Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: A New Fragrance
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Another three days or so passed.
In that time, my daily life had been astonishingly peaceful. No, beyond peaceful—it was starting to feel strangely off-kilter.
The first thing I noticed was the change in my scent.
"Sniff, sniff."
As I got ready for work, I habitually smelled my forearm.
Normally, it should have reeked of chemicals that stung the nose and the fishy stench of monsters. That foul odor so deeply embedded in my body that no amount of scrubbing could remove it.
But now...
"Huh?"
It was gone.
The stench had completely vanished.
In its place lingered... a very faint, sweet fragrance.
It reminded me of the tangerine scent Empress Ap-hos had been enjoying a few days ago, or maybe the smell of a forest after rain—cool, yet oddly alluring.
'Did she really... fix it for me?'
That intense kiss from that night. And the wound on my nape.
Could it actually have worked?
Amazed, I sniffed my body over and over.
But the change wasn't just my imagination.
Clatter, clatter.
On the hellish commute via Subway Line 2, infamous for its packed trains.
Normally, I'd have been deploying my personal space field.
A one-meter radius around me was always empty. People would grimace, saying things like, "Ugh, smell that. Did he step in shit?" while pinching their noses and giving me a wide berth.
But today was different.
"Excuse me, mind if I squeeze by?"
"Oh, sure."
People weren't avoiding me.
On the contrary, in the jam-packed car, there were suspiciously many female students and office workers pressed right up against me.
'This is weird. It's cramped enough to get annoyed about.'
As I shifted slightly, my shoulder brushed against a college girl next to me.
A situation where she'd normally snap, "Hey, watch it!"
I reflexively bowed my head. "Sorry about that."
"N-No! It's fine..."
Far from angry, the college girl blushed and stole glances at me.
Her gaze lingered obsessively on my nape and jawline.
It wasn't contempt or disgust.
It was... like the curious look you give a pretty accessory or a cute little animal.
'What's going on? Do I have something on my face?'
I adjusted my mask unnecessarily.
But the stares didn't stop. The auntie across from me, the guy looking at his phone—they were all sneaking peeks.
The attention felt unfamiliar, but... not bad.
No, honestly... it was a relief.
'Now, my scent will grow on your body.'
Remembering those words made my lips curl up involuntarily.
Is this Empress Ap-hos's scent?
'I should make something delicious for her when I get home.'
Grinning under my mask, I started pondering tonight's menu.
"I'm home!"
After work, I opened the front door with a much brighter voice than usual.
"You're back, Min-woo."
Empress Ap-hos, in her childlike form, greeted me from the living room (also serves as the master bedroom), where she was looking at a tablet PC.
She was peeling and eating tangerines while browsing some site crammed with text. It was even in English—what on earth was she reading?
"You're home early again. No other female scents on you—you're being such a good boy."
"Ahaha... Females? I don't even have a girlfriend, let alone a boyfriend. Oh, right—today on the subway, people weren't avoiding me."
I chuckled as I set down my bag.
"Really? Hmm..."
Empress Ap-hos gave a peculiar smile.
"It's not that they're not avoiding you—they can't."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind. Feed me. I'm hungry."
She cut me off and patted her belly.
Smiling at her adorable gesture, I tied on my familiar apron.
I'd been thinking about dinner all day anyway.
Taking care of Empress Ap-hos and feeding her was one of the most enjoyable parts of my routine. (Of course, as long as there was no 'interference' from her.)
With a light heart, I opened the fridge.
"Uh..."
"What's wrong?"
"N-No, nothing."
I said that and checked the fridge again.
It was noticeably empty.
The premium Hanwoo beef we'd bought a few days ago, the fruits, the side dishes—all gone.
'Well, she does eat meat by the kilo every evening...'
Yes.
Empress Ap-hos's appetite far exceeded my expectations. Like a growing kid (?), she was hungry the moment I turned my back, always craving meat.
'How much money do we have left...'
I checked Kim Manager's wallet.
The thick wad of bills had thinned out. Just a few 50,000-won notes and some 1,000-won ones.
Expenses had piled up faster than I'd thought.
Top-grade Hanwoo, delivery food, and even the latest tablet PC I'd bought to keep her from getting bored.
'At this rate... it won't last a few days.'
Payday was still two weeks away.
I couldn't survive on instant noodles until then. I could manage, but I couldn't feed Empress Ap-hos cheap crap.
Besides, I was greedy. My savior, my mistress Empress Ap-hos—I wanted to keep seeing her smile and say, "Delicious."
I didn't want money to ruin this happy life.
'Is there anything I can sell...'
Casually, I opened the desk drawer.
Something shiny caught my eye amid the junk.
"Ah."
It was a wristwatch.
One of the trophies left behind after Empress Ap-hos 'dealt with' Kim Manager and Park Deputy that night.
The watch Park Deputy had been wearing.
Gold frame studded with cubic zirconia, hefty weight.
The brand logo started with an [R]—a luxury name.
'Is this... a fake?'
I figured a thug like Park Deputy wouldn't wear the real thing.
Probably an A-grade knockoff from Itaewon.
But the quality looked decent. Even if fake, I could get 500,000 won—maybe even a million—on a used goods marketplace.
'A million won... That's enough for four more sirloin cuts that Empress Ap-hos loves.'
Gulp.
I swallowed hard.
This wasn't stolen. It was 'compensation' left by the jerks who tormented me. Selling it wasn't a crime.
This little thing would be happier on someone's wrist than rotting in a drawer anyway.
Rationalizing it to myself, I pulled out my phone.
I downloaded and opened the Carrot Market app.
I snapped photos of the watch with the camera. The lighting made it sparkle.
[Title: Luxury Watch for Sale (Urgent)]
[Content: Got it as a gift, but need cash fast so selling. Not sure if authentic, so priced low. Cool transactions only—DM with offers.]
I hit upload.
[Post registered successfully.]
"Min-woo! Is dinner ready yet? I'm starving!"
Empress Ap-hos's impatient voice came from the living room.
"Y-Yes! Coming right up! How about egg rolls tonight?"
I hurriedly shoved the watch back deep into the drawer and dashed to the kitchen.
My heart pounded from my first-ever used goods sale, but it was soon drowned out by the delicious aromas.
"...Mr. Kang Min-woo? You have visitors."
The next day at 2 p.m., the accounting girl's voice shattered the drowsy quiet of the cleaning office.
On my rare day off, I'd been blankly staring at the monitor when I looked up.
"Me? Who..."
"They're waiting outside... kinda scary guys..."
Her face was pale.
A bad feeling hit me as I stood. Through the office glass door, I saw two burly men in black suits.
Obviously not civilians. Tattoos creeping up their napes, menacing faces, bodies packed with muscle and fat.
'Eek...!'
My heart plummeted.
Loan sharks. Kim Manager's crew.
My mind went blank.
Why were they here? Wait—did they notice Kim Manager missing and suspect me?
'Ah... You idiot, Kang Min-woo!!'
I wanted to tear my hair out.
The last two weeks had been too happy, too complacent.
I hadn't killed Kim Manager and Park Deputy myself, but I was an accomplice. And they belonged to an organization.
Of course they'd come looking when those guys vanished. Like a fool, I'd been so wrapped up in my honeymoon bliss with Empress Ap-hos that I'd completely forgotten the obvious.
'Gotta run.'
Where's the emergency exit? Jump out the window? It's only the second floor—might be okay?
But terror froze my body; I couldn't move.
Meanwhile, they opened the office door and strode in.
Thud, thud.
Their shoe steps hammered my heart.
I heard coworkers murmuring in fear.
"Hey, Kang."
The lead guy scowled at me. He alternated between his tablet PC and my face, tilting his head.
"Hold up. This the guy? Doesn't match the photo. Skin's all pale and smooth—looks like a pretty boy homo."
"Check the name tag. Kang Min-woo."
The follower chewed gum noisily as he approached.
Overwhelming intimidation. I scooted back behind my chair, trembling.
"W-Wait! Um..."
My mouth moved on its own. Survival instinct overrode reason.
"I-I paid up! This month's collection's done! Gave it straight to Kim Manager...!"
Please, please.
I prayed inwardly.
But their reaction wasn't what I expected.
"Hah, this guy's doing it too."
The leader scratched his head irritably.
"Boss, that Kim Manager bastard... really did run off with the cash, huh?"
"Fuck, looks like it. Been suspicious ever since he was yapping with that punk Park Sang-chul about starting a toto site."
"...Huh?"
I blinked.
What were they saying?
"Hey, Kang. You sure? When'd you pay?"
"Uh, that was... a few days ago... no, about two weeks back... He came to my place and took cash..."
"Haa... Those fuckers are insane. Dipping out with the collections?"
They weren't suspecting me—they were cursing each other out.
'I see.'
From their perspective, Kim Manager and Park Deputy going dark meant they'd 'run off with the money,' not died.
"Haa... Hey. Spread the word for now. Contact Son Boss's crew—they specialize in this shit. Alert them first."
"Got it."
Relief buckled my legs.
From their chatter, this seemed routine.
They weren't suspecting small fry like me; they were just tracking the missing guys.
"Hey, Kang. Did those bastards say anything about where they were headed?"
"N-No! They just took the money and rushed off! Said they were busy..."
I nodded desperately.
Lies flowed smoothly. For survival, I'd say anything.
"Tch, fine. If they contact you, call us right away. Got it?"
They tossed a business card on my desk and left without looking back.
The moment the door closed, I collapsed into my chair.
"Hoo... Hoo..."
Cold sweat poured like rain.
Coworkers swarmed: "Kang, you okay?" "What was that?" But I had no energy to reply.
I survived.
They believed Kim Manager bolted. They wouldn't suspect me for a while.
Heaven helped. Or was it Empress Ap-hos?
'Yeah... It'll be fine.'
I stroked my pounding chest.
Just keep quiet. Sell the watch for some cash, hunker down with Empress Ap-hos eating good food—no problems. Hell, maybe suggest moving?
Ding—!
Then my pocket phone buzzed.
Carrot Market notification.
- Buyer: Hi. Watch still available? Up for a cool trade.
Thrilled, I opened the chat.
- Me: Yes! Still have it.
- Buyer: Looks in great shape from pics. I'll meet your price—direct trade tonight? I have a car, can come to you.
Perfect timing.
The recent scare made the money feel even more urgent. Gotta buy something tasty for Empress Ap-hos with it.
- Me: Yes, works! How about XX Station Exit 3?
- Buyer: Sounds good. See you at 7. Bringing cash.
I clenched my fist.
Done. Fire out, dinner for Empress Ap-hos covered.
Loan sharks gone, watch sold.
Today's my lucky day!
I grinned like an idiot.