Ep.62

 Ep.62

That night.

Sihyeon fell deep into thought as he gazed up at the night sky.

"I did that? Me?"

Sihyeon raised his hands and stared at them for a long time.

The memory that had resurfaced while watching the fireworks didn't belong to his current self—it was a memory of Theophilo. It was one of the missing puzzle pieces.

The 'Earthquake with Anger' was a dangerous spell that required one to risk their very life. To begin with, it was a power forbidden to druids, a spell that could only succeed if one received the blessing of the fairies. …Yet, at the same time, it was an undeniable fact that Theophilo was capable of using it.

However, there was a clear divide between being capable of doing something and actually executing it.

He simply couldn't believe it.

*I used a spell that splits the earth and buries thousands of people alive?*

Furthermore.

'Theophilo, you are the only one who can do this.'

Setting aside whether he had been submissive to his master or not, had his master ever said such words to Theophilo? With a tone so full of trust? As if he were some kind of final savior.

No matter how faint his memories of his master were becoming, he was absolutely certain of one thing.

There was no way his master would have acted like that.

"It's way too strange."

Sihyeon muttered, shaking his head.

If it were a dream, that would be one thing.

But to call it a memory, there were still far too many holes in it.

**14th Gayang County Mushroom Festival**

Second Day.

Everything was easier than the first day.

Hosu had brought along a few more Pureure employees.

"Isn't this an abuse of power by the owner's family?"

"What are you talking about? It's not!! They were all scrambling to come."

The employee who had been there yesterday laughed.

"They're treating it as an off-site work day, so the competition was high."

"It's a collaboration with a partner company, so it's work-related. If that doesn't fly, we'll count it as volunteer work. I sent two of them to the herb soap booth."

"They were all sick of being in the lab, so they loved it. Don't worry about it."

"That's a relief."

Sihyeon said as he handed over an iced arrowroot tea.

"Well then, please take good care of the terrariums today, too. They were made yesterday, so give the soil a little spray. We've prepared plenty of moss, so don't be shy about using it."

Hosu pulled something out of his bag with a meaningful expression.

"Look at this."

"??"

"You ignoramus. Do you not know what this is?"

"Was there something that looked like this? Is it a chubby troll?"

"What is that, even? This is Totoro and the soot sprites."

"Ah?"

He had no idea what that was.

Hosu clicked her tongue and gave up on explaining.

"They’re characters from a very popular animation."

"…They are cute, I'll give you that."

Sihyeon soothed his stinging heart as he looked at the wild boar figurine that had naturally been left out.

"Anyway, we're going to sell until the moss runs out, so keep that in mind."

"I'm grateful, really. But why are you suddenly so fired up?"

"Huh? I'm Village Chief Hwang Mi-kyung's niece. The bloodline doesn't fall far from the tree, right?"

Sihyeon burst into laughter at Hosu, who had her hands on her hips.

"But, are you really sure you're okay?"

"Ah. I was just tired yesterday, that's all."

"Really? It looked like a panic attack, so I'm glad to hear it wasn't."

"It wasn't. I got better right away, didn't I?"

"Hmm."

Hosu looked unconvinced, but she didn't press the matter.

"A little later, two Pureure employees will be joining you over there. I hand-picked them because they have experience working part-time at cafes, so treat them well."

"Uh, yeah. Thank you so much."

"A sponsor should naturally do at least this much. And you, take it easy and don't push yourself."

Sihyeon took one last look at the boar figurine with a pout and left the spot. Hosu really seemed determined to sell every single terrarium, as she was currently writing promotional slogans on the sign with a highlighter.

As the event time drew near, the crowds began to grow.

"This should be enough, right?" Old Man Jeong asked, organizing the arrowroot pieces. He and the neighborhood folks had been out since dawn making fresh arrowroot juice, and it looked like double the amount they had yesterday.

"I think it’ll be plenty."

Sihyeon lined up the ice cups and folded a mountain of paper carriers.

"This damn festival happens only once a year, thank goodness. If it happened twice, all the village elders would be worked to death."

"Come now, you don't really mean that."

Sihyeon pulled out some tea that was good for muscle aches from his bag. Old Man Jeong drank the tea with a satisfied look on his face, munched on a few *jeungpyeon* (steamed rice cakes), and said, "See that chubby guy next to the county governor? That’s the village chief of Jodae-ri, Seoun-myeon. He’s been sticking to him like a leech since yesterday. Calling him 'Governor, Governor,' using honorifics to someone more than twenty years his junior. A sycophant. He was exactly like that with the previous governor, too."

"Ah."

"You know what's funny? That village chief guy was the one who ran the campaign for the *previous* governor."

"Oh, wow."

Sihyeon looked at Old Man Jeong, who chuckled dryly.

"Maybe it’s just because I’m a cynical old man, but seeing him act like that next to every governor whenever they change makes me wonder if he's consistent, but then I see how he treats the former governor—the guy he helped get elected—so disrespectfully, and it just makes me sick. He’s just back and forth."

"……It wasn't because of Flower Girl?"

"That was just the final nail in the coffin. The governor’s seat changes every few years, but he just doesn't get it. You never know who's going to be in power next."

Looking at the old man’s displeased face, Sihyeon thought he understood a little better why people called him grumpy. It was a neighborhood where everyone knew everyone else once removed. No matter how true something might be, "straight talk" is bound to be uncomfortable somewhere.

Perhaps thinking he’d said too much, the old man added, "……It’s just an old man talking, so just listen and forget it."

Sihyeon clenched his fist and shook it playfully for no reason.

"Wow, we really have to win this."

"You funny kid." Old Man Jeong smiled broadly.

Customers poured in.

The Pureure employees were incredibly efficient. After watching Sihyeon for a few rounds, they were expertly serving the iced arrowroot tea. They were even fast. Seeing Sihyeon’s surprise, the employees explained, "It’s because you have everything prepped. And honestly, it’s quite simple compared to cafe menus."

"I thought this was complicated?"

"Cafe menus have so many customizations. Like, 'iced double espresso with chocolate chips, extra whipped cream, three swirls of caramel syrup'—that kind of individual customization."

Sihyeon flinched.

"What kind of wicked menu is that?"

"No, no. Once you try it, you can't say that. It's so delicious!"

"Ah, I see. I don't drink much coffee, so..."

"If you're sensitive to caffeine, try decaf next time. There are plenty of delicious coffee items, too."

The three of them chatted while processing orders one after another. The local food street was overflowing with people, and the lively music mixed with the sound of voices created a vibrant atmosphere.

"Sihyeon!"

Director Lee Sumin and Saetbyeol appeared with Heemang. The three of them had face paint on.

"……You're here? Hi, Heemang! Do you remember me?"

"Yes! Hellooo."

Sihyeon whispered quietly to Lee Sumin, "Why is there a poisonous mushroom painted on your face?"

"Huh? I don't know. They just drew it however they wanted."

Red cap with white polka dots.

"Maybe they thought it was cute."

Even so, to draw a poisonous mushroom on a face.

Perhaps because he was sensitive, it bothered him, but the three of them looked happy. Sometimes, not knowing is bliss.

In the heat of the day, the child's face was slightly flushed, and her eyes were sparkling. Heemang had her hair braided into two pigtails again today, and with her orange dress and tangerine-shaped bag, she looked so adorable that everyone passing by gushed, "Oh my, how pretty!"

"First, take this. Eat it quickly while it's hot."

What Lee Sumin handed him was a churro. The cinnamon scent was incredible. Sihyeon handed the bags over to the Pureure employees.

Nurse Saetbyeol asked, "Are you busy? If you're short-handed, the Director can stay here, and we can just go play on our own."

"No, as you can see, we're doing fine."

"Then, we'll be at the soap-making booth over there, so call us if you get busy."

Lee Sumin carefully checked Sihyeon’s complexion.

"If you're tired, you need to rest. We'll be nearby, so call me anytime."

"Just please make some soap for me, too."

"Got it."

Sihyeon bent down to wave at Heemang. The girl was missing her two front teeth, which made her look even more lovable.

"Have fun!"

"Okay!"

As the three of them left to make soap and bracelets, Bureau Chief Lee Dong-bok appeared with a group of people from the athletic association. The local food booth became increasingly festive, like a village party.

The climax was Park Mo-ne's performance as the sunset set in.

— *My love~! Su~uuper~~~maaan!*

The booming vocal range covered the entire market. It was so popular that everyone, from those enjoying their food to the village people guarding the booths, slowly disappeared to watch the stage.

The tents were suddenly empty.

The Pureure employees let out a sigh and asked Sihyeon, "Sihyeon, aren't you going to see Park Mo-ne?"

"Actually, I don't know who that is."

"Haha. It's playing everywhere these days. I guess you don't watch TV."

"I tend to just keep listening to the songs I already know."

"Oh? Whose songs do you listen to?"

Sihyeon sat up and adjusted his chair.

"It’s called Tracker. It’s an idol group."

"I know the name. But idol songs are a bit... chaotic."

Sihyeon gave a regretful look.

"Ah, if you listen to the whole album, I think you'll find some songs that fit your taste. There are ballads, too."

"I like musicals."

"So you like the grand stuff. Heesu, the main vocalist of Tracker, has great vocal power, so...?"

At that moment, something strange caught Sihyeon's eye.

"Just a second."

"???"

Sihyeon jumped up from his seat and walked away with long strides.

It was definitely Heemang who had just turned the corner and disappeared.

And the kid next to her was undoubtedly the county governor's son he had seen yesterday. Of all places, they were heading toward the stage. The small figures were hard to see among the crowds of people. Sihyeon followed Heemang's orange dress with his eyes and began to run slightly.

*Why are they alone?*

Sihyeon called Lee Sumin on his phone.

*Call busy.*

The signal went through, but he didn't pick up.

Now that he thought about it, he didn't have Nurse Saetbyeol’s number.

He should have asked for it.

The kids slipped through the crowd, and the distance from Sihyeon grew. He began to grow anxious as the orange color kept flickering in and out of sight.

Sihyeon tried calling Lee Sumin again, but it was still busy.

The kids disappeared behind the stage. They were headed toward the river.

"Sorry. Excuse me, sorry!"

"Just a moment, let me pass!"

Sihyeon chased after them, ignoring the glares from the people he bumped into.

The riverside, past the sunset, was growing dark.

The promenade of the riverside park, which had been renovated not long ago, stretched out to the left and right, and it was well-lit with streetlamps.

Sihyeon scanned both directions at the entrance of the park, then caught an older woman out for a walk and asked, park, then caught an older woman out for a walk and asked, "Excuse me, did you happen to see two kids? Two elementary schoolers?"

"I saw one going alone over that way. A boy in black shorts."

"What about a girl?"

"I didn't see one. Maybe I just missed her."

If it was shorts, it had to be that kid.

Sihyeon ran at full speed in the direction the passerby had pointed out. Fortunately, he soon spotted the kid, looking around as if he were distracted by something.

Sihyeon stood in front of him, gasping for breath. The kid’s face was filled with wariness.

Whew—.

"You're the county governor's son, right?"

"……."

"You remember yesterday, when you and your mom came to our booth and ordered twenty iced arrowroot teas, right?"

"……Yes."

Sihyeon wanted to ease the kid’s wariness, but he was in a hurry.

"Heemang."

"!"

"You just ran off with Heemang a moment ago. Where did Heemang go?"

"……I didn't?"

"I saw you. And this isn't the time for games. Where is Heemang?"

"……."

The child glared at Sihyeon with audacity.

"I, I didn't!"

In an instant, Sihyeon’s demeanor changed. He didn't want to use the methods he used on his enemies against a child, but he had no choice. The natural energy in the surroundings grew heavy, pressing down on the air around the kid. The child began to gasp under the strange pressure.

"I’ll ask you one more time. Where is Heemang?"

"I, I don't know either!"

An infuriatingly fast answer. But it wasn't the answer Sihyeon wanted.

"Again."

"I really don't know. Someone took her that way earlier. I said I was going to call my mom, and they threw my phone over there……."

The child’s voice began to tremble.

Dammit. Don't cry.

"Who took her?"

"The teacher who draws pictures on faces."

"Is it someone you know?"

"No. But it’s the teacher who draws mushrooms."

A poisonous mushroom.

"They went over there. It's the truth."

The direction the kid pointed to while sniffling was in the exact opposite direction.