Where Is My Phone? (2)
“Oh! A squirrel!”
As Kkamangi tried to bolt, Noel hastily grabbed the scruff of its neck.
Kkamangi strained forward, stretching out its front paws with all its might.
“Is... is there something there?”
Shin Hyeon lowered his voice as he asked, but Noel couldn't answer.
Kkamangi, resisting so hard its eyelids pulled back, slipped right out of his grasp like a wet noodle.
...Is that thing made of pure liquid?
Noel stared blankly at Kkamangi.
He had always known the creature was squishy and limp enough to make a perfect scarf, but he hadn't realized it was this liquid.
Just as Kkamangi was about to squeeze through the window, Asin's voice rang out.
—Kkamangi.
Kkamangi screeched to a halt, bumped into the wall, and tumbled onto its back before looking up at Asin warily.
—...I didn't go out. Really.
Kkamangi's voice lacked its usual energy.
Asin was terrifying when she was angry.
—It is a messenger sent by the Mountain God. Do not treat it lightly.
At Asin's words, Noel looked back at the squirrel.
~Do you like squirrels?~
The Mountain God's words flashed through his mind.
He wasn't kidding...
As Noel let out a hollow laugh, Shin Hyeon finally followed his gaze.
“Oh.”
Seeing the squirrel, Shin Hyeon let out an admiring soft gasp.
It wasn't every day you saw a squirrel in the middle of the city.
“That squirrel... someone must have kept it as a pet and abandoned it.”
Shin Hyeon thought that was the most likely explanation.
“...You can see it too, Uncle?”
Shin Hyeon blinked at Noel's question.
“Of course I can, it's a squirrel. Are there ghost squirrels too?”
“Ah... I guess I've had too much on my plate lately. I got confused.”
Since the Mountain God had sent it, Noel had assumed it was some kind of spiritual entity, but it was just a regular squirrel.
Unbelievable.
What on earth did the Mountain God have to say to him that required this?
“Yeong-hyeon. I know you're busy with the bakery's interior design and everything, but take it easy. It hasn't been long since you went through that major ordeal.”
Shin Hyeon looked at Noel with deep concern.
It wasn't just any ordeal—he had fallen from an apartment rooftop.
There could be all sorts of lingering aftereffects, like post-traumatic stress.
“Uncle.”
“Yeah?”
“I'm taking it much easier than you think. Besides, I'm actually really happy right now. I'm excited to see how the bakery turns out, and my heart flutters thinking about what kind of customers will visit. I'm even worrying about what I'll do if we get too famous.”
Shin Hyeon chuckled at Noel's playful banter.
“You've got a cheeky side to you, but for some reason, I feel like that's exactly what's going to happen. If you get too famous, your uncle will handle all the malicious comments for you.”
“Can I sit right next to you wearing sunglasses when that happens?”
“Of course you can sit next to me, but why the sunglasses?”
“My eyes look too gentle. I have to cover them. Shouldn't I look a bit intimidating back then?”
Noel pointed to his eyes.
In his original body, his eyes had been so fierce that people would pick fights just from a glance, but Yeong-hyeon's features were soft and round, making him look incredibly gentle.
He had even been targeted by those "Do you believe in the Dao?" cult recruiters on the street, which had been quite a shock.
“...Ah, that's true. You do look like the type swindlers would easily target. Still, whose nephew are you to be this handsome? Now that the wounds on your face are healing and the swelling is going down, it's even more obvious.”
“Really...?”
Noel made a sheepish face.
He had never been complimented on his looks before.
Back in his past life, all he ever heard were curses.
Tap, tap.
The squirrel tapped on the window with its front paws, forcing Noel to stand up.
“Hold on a second, Uncle.”
Whether it was coincidence or fate that he was sitting near the window, the squirrel scurried closer as soon as he slid it open.
When Noel extended his palm, the squirrel dropped a piece of paper it had been holding in its mouth.
“Thanks.”
Noel patted the squirrel. It let out a tiny squeak, then quickly scrambled down the wall.
I hope a bird doesn't catch it.
He watched it for a moment, but the instant he turned around, he flinched.
Kkamangi was crouched low, wiggling its butt.
Its pupils were fully dilated. If he had been a second later, the squirrel would have been caught.
I should have worried about the threat closest to home first.
Noel sat back down, covering Kkamangi's eyes.
As Kkamangi shook its head from side to side to free itself, Noel unfolded the paper the squirrel had brought.
...Huh?
Noel froze.
He couldn't make out what was written.
As he furrowed his brows, Shin Hyeon asked,
“Is something written on it?”
“There is, but I don't know what it says.”
Noel held it out for Shin Hyeon to see.
Shin Hyeon blinked.
“Yeong-hyeon?”
“Yes?”
“There's no writing on this...?”
Shin Hyeon looked slightly creeped out.
To him, it was just a blank piece of paper.
“Maybe you should throw it away.”
Shin Hyeon laughed awkwardly.
Noel glanced at Asin.
No matter how he looked at it, the script resembled the writing on the talisman Jinhon had pasted on the bakery door when they met King Yeomra.
Asin read the text and let out a soft chuckle.
—What is it? I don't know how to read.
Kkamangi stared at the writing but had no idea what it meant.
—"When is my phone coming?" That is what is written.
The moment Noel heard Asin's translation, a hollow laugh nearly escaped his lips.
Seriously, you've lived for ages. You can't wait even a little bit?
Noel immediately crumpled the note and offered a bright smile.
“You're right, Uncle. It's best to throw it away.”
He tossed it straight into the trash can.
When is my phone coming?
Tap, tap, tap.
At the sound of tapping, Noel scratched his neck and rolled over completely.
Tap, tap, tap.
The tapping sounded again, followed by the patter of tiny running feet.
They were small.
“Urgh...!”
Noel snapped his eyes open as a heavy weight stomped directly onto his stomach.
This familiar sensation could only be Kkamangi.
As Noel rolled to the side, he caught sight of Kkamangi's backside as it practically flew through the air.
“...!”
Noel hurriedly sat up.
He had no idea what kind of trouble it was about to cause this time.
While Noel dragged himself out of bed, half-asleep, Kkamangi slipped through the window and bit down on something.
Noel finally stumbled to the window and watched with bleary eyes as Kkamangi returned.
It was holding a piece of paper in its mouth.
But strangely, the paper seemed to be moving.
...What is that?
Noel rubbed his eyes and looked again.
The paper was wriggling, folded into the shape of a squirrel.
Once he realized what was happening, Noel slumped to the floor.
...Sigh. That old Mountain God is really something else.
—I caught the squirrel!
Kkamangi hopped up and down, bursting with joy.
It had successfully completed its hunt.
—Noel, Noel! Did you see?
Kkamangi scurried over to Noel and dropped the paper.
Then it sat on its haunches, staring up at him with sparkling eyes.
Should I praise it for this, or what?
Noel tried to think, but his eyes kept slipping shut, so he simply patted Kkamangi's head.
He was just too tired.
He let out a yawn and looked down at the paper squirrel.
The moment he touched it, it stiffened back into a flat, rigid sheet of paper.
It's that script again. What does it say this time?
He had no idea why the god insisted on using such difficult characters.
Deciding he would have to learn them from Asin later, Noel took the paper and walked out of his room.
—Are you awake?
Asin greeted him.
“Good morning, Asin. Morning, Tamrang.”
Kkamangi trotted close behind Noel as he gave his greetings.
—Did Kkamangi wake you?
—I didn't wake him up! More importantly, Asin, look! I caught a squirrel!
Kkamangi wiggled its butt a couple of times, then leaped forward to cling to Asin's leg with its front paws.
—Hehehe!
It seemed incredibly proud of itself.
—It seems the Mountain God has sent another message. Is that it in your hand?
Asin asked, gently stroking Kkamangi.
“Yeah. What does it say this time?”
Noel handed the paper to Asin.
—"I am going to die of anticipation waiting for my phone." That is what is written.
Asin let out a soft laugh.
It was quite amusing to see a deity who had lived through eons acting so impatient.
“Seriously, why is he rushing me first thing in the morning? He's lived for thousands of years. Can't he wait just a day or two?”
Noel grumbled, keeping his eyes closed.
He felt like he had been having a nice dream for once.
—He cannot wait, not because his lifespan is long, but because your time, Noel, is like spring.
Understanding the Mountain God's sentiment, Asin stepped closer and gently stroked Noel's hair.
—Knowing that a flower in full, dazzling bloom will soon wither, who would not hasten to behold it?
The profound warmth in Asin's eyes chased away the last remnants of Noel's sleep.
“To the Mountain God... this moment is just a fleeting instant?”
—Indeed. And it is the same for me. He only rushes you because of this, so do not think too harshly of him.
No spirit had ever spoken to him like this before.
The words resonated with Noel in a completely new way.
How should he describe this feeling?
His chest simply felt warm and ticklish.
“Do you feel that way too, Tamrang?”
Noel looked at Tamrang with a slightly excited expression.
Tamrang immediately glared back.
Noel had tried talking to him right before going to bed last night, and he had made that exact same face.
“Tamrang? Tamrang? If you don't answer, I'm going to keep calling your name.”
—It is indeed a brief moment, so cease calling my name.
“Alright. I'll go wash up.”
Noel headed to the bathroom with a light step.
Asin approached Tamrang while cradling Kkamangi in her arms.
Tamrang, sitting curled up beside the sofa, looked up.
—Are you embarrassed by Noel's attention?
A playful smile tugged at the corners of Asin's lips.
—It is not that.
—Then what is it?
—...I know the boy is good-natured. Though he does have a rather cheeky side.
Tamrang narrowed his eyes.
Even when told to go away, Noel would stubbornly persist in teasing him, yet Tamrang couldn't bring himself to truly dislike it.
But that didn't mean he wasn't annoying.
—It seems to be more than just 'rather' cheeky.
Asin said, holding back a laugh.
—...He is incredibly annoying. In any case, I cannot help but worry... will staying by my side only bring him misfortune? Such thoughts weigh heavily on me.
—I'm happy when I'm with Noel! You will be too soon, Tamrang!
Kkamangi blinked, fidgeting with its front paws.
—Since meeting Noel, um, Sinhu got super healthy and is leaving the hospital soon! And we get to eat lots of yummy food, and I even got a really pretty cross!
Tamrang stared at Kkamangi.
Was this tiny creature trying to comfort him?
Chomp.
Kkamangi suddenly bit Tamrang's hand.
—...Why?
Tamrang looked genuinely shocked.
—Just because!
Kkamangi opened its eyes wide and cute, wagging its tail playfully at Tamrang.
Asin burst into a hearty laugh.
Kkamangi was, as always, entirely unpredictable.
I am going to die of anticipation waiting for my phone.
Carrying the hand-crank generator and the smartphone he had bought in advance for the Mountain God, Noel headed toward the mountain.
The hand-crank generator was heavier than expected, and the mountain was as steep as ever.
He repeatedly congratulated himself on buying a hand-crank generator instead of a solar-powered one.
How long had he been climbing?
Noel spotted a tail swishing between the trees.
...Huh?
Wasn't that tail a bit too large?
—Oh! A cat!
Kkamangi dashed forward, only to instantly pivot and scramble back at top speed.
—Asin, Asin!
Kkamangi clung to Asin, utterly terrified.
Asin stroked Kkamangi with an amused, indulgent expression.
A paw emerged from between the trees.
Noel's face turned pale at the sight of a massive paw, easily large enough to crush a human head.
What kind of animal is...
~The next time you come, I shall give you a special ride.~
The Mountain God's past words suddenly flashed through his mind.
Noel approached, his expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation.
Sure enough, a tiger poked its head out with a playful peekaboo.
Its eyes were incredibly gentle.
How could a deity play such a prank?
—...How did you know?
Asin asked, sounding slightly disappointed that the surprise had been spoiled.
“Asin...?”
Noel stared at Asin as if he had been betrayed.
Asin cleared her throat and avoided his gaze.
—Mount it. It is the Mountain God's arrangement.
“...Am I really supposed to ride this?”
—With your physical stamina, how else do you plan to scale this mountain?
Tamrang's cutting remark struck a nerve, and Noel shut his mouth.
If he rode this, the Mountain God would be absolutely delighted.
Just thinking about it made his stomach turn.
But he really didn't have any other choice.
—I'm not riding that.
Kkamangi said, its fur standing completely on end.
“Well, then I will.”
Noel approached the crouching tiger and climbed onto its back.
Leaving Kkamangi's screeching protests behind, he began his ascent up the mountain.
Before dismounting, Noel gave the tiger a warm hug.
It had carried him up the steep mountain with barely a single jolt.
Though it was a bit chilly, the wind tickling his face had felt wonderful.
“...You're the best.”
The tiger let out a pleased, low rumble in response.
As Kkamangi crept forward with its claws bared, something suddenly grabbed the scruff of its neck.
—Nice, isn't it?
The Mountain God stood there with a smug grin.
“Here.”
Instead of answering, Noel stepped forward and handed over the items he had brought.
—Good grief, can you see how much I've aged just waiting for you?
The Mountain God lightly waved his long pipe.
“You must have been doing face masks in the meantime. Your skin is perfectly smooth, not a single wrinkle.”
The Mountain God chuckled at his remark.
The boy was certainly fun to tease.
“So, what's going on? Leaving the phone aside, you must have had a reason for calling me here.”
—First, let me offer my thanks. That child has recovered her health. It seems she plans to visit sometime soon.
There was one last family that still worshipped the Mountain God.
The elderly woman they had met back then had indeed recovered.
“Then I'll come back when she makes her way up the mountain.”
—...Is it because of the wild ginseng?
As the Mountain God pointed downward, a cluster of wild ginseng sprouted from the earth below.
“No. I'm just doing a good deed. It's nice to say hello to you, Mountain God.”
—How admirable of you.
The Mountain God stepped closer and playfully ruffled Noel's hair.
Smiling warmly, the Mountain God briefly shifted his gaze to Tamrang.
Just as his eyes began to narrow slightly, Kkamangi thrashed its body violently.
Once released, Kkamangi marched proudly toward the tiger.
The sight of the massive tiger backing away as the tiny Kkamangi approached was highly amusing.
“So? What do you need me to do?”
Noel smoothed his hair back into place, holding back his annoyance.
—A familiar belonging to a child I know has been bound by a curse and trapped somewhere. I have a rough idea of the location, so would you go and rescue them? I shall offer this as your reward.
The Mountain God tossed something toward him.
Noel caught it and opened his palm to find a yellowish, gleaming object.
His eyes gradually widened.
No matter how he looked at it, it was undoubtedly that.