickly on her face and wearing a straw hat; next to that, one of her in a helmet, tucked into a scooter basket.
"……She's cute, huh?"
Shin Cheol-su, pushing forty, found himself mumbling without realizing it.
In fact, he had been planning a family trip to Phoenix Resort this summer. But it had been fully booked for months, leaving him sucking his thumb and turning to nearby guesthouses instead.
And now, Shin Cheol-su thought coming to this guesthouse had been the right choice.
"A guesthouse run by the Spirit King……."
He had booked it before the battle over the Spirit King's throne. Now, it was impossible to get a room even with extra money on top.
There was definitely something special about this place. The traces of the Spirit King lingering here and there made for great commemorative photos. It was also amusing to watch reporters poking their heads in at the entrance, only to look disappointed when they didn't spot her.
But the best part was something else entirely.
"Waaah!"
Cheers from the children erupted from outside. At the sound, Shin Cheol-su's son barely slipped on his shoes before dashing out. Shin Cheol-su followed him into the yard.
The kids were playing in the yard—with a living stream of water.
[Run away!]
The Water Spirit King shouted. With that, the water stream slithered like a living serpent, targeting the children.
"Waaah!"
"Kyaaah!"
The kids screamed and scattered in all directions. Whoosh, whoosh! The water didn't miss, whipping around their waists and snatching them up. As the stream lifted them high, their screams grew even louder—screams filled with pure joy and delight.
Splash!
The Spirit King dumped the children into the swimming pool. It was a simple setup: a hole dug in the yard, lined with plastic sheeting. The kids giggled hysterically and tried to escape again, only for the Spirit King to catch them once more.
[Where do you think you're going!]
The excited cry came in a cute, lispy voice—it was none other than the famous Water Spirit King, Aqua.
Before he knew it, Shin Cheol-su's son had joined in the fun. Shin Cheol-su sat on a bench under a nearby tree's shade, watching the scene.
He wasn't alone; all the parents of the kids playing with Aqua had gathered there, their faces beaming with contentment as they watched the Spirit King and children.
Interacting with spirits is good for kids' emotional development.
Even in Gangnam, nurseries run by spirit users were popping up, with monthly fees in the millions. That was why no parents were stopping their kids from playing in the guesthouse yard instead of the beach.
"Have some watermelon."
At that moment, a guesthouse staffer brought out sliced watermelon.
"Oh, you didn't have to……."
"No need for this……."
The folks on the bench expressed their apologies and declined, but the staffer smiled.
"The kids are playing with my spirit— this is the least I can do."
Only then did Shin Cheol-su recognize the staffer's face. It was the hot topic from recent internet news: the Spirit King's contractor.
"Ah! You're Kang Hyunwoo, right?"
Shin Cheol-su wasn't the only one who recognized him. In an instant, the parents surrounded Kang Hyunwoo.
"It's an honor to meet you!"
"Could we get a photo together?"
Kang Hyunwoo grinned brightly.
"Of course!"
Shin Cheol-su thought once more: Staying at this guesthouse this summer was truly lucky.
* * *
-Spirit King's Contractor Kang Hyunwoo: "It's All Thanks to My Spirit."-
-Secret to Becoming the Spirit King's Contractor: Bonds with Spirits? Kang Hyunwoo Interview.-
-Down-to-Earth Side of the Spirit King's Contractor. Guesthouse with the Spirit King.-
I scrolled through the phone news titles.
Seeing articles about me on the portal was still awkward and amazing no matter how many times I checked.
I knew people were interested in awakeners, but not this much.
Articles about me weren't flooding like a waterfall. But one every hour, nonstop.
Stories about me, Niagara, professors' interviews, even photos of my parents' guesthouse…….
Thankfully, no reporters were rudely approaching my parents. Probably because I was a spirit user.
There's a rumor that messing with spirit users brings bad luck.
The rumor was true. But it wasn't the water spirits. Sylphs, the wind spirits, were pranksters who got annoyed easily compared to others. Reporters persistently hounding wind spirit users for interviews often ended up in trouble.
Cameras shattering, clothes ripping…… But since spirits are invisible to non-users, it's hard for them to claim compensation.
That led to an unspoken rule among reporters: don't overdo coverage on spirit users. Spirit users liked it that way and didn't correct the misconception that it was just sylph pranks.
Public attention at this level is perfect. The guesthouse is getting plenty just from inside.
Photos and autograph requests poured in daily. It ramped up when Phoenix Resort posted a teaser for the water park ad on SNS—a mere 5-second clip, but enough to send people into a frenzy.
Fan club numbers are up too.
A few days ago, Aqua's interview words to the fans had gone viral, boosting membership big time.
"My fans will receive the Spirit's blessing for three generations!"
The synthesized meme titled "How to Get the Spirit King's Blessing in Korea" was still circulating online, promoting Aqua's fan club everywhere. No surprise the guesthouse popularity soared.
"I'm worried we're making you two tired."
My parents, watching TV, turned to me. We'd gathered in the master room after finishing afternoon chores.
"What are you talking about?"
"Rooms are limited anyway, but now reservations and walk-ins flood in daily just because of the name."
Dad chuckled.
"You know how good it feels that they're coming to see my kid?"
"Tired? All fatigue's gone."
They smiled radiantly, utterly sincere.
[Hee hee hee!]
Aqua laughed at their smiles. She always got happy seeing them happy. Mom reached out gently, scooping Aqua into her arms.
"Our Aqua. Want Grandma to pet you?"
Her voice brimmed with affection.
[Of course!]
Mom stroked Aqua's belly softly. Aqua giggled like a granddaughter in grandma's arms, reveling in the touch.
"How is our Aqua so pretty?"
Mom beamed contentedly.
"We're grateful just for you being here, but you give massages and promote us too."
Aqua's eyes sparkled as she looked up at Mom.
"Such a pretty bundle of luck. You don't know how thankful we are."
[Hee hee hee!]
"Can't imagine life without you now."
[Me too!]
Aqua hugged Mom's hand tight, drawing an even warmer smile. Dad, watching with a grin, tickled Aqua's sole.
[Kee hee hee!]
Seeing Aqua bask in their love brought a smile to my face too. After watching for a while, I asked,
"Anything you two want?"
Ad money had come in this morning. After taxes, a whopping 300 million won.
"Just some ginseng to feed you with."
"Mom. That's not a gift for you."
"Your health is our biggest gift."
Her unexpected words left me speechless. Mom chuckled softly.
"Hee hee hee. Forget us—go buy whatever you and Aqua want."
I was already planning shopping with Aqua tomorrow anyway.
* * *
Wondering how to spend the ad modeling fee, Aqua and I decided to treat ourselves, friends, and parents first.
"So today, we're flexing."
[Flexing!]
[Chit!]
We declared it to Jang Gilsan, Han Areum, and Han Deuri ahead of us.
"Ooh!"
"Flex!"
"No need to go this far for us."
"I want to repay the help you've given. That's how people live."
Jang Gilsan nodded slightly at my firm words.
"So let's head to the city."
[City!]
"By taxi."
The siblings lit up.
"Ooh! Taxi flex!"
"Kuh, luxury starts with a taxi!"
We excitedly called a taxi— a model taxi, no less—and headed downtown.
"Whoa, aren't you overdoing it?"
"Even big corp CEOs don't ride these!"
While we buzzed with excitement, Jang Gilsan stared out the window, face saying he didn't want to think too deeply.
"Driver, card please."
As I pulled out my card upon arrival, cheers erupted from the back seat again.
We'd gotten off at "Zero-T," a bubble tea cafe.
To me, it's practically a symbol of luxury.
I only treated myself on special days like getting a scholarship.
I strode confidently into the cafe, Aqua in my arms.
"Hey? Look over there."
"A spirit? So cute!"
"Huh…… Isn't that face familiar?"
Whispers buzzed around us. News of the new Spirit King's ascension had spread wide, but we weren't quite celebrity-level yet.
I ignored them and stepped to the counter.
"Welcome! Order?"
I handed my card to the smiling staffer.
"Everything on the menu."
"……Pardon?"
As the staffer blinked in confusion, Aqua raised a hand, covering one end of the menu board.
[From here!]
Her hand slowly swept to the other end.
[To here—bring it all!]
"……."
Today was flex day. Han Areum and Han Deuri shook their heads in awe.
"Kuh……! I saw this in a drama!"
"Ah…… So cool……."
Behind them, Jang Gilsan just shook his head.