The imugi loves beautiful things.
It loves sparkling jewels and enjoys watching the clouds that stretch across the tall mountain ranges.
Seeing something grand and magnificent… was the only solace for the imugi’s heart, which had lived for thousands of years in training. It couldn’t reach the sun, but it was satisfied with the thought of one day gazing at it.
Someday, it vowed to stand by that light.
It vowed to become a great and ambitious being.
It vowed to become a dragon.
“Unnie, unnie!”
But what to do with this dim-witted child?
No, it wasn’t just dim-witted; it simply wasn’t beautiful.
By human standards, it might be beautiful.
However, compared to the dazzling sun and the clouds playing alongside the mountain slopes, this earthworm-like mermaid seemed utterly insignificant!
Hah…
The eyes of the one who was not a mermaid were filled with worry and concern as they looked at the unwelcome little sister who had come into being.
“Come on, call me a dragon!
Then blessings will be bestowed upon you for generations to come.
If you call me a snake, then you will be cursed for generations!”
‘If only I could just tell you to go away without saying anything…!’
But the outcome wasn’t what the imugi expected.
It couldn’t ascend and become a dragon. It couldn’t even be the imugi crawling on the ground destined to curse them….
The dragon trying to soar into the sky was unable to become even a snake and ended up just being a mermaid’s older sister, like some mere earthworm.
Stuck, just like that.
But it wasn’t without options.
They might seem insignificant compared to itself, but mermaids had their own form of ascension.
Some mermaids who became children of the celestial maidens serving the Jade Emperor in the sky had also ascended, and if fortune favored them, they’d heard rumors that the sea-controlling dragon king, the famous Yonggil Princess, Seokgi Nangrang, the Yeowa Nangrang, and even Yojigeum, who ruled the west of the heavenly realm, were also mermaids.
‘I… I will definitely… rise again one day. One day I’ll attend the banquet of the immortals, the Bando meeting, and take my place to bless the creatures of land and the children of the sea…!’
“Unnie, unnie~”
Hah…
“Unnie, unnie… unnie…”
But no matter how grand and great its ambitions were, it seemed it had to care for this troublesome child who’s already pouting because it didn’t answer.
“Then… why are you like that? Are you hungry?”
“Hehehe…”
The imugi trembled at its situation but petted the mermaid, who was nagging it.
No, it couldn’t really be called a stranger.
After all, the imugi was already this girl’s ‘unnie.’
Had it become her sister not just in body but in heart as well?
Gently stroking that auburn hair, its formerly dizzying heart began to calm.
No, rather than calm…
Yeah, it felt joy.
‘Ah, no. I can’t…! Not like this!!’
There was no way it could become the sister of that insignificant thing.
It was destined to be a great dragon.
There was no way its heart could belong to such a lowly being!
No, it wouldn’t allow it!
Right now, it had to figure out how to ascend, even in this mermaid’s body.
“Okay, kid. So what kind of sister do you think I am? One who controls water? One who frolics freely in this ocean? A guardian deity protecting you?”
Yeah, tell me what the ideal sister you think of is.
Then perhaps that would be the clue to reclaiming the power to control the sea.
“Uh-huh, unnie is unnie!”
…Hah.
The imugi had to suppress the sigh escaping it.
“…… That’s right, I am your sister. But what this sister is asking our little sister is something a bit different.”
“Different?”
The child tilted her head even as she beamed a smile.
Hah… Did she not understand?
No, in the meantime, “our little sister”…!
This couldn’t be right.
I am not that girl’s sister!
“Ugh, so…”
How could this be so foolish!
Where should I even start explaining this?
How shallow must this dim-witted child’s learning and wisdom be!?
The fact that it could converse with an imugi like me should have made her greatly thrilled…
But this dim-witted mermaid couldn’t even keep up with the conversation!
It can’t be helped… maybe I have to lower my expectations a bit.
“What do you think a sister should do?”
“Do…?”
“That’s right. For instance, do you want someone who will protect you like a guardian deity? Or do you hope for a bountiful harvest goddess who always brings you food?”
“No, no. We protect each other! I protect unnie, and unnie protects me.”
“…….”
Is it because she thinks she’s becoming the ideal sister?
How could this fool protect me?
When it first saw itself as a mermaid, it was horrified and despondent about its situation.
At first, it entertained thoughts of wanting to kill the mermaid that called it ‘unnie,’ turning it into this pathetic state of neither an imugi nor anything grand…
But it understood how meaningless it was to nurture malice against this pure and innocent child.
How could it punish someone who was unaware of their own faults and sins?
Let it keep its dignity as a prospective ascendant…
Right, I can endure…
It had already borne so much for over a thousand years.
What could be so difficult about waiting a bit longer?
Surely it wouldn’t take another thousand years.
Yes, this is a trial.
A trial to ascend to the sky again.
A trial for moving forward.
A trial to endure and to be patient.
One day, it would surely reap the sweet fruits of ascension.
‘For now, I’ll have to keep being this girl’s sister for a while longer…’
In the end, the imugi became that dim-witted child’s sister.
Time flowed and flowed.
The rivers changed.
Nations changed.
The rivers and seas changed.
And once again, the rivers changed.
The sky opened. The earth was torn apart, and on it, the new nations of humans were established repeatedly… and during this time, the imugi became a sister.
“Keekekeke! Really?”
“It’s true! Hahahaha!”
Of course, as the older sister, the imugi became part of mermaid society.
Compared to the imugi, most mermaids were certainly less intelligent, but they weren’t as dull as its little sister.
“I can sing really well! Humans are such fools, they crashed into reefs while trying to listen to my song and ended up sinking!”
“Why didn’t you save them?”
“Why would I? They sunk because they stupidly got enchanted by my song!”
“That’s true!”
“Right? Hahaha! Tomorrow I plan to go closer to the beach! I want to sing where little ones play and see if they get lured into the deep sea out of my influence!”
“The fish friends must be full!”
“Keekekeke!”
Yet, even in their human forms and possessing human intelligence, mermaids had a terribly friendly yet cunning duality.
Every time that happened, the imugi, as the wisest among these foolish merfolk, gave them whatever advice it could.
“Stop it.”
“What’s up now?”
“You’re a stupid older sister, right?”
“No, I’m a princess! Princess!”
“Princess?”
“I’m shining and glimmering! I’m a princess!”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right! That’s right! I’m a princess! Keekekeke!”
Even though it had transformed into a mermaid, the special energy and power born with the imugi caused an unseen awe or wariness among the mermaids. Over time, the imugi naturally came to be called “princess” among the merfolk.
Mermaids didn’t have kings and queens, but it was more of a nickname.
Long ago, a mermaid reading the books and scripts of humans that had fallen into the sea learned that a beautifully adorned, gleaming woman was referred to as a “princess.” From then on, many mermaids began to use the term “princess” for the imugi with glistening scales.
“Princess! Princess! Keekekeke!”
“Looks great! Looks great!”
Hah…
Look at this.
These mermaids calling me princess show no sign of reverence or respect but rather mockery!
“Well, since she’s a clever princess, surely there’s a reason, right? So what’s the cause this time?”
Bear it.
These earthworms will wriggle and die with just a little poke.
Even if I became a mermaid, while seeking ascension, I shouldn’t take pleasure in killing.
Even if not much, perhaps they can understand me if I talk to them calmly.
“Ah, you land-walkers are capable of thinking too, I suppose. Once you realize that your song captures your kinfolk, they’ll expect to hunt mermaids at sight.”
“Hmph! So what? They can’t breathe underwater or swim well!”
“Right! Right! They’ll drown just by being dragged under the water!”
“But outside of the water…?”
“To sing the song they love so much, you have to climb onto the reef, right? Then, can they comfortably close their eyes on the reef? Humans, if they can think, must definitely hunt for us mermaids, resting on the reef.”
Ughhh…
Uuuuhhhh…
It seemed they couldn’t resist the fun of singing on the reefs, causing a troubled expression on that mermaid’s face.
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t sing. I’m saying not to venture towards humans needlessly.”
“Tch, fine…..”
“Yes, thank you for understanding.”
That was a relief.
Purity can often be ignorance and cruelty as well.
Even though there are many rather malicious and mean-spirited children among mermaids… they understand much better than my sister does.
‘Oh no, time has run out.’
The imugi thought, carrying a handful of the sister’s favorite apple corals again today.
“Hehe, unnie…?”
Unfortunately, the younger sister was genetically weak.
Not only was she weak, but compared to the same kind, she was even more innocent and dim-witted, and her body seemed like it could break more easily than quartz.
At first, the imugi thought that ‘If this sister dies soon, maybe that’s a good thing, right?’
But as it lived as an imugi, having learned about humanity it couldn’t bear to abandon her little sister.
More than anything, the affection and familial love she sent towards it was sincere. Conversely, the imugi did not dislike her.
Though it would be extreme to say it liked her, at least the relationship had developed to a point where words like hatred or disdain were inappropriate.
No matter how much she was the one who turned it into this state, it couldn’t retrieve the spilled water once it’s fallen.
It couldn’t collect the spilled water, but it somehow had to figure out how to polish and cultivate that place until it shined.
“Unnie… unnie! I’m here!”
Even before entering the mermaid cave, the little sister sensed her sister’s presence and rushed out, hugging her sister’s body.
Embracing the suddenly rushing sister in such a natural posture, the imugi gracefully swam with her fins, which had now become her own body, and with one hand, stuffed the apple coral into her sister’s mouth.
Nom nom…
“Yes, yes. Eat plenty. You were hungry, right?”
“Hehe…”
“Oh no, you should chew and swallow before talking. Aren’t you making the sea dirtier by chewing half-formed bits?”
And still, the unnie was taking care of her dim-witted little sister.
This life wasn’t so bad.
While life was enjoyable with the clouds and sunset by the mountains, being a mermaid allowed for moonlight fading into the sea and winter snowflakes as friends.
Beautiful sights are everywhere.
When the imugi was in its past life, it hadn’t the chance to feel the warm white light and the pleasant cool breeze, but as a mermaid, climbing on the reefs with the children, the sounds of water and waves echoed all around.
Though the windflowers and wild grasses were far away now, the sea’s flowers and optimists were by its side.
“…Hehe, unnie, let’s go see the tidal waves tonight.”
“Okay, okay. Let’s do that.”
More than anything, spending so long with this child, the imugi had unknowingly developed feelings for her.
It would be strange if one didn’t grow fond.
Finding beautiful sights for you had been very difficult and challenging, but at some point, it became okay if I couldn’t find them.
Yes, that’s alright.
It doesn’t have to be beautiful, or grand, and it only necessary that you exist as yourself.
“Little sister.”
“Yes, unnie! Yum yum.”
That’s you.
“You just need to be yourself.”
If you endure and maintain steadfastness like a single beam, that alone is beautiful enough.
No, was it a lie to say it’s not beautiful?
Having found the beauty as a sister for that little sister already…
Hah… when will the ascension come…
“Unnie! Give me more!”
“…Alright. Alright. This unnie will eat together.”
“Yes, yes! I’ll help you chew!”
“Sure…”
“Little sister. Little sister.
As long as you consider me as your unnie, I will become your sister.
But that time won’t last long.
No, perhaps…
Even though many years have passed, did I feel the time spent as ‘unnie’ to be too short?
Was I placing too much importance on this sister role?
Perhaps I was that immersed?
At least this isn’t an act.
It isn’t fake.
I, once an imugi… really did become a sister.
And then, the time for farewell unexpectedly arrived.
The imugi learned that a precious thing was needed for a mermaid to ascend.
To ascend, a fox requires a jewel that imparts wisdom and truth; for the imugi to become a dragon, a Yeoujoo is required.
The names may differ, but the essence remains that of a jewel.
The jewel was the singular treasure that the ascendant conjured through all the karma and truths of their lifetime, while to ascend, a mermaid required a pearl that encapsulated their lifetime’s karma and life.
“Pearl? I don’t know!”
“What’s that!?”
“I’ve seen them being held by clams though!”
“Princess doesn’t know?”
“Even a princess doesn’t know?”
Naturally, these earthworm-like mermaids had no clue how to make a pearl.
“Let’s go sing!”
“Keekekeke! Who should I trap today?”
“Don’t you have to save them now?”
“Right! We should!”
“Keekekeke! I wonder what kinds of half-human half-children would turn out like!”
…..
Even if they had known, they likely wouldn’t have cared too much.
If they completed the pearl, they would certainly ascend, and anyone who knew how to do so would have no reason to remain in this sea.
However, the imugi didn’t mind.
It had spent thousands of years learning, making efforts, and training.
It wasn’t afraid to start from scratch now.
It wouldn’t be too late to start over.
Then, an unexpected human approached the imugi.
Whether it was by chance or declared fate, it didn’t know.
“I will help you complete the pearl.”
The pearl of a mermaid, the dragon’s Yeoujoo, and the fox’s jewel all represented the essence of their kind, imbued with divine power.
The vast efforts and magic, mysteries encapsulated in that pearl, were deemed the source of eternal life and immortality by humans. As the humans began to wield such powers, the mermaids’ pearls became even more coveted by them.
“What’s the price?”
“A part of the pearl, or instead, you could offer the flowers of the deep sea that you all so dismiss.”
The human who met the imugi came from the land that was once called Yuna Country across the sea.
They were strong and bore many kin.
The one introducing herself as Cheon Danaa claimed to be the chief of mighty mountains and great fortresses.
Cheon Danaa was quite the fox-like woman. No, it was even questionable if she was truly human.
She emanated sounds and desires uncharacteristic of even humans, causing the imugi to squint in disgust.
As the representative of her kind, the oldest sister, and as a princess, at first, the imugi accepted the humans’ offer.
They had even brought good things for the mermaids besides completing the pearl.
Gourmet foods it had never seen before, instruments and toys for the mermaids to play with, and books that wouldn’t get wet in the sea. Initially, it undoubtedly believed that forming a friendly relation with these fellows who brought them such good would be beneficial for both sides until they revealed their true colors.
The mermaids soon became prosperous.
Instead of taking away the flowers of the deep sea, they received a variety of delicious foods and toys to play with. They even gifted machines that warmed the icy currents of the sea.
However, just for a brief time, the imugi peered through the humankind’s impure intentions tightening around the mermaids.
“Do not come here any longer.”
We don’t want you.
Thus, the imugi attempted to sever the ties with humans, but the unaware other mermaids misread the imugi’s intentions and grew dissatisfied.
“They’re good because they bring tasty treats and toys!”
“Right! What’s going on, princess!”
“Right! You’re just being greedy and trying to hoard all the toys for yourself!”
“How rude!”
These dim-witted beings remained so pure, even now.
But purity does not equate to kindness.
Having endured the petty grievances of childish entreaties for over hundreds of years, the imugi realized it was starting to develop a headache.
Yet it usually carpeted them generously, this time must be different.
Already, those humans had captured many mermaid children.
What had happened to those captured mermaid children, the imugi had no idea.
But since none had returned, it decided to protect both its sister and the sea in which she dwelled.
Thus, the imugi closed off the sea.
The humans needed to keep the mermaids locked away in the depths to obtain the pearl.
However, the situation was grim.
The humans burst holes into the sea. Occasionally, they poured toxic waters to choke the mermaids. Sometimes, they dropped mysterious iron pillars and fingers, injuring the mermaids, and regardless of the barricades the imugi established, the humans forcibly pried open the sea’s entrance and sent hunters in.
As a result, the sisters were hurt, captured, and their fates unknown.
The mermaids cried, shouted in anger, and raged against the unjust treatment they faced, yet the human multitude led by Cheon Danaa was powerful and crafty.
Ultimately, the imugi could only reach a conclusion.
‘I must ascend.’
No, even if not ascending, if it produced a pearl to hand over to the humans, they’d no longer bother us.
Directions to create the pearl?
The imugi had known for some time.
However, it did not create the pearl.
No, despite its ability, it turned a blind eye.
“Unnie… I’m scared…”
“It’s alright. Little sister.”
Because of this earthworm-like little sister.
What would become of this darling and dim-witted child should it vanish?
Just that thought prevented the imugi from making the pearl.
It had already known how to ascend, yet it chose to forget.
“Little sister.”
It didn’t want to know.
But, it realized it couldn’t postpone this any longer.
“Just for one night, one night, keep watch over your unnie.”
“…Yes.”
“Alright, you can do that?”
The unnie protects the little sister and the little sister protects the unnie.
The imugi thought.
Let’s create the pearl to ascend.
Spend a lifetime’s worth of karma and mysteries to conjure the pearl and drive those humans out of this sea.
In the worst-case scenario, it could just give them the pearl.
Yes, that pearl… even ascension is unnecessary.
Because this beautiful little sister is much more valued and precious to me.
Thus, the imugi delved into the ascension ceremony.
With karma and power, magic and mystery—everything beautiful she thought of was starting to form a pearl within her heart, causing the sea to convulse.
The dark depths of the sea shone brighter than the sun ever could.
Yet beneath that sunlight, shadows crept in.
“You are all the same mermaids.”
The fox’s malevolent whispers seeped into the wounded beings.
“How could that one gather enough power to ascend?”
“Why would a princess of her kind choose to ascend rather than seek revenge when her kin were suffering?”
“Though the humans are greedy…”
“Who led you all to reveal your sanctuary and allowed them to discover you?”
The fox’s vile whispers flowed into the mermaids like venom.
The mermaids were pure and innocent.
And they weren’t cunning enough to discern lies.
Yet they accepted the vindictive words naïvely, as if they were pressed in stone.
“You, how could you!!!!!!”
“Abandoning everyone.”
“Every single one of us betraying our bond.”
“Thinking you could go up and leave us behind!!!”
No!
That’s not it!
But it was already too late.
The mermaids pulled their very own ascendant down once more.
With their own hands, they tore apart their princess!
“No, no! Unnie! Unnie!!!”
Tearing the scales of the imugi, who was left immobile while crafting the pearl; shredding the once-beautiful fins and biting into the attractive skin.
They tore, ripped, and discarded it. The little sister had no choice but to watch her unnie getting torn apart, powerless.
“Unnie…”
And those who devoted their efforts to stop and protect her sister violently expelled her.
The little sister was alone. Fragile. And foolish.
Thus, she thought her sister was something she had achieved but lost once more.
Her sister had protected her, yet she could not protect her sister, instead remaining impotent.
What a horrid state of affairs.
“Unnie… Unnie…. Unnie….”
The little sister wailed hideously and cried.
“Ah, I’m an earthworm… I’m so foolish… I’m an unworthy sister…”
Inflicting guilt upon herself for not being able to stop her kin and for not protecting her sister, she clawed at her own auburn hair.
The once-smooth hair that her sister always stroked became a ghastly sight, and her throaty wails became raw while the suffering and self-blame caused her to gouge her own eyes before the little sister finally opened them.
“I didn’t… I couldn’t protect unnie…”
From the empty pupils of the sister, instead of tears, poured out a malicious entity stained with hatred.
*
“…… I will curse you all…..”
That voice carried the weight of hatred and vengeance.
Shuddering at the foolishness of her kind deceived by mere human manipulation.
The hatred towards humans coveting the immortality of mermaids.
The hatred towards herself for being the fault of it all for being an earthworm-like being.
The younger sister cursed everything.
She cursed all.
cough
“You who betrayed my unnie.”
“The humans who led her to perish.”
“And us, for not stepping up.”
“And myself as well….”
Thus, the younger sister decided to cast curses instead of protecting her sister.
As her sister shattered and died, scattering across the sea, all the karma and mysteries of the imugi naturally flowed into the younger sister, who held the deepest bond with her.
Her sister’s wisdom, her sister’s power, her sister’s karma, her sister’s mysteries all became the younger sister’s. That power turned into the very force of her curse.
“May you not speak. Not think. Not walk.”
The younger sister cursed.
She cursed all her sisters.
She cursed all her kinfolk.
Yes, let them all become like me.
“May you remain trapped in this dark deep sea and never gaze up at the sky.”
“May you never sing, never speak, never rejoice, nor hurt.”
“May you never savor the beautiful things of life again.”
“You unworthy beings…. you earthworm-like creatures…!”
*“May you all be expelled into the abyss!!!!”
