"Make sure you dress warmly, and when you find a place to stay, call us. You never listen, I told you to wear thermal clothes inside."
Yeongha fussed over Geon, who was standing in front of the entrance door, adjusting his collar. Geon, hearing Yeongha's nagging for the first time in a while, smiled pleasantly. Yeongha continued,
"Your grandparents' grave is at Busan Memorial Park, 5-483. Remember that, it's a big place and you won't find it if you don't know the number."
"Yes, mom. I'll go and pay my respects."
"And you know the home address, right? It's in Sinseon-dong, Yeongdo-gu, Busan. It's cold, so don't wander around lost, be careful when driving your motorcycle, and if a car suddenly speeds up, give way, okay?"
"Haha, mom, I'm not a kid, I got it. I'll be back safely."
Yeongha touched Geon's cap one more time, adding,
"Shihwa has her finals, she's been nagging me to remind you since yesterday. If she were here, you would've been listening to a lecture for at least 30 minutes. It's a good thing it's just me at home."
"Hehe, got it. I'll be going then, mom."
After taking the elevator down, Geon put on his helmet, looked up at his apartment, and saw Yeongha looking down at him through the window.
Having sent Geon abroad for study and then immediately to the military, the short days Yeongha spent with Geon were very precious. Feeling his mother's love, Geon waved vigorously.
Yeongha, waving back, watched as Geon mounted his motorcycle. The heavy engine roared to life, and Geon, taking out his sunglasses from the bag, put on his mask and set off.
Despite the chilly early winter weather, Geon felt exhilarated by the fresh air. It was his first time traveling the national roads on a motorcycle, and he was looking forward to it. Though unfamiliar with the route, the navigation app on his phone reassured him. Soon, Geon left Seoul behind, and the scenery changed to lush mountains and fields.
"Leaving Seoul, there's a quaint countryside vibe. It feels like a trip, seeing the fields, even though it's right next to the highway and the roads are well-maintained."
Growing up in Haeundae, Busan, and then moving to Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Geon had lived in urban areas his whole life. The rural countryside was a new and fascinating experience for him.
Stopping at rest areas to quench his thirst or grab a bite, Geon eventually encountered the calm of the late afternoon. The quiet country road was a two-lane road, and a bus full of high school girls slowly made its way in front of him.
With the heater on full blast due to the cold, the girls had opened the windows and were chatting loudly. Spotting the cool motorcycle beside them, they pointed and started shouting.
"Wow! That motorcycle is so cool!"
"Show us your face, mister! Are you an uncle?"
Hearing the girls, Geon smiled and looked at the bus window.
'I wonder if they recognize me?'
Geon lowered his mask and took off his sunglasses. The high school girls screamed in delight upon seeing his face, causing chaos when one of them recognized him.
"It's Kay!"
"What?! Where? Oh my gosh, it's really him!"
As the girls began taking photos, Geon quickly put on his sunglasses and sped up, overtaking the bus.
The bus became a frenzy as the girls rushed to the front window. Geon, watching the bus in his side mirror, smiled and accelerated, soon finding himself on a quiet rural road again.
Geon spotted an elderly lady carefully guiding her grandson away from the road, reminding him of his own grandmother.
'Grandma used to take me out a lot when I was young. If it weren't for the religious disputes with mom, I could have spent more time with her.'
Geon's grandmother was a devout Buddhist, unlike his mother, who had converted from Catholicism to Protestantism and refused to participate in ancestral rites, causing tension with her mother-in-law. However, Geon always felt a strong connection to his grandmother and regretted not visiting her more before she passed away.
As night fell, Geon turned on his headlights and continued towards the city. Realizing the rural roads were too dangerous to navigate in the dark, he decided to look for a motel to stay the night.
Entering Daemiri, a quiet village, Geon stopped his motorcycle upon hearing loud music. The sound of traditional Korean instruments and shouting led him to a grand traditional house where a ritual seemed to be taking underway.
Curious, Geon parked his motorcycle and approached the open gate, where he saw villagers gathered, watching a shaman performing a ritual. Intrigued by this rare sight, he decided to stay and watch.
"I guess they still perform rituals even nowadays. I've never seen one before. Might as well take a look."
Standing with his arms crossed in front of the gate, Geon observed a shaman energetically jumping around, chanting incomprehensible words in front of a table adorned with various offerings and a large cow's head.
While Geon watched, fascinated, he overheard a conversation among three women nearby. Not one to eavesdrop, but curious about the context, he listened in.
One woman, with noticeably permed hair, exclaimed, "What's going on? This house has been the main household of this village for generations, how could such a thing happen here?"
Another woman, with her hair neatly tied back, smacked the first woman's arm, saying, "Exactly, exactly! The Choi family of Yeongcheon has been renowned since the Joseon Dynasty, how could something like this happen?"
A third woman, with a large mole on her face, nodded and added, "Hakdu is only six this year, right? He's the cherished sole grandson of the seventh generation. To think he's suddenly possessed by spirits, what's this all about?"
"Yeah, it's unbelievable. They said he went up the mountain with his mom, and all of a sudden, he started foaming at the mouth and shaking uncontrollably. Just look at Hakdu's mom, what a state she's in."
Geon turned to see a woman in her late thirties, kneeling in front of the ritual space, desperately praying. Wearing a white hanbok, she seemed on the verge of collapse from worry. Despite her exhaustion, her prayers never ceased.
"They say Hakdu's grandfather was so furious, he broke his favorite smoking pipe and brought in a famous shaman from the South Sea. That woman there, she's supposedly a very powerful shaman, earning over five hundred million a year, can you believe it?"
"But what use is her power? It's been three days of rituals from 6 PM to 9 PM, and it's so noisy every night, yet there's been no improvement."
"You think curing possession is easy? Even for a powerful shaman, it must take time."
"And look at Hakdu's grandfather, he looks like he might collapse any minute, but he's been sitting there for hours, refusing to rest despite his wife's pleas."
"Still, he's done so much good for the community; the heavens will surely recognize it. Everyone respects him here."
"My husband couldn't work for a year because of his truck accident, and Hakdu's grandfather lent us money without interest. My husband jumps up to help whenever there's work to be done for him."
Geon's gaze fell on an elderly man sitting on the main hall, watching the ritual with deep concern. The man appeared to be well over ninety, with a face marked by age but exuding kindness.
Seeing the worry on the old man's face, Geon felt a pang of empathy. The child, cradled in his grandmother's arms and hidden from view, seemed to be the focus of his concern.
"But what kind of evil spirit has possessed him to make the young boy's face turn so pale? It's heartbreaking. He was such a polite and adorable child."
"I heard from the supermarket lady that a priest from Yeongcheon Cathedral visited yesterday. But, apparently, he ran out, shouting, 'It's a demon! A demon has possessed him!'"
"A demon? Not just a spirit but a demon? That's a whole other level of trouble. What if something happens to Hakdu?"
Geon wondered if the cinematic portrayals of demonic possession he'd seen were accurate, considering the boy's lethargic state.
Moving closer for a better view, Geon noticed the boy's pale complexion and trembling lips. As he looked sympathetically at the child, the boy slowly turned his gaze toward Geon.
In that moment, as their eyes met, the boy screamed in horror, pointing at Geon.
"Aaaah!!! You, you are!!"
Simultaneously, as Hakdu reacted to Geon's presence, the shaman performing the ritual went into a trance, seemingly receiving a spirit.
Everyone in the village and the family members watching the ritual, along with the musicians, saw the shaman's eyes roll back as she trembled and shook.
Those around Geon looked back momentarily as Hakdu pointed tremblingly in Geon's direction, but they were more fascinated by the shaman receiving the spirit and focused their attention on the ritual.
The shaman bowed her head deeply and then suddenly raised it. With a sharp look around, she opened her mouth with a voice sharp as an ajeng.
"Which scoundrel has dared to invade a home blessed for generations? Who dares to sit by the pond in the dead of night? Come out this instant!"
As the shaman shook her bells and glared at each person, a grandmother stood up, presenting Hakdu in her arms, causing the shaman to gasp and fall backward.
"Good heavens!"
The shaman suddenly fell backward, crawling away from Hakdu, screaming at the top of her lungs.
"I am sorry! I am so sorry! I was blind not to recognize you, sir! I will leave immediately, please spare my life!"
As the shaman crawled around, weeping and sniffling, the crowd murmured among themselves.
"Looks like she's really possessed by a powerful spirit. Even that renowned shaman is shaking in fear."
"Isn't she the famous shaman from the south? To see her scared like that, it must not be an ordinary malevolent spirit. Oh dear, look at her crawling this way! Mom!"
The shaman crawled quickly towards the gate and tumbled down the stairs.
"Oh no! I'm going to die!"
After rolling on the ground, the shaman cautiously looked around inside the gate and then scampered off. The musicians hurriedly gathered their instruments, looking around at the crowd before retreating. The mother, who had been kneeling on the mat praying, screamed and collapsed.
"Hakdu, what's going to happen to our Hakdu? Ah!"
As the mother collapsed, the grandmother holding Hakdu rushed over.
"Dear! Hakdu's mother, snap out of it, dear!"
The grandfather, sitting on the main floor, struggled to his feet and shouted with a hoarse voice.
"Father! Hakdu's father, come out quickly!"
A large man in a dress shirt and khakis hurried out from behind the house.
"What's happened? Oh! Dear! Hakdu's mother!"
The man carried the collapsed mother into the house. The crowd's murmuring grew louder, but as the shaman had left and the mother was taken inside, the onlookers began to disperse, whispering among themselves.
The grandmother, sitting on the mat with Hakdu trembling like he had a fever, wept and wailed.
"Oh, my poor baby! What misfortune has befallen you, Hakdu! Hakdu, look at grandma!"
Hakdu, held in his grandmother's arms, kept trying to look at Geon, ignoring her. Geon, intending to leave with the dispersing crowd, found himself unable to move, captivated by the child's gaze.
Only the grandmother holding Hakdu and the grandfather sitting despondently on the main floor were left in the wide yard.
As Geon stood in front of the gate, his and Hakdu's eyes met once again.
Upon making eye contact with Geon, Hakdu hesitated, rolling his eyes as if pondering something, then mustered the strength to wriggle out of his grandmother's grasp.
The grandmother watched in surprise as Hakdu crawled out of her arms, stood up, and hurried towards the gate. The shocked grandfather and grandmother watched as Hakdu bowed 90 degrees in greeting.
"I'm sorry! I was just playing a prank… it went too far, I dared to be rude."
Geon looked at the child in disbelief. The child, who seemed on the brink of death moments ago, was now briskly walking up and apologizing in a mature tone, leaving Geon confused.
"Huh? Kid, what are you talking about?"
Hakdu bowed deeper, as if trying not to show his face to Geon.
'A kid? I'm over a thousand years old, and he calls me a kid? How powerful must he be to address me so casually? I've really stepped in it this time; my recklessness could cost me my head!'
Though invisible to others, Hakdu could see the power emanating from Geon, signaling the presence of Gamagin. Hakdu broke out in a cold sweat.
"This is bad. He must be among the top 72 demons! I'm nothing compared to him! I've faced the greatest crisis of my demonic life today!"
As Hakdu trembled and crouched down, the grandmother ran out to hold him, looking up at Geon.
"Who are you? You don't seem to be from around here."
Geon, scratching the back of his head, replied awkwardly.
"Oh , I was just passing by and heard the commotion, so I came to have a look. I apologize if I've caused any disturbance, ma'am."
Hakdu, still bowing his head, listened intently to Geon's words.
'Caused a disturbance? He's saying that for me to hear! Or is it that if I had just passed by intending to play a prank, he would let me go? Is that what he means?!'
The grandmother, stroking Hakdu's trembling body, reassured him.
"Hakdu, what's wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?"
The grandfather made his way down from the main floor and approached the gate, asking with concern,
"Cough, Hakdu, are you alright?"
He patted Hakdu's back while looking at Geon.
"Passing by, you say? Normally, we would invite you to stay the night, but as you can see, our household is facing troubles, so we must send you away with apologies, young man."
Geon waved his hands dismissively.
"No, no, sir. Troubles in the household can indeed be distressing. I hope your grandson recovers quickly."
Hakdu shivered with the thought,
'He says our troubles distress him! If the grandson doesn't recover quickly, he means to kill me!'
Geon, maintaining his politeness, bid farewell to the grandfather.
"I'll be taking my leave then, elder."
"Alright, sorry for the inconvenience. If you come by again, we'll make sure to serve you a warm meal. Cough."
Geon smiled at the grandfather and glanced at the worried-looking grandmother. Seeing her neatly done hair and traditional dress reminded Geon of his own grandmother, causing him to hesitate for a moment.
Hakdu, who had been staring at Geon's feet, began to tremble again as Geon didn't immediately leave.
'I knew it! My suspicions were correct! He says he's leaving but he isn't! He's planning to kill me!'
Suddenly, Hakdu knelt down, crawled to Geon, grabbed his legs, and began to beg, tears streaming down his face.
"Please! I'll leave immediately! Taking my life wouldn't grant you even a sliver of power! Please, show mercy just this once, elder! I beg of you, I have a family of thirty at home, including an ogre-like wife and goblin-like children! I'll leave right away, just spare me this once!! Please!!"
Geon looked down at Hakdu, who was clinging to his legs and crying, with a bewildered expression.
"What? No, kid. What are you talking about?"
Despite the tears and snot, Hakdu continued to think desperately.
'He's pretending not to know! No, that's not it! He doesn't want humans to know of his presence, so he's telling me to leave quietly, right? Or not? Argh, I can't tell, one wrong word or action today and I could be annihilated. Focus, focus, Mephistopheles!'
The grandmother tried to pull Hakdu away from Geon's legs, but Hakdu clung on even tighter.
"No, let go! If you don't, and I can't get forgiveness because of you, it's straight to the grave for me, let go!"
The grandmother burst into tears upon hearing her grandson's harsh words.
"Hakdu~ my precious grandson, how did it come to this?"
The grandfather, observing Hakdu and Geon, looked solemn. Seeing Geon's baffled expression caused by Hakdu's refusal to let go, the grandfather gestured to Geon and spoke softly,
"Would you mind doing as I say, just once?"
"Yes? Oh, yes, elder. What would you like me to do?"
The grandfather looked down at Hakdu, who was smearing his snot on Geon's pants, and said,
"Just tell him to leave, would you?"
Geon, puzzled, asked,
"Tell who to leave, sir?"
The grandfather nodded towards Hakdu and explained,
"Tell our Hakdu to leave. Just a word from you."
Though bewildered, Geon realized it wasn't a difficult task and decided to comply with the elder's request, looking down at Hakdu to say,
"Go ahead and leave."
Hakdu lifted his head sharply to look at Geon, tears welling up as he asked,
"If I leave now, will you spare me, elder? Promise you won't come after my family and harm them later! If you intend to harm my family, better to kill me now. Elder~~ ugh."
Geon, utterly confused by Hakdu's nonsensical plea, looked up at the grandfather who slowly nodded. After staring at the grandfather intently, Geon sighed and assured Hakdu,
"I won't cause any harm. Just leave. I promise."
Hakdu's face lit up with relief. He hastily pulled up his T-shirt to wipe the tears and snot from his face, then stood up, stepped back a few paces, and deeply bowed to Geon.
"Thank you, elder. I will never forget this kindness."
After bowing deeply, Hakdu lay prostrate on the ground and then suddenly collapsed to the side. The grandmother screamed and shook the unconscious Hakdu.
"Aah! Hakdu! Hakdu! Wake up, please!"
Hakdu, lying in his grandmother's arms, slowly opened his eyes and saw his grandmother shaking him awake.
"Umm... Grandmother? I'm thirsty."
The grandmother burst into tears of joy.
"Hakdu! My baby! You've come back to us! Dear, dear! Call Hakdu's father over!"
The grandfather, beaming with happiness, turned back and shouted.
"Father! Father! Hakdu has come to his senses! Come quick!"
Shortly afterward, a large man rushed out like a madman, took the babbling Hakdu into his arms, and burst into tears, holding the grandmother's hand tightly as they went inside the house.
Geon, left with the grandfather at the gate and unsure what to do next, awkwardly stood there. The grandfather, having watched his grandson's back until he disappeared into the house, turned to Geon with a broad smile and said,
"Now that the trouble has passed, heh. Would you like to stay for a meal? Have you eaten?"
This exchange, filled with misunderstandings and peculiar interactions, highlighted the complex dynamics of human (and perhaps non-human) relationships, empathy, and the power of words and actions in resolving situations, even those as bizarre and misunderstood as this one.