A Corrupted Vacation
In the vast empty lot, the sense of immorality hung thick in the air. I stood outside, watching Sehwa practice her driving while on the phone with Marcela. From a distance, Sehwa rolled down the driver's side window and waved at me. I waved back with a bright smile and asked Marcela,
"What is Yuria doing right now?"
"She's living the life of a freeloader thanks to the money... I mean, the funds Master provided. She keeps texting me nonstop... I'm going insane. She keeps asking if I've had any more dreams related to reincarnation."
Marcela was currently impersonating Kim Taegon in my place. Since I couldn't talk freely with Yuria while staying by Sehwa's side, this was the only choice.
"I know. I'm reading every text you send. Keep being kind and tame her properly."
"Understood."
"What about the Doctor's Device?"
"It's still in production after repeated failures. It'll be a while before it's complete."
"How are the World Coalition's movements?"
"Most countries have properly established their defense systems. Aside from the weaker nations, they'll be able to handle E-class and F-class without issue."
"Release a large number of F-class monsters targeting the major powers. Mix in some E-class every now and then."
If no Gates appeared while the new Device was being made, the Doctor would grow highly suspicious. Sacrificing a few worthless monsters was a necessary step. There were more than enough of them anyway. Losing a bunch wouldn't matter.
"Understood."
"Has Yu Seunghyeon paid off all his debt?"
"He finished clearing it yesterday and was practically bouncing off the walls. He said he was really grateful we let him rent a room at the hotel. As expected, he's got real grit. That's exactly what makes him worthy of being my rival... or rather, my toy."
"What is he doing right now?"
"He's looking for a place to live. He asked if he could get an advance on his pay... What should I do?"
"He's going to become the manager who boosts our store's sales from now on. You need to show him some trust so he'll devote himself to the store for life."
"Understood. Then I'll lend it to him interest-free."
"Adjust his working hours to be more flexible too."
"Yes, sir."
As we spoke, the car Sehwa was driving approached me. "I'll hang up now." I ended the call and slipped the phone into my pocket. The car came to an abrupt stop.
Screeech!
That startled me. I thought she was trying to hit me. And with braking skills like that, how on earth did she even get her license? She was doing so well until the very end.
I frowned slightly as Sehwa got out of the driver's seat and strode right up to me.
"Why weren't you paying attention to me?"
Ah, so that's why she got sulky and slammed on the brakes.
"I was paying attention. That last sudden stop was on purpose, so let's move on. Overall, you drove really well. You took the curves nicely too. But the first curve was a bit sharp. It looked like you got nervous and gripped the wheel too hard, right? From now on, turn the steering wheel more smoothly."
At my detailed feedback, Sehwa's face brightened immediately.
"Was that a work call?"
"Yeah, it's done. Want to try again? This time I'll ride in the passenger seat."
"Okay."
Sehwa skipped back to the driver's seat, her skirt fluttering. I could see her underwear... She's so defenseless. I chuckled to myself as I climbed into the passenger seat and spent a long time watching her drive.
For the next few days, we traveled all over Jeju Island, sightseeing. We visited various restaurants, admired the natural scenery at famous tourist spots, returned to the hotel to have passionate sex, recorded the scenes on video, and uploaded them to Twinkle.
There wasn't a single photo of Yu Seunghyeon left on Sehwa's new phone. She had transferred the pictures when she switched devices, but claiming she needed to free up storage, she deleted all her memories with Yu Seunghyeon and filled the phone with photos of me and her instead. I knew full well that her storage had plenty of space left, but I let it slide.
Dr. Cash called as well. She informed me that the F-class monsters Marcela had sent were appearing all over the world. Sehwa was extremely worried about the monster outbreaks, but since the global defense systems were well-established and human casualties were practically nonexistent, Dr. Cash simply told her to rest easy. Thanks to that, Sehwa was able to enjoy our trip with a light heart.
In the past, even such a small sacrifice would have broken her heart. But now that she had changed, it seemed she didn't even bat an eye at something like that.
Wearing a high-quality bathrobe, Sehwa was devouring room service ice cream while watching a movie. She patted her stomach.
"I think I've gained two kilos in just a few days."
I rested my hand on a pillow, laid the back of my head on it, and laughed as if it were ridiculous.
"You haven't gained any weight at all. Stop talking nonsense and just eat."
"Why aren't you eating? This is really delicious."
"I'm leaving it all for you."
"Really?"
With a meaningful smile, Sehwa shifted in her seat and accidentally spilled ice cream on my robe. Right on the crotch area.
I let out a dumbfounded chuckle. Either hide that wicked smile and act properly, or just openly smear the ice cream on me. What is this?
"Oh no? I spilled some?"
Her acting is terrible. She was pretty good when she was on the phone with Yu Seunghyeon.
"Looks like it. I should clean it up."
"With what? Your mouth? Should I get ready to record a video?"
Showing her true colors now? What a naughty girl. But I wasn't going to play along.
"No. I'll clean it myself, so you just keep watching the movie."
When I reached for a tissue, Sehwa pouted and started whacking me with her spoon. It didn't hurt at all, so what could I do? Lately, ever since Sehwa confessed her love, the frequency with which she hit me had increased dramatically, and it was starting to worry me. Of course, it wasn't like the sincere punch from last time, but I needed to channel this violent streak toward humans... I couldn't let myself become her punching bag.
I completely ignored her spoon attacks with thorough indifference. Sehwa then made a face like a lost puppy and climbed on top of me, kissing every part of my face. Forehead, eyebrows, under the eyes, cheeks, nose, philtrum, lips, and chin. She made loud smacking sounds all over before growing sullen at my lukewarm reaction and biting my neck. When my expression still didn't change, she bit my chest. When that didn't work either, she tried to bite my cock... Wait, that's off-limits.
"Come up here."
"Hee..."
She quickly climbed up, gently biting and tugging at my lips. The current Sehwa was like a cat going through socialization. Just as cats bite people's fingers to confirm affection, Sehwa was trying to confirm my feelings through these actions. Whether it was hitting me with a spoon or this kind of skinship, it was all part of her affection check.
I smacked her forehead with a loud thwack.
"Ah!"
Sehwa let out a scream, rubbed her forehead, and glared at me while huffing.
"You son of a..."
"Son of a? You said that at the swimming pool too. Has your mouth gotten foul lately? Next it'll be your feet coming out?"
"Why did you hit me!?"
"You've been acting so childish that I thought I'd give you some discipline. It doesn't even hurt, so why the overacting?"
"Because I'm upset..."
As she said that, Sehwa's eyes were filling with moisture. Did she think crying would solve everything? I'd let it slide this time. I pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her forehead. Only then did the real Sehwa break into a bright smile.
It felt like I'd been played a bit, which left me with mixed feelings... but I'd let it go for now.
After our nine-night vacation, we returned to Seoul on Saturday evening.
Rumble!
The sound of thunder rolling across the pitch-black sky sounded like Yu Seunghyeon's path crumbling to pieces, and it made me smile involuntarily. Sehwa jumped at the thunder and had been tightly clutching my waist for some time. Feeling a tingling sensation in my side, I said,
"That hurts. Stop pinching."
"Ah, sorry..."
"You could just hold my hand. Why are you grabbing my waist?"
At those words, Sehwa quickly took my hand instead. We took a taxi back home. The moment Sehwa opened the front door, she immediately went to check the room with the Portal. She wanted to make sure nothing was wrong. It was clear proof of how much she cherished her identity as a Beast Slayer.
"The Portal seems fine."
Of course it is. Who do you think made it?
"Later, let's try linking it with the Device too. So you can use the Portal anytime, anywhere."
"Is that possible...?"
"As long as we have more Polymus, nothing's impossible."
"Ah..."
Sehwa's eyes grew misty. The word Polymus must have reminded her of our first meeting. The encounter at the Future Science building that we'd disguised as coincidence. After learning we were in the same department, and after I helped her answer the professor's questions about her, we grew close at an astonishing speed. In just three months, we'd come this far. It was a long time if you thought about it, but considering Sehwa's cautious personality, it was incredibly fast. Something to be proud of.
Of course, it would have been impossible without Marcela. I'd have to properly satisfy her soon and further deepen her loyalty. My schemes against Yuria were progressing steadily, and I was monitoring Rose... or rather, Stella Hayley in real time. The remaining Beast Slayers, Caroline and Celine, hadn't appeared yet, but they were bound to show up eventually. They couldn't ignore the pull of fate. Indeed, they couldn't.
"What are you thinking about?"
Now that Yu Seunghyeon's debt had been completely cleared, I was thinking it was about time to have a direct confrontation with him. Sehwa's question snapped me out of my thoughts. I smiled gently.
"The same thing you're thinking, probably?"
"What am I thinking about right now?"
"The day we first met."
"Yeah. That's right."
Sehwa looked up at me shyly. I ruffled her hair, then stripped off my clothes.
"Let's wash up quickly. I'm tired."
"Coming home feels a bit strange. Can't we go on another trip? We still have a lot of vacation left..."
"I'll be busy for a while. I'll handle some company work, make the Device-linked Portal, and then maybe head overseas."
"Then I'll have to be alone for a while? What am I supposed to do by myself?"
"You could play with Yu Seunghyeon or something."
Sehwa clapped her hands.
"Ah, that's right. I completely forgot about Seunghyeon."
To forget even her boyfriend. Sehwa, you still can't do that. I need to wring Yu Seunghyeon's soul dry and make him crawl at your feet. But Yu Seunghyeon is quite something too. His debt is paid off, Marcela gave him an advance, and even adjusted his working hours, yet he's holding back from calling Sehwa. No matter how much she said she'd contact him first, his perseverance is impressive. Is he trying to show her his best side during this meeting? Then give it your all. Even though a Stigma has appeared on Sehwa, so you can't change anything, as long as you don't fall off the scales, I'll praise you.
"Wait a second. I'll send Seunghyeon a message."
"Just meet him while you're at it. Even if he's working, he should be able to make a little time, right?"
"Should I? Then I'll head out for a bit?"
"Go ahead."
Sehwa kissed me on the lips and headed for the front door. I stopped her.
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
"Huh? What?"
"You need to change your ring."
"Ah..."
Sehwa's face flushed instantly. It seemed she felt both embarrassed and excited about wearing the ring that said "Slave." She rummaged through her handbag, took out the ring box I'd given her, and switched rings. She turned her hand this way and that, then nodded in satisfaction. She went into the room, changed into normal clothes, put on a hat and mask, and said,
"I'm really going now. I might be a little late."
"Late? You're not just meeting him for a moment?"
"I know it's during his working hours. But still... if he can't spare even thirty minutes or an hour for me, doesn't that mean he doesn't love me anymore?"
"You're jumping to conclusions..."
"I just want to think that way. I'm leaving now?"
"Have a good time."