Chapter 40: The Price of Trust

“…Chanseong Sajang, you’re a far stranger human than you look.”

“That’s the first time I’ve heard that.”

“I’ve heard it plenty. Are you just pretending not to hear?”

“Is that so?”

Yuae shot me a quick glance and let out a sigh.

She had run away as if fleeing, yet now, she was standing right beside me.

And here I was, growing sick of this huge hunk of beef.

“I rushed over, thinking something urgent had happened. Who’d have guessed you’d just ask me to help move some meat?”

“Sorry. At that moment, you were the only one who came to mind.”

“Hmph, you’re shameless, you know.”

A few minutes ago.

I was seriously considering what to do with this huge slab of beef.

Even if I called Hyeon Nammae again, the chance of them coming here was slim.

The beef was brought mainly to give them a hard time, after all.

I had no intention of bothering to deliver it all the way to their home.

“But I can’t just leave the meat lying around over there.”

As long as the meat is in the Yangjibareun Tea House, it won’t go bad.

It can be preserved forever, even without preservatives.

But it would be inconsiderate to the folks at Udina Tea House.

In a day or so, the smell of meat would spread everywhere.

So in the end, it seemed best to bring it home and sort it out, and for that, I decided to send No-Rani and Naru briefly to the Spirit Realm and called for Yuae instead.

I was worried she wouldn’t come, but Yuae just sighed deeply and helped me out.

“Still, you came. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you helped, Yuae.”

“It’s not hard to lend my power. Naru or No-Rani will be able to do it too, once they’re a bit stronger.”

Yuae looked straight ahead as she continued.

“I only answered your call because there’s something I want to talk to Chanseong Sajang about.”

“That sounds a little scary… Can it wait till later?”

“If you want today to be the last day you see me, sure.”

So I’m not even allowed to say anything else.

I raised both hands, and Yuae said,

“The suggestion you made earlier—I want to talk about it again.”

“Does that mean you’ll accept?”

“…Don’t get ahead of yourself. I haven’t said yes yet.”

Isn’t that as good as saying yes?

I barely held back a smile.

If I smiled here, Yuae might get offended and take back her power.

Then I’d have to haul all this meat back to the First House by myself…

“Can I hear you out, then?”

Yuae simply walked quietly beside me.

We walked in silence a bit longer before she looked up at the sky and spoke.

“I’ll be honest. Your suggestion is attractive, Chanseong Sajang. A world where everyone can find Balance and happiness without anyone having to sacrifice themselves. It’s something I already gave up on.”

I doubt Yuae spent her whole life doing nothing.

She must have tried countless times, made attempts, and failed.

That’s why this was the only option she felt was left.

“But then you brought back the very proposal I had given up on. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted. But I also know all about false hope.”

“My suggestion?”

“You’re human, and we’re Spirits.”

Yuae stared at me with eyes as cold and white as snow.

“We live by different timelines. Even if Chanseong Sajang leaves someday, we have to keep on living.”

“Right, just like when Grandfather left.”

“Yes. While you’re here, you may be able to keep the Balance, but after you’re gone, can you still maintain it?”

“That’s a hard question.”

I have no idea what it’s like to live for hundreds or thousands of years.

To say ‘It’ll be fine’ would be naive and empty.

“Maybe we can just solve that problem as it comes?”

“To me, that sounds like you’re dodging the question.”

“No, I’m saying I’ll face it head-on.”

They say there’s no hope in running away.

“I haven’t lived as long as you, Yuae. Not like the other Spirits either. All I know is that change will come, and I’ll do my best to manage that change.”

“What about the changes that will come when you’re not here?”

I’ll try to solve that, too. Not alone, but together with all of you.

“…Together? How do you mean?”

I pulled the Moon Fragment Yuae had given me from my pocket.

“The power of the moon inside this is strong. You know that best, since you made it, right?”

“Of course.”

“The Tea I gave to No-Rani was made using this Moon Fragment. That Tea will make No-Rani’s vessel bigger and sturdier, so she can handle her own power.”

A vessel for the soul, you could say.

It would strengthen No-Rani’s body in advance, so she wouldn’t collapse later.

That was the main role of the Tea I made.

“This is only the beginning. If other Spirits drink Tea or Dessert made with the Moon Fragment, other changes will start.”

“And when change happens, you don’t know what will come after. Is that it?”

“You know as well as I do, Yuae, that nobody can guarantee what’ll happen five minutes from now. I’ll just do my best in whatever situation I’m given.”

You never know unless you try.

Just imagining solutions in your head won’t solve anything.

“Still, making Tea or Desserts for all Spirits can’t be easy.”

“It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible. You’ve seen what I can do.”

“…You’re quite bold.”

Developing new Teas or Desserts isn’t that hard.

I’ve memorized every Recipe Book Grandfather made, and now all I have to do is deconstruct and reassemble the ingredients in reverse order.

I haven’t done it before, but if I get the hang of it, I can do it.

…Probably.

“Anyway, my point is this. If you give me the Moon Fragment, I’ll use it to make new Tea and Desserts. And those Teas and Desserts…”

“You’ll share them with the other Spirits and trigger change.”

“Exactly. Through the Yangjibareun Tea House, everyone can regain peace and happiness. That’s why I want you to supply me with the ingredients.”

“The Yangjibareun Tea House should already have most of the world’s ingredients.”

“Most, yes. But there are plenty missing.”

The deeper my knowledge of Tea grows, the more I realize this.

The Yangjibareun Tea House isn’t perfect in every way.

The ingredients I want aren’t always on hand, nor are the facilities.

Take the Ro Ka-il Flower, for example.

Exposing it to a heat of over 900 degrees creates a new effect.

It temporarily sharpens vision and relieves eye fatigue.

I want to bring out this effect and combine it with other Tea leaves, but the Tea House lacks the proper equipment.

If there were more beings like Udi, or if I had just the right ingredients at hand, I might be able to solve it.

But for now, I’m short-handed.

“If you all help, I’ll have access to more ingredients and be able to make a wider variety of Teas.”

“Tea made with everyone’s power…”

“I’m sure those Teas will help you harmonize your power. The problem you’re worried about, Yuae—we’ll be able to solve it.”

“Together…”

“Yes, together.”

Can a chef open a restaurant alone?

No.

You need interior designers, suppliers for your ingredients.

Unless you’re a true genius, you can’t do everything by yourself.

Yuae thought for a while before speaking.

“You realize, Chanseong Sajang, that what we do now will have a huge impact on the Spirit Realm.”

With those words, Yuae placed her hand on the Moon Fragment in my hand.

A white light flowed from Yuae’s hand and seeped into the Moon Fragment.

The Moon Fragment, which had been chipped when I used it for Tea, was restored to its original state.

Not only that, but it now seemed to emit a subtle glow.

“Chanseong Sajang, I’ll be watching to see if you can keep your word. If everything you said turns out to be a lie, you’ll have to be prepared.”

I put the Moon Fragment back in my pocket and took Yuae’s hand.

“I won’t let you regret this.”

***

After Yuae helped me, things got so busy I barely had time to think.

I sent Yuae back to the Spirit Realm first, then brought the children home.

The moment I got back, I started processing the rest of the meat.

If only I’d just asked the butcher to cut it up for me.

Hyeon Nammae’s prank really deserves payback.

“You little brats. Just wait and see, seriously.”

They’ll have to pay for making me do all this extra work.

After I put the last bit of meat into the refrigerator, I headed to the children’s room.

“Sleep well.”

The three children were, as always, sleeping close together.

Watching them for a moment brought a quiet smile to my face.

“Sweet dreams, kids.”

I whispered a gentle goodnight and turned to go.

But my destination wasn’t my bedroom—it was Grandfather’s study.

There was one reason I came here tonight.

“I need more information.”

To keep the promise I made to Yuae, to help the other Spirits, I needed to study.

And it wasn’t just knowledge about Tea.

I needed understanding and information about Spirits, and a lot of other things I was lacking.

‘I need to know more about the children.’

It was an obvious point, really.

You can’t make Spirits happy without knowing anything about them.

“That was true with Yuae, too.”

I didn’t know anything about the moon, so I had no idea how to help.

But after I gained at least a little understanding about the moon—about the nature and properties of Yuae’s power, its origin and principle—I was able to get my bearings.

So now, my next task is clear.

“Studying Spirits comes first.”

What kinds of Spirits are in the Spirit Realm? Where does their power come from, and how is it born and disappears in nature?

Even further, how did the existence of higher Spirits come about, and what is the Spirit Realm itself?

I needed to know.

“The problem is, where and how do I find all this out…?”

It’s not something you’d find in an encyclopedia.

How many people even know that the Spirit Realm exists?

Still, I’m not worried.

This place will guide me to the right book, as always.

Just as it always has.

I wandered around the study with no particular aim.

It felt like drifting on the open sea, but at the same time, it was warm and cozy, like being in Grandfather’s arms.

Maybe that’s why.

Whenever I was with Grandfather, it was always the same.

I could find what I was looking for.

***

“This one, huh.”

A bookshelf came into view.

One book, in particular, caught my eye.

Just like when I found Grandfather’s diary, or books about the moon.

I walked up to the shelf and took down the book.

“A home is needed. A place that can solve all the problems the Spirit Children might face as they grow, a home that will also serve as a resting place and haven for my son. This is…”

It was Grandfather’s diary, from the time he first met me.

This was the second volume of Grandfather’s diary.

The date seemed to be right after he first met me.

Since he referred to me as ‘son’.

I leaned against the shelf and slowly started reading the diary, my feelings a mix of wonder and nostalgia.

< I’m not sure what form the house should take. The Spirit Children feel uncomfortable in the Human Realm. I need to create a place where those children can naturally fit in. >

Flip.

< Let’s include things the children like. If I weave in things closest to nature… What would those be? >

Flip.

< Metren gave me the answer: Tea. Tea is closest to natural things, and I can use ingredients from the Spirit Realm. But Metren, I don’t have good hands. You did that on purpose, didn’t you? >

…Metren.

It was the first time that name appeared in Grandfather’s diary.

It could be a person’s name or a Spirit’s.

Either way, it was clear this person had a connection with Grandfather.

I made sure to remember that name and kept flipping through the book.

Flip.

< Metren dismissed my complaints in one word: ‘Can’t you even do that much for the kids?’ Honestly, Metren needs to cool that temper of his. >

Flip.

< But yes, Metren is right. What wouldn’t I do for the children? For those adorable and beautiful children, and my beloved son. I’d devote my whole life if needed. >

Flip.

< So starting tomorrow, I’m going to learn Tea from Metren. I’m not confident, but I’ll give it a try. If I make a bad Tea, I can just have Metren drink it. >

Flip.

What should I name the First House?

Flip.

< Yes, that’s good. The warmest and most comfortable resting place. There’s no better word for healing. >

On the last page, there was a single, short word.

With a trembling voice, I read that line out loud.

“Yangjibareun Tea House. This will be the home for everyone.”