Let's... Break Up
A week had passed since Kim Min-ho turned himself in, but the public's interest was still burning hot.
"Whoa, Director. You see the real-time trends? It's wild today too."
"Trends?"
Just like Kang Ha-neul said with that cheeky grin right next to him.
- Baek Vet
- Cat Abuser Turns Self In
- Animal Kingdom Vet
- Vet Baek Min-hyeok
- Hanmaum Animal Hospital lol
Ssal-i... what the heck did you do?
Ssal-i had flicked his shaggy forelock and said it was no big deal.
Just gave the guy a long nightmare, that's all.
But what kind of nightmare could make Kim Min-ho turn himself in after just one night? Baek Min-hyeok couldn't even begin to guess.
"Our hospital's name is trending too! Haha, you might get even more famous, Director, and we'll be swamped for a while."
—Whoaaa! Dad's even more famous now? Awesome!
If he got even more famous...
Who knew.
Things were running smoothly so far, at least.
From yesterday when Kim Min-ho's story hit the news until today, the number of patients had exploded.
We might need more staff... Hire another nurse first. Tsk. He could've just turned himself in without all this.
Kim Min-ho had even released a long apology letter expressing his remorse to Baek Min-hyeok—that had sparked the whole frenzy.
Whatever nightmare Ssal-i implanted must've been intense.
—Dad! Why are we walking the opposite way today? This isn't our usual route!
"Same path every time gets boring. Wanted to check out the other side today. Isn't it nice?"
—Yeah! New paths are fun too! But I wanna hurry up and meet the Big Rock friends after!
"Sure. We'll go see them soon."
The past week had been chaos with nonstop patients and interview requests—Baek Min-hyeok could only manage rooftop walks with Ssal-i.
No way he could've dreamed of strolling all the way to Big Rock.
Might be nothing... but you never know. Could be a surprise waiting.
But today, with a bit of breathing room.
Time for a disguised scouting walk.
Ssal-i's walks mattered, but his curiosity about the spot Nero mentioned had grown too big to ignore.
"Hahaha. Every time I see it, Director, it looks like you can talk to Ssal-i. Like you hear the dog's voice or something."
"Ah... haha. Yeah."
Baek Min-hyeok brushed off Kang Ha-neul's sudden comment.
Startled me. Talking to Ssal-i's become so natural.
Kang Ha-neul said he'd been circling Saemangeum Ecological Park every day after work to feed the Nero crew.
But were those cats ordinary?
With their wariness of humans maxed out, the Nero faction hadn't shown so much as a whisker.
That's why Kang Ha-neul was tagging along on their walk (treasure hunt) after hours.
Impressive guy. Scar on his eye and still loves cats that much.
The straight slash like a '1' across Kang Ha-neul's eye had evolved into an 'X' scar.
Courtesy of Nero.
Yet Kang Ha-neul didn't seem to mind. He went looking for the crew almost every day after work.
Around here?
The massive weeping willow Nero mentioned came into view.
Its branches swaying in the breeze made his heart race like a jackpot ping.
Only problem?
...How do I get in?
The drooping willow hung over a grassy patch far from the sidewalk.
Alone with Ssal-i, he could've just plunged in, but Kang Ha-neul—the cat-obsessed giant—was with them.
Barreling in would look weird.
No choice. He's the vet who came along for the walk.
A week's curiosity trumped everything.
"Huh? Cat over by that willow?"
"Where? Over there?"
—Dad? Nothing's there.
"Looked like a black cat right behind the willow..."
"Let's check it out!"
—Daaad! There's really nothing there!
"Yeah, you think so too, right Ssal-i? Me too."
—Huh? I said no!
Kang Ha-neul, excitement maxed, pulled cat food from his pocket and bolted for the willow. Baek Min-hyeok tugged Ssal-i's leash—pouting hard—and followed.
—Hmph. Why doesn't Dad believe me? No cat there. Ssal-i's nose is great!
"Sorry, Ssal-i. Dad's looking for something here."
—Ehh? That's what it was? Hehe. Thought you couldn't hear me.
Ssal-i's face lit up, tail wagging like a propeller—right then.
"Huh?"
Kang Ha-neul, rummaging behind the willow, froze his massive frame.
Right at the spot Nero mentioned!
"Aigoo..."
He'd found something, clearly. But why the sour face?
Puzzled, Baek Min-hyeok quickened his pace.
"What is it? What'd you see...?"
—D-Dad...
Reaching Kang Ha-neul's side, Baek Min-hyeok—and Ssal-i—matched his grim expression.
That's... why Nero told us to come here.
Behind the willow: unexpected little corpses, maggot-ridden.
No one spoke—then Kang Ha-neul broke the silence carefully.
"Pretty decomposed... Hard to ID, but not just one or two. This is rough."
What they'd found: twelve tiny bird bodies swarming with larvae.
"...Marsh tits. Looks like they didn't see the glass."
"Yeah. Decomposition hid it at first, but marsh tits for sure. Damn. The sound barrier..."
Blood-smeared impact marks striped the sound barrier behind the willow, telling the whole tragic story.
—D-Dad... Marsh tits? These are... Maeng-maeng-i's...?
Baek Min-hyeok silently stroked Ssal-i's trembling back.
Being able to talk to animals wasn't all good.
The joy of sharing emotions multiplied—but so did the sorrow.
Not killed by the Nero crew. That's why they sent us here.
Memories of chats with Maeng-maeng-i echoed: practicing flights to show off to family.
"Can you hold Ssal-i a sec? They're too far gone—need burying now."
"You'll do it yourself, Director? Was about to request via Seoul Tok..."
Spot an animal corpse? Dial 'local code + 120' for instant report to authorities.
In Seoul, add 'Seoul Tok' channel, type 'animal corpse disposal'—get 'Report on Site' or 'Contact Dept' options.
But not this time.
"Want to bury them myself. They're connected to us."
Handed Ssal-i's leash to Kang Ha-neul, grabbed a stick, dug under the willow's fronds.
"Connected? You checked on them or...?"
"Maeng-maeng-i—a lone chick marsh tit. We cared for him briefly at the hospital. Released the day after your first day, so you missed it."
"Ah, right. Was swamped then. So these are Maeng-maeng-i's...?"
Baek Min-hyeok nodded silently.
About 20,000 birds a day.
8 million a year.
Birds dying by crashing into clear glass in Korea.
"When I first found Maeng-maeng-i, thought it was fledging or abandoned. But whole families vanishing without trace? Rare, even for fledglings. Felt off."
"......"
Birds see glass as open space. At 36-72 km/h, it's a silent killer.
Heard of raptor stickers?
2007: Local govs stuck raptor decals on sound barriers to deter birds. Total failure.
Worse—turned into traps, birds squeezing through gaps.
Maeng-maeng-i's doing great. Eats well, flies well. No worries. We'll look after him—me and Ssal-i.
Buried the twelve marsh tits, offered a quiet prayer.
"Man... Good work, Director. Grid stickers work—if they'd just do it right. Some places yes, some no. Why...?"
Raptor stickers flopped; grid-pattern ones succeeded.
Unlike wasteful raptors, square-dot grids fooled birds—no 5cm vertical by 10cm horizontal gaps.
Issue?
"Just recommendations. No mandate."
Grid stickers: advisory only.
No enforcement from public or gov—hands off.
"Exactly. Noise from cars, sure. But birds dying for minor convenience? Not one or two."
Collisions aren't just sound barriers. High-rises, homes too.
Homes: mosquito screens or acrylic dots on windows slash incidents easy.
But two reasons it doesn't happen:
Didn't know—or didn't care.
Staring blankly, unsure how to tell Maeng-maeng-i, sighing—then.
—Huh? Dad! Cat punks at Big Rock! Those guys again!
"Ssal-i!"
Across the bridge: Big Rock.
Scent on the stream breeze? Ssal-i whipped his head, eyebrows flapping, bolted.
"Ssal-i, careful! Stepping stones! The stones!"
But leash-holder was Kang Ha-neul, not him.
"N-No. Got him tight—don't worry."
"Sorry! Be right there!"
Fierce-charging Ssal-i, stomping giant feet Kang Ha-neul. Baek Min-hyeok chased.
* * *
Panting hard, they reached Big Rock—nothing happening.
Instead.
—What? You guys came to apologize?
—Already did, mutt.
Shockingly, an apology scene... no, already over.
—Mutt again! I'm a Jindo mix!
—Why's your Jindo fur curly?
—M-Mostly Jindo... A-Anyway, I'm a haetae...
—Said our piece. Bye.
—Wh-What? Why so sudden?
Ssal-i blinked in shock, but apology-done Nero turned to the brush. Kaos, Cheese, Goet-eo followed.
—Wh-What'd they say! Beat us bloody before—now words make it okay? Ears clogged?!
Thunder popped from Baek Min-hyeok's sleeve to his shoulder, chattering—but Nero crew slunk off without looking back.
...Confusing. Guys who never thanked me. Apologizing?
Mulling if they remembered his plea to get along with Big Rock animals—Kang Ha-neul let out a low gasp.
"Whoa... Director, you a druid or something?"
"Pardon?"
"Heard you volunteer for wild animal care... but squirrel, egret, raccoon-dog, titmouse... Never seen this."
"Mm. Sincerity connects. Right? Don't spread it—crowds'd stress the animals."
Reason Kang Ha-neul stared, stunned, instead of chasing cats:
Long time no Big Rock?
His back: Nureoguman clinging.
Left shoulder: Thunder.
Right: Maeng-maeng-i.
Head: Il-nam-i perched.
Bremen Town Musicians vibe.
"Haha, of course. Patients overflowing now—if this got out... Whew, haha. Chaos."
Kang Ha-neul chuckled deep, glanced at brush.
"Anyway... Brought cat food. Miss 'em since discharge... Mind if I go ahead? Wanna feed 'em."
"Go for it. Ssal-i and I'll head back soon. See you tomorrow."
"Hahaha. Heading out."
Gruff laugh, eerie clown grin twitching, Kang Ha-neul crept after Nero crew.
Kang Ha-neul's gone. Now...
Just them at Big Rock.
Baek Min-hyeok plopped on a stump, gathered the crew.
"Guys. Come down? Got something to say. Maeng-maeng-i, to my hand."
—Maeng-maengi go now!
—Hey, bro! Favoring just Maeng-maeng-i?
—He's a baby, dude.
—Thunder, heart's tiny as a pea.
—Wh-What?! Mine ain't!
Whew.
How to say it?
No more delaying. He pried his stuck lips free.
"Maeng-maeng-i's family... went far away."
—Huh? My fambily? Where? Where'd they go?
Cradling wide-eyed Maeng-maeng-i, Baek Min-hyeok gently explained: family gone to a distant place, soft as possible, no hurt.
Ssal-i, Thunder, Nureoguman, Il-nam-i hugged Maeng-maeng-i silently. Until sobs faded.
* * *
While Min-hyeok delivered the news of Maeng-maeng-i's family's passing.
Thud.
Kaos halted following Nero.
Cheese and Goet-eo stopped too. Nero glanced back.
—What? Why stop?
Cats exchanged looks at Nero's casual tone.
Kaos—frontmost—exhaled resolve.
—Boss. Let's end it here.
—End what? What're you saying?
Nero tilted his head; Kaos replied flatly.
—Let's... break up.