The Secret Portal and the Finished House
Last summer, Park Jaeyoung had given Kim Minseo a Portal Magic Scroll as a birthday gift. It had cost a small fortune, but he didn't mind one bit. After all, it was an investment in his successor. No matter how much work he delegated, the Association President's job wasn't leisurely enough to allow two round trips to Muinjidae every day.
"Be honest. You've installed the portal, haven't you?"
Kim Minseo's ears turned bright red, but she didn't answer Park Jaeyoung's question.
"I'm not scolding you."
"……."
"Really."
Only when she gave a slight nod did Park Jaeyoung soften his tone.
"Where'd you put it?"
Kim Minseo pointed with her index finger to the mountain peak she'd tumbled over on her first visit.
"……Over there."
"And on the other side?"
With her head bowed low, Kim Minseo mumbled her reply.
"Under my desk."
"Under your desk?"
"If I put it anywhere else, people visiting the Association President's office might see it."
She added that she'd chosen the spot where she spent the most time anyway. Park Jaeyoung let out a hollow chuckle.
"What if someone finds out later?"
Those displeased with Kim Minseo would surely use it as ammunition. When Park Jaeyoung had named her his successor, opposition had been fierce. The Top 5 Guilds and the former vice president had protested vehemently.
"It's fine. Because you're the Association President."
Kim Minseo's voice was so soft, Park Jaeyoung wondered if he'd misheard.
"What?"
She waved her hands frantically, words tumbling out.
"No, I mean—not that. Honestly, everyone knows you did a great job, and I'm still lacking in some ways. So I can just say I set up an emergency contact line."
Park Jaeyoung shook his head and reached for more pork belly. That's when a loud gurgle echoed from her stomach.
Kim Minseo's face flushed crimson.
"Come sit. Eat something before you go."
She hesitated, so he pressed again.
"You'll just grab convenience store food or delivery if you head back now anyway."
"That's true."
"This is king bellflower I dug up today. The seasoning's perfect. Pork belly with this and chive salad? Game over."
Park Jaeyoung wrapped a perfectly grilled strip in chive salad and popped it into his mouth. The savory pork fat and juices mingled with the sweet-tangy chives in perfect harmony. Especially since he'd raised the pigs on mana-infused feed—the fat was insanely rich.
But it was still missing that last 2%.
He chugged some zero cola from the side. He could have had booze, but zero cola hit the spot today.
"Aah, this is the stuff."
He clapped in exaggerated delight and glanced across the table. Kim Minseo's mouth hung open.
"Weird?"
She shook her head.
"Then?"
"It's just... refreshing."
"Refreshing?"
"Back when you were Association President, your face was always so stern. Now you look full of life."
Architecture (A) has activated.
After wrapping up with fried rice, Park Jaeyoung asked,
"Even if I tell you not to come, you'll show up again, right?"
"Am I bothering you?"
"Nah."
Kim Minseo beamed.
"Then I'll keep coming."
"Do what feels right. Just don't slack on Association work. I could retire with peace of mind because of you."
"Don't worry. I learned from the best—Association President."
He cleaned up with her, saw her off. The portal was nearby—just a five-minute hike up the mountain.
"When you coming back?"
"I'd love to swing by tomorrow, but we'll see how work goes."
"Got it. Safe travels."
Kim Minseo giggled at his words.
"I'm S-rank, you know. See you!"
He watched her vanish through the portal, then headed home. After a moment's thought, he grabbed a camping chair and some gear, heading down to the stream.
It was too early for bed. He set up the chair by the water and flopped down. Tilting his gaze upward, stars filled the sky.
A beer can sat snug in the chair's cupholder, Porri perched on his thigh, tail swishing lazily.
"This is the life."
Happiness didn't need to be grand. These little moments were plenty.
"Porri, dinner hit the spot?"
Chirp!!
"I'll make something even better tomorrow."
Chirp!!
"But you gotta work hard during the day."
Park Jaeyoung stroked Porri with one hand, beer in the other.
Gulp, gulp!
He smacked his lips.
"Whew, perfect."
Gazing at the stars, he pondered tomorrow. Floor done—walls next. A couple more days, and the house would be complete. Then, a vegetable garden. Plenty of crops he wanted to grow.
Minseo might drop by for dinner, so he'd invite her for drinks.
With a rough plan in mind, the corners of his mouth lifted. He drifted off late into the night, dreaming of changes to come.
The next morning, Park Jaeyoung woke to a warm presence beside him and chuckled. Porri had ditched the fancy house he'd built, curling up next to him instead.
Snore... snore...
Her tiny body rose and fell with each breath. He stared fondly, then slipped quietly from the tent. No sense waking her.
Outside, cool mountain air greeted him. He savored it en route to the camping table, brewed an iced coffee, and headed to the stream. His chair from last night waited.
Sipping slowly, he soaked in the babbling brook and chirping birds. Bliss.
After a leisurely stretch, he returned to find Porri waiting.
"Sleep well?"
Chirp!!
They high-fived paws, and he hit the fridge. Simple soy sauce egg fried rice for breakfast.
Sizzle! Sizzle!
As eggs fried, he prepped Porri's meal—shredded chicken breast mixed with lettuce and nuts.
Sunny-side up done. He mixed hot rice with the eggs, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Sides: cabbage kimchi, salted squid, gim seaweed. Perfect match.
Ravenous, Park Jaeyoung polished it off.
"Good eats."
Maybe the best perk of mountain life: actually enjoying meals. Back at the Association, it was all rushed shoveling.
Cleanup done, he shouldered his pack.
"Porri, let's hunt some wood."
They plunged into the forest.
Architecture (A) has activated.
Mana consumed: 1,000
Skipping lunch to clear gates, he gathered heaps of Living Wood (B-grade). Enough for the house and then some.
Back at the site, he processed the wood and began building. Layout planned: first floor with living room, kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms. Second floor: three bedrooms, two bathrooms. Basement: storage and utilities.
Architecture (A) has activated.
Mana consumed: 1,000
The skill simplified everything. Rooms materialized one by one with each activation. A-rank power at work.
Basement and first floor flew up, then the second. Done, he wiped his brow with his forearm—no sweat, but habit.
"Porri! House tour!"
Chirp!!
He strolled slowly. First-floor rooms: guest bedrooms. Seeing Minseo visit brought others to mind. His sudden retirement must've shocked them—time to reach out soon. Invite 'em over for feasts and reminiscing.
Master bedroom on the second floor's largest room. Others: TBD.
In the master, he unpacked bed, desk, chair, beam projector, screen. Mountain life meant enjoying the perks.
Projector on ceiling, massive screen by the door wall. Bed faced it—perfect for lounging with movies or games. Desk and chair against one wall.
"Porri, whaddya think? Pretty sweet, right?"
Chirp!?
"Admit it."
Porri nodded from the bed, arms crossed, surveying. Park Jaeyoung snickered and ruffled her head.
"Downstairs next. Gotta tidy the first floor."
Chirp!!
Porri hopped off and scampered down; he followed.
House sorted by just past 4 p.m. Time before dinner. He headed to his planned garden spot, tilling with a hoe. Earthworms wriggled up, proving the soil's fertility.
"Easy, Porri—that's food for them."
He shooed her off and finished. Not huge: spring onions, green onions, onions, cheongyang peppers, lettuce for starters.
"Short break."
Minseo'd arrive around 6 again. She'd texted—Association swamped, but not too bad. Time to plant veggies and call it payback for last night's meal.