Tasting the Worst
“Haa…”
A deep sigh escaped my lips before I knew it.
Damn… After all that touching talk, now she hits me with that… How the hell am I supposed to kneading-massage her?
Kim Hyunah's face flushed beet red at the contemptuous expression I hadn't even realized I was making.
“Ahem…”
She cleared her throat urgently and bowed her head deeply.
Her face burned like it might explode as she covered it with both hands.
It looked like she was blaming herself for making such a rude request, but the corners of her mouth, hidden by her lowered head, curled into an uncontrollable, sticky smile.
She's crazy… totally insane…
Seeing me look at her with utter pity, Kim Hyunah screamed inwardly like some pervert, sneaking sidelong glances to drink in my face.
Haa… seriously…
As her breathing seemed to grow rougher, I scooted my butt back on the bed to put some distance between us.
“M-Massage later… I'll think about it… and do it for you.”
“Ah… sure, take your time. I'm not forcing you or anything.”
Kim Hyunah barely managed to compose her face and lifted her head.
Not forcing me, she said, but her eyes were boring holes into my hands.
… Not forcing, just threatening then?
I gave an awkward smile, straightened my clothes, and stood up.
“Um… I think I'll head home now…”
“Already?”
Kim Hyunah stood too, her face full of regret.
She didn't hide her disappointment at all. You'd think I was leaving forever.
We'll see each other again tomorrow, though.
“Yeah… it's getting late… and I have stuff to do at home.”
“…I see. Then let me drive you home safely.”
“Ah, no! I can go alone! Taxi’s quick!”
I waved my hands frantically in panic.
My gut screamed that getting in a car with Kim Hyunah right now would lead to something dangerous.
“But… it could be risky going alone.”
“Who'd cause trouble right by the Association and Baekya Guild? Plus, you gave me this. I'll press it if anything happens, so don't worry.”
I pulled out the item she'd given me and flashed it briefly.
Better escape before she grabs me again.
“Thanks for the item—I'll use it well. See you tomorrow!”
I finished my goodbye and bolted out the door.
Even after leaving Kim Hyunah's place, I felt a sticky gaze on the back of my head, so I quickly hailed a taxi and jumped in.
Click.
With the door shut, Kim Hyunah was left alone in the room. She stared blankly at the firmly closed front door.
“Haa… what a shame.”
She turned back toward the bedroom and headed to the edge of the bed where Baek Arang had been sitting moments ago.
Kim Hyunah gently stroked the bedsheet, still warm with Baek Arang's body heat.
“Next time… I won't let you go so easily… tail too.”
She smacked her lips, savoring the lingering warmth of Baek Arang's body.
The taxi got me home in a flash.
Screech.
I opened the front door, and the familiar room came into view, finally making it sink in that I was back in my sanctuary.
“Haa… I can breathe now.”
I kicked off my shoes haphazardly and flopped face-down onto the mattress.
The kneading effect wrapped around my body like a hug, and my tail instinctively poked out of my pants, swishing lazily.
I let my ears out too, and the day's events flashed through my mind.
Man… what a whirlwind.
Nothing earth-shattering, but each one was pretty shocking in its own way.
Dragged off by Guild Leader Cha Eunwol, got dressed in underwear, ate fancy food… let's not dwell on those two devouring the strawberry donuts.
“How does all this happen in one day…? Is the world crazy?”
I mumbled into the bed.
Then Kim Hyunah's warning popped into my head.
My identity would gradually leak, and tons of people would come looking.
Who knows what would happen.
Everyone's dead serious about the Tower, so they'd want my bread. Or maybe others would try to eliminate me to keep them from getting it.
Might be overconfident, but the kneading effect was insane—certified by Guild Leader Cha Eunwol and Kim Hyunah.
I tried closing my eyes and imagining a bright future, but it just wouldn't come.
The big guilds would go all out hunting for me, scout offers pouring in from everywhere.
Refuse, and trackers or assassins might follow.
You might say assassinations in this day and age? But remember those politicians who pissed off hunters? Poof, gone.
My tail thumped anxiously against the floor.
No matter how I racked my brain, no easy answers came.
I'm not some genius anyway… high school grad who skipped college entrance exams—what'd you expect?
Trying to outthink guild politics and infighting was my first mistake.
“Forget it! Too complicated! Not thinking about it!”
I pounded the bed to shut off my worries.
“I've got that emergency item anyway, and Baekya Guild said they'd help—so I'm not dying tomorrow, right? Whatever… I'll figure it later.”
I buried my face deep in the bed, focusing only on the comfy mattress instead of some vague future.
“Rest today… tomorrow, grab something tasty.”
“Ughhh…”
Next morning, I stretched with the alarm and got up.
Morning sun peeked warmly through the window cracks.
Quitting my overthinking and sleeping soundly had me in top condition.
“What to do today.”
Sitting on the bed, wiggling my toes, I pondered.
Baking donuts wasn't bad, but today I just wanted to slack off hard.
Bank account's filling up, killing my work motivation.
Can't work every day. Time for a walk.
First real idle time since the TS—let's do this.
Whistling, I prepped to go out.
Pulled on the hoodie Guild Leader Cha Eunwol bought to hide my ears, rolled my tail inside my pants.
A bit stuffy, but best for wandering.
“Perfect.”
Nodding at the mirror, I stepped out lightly.
No destination.
Just stroll the streets leisurely.
Even with the Tower and hunters everywhere, not much had changed.
People still commuted, kids went to school.
Hunter shops aside, same old world.
Roaming the neighborhood, a fragrant aroma hit my nose hard.
“Mm… this smell?”
Nutty, bitterly roasted coffee beans.
Coffee scent.
Following it, I spotted a tiny, cozy cafe tucked in an alley corner.
Small sign, out-of-way spot—not super visible, but the dark wood exterior was charming and aesthetic.
Shall I check it out? Throat's dry anyway.
I pushed open the door without hesitation.
Ding-a-ling.
A cheerful bell rang.
“……? A customer… welcome.”
A very drowsy voice came from behind the counter.
A woman with gray hair tied back messily barely lifted herself up.
She glanced at me, scratched her head, yawned hugely, and stood.
Her eyes had that same vibe as Guild Leader Cha Eunwol's.
“You're the owner, right? You open?”
“Yeah, obviously. What'll it be?”
“Hot Americano and… uh, a sandwich please.”
Stomach rumbling—might as well eat here.
“Got it. Let me ring you up.”
Owner tapped the POS at snail pace and finished.
I took my card, scurried to a comfy window seat in the corner, and sat.
While waiting, I scanned the interior.
Way prettier inside than out.
Cute knick-knacks, soft warm lighting, pricey wood tables—tons of effort in the decor.
But so nice… why no customers?
Near weekend lunch, and I'm the only one here.
Bad location? No promo?
Puzzling to myself when the owner approached with a tray.
“Your Americano and sandwich.”
“Thanks!”
The sandwich looked decent—fresh lettuce, tomato, thick ham, cheese, nicely plated.
Grabbing my growling belly, I snatched it and took a huge bite.
Crunch.
“……Mmph…!!!”
My eyes bulged like they’d pop out.
A slideshow raced through my head as survival instincts kicked in.
Is this… really human-made…?
Incomprehensibly bad.
No—disgustingly awful.
Beyond unpleasant, like poison triggering dry heaves—my body rebelled, desperate to spit it out.
Wanted to hurl it, but with the owner watching, I forced it down.
“Guh… guk…”
To wash out this hellish mouth, I chugged the Americano desperately.
And that was my life's biggest mistake.
“Ptoo… hup…”
The coffee was the worst too.
“Kiiing… ngh…”
Tears streaming, I trembled, stuck between options.