Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Magic Spell and Ominous Premonition
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I stood frozen in front of the sink, as if time itself had come to a halt.
Staring blankly at my reflection in the mirror.
What was right there in front of me was undoubtedly my own face.
But at the same time, it was a face completely unknown to me.
The relentless sound of pouring water filled the bathroom with an eerie tension.
Over the water's roar dominating the silent space, my heart thumped like a hammer striking my eardrums.
The face in the mirror was distorted as if smeared with mixed paints, its skin tone somehow unnatural.
Yet no matter how I looked at it, that was Yaruo's face.
Clutching at a sliver of hope, I bowed my head to inspect my body.
But against all expectations, the robust, Lewd Beast build was nowhere to be seen.
A body as frail and puny as the face in the mirror.
The pathetic frame I always saw during possessions.
I shut my eyes and opened them several times, rubbed them vigorously with the back of my hand, but nothing changed.
[What are you standing there staring at?]
Just as I hesitated and reached out toward the mirror, Child's voice cut in unexpectedly.
"Hey, Child."
[Ah, I get it. It's been less than a week since you got that body. Of course you'd want to stare at it over and over.]
"That's not it..."
Hold on.
Could it be this guy can't see it?
"Child, what do I look like to you?"
[...Asking me that? You're not seriously targeting me too, are you? That's kinda scary.]
He's pretending not to know even though he does.
Or maybe he really doesn't.
"Cut the jokes and take a look. My face is weird."
I slowly turned my head and pointed at the mirror.
The tip of my finger trembled faintly, against my will.
"That's definitely Yaruo..."
But when I looked back at the mirror, the distorted image from moments ago had vanished without a trace.
There was only my familiar, fatigue-ridden face staring blankly back at me.
[...What are you talking about? You look exactly the same as always.]
My body looked the same when I glanced down.
The scrawny frame from moments ago had reverted to its muscular form.
[What's up with you since earlier?]
I clenched and unclenched my fists several times, slowly regulating my breathing.
Then I explained what I'd just seen to Child as calmly as possible.
Child fell silent for a while before cautiously speaking up.
[Hard to say for sure. But it's probably aftereffects.]
"But didn't you say aftereffects decrease as immersion rises?"
[That's only up to 30% at best. Plus, this possession lasted way longer than the first one. Aftereffects wouldn't be strange at all.]
"True..."
In this situation, aftereffects seem the most plausible explanation.
But oddly, a nagging unease in the corner of my mind wouldn't fade.
[Usually, a bit of rest clears it up... If it happens again, tell me right away.]
"Got it."
For now, all I can do is watch and wait.
[Don't take it too seriously. A brief hallucination is on the milder side of aftereffects.]
"Is that how you comfort someone?"
Not even the weakest of the Four Heavenly Kings.
A chuckle escaped at Child's half-hearted consolation.
I bowed my head and splashed cold water on my face repeatedly.
The moment the chill touched my skin, the clutter filling my mind felt like it was washing away, if only a little.
Yeah.
Just simple aftereffects, like Child said.
No need to overreact.
Even as I convinced myself of that.
While washing up and showering afterward, I wiped the steam from the mirror several times to check my face.
As if that thing from earlier might reappear.
After an unsatisfying shower, I stepped out of the bathroom, and the savory aroma of butter tickled my nose.
Wiping the water from my face and hair with a towel as I headed to the kitchen, I saw Lizetta's back busily moving about.
She was so absorbed in cooking that she didn't notice me until I drew right up behind her.
"Omelet again today?"
Only when I spoke did she turn her head, nodding calmly without a hint of surprise.
Her forehead glistened with cold sweat from the intense focus.
"Something like that, but this time it's omurice. I thought it'd be more filling this way, Master Hyun-seong."
Peeking over her shoulder, I saw a frying pan and wok side by side on the gas stove.
The omelet was cooking in the frying pan, while fried rice sizzled in the wok.
Contrary to my worries, both looked quite appetizing.
"When did you even make the rice?"
"Right after Master Hyun-seong possessed. It wasn't as hard as I expected."
True, just wash the rice, add the right amount of water, and the rice cooker does the rest.
The dusty cooker gathering cobwebs in the corner was finally fulfilling its purpose.
"It'll be ready soon. Please finish getting ready for work, Master Hyun-seong."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Lizetta turned back to her tools.
She added seasonings with utmost care, like she was in a cooking competition.
This time, I could look forward to it.
After preparing in my room and returning to the kitchen, Lizetta was just setting the finished dish on the table.
"Ooh."
As I sat down, adjusting my clothes, I couldn't help but exclaim at the sight in the bowl.
A golden, perfectly browned dome hugged the fried rice snugly.
Atop it, a heart shape was meticulously drawn in ketchup.
The rich aroma of butter and fried rice whetted my appetite.
It looked leagues better than her last failed attempt.
Starved after sleeping 10 hours straight, I reached for my spoon—
"Master Hyun-seong, one moment."
Lizetta, standing by the table, reached out to stop me.
Wondering what was up, I looked up to see her take a short breath, then clasp her hands in front of her chest in a heart shape.
...No way?
She's really going to do that?
Lizetta?
"...Be. De. Lici. Ous. Moe. Moe. Kyun."
"..."
Her stiff movements and emotionless, deadpan delivery.
The scene wasn't shocking so much as awkwardly hilarious, hard to keep a straight face.
Frozen mid-heart in the air, Lizetta stared down at me blankly before straightening up as usual.
"I saw online that it's a magic spell maids use to make food tastier, so I tried it."
I could guess where she learned it without asking.
Probably watched NerTube while I was gone.
"Sorry. I interrupted your meal with something unnecessary."
Unable to hide her dejected air, she bowed her head and quietly sat across from me.
Her expression was oddly cute, making my lips twitch upward involuntarily.
"No, not unnecessary at all. Thanks to Lizetta's spell, this omurice is surely even tastier."
"If so, I'm glad."
"We'll know once I try it. You eat too, Lizetta."
"Understood."
I took the first bite, and she followed suit.
The soft egg melted smoothly in my mouth, the sweet-tangy ketchup enhancing the umami.
The fried rice was buttery and savory, packed with crisp veggies, ham, and onions.
"...Delicious."
Were the foods from that world too mildly seasoned by default?
This familiar punch and oily richness hit even harder.
With my hunger peaking, the spoon kept moving nonstop.
"I'm glad it suits your taste."
"It's really good. Your skills have improved a lot, Lizetta."
"Practicing bit by bit over the weekend must've helped. Hearing it from you directly puts my mind at ease."
Even with limited time, to this level.
Maybe she just learns fast.
But her expression still seemed somehow lacking.
Her spoon movements were a tad slower.
"Doesn't suit your taste, Lizetta?"
"No, it's not bad, but by my standards, it's still lacking."
Hmm.
Hasn't quite reached the ideal in her head, huh.
Of course, it might not match a master chef's gourmet dish.
"It's plenty delicious already. At this rate, next time it'll be even better for sure."
Only then did she flash a faint smile.
"Yes. Next time, I'll serve an even better dish."
I've seen her smile more often lately, like during Saturday's shopping.
Fine by me; it's nice to look at.
"And I'll try putting more heart into the spell."
That part doesn't need much effort, though.
Can't tell someone trying their best to stop, though.
"L-Looking forward to it."
"Yes. I won't let you down."
She's so earnest about everything.
Still, someday.
If Lizetta ever did moe moe kyun with bubbly energy.
That might not be half bad.
Imagining the scene as I took another bite of fried rice.
Once the mood settled, I pulled out my phone and opened the gallery I hadn't checked yet.
The photos from the possession were all intact.
Would've hurt if the ones I took so diligently had vanished.
"Did you enjoy it there?"
Lizetta's question reached me as I scrolled through, lost in brief memories.
"Yeah."
I nodded, gently setting the phone on the table.
"If I had more time, I'd have stayed longer."
Half joke, half truth.
No need to worry about complicated futures like in reality.
"Even though it's a virtual world, virtual beings, you don't seem to mind much, Master Hyun-seong."
A somewhat meaningful remark.
I was momentarily at a loss for words.
True, that world isn't real.
But having interacted deeply with them myself, I know they're no mere NPCs.
And.
"Real or fake, what does it matter? They're real to me. That's enough."
She paused mid-bite at my casual dismissal, gazing intently at my face.
Huh.
Did I say something rude?
"Lizetta?"
"...It's nothing. Forget what I just said."
She lowered her eyes and silently focused on her meal.
It tugged at me oddly, but I didn't press.
Mulling over her words, I finished eating.
After a leisurely post-meal time, I headed to the entryway for work.
As last week, Lizetta followed, handing me my bag as I put on my shoes.
I could grab it myself, but she'd made it her routine since then.
More importantly.
"You want to use the computer?"
"Yes."
I glanced back as I slung on my bag, and she nodded quietly.
"You have my phone, so why the computer...?"
"Something I want to research personally."
"Research?"
What could it be?
Too vague; no clue.
"If it bothers you for me to use it, feel free to refuse."
"Hmm."
Honestly, nothing uncomfortable about it.
She already knows about my most sensitive eroge folder.
As long as she doesn't touch work files, no issue.
"Alright. No password anyway, so use it freely."
"Thank you."
"Just tell me what you researched after I get home."
With that final request, I quietly opened the front door.
The moment I crossed the threshold—
"Master Hyun-seong."
Her voice brushed my ear as a soft hand tugged my arm.
Then, without a word, her lips touched my cheek and parted.
"Have a good day at work today too."
Her cool yet gentle voice lingered warmly in my ear.
[Don't slack off like last time. Get home early today.]
Child's voice barged in before the words could settle, shattering the mood.
Really top-tier at ruining the atmosphere.
A weekend that flew by like light.
The Monday commute that followed was pure hell.
On one hand, my fingers itched to use the hypnosis app ASAP.
First target: Team Leader Kang Joo-young.
She'd used me for stress relief long enough; time to repay in kind.
Mi-na still hasn't responded at all.
I'll ask her directly now that I'm here.
Stepping out of the elevator toward the office—
The hallway vibe felt off from the start.
"Hey, is that the guy?"
"Yeah."
Wherever I went, eyes and whispers trailed me—me, who usually had zero presence.
"Heard it from someone?"
"Dunno, I heard from a classmate."
"If it's true, isn't that a crime?"
And not in a good way.
Glancing toward the murmurs, the employees averted their gazes and pretended to be busy.
Unsettling.
With that foreboding feeling, I headed to my desk, where a stark dissonance hit me.
My usually early-bird junior's seat was empty.
Not just away; no sign of her arriving at all.
"..."
A chill crept up my spine.
This kind of ominous hunch rarely misses.
Calm down.
Maybe she's just late today.
I'll contact her later; for now, figure out these stares sticking to me...
"Ah? Assistant Manager Lee."
A voice from down the office hall interrupted my thoughts.
It was Kim Han-seok, the Japan team maknae and Mi-na's classmate.
"What's up?"
"Team Leader Kang was looking for you earlier. Said to go straight to Meeting Room 5 when you arrive."
I reflexively checked Team Leader Kang Joo-young's desk.
Hers was empty too.
"Just me?"
"Yes... Ah, no. Assistant Manager Son too. She went to the meeting room already."
"Assistant Manager Son as well?"
She mentioned a business trip to Osaka for site survey last week.
Come to think of it, today was her return.
A meeting room summons right on arrival, though.
Head already spinning, and now this.
But can't skip it.
"Thanks."
I gave Han-seok a quick nod and headed past him to the meeting room.
I ignored the wary glance he shot me as we passed.
My steps toward the meeting room felt as heavy as if shackled in iron.
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