“Grrr… this is tiring.”
While sitting blankly in the chair, Taehwa suddenly spoke.
Her posture, slouched in the chair with her legs stretched out, exuded an extreme sense of boredom.
“Why does that old man talk so much…”
“My point exactly…”
She nodded in agreement.
Yawning from boredom, she secretly pulled out her phone.
The teachers seemed to forgive such behavior, being bored themselves.
Of course, watching videos outright would still be impossible.
‘Text message?’
Checking texts would be acceptable though.
She tapped her fingers on the screen to switch it.
It was a text from him. Specifically, a group chat inviting everyone to gather at his place once the closing ceremony was over.
“Uncle’s probably planning something again.”
“Yeah, we’ll see him after a while.”
“Huh? Haven’t you seen Uncle recently too?”
Nodding in response to Taehwa’s question.
A few seconds passed in heavy silence.
“…Wind?”
“What kind of wind?”
“Hmm…something feels off. I thought for sure he’d come pick us up after the closing ceremony.”
“He must be busy with something.”
Taehwa was right. It had been quite a while since they last saw him.
The last time they met was almost one and a half months ago, right?
Ever since he got examined by the witch, he practically disappeared.
Whatever deal he made with the witch, he’s been very busy. He even quit his part-time job and has been fully devoted to villain activities.
And then today, out of nowhere, he sent a text suggesting a trip.
“Hmm…”
Thinking about it, it’s annoying.
Couldn’t he at least send a “How are you?” message once in a while?
Only hearing from him every three days via texts or occasional calls.
Meanwhile, every time there was news about the Kraken, I’ve been worried.
‘I should scold him when I see him.’
Lost in thought, she absentmindedly lifted her head.
For a moment, despair loomed, but hope soon surfaced on her face.
“Ah…anyway, don’t waste this long winter vacation unnecessarily—”
She inwardly cheered.
Finally, the end of this long period was in sight.
Then finally, the principal sighed and prepared for the final announcement like a warrior readying for the last strike.
“With that, it is concluded. I wish all of you a meaningful winter vacation.”
A few seconds of silence, just before an explosion, followed.
They had briefly closed their mouths, but soon erupted in cheers.
It marked the beginning of a long vacation.
“Ugh…it’s over…”
Noah stretched his back, happier about the ceremony ending than the start of the vacation.
Enjoying the crisp sound of cracking bones, Noah adjusted his bag.
Taehwa similarly adjusted her bag and asked Noah:
“Noah, where are you going after this? Want to go to the karaoke bar together?”
“Karaoke bar?”
“Yeah! Let’s go after such a long time. Since it’s vacation, we have plenty of time—”
“That kid is saying what? Did you forget? We’re supposed to go to Uncle’s place right after this.”
“…Oh, right.”
Taehwa slapped her forehead and continued.
“Let’s grab some fish-shaped bread!”
“Fish-shaped bread?”
Noah’s expression immediately frowned.
What is fish-shaped bread these days?
Once a hearty winter snack and friend to commoners, it betrayed everyone and became a slave to dirty capitalists.
“Ugh…ughh…”
“Noah?”
“Don’t push it…fish-shaped bread costs a thousand won for two pieces…”
“Hey, snap out of it!”
“Ugh…huuuh…”
Unable to just watch Noah acting strange, Taehwa patted her shoulder.
“Don’t worry. I found a place that sells them for a thousand won for three.”
“…Rare good friend these days.”
“Friend? Hmm! Anyway, it’s pretty famous. It opened about a week ago? Cheap, delicious, and the owner is friendly with great service.”
“Service?”
“Yeah. That’s why everyone goes there. Cheap, tasty, and also pleasing to the eye.”
Pointing to her eyes, Taehwa spoke with excitement clearly visible on her face.
Come to think of it, I’ve heard similar news.
Lately, more kids have been sharing pictures taken with someone.
Of course, I wasn’t interested.
“Hmm…”
Apparently taking this silence as approval,
Taehwa grabbed Noah’s hand and headed toward the shop.
With the added bonus of offering to pay.
Since there was no reason to refuse such generosity, Noah silently followed Taehwa.
After walking for about ten minutes,
“It’s snowing.”
“It’s the first snow.”
“Ugh…seeing the first snow with a girl…”
“You should find someone like Uncle.”
“Should I?”
Walking toward the fish-shaped bread shop under the falling white snow,
quite a number of people were lined up, drawn by the savory smell.
There were also those standing in line with less pure intentions.
“Wow, the owner must be raking in the cash.”
“Hurry up and buy some. It’s cold.”
Blowing warm air into their hands, they waited for a while.
Finally, when the line cleared and it was their turn,
the two stepped forward and witnessed something.
“Welcome, our last customers of the day!”
“…Huh?”
“…Ah?”
The face of a very familiar man.
+++++
“What are you doing here, Uncle?”
“…”
“To the point of making heart shapes with your hands.”
“…J…ust business…”
“Ha, is it pleasant? Being surrounded by high school girls who Uncle likes.”
“No, that’s not what I mean…”
“Not? What? Does it mean any high school girl will do?”
I don’t know how many times I’ve said this lately. It might be getting tiresome, but I want to say it again.
Sometimes Noah scares me too much.
I’m serious.
Glassy eyes like frozen cod. Deep shadows under the eyes.
And the momentum of possibly lunging at any moment.
Shaking my hand slightly, I answered Noah’s question.
“I’m just running a fish-shaped bread business.”
Not to mention, I’ve been short on money lately.
I quit my part-time job.
That witch keeps asking for strange favors.
I needed to raise funds for future plans.
Isn’t it natural to sell fish-shaped bread in winter? The business is booming unexpectedly.
“Wow…Uncle is really pushing it.”
“Taehwa, did I do something wrong here?”
“Completely a playboy and harem king. You’re seducing all the high school girls.”
“Is it that bad!?”
“At least that’s how it looks to Noah.”
I felt wronged.
With that feeling, I tried my best to explain to Noah.
At least I can’t live like this unfairly forever, right?
I faced Noah’s icy gaze with all my strength.
“It wasn’t my intention from the start.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Just…some kid suddenly wanted a picture with a heart shape while buying fish-shaped bread. She was super energetic and hard to understand, but kept insisting on taking pictures.”
“And?”
“So…thinking it was just a phase and might interfere with business if left alone, I took the picture quickly and sent her away. Then her friends came…”
“And it grew this big?”
Nod.
“Why didn’t you contact us?”
“E…I sent three texts and made a couple of calls every week, right? This week…well…I’ve been busy with villain work and the shop…”
“Huh…”
After telling the truth, I diverted my gaze.
A few seconds of tense silence passed.
Unable to remain silent any longer, Noah spoke.
“…Well, now that I think about it, it doesn’t matter much.”
Noah said that with a faint smile.
It was a twisted smile somehow.
I unconsciously gripped the teapot handle harder upon hearing it.
Noah, hearing the sound of gripping, let out a mocking laugh of “Haha.”
There was a slight pause before the next words came.
“What else can they do besides that?”
“…”
“They take pictures? Let them take all they want. But what else can they do? Right? Uncle?”
“T, that’s right!”
“If things get weird, I might actually get angry.”
It was icy.
I could only slowly nod in agreement.
Then, smiling again, Noah finally asked:
“So why the sudden business?”
“Fundraising.”
“Funds?”
“I mentioned I’m going camping, right?”
Noah nodded.
“Turns out the place I’m going isn’t easy. I need to prepare thoroughly.”
“Thorough preparation?”
“Exactly. Need to buy a tent, sleeping bag, and some warm clothes. Can’t freeze to death, can I?”
Upon hearing my words, Noah and Taehwa exchanged puzzled glances.
Of course, they wouldn’t know where we’re heading, so it’s a natural reaction.
I’ve been very busy over the past month.
Searching for a certain location.
“Know about the ancient dragon incident?”
“Yes, the event where Grandfather Swordsman killed a dragon in a remote mountain village in Gangwon-do.”
The Ancient Dragon Incident.
An event where a swordsman living secluded in the mountains of Gangwon-do slew a dragon.
Both the protagonist swordsman and the ancient dragon died, leaving behind a massive chunk of mana, which created a dungeon.
That dungeon, whose location remains unknown, is sought after by everyone for its immense power.
“Whoever breaks through the dragon’s dungeon shall gain tremendous power.”
In the game, it’s a place you can visit for a special power-up.
I always thought I’d visit someday…
But the route is always random and never easy.
“But hasn’t anyone found it yet? That place.”
“Yes, the Association decided to consider it just a rumor.”
However…
“I found it.”
I had barely managed to locate the place not too long ago.
