Parents' Day (1)
—Whoa... M-my body... it's a sparrow... This is ridiculous...
—Snap out of it. We need to get out the window right now. You've gotta stick close to Dad. Once you're outside the glass, you'll change back, so don't freak out. Hurry!
—Uh? Uh?
Ssal-i slipped through the glass and the net, transforming into a sparrow. He gave the dazed Ssesko a quick bonk with his beak, knocking him free from the net.
—Dad, we'll meet back here at this window when we return. Get out before it closes.
—Got it. Let's go, Ssesko.
—Uh... yeah.
Still looking flustered, Ssesko followed him out the final glass door, where Ssal-i's transformation spell activated immediately.
—Whoaaa?! My e-eyes all of a sudden...?
In an instant, his body shifted to an eagle-owl, and Ssesko's already large eyes bulged even wider in shock.
—No need to freak. Owls have great night vision by nature. See that little hill over there? Let's head that way first.
—Whoa... This is seriously amazing. But why an owl of all things? Even if owls have good night vision, wouldn't it be better to practice in my real form? Or at least something like a raptor.
Listen to this guy.
If I'd kept getting private lessons from Chorong the golden eagle, I wouldn't be going through all this trouble.
Irritation bubbled up, but there was no time to scold Ssesko—the remaining time was too tight.
—We tried other birds too, but since it's night, owl or eagle-owl seemed best. They're nocturnal in real life, after all. And eagle-owls are raptors.
—Huh? Really?
—They don't fly as high as white-tailed eagles, but it's not much different from high-altitude dive practice. Eagle-owls can hit over 150 meters at top height. Usually around 60, though.
Just like the African aviary, the raptor enclosure here was 50 meters high.
Even in eagle-owl form, there'd be no issue practicing high-altitude flight.
—Alright. We've only got six days left. Let's give it our all till then. First off, when doing high dives, it's key to feel the wind...
From that day, Ssal-i and Ssesko's grueling special training continued.
The queen of seasons had arrived.
Unlike the crystal-clear weather of Korea's first week of May, the buzz was deafening, drawing worldwide attention.
The first day in Korea.
Few knew that Fairmont's key agenda for this visit boiled down to that single day—or that his first stop, before even unpacking, was Saemangeum Safari.
"Holy... Among the countries on this tour, this zoo's gotta be the biggest."
"Yes. It's over three times larger than the one in France. Though here it's called a safari—'more natural than nature' is their motto."
The middle-aged man with thick golden blond hair gaped at the massive Saemangeum Safari entrance gate, then chuckled at his secretary's words.
"After touring Israel, France, Germany, Italy—four countries—the bald eagles everywhere lacked that soul of our American continent. Just half-baked. I'm curious what South Korea brings to the table."
Recalling Italy's zoo had the closest to what Americans expected from a bald eagle, Fairmont headed straight for the bald eagle aviary.
The sheer scale would stun any first-time visitor to Saemangeum Safari.
But Fairmont cared only about the bald eagles he'd seen across countries.
Israel and France were forgettable; Germany and Italy showed some majestic soaring spirit.
Still, Italy's was the best. The German one was too small, even for a male.
Yes. What Fairmont sought was something worthy of America's soul—courage, or beyond.
The youngest bodyguard trailing Fairmont's entourage whispered to his senior.
"Hyung, before joining this gig, I thought the boss was joking. Picking business partners based on a bald eagle's condition? Sounds insane."
"Rich, famous folks think different—we normals don't need to get it. Like athlete superstitions. David Beckham rearranged everything in straight lines before games, freaked if pairs didn't match."
"Kuhuhu. That cracked me up. Even dumped odd-numbered drinks?"
"You know, so shut up. It's starting."
"Roger that."
As his senior said, they'd entered the bald eagle aviary.
Fairmont grinned at the neat, middle-aged man waiting inside and extended a hand.
"Mr. Jeong. Long time no see."
"Mr. Fairmont, likewise. First time in Korea—tough journey."
"No trouble. Your staff made it smooth. Can we see it right away?"
"Of course."
Time was precious for those at the top, so they moved without delay.
At Jeong Yong-gun's signal, Ssesko—gripping the handler's wrist—strode in powerfully. Fairmont smiled brightly.
Hm. Impressive build. Matches Italy's size.
Appearance: pass.
Now, his flight would decide everything.
"Ssesko. Let's make it shine."
—Dohyun, don't chicken out. I'll show 'em what a month of hell training got us.
Ssesko's eyes blazed, recalling the ordeal.
Lessons from Chorong, who dismissed him.
Snatching rabbit-fur toy cars to build wild instincts.
Wings burning as he flapped with parachute drag on his legs for muscle.
Catching blunt arrows shot sky-high for agility.
And high-altitude dives.
—Dohyun. Give the signal. Gonna show these mainlanders everything.
"Good! Ready! Go!"
—Ready! Go!
On the handler's cue, Ssesko traced a wide circle, pulling off trained tricks.
But that was Germany/Italy level.
Build-wise, he could compete with Italy's.
"Mr. Jeong, mind if I toss some food?"
"Go ahead, Mr. Fairmont."
Jeong glanced aside; handlers handed over largemouth bass in a bucket.
"No holding back. Hup."
Fairmont snatched the biggest and lobbed it skyward like a volleyball set.
Then—
Screeeeech!
Ssesko locked on instantly, talons snapping its neck, beak ripping flesh.
But only a few bites.
He savagely kicked the remains with his talons and rocketed upward.
"Haha. Jesus. That arrogant swagger. That's the spirit—true American eagle, embodying our courage."
Fairmont's smile widened.
Now, the highlight: high-altitude dive.
Arms crossed, he watched Ssesko climb to the ceiling for the dive.
Piyoooooo! Piyoooooo!
"What the...?"
At the peak, Ssesko unfurled his near-2.5-meter wingspan and bellowed a savage roar—like straight from a movie.
"Whoa... Awesome! Pure American soul in that cry!"
"Boss, that sounds like another bird's..."
"Shut your mouth. Don't jinx it. I trust my eyes and ears!"
"...Yes, boss. Whatever."
In the aviary, small wild birds like sparrows sometimes slipped in. No one noticed one mimicking a peregrine falcon's cry.
"Perfect! This deal... we're doing it with Korea!"
"Yes, boss."
After nearly a month away, Baek Min-hyeok handled backlog at home, then headed straight to Big Rock.
The mild spring breeze made it pleasant, but the real reason? No one else to brag to.
"So then, right? I did that high dive, caught the wind and shot back up. Super tough move, but Ssesko nailed it first try. Fairmont was floored..."
—Pfft, Dad! That was 'cause Ssal-i did the peregrine cry next to him!
"Ahem. True, Ssal-i's help was huge."
—Hehe, yep!
He kept reliving the flight practices endlessly. Thunder, atop Big Rock, furrowed his brow.
—Whoa... Hyungnim. How long we gotta hear this brag? Ears gonna burst soon.
—Yeah. Nureoguman can't take more either. Same story how many times...
"Hey now. Haven't even hit the details. And I brought food so you don't hunt—larva snacks. Munch while you listen."
—Hm. I'm good, but not craving larva today.
—Hey! Il-nami! Can't bail solo!
Even he, no fan of boasting, found the nightly flights over the past week ecstatic.
Then—
Rrring!
—Hyungnim! Phone! Answer it!
—Yeah, pick up!
"Nah. Don't need to take this one."
He peeked at the screen, pocketed it. The Big Rock crew wailed, rolling on the ground clutching ears.
—Aigoo, hyungnim. Answering calls is polite. Not 'cause it's boring, yeah?
—Exactly, seon-saengnim. Phones for humans' big news, right?
—You guys don't get it. Probably spam.
—Spam?
—Yeah, ads. Humans get weird offer calls. That's why even teachers...
"Ads do come a lot. But not this."
He wouldn't feel this pang if it were spam—he'd hang up without thinking.
—Hmm? Dad...? Who from?
"My brother."
—Dad's... brother?
"Yeah."
Ignoring the call brought a text.