Chapter 126.
When the massive mallet struck the white floorboards, the explosive sound reverberated through my entire body.
Boom-!
Thud-!
Like the dull yet sharp beats of a janggu drum in theater, the sound echoed throughout the space.
“…What?”
As I noticed the air currents changing along with the drum sounds, my eyes landed on a massive 10-meter gate made of countless roof tiles.
‘…Where is this?’
An unfamiliar place.
A building never before described in <Ghost Story Record Storage> a traditional Korean hanok structure, twin full moons in the vast sky, and two totem poles with piercing gazes flanking the giant gate.
Looking elsewhere revealed only endless darkness stretching beyond the gate.
‘Deep…’
It seemed to mirror my hollow heart.
My options were limited:
- Walk through the gate
- Fall off the cliff
And 3…
Rustle-
【M-Master! Why are you here?】
“……”
That’s what I wanted to ask.
But since I could roughly guess why Miho was here, I focused more on my current predicament.
Grab-
Miho clung to my right sleeve, swishing her nine tails.
Then came a familiar voice:
Bzzt-
!
“Quite an outing we’re having, Employee Park Yeon-jeong.”
“Mr. Noise?!”
‘Why are YOU here?!’
With both Miho and Noise standing beside me in this unfamiliar place,
I couldn’t grasp the full context when Noise urged.
“Shall we go meet the one who’s been eagerly awaiting us?”
Though Noise walked ahead calmly,
having Miho on my right and Noise on my left only heightened my unease.
“Employee Park Yeon-jeong?”
The over-2m-tall figure turned his head, calling me playfully.
……
My options were few.
Knowing this, I slowly followed Noise.
Miho trailed behind, still clutching my sleeve.
Soon we stood before the massive hanok gate.
Rumble-
With the sound of movement beyond,
Thud-!
The gate’s latch opened with a resounding clang,
revealing a truly spectacular sight:
Bang-!
Bang-!
Bang-!
Colorful fireworks rose to paint the sky,
while countless goblins welcomed us:
【Kyahahaha!】
【Let’s play!】
【What wager shall we make?】
【Louder! For our rare guests, play even louder!】
Some danced with firecrackers between their fingers, others played gayageum, daegeum, ajaeng, haegeum, and taepyeongso instruments, while hopping across roof tiles in festive rhythm.
The sheer scale of celebration left me dumbfounded.
Nothing like this existed in<Ghost Story Record Storage>.
Our reactions differed.
Miho hid behind me,
while Noise bowed deeply.
“Thank you for this grand welcome! We’ll remember it forever.”
“……”
“Such festivity…it’s been too long!!”
Suddenly –
Pop-!
The small goblin who brought us here appeared.
【Whatcha waiting for?】
“Huh? Where are we going?”
I assumed this celebration was the main event,
but the goblin shocked me.
【We’re always like this – except today the ladies came out too.】
“…This is normal?”
Witnessing their extreme extroversion,
I already felt exhausted.
Then from behind me, Miho’s muffled whisper:
【T-those women…】
“What?”
【M-Master…don’t look at them…】
Clack-
Despite the noisy celebration,
that distinct heel sound pierced my eardrums.
Clack-
Clack-
Clack-
Turning toward the sound,
I saw an elegant woman in a lavish hanbok revealing ample skin, her face obscured by a black veil and hat.
Instinctively I knew a female goblin.
She stopped before me.
【Sister? What brings you?】
asked the small goblin.
Her reply.
【Give him to me.】
【Huh?】
【I want that bud who’ll bloom beautifully.】
She pointed directly at me, claiming ownership.
The small goblin looked troubled.
【Sister…normally I would, but he’s…】
【Father’s property?】
【…Yes, my apologies.】
【…I see.】
As their cryptic exchange continued,
Clack-!
The female goblin stepped closer,
reaching to caress my cheek:
【What flower will you bloom into?】
But –
Yank-!
Miho pulled me back sharply.
The goblin’s hand hung in empty air.
【……】
The small goblin hastily intervened:
【Sister! I said no!】
Through her veil,
I felt her piercing gaze.
Not understanding but wanting to be polite,
I gave a slight bow –
the utmost courtesy I could offer.
———-
/Only a bloodstained broom remained.
/Precautions:
.
.
.
*Never answer a female goblin’s questions
———-
Noise then joined with a deep bow:
Bzzt-
“Thank you for welcoming us, but please limit your hospitality.”
His playful tone carried subtle warning:
“Our employee isn’t some disposable plaything for your whims :)”
After a tense silence,
the female goblin turned away,
but left one parting remar.
【We’ll meet again…my groom.】
With crisp heel clacks,
she vanished into the crowd.
Seizing the moment, the small goblin urged:
【Hurry! If more sisters come, we’re doomed!】
As we followed,
Noise whispered.
“Another female admirer, I see.”
“……”
It’s official…
…it must be my constitution.
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