Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Gunpoint in the Garage
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"There's a new toothbrush in the living room bathroom, so feel free to use it."
"...Okay."
After entering Jeong Sia's house, I immediately washed my face and brushed my teeth before stepping out of the bathroom.
"Wear these clothes."
"Didn't you say you had no interest in men?"
The shirt and pants in Jeong Sia's hands were unmistakably men's clothing.
"These are the clothes my dad wears when he visits our house."
"Oh, I see."
I took the clothes without complaint.
"But is it okay for you to sleep on the sofa?"
Jeong Sia asked cautiously, looking apologetic.
It was ridiculous.
The person who had suggested I sleep in the closet or under the bed was now feeling sorry about the sofa.
"If it's not okay, can I use your room instead, Big Sis?"
Jeong Sia shook her head firmly at my words.
"No. That wouldn't be respectful to the homeowner."
"...So I'll sleep here."
"Got it. But we haven't talked about something important."
What else was she going to bring up?
"What about your salary? How much should I pay you?"
Come to think of it, I'd agreed to be her manager but hadn't even filled out an employment contract.
"I don't need money."
Not that I'd planned on doing one anyway.
"You don't need money? Then what are you after?"
Jeong Sia subtly covered her chest with both hands and stepped back.
...Should I just let the Resurrection Church kill her?
"After what? I just said I'd be your manager until you get established. Think of it as a good little brother helping out. Like with the Goblin King incident."
"Huh? You're not going to keep being my manager?"
Jeong Sia's eyes widened like a startled rabbit.
"Of course not. I have my own things to do."
Jeong Sia.
She was quite a promising talent.
Healing skills rivaling Mythic grade, and [Resurrection] that could even revive the dead.
Plus, she didn't seem like the type to betray anyone.
'But she's not quite ready for the hell that's about to unfold alongside me.'
It would be a problem if she got swept up in something overwhelming like a demon or high-ranking demon beast and died.
All I wanted from her was one thing.
For her to grow strong from her position and play a key role in the war against the Demon Realm—nothing more.
'Of course, [Resurrection] will be a massive wildcard.'
As long as Jeong Sia survived, and as long as the return was guaranteed, I could take any risk.
It was like having one guaranteed extra chance.
'Though how the resurrection works will matter too.'
Of course, the ideal was never to need it in the first place.
Either way, the immediate priority was to make her rely on me above all else.
'With that insurance in place, I can grow aggressively.'
Unlike the previous regression, without [Undying Lord], my options were limited—but this opened some up.
And if I used the [Skeleton Expert] trait?
'Perfect.'
As I sank into thought, Jeong Sia tilted her head and asked again.
"You have things to do? What kind?"
"Oh, just planning to make some money in Utopia."
"Utopia? That's dangerous. You never know what might happen, like with the Goblin King last time."
I could see worry in her eyes beyond her glasses.
"Don't worry. You've seen my trait, right? The skeletons that use skills."
"Still, it's just a Common-grade trait."
"Huh? Are you looking down on Common-grade now that you have Legendary?"
"N-No, that's not it. I'm just worried."
Seeing her genuinely concerned made me feel a bit drained now.
"Anyway, we need to get up early tomorrow, so let's sleep."
"And does your aunt really need to pick us up? Just give me the address, and we can head there ourselves."
"She'd have a hard time coming all the way here to get us. I'll call her. She should still be up."
I nodded.
Then I summoned Kkaebi.
The reason I could sleep in the living room.
Kkaebi would stay in Jeong Sia's room in my place.
Of course, I had no intention of hiding it in the closet or under the bed.
"Let's go, Kkaebi."
At Jeong Sia's words, Kkaebi looked at me.
'Stay with her, and if any suspicious person shows up, kill them immediately.'
Kkaebi, reading my thoughts, nodded.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Kkaebi says not to worry.] And followed Jeong Sia into her room.
I changed into the clothes she'd given me and sat on the sofa.
"Come out."
With Kkaebi already summoned.
There was only one left.
The black skeleton made from the Orc Shaman's corpse appeared.
I'd been too busy to even name it.
"Your name is Hwayeom 3."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Skeleton 'Hwayeom 3' feels uneasy about the name bestowed by its master.] "Hah, uneasy? Your predecessors all played brilliant roles in saving Earth before perishing gloriously. This name was chosen with great care to honor their legacy."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Hwayeom 3 says it didn't know the depth of its master's intentions.] "Now that you know, be grateful."
I opened its status window while it nodded.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ ⚡ Strength: 1 💨 Agility: 1 ✨ Magic Power: 13 💪 Stamina: 1 [Hwayeom 3]
[Trait: Fireball (Common)]
[Unique Skill: Fireball]
Just one Common-grade trait and skill.
It wouldn't last long with me.
"I'm going to sleep now, so wake me if any suspicious person shows up. Don't attack first, no matter what."
I lay on the sofa and closed my eyes as it nodded.
'I should have met Lee Si-woo in person today.'
After going to the Resurrection Church myself, I was certain.
'That guy has some special trait.'
An ordinary sermon.
No power to sway hearts that I could sense.
So he must have some trait I hadn't considered—one that could fool and manipulate society's elites.
'Park Jeong-hwa knew Lee Si-woo was a fraud.'
Based on the call I overheard at the restaurant with Hyeon A-rin, she definitely knew his trait.
In other words, Park Jeong-hwa was in a key position sharing his secret.
'Can't kill Park Jeong-hwa right away. I need to extract info on Lee Si-woo first, then kill her.'
I planned to save Jeong Sia from the Resurrection Church and then deal with Lee Si-woo. If useful, I could turn him into a skeleton too.
The key was that no one could remain who knew about Jeong Sia's [Resurrection].
Otherwise, she'd always be in danger—and that tied directly to my life.
'The Resurrection Church will react by tomorrow.'
For now, rest for tomorrow.
"Wake up! Lee Han!"
Mm...
I opened my eyes.
"It's already 8:30!"
Time wasn't the issue.
Thanks to [Burning Vitality], I felt almost no fatigue.
But I'd had a nightmare and was fuming.
"Yeah, Big Sis."
I recalled the dream as I answered Jeong Sia.
Solomon's annoying face looking down at me.
We'd fought dozens of battles in the dream, but they all ended in my defeat.
'I need to resolve Jeong Sia's situation quickly and get stronger.'
Seeing that irritating mug after so long boiled my blood.
Maybe I shouldn't wait for the Resurrection Church to move—better to strike first.
'Once Jeong Sia decides, she'll scramble like her feet are on fire.'
I needed to settle her future today.
"My aunt just messaged that she's here. But is that red jacket a crafted item?"
"Yeah. Made from Red Bear hide."
"Red doesn't suit you as well as black... Once you get a job, Big Sis, I'll buy you something better."
"You've never learned how to refuse since you were little."
Jeong Sia smiled with a hint of inexplicable sadness.
She looked like she was about to say something burdensome.
"I've liked that about you since we first met. You say everything directly, no hiding. Like you have no need to deceive anyone?"
I could guess what she meant.
'Is that why she has no friends around her?'
Probably betrayed badly after trusting someone deeply.
"That's why I feel like I can trust you."
In truth, I was the one deceiving her more than anyone.
'But as long as she doesn't betray first, I'll stick with her to the end.'
Everyone has their own mask. But if you live your whole life wearing it, is it still a mask?
'Wait, doesn't Jeong Sia just not wear one? ...That might actually be crazier.'
That's why she'd be even more useful in the war against the Demon Realm.
"I got too serious there. Come on, let's go!"
I quietly unsummoned Kkaebi and Hwayeom 3 as she forced a bright tone.
We opened the door, went out, and took the elevator.
"Where's your aunt waiting?"
"Basement 1, parking lot."
As Jeong Sia answered, she suddenly held out her phone to me.
"Check this out, Han."
A bold headline filled the phone screen.
📰 Breaking News [Demand the Resignation of Announcer Kim Hyun-seong.] I scrolled down with my finger.
💬 Comments — Anonymous Human lives exploited for ratings! Demand Kim Hyun-seong's resignation! — Anonymous Someone has to take responsibility! If Jeong Sia hadn't saved him, that person would've died. Do we have to watch people die on TV too? — Anonymous If our Sia noona hadn't saved him, she'd have been traumatized! Kim Hyun-seong needs to resign immediately! — Anonymous We'll wait for JBC's stance. — Anonymous Yesterday's broadcast was really uncomfortable. — Anonymous Honestly, I heard Kim Hyun-seong got divorced. Was it because of his cruel side? — Anonymous I heard too. His personality is trash. — Anonymous His relationships with women are messy too, right? — Anonymous He should apologize to Jeong Sia first, then resign. — Anonymous Agreed! A mix of facts and fabrications in the comments.
If Jeong Sia hadn't saved the injured man yesterday, the target of those comments would have been her, not Kim Hyun-seong.
"Has it been like this since yesterday?"
I handed the phone back to Jeong Sia.
"Looking at the post time, it was right before the church service yesterday. Good thing you were with me at home. It's a little scary."
Jeong Sia's shoulders trembled slightly. She must have recalled Kim Hyun-seong's madness from the broadcast station yesterday.
A cornered man could do anything.
Even if not the Resurrection Church, Kim Hyun-seong might seek personal revenge.
I needed some minimal safety measures.
"This won't do. Big Sis, wear my jacket for now at least."
I was confident I could block anything Kim Hyun-seong tried, but Jeong Sia couldn't.
"Is that okay?"
She didn't refuse.
The moment I reached to take off the jacket.
We arrived at Basement 1 parking lot.
Beyond the slowly opening elevator doors.
"You look happy. While I'm in hell right now."
Kim Hyun-seong, face full of murderous intent, aimed a pistol at us.