Chapter 275 - 274: In Jeju island
As they stepped off the private jet, John spoke up. "Our things will be taken care of. Let's go."
The group walked down the stairs, stepping onto the ground of Jeju. The warm breeze carried the scent of the sea, and the sound of distant waves could be heard. As they moved, a few people at the airport glanced their way, curious about the unfamiliar group. However, no one recognized them.
Seoyang closed her eyes for a moment, taking in the atmosphere.
"Mom, did you miss this place?" Ji-hye asked, gently holding her mother's hand.
Seoyang opened her eyes and smiled. "Of course. This is my hometown."
Nathan stretched his arms and took a deep breath. "Hmm… the air here feels different."
Elshienne nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's fresh and clean. It's nice."
Ji-hye looked around before asking, "How far are we?"
Seoyang turned to her with a warm smile. "Not too far. Our place is near the sea. We'll be there soon."
They took a van for the ride, a simple and comfortable one that wouldn't attract attention.
Before leaving, they all changed into casual clothes, ones that wouldn't make them look rich or important. Nathan and Elshienne, being country bumpkins at heart, were already excited about the trip.
"Woah, this is so fun!" Nathan said, pressing his face against the window like a child.
Elshienne grinned. "Yeah! It's like an adventure. Everything looks so different from the city."
At first, they passed through modern roads, surrounded by tall buildings and busy streets. But as they got farther, the scenery started to change.
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The tall buildings disappeared, replaced by wide-open fields and scattered houses. The roads became narrower, and the houses looked older, more traditional, with tiled roofs and wooden gates. The air felt fresher, and the sounds of nature grew louder.
"Huh? Where did all the buildings go?" Nathan asked, blinking in surprise.
Seoyang chuckled. "We're entering the countryside now. This is the real Jeju, away from the busy city."
Elshienne leaned forward excitedly. "It looks peaceful. I like it!"
The van continued moving along the winding roads, taking them deeper into the quiet and beautiful countryside.
Seojun sat quietly in the van, just watching the scenery pass by. Unlike Nathan and Elshienne, who were full of excitement, he felt a bit awkward.
It wasn't that he didn't like being here, but... family trips weren't something he was used to. His mother was the only one he felt truly comfortable with, so being surrounded by his father and siblings made things feel unfamiliar.
Still, he stayed silent, simply observing.
Arrival at the Villa
After a while, the van turned down a small road leading towards the coast. The scent of salt and fresh ocean air filled the air as the sound of waves crashing grew louder.
And then, they arrived.
The villa stood on a hill overlooking the ocean, offering a breathtaking view of the endless blue sea. It wasn't a huge, flashy mansion, but it was beautiful in its own way—a large, elegant house with a mix of modern and traditional design.
The exterior was made of white stone and dark wood, blending perfectly with the natural surroundings. Glass windows stretched wide, allowing an unobstructed view of the ocean. A spacious terrace extended outwards, where wooden chairs and a table sat, perfect for relaxing while enjoying the sea breeze.
The garden around the house was filled with local Jeju plants—camellia flowers, black stone walls, and small citrus trees. A stone path led from the house down towards a private beach, where the waves gently kissed the shore.
The moment they stepped inside the villa, Elshienne let out an excited gasp. "Wow! This place is huge!" Without hesitation, she ran toward the terrace, pushing open the glass doors. "Look at that view!"
Nathan followed, letting out a low whistle as he tossed his bag onto the couch. "Jeju might actually be worth this trip."
Their mother, Seoyang, chuckled as she stepped inside. "I grew up here, you know."
Unlike the others, Seojun stood quietly by the doorway. The villa was spacious, with large windows letting in the golden glow of the setting sun. The salty sea breeze drifted inside, carrying the sound of waves crashing in the distance. It was peaceful.
But for some reason, he still felt… out of place.
At his feet, Nymira flicked her tail her eyes scanning the unfamiliar space.
Silla coiled around his wrist, lifted his head. "New territory!"
Huno wagged his tail. "I like it here! Smells fresh!"
Nemean, the small lion cub, let out a tiny roar. "I need to mark my spot!"
Seojun sighed. "Don't destroy anything."
Silla slithered away. "No promises hehee."
Huno barked excitedly. "We should explore!"
Before Seojun could stop them, Nemean pounced onto the couch, while Huno dashed outside onto the terrace, chasing after Elshienne.
Seoyang walked up to him, arms crossed. "You're quiet."
Seojun shrugged. "I'm always quiet Mom."
"No, I mean… more than usual." She tilted her head slightly, studying him. "You okay?"
Seojun didn't answer right away. His gaze drifted to his family—Elshienne running around the terrace, Nathan leaning against the wall, Ahye swinging her little legs on the couch, their father, John, standing by the entrance giving quiet orders about their luggage.
It felt... too normal. before it had just been him and his mother. Now, suddenly, he was surrounded by people who called him 'brother' and 'son.'
"It's just... different," he admitted.
Seoyang smiled gently. "Different doesn't mean bad."
" Anyway Seojun, which room do you want?" their mother asked, looking around.
He smiled. "Any room Mom."
"Great! Then the biggest one is mine!" Elshienne declared immediately, raising her hand.
"Hell no! I called it first!" Nathan argued, stepping forward.
"Mom! Tell him I deserve it more!" Elshienne whined dramatically.
"You both sound like kids," Seoyang muttered, shaking her head.
After settling into his room, Seojun sat on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The events of the past weeks kept replaying in his mind—his sudden rise in fame, the hidden dangers looming, and the things he had yet to uncover.
But then, his thoughts were interrupted.
[ What are you gonna do now, Host? ]
Seojun blinked as the familiar mechanical voice of his system rang in his head.
He sighed, rubbing his face before shaking his head. "Nah, better enjoy my life now. I can't stay stuck in the past." He smiled slightly.
[ That's right, Host! Especially since Nathan and Elshienne aren't exactly on good terms with you. You have two weeks here to make up with them! ]
Seojun rolled his eyes. "You don't have to remind me."
Standing up, he grabbed a comfortable outfit—a simple white shirt and black pants. After changing, he stepped out of his room and went to find his mother.
An Invitation
He found Seoyang in the kitchen, standing in front of the counter, looking through some ingredients.
"Mom, let's go out," Seojun said casually.
Seoyang turned to him, slightly surprised. "Oh? Aren't you tired? Don't you want to rest first?"
Seojun hesitated. Maybe everyone else needed to rest after the trip. Was he being too eager?
He let out a small smile. "Let's go out later then."
Seoyang smiled warmly, patting his arm. "That sounds like a good idea. Why don't you rest for now? I'll cook something in the meantime."
Seojun nodded. "Alright."
An Evening Ride
After some time resting, the family gathered outside as the sun lowered toward the horizon. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the scent of the ocean.
Near the villa, a row of bicycles stood lined up, waiting to be used.
Nathan walked over and inspected one. "It's been a while since I rode a bike."
Elshienne smirked. "Hope you don't fall and embarrass yourself."
Nathan shot her a glare. "I won't."
Seojun watched them bicker, then turned to his mother. "Do you still know how to ride?"
Seoyang laughed. "Of course! I used to ride around here all the time when I was younger."
Ahye excitedly pointed at a smaller bike. "I want to ride too!"
John, their father, smiled. "I'll ride with you, princess."
With that, everyone got onto their bikes. Seojun pedaled beside his mother, watching the scenery slowly shift around them. The open streets, the ocean in the distance, the quiet charm of Jeju's countryside.
Then, after some time, they reached a more traditional part of the village—one with old houses and stone walls.
Seoyang suddenly slowed down. Her gaze fixed on a familiar sight.
A small house with an open yard.
Seojun saw his mother's expression soften. There, an elderly woman stood outside, tending to some plants.
Seoyang's face lit up in recognition. "That's my mother's friend."
She stopped her bike, stepping off. Seojun and the others followed, curious.
Seoyang stepped forward and knocked on the wooden gate.
A few seconds later, the door to the house opened, and a man around Seoyang's age stepped out. His sharp eyes studied them, lingering on Seoyang.
"Yes? Who are you looking for?" he asked, his voice polite but distant.
Seoyang smiled warmly. "It's been a long time. I'm Han Seoyang. I used to live here when I was young. Your mother was a close friend of mine."
The man's brows furrowed slightly. "Han Seoyang?" He looked at her again, scanning her face for familiarity. Then, his expression shifted as if something clicked. "Wait… Seoyang? You mean… Han Seoyang from the old house near the coast?"
Seoyang nodded. "Yes, that's me."
Before the man could respond, John leaned in slightly and whispered to Seoyang, "Who is he?"
Seoyang glanced at him and whispered back, "An old friend from when I lived here."
Before John could say anything else, an elderly woman's voice came from inside the house. "Who is it, Minjun?"
The man, Minjun, turned back. "Mom, you should come out. You won't believe who's here."
A few moments later, an elderly woman stepped onto the porch. Her wrinkled face showed confusion at first, but as soon as she laid eyes on Seoyang, her breath hitched.
A moment of silence.
Then, her lips trembled. "Seoyang… is that really you?"
Seoyang's eyes softened. "Yes, it's me."
The old woman's eyes grew misty as she took a slow step forward, memories of the past reflected in her gaze.