Little Pink Starfish

Now that he thought about it, Saeon was someone who engaged in the most dangerous kind of hunting in the world. Lost in dark thoughts, Ebi was picking at the meal with his chopsticks when he suddenly looked up and saw Saeon with a sulky expression—as if saying he’d endure it, but he really didn’t like it. It was such a rare look that Ebi felt a strong urge to take a photo and cherish it forever, but he managed to hold back. Just thinking that a hunter who normally killed or stabbed or beat first, whether yokai or human, was holding back because of him made Ebi feel pleased.

Compared to when they first met, Saeon’s emotional range was definitely growing. Ebi even considered showing him a touching documentary next, instead of just romance stuff.
Either way, it seemed best not to show any signs of closeness with Eun-jun in front of Saeon.

“This place was recommended to me—it’s supposed to be really good.”

“Try it, try it,” Ebi said, placing a good chunk of braised short ribs onto Saeon’s plate. Saeon ate it indifferently, but his expression soon softened, as if the taste suited him. When Ebi gave him more, Saeon mimicked his gesture and selected some ginkgo nuts and chestnuts from the ribs to place on Ebi’s plate. Ebi smiled brightly and bit into a chestnut.

“Delicious… Oh! That reminds me.”

After quickly chewing and swallowing the chestnut, Ebi’s eyes sparkled.

“What animal should I sneak in as tomorrow?”

“Who knows.”

“Come on, take another look!”

With a burst of blue flame, Ebi transformed into a fox. He scampered over to Saeon’s feet and propped himself up, resting his head and paws on Saeon’s knees. Saeon absentmindedly stroked the animal’s fur, then picked the fox up and placed him on his lap. Ebi flopped down on Saeon’s firm thighs and wagged his tail. The red string tied to his tail swayed gently. Ebi tilted his head, eyeing the plum-blossom knot.

‘Is it really okay to wear this like this? …It should be fine, right? Better to look like a pet fox than a wild one.’

After nibbling on a chestnut fed by Saeon’s chopsticks, Ebi transformed into a small bird. The bird, barely the size of a palm, had shiny feathers. He hopped around Saeon’s lap and arm, showing off his cuteness.

Watching him quietly, Saeon’s lips curled into a smile. Stroking the tiny bird’s feathers with his finger, he said—clearly copying Ebi’s tone—gently:

“From what I see, you look good as anything.”

At that, the little bird flapped its wings loudly in joy.

Afterward, there was a small moment of chaos when the hunter tried to playfully pop the palm-sized field mouse (which Ebi had turned into) into his mouth as it was washing its face—causing Ebi to let out a shriek—but all in all, the meal ended on a cheerful note.

🍬

“Arang, are you okay? How’s your body?”

Ebi asked with concern as he peered at Arang. The white fox, curled up on the sunlit balcony, blinked awake and turned into a human. A faint smile appeared on her pale face.

“I’m fine. Feeling much better.”

Though she said that, her complexion still looked sickly. After tying her long hair up, she looked even more frail. She patted Ebi’s head as he squatted in front of her, and then said “Ah,” as if something had clicked.

“You’re going to check on the humans cursed by the King of Mangryang, aren’t you?”

As expected, nothing could be hidden from Arang’s eyes, and Ebi grinned sheepishly. Today, before heading out to investigate humans cursed by Igok, he had stopped by to check on her.

“I’m not 100% sure, but I figured it’s better than doing nothing.”

After hearing that, Arang took out a Chilseong Bell from her sleeve and held it for a while before nodding.

“No, they’re definitely connected.”

“Wait, but I… don’t have any gold.”

Startled that she was suddenly telling his fortune, Ebi fumbled through his pockets. But when he offered gold, Arang gently pushed it back.

“It’s okay. The King of Mangryang said to charge all divination related to missing goblins to him from now on.”

“Igok-nim did…?”

Ebi’s brow furrowed. Even though goblins had been disappearing, the King of Mangryang had done nothing—until Ebi himself was attacked. Then he suddenly acted aggressively. Ebi was grateful for his concern, but couldn’t help feeling bitter that Igok didn’t show the same care for other goblins.
So Ebi resolved himself.

“Since Igok-nim even gave me gold, this time I have to find out where our friends are.”

“Be careful and don’t get hurt. You probably won’t, but always be careful.”

“Yeah. You take care too, Arang.”

Remembering how Arang always came out to see him off, he gently told her not to today. Then, as he left the officetel and looked back, he saw Arang waving at him from the terrace. He waved back, then got in his car and drove off. Near the destination, he parked and transformed into a bird, flying straight to the address he’d scouted earlier.

The humans cursed by the King of Mangryang lived in one of Seoul’s wealthiest areas. When Ebi had looked them up online, he was surprised at how massive and luxurious the houses were, even in such an expensive neighborhood—thanks, clearly, to the fortune they’d gotten from Igok.

Landing quietly on a tree branch, Ebi blinked his black eyes. Seeing the place in person, the energy it gave off was overwhelming. Maybe because all the blood relatives lived close by, Igok’s aura was thick even far from the house.

After observing, Ebi dropped to the ground and turned back into human form. He pulled out his tools: a narrow plastic candy container, and a goblin club he had borrowed from Igok.

“Alright. Let’s get started.”

Grabbing the club, Ebi transformed. With a burst of blue flame, a red fox appeared—smaller and fluffier than usual. Ebi spun in place to check himself. No matter where you looked, it was a perfectly adorable baby fox, so convincing that even other yokai would fall for it.

He rolled around on his back, getting his fur dirty with soil and leaves. Then he shoved his head into the plastic container. After much effort, pop!—his head fit perfectly. It was tight enough that even if he pushed with his paws, it wouldn’t come off.

All preparations for infiltration were complete.

Wearing the container over his head, Ebi trotted up to the front gate of the target house. Through the semi-transparent plastic, he could clearly see the tightly shut gate.

‘Yep, there’s a spell on it.’

Just like at Jusayamong, where hunters had been swarming, he figured the house must have some kind of defense. As Saeon had confirmed, this house was enchanted so that only those approved by its residents could enter.
To get in, Ebi needed the cooperation of the humans living there.

He crouched between utility poles, waiting. The container on his head was more uncomfortable than he’d expected, and he scratched at it with his back paws.

After countless yawns and much waiting, finally a black car approached in the distance. As it slowed in front of the gate, Ebi sprang to his feet. He started jumping in place and released a burst of spiritual energy to attract attention.

Sure enough, the car stopped. Ebi quickly withdrew the energy and started acting like a pitiful little creature. Two children, about elementary school age, got out. The girl scolded the driver in a prim voice.

“See? I told you there was a dog at our gate!”

“My apologies, miss. I must have overlooked it.”

It was even better that they were children. Ebi staggered like he had no strength and banged his head against the wall. Technically, it was the container that hit, so the impact was minor—but to onlookers, it seemed serious.
The boy’s eyes went wide. He lingered near the fox, then tugged on his sister’s sleeve.

“Sis, I think the dog’s head is stuck.”

“You’re right. Poor puppy.”

Pretending he couldn’t see, Ebi zigzagged and bonk—bumped into the boy’s leg with the container. The startled boy stepped back, then hesitated and reached out.
But the chauffeur, narrowing his eyes suspiciously, quickly intervened.

“Oh no, young master! Don’t touch that filthy thing!”

“But the puppy’s hurt.”

The girl was more assertive and grabbed at the jar stuck on Ebi’s head. But when Ebi let out exaggerated whimpers—whine, whimper, whimper—she panicked and let go.
Then Ebi rubbed his soft fluffy tail on the kids’ hands and legs, slowly melting their hearts.

“No! If he goes there again, he’ll hit his head!”

The kids became totally absorbed, fussing over him, patting his back and trying to steer him away from the wall. While the driver stood unsure what to do, the gate suddenly opened—and a man in a formal suit stepped out.

“What’s going on? Why haven’t you escorted them inside yet?”

“Mr. Kang, sir, well… it’s just…”

Following the driver’s gaze, Mr. Kang turned his head—and his eyes widened.
Ebi, pretending to cower and back away in fear, thought to himself:

Perfect. The one with decision-making power is here.