I hurried over and entered the old tree house.
"What's wrong? Is Grandpa Toto sick?"
Was it stress from Kancho that made him take to his bed?
"Huh? He's not here."
The pint-sized Kancho was standing still, holding something.
As I approached to figure out what was going on, Kancho spoke up.
"It's treason."
"Treason?"
Kancho held out what he was carrying.
It was a rectangular letter made from tree bark.
Written clearly on it was:
# I've left in search of peace. Don't look for me for a while.
"Grandpa Toto has committed treason."
"Isn't he just leaving to fulfill his purpose, like going on a pilgrimage?"
"No way. We've let discipline slip for too long. That's how the wicked demon of rebellion sneaked in."
Kancho had even picked up words that Camella uses.
He's got an impressive learning ability.
Kancho pulled out camouflage cream from his bag.
He smeared it on diligently and even put on goggles.
"Yodel Ranger Captain Kancho! From now on, I'll go after Grandpa Toto for... uh, rescue."
Gulp. He definitely said "hunt" at first.
"The commander can stay here and have some tea! It's on that shelf over there! The cookies are hidden deep in the third drawer, so feel free to eat them all!"
How much has he raided this place to know every spot?
"Mission resuming!"
There was no time to stop him.
With a booming shout, Kancho dashed out of the old tree house.
But why is he carrying a butterfly net?
After the typhoon named Kancho swept through, the old tree house fell quiet.
Jinhyuk stood there blankly for a moment, then looked around the house.
Sunlight filtering through the window and the gentle, fragrant scent of wood wafting in.
Just standing here felt healing.
He opened the shelf Kancho had mentioned.
Teas neatly organized by type.
Last time I was here, he was sipping tea too. Grandpa Toto must really like it.
'Good thing I brought this.'
From the shopping bag he'd carried, he pulled out a large case.
It was ultra-premium tea leaves air-shipped from England.
The brewing method isn't much different, so he'll figure it out.
He placed it neatly in an empty spot, then opened the third drawer.
Reaching deep inside, his hand touched a plastic case.
Pulling it out revealed a bunch of delicious-looking cookies.
Kancho, you're a ghost.
He filled the empty space in the case with cookies he'd bought from Japan.
The rest went into the second drawer.
He'll find them when he pulls out clothes.
Having finished hiding the gifts, Jinhyuk stood up.
Then, he politely clasped his hands together.
'Thanks for your help again today.'
He headed toward the entrance of the old tree house.
The Yodel Forest was still peaceful for now.
He hoped—though it might not last—that the forest's peace and quiet would endure.
At that moment.
Deep in the Yodel Forest, by a pond.
Grandpa Toto, who had set out on his pilgrimage, unfolded a chair.
He extended a bamboo fishing rod and sat down.
'It's been a while since I went fishing.'
Warm sunlight filtering through the leaves, the calm pond rippling gently, and a soft mountain breeze blowing.
Just sitting here purified his mind and body.
'If I'm out of sight for a bit, that rascal will give up.'
Was it thinking of Kancho that did it?
A "Puh-heh-heh-heh!" laugh seemed to brush past his ears.
"Urgh."
A sudden chill made him shudder.
But no need to worry.
This was a secret spot in Yodel Village that only Grandpa Toto knew.
No matter how much that guy calls himself a Yodel Ranger, finding this place was impossible.
Splash!
"Oh!"
The bobber sank deep, and he quickly grabbed the rod.
"A big one after all this time!"
The pull was no joke.
It had to be the king of this pond.
With both arms tensed and a triumphant smile, he reeled in.
"Struggle all you want! It's no use! Back in my day, I was second to none in strength—enough to make others cry!"
And it wasn't just talk.
The fish started coming up.
Excited, Grandpa Toto pulled even harder.
Almost there.
"Come to me! King of the pond... Kyaaah!!!"
Screaming at the top of his lungs, he flung the rod away.
He could swear it was the biggest shock of his life.
"Huff! Huff! Huff!"
While Grandpa Toto clutched his racing heart,
Kancho emerged from the pond, dripping water as he walked over.
"How was my underwater infiltration, Grandpa Toto?"
"Don't do that!! I almost crossed the River Styx for real!"
"Why'd you commit treason! What more do you want! I even gave up my soy sauce egg rice for you!"
'What is this crazy yodel talking about!'
And that soy sauce egg rice was mine to begin with.
Kancho had already stuffed himself full, his belly round.
He'd seen it with his own eyes—what kind of "gave up" is that!
"Surrender peacefully."
A butterfly net loomed over his head.
"What's this now."
"Just in case you try to run again. No choice. They say yodels aren't meant to be fixed."
'What is he even saying.'
"Walk. The commander's waiting."
Kancho, wringing water from his fur, dragged Grandpa Toto along.
Escapee captured.
Mission accomplished.
*
Inside the old tree house.
The escorted Grandpa Toto wore a dazed expression.
Where am I? Who am I? Why am I sitting here?
He'd been by a peaceful pond, but next thing he knew, he was back home.
He lowered his gaze.
The Yodel Compass sat there plainly.
It felt strangely like déjà vu.
"Have a sip."
He took a drink from the tea Jinhyuk offered.
"Mmm. Very fine tea."
"I brought it for you, Grandpa."
"Unlike a certain someone who dragged an old man here with a butterfly net."
Anyway, the delicious tea cleared his head.
Rubbing his hands together for the enhancement ahead.
"Is it dangerous work again today? Could the Yodel Compass break if it goes wrong?"
"It's always like that. The compass itself is so fragile."
"Really? Aren't you sleepy today?"
"Thanks to you, I'm wide awake, you little..."
"No good."
Kancho pulled out a small necklace.
"Wear this, Grandpa Toto."
"Hmm? What's this messy thing?"
"It's a clay necklace I made yesterday. It'll explode if you fall asleep."
"As if I'd wear that! Get out of the way, you pest. You're in the way."
Pushing Kancho aside, Grandpa Toto picked up his tools.
He struck a pose and stared at the Yodel Compass for a moment.
"Bring it here. It's lacking tension otherwise."
"See? Wearing it gives that chased feeling—thrilling and good."
He put the necklace on himself and began the enhancement.
It felt a bit inhumane, but since Grandpa wanted it, whatever.
Holding their breath, they watched the artisan at work.
'I believe in you, elder!'
He'd said it was the last one left.
If it broke, he might really cry.
After tinkering for a while.
"Ah!"
Startled, Grandpa dropped the tool.
"I'll blow it up."
"Why blow it up! It succeeded!"
Ding!
[Yodel Compass enhancement successful! Yodel Compass LV3]
['Clue Visualization' function added to Yodel Compass!]
# Fill the center of the compass with enough dandelion seeds.
# Hold the compass and think of what you want; the seeds will scatter and draw a clue.
# If multiple targets exist, it may draw a different image each use.
"Next time, react differently. I almost exploded just now, Grandpa."
Jinhyuk stroked his chest in relief.
He'd thought the Yodel Compass shattered and jumped.
Anyway, clue visualization—what a cool new feature.
"Are there dandelions outside?"
"The Yodel Forest is full of them."
No need to hesitate.
He quickly went out, gathered dandelion seeds, and filled the compass.
Gripping it, Jinhyuk closed his eyes.
He began to visualize.
The frozen tundra of Frostheim, a flower blooming there. And the resilient seed that would make it bloom.
"Commander!"
At Kancho's call, he opened his eyes.
The dandelion seeds scattered into the air, forming a shape.
It was clearer than expected.
The background was a crumbling thatched hut.
Not far away were various wooden carvings.
Looks like a hobby of wood carving.
And nearby, an old man tending to something.
As he studied the continuing form, piecing together clues.
Whoosh.
Thick smoke drifted in from behind.
"What are you doing, you cultist! The dandelion seeds are getting blocked!"
"I remember."
He turned around.
Come to think of it, back in Frostheim, Camella had said.
She'd once seen a flower grown in a blizzard. There was a family that did that for generations, but she couldn't recall the name.
"It's Hanamori. The name of that family."
"Oh."
Jinhyuk smiled.
It started to shimmer before his eyes.
The flower that would bloom in the snowy fields of Frostheim.
*
Two hours later, Incheon Airport.
Sato Tsubasa stepped out of the taxi, frowning.
'Is this a dream?'
Maybe from lack of sleep.
He was seriously confused if this was reality or not.
"Thanks."
Jinhyuk followed, stretching.
Exactly an hour and a half ago.
The moment he lay down in the hotel bed to sleep, the counter called.
And told him something unbelievable.
A person named Yoo Jinhyuk had come looking for him.
He'd shown it in person.
Just as Tsubasa had visited, he could visit too.
-I need a little help.
That was the first thing Jinhyuk said upon seeing Tsubasa.
A situation that should have been absurd enough to anger him.
Normally, he'd have scoffed and refused.
If the other party wasn't Yoo Jinhyuk, and if the offer hadn't been to count this help as settling a debt.
"Shall we go?"
"Just a minute, Mr. Yoo Jinhyuk. Let me confirm one more time. Getting you into the national intangible cultural heritage site under government management. That's the end of my role. Right?"
"Correct."
Jinhyuk nodded along with his answer.
Looking up about Hanamori wasn't hard.
Most were old articles, but the family itself was designated as an intangible cultural heritage, so search results were plentiful.
However, for some reason, the current Hanamori was residing in a government-managed facility.
Whether for protection or another reason, he didn't know.
That's why he asked for help.
From someone whose influence seemed perfect for it.
"Got it. I had to head back to Japan anyway. But you came without booking a flight—will there be seats?"
"There are. Always."
With a meaningful smile, Jinhyuk started walking.
Shrugging, Tsubasa followed.
Step.
And not long after, at the sight unfolding before him.
"Ha..."
Sato Tsubasa, member of the Japan Innovation Party, could only gape.
----------
T/N:
Just for being a free member, you'll get 5 advanced chapters every week!
Access 35 chapters in advance on my Patreon:[email protected]//towerup