The Jirisan Yokai Extermination Office (7)

“That’s how it happened.”

“That’s how it went.”

“I see, that’s how it was.”

Those were the words uttered in turn by me, Ha-neul, and the director.

I explained the circumstances of Jomagu’s extermination to the director in as much detail as possible.

Of course, I omitted any mention of the Taejasinggi or the goblin.

It wasn’t that I particularly wanted to hide information from him.

For some reason, my instincts rang an alarm bell:

Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely.

Humans must never know about the ‘Taejasinggi’ and ‘goblins’.

I had naturally deleted my search history as well.

As for the goblin’s horn I had acquired from Jomagu, I concealed it within my tails.

Regarding this goblin’s horn, I intended to inquire with Depot, Old Monk Bangta, Jang Hwa-hyeon,

Or in the worst case, even the Lord of the Mountain.

While this made explaining certain aspects of the incident difficult,

Fortunately, having realized I meant no ill will, the director understood me.

“I’ve grasped the situation more or less, Lady Miho. First, allow me to express my gratitude for exterminating Jomagu. Thank you, Lady Miho.”

“Yes, well…”

“So, to summarize your account, Miho, Jomagu was not actually a Grade 7 yokai, but rather a formidable yokai comparable in power to that blue-furred demonic fox… This seems to be the crucial point.”

“Precisely.”

“Lady Miho, I have a question to ask you.”

“Please, go ahead.”

The director scratched his head vigorously and heaved a sigh.

Ah.

A hair just fell out.

Such a pity.

“Haah… For the past two weeks or so, the Jirisan Yokai Extermination Office has encountered an unprecedented series of events. Three of them, in fact.”

“…”

“The first was the blue-furred demonic fox, the second was you, Lady Miho, and the third was Jomagu. Lady Miho, do you think this is all mere coincidence?”

“I’m not certain myself, but…”

The blue-furred demonic fox.

Me, the multi-tailed fox yokai.

Jomagu.

The Taejasinggi.

Goblins.

Coincidence?

“It doesn’t seem like… a coincidence. While I’m not sure, there definitely appears to be some connection.”

“Then does that mean formidable great yokai like the blue-furred fox, you Lady Miho, or Jomagu could reappear…?”

“The possibility is high. Though there’s no guarantee such yokai will specifically appear in Jirisan.”

“…I understand. Allow me one final question. May I ask why you are sharing this invaluable information with us?”

“Because I need your assistance.”

I was not the arrogant sort of yokai who believed I could unravel the secrets of the ‘Taejasinggi’ and ‘ascension’ through my own power alone.

The more strengths were combined, the mightier one became.

Just as there was information only a yokai like myself could know,

There was surely information only humans could possess.

I extended my hand to him and said:

“I hope we can continue getting along, Director.”

After briefly contemplating my outstretched hand, the director seemed to steel his resolve, grasping it as he spoke:

“I’m counting on you, Lady Miho.”

Ha-neul, who had been observing our exchange, was beaming for some reason.

Hmm.

It seemed

I had gained a reliable ally.

---

Three days had passed since the Jomagu incident.

This was the midpoint of Jirisan, the very spot where Jomagu had caused chaos before vanishing.

For a Grade 7 yokai, Jomagu had inflicted considerable damage.

Trees across a 1km area of Jirisan had been utterly flattened.

The collapse of man-made structures was preferable, for they could be rebuilt with funds and materials.

But trees –

Those that had grown over decades or centuries could not be so easily restored, no matter the effort.

Not every member of the Jirisan Yokai Extermination Office loved nature wholeheartedly.

Yet they all worked in unison towards recovery efforts.

Surprisingly, the trees that had grown in Jirisan over hundreds of years had served as a natural barrier against yokai, fulfilling their role admirably.

The loss of trees meant a loss of defensive capability.

As the director wiped the beads of sweat from his brow and head with a towel, he pondered:

‘At least thanks to Miho, the damage was minimized. If we had unleashed firepower… I shudder to think.’

Who knew, perhaps every tree within a 2km radius would have been set ablaze.

Had it not been for their collaborative relationship with Miho, they would have had to bombard Jomagu – that formidable Grade 7 yokai capable of devouring all forces except physical ones – with heavy firepower to exterminate it.

After Ha-neul had rushed back to report her failure in defeating Jomagu, necessitating the deployment of firepower,

The director had genuinely considered waging an all-out assault with bazookas and flamethrowers.

Even if it meant scorching the entire Jirisan region, exterminating Jomagu here was the mission and duty the nation had entrusted him with.

Well.

Thanks to Miho, such a catastrophe had been averted, and the director felt truly grateful towards her.

“Lady Miho, could you help move this tree over here?”

“Yeeeah.”

“Ah… You even respond… Thank you, thank you!”

She was even voluntarily assisting with the recovery efforts.

What a remarkable yokai she was.

Slowly but surely, Lee Han-ul’s suspicions towards Miho began melting away.

Chomp chomp chomp.

Soon after, she began emitting azure flames from her tails and swiftly relocated the trees at rapid speed.

“Oooooh…!”

“As expected of Lady Miho, truly amazing!”

“The pride of Jirisan! Yokai goddess!”

Haah.

You’re all so pathetic…

Lee Han-ul shook his head at his subordinates, who had been completely entranced by Miho, their gazes filled with admiration.

---

What would be a suitable reward for exterminating Jomagu?

In Ha-neul’s case, she had refused any reward.

Since she hadn’t really done anything, insisting it was Miho’s achievement alone,

She even requested that her share be given to Miho as well.

The director wondered what Miho would ask of him.

While mildly apprehensive, Lee Han-ul resolved to oblige her request gracefully.

Even if

She demanded information above ‘Grade 2 Confidential’ clearance.

Divulging Grade 2 Confidential information to a mere yokai could be considered treasonous and a betrayal of humanity.

Yet the director lacked justification to refuse Miho’s request,

Nor did he particularly wish to do so.

She had saved their lives, exterminated Jomagu, and assisted with recovery efforts.

As a human, he could not refuse the request of one who had strived so diligently for their sake.

Yes.

It was at this moment that the director’s suspicions towards Miho were finally laid to rest.

Though he had not been entranced by her charms like his other subordinates,

It was undeniable that he was viewing Miho in an increasingly positive light.

Moreover,

The Jomagu incident had solidified a proper alliance between them.

There was no reason to regard Miho unfavorably.

For this reason, the director approached Miho, who was frolicking in the front yard of the Yokai Extermination Office.

She was darting playfully between the sprinklers, watched over by the office’s civil servants with fond smiles.

…To waste their precious lunch break simply observing a fox yokai.

From the director’s perspective, it was an incomprehensible act.

In any case, disregarding his subordinates, the director approached Miho.

No,

He attempted to approach, only to be obstructed by his very subordinates.

“Director, wait a moment!”

“What is it?”

“La, Lady Miho is playing right now.”

“I can see that. So what?”

“How about waiting around 10 minutes before addressing her… I’d like to watch a bit longer! Isn’t she just adorable? Interrupting this would be inhumane!”

“Fine, I suppose I’m inhuman then.”

“Director, please!”

Beset by his subordinates’ protests, the director reluctantly agreed to speak with Miho after 10 minutes.

Thus, he found himself inadvertently observing Miho’s frolicking alongside his subordinates.

Hmm.

Well.

She, she was rather cute.

---

“Buy me Doggy Freeze.”

“…Pardon?”

Doggy Freeze?

A phrase he had never heard before.

What could it be?

What was this captivating fox yokai requesting of him?

Could it be, one of those exorbitantly expensive luxury brands humans often spoke of?

Or perhaps,

Something legally unobtainable in the Republic of Korea.

The director swallowed hard before asking Miho:

“…If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly is Doggy Freeze?”

“Apparently, it’s premium dog food.”

“…Pardon?”

For a moment, Lee Han-ul wondered if he had misheard.

Yet observing her six swaying tails,

He had indeed heard her correctly.

Though briefly taken aback by Miho’s request, the director soon regained his composure and spoke:

“If it’s dog food you want, we still have plenty left at the office. They’re all premium dog food, so as much as you’d like, Lady Miho…”

“That stuff has no flavor.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. The cheap dog food you initially provided was better, in a way. How should I put it… Like vegan products lacking a savory chew and richness in flavor. Ah, was that an insensitive remark? You’re not vegan, are you, Director?”

“…”

“Apparently, this Doggy Freeze brand is quite renowned among canines. Something like ‘our dog loved Doggy Freeze to death’ or whatever. Anyway, get me one small breed size, one big breed size, and one all-age variety. I’ll reorder whichever tastes best among the three.”

“I… understand.”

Was she human, canine, fox, or yokai?

The director was beginning to lose track of Miho’s true nature.

“…Would you perhaps like some doggy treats as well?”

“Pardon? That’s a bit… Who are you calling a dog, exactly?”

“…My apologies, that was out of line. Forgive me.”

‘She’d probably love them, though.’

Inwardly, Lee Han-ul resolved to order some doggy treats as well.