Chapter 159
Chapter 159
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: Mother Bird
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'That was close.'
The woman quickly reined in the demonic energy she'd inadvertently released and the heart pounding wildly in her chest as she ducked behind the boulder.
Her demonic energy dissipated, and her heartbeat steadied. Once she'd barely managed to regain her composure, the woman peeked out and stared at her targets.
—Quit messing around.
—I'm serious! You're saying my radar's busted?! After thousands of years of honing it?!
—Thousands of years? Yeah, that'd do it. You've used it a ton.
—Don't make such a convincing analogy!! Am I some gadget?!
—A bit lacking in the humanity department for a person.
—Pot calling the kettle black, Seong-hoon?!
—Fair enough. That's why I've given up on being human! Raphael!!
—Always quoting comics whenever you get the chance!!
—Dad's cool!!
—I know.
—Levatein!!
"Ugh."
All she saw was a wild blonde woman and a dark-haired man goofing around. These were the humans who'd taken down demons?
The demoness could only sigh in disbelief. They looked like total idiots no matter how she sliced it.
'Maybe not.'
She'd only leaked the tiniest wisp of demonic energy, and that blonde had reacted instantly.
The man had turned serious right away, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
'Weirdos.'
Unable to make sense of it, the demoness kept watching them anyway. Reminding herself why she'd come here.
—Maldives is dangerous. Regular demons absolutely cannot go.
—That's why we're sending you, the only one who can control your demonic energy. Do not cut loose in Maldives. No matter what.
—Just observe. If you rampage, the whole plan could collapse.
—Strike the moment they leave Maldives.
"All because of the youngest."
What could she do? Smacking her lips, the demoness watched them. Still, why was she supposed to hold back?
She was confident in her demonic energy control, of course. Ordinary demons' skin turned purple. Their whites vanished from their eyes, and no amount of brushing could whiten their yellowed teeth.
Corrupted by demonic energy. But look at her.
She could pass for an ordinary person. Her skin was pale, her hair color, eyes, and teeth all normal.
Perfectly mundane. Simple reason: she had an innate talent for controlling demonic energy.
That was why she was here, though she had no idea why she had it in the first place.
'A real dragon gonna show up or something?'
No way. Dragons saw all other species as inferior and placed no value on life.
If something annoyed them, they wiped it out. Common knowledge.
"Should've studied history more."
Unable to figure it out no matter how hard she thought, she decided to just keep tabs on her targets. There was always a reason for orders like that.
—Let's go. I'm starving.
—Playing around then grabbing food would've been perfect, right?
—Shut up. You loved it too. Stop pretending otherwise.
—Daddy!! I loooved it!!
—I had fun too, Levatein.
—Argh!! Now I look like the jerk. Fine! I'll forgive you this once! It was a little fun!! Just a little!!
—Sure, sure. Just a little~
—I'm hungry!!
She moved to follow her departing targets. A twinge of envy and nostalgia hit her at their happy family vibe—
Until she spotted something in her view. Another woman hiding behind a rock, just like her.
Chewing her nails and muttering stuff like, "Uh, when should I butt in?"
Long straight black hair. She looked like a total moron.
'Better steer clear.'
The demoness passed by without a glance.
Lunch was at the usual spot, same as always. Which place? The one that complimented our Levatein on day one.
Good food, Levatein likes it, and they recognized her true value?
No reason not to make it our go-to. So we'd been eating here every lunch—
But today it looked busy.
"Oh, you're here? Getting along as always!"
"We get along fine. Look at this damn blonde. She shines so bright it pisses me off every time."
"That's called a halo, Seong-hoon. Means it's hard for you to even look at me. I get it. I totally get it. I'd be the same!!"
"Don't."
"See? Totally getting along!!"
Too tired to deny it. I just shrugged and took a seat. Dude'd been cooking up a storm since we got here, but the place was nearly empty.
Our group—family—aside, maybe two other tables? Not exactly packed.
Yet the grill in front of him was spewing fire and grease like mad.
"Who ordered that much? Does it take forever if we order?"
Levatein pulled a sad face at my question. Starving, huh. What to do.
"Won't take long. This is prepped ahead."
"Prepped?"
Prepping ahead seems risky. Even I, with zero business experience, know that.
Low turnover spots spoil food if it sits. Tastes like crap, customers never return, turnover tanks worse.
Vicious cycle from hell.
"Then we'll buy it all!!"
[You're a genius, nya!!]
What's this genius inside Lachesis? Smarter than you makes you a genius? Then everyone's a genius on Earth.
"Say something that makes sense. Can you really eat it all?"
"Yes!!"
[That's right, nya!!]
Whatever. Ignoring the two sparkling idiots, I listened to the awkwardly smiling owner instead.
Levatein perked up again after I petted her head and said it'd be quick.
"Every week on this day, a kid comes and buys a ton. So I prep for that."
Makes sense. Still, that's a mountain. Gotta be twenty servings at least. Can one kid really polish that off?
"For family?"
"Like us!!"
"Nah. That's a huge family."
We eat like a big one too. Me: 1 serving. Levatein: 1. Cat-ears girl and blonde: 5 each. Twelve total.
"Shouldn't we chip in extra for food costs humanely?"
"Maybe it's to teach you to earn money? Our God's so kind. Helping anti-social Seong-hoon adapt to society—"
I shoved some freshly served food into Raphael's mouth as she started yapping nonsense.
She closed her eyes and shrugged, then popped them open in surprise. Chewed the food in her mouth, closed them again.
Then—
"What're you doing."
Mouth wide open, just sitting there. Curious, I waited, and she smacked her lips twice without a word.
"Want food?"
Nod nod.
Ridiculous, but she'd probably stay like that till I fed her, so I rolled up some noodles and stuffed them in.
She beamed innocently and chewed.
"Tasty, huh. Am I your mom bird? Too lazy to eat yourself?"
"Sometimes it's nice when someone else does it."
"Fair. Best is lounging while calling someone to turn off the lights and lock up."
Yeah, I get that. As she opened wide again, I was about to feed her—
BAM—!!!!!!!!!!
The shop door flew open with a racket. Beachside joint, so the entrance is wide open.
No need to slam it like that.
"I. Have. Arrived."
And in the obnoxiously dramatic entrance...
Was sky-blue twintails.
"Whoa."
"This is insane."
[I couldn't eat that much, nya.]
[Daddy. Sausage.]
Ah, yeah. Sausage good. Amazed by the scene but didn't forget to feed Levatein.
Not even the glutton duo could look away from this.
"Uwoooooh!!"
Kid looked 10-12. A bit bigger than Levatein.
She was demolishing platters with insane momentum. Had to be the one the owner mentioned.
Staff divided it into bowls and brought to her table—
And she emptied each one instantly. Not sharing with family. Eating it all solo.
More food than she weighed, vanishing who-knows-where. Every eye in the place—minus Levatein's—was glued to the girl.
"That a monster? Sorry, Raphael. Thought you and Lachesis were top gluttons. Nope."
"Glad you finally see. I could never. I eat with class."
Class? What class? No energy to call out the nonsense.
She's eating so aggressively crumbs are flying our way.
Hadn't watched long before the last plate hit empty. After all that, no belly bulge, and she says:
"Ah. Not enough."
"That's really human?"
"I saw it. Not human. Monster? Orc?"
"Orcs can't even finish one hunk of meat."
"How's that an orc? Tell it to rename to muscle goblin."
"Hey. Orcs are people too. People. How's she eating that much."
[Orcs are monsters, nya.]
"Then what is she? Eats more than an orc? Whale? Whales eat tons. Polymorphed whale?! "
"Not bad logic. Cats polymorph, so why not whales? Flying whale? She's a flying whale!!"
"No."
"Not a whale. Why suspect people—"
Trail off mid-sentence. A sudden voice interrupts. Look over, and ocean-blue eyes are staring this way.
At the food, precisely. Hungry gaze downward—drool dripping.
"Wh-what?! After all that?! We can't share!! Ask for more!!"
"Gotta wait though..."
[Nya, nyaa!! Mine, nya!! She's eating it all, nya!!]
Why are you guys like this? She's not stealing.
I'll wait anyway. Maybe offer some from my plate? Pushed the bowl forward a bit.
Girl hopped over and plopped down beside me.
"Oppa’s a nice guy!!"
"I’m pretty nice."
Blue-hair snuggled up gratefully, arm reaching over.
Instinct kicked in. Arm hook incoming. Seen it before. Friendly kids latch on quick.
Should I block? While debating—
Smack—!!
"Eh..?"
Sound of flesh striking flesh, sky-blue head confused. Look down—
Levatein was glaring daggers.