31

Chapter 31

“Shall we go to Gyeongbokgung Palace now?”

“……”

Gyeongbokgung Palace.

‘I took my class there on field trips several times. The children hated it because they found it boring…’

Remembering that once-noisy period, Gio asked,

“Did you say there was a night market?”

“That’s right. There is no better place to experience a Korean atmosphere.”

“It sounds entertaining.”

“Would you like to wear a hanbok while we’re there?”

“A hanbok…”

Memories that did not feel particularly old bubbled up.

He had never gone out of his way to visit unless the school sent him, but part of the fun of Gyeongbokgung was dressing the children in hanbok and taking pictures.

‘The last class I taught even treated me to a spectacular court intrigue in real time.’

Gio sank into his memories. The mortal struggle between Her Majesty the Queen and a palace eunuch had been the highlight.

Thanks to the adorable, noisy students he had taught, Gio had many fond memories of Gyeongbokgung. He had never worn a hanbok himself because he was responsible for supervising them, but neither did he dislike the idea of trying one.

“Very well.”

“Really?”

At Gio’s response, Yoo Seongwoon inwardly swallowed a sigh of relief.

‘I wondered if changing his attire might displease him because his essence is a portrait.’

Fortunately, Gio did not appear especially resistant to different experiences.

“Good. I know a decent shop.”

“You mean a hanbok rental shop?”

“It usually isn’t crowded, so we can take our time getting there.”

“I look forward to it.”

“Then shall we head for the skyrail? It will be arriving at the stop soon.”

“Does it arrive at scheduled times?”

“It isn’t a form of transportation that comes very often…”

As Yoo Seongwoon led Gio toward the stop, he became lost in strange reflections.

‘He introduced himself as Gio, so I assumed he was imitating Korean culture. Was Korea not the culture he was copying?’

It was difficult to describe Gio’s table manners at the restaurant as Korean.

They had seemed far closer to Western customs. Yet considering how Gio usually spoke as if he knew Korea very well, that was peculiar.

“…Hmm.”

But at this point, perhaps it did not matter.

“What did you think of the restaurant?”

“It was delicious.”

“That’s the sort of reaction that makes a guide feel proud.”

When Gio’s stature had been so high, it had been almost impossible to read his expression regardless of what face he made. Now, Yoo Seongwoon could at least tell that Gio was enjoying the situation in his own way.

‘That makes guiding him go smoothly.’

Yoo Seongwoon continued thinking.

‘He’s behaving quite like a human, so nothing should happen as long as another Hunter doesn’t provoke him. According to Guild Master Bisabeol, Gio is the type to avoid conflict under most circumstances…’

Gio voiced an observation.

“The skyrail passes through buildings.”

“Doesn’t that make commuting more convenient? It’s useful when the train can let people off directly inside their building.”

“That is true.”

“Two stops from now, there’s even a station that passes through a department store.”

“Does that not create a noise problem?”

“Naturally, it was soundproofed. The Department of Magic would know exactly how…”

The way Gio enjoyed everything Yoo Seongwoon showed him suggested that he liked this human world.

‘A man nearly one hundred ninety centimeters tall might look immature behaving that way.’

Yet something about the line of his neck when he turned his head and the fingers gently touching the window kept him from appearing young.

Gio was clearly enjoying himself, but it felt less like a child’s innocent admiration and more like that of a consummate observer.

‘Is it because his atmosphere is so weighty?’

Rather than smiling from an equal position, it felt as though he stood with his hands clasped behind his back and gazed down upon everything…

“Are we getting off soon?”

“Ah, yes.”

Yoo Seongwoon took Gio off the skyrail at Gyeongbokgung Station. Pointing beneath the stop, he said,

“That is Gyeongbokgung Palace.”

One advantage of the skyrail was the unobstructed view of the entire city.

Sky lanterns floated at a moderate height and swayed as if alive. Below them lay Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Hanok Village.

Perhaps because fire rather than electricity illuminated the night, the entire area overflowed with warm light.

People visiting after work or arriving as tourists purchased food from the night market stretching inside and outside Gyeongbokgung. The hanbok they had selected for their desired roles fluttered even in the winter wind.

Yoo Seongwoon waited until Gio had taken in the entire view, then spoke.

“If you come to Seoul, you have to visit Gyeongbokgung. It is a world-famous tourist attraction in its own right.”

“……”

“Why? Is the crowd too chaotic?”

“No. I simply did not expect the atmosphere to be this wonderful.”

“I’m glad you don’t seem to dislike it. We should enjoy it too.”

Yoo Seongwoon descended in a direct elevator and led Gio into the Hanok Village. People in and out of hanbok wandered through the relatively narrow alleys.

Every winter hanbok rented by the shops had been treated to retain warmth. Perhaps that was why people’s clothing did not appear particularly thick despite the depths of winter.

“Come this way. Let’s change clothes first.”

“Are we going to a hanbok rental shop?”

“That’s right. We need to prepare several things if we want to enjoy the experience properly.”

The hanok intertwined so confusingly throughout Gyeongbokgung Village that a beginner could easily become lost. But Yoo Seongwoon had visited several times before and found his way with ease. Tourist attractions with many “stories” like this gave him an abundance of work.

‘…Are they rather excited today? Not enough to cause an incident, but they’re much more active than usual…’

He could see “stories” pretending to clear snow from hanok roofs or wearing hanbok while imitating scholars and noble young ladies.

“……”

After spotting one wearing a wooden mask, Yoo Seongwoon turned his gaze away. They generally did not attack first, but nothing good came of maintaining eye contact with the creatures of Gyeongbokgung for too long.

Silk hung in abundance throughout the courtyard, while warmly colored lanterns dangled from the edges of the eaves. Yoo Seongwoon pulled Gio, who was silently admiring the surroundings, into the hanok.

“Ma’am.”

“Oh my, if it isn’t Seongwoon.”

A middle-aged woman elegantly dressed in a flower-dyed hanbok welcomed him.

“It has been a long time. Treating another guest?”

“This one is a guest of the company, so I need to take greater care.”

“Then our hanbok are perfect.”

The woman smiled elegantly and turned toward Gio.

“Would this be your guest?”

“We’ll mostly walk through the night market rather than play games, so choose something comfortable for him.”

“Why not enjoy the games? They have many entertaining ones this time.”

“Walking around all day has drained me.”

“Then we should dress you as scholars, yes? Thick or heavy clothing would be uncomfortable, so let’s choose light scholar’s robes.”

“That would be best.”

Yoo Seongwoon asked Gio,

“What do you want to do about your face? Would you rather continue covering it, or…”

“I would like it covered.”

Please guarantee the portrait’s anonymity.

The larger-than-expected crowd had made Gio shrink back. Always wishing to distance himself from human attention, he wanted to cover his face and block people’s gazes.

Yoo Seongwoon did not know Gio’s timid thoughts, but he guessed that Gio disliked chaotic, noisy situations. Roughly understanding, he asked the owner,

“Do you have a mask?”

“Would you like a generous one?”

“That would be more comfortable, wouldn’t it? Yes, please.”

“Then let us choose the clothes first.”

The owner looked at Gio and asked,

“Could you remove your cloak? You can keep wearing it afterward, but I need to see your build to choose a hanbok.”

“Understood.”

Gio readily removed the cloak and draped it over his arm. Proud of how diligently he had obeyed, he looked at the owner.

“……”

“……”

“…Ma’am.”

Yoo Seongwoon called to the owner, who had turned into a stone statue.

“Your guest is going to run away at this rate.”

“…Oh my, how disgracefully I behaved.”

Only then did the owner react.

“Our guest is so handsome that I stopped breathing for a moment.”

“Don’t say strange things to my guest.”

“With a frame that fine, choosing clothes for such a handsome guest will be a pleasure. Please wait just a moment.”

Not long afterward, the owner returned with two young women pushing two racks of hanbok. Cool blue hues dominated one rack, while the other held achromatic colors.

“Both are woven from silk produced by our own silkworms. They are smooth and won’t irritate the skin.”

“The blue ones are mine, I presume. Isn’t that color rather cold for winter?”

“I merely brought the clothes that suited you best. Who else would wear such a color in winter if not you, Seongwoon?”

“I’m beginning to wonder whether I’m being used…”

“I’d appreciate some advertising while you walk around in it. Hunters truly do make excellent clothes hangers, don’t they?”

The owner turned to Gio.

“Seeing how lightly you’re dressed in this winter weather, you must be a Hunter too. Our hanbok are made sturdy and light so Hunters can move without difficulty, so don’t worry.”

“I was not worried.”

To begin with, Gio was not a Hunter.

‘Would denying it now sound strange?’

The owner smiled as she gently waved her fan.

“Hunters dislike cumbersome clothing, so I was worried it might concern you. Since I don’t recognize your face, you must be Unofficial or have obtained your license only recently, yes?”

“……”

“You don’t have to answer if you would rather not. Since you intend to keep your face covered, you must despise having your personal information exposed. I will conceal you very stylishly.”

Having his personal information exposed?

‘Perhaps Hunters are commonly doxxed?’

What a terrifying world.

Deciding to ask Yoo Seongwoon later, Gio put on the black hanbok recommended by the stylish owner, whose hair was twisted up with a binyeo. He wore a black dapho over a gray dopo, with a clean white sash at his waist.

“If you’re visiting Gyeongbokgung, you need a gat too. Yes, that suits you. You would also look wonderful with plenty of norigae. This one is made from coral. Try wearing it.”

“Thank you.”

“And this is a scarf. Oh my, white suits you beautifully. Perhaps because your skin is so clear. This is a jeonnang for holding yeopjeon once you go inside. Make certain you tie it securely so it doesn’t fall off, all right?”

“……”

“Now, the neoul.”

The loose, pitch-black cloth bewildered Gio slightly. He knew what a neoul was, but he had never used one.

“…How should I wear this?”

“You’ll need assistance. Ms. Danu, please put the neoul on our handsome guest.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

A young woman wearing a pink daenggi approached and wrapped the black cloth around Gio’s gat. Strangely, he could see as clearly as though nothing covered his eyes.

“You said you’ll mostly walk through the night market. Then you’ll eat often, and covering your mouth with a mask would be inconvenient. A long neoul like this is perfect for someone who doesn’t want to reveal their identity.”

“……”

“Your atmosphere is so distinctive that someone may recognize you anyway, but your clothes are extravagant and we have adorned you with so many things. Who would study your face that closely?”

“I see.”

“The scarf is so thick that it covers almost all the lower half of your face. At this point, everything that needs covering is covered. Relax and enjoy our village, Scholar.”

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Yoo Seongwoon had changed into a blue-toned hanbok in one corner. He asked the owner,

“We would also like to purchase some lanterns.”

“Oh my, you’re really committing to the experience. What kind would you like?”

“I haven’t thought of anything in particular. What is most popular these days?”

“Well, young ladies tend to like moon lanterns.”

“Uh… What about men? We aren’t young ladies.”

“Do you imagine it is common for two men like you to come here alone?”

After thinking for a moment, the owner called one of the women wearing a daenggi.

“Ms. Hongyeon, would you bring the aquarium?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The woman called Hongyeon soon pushed over a large glass case. Inside, numerous lanterns made from hanji moved as though alive, submerged in light. The owner used a net to scoop out two small fish.

They fluttered rapidly like real fish.

“How about goldfish? They’re small and softly lit, so they shouldn’t be difficult to bring along.”

“Those will do nicely.”

Gio experienced culture shock.

‘The lanterns are alive?’

When Yoo Seongwoon mentioned “lanterns,” Gio had imagined a sky lantern one could carry or a hanging lantern.

But the goldfish lantern Yoo Seongwoon purchased fluttered gently through the air, and one soon settled beside Gio’s face.

“……”

The lantern swished its tail, and looking directly at it did not hurt his eyes.

“Enjoy yourselves, and be careful.”

The owner waved as she saw the two of them off.

After leaving the courtyard draped everywhere in silk, they stood once more on the village’s noisy road. Yoo Seongwoon called to Gio, who was looking around the village with interest.

“Well? Is anything uncomfortable?”

“It is very comfortable.”

“If you want to look around the village before entering Gyeongbokgung, we can do that.”

“The village?”

“The village market closes earlier than Gyeongbokgung. By the time we finish at the night market, the village lights will probably be out.”

“Then may we walk around the village for a while?”

“Of course.”

Yoo Seongwoon led Gio, to whom the environment clearly seemed unfamiliar, into a fan shop.

“……?”

Beside the shop stood a group of figures in crude wooden masks, craning their heads as they loitered. Gio blinked twice. Their movements were not stiff, yet they were uniform like machines that had received identical commands.

They did not particularly resemble people. Just as Gio tilted his head, unable to identify them, Yoo Seongwoon addressed the shopkeeper.

“Sir, show us some fans.”

“Goodness, what fine scholars have arrived. What would you like to see?”

“Something sturdy would be preferable…”

“Then these are the best.”

Turning his attention away from the wandering masked figures, Gio soon examined the village market with fascination.

‘Every merchant is wearing a hanbok.’

Some wore traditional hanbok and others modernized hanbok. Still others wore modern clothes underneath and only a durumagi over them. They primarily dealt with tourists walking around in hanbok and played along with the atmosphere.

Yoo Seongwoon soon gave Gio a black fan.

“Here, take it. If you are dressed as a scholar, you need at least one fan.”

“…Is a fan ordinarily essential to a scholar?”

“Perhaps. Perhaps not. It is only a meaningless souvenir.”

“Souvenirs from tourist attractions are special.”

The fan, made from black ribs and fabric, looked quite luxurious. Gio wondered whether a black fan made him look too much like a grim reaper, but he liked black and accepted it without protest.

“Most shops in Gyeongbokgung Village sell souvenirs or ingredients. They hang entire cuts of meat or sell agricultural and aquatic products they raised themselves. Everything is much fresher than products distributed from the provinces, so many people deliberately shop here.”

Gio nodded.

“The atmosphere is truly wonderful.”

“Isn’t it?”

After circling the village for some time, the two entered Gyeongbokgung Palace.

“Wait. We need to exchange some money before we go.”

“Money?”

“The owner gave you a jeonnang, remember? It is a basic service meant to hold yeopjeon. Only yeopjeon can be used inside Gyeongbokgung, so it is best to exchange as much as you expect to spend.”

“What happens if any remains?”

“You can keep it as a souvenir or exchange it back at the booth.”

Yoo Seongwoon soon returned with the jeonnang bulging.

“They say these yeopjeon were deliberately redesigned to be lighter, but they still have some weight.”

“Do people not find this method cumbersome?”

“Who knows? I’m sure some do, but people come precisely because they want to enjoy this atmosphere. The merchants inside Gyeongbokgung like receiving payment in yeopjeon because they can earn more than the listed price.”

“How can they earn more?”

“The government subsidizes the merchants.”

Yoo Seongwoon smiled faintly.

“That encourages more active use of the yeopjeon.”

“I see.”

“Here, take this. It is your identity plaque.”

“……?”

There was a plaque too?

The yeopjeon made sense because they would be used as currency, but what purpose did the identity plaque serve? When Gio looked at Yoo Seongwoon, the man shrugged.

“An all-access pass.”

“Aha.”

Excellent.

(To be continued)