Kim Jaewoo watched Aqua’s dance, mouth half open in awe. Even though her original size was different, Aqua was now so small she could be hidden in a palm.
He kept gasping in amazement, unable to understand how such overwhelming power could come from a body barely the size of a hand.
“Pororong.” (I suppose my abilities are rather exceptional.)
Seeing the humans’ admiration, Aqua launched even more dazzling attacks, taking down the monsters.
“Kyiiiiik!”
“Kkuweeeek!”
“Kkweeeek~!”
As sparks flew and the dying monsters screamed, the low-level monsters that had been sneaking closer around the belly scattered in terror.
Inside the massive bubble of water, monsters resembling electric eels were minced like fruit in a blender.
The once blood-murky water cleared as the monsters burned to ash and disappeared, leaving only colorful magic stones behind.
“Pia-!” (I’ll be taking those magic stones.)
Ris, who had been watching Ara use her powers to her heart’s content, saw her chance and moved.
She was itching to act, unable to stand by while her companion soaked up all the attention.
“Thanks, Ris.”
“Pit.” (Think nothing of it.)
Dozens of magic stones floated up in front of Roy. Roy gently stroked Ris’s shell.
“Wow. When you really become a Spirit Summoner, you can put on an incredible performance just standing still. In terms of efficiency, this is honestly the best I’ve seen.”
PD Shimjun, having checked the camera footage of the spirits’ feats, approached Roy and gave him two thumbs up.
But Shimjun’s voice was soon drowned out by Ber’s thunderous cry.
“Piiiii!” (Let’s eat now! I’m starving!)
Ber, completely shameless, flew over to the big boiling pot. He flapped his tiny wings, covering his obviously plump belly with them for all to see.
“Piiik!” (My stomach is about to stick to my back right now!)
“Hahaha. Is it just me or is Ber saying his stomach is all flat?”
Though he couldn’t understand Ber’s words, Shimjun’s intuition was spot on.
“……Yes.”
Just watching Ber’s antics was enough to make people think Roy always kept him hungry.
The embarrassment was all Roy’s.
Once Roy felt the situation had calmed down a bit, he went over to the pot and dropped in the pre-cut noodles.
“Hunters’ abilities really are amazing.”
The captain resumed slicing Amberjack Sashimi, having paused briefly. He cut the amberjack so generously that everyone on deck could eat their fill.
“Waaah……..”
Before they knew it, a feast had been laid out in the center of Mansunho. Yoo Jaeri, clutching her hungry stomach, let out a gasp of admiration.
The spicy, savory aroma of Seafood Ramen wafted through the air, and the glistening slices of Amberjack Sashimi shone invitingly.
And to top it off, the Cabbage Kimchi looked perfectly aged even at a glance.
Not just the spirits, but everyone watching the food looked about ready to drool.
A faint smile bloomed at the corners of the usually stoic captain’s lips.
“Everyone, dig in.”
“Thank you for the meal!”
“Piiik-!” (I’m going to eat a lot!)
Yoo Jaeri and Ber responded the loudest to the captain’s call, quickly grabbing their utensils.
“I’ll serve everyone one by one.”
The crew member in charge of the ramen took Ber’s bowl first, filling it to the brim with noodles and broth.
“Piii….…” (It seems a bit little…….)
Even though his bowl was filled to the point of overflowing, Ber still looked a little disappointed. But he did have some sense. He slumped his wings and quietly settled in a spot, looking at the long line of bowls waiting behind his.
“Pihiii-!” (Khaaah……! The broth is incredible!)
Ber plunged his beak into the bowl. Like a bird drinking water, he sipped the broth, tipped his head back, and let out a satisfied, refreshing cry.
“Hurry up and film. Don’t miss a single thing.”
Shimjun gestured quietly to all three cameras. Following Ber, the other spirits also received heaping bowls and began their own colorful eating shows.
It was a good thing they made ‘Spirit Mukbang’ the main content for this broadcast.
“I’d better try some myself.”
He’d meant to wait until filming was done, but—
Pihik, Pihiii, Pororong, Uum, Kyaa, Keu…….
All sorts of exclamations made his throat itch with anticipation. He had to try a sip of the broth before it got cold.
“Kheor-. Wow, Captain. This is amazing. This is the best ramen I’ve ever had!”
As the broth went down smooth and warm, Shimjun finally understood the spirits’ and everyone else’s reactions.
It was like after a night of heavy drinking, waking up and gulping down a steaming, spicy broth—it hit the spot.
“Aren’t you glad you tried this special experience?”
“Yeah.”
“Really.”
In fact, Roy hadn’t slept a wink all night, so he was more in need of sleep than food.
But floating on the sea at dawn, eating ramen and amberjack sashimi in the brisk sea air—this was a meal he’d remember for the rest of his life.
Hearing Roy’s words, Lee Doha and Kim Jaewoo, sitting on either side of him, nodded vigorously.
Their bowls were already scraped clean.
“So the ramen was that good……?”
***
When Red Team arrived at the lodging near the harbor, Kim Chan came running over.
He’d thought he was lucky not to have gone on the boat, but when he heard from the Production Crew about the ramen’s incredible taste, he couldn’t help but feel envious.
“We just had lunchboxes. I’m jealous.”
Lee Hajun chimed in, joining Kim Chan. The lunchboxes were good, but nothing could beat steaming hot ramen.
“We’ll be gathering in teams now.”
While Roy was chatting with his teammates, Shimjun called the cast members together.
“Pihit.” (I wonder what we’ll be doing today~)
Ber trotted ahead of Roy across the sand, leaving tiny footprints behind.
“Did everyone sleep well last night?”
“Yes!”
It wasn’t as comfortable as a real bed, but the tents were surprisingly cozy.
Red Team, who’d gotten up at dawn, looked refreshed. Just as Shimjun had promised, the special experience on deck had been more fun than expected.
“From today, the real missions begin.”
At Shimjun’s words, a faint tension appeared on the cast’s faces.
It was finally time.
“For the first mission, we’ll be working with some people for whom yellow is a perfect color.”
“People who look good in yellow?”
Why do I suddenly feel nervous…
At Shimjun’s mysterious words, Song Doyoon and Kim Chan whispered in voices barely picked up by the mics.
“There’s a yellow bus coming this way?”
While the cast puzzled over the hint, an adorably designed bus approached where the cameras were gathered.
“Oh, it’s just arrived.”
“Unless my eyes deceive me… isn’t that a kindergarten bus?”
Yoo Jaeri rubbed her eyes, thinking she must be seeing things. But even after blinking, the sight before her didn’t change.
“……Blue Sea Kindergarten.”
Lee Doha read aloud the letters written on the side of the bus. Were there really kids inside? The silhouettes behind the heavily tinted windows were all tiny.
“As expected of Hunter Idols, your eyesight is amazing. That’s right! For the first mission, your helpers will be friends from Blue Sea Kindergarten’s Sunlight Class, Sea Class, and Butterfly Class!”
The bus came to a stop right beside the cast. Roy swallowed nervously.
“Waaaah! The sea! The sea!”
“We see the sea every day.”
“Still!”
The noisy voices rang out even before the door opened. Roy had no immunity to children.
Rattle—
“Alright, everyone, let’s get off one by one.”
“Yes, teacher.”
The bus door opened and a gentle-looking teacher got off first, taking each child by the hand as they disembarked.
“How many kids are there?”
Song Doyoon’s jaw dropped as it seemed the endless stream of kids pouring from the bus would never stop.
They just kept coming.
Tiny kids, barely up to their waists, stepped out one by one, their numbers growing.
“Hello, children.”
“Yeees—.”
“Wow, are those all cameras?”
“The hyungs are so handsome.”
The kids were all about the same height, dressed in matching yellow hats and uniforms—probably their school outfits.
Huddled together in their cute outfits, they looked just like a flock of chicks.
“Kids, let’s all greet everyone together.”
“Yes.”
At the teacher’s cue, the kids all placed their hands together above their bellies. Dozens of bright, sparkling eyes made Song Doyoon and Yoo Jaeri clutch their hearts.
“They’re so cute…….”
Kim Chan’s cheeks flushed bright red.
“I hope the kids don’t get scared of me.”
Yoo Jaeri, often mistaken for a giant by children and having made them cry before, looked a little worried.
“One, two, three.”
“Hello!”
Their voices, like rolling glass marbles, tickled the adults’ ears.
“Pororong.” (Children really do have pure souls.)
As humans age, their souls usually become clouded. Seeing the children’s unblemished spirits, the spirits’ expressions softened.
“Thank you all for coming today.”
With a gentle smile, Shimjun greeted the children first. Roy caught the eye of a little girl and waved both hands.
“Hiiiii.”
The girl with twin braids chirped back, delighted that Roy had returned her greeting.
“Everyone’s curious about the first mission, right?”
“Mission? What’s a mission?”
“Quiet, please.”
No sooner had Shimjun spoken than the kids started chattering. The adults filming them couldn’t help but smile at their innocence.
Smiling fondly at the squabbling children, Shimjun revealed the mission.
“You’re going to build a play area where our special little guests can have lots of fun!”
Countless ideas flashed through Roy’s mind. But out of all those images, not a single thing suitable for children came to mind.
Wearing a troubled look, Roy glanced at the other Red Team members. Surely he wasn’t the only one feeling stuck—he hoped the others were just as lost. But then he spotted a faint smile forming on Han Honghyun’s lips.
If he wasn’t mistaken, it looked like someone had thought of a good idea.
“You have six hours from now to complete the mission.”
“Huh. That’s not much time!”
Song Doyoon confidently raised his right hand to object.
And no wonder—there was nothing but the vast sea, a beach, and a mountain leading up to a cliff nearby.
“Aigoo, I believe in your abilities!”