Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: A Serious Talk with Ichie
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The day I was set to have a serious talk with Ichie. I stood before the full-length mirror in the outfit I'd put the most thought into. The Omnipotent Being gazed at my reflection and spoke.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Manly.] It was an expression that really struck a chord deep in my chest. I nodded and cracked a joke.
"Yeah? Hope I don't look too cool."
The Omnipotent Being didn't respond. I hurriedly backpedaled.
"Just kidding. Just kidding."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Your jokes aren't funny.] The Omnipotent Being was utterly uncompromising when it came to humor. I straightened my clothes one more time, cleared my throat, and opened the door. Today, Ichie and I were grabbing lunch together before heading back to her place for our talk. When I'd asked why not eat at home, she'd said there were too many people around, and it'd be awkward just the two of us.
I thought back to all those suited guys who'd filled her house last time and had to agree.
The studio apartment parking lot was packed as usual. Maybe because so many Hunters lived nearby, there were plenty of high-end cars. Seeing all those fancy makes on display made me think I should get one myself.
Taking Yu-jeong sunbae and Ichie out for a drive sounded pretty nice. Just a short hop out of Seoul, and there were tons of famous resort spots. I smoothed my jacket again and set off. Our destination was a well-known restaurant near Ichie's place.
It was famous for poached chicken, ginseng chicken soup, and duck hotpot, but surprisingly, Ichie had never been there. When I told the taxi driver to take us there, he acted like he knew the spot right away.
"Oh, that place. Yeah, it's famous. You know your stuff, kid."
"Going with someone who knows it."
Referring to Ichie as "someone I know" gave me a strange twinge. My chest tightened uncomfortably, like someone was yelling that drawing that line was wrong. It felt almost like a question echoing in my head.
'You sure you won't regret this?'
I let out a deep sigh for no reason and stared out the window. The driver was watching TV while driving, and on it, Lee Hyun-woo was giving an interview. At a red light, the driver commented on him.
"Man, he's got the looks and the solid vibe. Real star material."
Lee Hyun-woo. The youngest Awakener and youngest S-Rank Hunter ever. He'd been cast as the lead in Urban Heavenly Demon Chronicles and was being hailed as the next Heavenly Demon. Seeing him made me admire the guy, but it also brought the Black Dragon Clan leader to mind, leaving a bitter taste.
The driver went on.
"You see that movie he just did? Blew my mind. Back when I was a kid, I loved that novel, and he was spot-on like the protagonist. A real Heavenly Demon."
"Yeah, he was great."
I gave a vague reply and asked to be dropped off at the alley entrance. Ichie was waiting a short ways off. She had on tight jeans and a leather jacket—like the lead in a '90s youth flick or fresh off an indie band gig in Hongdae. She spotted me through the taxi window and waved happily. The driver chuckled.
"Heh, 'just someone I know,' huh? That's your girlfriend."
"Yep. Here you go."
"Thanks a bunch."
"Have a good one."
I paid and stepped out. Ichie waved at me with a bright smile. I waved back the same way.
"Why not wait inside?"
"Didn't know what to order, so I waited."
A quick search said the duck hotpot was minimum four servings, so ginseng chicken soup it was. I asked Ichie,
"You ever had ginseng chicken soup, Ichie? It's chicken stewed with all sorts of ingredients."
"Ginseng chicken soup. Nope. With rice?"
"No rice."
"Sounds good then."
I led the beaming Ichie inside. She nibbled a green chili, crunched it down, then flushed red from the unexpected heat and chugged water. I couldn't fathom it, but the chilies at these places were always spicy. Was it some kind of law?
We sipped water lightly and chatted idly. I skillfully dodged any talk for "home"—our relationship was still just a team, and it'd stay that way even after leaving her place. That's how it'd be. My resolve was rock-solid.
"Here're your two ginseng chicken soups."
The hearty soups arrived in small earthenware pots, ginseng roots wedged between the legs, thick broth swirling with jujubes and lacquer tree nuts. I spooned some broth and exhaled deeply. Well-made ginseng chicken soup doesn't taste distinctly of jujube or ginseng— all the flavors meld into its unique savoriness.
Ichie cautiously tried the broth, shook her head a bit in delight, and started dismantling the chicken. She flinched when rice grains spilled out, but nodded and said,
"Tasty, so I like it."
"Right?"
We sweated from our foreheads, devouring the soup. It'd been ages since I'd had it—the broth was refreshing, warming me right up, and it put me in a great mood. I stretched contentedly and smiled at her.
"Thanks, I ate well. Ichie. It's been a while for me too."
"Su-hyeon sunbae. Seeing you eat so well makes me happy."
"Love seeing you stuffed too, Ichie."
Feeding Korean food to a foreigner was always a thrill. Especially a Japanese one. Ichie took another sip of water and said,
"Su-hyeon sunbae. Let's head to my place now."
The words sounded suspiciously suggestive. I heard a lady cackling nearby. That one line made my head spin, but I reined myself in. Ichie walked ahead lightly. Stepping outside, the sunlight dazzled.
Ichie's place, backed by shade, looked especially dim today. She gestured to hesitant me.
"Su-hyeon sunbae. Hurry up."
Pretending I couldn't resist, I followed. A sleek black car dominated the entrance—probably Noboru's, from last visit.
Punching in the code and climbing the stairs, my heart pounded with tension. Deep breath, glance up—her tight jeans highlighted her hips perfectly. I dropped my gaze and silently trailed her.
At the door, Ichie entered the code and said,
"Code's 56481. Hit pound after."
She stared right through me, like I needed to memorize it. I nodded. She added,
"Entry code's 1234#."
"Ichie, you can't just give passwords out like that."
"You're not 'others.' It's you, Su-hyeon sunbae."
I couldn't help but smile. I pictured the scene beyond: rough-faced Noboru in a black suit amid yakuza types, pressuring me through sunglasses while Ichie chatted boldly with her backers.
Get swept up in their pace, and it was over. Stay sharp. No letting them seize the initiative. I psyched myself up and watched her open the door. It swung slowly inward, and I peered inside.
No one there. Just tea on the table. Ichie said,
"They stepped out to grab something. Wait a sec. Gonna brush my teeth. You too, Su-hyeon sunbae?"
A suit hung on the chair, signaling a quick return. My mouth felt sticky from the soup anyway, so I nodded at her offer. She grabbed a new toothbrush from the cabinet and handed it over. We stood side by side in the bathroom, brushing. Felt just like siblings. Our reflections brushing away struck me as hilarious, and I burst out laughing.
Ichie started giggling too, like she had the same thought. White foam dribbled from her lips; we spat into the sink in a hurry. Feeling fresh, we stepped out, and she lit a scented candle in the living room.
"Don't remember that from before. What scent?"
"Aroma. Relaxes the body."
"Oh yeah?"
"They'll be back soon."
A sweet floral fragrance wafted. It made my head fuzzy, drowsy. Was this aroma therapy? Post-soup, my body felt heated, energy surging oddly. To cool my flushing face, I gulped some tea.
Ichie wasn't drinking any.
She stared at me intently. Her ruby eyes, porcelain skin, short bob—it drove me wild. Blood rushed south. Why so aroused? The soup? I shook my head and forced my gaze away.
"I-Ichie. When's your uncle getting here?"
She rose and headed to the table. A remote sat there; she grabbed it and went to the entryway, pressing hard against the door.
Click!
Click!
Click!
I hadn't noticed coming in, but the door had bank-vault-level locks. She shrugged off her jacket. I gaped at her. She said,
"Uncle's not coming today."
"B-But you said he was!"
"Lied."
"Ichie?"
She grinned wickedly. My body grew languid despite myself. Sleepiness poured in.