The Gumiho's Dream
by Hazel M. Catapia
Nearly a millennium ago, in the mystical dimension of Dilemma, thrived a young and enchanting nine-tailed fox named Hye Jinn. She harbored a fervent desire—to shed her beastly form and embrace humanity. Day after day, she beseeched their deity for mercy and the fulfillment of her singular wish.
In response, the deity bestowed a peculiar condition upon her: if Hye Jinn collected human energies for a century, a small soul would reside within her, craving human energy to transform into a marble. The catch? She had to accomplish this feat before the ninth tail appeared, or her dream would dissipate like mist.
Living through diverse eras, she wore various hats—from a collector in the Goryeo period to an archer in the Joseon era. Fast forward to the year 2022, Hye Jinn found herself a respected lawyer, her 999th year of collecting human energies, yet the elusive marble remained elusive. Frustrated, she resigned herself to the reality that becoming human might forever elude her.
Enter Yong Sun, a carefree young man who inadvertently became entwined in Hye Jinn's quest. Following a chance encounter by the Han River, their destinies became irrevocably linked. A comedic twist led to Hye Jinn's soul inadvertently transferring into Yong Sun's body.
The duo embarked on a quest to retrieve the soul, facing challenges, laughs, and newfound vulnerabilities. Yong Sun, initially skeptical, found himself ensnared in the mystical tapestry of Hye Jinn's reality, his disbelief unraveling with each supernatural revelation.
However, complications arose as Yong Sun, born in the year of the tiger, inadvertently became a source of weakness for Hye Jinn. Their journey was fraught with danger, yet as they navigated the nuances of fox-tiger dynamics, a tender connection blossomed.
Months passed, marked by laughter and shared moments. However, the soul's insatiable appetite threatened Yong Sun's life. Desperate to save him, Hye Jinn faced a heartbreaking choice—abandon her dream of becoming human to rescue her newfound love.
In a selfless act, she sacrificed her aspirations, and the once-unseen bond between them bloomed into profound love. Yong Sun, unconscious for a month, awoke to a world without Hye Jinn. Undeterred, he clung to the belief that she would return, a testament to unwavering faith and love.
Miraculously, the morning he awaited arrived. Hye Jinn stood before him, the culmination of love and sacrifice. In a poignant revelation, she realized that the essence of humanity wasn't solely derived from human energies but from the profound nature of sacrifice and unyielding love.
The End