The Korean Dokkaebi
"Shibaru?"
"The 'shi' sound is very strong, and the 'baru' part feels like it's blended into a single syllable."
"Hmm… it sounds like Joseon speech? I heard it's a curse word they use in Joseon. My maternal uncle was assigned to the Government-General of Korea, so I've heard that the swear words there feel similar."
"Joseon… Do dokkaebi exist in Joseon too? Could a Joseon dokkaebi come all the way to Japan?"
"Yozo, you really do have a strange side to you. Where in the world would something like a dokkaebi exist? If anything, the barbaric Anglo-Americans would be the real dokkaebi."
"Haha, that's true. From what I hear, they have an instinct for massacring the natives and stealing their land."
"Filthy bastards… That's why they're invading our peaceful Japan."
Aaah. Once it gets to this point, the man will launch into a long patriotic speech about national spirit and self-discipline that I can't even begin to understand. Once again, I'd wasted both time and my ears on pointless chatter, but I felt satisfied because I'd learned one meaningful fact.
The dokkaebi chasing me might actually be something that came from Joseon.
A Joseon dokkaebi, huh…
— —
After asking around in every way possible, I managed to get my hands on several books about Joseon youkai—specifically, about Joseon dokkaebi.
Although the characters for Joseon dokkaebi and Japanese oni are the same, in reality they were completely different beings. I opened the book and examined its characteristics.
The Joseon dokkaebi…
Appears in the form of a giant man… Dislikes the sight of blood… Does not kill people… Often wields a smooth club instead of a lethal weapon… Appears in dark, shadowy places… Can make objects appear or disappear… Loves playing pranks… and so on.
I generally didn't believe in ghosts or youkai (of course, the one following me was an exception), but when the descriptions matched this perfectly, I had no choice but to believe it.
I had never known anything about a place called Joseon, so I had no idea why a Joseon dokkaebi would be involved with me. Still, simply confirming its true identity felt like I'd taken one solid step forward.
According to the stories, dokkaebi loved a sport called ssireum. If you defeated one or satisfied it, it would grant you a wish.
If that was true…
— — — —
It was time to kidnap Yozo as usual and make him exercise. This time, instead of forcing him into random workouts, I planned to throw him a weapon and have him swing it at me. The protagonist would build up his aggression through attacking, while I would practice dodging and evading those attacks. It was truly a plan that killed two birds with one stone.
If we trained together like this, we might even unlock a new skill or raise our stats a little.
The question was how to make this guy come at me with real intent. If I pushed him too hard and he got scared again, shrinking back into depression, what then…?
As I mixed protein powder, I glanced at the protagonist who was about to wake up. As usual, he started mumbling something. I always say this, but my listening comprehension is weak…
Huh? Some familiar words reached my ears.
Dokebi— Sumo?
Was he calling me a dokkaebi? Sumo? Was he suggesting we do sumo? Was he asking for a grappling match?
Looking at the awkward stance he was taking while standing there, it really did look like he was challenging me to a fight. I nearly dropped the protein drink.
I'd been worrying about how to turn this pathetic kid into a real man, and here he was throwing down the gauntlet first. Is this how it feels when a worthless son finally grows up?
Good!! I'll temper you through ssireum!!
— — — —
"Wahahahaha!! Excellent!! Fight, Oba Yozo!! Fight!! Excellent!!"
Watching the dokkaebi laugh loudly and roar with delight, I realized something had gone terribly wrong.
I may have made a huge mistake.