The Freed Slaves Are Obsessed

As a yokai closely tied to fate, Heukbi occasionally performed divinations. Sometimes her clients were humans; other times, they were yokai.

However, Heukbi didn’t particularly enjoy fortune-telling.

To her, fortunes were mere gossip. Even if an unfavorable fortune appeared, it was best not to dwell on it and simply let it pass.

But those who knew of her abilities would insistently ask her to reverse any unlucky fortunes, tiring her to the point where she eventually stopped doing readings altogether.

That Heukbi was now offering a reading for Karami was not out of whimsy. When one reads fortunes, they often gain a faint glimpse of the paths one has traveled and the roads that lie ahead.

One could even call it an investigation.

“There are twelve tiles. Each tile holds a specific meaning. You’ll draw three tiles in sequence, and we’ll interpret your fortune by combining them.”

Heukbi set twelve tiles on the table.

“Now, pick the first tile. Choose the one that calls to you.”

“Hmm...”

Karami looked at the spread of tiles, pondering.

He didn’t believe in fortunes, nor was he religious.

Still, humans are strange creatures—happy to feel a bit of satisfaction if a good fortune appears.

Sip.

Swallowing, Karami tilted his head in thought. He pondered for a while before pulling out his ultimate technique. He extended his index finger and moved it above the tiles, tapping them as if pressing piano keys.

“Coca-Cola is delicious. If it’s tasty, drink more. But drink too much, and you’ll get a stomachache. Ding-dong-dang-dong...”

“...What are you doing?”

“I’m consulting my expert on which one to pick. Ah, I lost track. Don’t interrupt me. I’ll have to start over. Coca-Cola is delicious.”

Heukbi stared at his odd behavior in bewilderment.

An “expert”?

Who was this “expert,” and how exactly was he consulting them when it was just the two of them here?

Could he be using some sort of magic?

But she sensed no mysticism from him, and he didn’t seem like someone who’d ever had anything to do with magic. She immediately dismissed the idea.

“Ding-dong-dang, do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do-ti-la-so-fa-mi-re-do~”

Borrowing from his “expert’s” power, Karami’s finger landed on a tile, pressing it down.

It was an ox.

“Now, pick your second tile.”

Once again, Karami drew upon his expert technique. As he began his ritual again, Heukbi closed her eyes in resignation.

Oh heavens.

He was repeating that bizarre chant.

If he did it again, he’d likely do it a third time as well.

Listening to that strange melody was irritating in a way that felt like it stirred something deep in her, making her feel itchy, almost uncomfortable.

Unable to hold back any longer, Heukbi spoke up, her brow furrowed.

“No matter how many times you chant, the result won’t change. Just pick a tile.”

If this were a game, his achievement “Annoy Heukbi” would have popped up by now. An incredibly rare feat.

“Tsk.”

Reluctantly, Karami chose his second tile without his expert’s guidance.

The second tile was a rat.

“...Now, pick your final tile.”

Karami picked his third tile.

It was a rooster.

“This is...”

Heukbi narrowed her eyes as she examined the three animal tiles, then glanced at Karami. His attention was drawn to her reaction.

“Is something wrong?”

“It’s rather unusual that you’ve managed to pick only these. In a way, it’s impressive.”

Heukbi pushed the first tile, the ox, forward.

“First, the ox. It symbolizes wealth and abundance. Its leisurely nature also represents peace. Additionally, it’s known for its simplicity and tenacity, unwavering once it sets its mind to something.”

“Ah~ Just perfect for me, a merchant. Wealth? I’ve already got it in the bag.”

Karami sighed in admiration.

Of course, he’d picked well. His expert guide was always right.

But Heukbi continued calmly, adding her own interpretation.

“To be tenacious is also to be stubborn. Refusing to give up borders on foolishness.”

Does it really mean that?

Isn’t that a bit of a stretch?

As Karami tilted his head in confusion, Heukbi presented the next tile.

“The rat. Known for its industrious nature, which is often associated with wealth. After all, accumulating wealth requires effort.”

“This one’s definitely meant for me. I’m the most diligent person I know.”

Not wanting to let him bask in the glory, Heukbi swiftly shared the rest of the interpretation.

“However, diligence can also be seen as greed. Just as a rat gnaws away at a farmer’s crops to fill its belly, it represents taking from others to benefit oneself.” 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

“Hmm...”

“Moreover, rats are creatures of trickery, known to eat others’ fingernails and take on their appearance to cause harm. They’re also harbingers of disease.”

The unfavorable aspects of the reading overshadowed the positives, sinking Karami’s mood.

Heukbi felt a small thrill in seeing this. However, she kept her expression neutral as she presented the final tile.

“Lastly, the rooster. It is an auspicious creature, heralding the dawn and the end of the long night. When the rooster crows, spirits and demons of the night are driven away.”

“And?”

Karami, seeing through her feigned positivity, propped his chin up and gave her a sour look.

“But it’s not always good. If the rooster crows at the wrong time or too early, it brings bad luck. Crowing at dusk is considered ominous, crowing at midnight signals misfortune, and crowing after sunset forebodes a family’s ruin.”

Of course, it ended on a negative note, just like before.

“To summarize...”

Heukbi consolidated the reading.

“Your ambition is vast, yet it exceeds your meager abilities. Such reckless courage will only lead to failure. Ignoring the advice of others and pushing forward will bring about harsh consequences.”

This was misfortune on the highest level—a most ominous reading.

“If only my expert had been allowed to help...”

Heukbi inwardly chuckled at Karami’s dissatisfied expression. She’d known this was coming from the moment he started his antics.

“You mentioned you were a friend of the Cheonho. Surely her readings are far more accurate than mine; why did you seek me out?”

“I already received one from her. She told me I’m doomed to die soon, my fate painted black.”

Karami’s tone was that of a resigned man. Heukbi’s eyes widened slightly. The Cheonho’s readings were different from her own. She was a messenger of the heavens, reading fate as prophecy rather than fortune.

If the Cheonho foresaw his death, then it was certain. That made the ominous reading she had just given all the more fitting.

“So that’s it.”

She now understood why he’d come to her instead of the Cheonho. He already knew his fate. Afraid of his doomed destiny, he sought her to reverse it.

What was the Cheonho thinking?

She, of all yokai, would know that one should never interfere with fate. And yet, she’d sent him here.

Clearly, her association with the Gumiho had changed her.

“Don’t be too discouraged. With effort, you may yet find a way.”

Her words held no genuine encouragement, only a mocking edge.

No mortal struggle could alter the decree of heaven. She was merely indulging him with empty hope.

Karami fiddled with the tiles, reluctant to let go of the reading’s meaning.

“Is there any way to get the best reading?”

“There’s no such thing as the best reading. Each reading differs depending on who, when, and what is drawn.”

“But generally speaking, aren’t there tiles that bring good fortune?”

“They do exist, but...”

“Then could you show me?”

Heukbi didn’t particularly want to, but seeing it as the last wish of a dying man, she obliged.

From the facedown tiles, she drew three, knowing exactly which ones they were without needing to check.

When she turned them over, the tiles showed a dragon, a monkey, and a rabbit.

“The dragon represents success in all endeavors, and the monkey symbolizes a lifelong companion. Lastly, the rabbit, endowed with a long life and good health, signifies peace, harmony, and a happy household.”

If Karami’s fate were reversed, it would look exactly like this—completely devoid of death.

“Oh, I like this.”

Karami showed interest, a smile of curiosity on his face. Heukbi stared back, her gaze icy.

Undoubtedly, he’d soon ask her to reverse his fate.

But he was gravely mistaken.

Heukbi had no intention of altering Karami’s fate, for personal and professional reasons alike.

As she contemplated this, Karami spoke.

“Well, I still prefer the ones I drew.”

“...Excuse me?”

Karami pushed aside the tiles she’d drawn and brought back his own. He rearranged them, swapping the order of the ox, rat, and rooster.

Seeing the new arrangement, Heukbi’s eyes widened.

The interpretation had shifted completely.

The rooster, now at the forefront, symbolized an auspicious omen.

The rooster’s crow, once a symbol of ruin, now heralded the dawn, dispelling the darkness.

The rat remained industrious, willing to go to any lengths to achieve its goals.

And the reward for this diligence was wealth, prosperity, and peace.

No longer the lazy ox drowned in idleness, this was a peace hard-won through persistence.

The rat’s perseverance served as a sturdy bridge, a solid foundation that ensured the tower built upon it wouldn’t fall easily.

The most ominous fortune had been transformed into one of unparalleled auspiciousness with just a change in order.

“How’s this? Isn’t this good too?”

Karami beamed, grinning as if to show off.

Some might see this as a mere gimmick, but for Heukbi, it was different.

She was a fox who reversed fate.

She’d seen countless people beg her to alter their fortunes, but Karami was the first who tried to overturn his fate with his own hands.

In front of Ahmo herself.

Without relying on Ahmo’s help.

He had a better fortune right in front of him, yet he refused to deny the path he had chosen. Instead, he strove to turn it toward a brighter outcome.

Heukbi, gazing at Karami, murmured unconsciously:

“A Defier of Heaven...”

A rare individual who overturns destiny instead of succumbing to it.

Such people are called Defiers of Heaven.