Baekho wasn’t the kind to disappear just because he was told to.

He leisurely admired Jo Yi-shin’s hanbok attire.

Jo Yi-shin tried to say things like “What are you looking at?”, “Look away”, or “Go away,” but none of that interrupted Baekho’s appreciation.

In fact, it only made Jo Yi-shin more frustrated, which Baekho ignored.

Instead, he touched on the part Jo Yi-shin was secretly most embarrassed about.

“The Tasa-hye you’re wearing that I picked? Telling me to go away doesn’t carry much weight.”

Jo Yi-shin wore white Tasa-hye shoes marked with Baekho’s seal, boldly outlined with thick, spirited lines.

Even without knowledge of hanbok or the Ho clan, it was obvious these shoes were a gift from Baekho.

Jo Yi-shin noticed them instantly while awake, and the dream version of him knew them as well.

Though Jo Yi-shin tried to hide his feet beneath the hem of his robe to change his posture, it was useless.

He tried to flush his face less, but that didn’t work either.

Being in a dream, Jo Yi-shin was more affected emotionally than physically.

As Baekho enjoyed watching Jo Yi-shin’s red face and Tasa-hye, Jo Yi-shin protested. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

[You sure like to talk about persuasiveness. I’m not exactly trying to convince you.]

“Then I won’t be persuaded.”

[What are you saying?]

“You’re the one who best understands my intent and words in this world.”

Since Baekho was the one who had shared his blessing with Jo Yi-shin, there was no room for argument.

At this very moment, all Baekho’s goodwill and mischief were shared.

In truth, sharing such a blessing didn’t always mean knowing every thought of the other.

It was like trying to listen to a song while reading text: focusing on one meant missing the other.

Even when right in front of you, sometimes you can’t see or hear what’s there.

But now, as Jo Yi-shin was aware of Baekho and annoyed, all his attention was focused, and thoughts were communicated clearly in real time.

Baekho spent that time thoroughly watching, praising, and teasing Jo Yi-shin, until Jo Yi-shin gave up protesting.

Finally, Jo Yi-shin said,

[Having fun?]

“You know better than anyone that I am.”

[I was going to talk about strategy, but you just wasted my time.]

Jo Yi-shin was thinking that, which Baekho knew.

But Baekho had intentionally tried to distance Jo Yi-shin from strategy for now.

The demon realm scenario wouldn’t start for some time yet.

The seasons had to change; the time had to come, so even if the mastermind wanted to rush things, it wasn’t possible.

This was a rare rest time, and Baekho wanted Jo Yi-shin to take a break.

Though Jo Yi-shin knew this, he still thought about strategy.

Because of what he saw today.

‘I thought once the mastermind’s threat disappeared, Eunho would have more chances to reveal herself to the descendants.’

Though the Ho clan was spending a peaceful holiday, Eunho wasn’t at the Tiger Mansion.

Watching the devoted descendants, Jo Yi-shin felt grateful and fond, but also bitter that Eunho wasn’t here.

In truth, Eunho likely preferred spending holidays with Jo Yi-shin and other Ho clan members rather than staying close.

But Baekho—the one sharing his blessing—thought differently.

[That’s not all. The Silver Hero still stays in this world without a name, and the Watcher guards the cycle of reincarnation alone.]

Jo Yi-shin continued Baekho’s thoughts.

Since accepting Eunho as Cheonseongheon and Cheoneunha, he had thought more about her and cared more.

He also spent more time pondering Eunho’s distancing herself from family, feeling unworthy.

But good strategies rarely came, as Eunho’s family history was deeply tied to the mastermind’s threat.

So while the Ho clan enjoyed their time, Jo Yi-shin’s mind deepened in wanting to reunite Eunho and the descendants with family, and in pondering countermeasures against the mastermind.

“Jo Yi-shin, if you could improve things by thinking harder, I would help. But sometimes you have to wait.”

Jo Yi-shin secretly agreed with Baekho.

Trying to do something beyond personal power only drains body and mind.

Still doing so was out of guilt.

“You don’t have to blame yourself for enjoying this happy time.”

[...]

Instead of speaking, Jo Yi-shin grasped the loose sleeve of his jeogori, which hung over his hand.

Feeling the luxurious texture of gold thread and yellow jade decorations, Jo Yi-shin relaxed his grip.

Though meaningless in a dream, unconsciously he acted to avoid ruining the clothes Baekho had personally chosen.

Pointing out these meanings made Jo Yi-shin’s cheeks flush again.

Baekho laughed watching the change, letting Jo Yi-shin vent his frustrations inside and briefly freeing him from guilt.

Then, a voice called Baekho from reality.

“Baekho, it’s time for dinner, so wake Jo Yi-shin. But if he’s tired, let him sleep more.”

Baekho was guarding Jo Yi-shin’s room in the main building, separate from Eunho’s annex.

Hwangho’s voice was soft, barely waking Jo Yi-shin, but Baekho received it all.

“What will you do?”

[He’ll get up.]

Baekho carefully watched whether Jo Yi-shin was hiding fatigue or bluffing.

After understanding Jo Yi-shin wasn’t that tired and was hungry—he didn’t want to miss Hwangho’s tasty food—Baekho was satisfied and stepped back.

“He thinks the food will taste better with us eating together.”

[Do you have to read every single thought?]

Ignoring Jo Yi-shin’s protests and about to knock on the door, Jo Yi-shin said,

[If my guess is right, I’ll get clues about the spirit seal.]

“Probably.”

Baekho trusted Jo Yi-shin’s strategy and found this speculation reasonable.

Still, Jo Yi-shin added it as a kind of warning.

Just before waking, Jo Yi-shin added,

[Don’t disturb me.]

Instead of answering, Baekho knocked softly on the door.

Jo Yi-shin reacted and soon opened his eyes.

Awakened by the knocking, still groggy, I opened my eyes.

The angel who had been sleeping with me seemed to awaken too but kept eyes closed, moving her small ears in response to the sound.

Blinking and checking my device, I was shocked.

It was already nearly dinner time.

‘I thought I’d wake after maybe thirty minutes at most...’

But hours had passed.

When sleepiness faded, the fatigue clearly disappeared, shocking me.

There was another knock, which I ignored thinking it was the white tiger, and spoke to the angel.

“Olmu, want to sleep more? If you do, I’ll cover you with a blanket.”

Woof.

Olmu yawned once and snuggled into my arms.

It seemed she wanted me to take her away.

Even if it meant she wanted to sleep more with me, I couldn’t let go because she was just too angelic.

As expected, opening the door revealed the white tiger.

“Why.”

“It’s time for dinner.”

I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but he still had a smile on his face.

I couldn’t imagine what conversation in the dream they were having while teasing me, so I felt a bit choked up.

But looking closely, his eyes didn’t smile—I wondered if he was sleepy too.

‘When does that white tiger ever sleep?’

I used to think he had no work and played or {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} rested on his own.

But now, thinking about the start of school and him guarding the dorm room when I slept, I realized I’d never seen him sleep.

“You worry about me.”

His eyes, which I thought were unsmiling, curved subtly.

Did he just catch me to tease me? Or was he hiding something?

Anyway, it was clear he didn’t look tired now.

“I rest and sleep better than you. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried.”

I wasn’t worried, just curious.

The white tiger answered for me and decided it was worry.

I tried to logically explain, but the white tiger just laughed.

If I got upset, I might lose my appetite—but the galbitang soup topped with sliced truffles was surprisingly delicious.

When I was nearly done, Hwang Jiho spoke.

“Jo Yi-shin, want another bowl? I gave you a small portion because you just woke, but maybe I interfered too much.”

“Give me more.”

Hwang Jiho happily gave me another bowl.

I wondered if it was because the food was good or if something good happened while I slept.

When I indirectly asked if there was good news I didn’t know, Hwang Jiho laughed.

“I was glad to see you sleeping peacefully at our mansion. Not just me, but everyone was happy.”

“Even though you know I have nightmares?”

“That trivial matter aside, what matters is how you feel about this place.”

Are nightmares trivial?

If I said nonsense like that, the sheep tribe or other clans would be furious.

Speaking of the sheep tribe, they sent Chuseok gifts saying something about a benefactor.

The leader personally made wool cushions, which Hwang Jiho praised as high quality.

‘They had many orders but made time specially to craft these for the benefactor.’

The sheep tribe ran a wool farm and made handcrafted wool products to gather funds for staying in the human world—and they were good enough to live on.

Talking about Chuseok gifts passed the night quickly.

Though I worried that napping now would make it hard to sleep tonight, I slept soundly.

The next morning, guests—no, other tiger family members—arrived at the mansion.

“Hello. We were invited earlier but got delayed due to work.”

With warm greetings, Gong Cheonghwon smiled kindly and entered the main building.

Cheongho accompanied him to the main gate and asked,

“I thought you couldn’t come yesterday. What happened?”

“Sorry, nothing serious. I just...”

At Gong Cheonghwon’s next words, the surroundings instantly quieted.

“I was late because I went for a walk.”

The tigers, who had been displeased with the rookie’s walks, instantly became sharp-eyed.