Chương 87: S.05 Time to Fly 03(01)_Modification

Scene 01_01. Ji-young wore a deep navy 철릭(Cheollik_Traditional coat-dress) and adjusted the 옷고름(Otgoreum_Traditional coat-ties). She tugged at the ties while standing, then, as if a stray thought of discomfort crossed her, she settled herself onto the 보료(Bo-ryo_cushioned mat), pulled the 경대(Gyeong-dae_Traditional mirror-stand) closer, and inspected the ties through the mirror.

Setting the corrected ties behind her, she ran a hand over the slight 가편(Ga-pyeon_Hair-piece add-on) at the back of her head, fixing the ornaments into place. With a small clearing of her throat, she shot to her feet. White 버선(Beoseon_Korean Traditional socks) crossed the wide room in long unhesitating strides, and just as she was about to fling the door open and step out, she sensed a familiar presence beyond it.

Ji-young, who had been about to throw on her 두루마기(Durumagi_Traditional outer coat), halted her preparations mid-motion and yanked the door open first. Beyond it stood Hee-jin, fully dressed in a deep purple 한복(Han-bok_Traditional Korean dress). Hesitation lingered in her expression for a moment, and Hee-jin's startled eyes met Ji-young's.

She bowed hurriedly in greeting, unable to manage a word, and as she stood there fumbling, Ji-young let out a small sigh, took in Hee-jin's get-up, and slowly let the corner of her mouth twitch upward. Ji-young: You're really going to go pickle yourself? This soon? At Ji-young's teasing question, Hee-jin flustered and shook her head, unable to answer. Hee-jin: It is just... since the Oldest is going, I cannot exactly not go....

And yet, the moment I think of going, it already feels as though one of my ears has gone deaf.... At Hee-jin's hesitation — a touch unlike her usual self — Ji-young let out a small cough and reached again for the outer coat hanging on the rack. Fully dressed now, Ji-young abruptly took Hee-jin's hand and strode briskly across the wooden floor.

Chae-rim, who had been stationed under the opposite eaves just moments ago, suddenly appeared and set Ji-young's 수화자(Suhwaja_Korean Traditional Battle boots) onto the 댓돌(Dat-dol_Stepping stone). Chae-rim: As you instructed, I shall remain inside, the Oldest. But will you truly be all right? Ji-young released Hee-jin's hand and dropped onto the edge of the wooden floor, slipping on the boots set on the stepping stone. The heels were rather tall, but not so different from what Ji-young usually wore.

She fastened the ankle-boot-like Battle boots and sprang to her feet. Looking down at Chae-rim, who stood beside the stepping stone, Ji-young spoke in a flat, indifferent voice. Ji-young: Actually, since I feel bad for canceling your leave, don't follow me — just hold down my place from inside. As for me — Standing on the wooden floor, Ji-young glanced back at Hee-jin, who was still shifting on her feet as though she had not made up her mind. Ji-young: Uh... so, I do not think I will be going alone, but...

am I going alone? At Ji-young's pointed glance disguised as a question, Hee-jin dug through the thick pocket of her outer coat and produced a car key. A small gesture of her hand, and a faint chirp of an alarm sounded from the north gate parking lot behind Ji-young's quarters. Hee-jin's wordless confirmation. Ji-young: See? And I'll be going with the kids too, so just keep watch in here. Just in case. Really, just in case. We'll roll over today's lost leave onto your annual leave. Chae-rim: Understood.

Ji-young waved Chae-rim off — telling her not to see them out — and stepped down from the stepping stone. Hee-jin hurriedly fixed her own 운혜(Unhye_Everyday traditional shoes) that she had set on the stone and followed in Ji-young's wake. Chae-rim slipped her form back into the shadow of the building. Scene 01_02. A rather bright sunlight came streaming in. So-hui, already dressed and ready, had tied her long hair up high.

The ornaments Gyeong-seo had given her — two pairs of small butterflies, one white, one black, finely wrought — she tucked into the apple-shaped knot of her hair. Four small butterfly ornaments in all. Catching sight of her own reflection in the mirror, drape of her own hair holding the ornaments for the first time, So-hui felt a strange flicker of emotion at the surprisingly presentable figure she cut.

Si-yeon walked out into the living room, glanced at So-hui's ornaments, and pulled her lips down in a dramatic pout. It was Si-yeon's way of telegraphing: unexpected. Gyeong-seo: Hey. You sit down too. There's one more here. As Gyeong-seo came down from the second floor, tossing the suggestion at the pouting Si-yeon in a grumbling tone, Si-yeon promptly plopped herself down onto the living room floor.

Yeon-su, who had come down right behind Gyeong-seo, spotted the butterfly ornaments — identical to her own — and pointed her finger back and forth between her own hair and Si-yeon's. Yeon-su: What, what is this. Why does Si-yeon sis get those ornaments too? No way, am I... So-hui: You haven't been kicked out, so stop worrying and come down. Hurry. Yeon-su came down on long, wobbling legs, eyes fixed on the ornaments settling into Si-yeon's long hair.

She studied the silver ear cuffs riding along Si-yeon's smooth earlobe and ear-ridge, then compared them with the cuffs at her own ears. At a glance the same — but in truth, slightly different. So-hui: Probably, once we get to the Headquarters, this will be made official — Just as So-hui's explanation was about to continue, the intercom in the living room chimed with a familiar presence on the other end. So-hui rose from where she sat and, without even checking the intercom, simply threw the door open.

Gyeong-seo and Yeon-su, who had been seated, hastily got to their feet to receive Ji-young and Hee-jin as they stepped in. Both bowed deeply first, and Ji-young waved her hand to dismiss the greeting. Ji-young: I mean, can you believe — she said she couldn't go, and then ended up staging a sit-in right outside my door? I had to drag her out by force. At Ji-young's scolding tone, Hee-jin had no rebuttal to offer. Hee-jin: I... um. Yes. Ji-young and Hee-jin stepped inside in their traditional dress.

Ji-young flopped down in the living room — practically sprawled — glanced at the 한복(Han-bok_Traditional Korean dress) Gyeong-seo was holding, then looked back at Hee-jin still standing motionless, and spoke in her indifferent drawl. Ji-young: Aren't your legs sore? You drove for a long time getting here. Hee-jin: Ah, I, well. Yes. I am fine. The two of them will be wearing the garments for the first time, so I thought I would help dress them.

Ji-young nodded, adjusted her sprawled posture a fraction, and roughly smoothed down the long skirt hem of her dress. As So-hui and Si-yeon were about to head into their respective rooms, with Gyeong-seo and Hee-jin springing up to assist them, Yeon-su sidled over to Ji-young and asked, hesitant. Yeon-su: So, um, the Oldest. Am I really getting fi — Ji-young: I knew it, the Twig was gonna do this. Argh! Jo So-hui, see? I told you, just come early and get formally appointed already. You two never listen either.

Yeon-su wrinkled her nose, openly distressed. So-hui and Hee-jin, Si-yeon and Gyeong-seo — all paused at the doors of their rooms. Si-yeon was the first to fire back at Ji-young. Si-yeon: Don't blame me. I'm just doing what So-hui wanted. So-hui: Hey, are you sliding this onto me now? When you were the one acting like there was no way in hell you'd ever go, complaining about how uncomfortable it is over there? Yeon-su pressed Ji-young again.

Yeon-su: Then why is, um, why is Si-yeon sis — Ji-young: So-hui's going to need one more Secret Agent, and I'm putting Si-yeon in as her dedicated one. Si-yeon: But wait, then am I, like — am I going to have to do all that 'speak in respectful talk like the older sises' and 'bow down all the time'?? Ji-young: That goes without saying. Si-yeon: Ah. That. That's gonna be hella hard. Hee-jin: Even so, you will pick it up quickly. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent.

Report any appearances on Amazon. Si-yeon: Then, sis — so, like, when So-hui tells me to bow, I have to bow? When she tells me to run, I have to run? Like some lackey?? Hee-jin: Ah, um, that, that part is — Ji-young: Since when does the Twig ever do that?? When does she ever go running around at my word?? Si-yeon: Hmm. Haven't seen that yet, true. Ji-young: It's just the only way to keep the two of you together long-term. Lee Si-yeon's not gonna last as a freeloader cooped up in here, anyway. You'd die of boredom.

Si-yeon ran through the catalogue of trouble she'd be free to cause, then nodded. Si-yeon: Now that you mention it, yeah. Ji-young: So, while you're sticking with So-hui — Ji-young hauled her sprawled body upright with effort. Ji-young: Just be happy, would you. Scene 02. The Headquarters did not consist solely of old 한옥(Hanok_Traditional Korean house) buildings.

The administrative wing was a fairly tall building, its exterior tinted to imitate the inlay of 나전칠기(Najeon-chilgi_Mother-of-pearl lacquerware) — a modern structure in full. Beside the wide twelve-story tower stood a two-story Situation Room building from which every part of the Headquarters could be surveyed, along with a multi-vision wall showing the feeds from each CCTV.

From the tall administrative wing planted nearly at the dead center of the Headquarters grounds, Jeong-in walked with a dragging step, dressed in traditional clothes. As she stepped out of the building, scratching at her ear, I-seon — who had just finished her shift in the Situation Room — stretched and yawned wide and threw a hand-gesture greeting at Jeong-in. At the casual flag, Jeong-in raised her own hand in return and walked over to her. Jeong-in: Nothing went down on your shift today, sis?

I-seon: That's why I'm yawning my way out. Jeong-in: Go get some sleep. Good work. At Jeong-in's habitual send-off, I-seon nodded. She stretched once more, drawing herself out, and let her gaze linger for a moment on the people moving through the Headquarters in their traditional dress. I-seon: Everyone's on alert, so even on a weekend it's not exactly quiet around here. Jeong-in: Still, you were granted leave to go out, weren't you. I-seon nodded.

She raised her hand once more in a perfunctory wave and turned, plodding along in her Everyday traditional shoes toward her sleeping quarters. I-seon: Wake me if anything happens. With Hee-jin gone too, I'll just be lying there with my eyes shut. Jeong-in: What am I, a wraith? I'll handle it, so go sleep some more, please. After confirming I-seon's retreating back, Jeong-in stepped into the two-story Situation Room building. The Situation Room building was not an old Traditional Korean house either.

After passing through a fairly cozy modern cement corridor, Jeong-in opened the steel door and stepped inside. The interior was draped with CCTV screens showing every part of the Headquarters in plain view. Two members of the Guard Corps Officer staff who had been on Situation Room duty sat in their seats. The Guard Corps Officers, who had been monitoring the screens, rose from their seats and bowed at the waist to Jeong-in. Jeong-in waved them off and motioned for the two officers to sit again.

She settled herself in the central seat in front of the bank of monitors and skimmed the log I-seon had left behind. Jeong-in: Nothing happened overnight, right? Guard Corps Officer_01: No. The Officer was grumbling that there wasn't even anything to hand off. Jeong-in: She's grumbling because she couldn't play games. Lately she's been losing every single day to Soo-a sis, Eun-jae sis — no, to the Oldest too. The corner of Jeong-in's mouth twitched upward.

With that ever-ready-to-tease look, the corners of her mouth permanently lifted, Jeong-in's voice drew small coughs from the two Guard Corps Officers as they tried to swallow their laughter. Jeong-in: Still, be careful. They've told us the Oldest's outing today is no easy matter. That's why we're all on full alert. Guard Corps Officer_02: Understood. After skimming through the mostly blank log, Jeong-in picked up a pen, spun it between her fingers in idle dexterity, and fixed her gaze on the screens.

The "this is a pain" expression on Jeong-in's face was, in truth, no different from I-seon's. Scene 03_01. Ji-young: So you're saying they pitched their game somewhere around here yesterday? Inside Hee-jin's wide SUV: Hee-jin at the wheel, Yeon-su in the passenger seat, and Ji-young in the back. So-hui, Si-yeon, and Gyeong-seo rode together in Si-yeon's car, tailing the SUV from behind. The thunderous roar of Si-yeon's engine carried far enough to rattle the body of Hee-jin's car.

Clear morning sunlight came spilling in from the right side of the vehicle. At Ji-young's question, Yeon-su — riding shotgun — turned her gaze to the rearview mirror to face Ji-young's reflection. Yeon-su: Yes. It wrapped up quickly, but — Ji-young: I got the report. About fifteen minutes, was it. Yeon-su: Si-yeon sis is really getting good at it now. Ji-young: She's got something to protect again. What had sounded like an offhand remark in Ji-young's voice carried no small weight inside it.

Nodding as if in agreement, Yeon-su looked at the road — clear today, no congestion — and scanned the windshield ahead for those same black clouds from yesterday. After clearing the highway tollgate at the exit, Hee-jin's car picked up its pace. Driving in heeled traditional shoes was evidently uncomfortable, so Hee-jin had stripped them off and was working the pedals in slippers. The tips of her white socks peeked out a touch from under the slipper straps.

As they drew nearer, Hee-jin kept driving in unbroken silence. To lighten the air growing heavier by the minute, Ji-young raised her voice with a deliberate lilt. Ji-young: Aren't you hungry? The Strategist? The moment Ji-young's question landed, twin growls rose from Ji-young's and Hee-jin's stomachs almost in unison. Hee-jin took the cue to cough out an awkward clearing of the throat and answered with the voice of someone who hadn't spoken in a while. Hee-jin: I...

well, I distinctly recall having a hearty breakfast. Why my stomach should be making such sounds, I cannot quite — Ji-young: There was a mart on the way. Want to stop and grab something? You probably won't be able to eat anything at that place. Hee-jin let out a small sigh and shook her head. Hee-jin: With the Oldest preparing to eat there herself, how could I duck out to eat separately on my own? Besides, if I were to insist on stopping now, the others would be made to wait. I am fine.

I shall eat together with everyone once we arrive. Ji-young: Thanks. For coming with me. At Ji-young's gratitude, slipped in as though it were merely passing through, Hee-jin tightened her grip on the steering wheel a fraction. Ji-young: You must have agonized over it right up to the end. Hee-jin: I had already resolved to come. I had to. If anything, I am of the view now that I should not have wavered at all. At Hee-jin's drawn-out answer, Ji-young did not press the thread further.

From the back seat, Ji-young gazed out beyond the narrowing rural road as it followed the quieting countryside. Glancing sideways with a casual turn of her head, the corner of Ji-young's mouth lifted faintly. Ji-young: They're already here. At Ji-young's words, Yeon-su, riding shotgun, twisted her head to follow Ji-young's line of sight. Nothing was visible — just the deep gully of mountain ridges.

Unlike Yeon-su, who failed to spot anything, Hee-jin asked Ji-young — who appeared to have anticipated this — in a quiet murmur. Hee-jin: Will you meet them now? Ji-young shook her head. Ji-young: First we pay our respects to the Bishop, and ease the hunger a little. They've already finished their preparations. The least we can do is prepare ourselves a touch more. Hee-jin: Understood. Scene 03_02.

Si-yeon's vehicle, which had been trailing Hee-jin's spacious SUV at a measured distance, kicked its engine into a more savage note. The thunderous exhaust grew louder to match Si-yeon's deft footwork and her practiced hand on the gearstick. From the passenger seat, So-hui glanced sideways. Toward the same western ravine Ji-young had looked at. Having seen the same thing, So-hui let out a small sigh. So-hui: They're here. So-hui's small voice was not inaudible. Si-yeon nodded at So-hui's grumbled aside.

Si-yeon: You said they would be. So-hui: Gyeong-seo. At So-hui's call, Gyeong-seo — who had been watching the outside from the back seat — gathered her traditional dress hem and leaned forward toward the front seat. So-hui: Today's job. You haven't forgotten? Gyeong-seo: Do I look like Lee Si-yeon to you? Si-yeon: What the SSibal, this crazy bitch dragging me into it again. So-hui: Still. Stay careful, always. At So-hui's careful caution, Gyeong-seo nodded.

Gyeong-seo: That motherless piece of shit is gonna keep being a fucking piece of shit right to the end. Not even a scrap to scrape off him. So-hui: That's how it's been decided. That's how we set it up, and that's the reason she was driven out. I just... I just hope sis doesn't get hurt too badly. At So-hui's quietly weighted wish, no one answered. Only small sighs, drawn without words. Si-yeon's grip on the steering wheel closed a notch tighter. Si-yeon: So, after today — what happens? It was a careful question.

Of all the questions no one had been able to ask, it was Si-yeon, perhaps the only one who could ask it, and So-hui drew the words she had buried deep up slowly, with difficulty. So-hui: The seats of the elders — from now on, we have no choice but to take them up ourselves. Scene 03_03. The two vehicles, Ji-young's party split between them, were tearing down the dirt road at speed.

The two cars ran side by side, catching the clear midday light as they sped along, and the enormous front gate carved in the form of a 도깨비(Dokkaebi_Goblin) loomed closer and closer. Hee-jin continued the drive, slowing and steering the car toward one of the parking lines along the empty dirt road.

After two or three back-and-forth corrections, Hee-jin shot out of the driver's side and went to open Ji-young's passenger door, but Ji-young had already opened it herself and was setting her blue Everyday traditional shoes down onto the dirt. Yeon-su, in the back seat, had also moved quickly to step out and open Ji-young's door — but at the sight of the two of them moving like that, Ji-young let a wry smile drift across her face. Ji-young: I told you not to, didn't I.

At Ji-young's mild scolding, both Hee-jin and Yeon-su trailed awkwardly behind Ji-young's steps. When Gyeong-seo, who had been driving So-hui's car, killed the engine and stepped out from the driver's side, So-hui and Si-yeon disembarked as well. Gyeong-seo got out too, locked the doors first, and stayed close to So-hui's side as they made their way toward Ji-young's party. So-hui came up to Ji-young's side with a light clearing of her throat, and Ji-young approached the gate, looking up at the watchtower.

The handful of devotees keeping watch inside had not yet abandoned their posts. The devotees of The Black Doctrine on the other side, recognizing Ji-young's figure, opened the firmly shut gates and came running down. Devotee_01: You have come, the Oldest. One of the devotees of The Black Doctrine bowed at the waist toward Ji-young's approaching party. Ji-young returned the greeting with a deep bow of her own, then spoke with a smile on her lips. Ji-young: Yes. I sent word to the Bishop ahead of time. Is she inside?

Devotee_02: Yes. She is awaiting you. Please, this way. Ji-young, Hee-jin, and Yeon-su went in first, with So-hui, Si-yeon, and Gyeong-seo following close behind. What greeted the party as they stepped inside was Jeong-seon — face still bright as ever, charging out clutching the hem of her skirt in a fluster. Jeong-seon: Ji-young sis!! Jeong-seon's flailing dash looked unsteady at best. Ji-young laughed and called out to slow her down. Ji-young: You're going to fall. Come slowly. I'm not running away.

Jeong-seon, having reached her, caught her breath and seized Ji-young's hand in hers. Jeong-seon: Wow, sis. In daylight you look even more like the Oldest. I couldn't tell yesterday with you in leggings. Ji-young: Hey. It's only the clothes. Only the clothes. Jeong-seon: C'mon, still. Si-yeon: Are we invisible to you or what? Jeong-seon: Pretty much, like, once I've greeted Ji-young sis, that's the whole greeting done. Si-yeon sis, why you giving me grief over that? Hyang-rim: Yoon Jeong-seon!

The one who cut off Jeong-seon's stream of casual chatter was the sound of Hyang-rim, approaching from a distance with her voice raised. Hyang-rim, drawing closer alongside Lee Yeon, caught sight of Ji-young's party and quickened her step a touch, a smile finding her lips. Ji-young gently released Jeong-seon's hand and bowed deeply at the waist toward the approaching Bishop. Ji-young: The Bishop. At Ji-young's deep bow, the Bishop returned a courtesy befitting the gesture and welcomed Ji-young.

To the greetings from the Bishop and Lee Yeon, every member of Ji-young's party returned the bow. Bishop: You have come. The Bishop's back did not rise at once. When Ji-young gave a very faint clearing of her throat, the Bishop seemed to catch the cue and straightened first. Ji-young then drew up her own back and took another step closer to the Bishop, who stood receiving her party at the front. With a bright smile, Ji-young took the Bishop's rough hands in her own.

Ji-young: Still, the Bishop must receive my greeting first. Bishop: Even so, you now sit firmly as the Oldest. There comes a time when one cannot simply keep receiving and receiving. Ji-young, still holding the Bishop's hand, began walking through the wide garden. Heading toward the Bishop's quarters set beyond the garden, Ji-young threw a glance back at all those trailing behind her.

As if signaling there was a conversation only the Bishop and Ji-young were to share — exactly as she had said in advance — at her glance, everyone except Hee-jin slowed to a stop, and Si-yeon turned to Jeong-seon. Si-yeon: Hey. Yoon Jeong-seon. Jeong-seon: Yeah? Si-yeon: You said this place is hella wide. Show us around the parts we haven't seen yet. Jeong-seon: Ah, true. We've only been coming to the same spots, huh. Jeong-seon bustled into motion, leading the party off in another direction.

Only Lee Yeon, taking her place behind Hyang-rim, and Hee-jin, taking her place behind Ji-young, remained, walking in step with Hyang-rim and Ji-young. They walked a considerable distance in silence, and before long arrived near Hyang-rim's quarters. Ji-young took in the small house, with a stream of clear water running gently along beside it, then followed Hyang-rim onto the stepping stone and slipped off her Everyday traditional shoes, setting them on the stone before stepping inside.

While the two of them went in, Hee-jin and Lee Yeon stayed outside, not entering, and stood side by side a few paces away from the door, backs to the doorway, facing forward.