Living Dangerously with a 999-Year-Old Gumiho – Chapter 117

Yoonhwa challenged herself with grilled fish after the herb dish.

With awkward chopsticks, she poked at the grilled fish.

However, her grandfather, who had been watching her movements, gently warned her.

“Be careful, there are bones in the fish.”

At his words, Yoonhwa stopped and looked at the fish.

She didn’t know how to handle the fish bones well.

Grandfather got up from his seat and came over to Yoonhwa.

He patiently taught her how to remove the bones from the fish.

His hand movements were skilled, and he could soon safely remove the bones from the fish.

“Like this, gently push the fish flesh to separate the bones.”

“Then I can eat it deliciously without bones.”

Listening to her grandfather’s kind explanation, a scene from the past flashed through Yoonhwa’s mind.

She recalled a memory of eating fish that Hyun had given her.

In that moment, she felt gratitude for Hyun’s attentiveness and care all over again.

‘Hyun worked hard to fillet just like this…’

Yoonhwa thought to herself.

Following her grandfather’s teachings, Yoonhwa carefully handled the fish and successfully picked up a delicious piece of fish flesh with her chopsticks.

“Wow, Grandpa! Thank you so much.”

“Now I can eat it deliciously.”

Yoonhwa expressed her gratitude to her grandfather, feeling deep appreciation while recalling Hyun’s kindness.

*

Nomi, Hyun, and Sohee left the forest behind and returned home together.

When they arrived at Hyun’s house, Sohee couldn’t help but marvel at its size and cleanliness.

Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she admired Hyun’s house.

“Wow, you must have a lot of money??”

“The house is huge!”

At Sohee’s comment, Hyun was momentarily flustered and shook his head.

He began to explain to Sohee.

“No, this house isn’t one I bought with my money.”

“My friend, Seojin, bought it for me.”

Sohee looked surprised at Hyun’s words.

She became curious about how amazing Hyun’s friend was and what stories were hidden between Hyun and his friend.

As soon as Nomi entered Hyun’s house, she started pouting.

Her gaze was filled with sadness and longing.

“I already miss Yoonhwa unnie…”

Nomi’s voice was low, and her small shoulders drooped.

Seeing Nomi’s sad face pained Hyun’s heart.

He gently patted Nomi’s head and spoke comforting words.

“Don’t worry, Nomi.”

“You’ll only be away from Yoonhwa unnie for exactly one week.”

“Nomi can handle it, right?”

As Sohee comfortably sank into the sofa inside Hyun’s house, she looked around, still admiring the size and beauty of the house.

She said to Hyun, “Get me a glass of water, I’m thirsty-.”

Hyun nodded at Sohee’s request and headed to the kitchen to get water.

When Hyun brought the water, Sohee smiled gratefully and took a sip.

Her gaze returned to Hyun, filled with curiosity, and she asked in a curious tone.

“How old are you? You don’t seem like an adult-?”

Hyun momentarily looked flustered at Sohee’s question.

A subtle expression flickered across his face, and he hesitated to answer.

“Um, I… I’m 27.”

Hyun answered cautiously.

There was a hint of hesitation in his voice.

Sohee’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Wait? Really?”

At Sohee’s remark, Hyun awkwardly chuckled.

“You mean I look young? Thanks, haha…”

Nomi, listening to their conversation, suddenly jumped in.

“I’m 7!!”

Her voice was filled with childish enthusiasm as she smiled brightly at Hyun and Sohee.

Sohee looked at Nomi with sparkling eyes and asked, “What kind of monster are you?”

“You’re cute!”

Nomi pondered for a moment at Sohee’s question.

After considering how to explain her abilities, she said,

“Um…, I can make spikes!”

Her voice was full of confidence.

Sohee’s intrigued expression brightened even more.

She was fascinated by Nomi’s unique ability but soon shifted her interest to Hyun.

“Do you have any cigarettes!? You’re an adult, right!”

Hyun looked surprised by Sohee’s unexpected question.

His face was a mix of complicated emotions.

“Uh? I don’t smoke..??”

Hyun’s expression didn’t clear as he was flustered by Sohee’s request.

Sohee murmured to herself, seemingly disappointed by Hyun’s response.

“Ugh…”

Before he knew it, Hyun asked Sohee a question.

“Then how old are you?”

There was curiosity laced in his voice.

Sohee paused briefly before answering.

“Me? I’m 18!”

Her tone was casual, but Hyun was even more taken aback.

Hearing Sohee’s age, Hyun nearly jumped up from his seat.

His eyes were wide with disbelief.

“Wait— you’re 18???”

“What happens if a minor like you lives with me?!”

His voice rose as he expressed clear disbelief and urgency.

Hyun gazed at Sohee with wide eyes after hearing her age.

His surprise quickly turned to worry.

“You— what are you trusting to live with me?”

“What if I cause you harm…??”

Hyun’s voice trembled with tension, and his gaze was serious.

Seeing Hyun’s worried demeanor, Sohee smiled slightly, as if amused.

She took out the fan decorated at her waist and spoke confidently.

“I’m stronger than I look, so you won’t be able to do anything to me!”

Hyun was momentarily flustered by Sohee displaying the fan but nodded in acceptance of her words.

However, his concern still lingered.

“Okay…, I get that you’re strong, but…”

“Do your parents know about this situation?”

Sohee paused at Hyun’s question, then brightened her face with a smile as she replied.

“I don’t have parents!”

“I can do just fine alone.”

Despite Sohee’s bright answer, a shadow of worry still lingered in Hyun’s heart.

However, Sohee’s confident demeanor was strong enough to overshadow his concerns.

There was undeniable strength in her gaze, signaling that she wouldn’t waver in any situation.

At that moment, Nomi, having listened to their conversation, suddenly approached Hyun and Sohee.

She reached out her little hand toward Sohee and said,

“I don’t have mom and dad either!”

Her voice carried the purity of a child’s innocence.

Sohee, comfortably leaning in her relaxed position on the sofa, looked to Hyun and spoke again.

There was a glint of mischief in her gaze.

“Hey, Hyun, buy me some cigarettes~.”

Her voice was light, carrying a hint of playful insistence.

Hyun couldn’t hide his shock at Sohee’s request once more.

His eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he shook his head as he answered.

“No, you can’t. You can’t sell cigarettes to minors.”

“And I don’t smoke either… it’s bad for your health.”

His tone was firm, but to Sohee, it sounded like a kind refusal.

Sohee pouted a bit at Hyun’s reaction but then suddenly took out the fan she had at her waist.

She unfolded the fan and smiled slightly.

“Then, should I threaten you with this fan..?”

Nomi’s eyes shimmered with curiosity and surprise as she focused on Sohee’s gestures.

“Wow… it’s pretty!”

Nomi’s eyes widened in wonder as she watched Sohee unfold the fan.

The excitement in the little girl’s voice echoed through the room.

She seemed mesmerized by Sohee’s display, momentarily forgetting all her worries.

Hyun looked surprised at Sohee’s playful threat and Nomi’s innocent reaction.

He glanced back and forth between Sohee and Nomi, pondering what to do.

“Ah… really, you can’t have cigarettes…”

Hyun’s voice was soft yet laced with firmness.

He firmly reaffirmed his stance despite Sohee’s antics.

At that moment, Sohee slowly pulled something from her bag.

It was a small object resembling a talisman.

She carefully held it out towards Hyun and Nomi.

“Here~ with this…”

As Sohee brought the talisman close to her fan, it began to burn slowly.

In the blink of an eye, the talisman was entirely consumed by flames, and a mysterious aura flowed from the fan.

This energy was intense enough for everyone present to feel.

As Hyun sensed the strange energy, his eyes widened, and he froze momentarily.

His usual calm demeanor suddenly vanished, replaced by evident panic on his face.

“What—what is this?”

His voice trembled as he looked at Sohee, his gaze a mix of wariness and fear.

The aura emanating from Sohee’s fan was completely unexpected for him.

Seeing Hyun’s startled expression, Sohee giggled mischievously.

She shook the fan and said, “Surprised? So, can you buy me some cigarettes~?”

Hyun was terrified by Sohee’s sudden intimidation and her displayed ability.

His voice quivered with anxiety as he replied, “Okay, okay… I’ll buy them. Just stop…”

Sohee burst into delighted laughter at Hyun’s frightened response.

“Really? You’re actually going to buy them? Wow~!!”

Her face radiated with a satisfied smile.

Sohee went on to say to Hyun again, “I didn’t expect you to be this scared.”

“This is just a threatening display.”

At Sohee’s words, Hyun breathed a sigh of relief, calming himself down. However, Sohee added,

“But I have other attack talismans, you know. Haha-.”

Meanwhile, Nomi, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly interrupted.

“What’s a cigarette? Why do we need to buy it?”

Nomi’s voice was filled with innocent curiosity.

She had no knowledge of cigarettes and couldn’t comprehend the conversation between Hyun and Sohee.

Hyun paused for a moment at Nomi’s question, appearing to contemplate how to explain it to the young girl.

He gently looked at Nomi and began to explain.

“Cigarettes are something adults smoke, but they’re not good for you…”

“And you should never smoke!”

“But why do they smoke if it’s not good for them??”

Nomi’s innocent curiosity filled the space, leaving Hyun momentarily speechless.

Her question was simple, but he didn’t have an easy answer.

“Well, that’s…”

As Hyun hesitated, Sohee beamed and jumped into the conversation.

“Adults smoke sometimes to relieve stress or to relax!”

“But it’s not good for your health, so you can smoke when you grow up~”

Hyun chuckled at Sohee’s last comment.

A playful glint lit up in his eyes as he looked at Sohee.

“Do you think you’re an adult?”

“You’re still young too… haha-”

His tone was lighthearted and cheerful, and his laughter seemed to dissolve the tension in the room.

Sohee paused a moment at his words but soon burst into laughter herself.

“I’m a lot older than I look?!”

Saying this confidently, she flashed a determined gaze that showed she meant business.

“Let’s go quickly— let’s go buy cigarettes!”

Hyun hesitated at Sohee’s comment.

He looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“Are you going too..??”

His voice was laced with concern and confusion.

Sohee boldly met Hyun’s gaze and said, “Isn’t it obvious?”

“You don’t even know what kinds of cigarettes to get. I have to choose.”

Her tone brimming with confidence caught Hyun off guard for a moment.

He didn’t really know that much about cigarettes, and Sohee’s assertiveness surprised him.

Meanwhile, Nomi, hearing them preparing to go outside, was extremely excited.

“Are we going outside? Yay!”

Her face was filled with pure joy.

Nomi showed great anticipation for a new experience.

Hyun, Sohee, and Nomi set out together.

Once outside, they walked into the warm, peaceful street filled with sunlight.

Hyun held Nomi’s hand tightly, and Sohee walked ahead of them.

Sohee’s strides radiated clear intent.

It seemed she knew the way to a nearby convenience store.

“If we go this way, there’s a little mart!”

Sohee’s voice overflowed with confidence.