Okhwa Geom Nangong Serin #3: Inner Power Exposed!
"How did you see right through that?!"
"Unrefined inner power is easy to spot."
"Don't tell me you've got some kind of fairy eyes that pierce through everything? Be honest."
"Something like that."
"I knew it!"
So even Murim masters can gauge someone's inner power? Well, judging by how spot-on she was about me, it must be possible. And she said it was pretty decent inner power? Did the clan head's yokai core work that well? Enough for the Okhwa Geom to rate it so highly? Hell yeah, I'm thrilled.
"Might I ask if you're the young master of some family?"
"Pardon? Young master?"
"No need to play coy."
What the hell is this about?
"With such well-developed muscles and tendons, exceptionally pale skin, and sharp features. Your hands look like they've barely held a sword."
"Uh."
"You didn't happen to consume some precious elixir from your family, did you?"
...She's sharp as hell. Is this what a true Murim master is like? Yeah, I owe a lot to my aunt—I've lived without real hardship. Good nutrition helped me grow tall, and yeah, my skin's whiter than these Ming folks. My hands are pretty clean too. Looks like the Okhwa Geom made a reasonable guess based on my appearance. With this level of inner power, anyone would peg me as some privileged heir.
"Heh heh heh, nah, nothing like that. I'm just a wandering ronin from commoner stock. The inner power? Eh, got lucky with some opportunity while working odd jobs. Feels damn good to get that kind of praise from you, fairy lady."
"Hmm. Very well, I see."
She nodded at my vague answer, probably figuring there was no point digging deeper.
"I expect great things from you."
"Yes, ma'am! Just talking to you is an honor—no, two honors!"
"Cherish today's lesson as a treasure."
With that, the Okhwa Geom turned and headed back to her group. Definitely a princess type with a bad case of it. But given her looks, even that's not enough... Seems like she enjoys the admiration and praise as much as her own beauty. I figured her calm demeanor and mostly expressionless face meant she was the quiet, humble type. Her beauty's in the same league as my aunt's, but the personality's worlds apart.
"You... chatting up the Okhwa Geom like that... I'm jealous as hell."
Jae Mi-son grumbled.
"Can't blame you. I get it."
"How the hell did you catch the Okhwa Geom's eye...?"
"I'm the first guy who recognized your unique weapon, ain't I?"
"Kuk kuk, true enough."
That's how it is.
The next day, I finished prepping, linked up with Jae Mi-son, and headed to the rally point. It was already swarming with ronin. No clue how much cash the Namgung Family threw around, but it was insane. Guess that's how critical conquering the labyrinth is.
"Ah, there they come!"
"Ooh...!"
"Seeing the Okhwa Geom first thing in the morning?!"
We were bullshitting while waiting when the ronin started hollering. Sure enough, Namgung Family warriors were escorting a carriage. Kinda disappointing. Looked like the Okhwa Geom was riding in it. Honestly, her fairy-like beauty is no exaggeration—it's straight facts, burned into my brain. Strongest stimulus I've felt in this shitty Murim world. I was hoping to catch another glimpse today, but this sucks. The trip to the labyrinth'll take time, and now I'm stuck with Jae Mi-son all day.
"We're a bit short on numbers? I'll call roll for the ronin! Respond and line up here!"
Pre-departure check, huh? A family warrior started calling names, and the ronin fell in. Jae Mi-son and I hustled over when our names were called.
"Anyone not here by now has forfeited the contract. Let's move!"
The procession rolled out.
"Ooh."
Seeing this many people—platoon-sized or more—marching together took me back to my army days. We'd assemble on the parade ground for marches and file out one by one. Feels just like that.
"Jae Mi-son, you got enough preserved rations?"
"Kuk kuk, of course. Even packed a little pot."
"What...? You planning to boil rations in that?"
"Obviously."
"You bastard!"
I pulled some jerky from my pouch.
"Jerky incoming—want some?"
"Kick... hell yeah. Jerky's always welcome."
I'd also grabbed dried fruit and such. We'd munch on the way. We hit a checkpoint soon after. Figured the garrison would search us, but the family warrior just chatted briefly with them, and we passed quick. Right—Jae Mi-son mentioned local sects and families basically rule the provinces. The government's got some reach, but they usually respect the big local shots. Once you're proven powerful, red tape's just optional.
We pushed out of the city after that. Nothing like proper military marching—super loose. Felt more like a gang of thugs swaggering along. Only discipline came from the Namgung warriors escorting the carriage.
Watching them, I was impressed.
"Whoa... Jae Mi-son, see that? Those family combat troops. Their footwork's on another level."
"Kuk kuk, you noticed too, huh."
"Family-taught lightness skill?"
"Gotta be. Their combat unit would get top-tier martial arts."
Joining a family like that sounds solid. I'd kill for footwork like theirs—not the low-grade crap from Baekgeom Martial Hall, real deal.
"If I become a Murim master slaying yokai, could I land a job with a family like that?"
"Doubt it... Those warriors have been in group training since kids. You'd just be a random rock rolling in late."
"Damn, you're insightful. Yeah, makes sense."
Song-ssi is the only one I truly revere, but Jae Mi-son's got lessons to teach too.
"So if you've got skills, guarding some upright merchant house ain't bad."
"Maybe."
Rich house bodyguard. Steady meals, at least.
"..."
But could I quit yokai hunting? I got this inner power from just one yokai core. Hunt more, stronger ones, and opportunities multiply. Too busy for babysitting gigs.
"Rest! Take a break, then we move!"
We'd been marching a while when the order came. Ronin immediately grouped up, unpacked, and started eating.
"Jae Mi-son, chow time. Digging out the pot?"
"Nah... too lazy now."
"Heh heh, gonna end up not using it."
"Starting to worry about that myself..."
I pulled out a bowl, dumped in dried grains, jerky, veggies, nuts. Finished with mi nut powder, water to soak, salt. Fucking dogshit, but this is Murim field rations. Almost miss army MREs—this is gourmet hell.
"Done."
Soak more, stir gently with spoon. Jae Mi-son whipped up something similar. We shoveled down the tasteless slop in silence. First day vibes, pretty much.
Night, we crashed under windbreakers. Watch duty sucked balls, but the real shit was camping en masse.
Next day, diligent march—and boom!
"Huff!"
What the—? The Okhwa Geom hopped off the carriage!
"Ah, there you are."
And she's coming right at me!
"Fairy lady! What brings you?!"
"Nothing much."
"Fairy realm... the whole area's turned fairy realm now! Everything lit up the second you arrived!"
No exaggeration. Her beauty packs that punch. The shitty mountains and fields looked like a goddamn painting with her in it. This the fairy realm? Too gorgeous.
"Ho, now it's fairy realm talk."
"Isn't this your unique barrier?"
"Unique barrier?"
"The barrier that turns surroundings into fairy realm with your beauty alone...! Seems like you've got that power!"
"Ah, a fitting description. Indeed. Anywhere I walk becomes the fairy realm."
She seemed pleased, running a hand through her hair with a flourish. Eats it right up.
"I like it."
"I'll make it even better."
"Miss."
A family warrior approached while we chatted.
"Hm?"
"Please return to the carriage..."
"Stuffy inside. Proceed. I want to walk a bit."
"...Understood."
He backed off, and the march resumed. But she stayed by my side.
"..."
Driving me nuts. Her soft perfume—womanly cosmetics—tickles my brain. Dopamine-starved me can't handle it. Add her beauty and those huge tits—er, unique barrier—and this pre-battle march feels like a damn pleasure cruise.
"I'm bored right now. Luckily, your... no. What's your name?"
"Ah, Kim Geun-hyeop."
"Okhwa Geom Namgung Serin."
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise... Anyway, as I said, I'm very bored."
Deadpan as ever, she continued.
"Your wit amuses me enough, so I'll give you a mission."
"Mission! What's up?!"
"Entertain me more."
"Wha...?!"
Entertain her? How the hell do you please a woman like this?
"Tell a fun story or something?"
"Ho, got one? I'm intrigued."
Geun-hyeop brain search: on. Fun stories. What to pick? Women like... Ah, right! Not from Earth for nothing—stories galore! Read tons back in the day!
I stroked my chin, searching, then my eyes flicked to her chest—massive swell—before darting away. Chest... neck above it. Necklace?
"Ah, yeah! It's a foreign tale called The Necklace!"
"Necklace?"
Maugham's short story. Plot's twisted as fuck. Vain woman whose reality doesn't match her ego. Has a rich friend who rubs her inferiority complex. Story kicks off at a party. Vain bitch hates going without jewels... Borrows fancy necklace from rich friend, slays the party.
After...
"The banquet ended, and she snapped back to reality. Dream time, all bubbles."
"...Hmm."
"Gets home—bam! The borrowed gem necklace is gone!"
"Hah? How do you lose something that precious like—"
"Then we end it without losing it..."
"Could happen."
Lost it, couldn't find it. Gotta pay up.
"Sold everything—barely covered a fraction. No choice, borrowed cash for an identical replacement."
Then slaved away for years repaying debt. Runs into rich friend one day.
"'OMG, what happened to you?!' Shocked friend asks. She spills."
Basically...
"Lost the borrowed necklace, bought a match to return—huge debt."
"Awful for the friend."
"Yeah. Friend says..."
Oh no!
It was fake!
"Not real! Cheap fake...!"
End.
Massive spoiler for Ming-era Okhwa Geom, but it's 18th century anyway.
"..."
She gawked at me, mouth agape.
"That's the end."
"Hah? Wait. What next?"
"Nothing. That's it. Fun, right?"
"No way! Ending like that is bullshit...!"
Complain to Maugham, big guy.
"Can't change it. So, thoughts?"
She bit her lip, dissatisfied, then nodded.
"Very... shockingly so. Unbelievable."
Clearly rattled, she licked her lips, mulling it over. Glad she liked it. Hit me hard first read too.
"Damn, absurd. If she'd just admitted losing it upfront... What a twist. Sigh."
"Exactly, fairy lady."
Whew, success.
"But ending right on the twist is cheap. Got more?"
"On it."
Time to unpack the full story sack.