S205

Society Protocol Season 2 05

Lost Hiker

As soon as Min-hyuk finished filming the final episode of the drama and completed the necessary dubbing, he set out immediately to find Mi-hee.

He couldn't reach her by phone, and she hadn't said where she was going.

However, through an internet search, he learned about the prayer retreat and recalled hearing from Mi-hee that there was one in Gangwon-do.

However, Gangwon-do is vast, and it is not just vast; it also has mountains.

He remembered it not being near the coast, but rather a region with high mountains.

But unlike Ilsan, which has a single mountain, Gangwon-do itself felt like one giant mountain.

While asking around online, he discovered the old website of the church Mi-hee used to attend.

It contained information regarding the construction of the new prayer retreat.

Min-hyuk hadn't obtained his driver's license yet, so he had to take a bus.

It was far from Gangneung, where the KTX runs.

He would have to take a bus from Pyeongchang KTX Station and travel for another hour. Since it takes an hour and a half to Pyeongchang Station and an hour to Pyeongchang Terminal, Minhyeok decided to take the bus right away.

Min-hyuk took the subway to Dongseoul General Terminal and boarded an intercity bus bound for Pyeongchang.

Even after searching the internet, there was no public transportation available to the prayer retreat.

Worried about how to get there, Min-hyuk got off at Pyeongchang Terminal and asked people for directions to the retreat, but

no one knew where it was.

At that moment, Min-hyuk didn't even consider taking a taxi.

It was because he had never taken a taxi before.

Furthermore, he hadn't been able to work part-time due to his drama appearances, and since his acting fees were paid in advance, they hadn't been settled yet.

It wasn't like he could ask his company to lend him a car or pay for a taxi to meet his girlfriend.

Actually, it probably wouldn't have cost as much as he thought.

However, Min-hyuk planned to take a bus as close as possible and then walk from there.

Just then, a small minibus caught his eye, with the name of a campsite written on it.

It was the campsite Min-hyuk remembered seeing while searching for the prayer retreat. Min-hyeok ran straight up to the minibus and asked to be given a ride just to the vicinity.

The owner of the campsite, who had come to shop for meat and for the campers,

saw Min-hyeok and said that if he helped carry the luggage a little, she would give him a ride to the campsite.

He couldn't bring himself to mention that he was going to a prayer retreat on that mountain.

It was because he couldn't tell what the atmosphere among the people around him was like.

Looking back, it was truly a good thing that Min-hyuk didn't bring up the prayer retreat.

The owner, who was driving Min-hyuk after loading the luggage, asked where he was going.

“I just travel on foot; I’m currently touring the country by hitchhiking.”

Even though he was talking nonsense, the campsite owner nodded and spoke as if he understood.

“I also traveled in the U.S. by bus a long time ago, and I once saw a man traveling with a guitar at a youth hostel. He said he played country music... ah, how many years ago was that already?”

As the campsite owner drove along the mountain road, lost in memories, a small river could be seen flowing outside her window.

To the right was a high mountain, and to the left, the water flowed in winding curves.

“Actually, I heard some strange cult group has been around lately, so I was worried you might be going there. It’s a relief.”

“Is there a cult?”

“Well, I heard it was absolute chaos in Seoul. But I’ve passed by a few times and they don’t seem like such evil people.

But guests who come all the way to our campsite are total enthusiasts. This is a campsite for quiet relaxation, you know.

It’s not the kind of atmosphere where people drink and make noise.

It’s just families playing badminton or grilling meat.

But imagine if there were a cult here, beating drums and singing. Though, I suppose it’s not close enough to be heard.”

The minibus driven by the female owner stopped in front of a small bridge.

“We have to cross this bridge to get in, so it would be better for you to get off here. Thanks for carrying the luggage, and please travel safely. If anything happens, the campsite’s phone number is on the bus, so please contact us.”

“Yes, thank you. Thank you for the ride.”

After dropping Min-hyuk off, the minibus entered a place that looked like a small island.

At first, I thought it was a small island similar to Seonyu-do in the Han River.

However, looking again, it was actually a kind of peninsula, just because the river curved around it.

“I thought it was an island. Still, I never imagined a campsite surrounded by a river like this.”

Min-hyuk found it fascinating that such scenery and landscapes existed in such an unknown place, and that someone was operating a campsite there.

Min-hyuk took out his smartphone and looked up a map.

He had to hike about 6 kilometers uphill, following the stream.

There was a small unpaved road, so he followed it uphill.

The sound of the babbling stream and birdsong made him feel refreshed, but having to keep climbing up the mountain was no easy task.

He had a backpack on his back, was wearing sneakers, and although he was wearing a hoodie, he took it off because it was hot and hung it on his backpack.

His water bottle was empty, so he considered filling it with the flowing stream water to drink, but it weighed on his mind slightly.

However, as he walked, he discovered a tiny trickle of water flowing beneath a stone wall.

Min-hyuk first scooped up some water with his hand and tasted it. The water tasted decent.

So, he filled his water bottle and hurried his steps again.

After walking uphill for two hours, a building began to come into view.

At the entrance, he saw rooms made of shipping containers, and between the rows of containers on both sides, an iron gate made of welded pipes caught his eye.

In front of it, he saw people with sharp eyes who looked like security guards.

The security guards also saw Min-hyuk walking from below with a backpack on his back.

Since the guards had never imagined a person traveling on foot in this area, they had no idea what was going on.

It wasn't as if there was a bus stop at the entrance at the foot of the mountain.

It was common for people to come by car, motorcycle, or at least by taxi.

“He’s walking up here?”

“He might be a lost hiker. Don’t engage him before he gets close.”

However, the lost hiker strode purposefully toward the iron gate.

His face was drenched in sweat, but he suddenly put on a bright expression and began knocking on the gate.

“How may I help you?”

Min-hyuk walked up, following the security guard.

The security guard was walking while reporting to someone via radio.

From the iron gate, a building made of shipping containers formed a kind of wall, and since it was an uphill climb from the entrance, they had to go over a hill.

After crossing the hill and going up, a flat area carved into the side of the mountain came into view.

There was an open space like a school playground, and behind it, several buildings were visible.

A few container buildings were also visible, and behind them, a building still under construction could be seen.

A few people could be seen carrying bricks.

The security guard led Min-hyuk to a spot next to the open space that had a roof made of wisteria.

Under the wisteria roof, there were two round wooden cable drum tables that looked like they had large high-voltage power lines wrapped around them,

and he was guided to a spot where several backless chairs, appearing to be made from cut logs, were placed.

The security guard stood with his hands behind his back, watching Min-hyuk place his bag on the table and sit on a chair to rest.

From the building crossing the vacant lot, a woman wearing a gray dress was walking quickly down the stairs.

It was Mi-hee.

The dress she was wearing was a simple garment made of fabric with only holes cut out for her neck and arms.

She wasn't wearing any makeup.

Her hair was tied back with a rubber band.

She was wearing something like slippers, so it seemed she couldn't run.

Min-hyuk walked slowly toward where Mi-hee was.

Mi-hee was smiling brightly, and he could see tears streaming down her face.

Seeing that, Min-hyuk also teared up a little.

Then, the two embraced each other in the middle of the vacant lot.

An older woman carrying laundry on her head walked past, looking at the scene with curiosity.

Convinced that she was someone he knew, the security guard sent a confirmation message over his walkie-talkie and quietly returned to his spot.

Mi-hee gave a slight nod when her eyes met the security guard's while still holding Min-hyuk in her arms.

The security guard raised his hand in greeting, almost like a salute, as he walked away.

Mi-hee took Min-hyuk's hand, pulled him to a log chair, and sat him down.

“How did you know to come?”

“I found you by searching on the internet.”

“Is the filming all finished?”

“Yeah, I joined midway, but I ended up making it to the very end.”

“Wow, I miss you. We don't use cell phones here.”

“What’s wrong?”

Min-hyuk looked at Mi-hee with a slightly suspicious expression.

It was because he was worried that she might be being held captive by a cult.

He had had that thought even when he saw the iron gate in front of him.

“First off, I have nowhere to contact, and looking at public opinion, I think I’m worried people might get upset. There is satellite TV in the lounge, so I do watch it, but in the end, I don’t really end up watching it.”

Mi-hee and Min-hyuk continued their conversation without letting go of each other’s clasped hands.

Mi-hee took Min-hyuk’s hand, helped him up, and tried to lead him toward the open field.

Min-hyuk tried to grab his backpack, but Mi-hee signaled for him to leave it alone.

“Don’t worry, no one will touch that bag. Let’s go up together.”

Min-hyuk followed Mi-hee past the open field and walked up the stairs.

There was a building at the top of the stairs, and behind it stood a structure with a rounded roof, resembling an indoor gymnasium.

Mi-hee led Min-hyuk to the building at the top of the stairs.

“You haven’t eaten, have you? I’ll make you some bibimbap.”

The building at the top of the stairs had a restaurant on the first floor.

Wooden tables lined the street, and a few folding chairs stood beside them.

The tables and chairs were designed to be lifted and moved.

Now, all the tables were set up, and a few chairs were placed around them.

Mi-hee seated Min-hyuk, went into the kitchen, took out a large bowl for cold noodles, scooped a full bowl of rice from the rice cooker, and then took a plastic container from the refrigerator and began transferring various ingredients onto it with chopsticks.

She scooped the bibim sauce with a ladle and poured in some oil. Then she sprinkled a little sesame seeds on top.

There were also things resembling meatballs made from ground beef. The portions were generous.

Min-hyuk found the sight of Mi-hee bringing the bibimbap so lovely.

And since it was already afternoon and he hadn't eaten anything since morning, he was extremely hungry.

Mi-hee brought two spoons and placed them on the table.

Then she gave one spoon to Min-hyuk. Min-hyuk looked at Mi-hee and said.

“Are you going to eat too?”

“No, I’m just going to mix it for you.”

Min-hyuk also mixed the rice with his spoon.

“Ah, I forgot the fried egg.”

“It’s okay, let’s just eat it.”

“Right.”

Mi-hee, who had said she would only mix it for him, was scooping up the rice as if nothing had happened.

Then, perhaps feeling choked up, she went to the kitchen and brought back a bowl of seaweed soup.

They shared the seaweed soup together.

The portion of rice was quite large, but they both ate until they were full.

Min-hyuk and Mi-hee were both known for their hearty appetites.

Mi-hee’s appetite was as great as her height.

That is why, after a few dates at barbecue restaurants, Min-hyuk always chose a buffet or a place with an unlimited salad bar as their date location.

Going with Mi-hee even gave him a sense of victory over the establishment. However, He had been curious about why she didn't gain much weight despite eating like that.

They were so happy to eat together. They don't know how many months it has been since She last saw him.

But now that They met again, They couldn't remember when it had been since their last saw each other.

It felt as though They had been seeing each other all along.

“We have church service in a little while. What do you want to do?”

Mi-hee glanced slightly at Min-hyuk.

“Let’s go together. I was curious too. How things ended up like this.”