First Flight
Ssal-i had been extraordinary from the very moment we met, brimming with fascinating quirks.
At first, I'd dismissed him as just a playful puppy, but now it was impossible to brush off anything he said as mere joking around.
His words often sounded like pranks at a glance, but they were usually packed with sincerity.
And this moment felt exactly like that.
"Haha... like when the Big Rock friends turned into dogs at the doggy full-villa last time?"
—Yeah! Exactly! My powers have gotten even stronger now! I can transform not just small animals, but humans too!
"Whoa... humans too?"
—Yep! Starting with you, Dad!
"Wow... that's incredible...."
Every full moon, I'd wondered if Ssal-i might one day gain that kind of ability.
But I'd never once voiced it aloud.
The idea felt even stranger than understanding animals' speech—something I doubted I could handle.
Yet here it was, Pandora's box flung wide open, and I wasn't remotely prepared.
—Hehe, but it's not for everyone—just you, Dad! Transforming humans into animals is super special magic!
Looking back, I'd always harbored a secret longing to soar like a bird through the vast blue sky....
"No. Absolutely not."
I halted the daydream and yanked my wandering thoughts back to earth.
Me, turning into a bird?
That was absurd.
—Whaa? Why not? If you transform, you won't need help from the other birds, right? Way better!
"True enough. But no. Suppose I did turn into a bird. What about my clothes and stuff? They'd just be left behind, and I'd be flying around naked."
—Aw, Dad! I'm a haetae, remember? You think I didn't consider that? No worries—magic makes it invisible. And when the spell wears off and you change back, your clothes and belongings will be right there. Problem solved!
Ssal-i shrugged so nonchalantly that I nearly nodded along.
"That's not the only issue, Ssal-i."
—Why noooot?
"I'm grateful you're thinking of me, but Saemangeum Safari's security is no joke. Cameras everywhere inside the enclosures. If I turned into a white-tailed eagle and went in, I'd get caught instantly."
—Hmm... then just bring Sesko out, duh?
Ssal-i had these mystical powers and was a year old now, but he still had his babyish moments.
Adorable, sure.
"Ssal-i, that's not possible. All movements inside are monitored 24/7 by the keepers. A tiny bird like a sparrow could slip in or out through the ceiling vents, but if an unregistered bird shows up in an enclosure, the keeper checks immediately."
—Hoo... headache. What if I impersonate Sesko instead?
"I considered that. But Sesko's stubborn as hell. Insisted on getting the evaluation himself, good or bad."
—Hmmm....
Ssal-i tilted his head, pondered for a moment, then barked out as if struck by inspiration.
—Dad! How about this? I go inside instead!
"You go in?"
—Yeah! I turn into a white-tailed eagle and stay in the enclosure. Then you and Sesko practice flying together. Turn Sesko into a little sparrow first and meet you outside.
"...What? You can do that?"
—Of course! So here's the plan....
Ssal-i launched into a detailed explanation of how to sneak Sesko out of the enclosure.
—...What do you think, Dad? Perfect, right?
"Hmm. Sounds solid, but... wouldn't it be better if I stayed inside? You handle Sesko's flight training."
—Works for me... but no can do.
"Why?"
—Because only I can transform into the exact size, color, and shape of another animal. You can turn into animals, but no guarantee on the precise size.
"Ah...."
That was a problem.
Even if I became a white-tailed eagle, any size difference from Sesko would spell disaster.
"Guess that leaves me no choice, then...."
—Exactly! Let's go, Dad!
"Go? It's still light out. Better to wait past midnight for Sesko to slip out quietly. And the outer glass doors open on the hour, so we could time it for—"
—Huh? What're you talking about? You need practice too!
"Practice? Me?"
—Yep! Flight practice for Dad!
* * *
A wriggling white squirrel in my pocket.
I crept toward the rooftop with Ssal-i, now cutely transformed.
Everyone was off to dinner or leisure, so the roof was deserted.
—Okay! Time for your transformation, Dad!
"W-wait, Ssal-i."
—Yeah? What's up?
Ssal-i panted happily, tail wagging like a propeller, oblivious to my pounding heart.
"You're sure my belongings and clothes will be fine? Totally?"
—Hmm. Dad's more of a scaredy-cat than I thought.
"...Ssal-i. Adults with responsibilities can't help but worry...."
—Here goes! Transform, Dad!
He didn't need to chant it like that.
But before I could protest, a brilliant white light erupted from Ssal-i's paw, enveloping me.
'Whoa?!'
A tingly zap, like riding a roller coaster, surged through me—but nothing seemed to change.
—Hehe, how's it feel, Dad?
—Huh? No different... gasp? S-Ssal-i?
Oh, there was a massive change.
Ssal-i loomed like a giant before my eyes.
—Hehe. So cool! Dad's tiny now!
The real wonder was mine.
My hands—once diagnosing patients and typing—were now flapping wings. I could understand my own chirps, but they were pure sparrow song.
—Urk, Ssal-i. That lick feels way too intense.
—Really? Must be 'cause you're so small now, hehe. My turn to transform!
Before I could compose myself, Ssal-i shifted into a matching tiny sparrow.
—Hehe. Fun seeing Dad as an animal.
—Ahem. Flight practice first?
—Yeah! Basics to start. Feel the wind's flow and flap those wings....
I knew the theory somewhat—from helping fledgling Maeng-maeng-i last year.
—You're doing great, Dad! Now let's fly farther, toward the mountains.
The issue? We'd shifted to Eurasian eagle-owls.
A second ago as sparrows, we'd hopped off an AC unit.
Now, perched on the roof railing as eagle-owls, I had to leap from here.
—Haha... Ssal-i, do we really need to practice like this? I could just explain it to Sesko without—
Thud!
—Gyaack!
—Dad! Remember—feel the wind! Big first flap!
Our Ssal-i was a genius.
He'd seen right through my reluctance and shoved me with his wing.
'Damn. Stay calm. You got this. One good flap....'
We'd practiced as sparrows from the AC unit, but this was a rooftop drop.
As roaring wind filled my ears, still panicking—
—Dad! Now! Ride the wind!
Ssal-i swooped beside me, barking lightning-fast. I flapped hard.
Whoosh!
A wave of air propelled me straight into the starry night sky under the full moon.
Wild wind snapping me awake. Serene detachment from the world below.
A bizarre peace washed over me on the breeze.
—Hehe. You're a natural, Dad! How's it feel?
—Good... the wind. The view from up here.
This was the path I'd taken daily for three weeks, treating and training Sesko.
But higher now.
Uncharted, free winds.
The difference felt like magic, making the world breathtakingly beautiful.
—Dad, this way! Forest for more practice.
—Got it.
Sparrow flight was odd, but eagle-owl vision was otherworldly.
Eagle-owls spot a mouse on a soccer field by a single candle's flame.
They capture sights instantly, storing them in the brain like a cloud.
Glancing below, the landscape etched itself indelibly into my mind.
—Whoa....
Under the gleaming full moon, we covered what would've taken thirty minutes walking in under ten.
—Hehe. No need to explain more to you, Dad? You're flying awesome!
—Ssal-i.
—Yeah, Dad?
I gazed at the snowy white eagle-owl beaming beside me.
—Thank you.
—Huh? For what?
—Just... this experience, thanks to you. As a kid, I used to dream of flying sometimes.
Trapped in stuffy homes and schools, I'd fantasize leaping out the window to soar free.
—Feels like that wish came true, thanks to you.
—Hehe. Hee hee hee.
Ssal-i grinned, bathed in moonlight. I followed silently, gliding through the night sky—until.
—Hup? What's this? My stomach....
A sudden queasy churn hit me.
—S-Ssal-i! My stomach feels off. Side effect? It hurts....
—Stomach? Just push it out. Tense up!
—What? You mean... right now? Mid-flight?
—Yeah! You're an owl now! Act like one. Tense that belly!
Thirty-plus years as human left muscle memory.
My sphincter wasn't trained for this.
—N-no, I can't... urk.
—Holding it in's bad for you....
Social face. Human dignity. Could I let it all go?
Pffft—whoosh!
—Hehe. Feel better, Dad?
—...Let's fly.
My first flight.
Not entirely beautiful.