Chapter 31

“Shall we head to Gyeongbokgung now, then.”

“…….”

Gyeongbokgung, he says.

‘I took my class there for a field trip a few times. The kids hated it, saying it was boring….’

Recalling that boisterous time, I asked.

“Did you say there was a night market?”

“That’s right, there’s no better place to feel the Korean atmosphere.”

“It sounds like it will be fun.”

“Do you want to try a hanbok (korean clothing) there?”

“A hanbok….”

Memories that were not so old bubbled up.

I had never gone out of my way to visit unless it was a school-organized trip, but still, Gyeongbokgung had the fun of dressing the kids in hanbok and taking pictures of them.

‘Especially the last class I was in charge of, they even showed me a spectacular court intrigue in real time.’

I was lost in reminiscence.

The bloody battle between Her Majesty the Queen and the eunuch had been the highlight.

Thanks to having been in charge of cute and noisy students, I had many good memories of Gyeongbokgung.

I had never worn a hanbok myself as I was the one leading them, but that didn’t mean I disliked the experience of trying one on.

“That sounds good.”

“It does?”

At my response, Mr. Yu Seong-un inwardly sighed in relief.

‘I was worried he might find it unpleasant to change his attire, since his essence is that of a portrait.’

Fortunately, I seemed to be the type who didn’t have a great aversion to various experiences.

“Alright, I know a good place.”

“Are you talking about a hanbok rental?”

“That place doesn’t have many people, so it should be fine to take our time.”

“I am looking forward to it.”

“Then shall we get on the overground train? It should be arriving at the stop soon.”

“Is there a set arrival time?”

“It’s not a mode of transport that comes that often….”

As he led me to the stop, Mr. Yu Seong-un was lost in a strange thought.

‘He introduced himself as Jio, so I thought he was imitating Korean culture, but was the culture he was imitating not Korean?’

The table manners I had shown at the restaurant were ambiguous to be considered Korean.

No matter how you looked at it, they were closer to Western-style, which was peculiar considering my previous remarks that made me seem well-versed in Korea.

“…Hmm.”

But at this point, it didn’t matter.

“How was the restaurant?”

“It was delicious.”

“That’s a reaction that makes the guide feel proud.”

When my class of existence was so high, it was difficult to see what kind of expression I was making with that face, but now, he could tell that I was enjoying the situation in my own way.

‘Thanks to that, the tour is going smoothly.’

Mr. Yu Seong-un continued his thoughts.

‘He’s acting quite human-like, so as long as other Hunters don’t try to pick a fight, there shouldn’t be any problems. According to Guild Master Bisabeol, Jio is the type to avoid friction as much as possible….’

I voiced my impression.

“The overground train passes through buildings.”

“Isn’t it more convenient for commuting that way? It’s convenient if it drops you off right inside the building.”

“That is true.”

“After two more stops, there's a stop that goes right through a department store.”

“Are there no noise issues?”

“Well, it’s been soundproofed. The magic department would know what exact treatment was done….”

Seeing me enjoy everything he guided me to, it seemed I liked this human world.

‘A man close to 190 cm tall could look childish acting like that.’

The line of his turned neck or the fingers gently touching the window strangely did not look childish.

It was true that I was quite enjoying myself, but it felt less like the pure admiration of a child and more like that of a severe bystander.

‘Is it because of the heavy atmosphere?’

Not smiling on an equal footing, but rather, with his hands behind his back, looking down from somewhere….

“Are we getting off soon?”

“Ah, that's right.”

Mr. Yu Seong-un got off with me at Gyeongbokgung Station.

He pointed below the platform and said.

“This is Gyeongbokgung.”

One of the advantages of the overground train was that it offered a clear view of the city's scenery.

Sky lanterns, floating gently at a not-too-high altitude, swayed as if they were alive and below them were Gyeongbokgung Palace and the hanok village.

Perhaps because of the characteristic of lighting the night with fire instead of electricity, the entire area was filled with a gentle light.

People who had stopped by after work or had come for sightseeing were buying and eating food at the night market stalls lined up inside and outside Gyeongbokgung.

The hanboks they wore, matching their desired roles, fluttered even in the winter wind.

Mr. Yu Seong-un, who had waited until I had taken in the entire view, opened his mouth.

“If you've come to Seoul, you have to stop by Gyeongbokgung. It's a world-famous tourist spot, you know.”

“…….”

“Why? Is it too crowded and hectic?”

“No, I just did not think the atmosphere would be this good.”

“I'm glad you don't seem to dislike it. Then we should enjoy it too.”

Mr. Yu Seong-un took a direct elevator down and led me to the hanok village.

In the not-so-wide alleys, people, some wearing hanbok and some not, were milling about.

The winter hanboks rented from rental shops are all treated for warmth.

Perhaps because of that, people's attire was not very thick even in the middle of winter.

“Come this way, let's change our clothes first.”

“Are we going to a place that rents hanboks?”

“That’s right, if we want to enjoy it properly, we need to prepare a few things.”

The Gyeongbokgung village, with its intertwined hanoks, was a place where a novice could easily get lost, but since he had been there a few times before, it was easy to find.

Tourist spots with many such ‘stories’ were overflowing with work for Mr. Yu Seong-un.

‘…Is he rather excited today? It doesn't seem like he'll cause trouble, but he's quite active, unlike usual….’

‘Stories’ came into view, pretending to clear snow from the roof of a hanok, or perhaps mimicking a scholar or a noble lady while also wearing a hanbok.

“…….”

Mr. Yu Seong-un, having confirmed the thing wearing a wooden mask, turned his gaze away.

They generally didn't attack first, but the ones at Gyeongbokgung were not the kind you wanted to make eye contact with for long.

A courtyard with plenty of silk hung up and gentle-colored lanterns hanging from the ends of the eaves.

Mr. Yu Seong-un pulled me, who was silently admiring the surroundings, inside a hanok.

“Ma'am.”

“Oh my, isn't it Mr. Seong-un.”

A middle-aged woman, beautifully dressed in a flower-dyed hanbok, welcomed him.

“It's been a while. Entertaining a guest again?”

“It's a company-level guest, so I need to be more mindful.”

“Then our house's hanbok is perfect.”

The woman smiled elegantly and looked back at me.

“Is this the guest?”

“We'll be walking around the night market more than playing games, so please pick out something comfortable.”

“Why not enjoy the games? They're doing a lot of fun things this time.”

“We've been walking around all day, so I'm completely drained.”

“Then I'll have to dress you up as a scholar, right? Let's go with a light scholar's robe, since it'll be uncomfortable if the clothes are too thick or heavy.”

“That sounds good.”

Mr. Yu Seong-un said to me.

“What do you want to do about your face? Is it better to keep it covered, or….”

“I would like it to be covered.”

Please guarantee the anonymity of the portrait.

I was intimidated by the larger-than-expected crowd.

I, who always wished to be far from people's attention, wanted to cover my face to block their gazes.

He didn't know my timid heart, but in any case, Mr. Yu Seong-un guessed that I wouldn't like a hectic and noisy situation. He understood roughly and asked the owner.

“Do you have a mask?”

“Should I give you a generous one?”

“That would be more comfortable, right? Yes, please.”

“Then let's pick out the clothes first.”

The owner looked at me and asked.

“Could you take off your cape for a moment? It's fine if you keep wearing it later, but I need to see your build to choose a hanbok.”

“Understood.”

I obediently took off the cape and draped it over my arm.

Having listened diligently, I looked at the owner proudly.

“…….”

“…….”

“…Ma'am.”

Mr. Yu Seong-un called out to the owner, who had turned into a stone statue.

“The guest will run away at this rate.”

“…Oh my, I've made a disgrace of myself.”

The owner finally reacted.

“The guest is so handsome that my breath stopped for a moment.”

“Don't say strange things to my guests.”

“He has a great frame for clothes, so it's a pleasure to choose such a handsome guest. Please wait just a moment.”

Not long after, the owner came out with two young women, pushing two hangers with hanboks on them.

One side had hanboks with a cool blue hue, and the other side had hanboks that were mostly achromatic.

“Both are silk woven from our house's silkworms. They're smooth and won't irritate the skin.”

“The blue one must be mine, right? Isn't it a cold color for winter?”

“I only brought the clothes that would suit you best. Who else but you, Mr. Seong-un, would wear such a color in winter?”

“I'm not sure if I'm being taken advantage of….”

“I'd be grateful if you could do a little promotion while you're walking around in it. Anyway, Hunters have such great frames for clothes.”

The owner looked back at me.

“Seeing as you're dressed so lightly in this winter, you must be a Hunter, right? Our hanboks are made to be sturdy and light so that Hunters can move around without any problems, so don't worry.”

“I was not worried.”

In the first place, I wasn't even a Hunter.

‘Would it be strange to say I'm not, now?’

The owner smiled, fanning herself with a fan.

“Hunters don't really like cumbersome clothes, so I was just being considerate. Seeing as I don't recognize your face, you must be unofficial or have gotten your license not too long ago, right?”

“…….”

“It's okay if you don't want to say. Seeing as you want to keep your face covered, you must hate having your personal information exposed. I'll hide you very stylishly.”

Personal information exposed?

‘I guess it’s common for the job of a Hunter to have their personal information exposed?’

What a scary world this is.

Deciding to ask Mr. Yu Seong-un later, I draped the black hanbok recommended by the owner, who had her hair stylishly put up with a hairpin, around myself.

A black short-sleeved outer robe (dapo) with a grey formal outer robe (dopo). The waist tie was a clean white.

“If you're going to Gyeongbokgung, you have to wear a hat, too. There, it suits you well. It would also look great with a lot of pendant (norigae). This one is made of coral, try one on.”

“Thank you.”

“This is a scarf. Oh my, white suits you so well. It's pretty, maybe because your skin is so clear. This is a purse to put old Korean coins (yeopjeon) in when you go inside, tie it well so it doesn't fall off, okay?”

“…….”

“Alright, and a head covering.”

I was a little taken aback by the wide, jet-black cloth. I knew what a head covering was, but I had never used one before.

“…How should I wear this?”

“I'll have to help you. Ms. Dan-woo, please put the head covering on our handsome guest.”

“Yes, Ma'am.”

A young woman wearing a pink ribbon came over and wrapped the black cloth around my hat.

Strangely, I could see in front of me as if nothing was covering my view.

“You said you'll be mostly walking around the night market. Then you'll be eating often, and it would be inconvenient if your mouth is covered with a mask. For people who don't want to reveal their identity, a long head covering like this is perfect.”

“…….”

“A customer with your kind of aura might be recognized, but your clothes are so flashy and you have so many things attached, who would look at your face that closely?”

“I see.”

“The scarf is so thick that it covers most of your lower face, so with this, you've covered everything you need to cover. Enjoy our village with a comfortable heart, scholar-nim.”

Mr. Yu Seong-un, who had changed into a blue-toned hanbok on one side, asked the owner.

“We'd like to buy some lanterns, too.”

“Oh my, you're really going all out, aren't you? What kind of lantern do you like?”

“I haven't really thought about it. What's the most popular these days?”

“Well, the young ladies do like the moon lanterns.”

“Uh… what about men? We're not young ladies.”

“Do you think it's common for two men like you, Mr. Seong-un, to come and play by yourselves?”

After thinking for a moment, the owner called one of the ribbon-haired women.

“Ms. Hong-yeon, could you bring the fish tank?”

“Yes, Ma'am.”

The woman called Hong-yeon soon pushed over a large glass box.

Inside, several lanterns made of traditional hand made korean paper (hanji) were moving as if they were alive, submerged in light and the owner scooped up two small fish from among them with a net.

The finely fluttering things looked just like real fish.

“How about goldfish? They're small and subtle, so they won't be hard to carry around.”

“That's a good idea.”

I was experiencing culture shock.

‘The lanterns are alive?’

When Mr. Yu Seong-un said ‘lantern,’ I was thinking of a sky lantern you could hold in your hand or a hanging lantern.

But the goldfish lanterns that Mr. Yu Seong-un bought fluttered in the air, and soon, one of them settled next to my face.

“…….”

The lantern, wagging its tail, didn't hurt my eyes even when I looked at it directly.

“Then have fun, you two.”

The owner waved her hand and saw the two of them off.

Leaving the courtyard where silk was draped here and there, we could stand on the bustling village road again. Mr. Yu Seong-un called out to me as I looked around the village with interest.

“How is it, is it not uncomfortable?”

“It is very comfortable.”

“If you want to look around the village before going inside Gyeongbokgung, let's do that.”

“The village?”

“The village market closes earlier than Gyeongbokgung. The village lights will probably be off by the time we come out from the night market.”

“Then may we look around the village for a bit?”

“Of course.”

Mr. Yu Seong-un, who seemed unfamiliar with this environment, stopped by a fan shop.

“……?”

I blinked twice for a moment at a group of figures standing idly next to the shop, peeking around while wearing crude wooden masks.

Their movements weren't stiff, but they were uniform, like machines with commands inputted.

They didn't exactly look like people.

As I tilted my head, unable to identify them, Mr. Yu Seong-un spoke to the shop owner.

“Sir, please show me some fans here.”

“Aigoo, some fine scholars have come. What shall I show you?”

“Something sturdy would be good….”

“Then this one is the best.”

Soon turning my gaze away from the milling group of masks, I looked around the village market with curiosity.

‘All the shop merchants are wearing hanbok.’

Traditional hanbok, or modified hanbok Or there was a merchant who was wearing modern clothes inside but only had a durumagi on the outside.

They catered mainly to the tourists walking around in hanbok and matched their tune.

Mr. Yu Seong-un soon gifted me a black fan.

“Here, take it. You're dressed as a scholar, so you should have at least one fan.”

“…Is a fan an essential item for a scholar?”

“Maybe, maybe not. It's a souvenir without any special meaning.”

“Souvenirs from tourist spots are special.”

The fan, made of black ribs and cloth, was quite luxurious.

I wondered if a black fan would make me look too much like a grim reaper, but in any case, as someone who liked the color black, I obediently accepted it.

“The Gyeongbokgung village mostly sells souvenirs or food ingredients. They lay out chunks of meat or sell agricultural and marine products they've grown themselves. They're much fresher than the goods distributed from the provinces, so many people deliberately use the shops here.”

I nodded my head.

“The atmosphere is really nice.”

“Right?”

After wandering around the village for a long time, the two of them finally entered Gyeongbokgung.

“Wait, we have to exchange money before we go.”

“Money?”

“The owner gave you a purse. That's a basic service, for you to put old Korean coins (yeopjeon) in. Inside Gyeongbokgung, you can only use old Korean coins (yeopjeon) , so it's better to exchange as much as you'll use.”

“What happens if there's any left over?”

“You can take it as a souvenir, or you can get it back at the exchange office.”

Mr. Yu Seong-un soon came back with the purse filled to the brim.

“They say it's an old Korean coin (yeopjeon) that's been lightly modified, but it still has some weight to it.”

“Do people not find this method cumbersome?”

“Well? There might be people like that if you look for them, but people come here to enjoy this kind of atmosphere in the first place. The Gyeongbokgung merchants also like it because if they receive payment in old Korean coins ( yeopjeon) , they can receive more than the marked price.”

“How can they receive more?”

“The government supports the merchants.”

Mr. Yu Seong-un smiled faintly.

“That way, they'll utilize old Korean coins (yeopjeon ) more actively.”

“I see.”

“Here, take it. This is your identification tag.”

“……?”

There's a tag, too?

I could understand the old Korean coins (yeopjeon) since it would be used as currency, but what was the purpose of an identification tag?

When I looked at Mr. Yu Seong-un, he shrugged.

“A free pass.”

“Aha.”

That was very good.

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