Chapter 169
Chapter 169
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: Friendship? (2)
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Convenience store part-time work is straightforward.
Scan the barcode, ring it up, swipe a card or take cash and give change, sort the trash, stock the shelves while checking inventory, and mop the floor every now and then. That's it.
Sharon's stunning looks occasionally drew rude customers or overly clingy types, but ever since she'd specially acquired a Thin Shadow talisman, that was a thing of the past.
True to its name, the talisman drastically reduced the presence of whoever carried it—a must-have for nearly every witch out in the modern world. Witches were all drop-dead gorgeous, and beauty like that naturally attracted pests.
It wasn't as advanced as Siwoo's music box, which completely nullified mana waves or blocked out sound, but for 500,000 won, it kept unwanted attention at bay. A steal.
Before she got it, she couldn't walk ten steps down the street without a wolf whistle. It had been exhausting.
"Maybe it's time to quit this gig?"
Sharon glanced around the empty store and plopped down on the chair behind the counter.
She used to spend this time studying stocks or researching coins.
But after getting burned on both, her enthusiasm had evaporated.
Now she just killed time in a daze.
Besides, the reason Sharon had been forced to work six hours a day was to cover basic living expenses, including rent.
But now rent was off the table, and with the time she spent teaching Siwoo magic, figuring out new ways to make money seemed more pressing.
Otherwise, she'd end up totally dependent on him.
"Siwoo... Siwoo, hmm..."
Sharon crossed her arms and legs, murmuring his name as it popped into her head.
She remembered that morning.
The "touch my boobs event" she'd psyched herself up for to cheer up the dejected, sad Siwoo.
Looking back, it was pretty bold.
Even for close friends, baring her chest was embarrassing and awkward.
"Me and my impulses..."
Sharon had exposed her breasts right in front of Siwoo and even let him hesitantly knead them.
The result? He'd perked up more than usual. Enduring the embarrassment had been worth it.
Sharon idly cupped her own breasts.
Pretty, huh.
First time she'd ever heard that.
"Hmm..."
Were they really? They were uncomfortable when she ran, and there were those dark spots besides.
She'd never shown them to a guy, so she had zero confidence. No way to tell if Siwoo was just sweet-talking her.
And she'd not only shown them but let him touch...
In racier movies, guys groped women's breasts during sex all the time.
She'd wondered what it felt like to make them do that, but honestly, Sharon hadn't felt much.
Occasionally, when her nipple got pressed under his thick palm, there was a faint tickle, but it wasn't much different from kneading them herself.
"So why is this...?"
Then why did just thinking about it make her face burn like this?
Why did the skin he'd gripped tingle and heat up?
Romance movies never covered this.
Still, she felt proud.
She could clearly tell he'd loved it.
Though she was aware it was a bit shameless...
"Whatever. It's not like it's a bad thing."
She'd told him to ask if he got stressed, but kind Siwoo would never show it or beg her outright.
So she'd offer occasionally herself.
Anyway, time to wrap up the idle thoughts.
Sharon did a final store check before her shift ended and left humming lightly.
"Huh?"
Then she noticed.
Her steps toward the officetel elevator felt feather-light.
An awkward tune even slipped out on its own.
Not just because work was over.
A moment's reflection: it was because riding that elevator meant seeing Siwoo soon.
[Even when we're apart, I'm always thinking of you.]
[I'd give you any treasure in the world if it made you happy.]
[Just imagining seeing you fills me with joy.]
[I didn't know why, but now I do.]
[I love you.]
Lines from some actress in a movie she'd seen suddenly came back.
Not together + want to give anything + happy at the thought of meeting = ?
"Is this... love?"
Sharon froze for a second, then chuckled.
A light laugh at how ridiculous she was for even thinking it.
"Pfft, love? Love won't pay off my debts."
Anyway, Sharon returned home with light steps.
"Anything?"
"Nope?"
Changed into her witch outfit, Sharon stood atop a utility pole, eyeing the compass.
Business as usual.
After her store shift, she posted flyers while tracking homunculi on the side.
But with Siwoo tagging along, she had to admit it was her oversight.
Unlike before, when she only worried about hunting homunculi solo, now there was a complication.
Della, who'd threatened to steal her hunting grounds.
So she'd planned to go alone, beg for mercy if they crossed paths—humiliating, but necessary.
Problem was, no good excuse to ditch Siwoo.
Siwoo had told her he'd beaten Della.
If she told him to stay put and explained why, it'd politely confirm she knew he'd lied.
It'd crush the face she'd helped him save, make her support pointless.
In the end, she'd settled for desperate prayer.
What could happen in one night?
She'd come up with a better excuse tomorrow, so please, just not tonight...
"Another bust today...? Things have been off lately. Feels like weeks since we caught one."
Sharon couldn't decide if the string of empties was a relief or depressing.
Good that no headaches for her or Siwoo popped up.
Bad that she still hadn't found a way to pay her debt today.
Just head back.
This is too risky.
Decision made, Sharon hopped down from the pole to convince Siwoo.
"Call it for today?"
"Already? We've only been out 30 minutes."
"Just a bit tired... Wanna rest at home."
Plus, her mana was nearly tapped out.
Small fry like before? No issue.
But a dangerous one today? She'd have to rely purely on Siwoo's strength.
"Ah..."
Siwoo, who'd found her beaten by Della, nodded understandingly.
Then.
"Whoa..."
The compass needle twitched like magic.
Homunculus nearby, cloaked in a backworld barrier.
Unfortunately, Siwoo saw it.
Why now, when it never moved before! Sharon screamed inwardly.
"I'll check it solo."
"No way!"
"You look beat, mana not recovered. Perfect timing—I wanna test something."
Sharon's insides burned at his casual tone.
No idea if serious or bravado, but homunculi weren't to be taken lightly.
Factor in Della...? Headache.
Persuade first.
"Homunculi aren't slimes. Way tougher than you think. Could be really dangerous!"
"I'll be careful. Probably just the usual black dog we hunt. Think I can handle that solo now. Bail if risky. And if we ignore it, someone else might get hurt."
Sharon couldn't find a way to sway him.
Siwoo's eagerness to help with hunts unrelated to him stemmed from preventing civilian casualties.
Siwoo was a good person at heart.
He'd go alone even if she tried stopping him. Better to watch his back.
"Sigh, fine. I'll tag along. Need the cash anyway."
"Sweet. Makes me feel secure."
Siwoo grinned. Sharon reluctant, they dashed toward the needle's direction.
Stepping into the bustling district center, the area including the department store got shrouded in backworld barrier.
At the heart: a towering department store—five basement floors, twelve above—linked to the station underground.
"Shall we?"
"I'll take point."
Closed for business, the store was pitch-black inside the barrier too.
Siwoo's stigma mana amplified repeatedly; shadow particles flowed out, forming armor around him.
Sharon gripped her staff, scanning warily as she positioned at the entrance.
Barrier centered on the store, needle pointed inside—homunculus had to be in there.
"Open it."
"Feels like breaking and entering."
"Doesn't it?"
Exchanging dumb jokes, Siwoo grabbed the handle.
A light tug, but the armor's brute strength was immense.
The locked door's frame crumpled like tin with a crunch; glass shattered between, scattering.
Quiet night made it echo deafeningly.
"...No alarm?"
"Drop the handle and move!"
"Eh, just curious."
Sharon might be used to this life, but Siwoo wasn't.
Burglarizing a closed, empty department store at this hour?
Backworld or not, it was novel.
"Siwoo, what'd you mean by something to test?"
"Tweaked the shadow particles I usually use. Just added a couple strokes, but curious how it'll play in real combat."
"Tweaked how?"
"Mixed in a bit of the earth element formula you taught. Hope you spot any flaws."
Sharon barely stifled her shock.
How long ago did she teach it, and he's already fusing it into his magic?
But she kept it cool.
Judge the results firsthand.
...Though a strange faith he'd pull off something viable anyway.
They pushed into the first floor.
"Pretty dark."
Like any department store, first floor sold cosmetics and seasonal clothes—near impossible to see, utterly black.
No windows for moonlight; only dim green emergency lights lit the gloom.
Eerie vibe, room somehow chillier than usual.
"I'll brighten it up."
Five decorative flames ignited around Sharon.
Felt almost like a quirky date now.
She didn't voice it.
But midway through searching the floor, Sharon sensed something and glanced at Siwoo.
At the same moment, he looked her way too.
Their shared impression on meeting eyes:
"Something's off."
"Kinda weird, right?"
Unease.
Sharon's compass ranged 150 meters radius.
"We've walked plenty more than 150 meters from outside the store to here, yeah?"
"Exactly. Should've run into something by now..."
In other words, by now scanning the floor, they'd have encountered it—or passed it, needle twitching.
"Needle's been stuck pointing one spot."
"Outta here."
Siwoo moved to pull her outside.
No clue what was happening.
Just a bad vibe.
"Huh?"
And right then.
The compass spun like it was busted, whirling madly, unable to pick a direction.
-Grrrrrr
Low growls rumbled from all sides.
The black dogs they'd hunted before.
"Siwoo, no spare capacity to protect you."
"Sorry. Shouldn't have pushed."
"Later for apologies. Not your fault—how could've you known?"
Even Sharon hadn't anticipated this.
Unheard of for this many identical homunculi to pack up.
Ten? Current Sharon could've handled easy.
But the growls from everywhere weren't just one or two.
Cosmetics displays, escalators, between racks, corridors, stairs.
Everywhere, red eyes flashed one by one—over fifty by rough count.
A pack that'd successfully cornered its prey finally showed itself.
As if to avenge the kin slaughtered by these two witches all this time.