Chapter 16
The early dawn at Hallasan was quiet.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to Hallasan.”
Dayoung hummed softly as she climbed the mountain with light steps. She pushed her way through tangled bushes. At times like this, having the form of a young child was convenient. She glanced around, retracing her memories.
Before long, she spotted two trees intertwined in an arch.
As she approached, an unfamiliar force blocked her path. Even the surrounding grass and trees felt strangely different.
Found it.
Dayoung clicked her tongue in satisfaction and flicked her finger.
In an instant, the mist cleared, revealing a wide meadow.
A hidden space within the primeval forest.
She had worried she might have come to the wrong place, but fortunately, it was still here.
“Human girl.”
A low voice echoed.
A long-haired man in white stepped forward.
“Why have you entered this sacred ground?”
A divine aura surrounded him. From his head extended two pairs of antlers like a crown.
Around him stood women and children dressed in white, their faces filled with fear.
The man spoke calmly.
“This land has been granted to our people since the heavens first opened. It seems you have lost your way. Leave at once, and we will not hold you accountable.”
Dayoung chuckled.
Then her eyes flashed sharply.
“Cut the crap. You already forgot me?”
Her gaze gleamed for a moment.
The man staggered back in fear.
“Y-you…!”
As he recognized her, Dayoung openly revealed her fox nature.
She licked her lips and scanned the surroundings.
“Looks like you’ve been living well. Last time I came during the Great Famine, you all looked half-dead.”
The man shouted in terror.
“L-leave at once!”
“What if I don’t?”
Dayoung replied without blinking.
“I will call upon the Mountain Lord!”
At that, Dayoung scoffed.
“Haven’t you heard? That thieving cat and I became sworn sisters seventy years ago.”
She growled proudly.
“Even when I go near Taebaek Mountain, they treat me like royalty—bringing me every beast they catch. If you go, they’ll think a rare delicacy walked in on its own and cut your throat immediately.”
(Of course, she’d actually be beaten and chased out—but Dayoung lied without hesitation.)
The man protested.
“Lies! The Mountain Lord would never form ties with an evil spirit like you!”
“Evil spirit? Watch your mouth.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“If you’re curious, go ask him yourself. That is, if any of you are still alive by then.”
At her threat, the man trembled.
“What do you want?! The famine is over! There’s plenty of meat now—why target us?!”
Dayoung groaned exaggeratedly.
“You see, this old lady’s body aches all over these days. I need something to restore my strength.”
“There are rare herbs all over this mountain. Take them!”
“Do I look like a fox that eats grass?”
The man’s face fell.
“Then what do you want?”
“I heard deer antlers are good for you.”
She glanced at his antlers.
The man covered them in horror.
“T-these are to protect our clan!”
“Exactly. Hand them over.”
Dayoung beckoned.
The man grimaced.
“Ugh…”
“What? Don’t want to?”
She looked at the women and children beside him.
“Then should I just snack on a few kids like during the famine? Let’s see… which one looks tender?”
At her gaze, several burst into tears.
Dayoung laughed loudly.
The man shouted in panic.
“I-I’ll give them! I’ll give them!”
“See? That wasn’t so hard.”
She smiled in satisfaction.
Dayoung wrapped the freshly cut antlers in cloth.
Blood still dripped from the tips.
The man, now missing one antler, clutched his bleeding head and cried.
“W-why has heaven abandoned us… reduced to medicine…”
Dayoung replied bluntly.
“They’ll grow back in spring. Think of it as charity for an old woman.”
The man glared bitterly.
“You’ll be punished by heaven!”
“I’d love to see when that happens.”
She slung the bundle over her shoulder.
“I’m leaving.”
“Don’t ever come back!”
He shouted desperately.
Dayoung grinned.
“I hear fresh spring antlers are the best.”
His face filled with dread.
She waved lightly.
“I’ll come back in spring for a picnic.”
“I’m back.”
Dayoung tossed the antlers onto a table.
“How was Jeju Island?”
A boy sitting by the fireplace asked without looking up.
“Don’t ask. At my level, why am I running errands? That’s why I opposed Yoonseol becoming the branch head.”
The boy tossed his book into the fire.
Flames rose.
Burned books were piled inside.
He poked the fire, then glanced at the antlers.
“What is that?”
“Something valuable. Boil it and drink it.”
He moved his wheelchair closer and opened the bundle carefully.
Inside were rough white antlers.
“…Are these from the Baeknok clan?”
He was shocked.
“Yes. From a male—the rarest kind.”
He scolded her immediately.
“They are a protected B-class species in Jeju. Trading parts outside research is illegal.”
Dayoung snapped.
“Then at least live like a human!”
He flinched.
“Look at yourself. You look worse than a frostbitten pumpkin!”
He was frail, pale, and unable to walk.
She couldn’t bear it.
“Some things can’t be cured.”
He said quietly.
“If it could be fixed with medicine, I would have done it already.”
Her voice softened.
“I’m your sister. Let me take care of you.”
“We’re not real siblings.”
She clicked her tongue.
“Your father gave me a name. That makes us family.”
He sighed and accepted it reluctantly.
“Would a Philosopher’s Stone let you walk?”
She asked.
He nodded.
“It would grant immortality. Too valuable for me.”
She sighed.
“I don’t know if making you branch head was right.”
“It was my choice.”
She noticed a document.
“What’s this?”
“From China. The Shaanxi curator achieved something.”
Dayoung groaned.
“Don’t remind me. Pretty face, empty head.”
“They’ve ordered him to search for the elixir of life again.”
“What?! Still?”
She snapped.
“The legend of Xu Fu is just a myth!”
“But his inscription remains in Seogwipo.”
“And his descendant might decode it.”
She warned sharply.
“Your father disappeared chasing that. You will NOT get involved.”
The boy said nothing.
Only the fire crackled.
