Tteokbokki Cult's Emergency Meeting

This was the Tteokbokki Cult's conference room.

"......"

The executives, their hoods pulled low, sat in their assigned seats as a video played on the wall.

"Hoo..."

"Ahem..."

Awkward groans leaked out here and there.

The video rewound a few seconds and replayed the same scene.

Screeech—

Just then, the conference room door opened, and a figure strode in with steady footsteps.

"I'm late."

"Tardiness doesn't suit you, Gwisinigo Kalroli."

"My apologies."

"...Take a seat."

Gwisinigo Kalroli found her place and sat down. The video looped two or three more times before finally ending.

"......"

A heavy silence settled over the room.

"This is bad."

Eventually, one person spoke gravely.

"We were just trying to collect the debt on Hura-nim's behalf, but of all the coincidences, Hura-nim was right there."

"How on earth did Hura-nim figure out that we were behind it?"

"This could lead to a misunderstanding that the Tteokbokki Cult released the Blood Axe Thrower to harm Hura-nim."

"It's not 'could'—he will misunderstand."

"...No way."

"He already knew we were involved. The Tteokbokki Cult helps the Blood Axe Thrower escape, and then he immediately attacks himself? It's obvious to anyone."

"......"

Heavy sighs thudded to the floor.

"How do we clear up this misunderstanding..."

The Chairman muttered to himself, scanning the executives. The Chairman was the one who compiled the meeting's opinions and made the final decision.

Today, one unusually quiet executive caught his eye.

"Gwisinigo Kalroli."

"......"

"Gwisinigo Kalroli!"

"Y-yes! Did you call me?"

"What are ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you thinking so deeply about?"

"I was pondering a solution."

"Speak freely if you have an idea."

"Yes."

Gwisinigo Kalroli adjusted her glasses under her hood and spoke.

"I believe there's only one way."

"What is it?"

"Punish the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Blood Axe Thrower. That will prove our innocence."

"Didn't Hura-nim handle him personally already?"

Gwisinigo Kalroli nodded.

"Yes. But I don't think that's enough."

"Then?"

"Capture the Blood Axe Thrower and inflict a horrific punishment. Then record it on video and make it public."

"......!"

The room stirred.

"...Public?"

"Yes. No matter how harshly we punish him, if we don't release it publicly, only we will know. Hura-nim won't find out even if he wants to. So."

Gwisinigo Kalroli shot to her feet.

"We make it so everyone knows—so it reaches even Hura-nim's ears! We upload it to YouTube."

"......!"

The Chairman stared at her steadily.

"So... we create a Tteokbokki Cult YouTube channel?"

"Yes. It spreads Hura-nim's greatness, recruits new members, and clears up the misunderstanding. Killing two birds with one stone, right?"

"Hm..."

The executives nodded one by one, agreeing with her.

"And above all!"

Bam!

Gwisinigo Kalroli slammed the round table.

"The Blood Axe Thrower hasn't paid his full debt yet. I think his crime of daring to touch Hura-nim without knowing his place is grave."

"......"

"We must make an example of him this time. To ensure it never happens again."

The Chairman looked around at the executives.

"What do you think?"

"Sounds good."

"I agree."

Unanimous.

The Chairman nodded and looked at Gwisinigo Kalroli.

"If it's sloppy, Hura-nim might think we're cutting off a tail."

"I understand."

"Make it so horrific he wouldn't even dream we're on the same side."

"I'll handle it decisively."

Salute—

Gwisinigo Kalroli saluted stiffly. It was the Tteokbokki Cult's unique hand sign: left index and middle fingers crossed like a cross with the right index finger.

Salute—

The Chairman stood and returned the salute, asking,

"Will you take charge of this?"

"Yes. It's an honor."

"The YouTube channel creation, management, and the Blood Axe Thrower matter are yours. Take as many personnel as needed."

"Yes."

"With the decision made, this meeting is adjourned."

Salute—

All the executives stood, saluting one another, and the meeting ended.

"...Heh heh."

A suspicious smile briefly flickered on Gwisinigo Kalroli's lips as she left the room.

"......"

The Chairman, who had been watching her closely, didn't miss it.

He exited through another door, muttering softly.

"You're there, right?"

"Information is leaking. Dig into Gwisinigo Kalroli."

* * *

The sun sank steadily westward.

I walked, gazing at the sky shifting colors.

Step step—

Before I knew it, I'd reached a spot where Nimal Village was visible in the distance.

It had been an eventful day.

"Tch. Guess I'll grab some ice cream and head out."

As I walked, someone emerged casually from behind a large boulder.

"Huh?"

White hair and beard fluttering like a white flag in the wind—an old man.

"...Gramps?"

"Sheesh. That skill wasn't meant for that."

Gramps grumbled reluctantly.

I turned from the village path and approached him behind the boulder.

"You saw everything?"

"That mouth of yours wouldn't shut up. All lies."

"...If you were watching, why not help?"

"Looked fun."

"......"

It was a life-or-death crisis!

"Sit."

Gramps perched on the boulder, and I plopped down beside him.

The sky was already dusking.

"...How was Gapsu?"

"He seemed rough at first, but better when we parted."

"I see."

"So good he ran away from home."

"Figured. The cave collapsed."

I turned to Gramps.

"Gapsu didn't know you."

Gramps clicked his tongue.

"Tch. Ungrateful brat. Memory like a sieve."

He looked up at the sky. The sunset glowed red in his eyes.

"...Well done."

His voice was profoundly lonely.

"Poor guy. A bit late, no—way too late. But at least he picked up his master's will now."

"......"

"Sulis-nim will be pleased."

A faint smile touched Gramps's lips, then vanished.

"...Gramps."

"Yes?"

"Are you my senior?"

Pfft—

His lips quirked like deflating.

"Gapsu said that?"

"Something like that."

"Cheeky punk. Can't remember his master but jumps to conclusions."

"So no?"

"Senior, huh..."

Gramps nodded slowly, thoughtfully, as if reminiscing distant past, reluctantly conceding.

Nod nod.

"Could see it that way."

"......?"

I shot him a dumbfounded look, like he was lost in memory.

"If you're senior, just say so. What's this 'could see it that way' nonsense?"

"Look at this punk talking. I'll smack you."

"Eek."

Gramps raised his hand threateningly.

I hurriedly assumed a defensive stance—not flinching, but to protect myself.

"...Think what you want."

Gramps eyed me pitifully and lowered his arm.

Gauging his mood, I said,

"Should I call you Senior?"

"Call me whatever."

"Dummy Gramps."

"...Not that whatever."

"You came right away this time."

"Tch... Had to. Who knows what you'd do if left alone."

Gramps glared.

I averted my eyes, pretending nonchalance.

"So, where next?"

"Before that, one question."

"Yes."

Gramps's voice turned serious.

"What cooking do you pursue?"

"......"

I looked up at the sky.

"...Nothing grand."

Colors intertwined mysteriously. White clouds began staining with sunset hues, like red paint splashed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠across the heavens.

"Just food people can eat with a smile."

Gramps nodded, interpreting it his way.

"...For something so simple, you've made plenty cry."

"They smiled in the end?"

Pfft—

Air leaked from his lips again.

"Yeah... Good."

I didn't know what was good, but his affirmation bolstered me a bit.

"......"

A spark of courage ignited.

"North this time."

Gramps turned to me.

"Ready?"

"Why ask? My jaw would just hurt."

"...Fix that mouth."

Gramps shook his head and named the next destination.

"North, the village of endless blizzards. Head to Harten. Sulis-nim's footsteps are etched there."

"Harten...?"

I've heard that somewhere.

* * *

Thursday morning. Already? Or still?

Felt like so much happened, but looking back, it's short.

Checking my phone, another text from Dahyun.

Dahyun had sent a flurry of texts with another video link. How'd you get so strong so fast? Are you really friends with Baek Bal Baek Jung? How'd you even meet? Etc.

I chuckled and replied.

Then I made breakfast. Boiled up some kimchi ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠jjigae, hearty as ever, when my phone buzzed.

Vrrr—

Message from Seo Ji-hyun.

"Hmph. Ignored me all yesterday. Finally replying?"

I snorted and checked it.

"Hah. Like you care."

I fired back immediately.

The phone went quiet for a while.

"Hmph."

I finished breakfast aggressively, changed, and headed out.

As I walked to work, my pocket vibrated.

Vrrr—

Vrrr—

A call. Screen said Seo Ji-hyun (Molrangkau).

"...Tch."

I answered.

A cautious voice from the receiver. Her usual crisp tone subdued today.

"I'm not your honey."

"......"

...She's laughing it off, so she must feel really bad.

"What."

"Hmph. Why do you care?"

"Crawled, rolled, stepped in dog poop—who cares? Why does the dumper ask?"

"What emergency?"

"Too embarrassing? Then don't say. Same here—gotta hang up."

"Actually what."

"......"

"...Bathroom's fair. Number two?"

Her crisp voice pierced the phone again, smacking my ear.

...Seo Ji-hyun's back.

Securing safe distance from the phone, I said,

"Tch. Didn't think it was that."

Question or command? Answering her ambiguous tone obediently.

"Heading to work."

"Snack bar."

...Am I under interrogation?

"'Dahyun's Snacks'."

She mumbled something low on the other end, then replied.

Click—

She hung up on her own.

"......"

I stared blankly at the phone, pocketed it, and hurried to work.