Chapter 289. A Pleasant Ellis (2)
"Oh, ooh. Look at this!"
"…It's nice."
The mansion was far too grand to simply call a house. Passing through a courtyard surrounded by gardens brimming with natural energy, a massive two-story estate came into view. Even at a glance, it looked ten—no, twenty times larger than the dorms.
At first, when they said it cost 20 billion won, I thought, Sweet, what a steal. But even accounting for that, it seemed ridiculously huge. And right in the heart of the city, no less.
"Scarlett. Didn't you say this place was 20 billion?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"And it's not a lease—it's mine outright."
"Master Ho-yeon. Didn't you check the contract?"
"…Yeah. But it still feels surprisingly cheap."
A place like this should cost way more, right? Of course, that's based on pre-possession standards. With gates and dungeons around, prices must be all over the place. Anyway, not my problem to worry about.
I wandered into the first-floor living room—big enough that I could probably take basketball seriously here, even if soccer's a no-go—and spotted Liliana claiming the largest room.
"Hey. Give me that room. It's my house."
I teased her right away.
"No way! I already set up my computer desk!"
Liliana was sticking dorm-style wallpaper on the wall behind a desk she'd somehow hauled in. She was even measuring with a tape for the perfect computer placement—dead serious about her streaming.
"…You're really all-in on this streaming thing, huh."
"Duh! There are people inside the computer!"
Seeing her so dedicated made me hesitate to kick her out. Besides, every room was huge anyway. It was just a joke.
"Fine. You can have it."
I left Liliana to her setup and dropped my stuff in the second-largest room on the first floor. Plenty of space for one person. Scarlett had even arranged the bed and essentials. With the artifact from Lucy here, this must've been planned as my room from the start.
After unpacking a bit, I headed back out to find Nam Da-eun and Nam Da-hee lounging in the living room, eyeing the TV.
"Where'd you put your stuff?"
"Second floor! Right next to each other, me and sis!"
"Nice. Perfect."
Nam Da-hee beamed, her grin so infectious it lifted my mood too. Kids really shine when they smile.
"The house is amazing. Thanks, Ho-yeon."
Nam Da-eun chimed in with her gratitude. It's originally your money, though.
"Oppa… Are we really all living here together?"
"Yeah. What's wrong? Don't like it?"
"But… I don't have money to give you, oppa…"
I ruffled Nam Da-hee's hesitant head.
"It's fine. Your sister's been a huge help to me."
"Yeah, don't worry with sis here, Da-hee."
"Sis…"
Nam Da-hee buried herself in Nam Da-eun's arms, blinking back tears, while her sister stroked her hair with a tender smile. What a heartwarming sight…
Bam!
"I'm hungry! Buy food! They say you eat jjajangmyeon on moving day—I want some too!"
Just as I was soaking in the sisterly vibe and about to sit on the sofa, Liliana burst out of her room yelling.
"Fine, I'll buy some. Just don't shout."
"Tangsuyuk too! Hmph!"
Liliana charged at me with a huge grin.
"Hey, I said I'd buy it. Chill."
She jumped into my arms out of nowhere—caught me off guard. Great for me, but with Da-hee right there, not the best for her moral education.
"Sis… I want jjajangmyeon too."
"It's okay. Ho-yeon's buying."
Nam Da-eun smiled my way.
"Yeah, yeah. Order whatever."
As if I never buy for you guys. The second I gave the okay, Nam Da-hee and Liliana flopped on the floor, excitedly picking menus. I shook my head.
House got bigger, and now controlling them's gonna be a challenge.
I chuckled dryly and sank into the sofa. That's when Nam Da-eun sidled up.
"Never imagined I'd live somewhere like this."
She gazed warmly at Nam Da-hee and settled lightly beside me.
"…This is all money I took from your old guild."
"…You pulled me out of that hell, Ho-yeon."
She squeezed my hand tight.
"Until recently, I was just surviving because I couldn't die."
"…"
Sharing that warmth, our eyes met. When she got this direct sometimes… it embarrassed me.
I looked away first, and she leaned her head on my shoulder.
"You'll be late tonight, right?"
"…Probably."
Heading to see Ellis, no way I'd be back early. No clue how long it'd take.
"And next week, we won't see each other for a whole week."
"…Yeah."
When I go to Iris Guild, she'll be interning at Iron Blood Guild. Top of her first-year class—makes sense. Lucy and Lumi were going there too, I think. They snag all the elites.
"…Come by tonight. I'll put Da-hee to bed quick."
"…"
Nam Da-eun's cheeks flushed faintly. No need to play dumb and ask where. I just held her hand tighter.
"House owner! This good? Tangsuyuk and jjajang set!"
Liliana shattered the mood. Secretly grateful—any longer and my face would've exploded.
"…Whatever, but what's with 'house owner'?"
Call me by name or 'master.' Pick one.
Oh, and I prefer jjambbong over jjajang.
"Hey. Get me jjambbong."
"No! Gotta unify the menu for fast delivery!"
…Then why ask? Calls me house owner but no perks.
"Succubus won't even buy what the house owner wants? Wait, I'm buying."
"Don't care! Eat jjajang! Jjambbong's bad for you!"
"What the hell?!"
I got up and pinched Liliana's belly as she lay there.
"Eek! Da-hee! Da-eun! Save me!"
"Liliana sis… Can't we just get jjambbong?"
Nam Da-hee tilted her head innocently, Nam Da-eun started ordering without a care, and Liliana and I rolled around playfully nipping at each other. Scarlett watched quietly with a smile.
In the new house, it was just another ordinary day—like always.
*
"…"
Tick-tock. Tick-tock.
Ellis fiddled with her hands while staring at the analog clock on the hospital wall. 9 p.m. Outside was already dark. True night only falls when the sun's fully gone.
That playboy sure had patience for push-pull games. Thanks to yesterday's visit from Lee Ho-yeon, moving hurt way less now. Before, it was impossible; now, barely tolerable. Another testament to his mana massages.
Embarrassing, but undeniably effective.
"…Why isn't he here yet."
Grinning to herself in an empty room got tiring after three hours. Ellis finally checked her smartwatch. No new messages. She scrolled to the news.
Couldn't message him first. Push-pull was a pride battle. I won't chase a man. Ellis thought.
*
After dinner and some hanging out, I left the dorm—er, house—at 9:30 p.m.
Later than planned.
Perfect for nighttime, but I meant to go earlier. Got held up at home.
Drama with ordering dinner, unpacking, eating well… then hyper Liliana post-move tried her "dessert" routine on me. Took time to escape.
Scarlett claimed a room too. She probably has her own place, but giving her one? No biggie. Living together would bond us more. Pretty girls in the house? Win-win. They seemed happy anyway.
Finally hit the hospital at 10 p.m. Sent "on my way" when I left, so Ellis should be ready.
Did visitor procedures in the lobby and headed to her room. Late, but patient permission seemed fine.
Knock knock.
"Ellis. It's me."
"Come in."
Her voice from inside. Entering, I saw her in bed. Those ruby-red eyes and golden hair cascading past her shoulders—always captivating.
"Finally here? You're late."
"Y-yeah."
"Take your time. Sit there."
"…Got it."
I sat on the spare bed. Our short exchange felt off—unnaturally stiff.
What's this?
Couldn't pinpoint it, but awkward as hell. Her tone too soft.
"……?"
Opening the Heroine Status Window left me puzzled. Why? What was cute about me? Not like I'm some hunk.
Her speech differed from usual Ellis. If anything, like when her affection spiked after the innate mana disorder misunderstanding—like she was doting on me.
Pretending to be relaxed…
Now it clicked. The weird disconnect? Ellis faking composure.
Before I could ponder why, she spoke.
"How's the new house? Like it?"
"…New house? Oh."
Ellis watched me, lips curved up. Obviously my move. Figured she'd hear eventually in the hospital, but she'd gotten the intel.
…Why so smug, though? I bought it with my money—even if next to yours.
"Location to your liking? Great views around there."
"Views… Yeah, nice. Hey, it's close to yours. Surprised me."
"Tell me about it. I was shocked."
Still smiling. Showing more smiles today than usual.
Hold up.
I never mentioned it, yet she brought up the house first. Probably from butler Sebas Chan. She'd been cooped up here all day.
Issue was that relaxed expression, upturned lips. And keep name-dropping our houses…
Put myself in Ellis's shoes. Guy I'd been hyping about moving suddenly settles next door. He's been to my house plenty. Saw the spot during contract but said zilch…
What would I think? Obviously hiding it on purpose.
Glancing at her, still that leisurely smile.
She's got some weird misunderstanding.
Looks like she spread her imagination wings over me moving next door.