Episode 17: The First Playground

Jinwoo wandered through the village. There were no quests, no missions, no rankings, and no instructions. Only playgrounds. Everywhere.

Hanul was running toward a large field, Handol had disappeared into a crowded square, Darin was staring at a spinning top, and Soyeon was exploring a tea house. Everyone was following their curiosity. Jinwoo walked slowly until a small courtyard caught his attention, where children were kicking an unfamiliar object.

“What is that?” Jinwoo stopped.

[TRADITIONAL PLAY: JEGICHAGI]
Focus. Balance. Persistence.
“Jegichagi?” The word felt strange, yet he wanted to try. He picked up the small, feathered shuttlecock. It was light, simple, and ordinary.

Jinwoo kicked. Missed. The shuttlecock fell. Silence. Then, laughter—not from others, but from himself. “Again.”

He picked it up. Missed again. Again. And again. For some reason, he didn’t want to stop. Soon, Hanul joined him, then the others gathered. No one told them to; no one gave them instructions. They simply became curious.

For the first time in years, they were doing something because they wanted to—not because they had to.