Mudoo - Chapter 20

The gumiho they were facing introduced himself as Hobun.

He came out with a steaming hot stone pot and a porcelain jug of rice wine on a tray.

“Careful, it’s still hot,” he warned gently as he placed the stone pot in front of Seula.

The robe he wore parted slightly as he leaned forward, exposing his chest, and Seula suddenly didn’t know where to look.

“You might as well be naked,” Tae-shin muttered.

“Ah, but isn’t it always the ‘almost’ that drives people crazy?” Hobun replied smoothly, still smiling like nothing could faze him.

Whether he was trying to melt someone’s heart or not, Seula couldn’t tell. But she kept her eyes glued to the egg yolk on her bibimbap, trying not to look anywhere else.

“Shall I mix it for you?” Hobun asked, smiling with his eyes.

Just as he reached for her bowl, Tae-shin snatched it and pulled it in front of himself.

“She really needs looking after,” he grumbled, poking the yolk and beginning to stir the vibrant vegetables and steaming rice together.

“I could’ve done it myself, you know.”

“Yeah? Keep zoning out like that and a fox’ll run off with your bank account.”

Hobun’s smile stayed put, but there was a slight twitch between his brows.

“I don’t rob people, if that’s what you’re implying. I merely accept offerings from those who come to me willingly.”

“Right, and all those offerings just happened to pile up into gold bars filling your storage.”

“Well, if you’re jealous, why don’t you use your own looks to earn some fortune, Tae-shin?”

“My stomach’s too weak for that.”

“Sounds more like a personality issue to me.”

Tae-shin clanked his spoon down hard.

“Eat,” he said curtly, sliding the bowl back to Seula.

Just as the tension between them seemed to ease, Hobun turned his attention back to Seula.

“I don’t know how you ended up with Tae-shin, but my place has plenty of empty rooms. You’re welcome here anytime if you need a break.”

The warmth in his tone was so inviting, it made her wonder—if she didn’t already have somewhere to stay, would she have just moved in right then?

She scooped up a mouthful of bibimbap and glanced around the room.

“You live here alone?”

“And it does get lonely.”

His expression grew pitiful, eyes drooping just so, and Seula felt a strange urge to pat his shoulder.

But the sound of Tae-shin scoffing beside her ruined the moment.

“Yeah, lonely, right. With a constant parade of guests coming through—men, women, old, young…”

“I offer shelter to those who need it. But no matter how many people pass through, they can’t fill that innate emptiness. You wouldn’t understand, Tae-shin—you drive people away before they even get close.”

Come to think of it, Seula couldn’t remember seeing Tae-shin hang out with anyone other than Dong-gil. Even the friendly beast spirit barely got a smile from him.

Well… at least Dong-gil seemed close to him.

She looked down at the pup, who was too busy chomping on bibimbap to notice her gaze.

“This is rice wine I brewed myself,” Hobun said, refilling their cups. “It’ll warm you up just right on a cold day.”

Seula looked over at Tae-shin to see if she needed permission. He didn’t say anything, so she took a careful sip.

It was smooth, fragrant, and sent a gentle warmth spreading through her chest.

“Glad to see you like it,” Hobun said warmly.

Even though they’d barged in unannounced, he seemed to enjoy their company. Seula smiled.

“Can I visit again sometime?”

“You’re always welcome.”

“Seula,” Tae-shin cut in, having downed his own shot of wine, “you seem to have a lot of free time. Need something to do? I’ve got a house full of chores.”

“…Okay, I get it.”

Technically, she was living under his roof, and he had every right to call her out. She shrank a little in her seat.

They went through a few more rounds until the wine jug was empty.

Seula was starting to feel a pleasant buzz, the warmth from the floor adding to her drowsiness.

“I usually don’t get tipsy this quickly…”

“Hmm, maybe you’re not as strong as you look,” Hobun said, watching her with a soft smile.

“I haven’t drunk in a while, that’s all… but I feel great!”

“It’s getting late. Should I prepare a room for you to rest?”

“No need,” Tae-shin said firmly. “If she passes out, I’ll just carry her home.”

“…Why?” Hobun tilted his head.

“Yeah, why?” Seula echoed teasingly, resting her chin on Tae-shin’s shoulder.

Tae-shin raised a brow at the closeness. “Turns out Hobun’s not the danger here—you are.”

“What’s your relationship, if you don’t mind me asking?” Hobun said suddenly.

Tae-shin turned to him, expression unreadable.

“I never pegged you as someone who’d let anyone close,” Hobun added. “Well, aside from Dong-gil. You two go way back.”

Tae-shin stayed quiet for a long moment, then muttered, “People say fox dens are scarier than tiger dens.”

“That’s not a real saying. You just made that up, didn’t you?”

“When you let your guard down, the rest follows. I’ve noticed—you’re good at digging into people’s soft spots.”

“Wasn’t trying to. Surprised to learn you have soft spots at all, Tae-shin.”

“We should go,” he said abruptly. “Seula, wake up.”

Seula blinked, startled.

“Already?”

“Want me to leave you here, then?”

“No, no. I’m coming!”

Tae-shin stood up, grabbed the shopping bags, and clipped Dong-gil’s leash.

Seula bowed politely to Hobun.

“Sorry for dropping in out of nowhere. Thanks for everything. Next time, you should visit my place. I’ll make something for you. It won’t be much, but still.”

“Oh wow. Now you’re inviting people to someone else’s house?”

“I meant my place, not yours.”

“You have a place?”

“It’s a rental for now… but I’m going to buy it someday. Gonna make a ton of money.”

“Sure. Dream big. Even the broken pieces will be large.”

Hobun followed them to the gate and pressed something into Seula’s hand.

“It was a lovely evening. Here’s a token of appreciation. I wasn’t going to give Tae-shin anything, but for your sake…”

Seula opened her palm. Two beautifully ornate norigae charms lay inside.

“Wow. They’re gorgeous.”

“Take care now.”

With a gentle wave, Hobun saw them off. The cold seemed to soften in his warm presence.

As before, Dong-gil led the way through the winding alleys.

Eventually, they reached the gate of Cheonghae-ro 118beon-gil 4.

The moment she stepped inside, Seula kicked off her shoes, flopped onto the warm floor, and sighed.

“Home, sweet home…”

Not her home, technically, but it still felt peaceful—maybe too peaceful. Would she ever want to leave?

Tae-shin took off his coat and draped it over her. He lay beside her, propping up one arm as he stared down at her face.

Before he could start scolding, Seula cut him off.

“I’m going to shower and brush my teeth and everything. I just wanna lie here for a minute.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“I felt guilty.”

She closed her eyes with a small smile, her hands resting on her stomach.

The floor was warm, and the cold breeze from the open door was just enough to make it all feel cozy—like curling up under a blanket with the A/C on.

Tae-shin looked down at her quietly, then murmured,

“…What if?”

“What if?”

“What if you’re free from Mudoo’s signal, and your spiritual eye closes again?”

She didn’t respond at first.

Then, with her eyes still closed, she said softly,

“I always wanted to be normal.”

“…”

“But normal was the hardest thing. I had to work twice as hard just to fake it.”

“…”

“So if I ever do go back to being normal, I’ll probably leave… but I’ll come visit you and Dong-gil from time to time.”

It was the answer he expected, but it still hurt—like something clenched tight in his chest.

Tae-shin finally understood the story of the woodsman who stole the fairy’s robe to keep her from leaving.

He wouldn’t mind being called selfish—he just didn’t want her to go.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Was she Yeo-ok? The real one? Her reincarnation? Or just someone who looked like her?

He still didn’t know. But one thing he was sure of.

It wasn’t time to let Seula go. Not yet.