The President's Off Limits
"But not the president, okay?"
"...You enjoyed it that much?"
I knew my Kneading got a good reaction, but this much?
"Ah, it's just... no, it's that the feeling last time was so good... and after I received it, I stopped having nightmares... I'm sorry."
Iris's face flushed slightly as she fidgeted with her fingers.
...Just what the hell happened in that Tower to break her this badly?
Thwack!
"Ow! Hey, that hurts, Olivia! What kind of behavior is that toward a patient?"
"Patient, my ass. You're all healed up and running around — have you no shame?"
Olivia clicked her tongue, glaring at Iris, who was clutching her head in indignation.
'So she really is the older sister.'
"I came all the way to visit you in the hospital, haven't even sat down properly yet, and you just launch into this?"
"Ugh... no, it's just... I've been having nightmares again lately, so... I'm sorry."
Chastened by Olivia's fierce scolding, Iris muttered sullenly and stole a glance at me.
"I'm sorry, Arang... I was acting too selfishly, wasn't I? I just got too excited to see you."
Seeing her sulking and checking my reaction like a cat that had been scolded by its owner was quite a sight.
I guess it helps when someone's pretty.
"Oh, no, it's fine. It's not even that hard of a request. I'll do a little for you later, but first, try some of the cookies I brought."
I changed the subject and opened the pretty gift box I'd set on the table.
"My goodness... Miss Arang, did you bake all of these yourself?"
Olivia's eyes went wide with admiration.
She picked up one of the cookies, then handed a chocolate chip one to Iris, who was drooling beside her.
Crunch.
"...!"
Her eyes went round as saucers, and then a soft smile spread across her face.
"Delicious...! The outside is super crunchy, but the inside is soft, and the butter flavor is incredible."
"Mm, truly excellent. Not too sweet — it's a very refined sweetness."
Olivia, too, couldn't hide her amazement after trying a coconut cookie.
Well, I didn't use Kneading on these, so there's no buff, but I can confidently say the taste is top-notch.
Maybe next time... I'll try baking ear-shaped cookies?
I bet they'd sell well.
I sat down in the chair across from them, tail swishing with pride.
"I'm glad you both like them. Please, eat as much as you want."
As I spoke with a grin, Iris seemed to brighten up and bit into another cookie.
"So, Iris, since you're all healed now, when are you heading back to the States?"
"America? No. I'm not going back. I'm planning to stay in Korea for a while."
"Huh? In Korea?"
Would they just leave her alone back in the States?
I mean, she looks like a carefree slacker, but she's technically an American S-rank hunter.
"Won't they come looking for you? Is it okay for you to stay in Korea this long?"
No sooner had I asked than Olivia, standing beside me, pressed a hand to her forehead like she was getting a headache and let out a deep sigh.
"Haa... If even Miss Arang knows that, why doesn't Iris...? We've been getting dozens of calls a day demanding she return to duty."
When Olivia shot her a reproachful look, Iris pouted instead.
"So what? After all I've sacrificed for the country? I'm already holding myself back from killing every last one of those bastards who rushed the Tower schedule."
"...Iris, still."
"Sis. Those bastards killed all my teammates. We couldn't even recover their bodies."
At that, Olivia clamped her mouth shut and hung her head as if she were the guilty one.
"Haa... saying things like that in front of Arang..."
Iris sighed, took a bite of her cookie, then looked back at Olivia.
"Those bastards must have something to feel guilty about too, since they don't contact me directly and just keep pressuring you. Next time they call, put me on."
"...Haa, fine."
Olivia let out a resigned sigh.
...But why are you telling me all this?!
I already have enough on my plate without learning about America's problems — it's just giving me a bigger headache.
I doubt they're asking me to solve it, but I still feel like I've been entrusted with an uncomfortable secret.
When in doubt, change the subject.
"So what are you planning to do in Korea for now?"
"Well... for now, I just want to rest a bit longer without thinking about anything. Once I get out of this room, I want to go eat some good food, do some sightseeing."
"That sounds great! Korea's got tons of fun stuff. I'll send you a list of good restaurants later."
At my words, Iris's irritated expression softened, and she let out a small laugh.
"Yeah? That'd be nice. Show me around the good spots later, Arang."
Just then, Olivia, who had been watching our conversation, quietly pulled something from her jacket and carefully held it out to me.
"Miss Arang."
"Yes? What's this?"
What Olivia handed me was a sleek black business card trimmed with elegant gold edging.
"This is the official card for the American guild that Iris and I belong to — the one we lead. My direct contact is also on there."
"...Whoa."
"If ever you run into trouble going forward, or face something too difficult to handle, don't hesitate to call that number."
'...Honestly, I was kind of hoping for some backing, yeah.'
But with them coming on this strong, it almost doesn't feel real.
"Yeah. You know how it is — there are always people you don't like. Just say the word anytime. I'll take care of them for you."
Iris added with a playful wink.
"Oh, but no presidents, okay?"
"Pfft." "Yes, got it. I don't think I'll ever need to ask you to kill a president in my life, so don't worry."
It's not like I'm suddenly going to start a revolution. Why would I kill the president?
Looking at the card in my hand, a chill ran down my spine.
Baekya, Cheonroe... and Seorin unnie, an S-rank hunter, and now even an American S-rank hunter.
...I might be more of a dangerous person than I thought?
The thought that if someone wanted me dead, they could probably make an attempt sent a cold shiver through me.
'Not that it'll happen, though.'
As the atmosphere softened, I looked directly at Iris, who kept stealing glances at me.
"Alright, you've finished the cookies. Should I give you that massage now?"
"Huh... You'll really do it?"
Iris's face lit up instantly at my words.
Easy to read — convenient.
I stood up and stretched.
My stiff body felt like it was waking up all at once, and my mouth opened in a lazy yawn.
"Mreowww..."
"Holy shit..."
Iris saw Baek Arang's mouth part slightly as she stretched, catching a glimpse of the sharp fangs between her lips.
'...Really...?'
The sight was so overwhelmingly cute that her hands instinctively clenched into fists.
She wanted to touch those perked-up ears right this instant, to bite that tail swaying temptingly behind her.
But she knew that doing so would earn her nothing but hatred, so she couldn't do a thing.
"...What are you doing? Why aren't you lying down?"
"Huh...? Oh, right, gotta lie down. Sorry."
At my words, Iris awkwardly lay face down on the bed.
'...What's with her?'
"Haa..."
Olivia, watching the scene, held her head once more and bowed to me.
"I'm truly sorry, Miss Arang... I keep imposing on you... If there's anything at all you want, please, don't hesitate to tell me."
Seeing Olivia at a loss for how to handle her guilt, I curled my lips into a grin.
"Well then, do you have any unused monster byproducts in your guild?"
"Ah, yes... Quite a bit."
"Could I have some of the B-rank or higher ones?"
"Yes! Of course... but, if I may ask, what are you planning to use them for...?"
Olivia tilted her head.
"Hehe... I'm going to eat them."
"Excuse me...?"
"Huh...? Lily... Arang, what did you say?"
At my words, both of them stared at me with wide eyes, as if in shock.
"I'll take the parts that look tasty, please."
Normally I'd explain right away, but their reactions were too amusing, so I decided to let it ride for now. I'd tell them before I left.
"Arang... I'll buy you meat, so don't eat that stuff."
"Ah-ah, if you move, no massage."
I held back my laughter at Iris's worried words as she grabbed my arm, and climbed on top of her.
Iris lay face down on the bed with a reluctant expression, still glancing at me with concern from the corner of her eye.
Enjoying that look, I placed both hands on her back.
Active Skill: Kneading Lv. 3
Knead, knead. Knead.
"Hehe... Purrr."
My hands pressed into her back naturally, beginning to move in a slow, rhythmic kneading.
"Hnnnngggh...!"
I ignored Iris gasping and making strange noises beneath me, and quietly closed my eyes, letting myself sink into the drowsy comfort of the Kneading.
...This is it. This feels good.
Ding.
You have performed repeated Kneading on a superior entity.
Kneading evolves.
"Huh?"
Not a level up, but evolution?