Chapter 188
Chapter 188
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: Everything Will Be Decided at Dinner
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"Ah, but of course."
The hitherto silent White Dragon Snow speaks up.
"Manager oppa, you shouldn't come."
At her words, Shadow Dragon Eoduksuni startles and protests.
"What!? An idol going out to eat with a guy without her manager? Does that even make sense?"
"Sigh... Cut it out, manager oppa. We're all transcendents, even if we're minors. Besides, does this look like we're heading out on a date?"
"But..."
Ruby cuts off the flustered Eoduksuni.
"No buts. If we say don't come, then don't come."
"Watch out for Eoduksuni oppa's feelings~."
"Aw, man. Why's he so immersed in this manager role? Ease up, ease up!"
Under the relentless barrage from the five women, Eoduksuni has no choice but to yield.
Even if they were minors, every member of F·D was a transcendent.
In truth, it made no sense for transcendents to have their private lives controlled. Weren't transcendents the very beings worshipped as gods in lower civilizations?
This whole conversation was just a mishap born from Eoduksuni's earnest investment in their idol careers.
'And... there's more to worry about.'
Eoduksuni recalls their conversation in Dragonia.
[You've always been into idols, right? The quintuplets are doing idol stuff, so be their manager.]
[Let them do whatever they want as much as possible. Expenses? Unlimited support from the council of elders.]
[What identity? Nothing like that! They're just normal, cute quintuplets. What identity?]
[I'm telling you again: let them do whatever they want!]
F·D had the council of elders' absolute backing. When Ruby once said she wanted to pilot a gigas, a star-grade gigas was provided that very day—an insane turn of events.
'No way they're really direct descendants of the Dragon God or something? I mean, that level of magical prowess at 450 years old doesn't add up... But if they were Dragon God direct bloodline, they'd have to be gold dragons or shadow dragons—at least dragon godkin. There's no such thing as a colored dragon Dragon God.'
"By the way."
Sapphire asks Eoduksuni, lost in thought.
"That Jaeyeon guy. He's not a Dragon Lover, is he?"
Eoduksuni shakes his head at her question.
"Nope, nothing like that. Just a regular human transcendent."
A Dragon Lover was a soul trait that enchanted dragons. Even dragons, who paid little heed to appearances, felt drawn to them—heroes whose heroic qualities were amplified by a soul talent that shone even more beautifully.
Those born with this trait or talent were beloved by all dragonkin, making them a perennial social issue in Dragonian society.
'Because Dragon Lovers inevitably produce half-dragons, despised by dragonkin.'
Fortunately, Dragon Lovers had a distinct presence, and having met Jaeyeon before, Eoduksuni knew he had the makings of a hero but not the soul of a Dragon Lover.
"True, if he were a Dragon Lover, we'd have noticed him during the last broadcast. You can tell at a glance."
"Huh? You've seen a Dragon Lover before? But there wouldn't have been time for..."
Black Yo cuts off Eoduksuni's puzzled words.
"Ah, it's time. We're heading out, so you go home, oppa. We'll call you tomorrow."
"But..."
"If we say go home, then go home!"
"Aw~ Why are you trying so hard, seriously!"
In the end, F·D shakes off Eoduksuni and heads to the restaurant.
The reserved restaurant is a luxurious standalone house. Accepting only one party per day, it's one of the top spots on the 34th Earth.
If the guests weren't the five transcendents of F·D, booking on such short notice would have been impossible.
In fact, the top spirit summoner and head of the Cooking School, 'All Day Long,' had canceled his vacation to prepare tonight's seating.
"It's an honor to host the famous F·D. I'm Chef All Day Long."
"Thanks for taking our sudden reservation. I loved it so much last time that I brought the members along."
Flower suppresses her rising tension and smiles gracefully.
Meanwhile, All Day Long senses something off.
'What is it? The members' vibe...'
His restaurant, [All Day Happy], was a top-tier spot frequented by VVIPs.
Even with endless money, at 5 million won per person, people only came for special occasions with special company, so the atmosphere was usually serene.
But F·D's was different.
'Like knights before a war...'
The F·D members sit silently, their aura murderous. That razor-edge tension doesn't fit a restaurant at all.
Unlike them, Flower, who looks glum, speaks to All Day Long.
"P-please prepare the meal. And we'll be having a private talk, so skip the course explanations."
"Yes, Miss Flower."
As All Day Long withdraws, F·D enters the house. The long central courtyard stretching through the interior immediately catches the eye, featuring a pond surrounded by harmoniously planted trees and grasses, bringing an elegant garden indoors.
With the kitchen and dining areas divided around the courtyard, it feels worlds apart from typical walled private rooms.
As the five enter, waiting staff greet them and guide them inward.
A large table awaits, with Seoul's nightscape unfolding in panorama.
"Enjoy your meal."
The staff bows politely and retraces their steps. Then the pond, trees, grasses, and stones of the courtyard come alive, concealing the path.
"The vibe's too peaceful."
Crack!
Before Snow's sigh finishes, the nightscape vanishes, replaced by a frozen lake so cold it stings the nose, distant snow-blanketed forests, and a blizzard whipping in on the wind.
"Now that's more like it."
Only then does Snow sit, satisfied. Flower mutters timidly.
"Don't do that."
Whirr—
Magic light flares again, the frozen lake gone, replaced by lush green grass and pale pink marble. A neat fountain zips into square shape at the center, beyond which a beautiful red sunset drapes the sky.
"See? See? Look at this vibe."
Black Yo glares in dissatisfaction, but Flower pretends not to notice, gazing at the sunset as she sits.
As everyone settles, fragrant flower-scented tea cups and appetizers appear on the table as if waiting.
Slurp.
Slurrrp.
The cups refill automatically when emptied, so no need to call staff—they drain cup after cup.
"No class."
Ruby blurts out.
"Keeping a lady waiting on a dinner date?"
No. The appointed time was still an hour away.
"Thinks he's untouchable now that he's a transcendent, huh."
"Doesn't even text our Flower once, then snaps back when she calls him out!"
"Ha! Isn't it ridiculous? What's our Flower lacking to deserve this?"
"Pretty, strong, great personality, hardworking, loaded!"
"Boobs to die for, ass too..."
"S-st-stop it!"
Flower yells, face beet red.
[The reserved guests have arrived.]
"Let them in."
Flower speaks to Ruby's sinking voice.
"We have to be polite. Even if 'majority vote' forced this... If you talk like you just did, I'm out of here!"
"Hey, we're not kids. Don't worry."
"Yeah, we'll explain it so he gets it..."
Rustle.
Jaeyeon emerges, parting the courtyard grasses.
At his entrance, flames—literal flames—burst from Ruby's mouth.
"Fine, you're here! What kept you so..."
"Ah, you're all here already. I thought I came early."
Jaeyeon strides forward.
"Now he shows... now he..."
"Uh...?"
"Wait, what?"
"Heh..."
The four F·D members, plotting to crush his spirit from the start, flounder in confusion instead of unleashing their fury.
And before them, Jaeyeon smiles.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Han Jaeyeon."
"......"
"......"
"......"
"......"
Why do we feel attracted to handsome men and beautiful women?
For rational relationships, we prefer those who love us, share our goals, match our personalities. Everyone knows that.
But who stirs 'attraction'?
Tall people. Well-featured faces. Great figures...
In other words.
Beautiful people.
Even kids without education or cultural influence prefer beautiful faces—it's famous. Meaning beauty-chasing is instinct, separate from reason.
A primal urge to accept superior genes for better offspring—the 'command of genes' deeming fitting targets 'attractive.'
"Ah, um, hi. I'm Sapphire..."
"Call me Ruby!"
"Black Yo. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Snow."
The members greet Jaeyeon in turn. He's wearing the suit Flower gifted him. The dragon-made black suit, worth more than any luxury brand, paired with a neat human empire-exclusive barber's styling, makes him look like a successful entrepreneur.
His transcendent physique boasts perfect proportions, his 2-meter height not overwhelming at all.
Jaeyeon sits.
The F·D members.
They...
They'd planned to tear Jaeyeon apart. Not literally, but with words, glares, gestures, and attitudes.
But the moment Jaeyeon stands before them.
Things veer completely off their battle plan.
"I heard you reached the transcendent realm recently. Impressive."
"I saw you fighting transcendent-grade monsters..."
My dear friend is crushing on this guy who seems inferior, accepts pricey gifts without a word, never texts first, then snaps when she shows she's miffed.
How could you not chew him out?
But then.
The trashy crush turns out, upon meeting, to be just.
So.
Drop-dead.
Gorgeous.
Not literally, but in how he hijacks their instincts—just like that.
"Hahaha!"
"Hohoho!"
"Haha! That's hilarious!"
They respond to every word, leaving room for more talk, constantly finding new topics. Praising him, slipping in bits about themselves.
With four driving the chat, it flows warmly.
In this moment, their instincts scream.
[Bear his child.]
'Flower too, but...'
Meanwhile, Jaeyeon thinks.
'F·D members all have great personalities. Internet says they're picky...'
Internet gossip is unreliable, as expected.