Chapter 81
Chapter 81
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: A Quiet Day Interrupted
The next day.
The air in the company office was business as usual everywhere else, but not around me.
"Please approve this."
When I held out the file folder, Team Leader Choi Yura flinched.
She couldn't even meet my eyes, keeping her gaze locked on the monitor as she spoke.
"Leave it there."
Back in the day, she would've reviewed it on the spot and yelled, "Redo this!"
'First time I've heard "leave it there" from her.'
Choi Yura's ears were bright red, and her lips were pressed tightly together.
'She's completely backed down.'
I swallowed a laugh.
My condition of a "polite request."
She still hadn't figured out what that "politeness" entailed.
'Her face says she's agonizing over what, how much, how far, and how to do it.'
Her pride was bruised, but she couldn't back out either, leaving her stewing inside.
'No need to rub it in more.'
I turned away coolly, pretending I couldn't care less, and headed back to my desk.
*
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Lunchtime.
I headed to a café near the office.
As I stepped inside.
"Over here, Seonghwa!"
I spotted a woman waving from a corner table in the café.
It was Lee Yerin, the department goddess who'd been every guy's dream back in college.
"Long time no see. How've you been?"
I sat down and exchanged pleasantries.
Lee Yerin smiled shyly and nodded.
"Yeah. You seem to be doing well too. I saw you on the news."
She stared straight at my face.
Her eyes held not just curiosity and admiration, but a strange intensity too.
'Has she ever looked at anyone like this?'
Then again, it was surprising enough that the usually introverted girl had reached out first to meet up.
"What coffee do you want? My treat."
"No way. You're the one who came all the way here. Let me get it."
"Nah, nah! Then it'd look like I just came for free coffee. I asked you out, so I'm buying."
A little later.
We sipped our coffees awkwardly, catching up on recent events.
But the conversation stayed surface-level.
Then I noticed Lee Yerin fidgeting with her mug, fingers twitching.
She looked like she had something to say.
"Hey, Yerin. You said you wanted to meet because you had something to talk about, right?"
I cut straight to it, and her eyes went wide.
"Oh... um, yeah..."
She glanced around once, then leaned forward over the table.
Her voice dropped.
"I saw the news that time... when you held Min Seola and wings sprouted from her back..."
"I told you about that in the text too."
"Oh, right, I mean... what I want to know is... how did you do it...?"
Lee Yerin's eyes turned serious.
"Like, what's the trick? Just hugging? Or does it need something else?"
My expression nearly hardened.
'Asking for the method, huh.'
Was this mere curiosity?
Or was she after my power?
Even the shy Lee Yerin was getting greedy in the face of unknown strength?
'Looks like she came asking for help after all.'
Sensing my cold reaction, Lee Yerin panicked and waved her hands frantically.
"No, no! I'm only saying this so you don't misunderstand! The reason I'm asking is... I actually awakened as a 'Saintess' recently too!"
Her words flowed calmly now.
"You seem like a healer type like me... but I can't control my powers well. The healing output's inconsistent, and it drains too much mana."
"Healer type?"
"Yeah. You're a supporter too, right? Strengthening and healing others."
Lee Yerin looked at me with desperate eyes.
"So I was hoping for any tips. Really. No bad intentions."
Those weren't the eyes of a liar.
A model student's pure desire to learn the ability.
With her personality, she wasn't the type to steal or scheme.
'Good. Not another one begging for my dick.'
I let my guard down and chuckled.
Still, I couldn't give detailed explanations to an innocent old classmate.
"My power's nothing special."
I decided to brush it off vaguely.
"Just hug with sincerity. With the intent to care for the other person."
"...Sincerity?"
"Yeah. When I touch them thinking I'm giving everything I have, the power flows in."
"I see! So mindset is key!"
It was half-true.
Sincerity wasn't needed, but hugging alone did work.
"Hug with sincerity..."
Lee Yerin murmured, mulling over my words.
She seemed to take them as gospel.
"Don't obsess over my way. You'll find your own."
She nodded, then suddenly blushed as she looked at me.
"Then... if I hug you with sincerity, could I get stronger too?"
"...What?"
"Ah, no! I don't mean I want your power...! As practice! You know, since I'm a healer, practice healing on you...!"
Lee Yerin floundered in excuses, her ears turning red.
Unintentional flirting.
Realizing what she'd said too late, she looked adorably flustered.
"We'll see. If the chance comes up."
I grinned mischievously and stood.
"Lunch break's over. Gotta head back."
"Already? I wanted to chat more since it's been so long..."
Yerin fiddled with her mug regretfully.
But she didn't try to hold me back.
"Thanks for today, Seonghwa. I think I got some hints."
"Sure. Take care."
*
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After work.
I walked home leisurely.
For once, no calls or incidents all day.
Seo Jubin and the heroes must be busy.
'A peaceful evening for a change.'
The moment I thought about cracking open a beer and crashing, I stepped inside—and saw someone on the living room sofa.
"What the hell are you...?"
A sigh escaped me.
Peace, my ass.
"You're back!"
Yupia jumped up to greet me.
'She looks like hell.'
Her face was gaunt compared to when she'd fought Min Seola.
'But why are her eyes sparkling like that?'
Not even Luffy finding the One Piece would shine that bright.
"Anyway, how'd you get in? I thought you'd burned through all your mana."
Yupia snorted at my question.
"I siphoned some essence from that Red Fox bitch, enough to barely shadow-step here."
Red Fox?
So she was a villain after all.
'Even if she was a real hero and Yupia kidnapped her for essence... nah, no way.'
Even if they knew from intel that she'd teamed up with me, if she had that power, kidnapping me would've been way more efficient.
So yeah, Red Fox was definitely Yupia's lackey.
I'd half-guessed as much.
Time stop during her arrival had been a dead giveaway.
Meanwhile, Yupia stood and approached me.
Her steps wobbled.
Mana must be running on fumes.
"Why're you here? Trying to kidnap me again?"
"If I had the strength, I wouldn't be sitting here like this."
"Then what?"
Yupia stopped right in front of me.
Then suddenly dropped to her knees.
"...?"
She prostrated herself flat and spoke.
"Let me stay here... I'll do anything you say... even suck your toes if you ask..."
Pride and all, thrown out the window.
But I looked down at her coldly.
"Nah. You'll just cause trouble again. Sneak into my bed when I'm asleep, regain strength, kidnap me, raid the Association."
"I won't! I swear!"
Yupia shrieked.
"No trouble... I promise to behave... please take me in... I was happiest living here..."
She looked up at me with teary eyes.
All traces of the S-Rank Villain gone, just like a stray begging not to be abandoned.
"And when my mana runs low, my place gets cold... food tastes like nothing..."
"So you wanna use my house as a shelter?"
"No, that's not it... I like it here!"
Yupia rubbed her face against my leg, whining.
"Your scent's nice... bed's warm... food's delicious..."
I could feel her sincerity.
It wasn't just about semen.
She seemed to miss those few short days of "normal life" here.
Just like I used to yearn for the ordinary.
"Ha..."
A sigh slipped out.
Should I take her in or not?
If I did, I'd have to deal with Seo Jubin and Min Seola watching me.
"Please. I'll call Lilith for cleanup, laundry..."
"You're barely holding it together yourself, and you wanna drag her in too? Crazy?"
"Th-then I'll do it alone! I can do anything you ask! Just feed me sometimes!"
Yupia placed her hands on my pants, pleading.
"I can service you right now. Suck you off as many times as you want! Use my pussy all you like!"
Her eyes gleamed with greed and desperation.
"That only benefits you. You'll regain power and start shit again, what then?"
"I said no trouble! If you want, I'll make a succubus spirit oath!"
"Pass. Don't even know what that is, and oaths from you probably mean backstabbing bullshit."
Even as I said it, I didn't brush her hand away.
Honestly, it was tempting.
A queen groveling like this, and her pussy felt good anyway.
"Fine, no need for that. But conditions."
"What? Name them all!"
"One. No trouble. Stay home and behave."
"Yes! I swear!"
Quick answer.
"Two. Don't touch unless I say so. Annoy me, and you're out."
"G-got it! I'll hold back!"
A bit hesitant, but whatever.
"Three. Wear proper clothes. No wandering naked."
"I'll... try..."
"That's it."
"R-really?!"
Yupia beamed and hugged my thigh.
Her tail swished wildly.
"So you'll feed me too? I want some now!"
"No. Can't hold out already?"
"B-but... I've starved so long..."
She was like a starving beast right now.
Perfect chance to test her sincerity.
Could she resist fresh meat dangled in front of a hungry lion or tiger?
"Still no. I'll check if you behave, and if you listen, then you eat. Try sneaking, and I'll call heroes to arrest you."
"O-okay..."
"Go wash up first. Obey, and you can stay."
"Got it! I'll be good!"
Yupia wagged her tail furiously and dashed to the bathroom.
Click.
I shook my head at the closing bathroom door.
'Ended up taking her in again.'
But hearing the humming from the bathroom, I felt an inexplicable relief.
I knew not to trust her rashly, but she felt familiar and comfortable somehow.
'Like the troublemaking cat I wanted to kick out finally came back after running away.'
The house had felt empty and strange without her for a while.
Might even be a little glad.