Shh, Lower Your Voice
“Shh. Lower your voice. They'll hear you.”
“Ah, got it.”
Tteoksoon-i jumped in surprise and clamped both hands over her mouth. Then she whispered.
“What do you mean? She's not a fairy—she's human. If she were a fairy, we wouldn't even be able to see her in the first place.”
Besta replied without taking her eyes off Dahyun.
“Didn't I say she's a former fairy?”
“Pardon? Then...”
“Indeed. Fairies are exceedingly rare and mysterious beings about which little is known. It wouldn't be strange at all if one suddenly returned in human form.”
Geum Taeyang nodded in agreement.
“That's right. The way the boss talks to her... it's just like how he used to speak to that fairy I couldn't see back then.”
“Really?”
“Yes. No doubt about it.”
The three munched on their popcorn, staring daggers at Dahyun.
“That fairy dares to push aside our Molrangkau...”
“Our boss and Lady Molrangkau are a match made in heaven...”
“Even if she's a fairy sworn to protect the world's order, we can't let that slide!”
“Exactly! That fairy's got the eyes of a wolf!”
Geum Taeyang shook his ears vigorously, as if brushing off the whisper Dahyun had hissed into them. Her sharp words still echoed in his mind.
Grrr— That ferocious tone, like she was about to bite his ear off. The chill he'd felt then still made his heart pound.
“Our Molrangkau is far stronger.”
“And much taller.”
“Hmph. Prettier, too.”
“Well said.”
“......”
“......”
The two, trading praises for Molrangkau, suddenly turned to Tteoksoon-i, who was quietly munching popcorn beside them.
“Tteoksoon-i.”
“Yes?”
“Why aren't you chiming in?”
“Yeah, why so quiet?”
Tteoksoon-i glanced at Dahyun and said,
“Well, to me, the fairy lady looks just as great as Lady Molrangkau.”
“...What?”
“She's so petite and dainty, like a real fairy—super cute and lovable. I just feel drawn to her. Makes me wanna be friends.”
Besta and Geum Taeyang followed her gaze to Dahyun and soon nodded slowly.
“...I suppose. No wonder that Molrangkau girl feels threatened.”
“Yes. She has the opposite charm from Lady Molrangkau.”
“A cat who just prowls around like Molrangkau can't compare to that puppy-like vibe. Guys eat that up.”
“...Hard to argue.”
“......”
“......”
“But!”
Whoosh—their gazes snapped back to Tteoksoon-i. Their eyes sharpened.
“But Tteoksoon-i, you only say that because you didn't hear that beast's growl.”
“Yeah, no matter what, she can't have our Molrangkau.”
Their eyes gleamed menacingly at Tteoksoon-i.
“Are you really betraying the Northern Molrangkau Faction?”
“...Pardon? There's a faction like that?”
“Do you wanna crawl into that Southern Fairy Faction down there?”
“N-no! It was just my personal opinion.”
Besta clicked her tongue.
“Tch. From now on, no defending that fairy. Unless you really plan to defect.”
“Y-yes...”
“Lady Besta is right. It's not that you're wrong, but that kind of talk could harm our unity.”
“Understood, senior.”
“Make sure whose side you're on.”
“......”
Tteoksoon-i fell thoughtful for a moment.
“Alright, let's just enjoy the show. Got more popcorn?”
“Ah, here—freshly popped.”
As they crunched into fresh popcorn, watching Hura squirm between the witch and the fairy...
“...Hm?”
“Huh?”
Geum Taeyang and Tteoksoon-i whipped their heads up simultaneously.
“Oh no...!”
“They're here!”
They shot to their feet. Popcorn rained down.
“Wah! What's going on?!”
Poor Besta got pelted by the popcorn shower.
But Geum Taeyang and Tteoksoon-i ignored it and bellowed,
“Boss!”
Hura, whose back was getting torn up in the whale fight, looked their way.
“The Tteokbokki Cult has arrived!”
“......!”
* * *
Whoosh—a group approached Harten, leaning on frozen spears like staffs, trudging through the snow.
At the front, a long flagpole fluttered... or rather, what was left of it. The flag had frozen solid, shattered, and hung in tatters.
The Tteokbokki Cult. Clad in white robes, they'd arrived as half-frozen snowmen.
Onlookers buzzed.
“What? They came all this way in just those thin robes?”
“Whoa... how'd they not freeze to death? And so many of them?”
“They're totally nuts...”
Ignoring the murmurs, they pushed on to the restaurant.
“Ahh... finally...”
They looked up at the massive sign blazing across the sky.
“Now... I can die without regrets...”
Thud—several collapsed heroically, spent.
Fellow members rushed to prop them up. Among them were executives in black hoods.
Gwisinigo Kalroli grabbed SeniorCitizenTwerkingMachine by the collar and shook him.
“No! SeniorCitizenTwerkingMachine! Open your eyes!”
“Can't... even twitch a finger... frozen... solid...”
“You bastard! After coming all this way, you whine?!”
Slap—slap—the crisp sound of cheeks getting smacked.
“Haha... can't feel a thing anymore. Doesn't hurt.”
“You bastard...”
Gwisinigo Kalroli yanked his collar harder. But SeniorCitizenTwerkingMachine just smiled peacefully and closed his eyes.
“I... think this is it for me.”
“Get up! Get up, I said!”
Gwisinigo Kalroli shook him wildly, shouting.
“Why can't you eat?! The spicy ramen's right here—why?!”
“Eat... my share too.”
Poof—he began crumbling to ash.
“Ah, post a review after eating.”
With that, SeniorCitizenTwerkingMachine turned to ash and scattered.
Clink—some gold and a few items dropped.
Gwisinigo Kalroli slowly opened her hand that had gripped his collar. A handful of ash blew away in the wind.
“......”
She scooped up the items he'd dropped with her empty hand and clenched them tight.
“Weirdly lucky today...”
Ash scattered here and there among the Tteokbokki Cult.
“Hoo...”
A black-hooded man sighed, watching. His thick white breath looked like cigarette smoke.
He spoke heavily.
“...Report.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
The Tteokbokki Cult member quickly tallied from each squad.
“Tteokbokki Cult: only about 300 remain.”
“Hah...”
A lament escaped the chairman at the despairing number.
“So heartbreaking...”
They'd set out with nearly 3,000. Now, just a tenth survived.
The road to Harten was no ordinary hell. Bone-chilling cold that froze marrow, blinding blizzards, thigh-deep snow, relentless monster ambushes.
And without proper armor or insulation, it was inevitable.
Honestly, reaching Harten in just white robes—even a tenth—was a miracle.
“Most newbies dropped off.”
But flip it: those who made it in thin cloth were the elite of elites. True veterans.
The chairman, forcing optimism, nodded reluctantly.
“What now? Meet Hura right away?”
The reporting member asked excitedly.
The chairman placed a hand on his shoulder, calm.
“Don't rush.”
“Ah, but...”
“I get the excitement of seeing Hura, but we need to regroup first.”
“...Sorry.”
The chairman looked up at the fiery sign filling the sky.
“We're here—might as well eat.”
As discussed pre-departure, he issued swift orders.
“Warm up over a meal. Get presentable, then go. No rush.”
“Yes! Got it!”
“Can't meet Hura looking ragged. Brush off the snow. Let's go in.”
Supporting each other, the Tteokbokki Cult entered the shop.
* * *
“How's it going?”
I stirred the ramen vigorously while asking Geum Taeyang and Tteoksoon-i.
“They're scarfing it down like mad.”
“Sobbing their hearts out while eating.”
I'd figured as much. The quest window showed touched customers spiking.
Good thing the condition wasn't Cooking Charm—they were already charmed devotees chasing me.
“How many?”
“Around 300, looks like.”
“What? Only 300? Why so few?”
“No idea.”
“...Tch.”
I clicked my tongue, displeased. Should've been 1,000—no, at least 500.
Calculation error. Unexpected.
“...Can't be helped.”
I'd avoided contact to stay hidden.
“Geum Taeyang.”
“Yes, boss.”
“Time to check the third prakchi.”
“Your orders.”
“Find the woman in a black hood with round glasses.”
“Then what?”
“Lure her somewhere quiet. Deliver this discreetly.”
“Understood.”
I stepped out of the kitchen.
“Look at him slinking off again. As if we don't wanna slack too.”
“...Jerk.”
“......”
I ignored the clones' mutters.
Outside, I eyed the three washing dishes side by side: Seo Eunmi, Lee Dahyun, Molrangkau, crouched and scrubbing pots intently.
Told 'em not to, but they insist. Molrangkau aside, the other two are guests.
But one odd one out caught my eye.
“...Why's that human—no, that ghost—wedged in there?”
I stared at Besta casually joining the dishwashing, then shook my head and looked away.
“Boss. This way.”
“Right.”
Following Geum Taeyang, I headed into a quiet wooded area.
* * *
The Tteokbokki Cult devoured Hura's spicy ramen, tears streaming.
One sobbed outright.
“Kuhuhuhuhwaaaah—!”
“......”
Geum Taeyang spotted her: round glasses glinting under a black hood.
He approached stealthily, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket.
“Miss. Wipe with this.”
“Th-thank—hwaaaanghuhuhuuu—!”
“......”
Geum Taeyang slipped away. Gwisinigo Kalroli removed her glasses and dabbed her overflowing tears.
“Huhuuuuh—!”
Wiping, she noticed the embroidery on the handkerchief.
“...Huhuuuuh—!”
Expression neutral, she cleaned her tears and snot thoroughly, then raised her hand.
“Yes, miss? You called?”
“Sniff... where's the bathroom?”
“I'll show you. Follow me.”
“Sniff... thanks. Used the handkerchief well.”
“No trouble.”
“Here, returning it.”
“...Keep it.”
Gwisinigo Kalroli dabbed innocently with the handkerchief and followed Geum Taeyang.
“......”
Someone watched the scene intently.
* * *
Deep in the woods, I raised a hand to Ichaera, who approached sniffling.
Squinting suspiciously, she tilted her head at me.
“...Hura-nim?”
“Yes, Student Chaera. It's me.”
“...Not the Hura-nim I know?”
“Disguise magic.”
“Ah.”
She nodded, convinced—then burst into tears and charged me.
“Waaah—Hura-niiim! It was sooo good! Right after eating, Grandma appeared—!”
“Shh.”
I pressed a finger to her lips again.
“Mmph... mmf.”
She froze like before.
“Situation's urgent—review later.”
“Mmf.”
Her eyes wide, she nodded slowly.
I removed my finger and asked quickly.
“What happened? Why only 300?”
“Ah, well.”
Ichaera licked her lips.
“We started with 3,000.”
“...Then why down to a tenth?”
“Probably the thin clothes.”
I eyed her outfit. White robe under black hood.
I touched it quickly.
“......!”
Just this to get here? These lunatics!
“Gasp—Hura-nim! If you do that suddenly... my heart...!”
I grabbed her slumping shoulders and shook.
“Are you insane?! You knew what Harten's like! How in this one layer?! Of course they'd freeze!”
“C-couldn't help it. First time meeting you—had to wear the symbolic robes. Unanimous vote.”
She babbled excuses as I shook her.
“...What?”
Did I hear wrong?
For that?
You fanatic nutjobs.
“You're kidding, right?!”
“Gasp—too intense, Hura-niim—!”
Then—
Crack—something snapped overhead. A broken branch thudded down before us.