Living Dangerously with a 999-Year-Old Gumiho – Chapter 143

The next morning, Hyun quietly opened his eyes to Nomi’s warm presence next to him.

Nomi was still deeply asleep beside him, her hand tightly gripping Hyun’s arm.

Her unwavering touch throughout the night filled Hyun with a warm emotion.

The room was flooded with sunlight.

The warm morning rays streaming through the window softly illuminated Nomi’s face, making her appear angelic.

Hyun carefully tried to gently extract his arm from Nomi’s grasp without waking her.

He quietly covered Nomi with a blanket and left the room.

As he entered the living room, he discovered Sohee lying on the floor with a blanket spread out.

In the stillness of the room, he noted the TV was off, and thought that Sohee seemed to have slept more comfortably than the previous day.

Hyun gently pulled the blanket higher over Sohee, ensuring she wouldn’t feel cold.

Then he quietly got up and headed to the kitchen to start preparing breakfast.

He resolved to make a simple yet nutritious meal for both of them.

Upon entering the kitchen, Hyun immediately set to work.

He heated a frying pan and carefully cracked open fresh eggs on it.

The eggs started to puff up slightly in the pan, taking on a beautiful golden color.

Meanwhile, he poured the pre-prepared broth into a pot and began to heat it up.

The broth gradually began to bubble, filling the kitchen with a delightful aroma.

As the frying and broth were prepared, and the kitchen filled with delightful scents, Hyun paused to reflect at the dining table.

He revisited his conversation with Sohee from the previous day, pondering his feelings for Yoonhwa and what she might think of him.

Taking a sip of coffee, Hyun lost himself in thought.

Every moment with Yoonhwa flashed across his mind, her smile, her gaze, and the time spent together replaying continuously.

As he looked at the breakfast laid out on the table, he imagined mornings spent with Yoonhwa.

He wondered how she would react to this breakfast and if her gaze was truly special just for him.

‘Could I perhaps be… someone special to Yoonhwa?…’

Hyun muttered to himself.

He set down his coffee cup and, nearing the completion of his meal prep, began to evaluate himself.

Thinking of ways to deepen his relationship with Yoonhwa, he started assessing his strengths and weaknesses.

First, he looked into the empty bowl on the table, catching a glimpse of his own reflection.

“Compared to Yoonhwa, I’m just so ordinary…”

Hyun sighed as he contemplated his appearance.

She was truly breathtakingly beautiful.

Next, he considered his physical fitness.

Having exercised for the first time in ages, he realized his stamina was abysmal.

“Yoonhwa is so active, and I tire easily…”

He felt equally lacking in the financial department.

His monetary situation was always tight, and even the house he currently lived in was obtained with financial support from wealthy Seojin.

“I’m broke, lacking skills…”

Lastly, he criticized his own personality.

At times, his timidness and indecisiveness felt like significant flaws.

“I can’t even change my personality the way I want…”

“What does Yoonhwa even think of me?”

“The more I think about it, the worse it gets… Me-”

Hyun, after a deep contemplation, made up his mind.

With just five days left until Yoonhwa’s return, he would do his best to improve his physical fitness and financial situation.

“Fitness and money can be tackled with effort…”

He meticulously organized a plan for the upcoming five days.

He planned to wake up early every morning to do push-ups and other simple exercises.

This routine would enhance his stamina and lay a foundation for a lively start to each day.

In addition to improving his fitness, Hyun devised ways to better his financial status.

He decided he would perform cello shows in the square every day.

Meanwhile, the peaceful morning continued quietly in the living room.

As Hyun prepared breakfast, Sohee slowly opened her eyes from beneath the blanket.

In the tranquil stillness of the morning, sounds of busy movements from the kitchen could be heard.

She sighed deeply within the blanket, then sat up.

Brushing her hair aside, she pulled the blanket away and slowly rose from the floor.

Sohee stretched and loosened her body, making her way towards the kitchen.

There, she found Hyun deeply immersed in preparing their meal.

The delicious aroma from the kitchen tickled her nose, bringing a comfortable smile to her face.

“Awake, are you-…”

She said, standing at the threshold of the kitchen.

Her voice was slightly raspy, as if she hadn’t fully shaken off sleep yet.

Hyun turned with a smile in response to her voice.

“Uh, uh! Good morning! You’re awake.”

Sohee, still with sleep in her eyes, began to look around, then spotted the breakfast set on the table, beaming a smile.

After a moment, she said to Hyun, “When Nomi wakes up—let’s eat together…”

Hyun nodded in agreement with her suggestion.

“Sure, that’s a great idea.”

Sohee took a seat at the kitchen table, gazing at the breakfast Hyun prepared while engaging in light conversation.

Hyun continued cooking, occasionally glancing over to offer Sohee a smile.

The kitchen was filled with a happy energy, the sound of their laughter resonating throughout the space.

Sohee stretched briefly at the table, flashed a slight smile at Hyun, and said, “I’ll only smoke one in the morning~”

Hyun smiled at her words, nodding in acknowledgment.

“Yeah, yeah…”

Hyun said softly.

Sohee then left the kitchen, quietly opening the front door and stepping outside.

The air outside was still a bit chilly, but the clear morning air invigorated her.

She stood in front of the house, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it.

The surroundings were quiet, only the occasional sound of passing cars breaking the morning silence.

Sohee took a deep drag from the cigarette, slowly exhaling while momentarily lost in thought.

“Phew-…”

A man standing at the city corner had messy dark green hair sticking up, looking rather scruffy.

His deep red eyes appeared exceptionally weary, as though he hadn’t slept all night, and a scruffy beard made his tired expression all the more pronounced.

He took a deep puff from his cigarette and slowly exhaled.

The smoke enveloped him in a hazy veil before gradually dissipating.

His eyes stared blankly into the distance, only the sporadic lights of passing cars occasionally illuminating his face.

His green hair fluttered occasionally in the wind, contrasting sharply with his indifferent gaze.

The man, without showing any emotion while exhaling the cigarette smoke, seemed to stand in the quiet and darkness, momentarily disconnected from the world.

He left the gloomy corner of the city and quietly walked among the buildings.

His steps were heavy, and his green hair continued to flutter irregularly in the breeze.

Upon entering, he found himself surrounded by dim lighting and dirty walls.

The house was silent, but traces of his life were scattered throughout.

Empty bottles, cigarette butts, and scattered clothing made the place appear truly filthy.

Without the slightest hesitation, he headed straight for the living room, slipping past the ragged sofa and plopping down onto the floor.

His position sprawled out on the dirty carpet appeared as if he had given up.

As he surveyed his surroundings, his gaze settled on a syringe, and he slowly picked it up.

The syringe contained a pink liquid, which he carefully injected into his shoulder.

At the moment the needle pierced his skin, his face showed no change.

He merely sighed deeply, closed his eyes, and waited for the drug to spread through him.

In an instant, his body relaxed, sinking deeper into the floor.

The drug coursing through his veins gradually dulled his senses.

His eyelids grew heavy, and all surrounding sounds faded away.

Even the ticking of the old clock in the house seemed to elude him now.

As if sinking into deep water, his world gradually quieted.

His matted green hair lay sprawled on the floor, and his tired crimson eyes were completely shut.

Silence enveloped the room, even his breathing was inaudible.

The man succumbed entirely to sleep, resting quietly without any movement.

His last thoughts felt faint and distant, and as if all connection to the world had been severed, he sank into a profound solitude, deep in sleep.

*

With fluffy ears and a tail swaying in the breeze, Yoonhwa was lost in a deep slumber, yet to awaken to the morning sun.

Her fox ears were central to her identity and sensitivity, responding acutely.

It was a peaceful morning at the traditional Korean house, but a sudden event disrupted that tranquility.

Tori, the small and lively squirrel, glanced around with playful eyes and spotted Yoonhwa soundly sleeping.

Her soft fox ears looked particularly enchanting.

Unable to resist a momentary impulse, Tori playfully kicked Yoonhwa’s ear with his foot.

“Wake up, wake up, fox!”

“It’s morning!”

Tori shouted with his sharp voice.

Yoonhwa’s reaction was immediate and instinctive.

In her shock from being suddenly awakened, the movement of her flailing hand carried uncontrolled power.

It was her reflexive defense.

Tori’s tiny body flew through the air, unexpectedly crashing against the wall.

The sound of the small squirrel colliding with the wall echoed through the room, and Yoonhwa’s heart sank with the noise.

The little squirrel lay motionless on the ground.

Yoonhwa rushed over to Tori’s side.

Her heart was filled with fear and worry.

Yoonhwa kneeled beside Tori, carefully assessing him.

Her trembling hand gently touched Tori’s small body.

Tori lay quietly, his tiny chest barely rising and falling rhythmically.

Tears welled up in Yoonhwa’s eyes.

“Tori, I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…!”

Yoonhwa murmured, weeping.

In her panic, she glanced around and resolved to seek help from her grandfather.

Feeling fear and desperation, she began to call out loudly.

“Grandfather! Grandfather..!!”

Yoonhwa’s cry shattered the tranquil morning in the traditional Korean house, echoing through the home.

Her voice trembled, filled with urgency.

Hearing Yoonhwa’s screams, her grandfather hurriedly came out of his room, rushing toward the room where she was.

His steps were incredibly swift, concern etched across his face.

Upon bursting through the door, he paused momentarily at the sight of Yoonhwa cradling Tori.

“What happened-!?”

The grandfather quickly knelt down beside Yoonhwa to assess the situation.

His hand, imbued with calm and experience, carefully examined Tori’s small body.

Listening to Yoonhwa’s sobbing, he tried to soothe her.

“Calm down, my little fox..-. Just a moment…”

The grandfather gently lifted Tori’s small body into his hands.

His hands sought to feel Tori’s faint yet steady breaths, emanating from long years of experience.

As his fingers brushed against Tori’s chest, he felt a faint but steady heartbeat.

The grandfather took a deep breath and looked at Yoonhwa.

“Little fox, do not touch Tori-.”

“It seems like a bone has broken.”

The grandfather repeatedly told Yoonhwa to calm down as he reached for his cane.

Yoonhwa watched her grandfather’s movements cautiously, swallowing her tense breaths.

“I’m sorry… Tori..!!…”

The grandfather lightly waved the end of the cane around Tori’s body.

His eyes closed, and soft whispers of incantations flowed from his lips.

“Please breathe life into this small being…”

The grandfather’s voice resonated low and heavy, as a faint glow began to flicker at the end of the cane.

Strange energy began to swirl in the air, and Yoonhwa felt Tori’s body gradually warming.

The light slowly enveloped Tori’s tiny form, and unable to contain herself, Yoonhwa burst into tears.

Though Tori’s body seemed to gradually stabilize, the deep fear and guilt in her heart did not easily fade.

“Tori-… Will Tori be okay..??”

Yoonhwa’s voice quivered as she barely continued speaking.

After removing his hands from the cane, the grandfather carefully responded to Yoonhwa.

“Tori will start feeling better now..”

“But it will take time, and we must continue to take care of him.”

“I’ve done my best.”

Though his words offered relief, a lingering worry still resided in a corner of Yoonhwa’s heart.

The grandfather took her hand, aiming to offer words of comfort, but suddenly began coughing repeatedly.

The coughs sounded rough and weak.

Startled by her grandfather’s coughing, Yoonhwa exclaimed.

“Grandfather, are you alright..??!”

The grandfather cleared his throat, looking at Yoonhwa.

He read her concerned gaze and smiled slightly.

“Don’t worry, little fox. A bit of coughing is just part of an old man’s routine.”

“Caring for life is always a challenging task…”

After checking on Tori’s condition, the grandfather looked seriously at Yoonhwa, beginning to speak softly.

“Little fox- I’d like to hear about what just happened…”

Yoonhwa, with a trembling voice, cautiously responded.

“Grandfather, I… reacted without thinking..”

“Tori suddenly kicked my ear, and I was startled, so I just instinctively swung my hand…”

“But that hurt Tori… I’m truly—so sorry…-”

The grandfather nodded, seemingly understanding Yoonhwa’s explanation.

He comforted her, stating, “Your instinctive reaction isn’t a fault, little fox. We all startle sometimes.”

“What’s important is how you respond from now on.”

He gently patted Yoonhwa on the shoulder, offering her consolation.

“It was unfortunate that Tori got hurt, but you don’t need to carry the guilt.”

Hearing her grandfather’s soothing words, Yoonhwa broke down in tears.