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Chapter 18
After spending a full day at the amusement park, the next morning we visited a museum, and at noon we went to see Cheomseongdae.
In the evening, we visited Donggung and Wolji.
“Wow… it’s so beautiful!”
Donggung and Wolji, a palace site from the Unified Silla period, was originally a royal pond.
Perhaps because it was a pond within palace grounds, it was enormous and magnificent.
Especially at night, when the lights came on—the view was breathtaking beyond words.
The wide walking path around the pond, lined with trees, made the air feel fresh and pleasant.
“Wow… this is seriously amazing.”
The palace buildings were already beautiful, but with the lights reflecting on the pond like a mirror, it felt like your chest opened up.
‘This is moving.’
When people see something truly beautiful, they’re moved.
We all admired the night view in awe.
“Uncle, this place is the best! It’s so pretty!”
“Yeah…”
“I’m jealous of kings from the past. They could walk around a place like this every day.”
“I’d be happy with just a villa like this.”
We spread out a mat and sat by the pond.
Many people were doing the same, drinking beer.
‘Good thing I brought these!’
Three cans of beer, soda for Yuna—
and jerky made from Red Gorilla meat.
“Wow… this jerky is amazing!”
“Are we really okay eating monster meat like this?”
“I prepared it properly, so it’s fine.”
“Hehe, it’s tasty.”
Wow… it’s beautiful.
Good snacks, good drinks—
and time spent with precious people, watching this night view.
This moment felt incredibly valuable.
There would be many more moments like this.
After all, this is why I endured everything back in H.
Inside the hidden glowing space within the food truck stood a large house.
And now that its owners were out visiting Donggung and Wolji—
this was Jjakjjak’s free time.
“Krrk krrk.”
He lay down in his room, making a strange sound typical of his species.
“Still… this is nice.”
Playing with Yuna was exhausting—but she was cute, so it felt rewarding.
His room was cool, soft, and cozy.
“Hahaha.”
Imitating Hyunsu’s laugh, Jjakjjak skillfully turned on the TV with his toes.
“This! This is the best!”
Humans were incredible.
They had developed such amazing things.
“With their intelligence… they made something this fun!”
“Thank you, Uncle Hyunjoon!”
Jjakjjak respected Hyunjoon for installing a TV in his room.
“This is really fun!”
On TV, a variety show called Animal House was featuring birds.
“??, those birds found good owners!”
He muttered while lying spread out.
“Of course, not as amazing as mine! Jjak.”
Back in the gate, it was hard to think rationally.
He simply followed his instincts and devoured everything.
But here?
He didn’t harm anyone.
He was fed, sheltered, and comfortable.
“This is amazing…!”
But that thought didn’t last long.
“I’m back, Jjakjjak! Let’s play!”
Yuna came running in cheerfully—
and climbed onto his back.
“Hyah! Hyah!”
Turning him into a racehorse.
“…Damn it.”
It was time to work again.
‘I was going to watch animation later…’
If he wanted to watch it on time, he needed to finish playing quickly.
“Neigh! Neigh!”
He… reluctantly became a horse again.
‘Would it have been better to be born as one of those birds on TV…?’
‘…No. Uncle Hyunjoon, Uncle Hyunsu, and Aunt Jiyoon are good people.’
But Yuna…
‘Maybe because she’s still young? She’s cute and kind—but also not kind.’
“Hehe, Jjakjjak! Thanks for always playing with me! Here’s a gift!”
She stuffed candy into his beak.
‘Delicious!’
“Hehe, it’s good, right?”
“Yeah! It’s good!”
“I’ll give you more later!”
‘Yuna… is a good friend!’
Early morning.
Hyunjoon came out of his room, scratching his stomach.
The first place he went was the master bedroom.
‘They’re all sleeping well.’
Yuna was asleep between her parents.
Next, he went to Jjakjjak’s room.
“…Uncle Hyunjoon, you’re here!”
Jjakjjak greeted him.
It had been five days since they met.
After the Red Gorilla business, they spent several days resting and traveling, growing closer.
Jjakjjak had even started speaking casually.
‘Still… his speech is getting weird.’
He’d been watching martial arts animations lately.
“Did you lay eggs?”
“I laid four yesterday and today!”
“Can I take them?”
“Of course!”
‘He’s strange… but a good kid.’
Male Black Birds usually eat their own eggs to grow stronger.
But this one handed them over and played with Yuna.
Hyunjoon liked that.
“I’ll cook something nice for you today.”
“Thank you, Uncle Hyunjoon!”
He headed to the kitchen.
Breakfast: toast, scrambled eggs made from Black Bird eggs, and sausages.
‘What should I call these eggs?’
…Black eggs?
“…No, that sounds weird.”
“Ah! Black Egg!”
That worked.
Soon, breakfast was ready.
“Everyone, wake up and eat!”
“Wow, American-style breakfast?”
“Sometimes it’s nice, right?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks, Hyunjoon!”
“Uncle, I’ll eat well!”
They took a bite—
“…Wow.”
“These are Jjakjjak’s eggs, right?”
“Yeah.”
Moist, rich, and flavorful—
with no fishy smell.
“I can’t stop eating!”
Everyone nodded.
“It’s not flashy, but I don’t think I can go back to normal eggs.”
“What’s Black Egg?”
“It’s easier to say.”
“Okay!”
“Sounds good.”
“…Feed me, Uncle.”
Jjakjjak appeared, hungry.
Hyunjoon smiled and gave him grilled pork belly.
“…This smells amazing.”
He bit into it.
Juicy, savory—
“…So good!”
He devoured it wildly.
“Thanks, Uncle!”
“I’ll make something even better next time. Keep playing with Yuna and laying eggs.”
“Better than this?!”
His eyes sparkled.
“I will do my best!”
‘He even used formal speech again. Must’ve been really good.’
‘Next time… steak.’
After breakfast, Jjakjjak used the bathroom and lay down to watch TV.
“Jjakjjak! Let’s play!”
“…No!”
“Why?”
“Because my favorite animation is starting!”
He was obsessed with Little Kids of the Hwasan Sect.
“Every morning at 9!”
Yuna climbed onto him anyway.
“Then let’s watch together! After that, we play!”
“Deal!”
She hugged him while watching.
“Hehe, comfy.”
“This is nice. Not tiring.”
For once—
being with Yuna felt peaceful.
And he smiled happily.
