Chapter 7
Stay with me.
Here's what happened before I got lost in the mountains.
"So, is there any place to build up stamina around here?"
"Heh. I know the perfect place."
"Where is it?"
"Psh! Mt. Miji! Only legends train there, ya know."
"I'm not that skilled... I'm worried I might get lost if I go up there."
To me, who was scared, Pippi spoke with a relaxed expression as if to say there was nothing to worry about.
"Pfft! It's not even that high. I zone out while flying and I'm already past it. Even babies can handle that mountain."
"Really? How do I get there?"
"Alright, alright! Since you've been so generous with those jujubes (jujubes, a kind of sweet red date), I guess I can take you to the entrance. Consider it a special favor."
Like he was paying me back for all those jujubes, Pippi hopped up and took off.
Guided by Pippi, I was able to easily reach the entrance of Mt. Miji.
'So, I managed to climb the mountain somehow... I shouldn't have assumed the way down would be easy just because that darn bird made it sound so simple, and I should have asked about the way back.'
I didn't realize it when I was with that bird, but Mt. Miji had way more paths than I thought.
'I'm already at a fork in the road. Which way did I even come from?'
I just passed another fork a little while ago, and I'm pretty sure I'm just going in circles instead of down.
'I'm so tired from all this walking.'
And I'm not used to this much exercise, so no wonder I'm exhausted.
'But I gotta find my way down before it gets dark.'
'It'll be super dangerous if I'm stuck here in the dark.'
'I don't have much time... What should I do?'
The sky was already half dark.
The more freaked out I got, the more lost I felt.
'Let's calm down first. If I mark the paths I've already taken, I won't choose the same path again. It's my favorite, but I don't have a choice.'
I took the butterfly clip Daddy put in my hair and left it at the start of the path.
First the butterfly clip, then the red ribbon.
'This is the last one I've got.'
I untied the red ribbon that was tying up the other side of my hair and tied it to a tree branch near the path.
'Please let this be the right way.'
I let my hair down and just prayed I was going the right way.
I kept going, my feet feeling like lead, and then I stepped on something.
'This is...!'
I lifted my foot and just... collapsed. I was so screwed.
It was the butterfly clip. The first one I left.
'So I wasn't imagining it. I was going in circles.'
And then, as if things couldn't get worse, it started to rain. Just a few drops at first.
'It's dark now, and I can't see a thing. What am I gonna do?'
I figured I should at least get out of the rain, so I huddled under a big tree.
I started shivering, probably from the rain.
Suddenly, I remembered what Dad had said before going to the market.
"Byeol-ah, I'm going to the market, so stay put, okay?"
"Okay, I will!"
'Is this happening because I didn't listen to Daddy?'
I felt like crying, but I didn't have time to just sit there and bawl.
'If I just stay here, I'll freeze to death.'
I thought about trying to keep going, but I could barely see anything, and I might get even more hurt.
'What am I supposed to do?'
Then, Daddy's words came to mind.
"Byeol-ah, if something dangerous happens to you, be sure to call for me."
"If I call for you, will you be able to find me?"
"Of course! I'd fly anywhere for you, Byeol-ie."
"No way! You're not a bird, Daddy! How can you fly?"
"I can fly for you. Don't you believe your old man?"
"I believe you! So if I'm in trouble, you'll come find me, right?"
"You bet. I'll be there in a flash."
'Can he really find me?'
I left a note saying I was going to the mountains.
'Stupid, I didn't say which mountain.'
I thought I'd be right back, so I just wrote a quick note. I didn't think this would happen.
"Daddy, I'm here!"
I huddled up, shivering, and whispered to myself.
"I'm here, Byeol-ie's here... Please find me..."
Maybe it was the cold wind...
My head started pounding, and everything got blurry. I felt so hot all of a sudden.
And then, all I could see was Daddy's face, smiling at me.
* * *
"Byeol-ah!"
Hwi used his Aerial Walk technique, practically flying through the air.
He didn't even notice the rain soaking him as he searched every inch of the mountain near the village, but there was no sign of Cheonseong.
Hwi recalled the note Cheonseong had left.
[Dad, I'm going to the mountain to play!]
'Did something happen? No, nothing could have happened.'
Hwi, who never believed in gods, found himself praying over and over again while searching for Cheonseong.
He prayed that if there was a god, he'd gladly die a horrible death if it meant Cheonseong was safe.
"Cheonseong-ah! Seol Cheonseong!"
Floating in the air, Hwi strained his ears, listening for any sound in the depths of the mountain.
"Daddy, I'm so cold..."
Then, he heard it – Cheonseong's voice.
"Cheonseong-ah!"
'It's Byeol-ie's voice!'
Even that faint whisper was enough. Hwi instantly knew where she was and took off towards the sound.
And there she was, huddled under a giant tree.
"Byeol-ah! Wake up!"
'Her body is hot.'
"Byeol-ah, open your eyes!"
She must have been out in the cold rain for too long – she was burning up.
She was out of it, her eyes wouldn't focus.
"Here, get on my back."
"Daddy...?"
"Yeah, Byeol-ie, it's me. Let's go home now."
Hearing her voice again, even so weak, Hwi felt a wave of relief. He gently put her on his back.
Her breath was hot against his neck.
'She's in bad shape. I need to get her to a doctor, fast.'
Hwi took off into the air.
'I can't lose Byeol-ie. I can't...'
"Daddy..."
"Yeah, Byeol-ie, it's me. It hurts, I know. Just hang on a little longer. Daddy'll make it all better."
Soaked to the bone, looking like a drowned rat, Hwi could only think about Cheonseong.
Hwi's eyes, wet with rain – or maybe tears – shone with a desperate sadness.
"...So please, stay with me."
* * *
Cheonseong was lost in a pleasant dream.
'She felt like she was flying above the clouds, all warm and cozy.'
A small smile touched her lips, but it quickly faded into a worried frown.
'Am I... in heaven? No, I can't be... Daddy will be so sad...'
While Cheonseong drifted in and out of consciousness, worrying about her dad, Hwi sat by her side in the pharmacy, holding her hand tight.
"I've given her medicine, and she'll get better with a few days' rest. There's no need to look so worried."
"But why isn't she waking up?"
The doctor explained calmly, but Hwi's anxiety didn't subside easily.
"The medicine and exhaustion are making her sleep deeply. She's recovering. She'll wake up when she's ready."
Hwi's hand, still holding Cheonseong's, trembled.
The doctor sighed, watching them.
"Cheonseong needs rest, but you, Master Heavenly Demon, need to take care of yourself too. You're shaking."
"I'm fine."
"Honestly! Are you saying I should neglect my patient? I'm sorry, Master, but I have to insist. I'll prepare some medicine for you right now."
The doctor knew Cheonseong was Hwi's whole world, and that he wouldn't think of himself. Without another word, he left to prepare the medicine.
Hwi, paying him no mind, kept clutching the child's hand and whispering.
"Byeol-ah, you gotta wake up... Are you mad at me for being late? I'm so sorry. Please..."
He tried to calm himself, but all he could see was Seolhwa, bleeding and dying, her image superimposed over Cheonseong.
"We have to raise our Byeol-ie to be strong and kind, okay?"
"No! No! Seolhwa! Don't leave me..."
He tried to hold onto her, to keep her with him, but it was no use.
He couldn't even hold onto her last breath.
The memory made Hwi's breath catch in his throat.
Even though he felt like he couldn't breathe, Hwi never took his eyes off Cheonseong.
"Seolhwa, please watch over our Byeol-ie."
Hwi's heartbroken voice echoed in the room.
Hwi stayed by Cheonseong's side, silent, all through the night, until the sun rose again.
