Chapter 116: Gyeongju

The rewards were none other than two Coin Shop Free Passes.

Each pass allowed for a discount of up to 4,000 coins. Since I received two, I had essentially gained a reward worth 8,000 coins—the equivalent of 1.6 billion won in cash.

After debating what to buy with them, I decided to save the free passes for later. Instead, I used my accumulated coins to purchase spirit stones and orbs. It had been a while since I’d gone shopping, and I wanted to get some gifts for the spirits.

I spent about 1,000 coins, but I didn’t feel it was a waste at all. The stronger they became, the easier my life would be.

I planned to give them the spirit stones and orbs once we arrived in Gyeongju. In the meantime, I drove toward the city, lost in thought. Often, while driving, I found myself slipping into contemplation.

Of course, I didn’t completely lose focus while driving. I kept my eyes on the road but used the time to organize my thoughts. For some reason, I felt I could think more clearly behind the wheel.

‘Is that why I enjoy driving?’

With my meddlesome personality, I had many loved ones to care for. In a way, the only time I had to think and rest on my own was when I was driving.

As I sped down the highway, I looked back on my life so far. From my lonely days without a family to the moment I began interacting with the Constellations. From there, I didn’t stop—I gained spirits, a daughter, became a Great Demon King, and even became a warrior who had regressed twenty-one times. I had connected other Hunters with Constellations and helped ordinary people become Hunters.

‘Hmm, I’ve worked pretty hard.’

I felt it once again. I needed to work even harder. It seemed traveling, meeting people, and helping them was my true calling. Although I used to want my own restaurant more than travel, I was starting to prefer the journey now.

‘Though I still want to have my own restaurant eventually.’

(Anonymous 1): Don’t you already have a restaurant?

(God of Rain and Sunlight): Hmm, that’s right. Jinwoo is the only human with his own private shop in the Coin Shop.

(Water God of Cheongha): He probably means he wants to sell food to both Constellations and humans.

Exactly.

Meeting people by chance during my travels was nice, but settling down in one place, creating a space of my own, and interacting warmly with those who visited seemed wonderful too. Once a long time passed and all the uncertainties disappeared, I would likely open that restaurant.

After finishing my chat with the Constellations at a rest stop, I started driving again.

Before long, I spotted the Gyeongju Interchange, featuring tiled roofs that made it unmistakable.

Once we entered Gyeongju, we headed straight for Hwangnidan-gil. It was the first place that came to mind when thinking of Gyeongju, and since it was packed with traditional hanok buildings and various amenities, it felt like the perfect spot to start our trip.

Some criticized the street for being a hasty creation that lacked tradition, while others praised it as a wonderful street where tradition and modernity coexisted within reasonable limits. I tended to lean toward the latter.

Getting out of the car and walking through Hwangnidan-gil myself, I found the hanok restaurants and modern roads blended together quite well. I liked it more than I expected. In fact, I wondered if I had always liked places like this.

Fortunately, it was a weekday. Normally, it would be packed with people, but thanks to the quiet weekday afternoon, there weren’t many tourists. I liked meeting people, but I didn’t like crowds.

How should I put it? It’s hard to walk in crowded places, and it drains my energy. Plus, it’s noisy.

“Daddy! That looks delicious!”

Byeol pointed at a snack called 10-won bread, a local specialty of Gyeongju. It was a snack shaped like a ten-won coin with cheese inside. It was a delicacy—crispy on the outside with a salty, harmonious cheese filling.

A good idea struck me, so I knelt down to match Byeol’s eye level.

“Byeol, I’m going to give you an allowance. You can buy whatever you want with this money. But once it’s all gone, you won’t be able to buy any more snacks or toys, okay?”

“…!”

It was time to teach her some financial responsibility.

(Returnee of the Demon Realm): That’s a good method. For Byeol, who is getting smarter by the day, this kind of education is quite important.

“Ooh… I understand!”

Byeol nodded with a look of great determination. I immediately went to a nearby stationery store, bought a coin purse, and handed it to her. I purposely exchanged the money for 1,000-won bills and gave her a total of 30,000 won.

(Anonymous 1): Isn’t that a lot for an allowance?

‘It’s a lot considering Byeol’s age, but with the way prices are these days…’

And this was a trip, after all. I believed that if you’re going on a trip, you should do it right.

“Byeol, I’m giving you a lot because we’re on a trip. Usually, kids don’t get this much money, okay?”

“Yes! I’ll be careful with it!”

“Good girl.”

I patted Byeol’s head.

“I’ll buy our meals, so just use your money for the toys and snacks you want, alright?”

“Yes! Thank you!”

— Byeol is amazing! She looks rich!

— You’re right!

— Hehe, you’re so cool!

Byeol grinned at the spirits’ praise.

“Right? Don’t I look cool?”

Byeol puffed out her chest.

***

Byeol walked with an air of majesty. Her strides were as wide as the thirty 1,000-won bills inside her wallet. Every time she opened her purse, she saw it packed with cash, and a smile naturally formed on her face.

The 10-won bread cost 3,000 won. Byeol bought it without hesitation.

“Two, please!”

“Haha, how cute. Are you buying one for your dad?”

“Yes!”

“Byeol, are you buying one for me too?”

“Yes! Byeol will treat you—!”

(Anonymous 1): Wow! She was raised so well! What a filial daughter!

(God of Rain and Sunlight): 3,000 won isn’t cheap, yet she’s even looking out for Jinwoo. She really is a filial daughter.

(Water God of Cheongha): Our descendant raised his daughter right!

(Returnee of the Demon Realm): Indeed. Good job, my niece!

(Endless Waiting): It’s so cute how she takes such big steps with those short legs.

(Liberated Swordsman): Agreed.

(Warrior Who Lives Death): Throughout my twenty regressions, I’ve never seen a child as mature and cute as Byeol.

(Last Blacksmith): Man, she’s cute!

(The Last Chef): I want to make her a ton of delicious food.

“Thank you!”

The 10-won bread was served, and I took a bite while meeting Byeol’s eyes.

“!”

The outside was crispy and the inside was moist, making it taste like it had just been baked. Every time I chewed, a sweetness came through, followed by the salty and savory explosion of cheese. A deep umami flavor was melted throughout, and the strong, characteristic sweetness of the bread made it truly excellent. The taste was stimulating enough to be addictive.

“It’s yummy!”

“Right? It’s delicious! Thank you, Byeol. I’ll enjoy it.”

“Yes! Hehe, Daddy, tell me if you want more! I’ll buy it for you!”

“Haha, it’s okay. Save your allowance and buy what you want. Okay?”

“Okay!”

Byeol was a filial daughter, but she also loved spending money. To be more precise, she was a child who loved giving to others. To make sure our Byeol can live comfortably, I’ll have to earn a lot of money.

***

(Anonymous 1): This jerk… He already has so much money from shaking us down! He could live in luxury for the rest of his life without working another day!

(Water God of Cheongha): The more money, the better.

(God of Rain and Sunlight): But Jinwoo has an excessive amount of money! Don’t defend him!

(Father of Crops): Byeol is cute…

(Anonymous 1): This guy being one beat behind is so annoying.

(Father of Crops): Well, Jinwoo does have a lot of money. If you think about the coins he gets from our sponsorships every day, plus the profit from selling monster carcasses and mana stones after clearing dungeons…

(Returnee of the Demon Realm): Well, on a good day, he earns over a billion won.

(Anonymous 1): …That’s insane. You’re saying he earns in a day what others earn in a lifetime?

(God of Rain and Sunlight): And a guy like that only gave our Byeol 30,000 won?

(Water God of Cheongha): For a young child, that’s a lot. It’s an education to instill financial responsibility, isn’t it?

A debate broke out among the Constellations. Jinwoo ignored them and followed Byeol. Byeol ate some thick jjondigi sprinkled with a savory Gyeongju seasoning. This also cost 3,000 won, and she bought one for Jinwoo without a second thought.

She had already spent 12,000 won, but since she still had plenty of cash, she wasn’t worried. Buying what she wanted with her own money and buying snacks for her favorite dad—how happy was this!

Byeol was becoming addicted to the dopamine of spending. However, she didn’t just buy things recklessly; she began to spend carefully based on her own criteria. Seeing that, a proud expression appeared on Jinwoo’s face.

“I’m thirsty, but… drinks are too expensive! I’ll just drink water when we eat!”

(Anonymous 1): Whoa! Look how smart our Byeol is!

(Water God of Cheongha): Our Byeol is a genius! A genius!

However, when they reached a stationery store, Byeol’s feet came to a sudden halt. Crayons and sketchbooks! Objects that a child her age, who loved drawing, could never walk past.

Since Jinwoo had previously bought her high-quality crayons with many colors, she didn’t need those. But she really wanted a sketchbook. While playing with the spirits, Byeol often drew, and she was almost finished with her current sketchbook.

“Mister! How much is this?”

“Normally, it’s 30 million won!”

“…What?”

Byeol looked at Jinwoo. Her eyes were asking:

— Daddy, is this right?

Jinwoo’s eyes answered:

— The owner is just teasing you.

“Haha, what a cute kid. It’s 3,000 won.”

“Ah! Hehe, you scared me.”

The shop owner gave a wide grin, seemingly charmed by Byeol scratching her head and smiling.

“It’s a secret, but I’ll give it to you for 1,500 won!”

“Heh, thank you!!”

Using her cuteness as a weapon, Byeol had unknowingly negotiated the price down and smiled brightly. She opened her wallet, which she had been holding as if it were a precious treasure, and pulled out two 1,000-won bills with her tiny hands, handing them proudly to the owner.

“Here, 2,000 won!”

“Okay, let’s see. I should give you 500 won in change, right?”

At those words, Byeol’s fingers twitched as she thought for a moment.

“Yes! If you subtract 1,500 won from 2,000 won, it’s 500 million won!”

“Oh my. How can such a little lady be so good at math? Here is your 500 million won.”

Jinwoo was genuinely surprised by this. He hadn’t expected Byeol to make a joke like that. Seeing his young child show such a cute sense of humor toward adults made him feel incredibly proud as a father.

“Thank you!”

While Byeol put the 500-won coin into her wallet, Jinwoo also thanked the owner.

“Daddy, next is over there!”

Returning to the street, Byeol tucked the sketchbook under her arm and resumed her majestic walk. After walking a bit more and looking around, Jinwoo began to feel hungry.

“Daddy, I’m hungry!”

“Really? Let’s go eat.”

He was hungry himself, but since she had eaten several snacks, he thought she might not be. Her stomach must have emptied quickly.

It was 2:00 PM. To have a late lunch, Jinwoo entered an alley off Hwangnidan-gil.

If you walked straight down the alley next to the stationery store, there was a pasta restaurant. It was a famous spot recommended by Park Sang-ho when he heard Jinwoo was going to Gyeongju. It was a place he visited every time he went to the city.

‘He told me to try the spicy rose pasta and the steak pilaf.’

There were many items on the menu, but Jinwoo ordered according to the recommendation. Pilaf and pasta, with an extra order of steak.

While Jinwoo waited for the food with great anticipation, Byeol suddenly stood up.

“Daddy, my hands!”

“Your hands? Why?”

“I’m going to wash them. You have to wash your hands before you eat.”

(Water God of Cheongha): That’s right! Of course. Where did she learn to be so proper?

(Anonymous 1): *Sniff.* She’s already all grown up. I don’t even wash my hands properly.

(The Last Chef): By the way, if she’s a Spirit King, can’t she wash her hands with spirit arts?

(Anonymous 1): Read the room, will you?

Jinwoo ignored the Constellations’ fussing and stood up to follow her.

“No. I want to go alone.”

“You don’t want me to go with you?”

“Nope, I’ll go by myself.”

(Water God of Cheongha): You can’t keep her by your side forever, descendant. Since you’ve given her an allowance, let’s let her go alone this time.

Jinwoo found the logic sound and nodded.

“Alright, go ahead. Tell me if anything happens.”

“Okay.”

Byeol waddled toward the restroom.

“I knew it.”

A short while later, Byeol returned with the front of her shirt completely soaked.

(Anonymous 1): Aaaaah! Our Byeol, how can even the way she washes her hands be this cute?

(Water God of Cheongha): She’ll only be like this for a short time, so keep your eyes peeled, descendant.

“…Did you finish washing your hands?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s eat then. It just came out.”

As if it had been waiting for her, the food arrived at the table right as Byeol sat down. Feeling the full reward of having washed her hands, Byeol began to eat the food Jinwoo served her.

“It’s good! It’s so good!”

“You’re right, it’s delicious.”

The pasta was spicy enough that it might have been a bit much for Byeol. However, it was a delicious, chewy kind of spice that was very addictive. The pilaf had the savory taste of cheese and the flavor of the meat, which paired perfectly with the rice. The sauce and rice were a match made in heaven, fitting Byeol’s palate perfectly. As for the steak—well, there was no need for words.

‘Beef is always delicious.’

(Anonymous 1): Hmm, I’m going to receive a food offering from Jinwoo tonight.

(God of Rain and Sunlight): That’s the wise choice.

(Water God of Cheongha): Certainly… ordinary food doesn’t satisfy my taste buds these days.

(The Last Chef): In that case, try my cooking!

(Anonymous 1): Are you selling food in the Coin Shop too?

(The Last Chef): I just created my own private shop. Everyone, please try some. The price is a bit high… but I guarantee it will be delicious.

(Anonymous 1): It’s cheaper than Jinwoo’s shop.

The Constellations began to eat The Last Chef Lewis’s food for lunch. Jinwoo decided he would try some of Lewis’s food later and felt secretly expectant.

After finishing lunch, Byeol and Jinwoo stepped back out onto the street. They were walking around Hwangnidan-gil a bit more to digest their meal when—

“Gasp!!”

Byeol looked shocked.

“Byeol, what’s wrong?”

“Daddy… I think I lost my wallet…”

Byeol spoke with a tearful face.