Chapter 16

While enjoying the festival, I kept touching the accessories and silk clothes, feeling proud of the money spent as I watched Guhae, who seemed to like them. I was worried she might say, “Guhae! I hate stuffy clothes! Let’s trade these accessories for snacks!” But it seems she liked them, so that’s a relief.

Even though the festival is fun on its own, since it’s her first time, I wanted to create even better memories for her.

Objectively speaking, though it’s arrogant to judge someone else’s life, I think Guhae has lived an unfortunate life.

“Mancheon! Over there! Let’s go! Hurry!”

Seeing Guhae smile brightly, unaware of her shark-tooth complex, I couldn’t help but smile too.

…I hope she can be happy from now on. I hope she smiles more.

Of course! The reason I care so much about Guhae is also for myself. Given her insane growth rate, she’s bound to succeed as a martial artist.

If luck is on her side, she might even rise to a high position in the Jiegal Family. No! She definitely will. Who taught her, after all? If Guhae doesn’t succeed, I’ll eat my hat.

In 10 to 20 years, Guhae, the world’s top martial artist, will shower me with gold, silver, and the Jiegal Family’s secret martial arts.

Even magpies, toads, and even puppies repay kindness. Guhae will definitely repay me many times over.

“Woo~ Come on!”

As I was lost in these pleasant thoughts, Guhae tugged at my sleeve, urging me to hurry. What did she see that got her so excited?

Following Guhae, we found a giant yakgwa (Korean honey cookie). But it was too big and thick to be called just a cookie. It was a calorie bomb.

A yakgwa the size of a basketball was displayed at the festival stall, drawing everyone’s attention.

That’s definitely something to get excited about. Guhae loves yakgwa the most among snacks. Right now, her eyes are sparkling as she gazes at the giant yakgwa.

From Guhae’s perspective, it must feel like a treasure has appeared before her eyes. But sadly, the bigger it is, the less tasty it becomes. She’ll be disappointed when she actually eats it.

I approached the stall and asked about the price of the giant yakgwa.

“I want to buy that. How much is it?”

…But festival food isn’t about taste. It’s about the fun. Even if it’s not tasty, it’s still fun. And how expensive can a cookie be?

“Sorry, but that giant yakgwa isn’t for sale. It’s a prize.”

“A prize?”

The stall owner smiled and handed me a tangled steel ring. It was the Ring of Wisdom.

“Yes. The giant yakgwa is a prize for anyone who can separate this tangled steel ring within 5 to 10 minutes. Would you like to try?”

Me… the genius Sima Mantian who even deceives the heavens. Embarrassingly, in my past life, I was obsessed with the Ring of Wisdom.

Reading philosophy books and classical literature I had no interest in, listening to obscure band music, and having unique hobbies—everyone goes through that phase, right?

I don’t think it’s bad or laughable. It’s just a phase everyone goes through.

Anyway, that was my Ring of Wisdom.

Dressing shabbily and solving the Ring of Wisdom from level 1 to 5 in one go without stopping would look cool, right?

“No, hehe~ Isn’t he the best in our area? Even Dongsook couldn’t solve beyond level 4 last time.”

“What kind of person is he, to have such skills and still be so humble without saying a word!?”

…I had these delusional thoughts and clung to the Ring of Wisdom, rain or shine. And of course, no one cared. It’s a sad memory.

“Customer? Customer? Will you try? Or not?”

“…I’ll try.”

I paid the participation fee and received the Ring of Wisdom. Looking at it, it wasn’t that high-level. I could solve it within 5 minutes.

Fortunately, the time I invested in the Ring of Wisdom wasn’t completely wasted.

I fiddled with it, figured out the structure, and started solving it step by step. As I solved the Ring of Wisdom, Guhae’s eyes sparkled with anticipation of eating the giant yakgwa.

Her reaction to a mere giant cookie was so cute that I wanted to tease her. Lift and drop.

I threw the almost-solved Ring of Wisdom to Guhae.

“I’ve solved it enough. Now it’s your turn.”

“???”

Guhae, confused, looked at me with a question mark on her face. I spoke firmly.

“If you really want something, you have to earn it yourself. If you really want to eat the giant yakgwa, solve the last part yourself.”

“B-but suddenly… it’s too much. Can’t you help me like usual?”

Guhae, on the verge of tears, looked up at me. Cute. But I won’t give in.

“No. Opportunities come suddenly. If you can’t seize it, that’s it. If you want the yakgwa, don’t look at me, solve the ring.”

At my teasing words, Guhae puffed her cheeks and started fiddling with the ring. She tried to solve it, but it seemed difficult as she wasn’t used to it.

As Guhae struggled with the Ring of Wisdom, time passed, and only 1 minute remained. …No choice.

I stretched my neck and tried to speak in a kind, reassuring voice. Then I whispered in Guhae’s ear.

“Don’t be anxious. You’re doing well. You can do it. So believe in yourself a bit more.”

I don’t give impossible tasks. I give tasks that are possible.

Though I jokingly call her a blockhead, she’s actually smart. If she understands the structure of this simple ring, she can solve it in 10 seconds.

But at my unexpected encouragement, Guhae, with her ears red, solved the Ring of Wisdom in an unexpected way.

Snap-!!

She broke the ring with brute force.

…I said you could do it, but not like this.

Ultimately, the stall owner, overwhelmed by Guhae’s strength, declared her the winner, and she received the giant yakgwa.

I wondered if this was okay, but seeing Guhae’s happy face as she held the giant yakgwa high, it didn’t matter anymore. Good is good.

Guhae, happily admiring the yakgwa, suddenly split it in half and handed me a piece.

“Here.”

“It’s your first prize earned by your own effort. I’m fine. Enjoy it.”

Guhae shook her head. Her blue eyes, reminiscent of a clear morning sea, held me.

“No… it’s thanks to you. Thank you.”

Guhae smiled. But this time, unlike before, I noticed her shark-tooth complex as she smiled softly and expressed her feelings clearly.

“Thank you. For bringing me to the festival.”

“Thank you. For helping me when I was in danger.”

“Thank you. For always believing in me.”

“Thank you. For teaching me so much.”

…Sometimes I wonder. Was it unnecessary meddling? Did I mess her up by interfering? Am I teaching her correctly? Will she be unhappy because of what I taught her?

But Guhae laughed, dismissing my stupid and unnecessary worries. She smiled.

I don’t know what to say. Emotions well up. After some thought, I asked an important question.

“…Guhae, are you happy now?”

“Yes! I’m happy!”

“…Good. That’s a relief.”

I reached out and took the ridiculously large half of the yakgwa Guhae offered. As expected, it was tasteless. But it was still pretty good. It was delicious.

***

Today is the day I play Go with Jiegal Yang. Honestly, since that day, he’s been persistently asking me to become his Go disciple, which is annoying, but I can’t ignore him since I owe him.

Walking towards the old pavilion, the meeting place, with a cane, I noticed a new face next to Jiegal Yang.

A girl around my age with fair skin and intelligent eyes, strangely resembling Jiegal Yang, a beautiful girl.

“Old man~ I’m here. But who’s the girl next to you? Your granddaughter?”

“Yes, my granddaughter. Her name is Jiegal Yeon. How is she? Pretty? Cute?”

Though taken aback by the sudden boasting, I nodded since she was indeed pretty and cute.

“Yes. She’s pretty. She’s cute.”

“Good. Marry her.”

…What? What did I just hear? Did I hear that right?

As I rolled my eyes in confusion at Jiegal Yang’s absurd statement, he continued on his own.

“What? Don’t like her? You have high standards. Fine.”

Jiegal Yang gestured to his granddaughter.

“Go. And bring your sisters.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Jiegal Yeon bowed politely to me and walked off somewhere. Then she returned with beauties and young girls.

The oldest looked to be in her early twenties, and the youngest, about six years old, held her sister’s hand as they appeared.

As I stood there, unable to keep up with the situation, Jiegal Yang spoke in a calm voice.

“Choose one you like. Get engaged first, then marry when she’s of age. If you don’t want to be a disciple, become family.”

“……”

“Join the Jiegal Family as a son-in-law. Become my grandson-in-law. And together, we’ll aim to be the world’s best Go players.”

What the hell!? I thought this old man was just eccentric and grumpy! His way of thinking is completely different from normal people! I need to run! Far away! Right now!!

If a pretty girl is obsessed with me, it’s at least flattering. But an old man obsessed with Go is terrifying.

Teehee~ Where is my obsessive pretty girl (pretty, virgin, important)~?? This is a lie, dammit!!

As I gathered all my internal energy to escape, Jiegal Yang blocked my path as if he could see the future. Then he tripped me.

“Ouch-?!”

Jiegal Yang picked me up and carried me under his arm, walking somewhere. Damn! Kidnapping!?

“Waaaah~ Help! No one’s here! Mom! Dad! Jang Sam! Guhae! Help me~!! Help!!”

“Shout all you want. No one will help you. Give up and walk the path of Go.”

Indeed, Jiegal Yang’s granddaughters bowed their heads, pretending not to see or hear anything. Only the six-year-old, not understanding the situation, waved goodbye to me as I was dragged away.

…I thought. Jang Sam is working, and Guhae is napping. The only one who can save me now is ‘me.’

Crying about the unfair reality won’t solve the problem. I thought. The best move! The best option!!

It hit me. A light bulb lit up above my head. I thought of a way to escape this situation.

“Du-duel! No! Go! Let’s settle this with Go!!”

Jiegal Yang stopped. He waited for me to speak. Truly a Go-obsessed old man.

“4-point handicap! If I lose, I’ll be your disciple! But if I win, you give up and grant me one request!”

“Usually, you brag about being a genius who deceives even the heavens, but when things get tough, your tongue gets long. 3-point handicap.”

Crisis is opportunity! I’ll show you what I’m made of, you damn old man!!