Chapter 233. Dormitory - "Our Baby Daddy Has Lots of Girlfriends?"
"Our baby daddy has a lot of girlfriends?"
It was the kind of line that would make any married man's heart drop. The saving grace was that I wasn't married yet.
"...Rebecca?"
Only one person called me that. I turned my head, and there she was—the red-haired mage, Rebecca. With her lips slightly curled up as she looked at me, she had the face of a witch who'd found a fun new toy. Her crimson hair, snow-white skin, decadent aura, and overwhelming magical power made her a little intimidating, even though I knew she was a good person.
"I worked so hard teaching baby daddy about Rune Barriers... supporting you from behind the scenes and all. But the second I look away, you're rolling around with another woman."
"...."
Scary.
Of course, I didn't feel like my life was in danger. It was more like a lovers' quarrel? A bit intense, maybe.
"That's not it. This is something we've had planned for a while..."
"Hmm, sure it is. I get it—you're a rolling stone. But I didn't expect you to have not just the girls you're living with, but local girlfriends too."
Ouch. That hurts.
Her words stabbed like daggers. Feeling a pang of conscience, I averted my gaze slightly, and Rebecca shook her head, her red hair swishing back and forth.
I opened my mouth to desperately change the subject.
"...You should've at least called before coming."
Then I wouldn't have had to embarrass myself like this. Plus, I wasn't in any state to do anything with Rebecca right now. I might actually die.
"You didn't give me your number, baby daddy."
"Ah... right."
Only then did I hand over my smartwatch to Rebecca. Just bumping them together exchanged contacts. How had I forgotten?
*Beep*-
After exchanging numbers via our smartwatches, Rebecca stepped closer to me.
"Anyway... you seem full of energy, so can you do it today?"
She drew so close that I could feel each other's breath, and I started to get genuinely scared. Then a convenient excuse popped into my head.
"Uh, um. My proficiency with Rune Barriers is still a bit low, isn't it?"
"Just how great genes are you planning to give me?"
Rebecca pressed a finger into the middle of my chest. I could see the mischievous smile on her upturned lips—she wanted to torment me.
"I can tell from your face it's tough. I'll let it slide today. But next time, you have to do it."
"...Got it. Soon as I wrap up this one thing, I'll do it right away."
Even saying it felt awkward. Anyone hearing would think I was doing her some huge favor.
I continued, looking at the smiling Rebecca.
"Tch. Did you come just to say that? Or for the number exchange?"
"That too, and... I was feeling lonely, so I came to see you."
"Pardon?"
That was an answer I hadn't expected. She'd even found another survivor of the Rune Clan—what was there to be lonely about?
"Like you said, baby daddy, I checked for brainwashing traces, and all my subordinates around me were under it."
Rebecca gave a bitter smile.
"Ah...."
"I deliberately scouted and raised talented sprouts to avoid getting hit by Pandemic... but it was all for nothing."
"....."
I couldn't exactly guess how Rebecca felt. I'd never been the head of any organization. Still, I could understand the loneliness of someone who'd been searching alone for survivors of the Rune Clan. And if the subordinates she'd personally raised turned out to be brainwashed? Yeah, that'd be depressing.
"That's why I haven't been able to bring the Rune Clan survivor Su-hyun from the orphanage. I don't know how Pandemic might react if they found out I've located another survivor."
Rebecca was in a cooperative relationship with Pandemic. They helped her search for Rune Clan survivors, and she cooperated with them in return. Since the brainwashing had only recently been lifted, there was no need to stir up trouble now.
"...This is the perfect timing to hug you and comfort you. But I'm too worn out to do it. Let's have a meal together later instead."
"You're too honest, baby daddy."
Rebecca laughed in disbelief and met my eyes.
"By the way, what are you up to, baby daddy?"
"Personal investigation. It's pretty important. Do you know about the centaur that showed up in France?"
The Pandemic apostle, the centaur. Rebecca, as a Pandemic executive, probably knew about him.
"Of course I do. He's an F-rank mercenary, right?"
"Yeah, F-rank... Wait. How do you know that?"
Hold on. That F-rank mercenary detail came from Liliana, who was from hell. How would Rebecca know?
"Obviously, that ridiculously strong horse said it himself. I don't know the details. I just helped Maestro with the brainwashing."
"Oh...."
She knew more about the centaur than I'd thought. Come to think of it, as a Pandemic executive, she probably was there when the apostle was summoned. And if she put her mind to it, couldn't she extract some info from the centaur?
"Rebecca. Help me out a bit."
I flashed a slight smile and asked her.
*
"As expected, capable women are the best."
Im Sol was one, and Rebecca was another—capable women were the best.
In the end, after hearing my request, Rebecca agreed to go back to Pandemic and gather information. She said she'd only helped with the initial brainwashing and hadn't paid attention since, so she needed to investigate separately. Makes sense—she'd been too busy searching for Rune Clan survivors to care about apostles.
'Once this is done, I should impregnate her.'
No idea when, but she deserved it. Helping me without prying into details showed she trusted me. Even if we hadn't known each other long, you could tell a good person when you saw one.
I worried if I should be spreading my seed so easily, but she'd raise them right, wouldn't she? Rebecca didn't seem like the child-abusing type. Who'd have thought I'd be having these kinds of worries someday? Gotta live long to see it all.
'Not that I've lived long.'
Gotta live diligently to see it all.
*Ding*-
As I opened the door to the dorm room, familiar voices rang out.
-Scout-! Stay still!
-Sis, sis. This is pretty.
Hearing Liliana and Nam Da-hee's voices from the entrance, I walked into the living room.
"Yahp. Yahp."
"Sis, sis. You got this!"
"Very impressive."
In the living room, Scarlett was putting up with some weird game from Liliana and Nam Da-hee. In the kitchen, Nam Da-eun was brewing coffee.
"Ho-yeon's back. Coffee?"
Nam Da-eun spotted me and pulled out a mug.
"Yeah. Sweet."
"Ooh, come watch Scarlett's abs too?"
Liliana made an incredibly tempting offer.
"...Nah, I'm good."
Honestly, I wanted to badly. Watching Scarlett's abs? She'd been leaping around sweating, stuck to the ceiling, so her body had to be amazing. But I couldn't join in tormenting Scarlett.
I just sat at the table and sipped the coffee Nam Da-eun gave me.
"...Instant coffee?"
The familiar aroma and taste. The same as the coffee Im Sol had brewed me countless times.
"Yeah. Cheap and tasty."
Slurp. Nam Da-eun smiled contentedly, inhaling the aroma.
"Even if it's pricier, get something good. Liliana's got the card."
"No. It's not like we're sharing meals—this is from my living expense allowance. And I checked the ingredients. Pricey doesn't always mean better."
Watching Nam Da-eun sip her coffee so straightforwardly, I figured I wouldn't have to worry about household finances later.
"Right, got something to ask. How do you handle lunch at the academy?"
"Lunch?"
"Yeah. Just making sure you're eating well."
Nam Da-eun gazed into space, sipping her coffee.
"I used to go find Da-hee and eat together... but lately, she made friends."
"...I see."
"Yeah. I eat alone in the cafeteria now."
Ah, as expected. I'd been relieved thinking she ate with Da-hee, but now Da-hee was eating with peers. Good that Da-hee made friends, but it left Da-eun alone.
"...Wanna eat together? Lucy and Lumi are around too."
I'd have to ask the Lucy-Lumi twins, but... hearing Da-eun eats alone made my chest tighten.
Nam Da-eun gave a slight smile at my words and placed her hand over mine on the mug.
"I won't eat with other guys, so don't worry."
"No, it's not that. Really. I just..."
"It's fine. I eat with you at home. Give Lucy and Lumi their time too."
She smiled leisurely and squeezed my hand.
"...Thanks."
In the end, I ended up like a husband forgiven for cheating... but gratitude was gratitude. No matter how used to eating alone she was, it couldn't feel good watching me eat with other women.
Truth is, inviting her would've been tricky too. Awkward topic with Lucy and Lumi. They'd allow it, but no one would be happy.
"Just this much fuss."
But what was with that smile? That relaxed face saying she was already ahead anyway.
Tch. She was smug because she didn't know about the 3P with Lucy and Lumi today.
Better stay quiet.
"Ho-yeon-nim."
"Ack! You scared me."
Then Scarlett spoke from behind. Focused on Da-eun, I hadn't noticed, startling at her voice. Scarlett's eyes widened, and she nodded at me.
"Oh, so when Ho-yeon-nim feels sorry toward women, his awareness drops. Noted—one more lesson learned."
"Don't say weird stuff, please."
Looking past Scarlett, Liliana and Da-hee were now glued to the TV. Da-hee made sense, but why was Liliana regressing like a kid? Were succubi naturally that dumb—no, pure?
"Abs show over?"
"...A call from the Guild Master. About the centaur."
I'd planned to tease her back for what she'd endured, but Scarlett cut straight to the point. And it was too important to ignore.
"Ah, what'd she say?"
Ellis's father and my father-in-law-to-be. A weird guy, but strong and capable.
"The centaur search is always ongoing... so whenever Ho-yeon-nim is free, they can accommodate."
"Hmm...."
I wanted to wait for Rebecca's info first.
"Any time works? Need a bit more time."
"No issue. I'll tell the Guild Master 'I'll think it over and get back to you.'"
"No, that's too rude."
"Then tell me exactly what to say."
"...You're doing this on purpose. Payback for the abs teasing."
"As if. Do you see me as that petty?"
Current Status: She's so quick-witted, but why like that with women? Is she doing it on purpose?
Scarlett's words stabbed me right in the heart. But she wasn't wrong, so I couldn't argue back. Reading minds was a secret anyway.
"...Ahem. Got it. Sorry. I'm doing some personal investigating, that's why. Tell them to wait until I get results."
"Understood."
Only after I apologized did Scarlett finally bow her head. The slight upturn of her lips as she did? Definitely not my imagination.