Zzzzt.

Just like that, the creature dipped its head—as if offering a final farewell.

Was I really going to let it go like this?

Giving up? That’s a word you use when making kimchi, not one you’ll find in Spicy Fabre’s dictionary.

Because Spicy Fabre’s dictionary isn’t some kind of all-purpose encyclopedia—it’s a venomous creature’s guidebook, nothing more, nothing less.

And so, I grabbed the creature, clearly about to leave, under the not-so-shabby excuse that its wound hadn’t been properly treated yet.

“Trying to leave already? I took out the spine, sure, but the wound still isn’t healed. Your gills are where you pull in water—it’ll get infected, and that’s gonna hurt like hell.

We’ve got kids on our boat who can treat it. Come with us, just until then. You can leave after we fix you up.”

That wasn’t some half-baked excuse either.

Fish gills actually are the parts most exposed to bacteria. They're delicate and easily infected.

Even if I’m no fish expert, that much I knew.

Fish filter water through their gills to breathe—so naturally, that’s the part in constant contact with whatever nasty stuff’s floating around.

That’s why when you buy a fish, the gills and guts are the first things you cut out. Same logic here.

Zzt.

Zrrt. 『Dad, it says thank you. It’ll accept your help.』

Nice. Got it to stay—step one, complete.

I’d succeeded in stopping it from leaving—for now.

If I could just get it near the others, the kids would work their magic. And if it saw there were more like them, maybe curiosity, maybe comfort, would kick in.

And maybe—just maybe—it’d change its mind about leaving.

I quickly turned to Geumdo.

“Geumdo, let’s go! Back to the ship!”

Brrrr.

With Cho and Yeondu clinging to my shoulders, I climbed onto Geumdo’s back and turned to the stingray.

“You think you can keep up?”

Zzzrrr.

“Good. Then follow us carefully. Let’s go, Geumdo!”

Brrrrrrrr.

At my word, Geumdo pushed off, lowering himself as much as possible to keep his golden shell hidden, gliding over the lake’s surface.

As we made our way back to the ship, a voice rang out behind us.

“So-ryong-nim!”

I turned my head toward the sound and saw Sagong Won waving at us from the reeds near the lakeshore.

There were water bandits too, heads peeking out between their moored boats and the tall grass.

“Oh, right—the water bandits.”

I had nearly forgotten about them. Would’ve just up and left them behind.

But even if we were leaving, we had completed our task. A quick word of thanks was the least I could offer.

I directed Geumdo to the shore to give Sagong Won a final farewell.

“Chief Sagong Won, you’ve done well. Thanks to you, we found the spirit beast and were able to speak with it.”

“You—you spoke with it?”

“Yes. And I’m truly grateful for your help. Let’s meet again someday.”

“You’re leaving... just like that? Ah—no, no, of course. Travel safely, So-ryong-nim.”

He looked briefly startled but quickly smiled. Maybe relieved, even, that we were leaving after putting him through the wringer.

I gave him a nod.

“Yes. We’ve identified the cause of the whirlpool—it won’t trouble Dongting Lake again. I’ll have a word with the spirit beast about that. Oh, and one more favor, if I may?”

“Oh, of course! Anything, just name it!”

Sagong Won suddenly became extra generous now that we were heading out.

We were definitely taking the stingray with us, but still—pollution was no joke, and I wanted to send a message.

“Could you spread the rumor that the whole incident happened because people were dumping trash in the lake and the Dragon King got pissed?”

“I’ll do what I can.”

“Great. Thank you again. Let’s meet again someday.”

I smiled at his energetic reply, nodded, and turned to leave—silently calling out to my kids.

『Hey, kids. Dad’s bringing back a new spirit beast friend. When we arrive, can you greet it warmly so things aren’t awkward? Maybe try to convince it to live with us too?』

Shiaa. Understood, So-ryong-nim.

Gwoo-ooo. Of course, Father.

Just like the stingray had hidden under the sand, our recruitment plan was already in motion—quiet and underwater.

***

Our ship was anchored mid-lake, stalled without Geumdo to power it.

Sure, we had sails, but wind wasn’t exactly reliable.

As soon as Geumdo arrived, he swam beneath the ship and latched onto it.

Then came the telltale sound of the sailors hooking in.

Clunk. Clack.

With Geumdo locked in and ready to push, the stingray that had followed us slid up beside the boat, poking its head above water.

The moment it surfaced, the women gasped in delight.

“Oh wow! Ryong, this was it? It’s gorgeous!”

“Such beautiful colors, So-ryong.”

With its velvety hide in hues beloved by fur fashionistas, the stingray became an instant hit.

They said its pattern reminded them of a reverse dalmatian, which was apparently very chic.

“I wonder what it feels like? Smooth?”

“Probably really soft.”

“It has venom in its tail, so be careful.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. The place where Sister Seol was stung—melted. We’ll need to confirm, but this one likely has similar poison.”

“I... I see.”

As they oohed and ahhed, itching to touch it, I offered a warning about the danger, then asked for Moji and Soji to be brought out.

The wound from the spine was small, but the twins’ healing abilities would take care of it.

“Can someone go to the cabin and bring Moji and Soji?”

Zrrrt. 『Dad, I’ll go.』

Bini piped up immediately.

“Alright, I’m counting on you, Bini.”

Out loud, I thanked her—but inwardly, I had a different thought.

We’d already arranged something beforehand.

“Bini, bring them out slowly, okay?”

Zrrt! 『Got it, Dad.』

We were buying time—giving the kids a chance to build rapport with our guest.

As Bini headed below deck, the next group stepped up to greet the stingray.

Shiaa. 『Nice to meet you. I’m Cheongyu. I’m a friend of So-ryong-nim.』

Goo-goo. 『I’m Seol. Pleased to meet you. I’m his daughter. Your colors are truly lovely.』

Zrrrt. 『I’m Hyang. I’m Daddy’s daughter too.』

Zzzt.

Cheongyu, Seol, and Hyang—the welcoming committee.

Riding on Cho and Yeondu, the three of them floated to the surface and began chatting with the stingray.

Shiaa? 『Do you have a name? Oh... no? That’s okay.』

Goooo. 『Well, we didn’t have names either, not at first. Father gave all of us our names.』

Zrrrrt. 『Hyang says Dad gave her name too. It means “fragrance,” like a scent. Pretty, right?』

Zzzt, zzt. Zrrrr.

The kids chatted freely at the water’s surface.

Satisfied that they were forming a decent connection, I quietly backed away. When I glanced down, Hwa-eun gave me a knowing look and whispered a revelation.

“I just remembered. That name—‘Ilwolseongjin’ from the Twenty-Four Venoms. The ‘Moon’ of the ‘Sun-Moon-Star-Quake’ quartet. The term Baekwolheukjeombun—I think it referred to this creature.

I didn’t realize earlier because the last character was smudged, so I only remembered it as Baekwolheukjeom.”

Baekwolheukjeombun — the “White Moon Black-Spotted Ray.”

That clicked immediately.

I’d seen it in the Secret Compendium of Venomous Creatures. Like Hwa-eun said, the last character had been blurred, and I remember thinking it seemed incomplete. The sketch had just shown a moon with a black dot—probably a top-down view of this stingray.

So the name must’ve come from that—its body was round like a full moon, and the black specks looked like spots on it.

Guess I’ll call her “Heukjeom” from now on. Even if she doesn’t stay with us... no, scratch that—especially because I planned to make her stay somehow.

That was when I heard her voice.

Zrrt?

And a worried question followed from Seol.

『Father, um... she’s wondering when the treatment’s going to start. She says sorry, but she’s still in pain.』

“What? Oh—tell her it’ll be soon, just to wait a bit.”

Then another thought struck me.

Wait... is she male?

It felt off, because that kind of bluntness about their own discomfort... most females wouldn’t speak that way, especially spirit beasts.

『“Hyang, is your friend male?”』

Zrrrrt. (No, she’s a sister.)

So much for that theory. Hyang answered flatly: female.

I sighed and gave up stalling.

『“Bini, okay, go ahead. Bring out Moji and Soji now.”』

Zrrrrr. (Okay, Dad.)

Faster than expected... guess she’s got that no-nonsense vibe. Kind of like a squash—cute and round but firm as hell.

Moments later, Bini crawled out from the cabin with Moji and Soji perched on her head.

“Moji, Soji. That big sister over there is hurt—can you help her?”

Mew!

Mew-mew!

The two soft, snowball-like creatures bowed their antennae politely before taking flight.

Wiggling their plump little bodies, they floated up over the stingray’s head.

A shimmer of sparkling silver powder drifted down.

Their bodies glowed faintly too, and as the glittering dust settled on the stingray, she suddenly spun joyfully through the water.

Zzzt!

She dipped her head—a thank you, likely. The pain was gone.

I dove down to check the gills myself.

“Let me take a look—see if it’s all healed.”

Zzt.

She popped halfway out of the water, showing me a cheerful face.

The previously wounded gill? Completely fine. Not a trace of damage.

“Good as new.”

The treatment had gone well. But there was still a problem: we hadn’t had enough time to build trust.

Just as she looked like she was about to thank me and leave, I tried one last time.

Zz—

“Don’t mention it. Of course we heal injured spirit beasts. But... are you still set on not living with us?”

Zzzz...

She looked... apologetic. Less like a brick wall, more like a soft refusal.

If I’d just had a little more time... maybe I could’ve convinced her.

Still, I didn’t plan to beg.

If I clung now, I’d never get another chance. But if I left a good impression...

Who knows?

“Well... can’t be helped. Then, take care—wait! Just one thing—could I ask you a favor?”

Zrr?

“Yes, a little request.”

Right as I was about to let her go—an idea popped into my head.

“Could I... maybe pet your head? It’s just, I’ve always loved spirit beasts. It’s been a dream of mine to pet one.”

Zrrrrr?

“Just for a second! Just the head. Unless you really don’t want me to.”

It wasn’t some pervy move or anything. I’d seen those scuba videos—people petting rays in the wild.

And the rays didn’t resist. In fact, most seemed to melt under the touch, eyes closing, letting humans caress them like it was the best thing in the world.

I wanted to experience that too.

Zrrrrrrrr.

She lifted her head slightly—giving me permission, it seemed.

I gently placed my hand on her smooth, soft head.

Zzzt, zzt.

And like magic—just like in those videos—she closed her eyes and relaxed, clearly enjoying it.

I kept petting her for maybe ten minutes. Just me and her.

When I finally stepped back and was about to say goodbye—

“Well then... take care. And if we ever meet again, maybe don’t give people such a hard time, yeah? What a shame. Cho, can you lift me up, buddy?”

Zz. Zzrrr...

From behind me, I heard it.

Her cry.

Different from before—this one was... complex.

Cho approached, raising his antennae like he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.

Zrrt zrrrr. 『Dad... she just asked... if she follows us, will she get more head pats?』

“...What!?”

And that was the moment it clicked.

So that’s why stingrays always looked so entranced in those videos. Turns out, human touch is addictive to them.

I stared at her in disbelief, the thought forming in my mind:

Is this... what the old folks meant when they said “Ah, yes—the recluse ray”?!

Heukjeom had been won over.