Going on Vacation (1)

The black monster. No, Yoon Mi-rae. Her life had been ruined by Dokkae's machinations, but by serving the deep sea, she gained a second chance at life.

'Is... is that really it?'

Shoddy outer gods exploit their followers, brainwashing them to harvest faith. But Shin-nim is different. Even without worship, she's still a god, bestowing grace unilaterally without demanding anything from her followers.

'Ah...'

Since she was brainwashed, Mi-rae bore no guilt. But would others see it that way? Probably not—they'd likely try to control her even if they forgave her crimes.

'Where should I drop her off?'

Either the Daehan Mu-dang Association or Han-seong Group would work. Both were cooperative with me and had no qualms about using anomalies and yokai.

I stared at Dokkae's heart in my hand. It was black with creepy little legs sprouting from it. I'd barely managed to rip it away before it could fully merge with Mi-rae's subconscious. If she hadn't cooperated, it probably would've succeeded.

'Let's head back to reality first.'

I was still lingering in Mi-rae's subconscious. It felt similar to when I'd entered Yu-hwa's before. If I slipped up here, it'd turn into another chase, so better to handle it safely in the real world.

"Jin-seok, you're back."

"Anything happen while I was gone?"

"There were some incidents, but things are peaceful now."

Right after Dokkae plummeted from the sky, all the Ma Tower wizards had gathered, forming a encirclement. But after I took it down in seconds and dispelled its magic, they just left. Now they were searching for their lost chairman in the distorted space.

"What's that?"

"Trash. Total trash."

"It does look filthy. Please dispose of it far away if you can."

Yi Min-yeong wrinkled her nose at Dokkae's heart in my hand, as if it reeked. ...But it didn't smell at all. Only deep-sea folk like us would sense its repulsive stench.

"And why is that one so grossed out?"

"I've lifted the curse. That's the best way to put it."

With Dokkae's heart extracted, Mi-rae's berserk body rapidly shrank back to a normal woman's form.

"She could serve as manpower for Han-seong, so take her to the infirmary."

"...She won't be dangerous?"

"She's fine. I guarantee ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it."

I knew the full story and deemed her safe, but Min-yeong, who only remembered the fight, looked uneasy. She quickly schooled her expression and followed my request, though.

"Hmph."

Anyway, cleanup was done, and no one was left around. I glanced around cautiously. Seemed safe, so I whispered to Shin-nim.

"Ready to bail?"

Shin-nim agreed immediately. Guess she was sick of Ma Tower too.

—Woooong.

Something hugged me tight, and deep-sea energy surged. My vision warped, my sense of position blurred endlessly. When I came to, we were home.

"Finally over."

The long, grueling business trip was done.

Back home after a full month, I crashed immediately. No hobbies, just sprawled on the sofa, breathing. I stroked the slab on my lap and watched Go-seo read beside me.

"Gotta deal with that too."

Somewhat recovered, I eyed Dokkae's heart by the door, scrabbling futilely at it. As if it'd escape Shin-nim's house.

"How should we torture it?"

We prepped for serious torture. Ideas flew, but conclusion: do it all. Why agonize?

"Take this sting~"

Dunked in saltwater jar, zapped with high voltage. Sliced thin sashimi, boiled alive.

"Smells tasty."

I kept at it: horrific illusions, curses galore.

"Thrashing to live? Pathetic."

It resisted desperately, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but futile. A lone heart? Nothing. Other wizards might've been possessed or brainwashed, but I was its natural predator.

"Cool and cozy now."

Half a day of torment later, time to finish. I infused deep-sea energy—pleasant to me, lethal poison to it. It melted into filthy black sludge. Shook it off; a small shard remained.

"Know what this is?"

Shin-nim sulked, but I showed the shard to Go-seo. She pondered, then climbed my hand, opening to a page.

"A fragment of a planetary core?"

I didn't grasp core fragments fully, but they were vital to underworld beings—like Shin-nim to the deep sea.

"Hm."

Couldn't fully get it, but rough idea. Like deep sea and underworld, beyond human ken. More teaser than info.

"Bedtime."

Lost track of time torturing; night already. Back to work next week—better keep schedule.

"Ugh."

Too lazy for proper wash; quick Clean spell. Stripped, straight to bed. Slab and Go-seo already settled.

"..."

Ignored chatter, slept. That night, dreamed of continent-sized whale and moon-sized serpent battling all night—exhausted playing referee.

A week after Ma Tower terror. I rested fully—no stepping out, no calls except close ones. Social hibernation recharged me completely in just seven days.

"You look even more wrecked, Kim Gwa-jang?"

"First greeting after so long is that?"

"Glad to see you, but worried."

Nam Bu-jang beamed. Employee absent a month? Natural. My face, though, more haggard. Shin-nim called it nerdy-hot; I flinched at mirrors.

"Good to see you too, Kim Gwa-jang. Rest well?"

"...Heh heh."

Kim Gwa-jang, who suffered with me in An-san, already at desk. Creepy laugh at my greeting—reliving it, probably.

So what's the gender?

Guessed, but past treating as male nagged. Better not know. Schrödinger's box stable unopened—no need to kill the cat.

"Do...n't go..."

"Hm?"

Settling in, ghostly whisper. No hostile mana. Turned casually—familiar yet not face shocked me.

"Uh... call 119?"

"I'm fiiiine..."

Yeon Yu-hwa staggered in, barely opening door. Ghoul-like: dark circles to mouth, frizzy hair, bumpy skin. Vitality flickering—could drop dead anytime.

Oh.

But inwardly transformed positively. Refined aura, boosted mana, battle-hardened body. In one word: Legend Upper.

"This is impressive. Honestly surprised me."

"Ehehe... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Praise from you gives me strength, Gwa-jang-nim."

She smiled faintly, perked up, sat, started work. Typing faster too.

"Oh, right, Gwa-jang-nim."

"?"

"Dad said give you this."

Deep in tasks, Yu-hwa handed something. White envelope.

"What's this?"

"Dunno. Everyone's got one."

Her bag spilled boxes, bags. Coffee round? But from Yeon Un-il—never pure intent.

"Hm..."

While Kim Gwa-jang distributed, I peeked inside. Not money. Unpredictable, ominous.

"Whoa."

Contents froze me; Shin-nim's eyes sparkled. Cruise tickets—the ones she'd whined for, that I ditched after price check.

Why the hell are these here?!