NOVEL NEXT – Chapter 239
As the goblins started chugging the Heavenly Peach Wine straight from the bottle, the sweet scent of peaches began to waft through the entire village.
I thought they’d sip it from cups since it’s strong liquor, but nope—each of them grabbed a bottle and started guzzling it down like there’s no tomorrow.
The lively sounds of traditional music filled the air, and everyone seemed to be in high spirits.
“Woohoo!”
“Baekseol, are you having fun too?”
“Yeah!”
Suddenly, my body floated up on its own, and my vision rapidly rose.
“Whoa, that’s wild.”
“Haha! Makdung-ah, I won and came back.”
The Wrestling Goblin sat me on his shoulder and laughed heartily.
Seems like he finally won a game after losing so many times.
“Did I do well?”
“Of course. Thanks to your advice, I won spectacularly.”
Even though I couldn’t see him, I could picture the Sword Goblin puffing up proudly in front of the computer.
“Here’s some alcohol.”
“Thanks.”
*Pop!*
*Gulp, gulp.*
The Wrestling Goblin took the bottle and downed the Heavenly Peach Wine with gusto.
“Ahhh! This is some seriously divine liquor. You brewed it well.”
“Right? I worked hard on it.”
“Impressive. I’ve never tasted anything this delicious before.”
Maybe it was the victory and the alcohol, but the Wrestling Goblin, with me on his shoulder, started wandering around the village.
I saw many goblin faces along the way.
All of them looked happy.
“Those are the best lumberjack brothers in our village.”
“Oho, lumberjack brothers.”
They were the first goblins I met after entering the village, aside from the grandfather.
I remember being impressed by the huge axes they carried on their backs.
“I should ask them to make me a wooden carrier.”
“Huh? Are you planning to chop wood?”
“No, I have someone to carry.”
“…Oh, I see.”
He continued to introduce me to various goblins while carrying me around.
Even though I was like a random rock that rolled in, everyone welcomed me warmly.
“Fancy flowers have thorns! I’ll ruin this village!!”
“Someone grab that quack and lock him up!”
“Let me go, you brats!!”
Good goblins. Delicious food. Amazing liquor. Everything blended together, lighting up the slowly descending night in a dazzling way.
*Clang clang—!*
“Yahoo!”
***
“All you need to do is simmer shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, bean sprouts, and cabbage.”
“Is the broth flavored with soybean paste?”
“Our Makdung-ah, you really catch on fast.”
“Hehe.”
“Adding some greens here will make it even more refreshing.”
*Ding!*
[Acquired Hyojonggaeng Recipe]
[Acquired Dongchimi Recipe]
Steam rose from the table full of food.
The hearty broth, made by simmering vegetables and adding greens, looked incredibly delicious.
Just looking at it made my mouth water.
“Makdung-ah, take the village chief’s table and go ahead. I’ll follow.”
“Okay!”
Carrying the table full of food to the village center where the feast was held, I saw the village goblins all passed out.
Some were even hanging on trees like laundry—no idea why they climbed up there.
Whether it’s where I lived or here, the morning after drinking looks the same everywhere.
“Grandfather, have some food.”
The grandfather, leaning against a big tree, slowly opened his eyes.
He looks at me with a smile.
“·····Alright. Thank you, child.”
“Did you drink too much alcohol?”
“It’s been a while since things got this lively, so I guess I lost track.”
After three days and nights of this, the heat in the village finally settled down. It’s understandable.
Amidst all this, the goblins, who had been sprawled out, started to wake up one by one, probably catching the scent of food.
“Our Pposiraegi is up too.”
“Yeah.”
Baekseol, who had been sleeping in the pocket, peeks her face out.
Her hair is all messed up, and she looks like a bird’s nest.
Even the brave rabbit, known for its endless stamina, seems tired after three days of non-stop fun.
“We’ll head home soon, so sleep a bit more.”
“Yeah.”
Baekseol, with sleepy eyes, tucks her face back into the pocket.
Meanwhile, the lady carrying the breakfast tray picks up the bell that had been tossed on the floor.
Ding─!!
“Whoa!”
“What’s going on?”
“Did someone break in?”
The goblins, still drooling and sprawled out, start scrambling to their feet at the sound.
“Hey, you lazy bums, get up already!”
“Hoho, time to eat.”
The goblins, who had been eyeing the situation as soon as they woke up, brush themselves off and quietly approach the table.
“Eat and then get to work.”
“Ahem. Alright.”
“Yeah. They say even a dead goblin looks better after a meal, so let’s eat first.”
“Woodcutters, make sure you bring back plenty of wood. We’re out of firewood.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The woodcutter brothers nod in unison as they shovel down their soup.
“Ho-ga, check the traps by the river. The fish probably all ran away. Huh!?”
“Ah, no… It’s because of the feast…”
“Did you just throw a feast for the fish too? I heard the fish were so full from the bait they could’ve died.”
“·····.”
From the early morning scolding, the male goblins’ gazes are all glued to the ground.
“Hey, eat your food… Gasp.”
As the lady glares with wide eyes, the goblin who was speaking quickly turns his head and shoves soup into his mouth.
No matter where you go, the ladies seem to be the strongest.
***
“I’ll be going now.”
“We’re family, so don’t hesitate to come back anytime. This is a place where you can feel at ease.”
“Yes, Grandfather!”
Grandfather’s words warm my heart.
“Take care, youngest.”
“Where’s Cheondo going?”
“She’s from outside, remember?”
“Did the youngest brew a lot of alcohol?”
“This guy, at it again!”
As I wave my hand, the goblins shower me with all sorts of farewells.
Leaving them behind, I head back to where I came from, and the world instantly turns dark.
“Smell!”
“Are you up?”
“Yeah!”
It’s a cave where the scent of alcohol lingers in the wind.
I was worried about walking all the way to the gate, but thankfully, Grandfather sent me right to the entrance.
Even though it’s only been a few days, it feels like I’ve been here for a long time.
「Grandfather, what are those Duokshini in the cave plaza?」
「They’re lower spirits who couldn’t become goblins. Just remnants of lost souls, no need to pay them any mind.」
Luckily, there don’t seem to be any lower spirits today.
─Click, click.
“Whew─”
Grandfather gave me a bear…
Using the mouth, cigarette smoke flows in.
What a fascinating creature.
If you smoke it without lighting it, thick peach-scented cigarette smoke flows in, but if you light it after adding tobacco leaves, it just tastes like regular cigarettes.
“Hoo—”
Walking a bit further, I see a gate swaying like a black rainbow.
“Baekseol, let’s go home from here.”
“Yes!”
As Baekseol, perched on my shoulder, flaps her front paws, the world flips once again.
Opening my eyes, I see a pitch-black night sky gently pouring down moonlight.
“Home.”
“Home!”
It’s the rooftop, now all too familiar.
Since I came back after buying a new car at night, it seems I’ll have to sleep again.
“Should I shower and sleep a bit more?”
“Sure!”
Entering the house and opening the bathroom door, the water-loving rabbit scurries in.
“Hot water’s coming.”
“Yes!”
As warm, steamy water flows from the showerhead, Baekseol, perched on my head, gets hit first.
“Nice!”
“Let’s lather up.”
Sitting on the bathroom stool, Baekseol climbs onto my lap as usual.
The more I lather her fur, the more she disappears.
“Where’d Baekseol go?”
“Here!”
Baekseol, hiding in the foam, peeks her face out, playing around.
“There you are.”
“Yes!”
Rinsing Baekseol’s body with the showerhead, the foam washes away refreshingly.
After washing Baekseol and myself, the world feels so refreshed.
“Let’s go out.”
“Yes!”
Opening the bathroom door, Baekseol goes out first, just like when we came in.
“Baekseol…”
Splash—!
Even though I dried her off, a water bomb explodes.
“Scrub scrub!”
“I’ll lay out a towel.”
“Sure!”
Laying out a towel on what has become Baekseol’s dedicated spot and turning on the fan, she climbs on and starts rubbing herself vigorously.
Every time I shower with Baekseol, it turns into a full-on battle.
***
[Lady Han Ga-eul starts broadcasting]
[⚔️Haaaaaaan-saaaaaa!!!!!!]
[⚔️Shattaon!!]
“Welcome, guys. You’re full of energy this early in the morning.”
A lively group of friends floods in.
Our kids seem like corpses without energy.
[⚔️Good morning!]
[⚔️Hi, Bangjang]
“Hey. Good morning to you too.”
Ring-ring!
While greeting the viewers, a call comes in early in the morning.
Looking at the screen, it’s someone I know well.
“Hold on, I’ll take this call.”
Click.
“Yes, Uncle.”
– Ga-eul! Do me a favor.
“What is it?”
– Introduce our kids for me.
“Who are your kids?”
– Who else? The ones about to debut. They’re from the Meshima group.
I don’t understand the sudden call this early in the morning.
“Why should I introduce them here? Our kids only have tails.”
[⚔️???]
[⚔️Why is Bangjang suddenly talking about our tails on the phone?]
– My daughters are feeling down, kid.
“What do you mean?”
– They’re feeling down because you’re so pretty.
“Hey, so can you take care of the boys for me?”
“You can’t say stuff like that while broadcasting, Uncle. You’ll get roasted.”
“Haha, just keep it confidential.”
I knew Uncle’s agency wasn’t as big as those dinosaur agencies, but this still feels off.
Even if we lack recognition, does it make sense to be exposed on a random broadcast before even debuting?
Or maybe I’m just not keeping up with the trends.
“I’ll check the schedule and get back to you.”
“Alright, thanks.”
“Yep.”
*Click.*
[⚔️What’s up?]
[⚔️Why is our boy acting crazy?]
[⚔️Answer!]
“I’ll let you know once things settle down.”
[⚔️What schedule? You’re just gaming in your room.]
[⚔️LOLOLOLOL]
[⚔️This is ridiculous LOL]
“Kick that guy out.”
[⚔️Runs away immediately]
[⚔️Hey, facts are banned here]
I’m not sure if I’ll have time since Eonni asked me to do something too.
“Hmm.”
Honestly, it feels more bothersome than anything.
“Let’s promote some clothes first.”
[⚔️Promoting Darin’s clothes?]
[⚔️Let’s go for a lookbook]
“Yep. Promoting Eonni’s clothes.”
*Ding!*
[Ariel Land sponsored 10,000 won]
[Please, Dongtan look]
“Kick that guy out.”
[⚔️Rooting for you]
[⚔️LOLOLOL]
“Let’s do it after my morning routine.”
[⚔️LOL can’t skip that]
***
『Why just me!!!』
“Ah, refreshing.”
[⚔️Is this a fight? LOL]
[⚔️LOLOLOL]
“I’ll change clothes and be back.”
[⚔️K]
“Ta-da! How is it? Does it suit me?”
[⚔️(･`◡´･)ゝ]
[⚔️Han Dongtan! Han Dongtan! Han Dongtan! Han Dongtan!]
“What else should I try on?”