Chapter 160
Chapter 160
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: A Story You Can't Listen to Without Tears
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thwack!! Thwack!! Thwack!!
I had no idea what to do about the nonstop sounds ringing in my ears. The blonde girl right in front of me looked just as lost, and the cat-eared girl beside her was staring at me with her mouth agape.
Why were they staring at me? Simple—it was because of the kid nestled in my arms. Every time the blue-haired child reached out, Levatein smacked her hand away.
She'd hide in my embrace, then precisely time her strikes whenever the kid's hand came near. The hiding itself was adorable, but the sounds that came with it were a bit scary.
"Argh!!"
Doesn't that hurt you?
It had definitely started with a thank-you at first. But after a few more swats, it turned into pure stubborn spite.
Kids are so weird sometimes.
"Why do you keep doing that!!"
"D-Daddy?! This big bro's your daddy?!"
"He's big bro to me!!"
Even as they traded words, the smacks didn't stop. Telling her to quit didn't help at all.
This was driving me crazy. Levatein had never acted like this before. She was always my sweet, obedient daughter—what was going on?
Here, I needed to step in with some fatherly authority. But...
—He's not big bro. He's Daddy.
—Don't touch Daddy.
How was I supposed to stop her after hearing that? Plus, she was clutching my collar with one hand so cutely that I didn't even want to.
"Seong-hoon, aren't you going to stop her?"
"You do it."
"Hm. I'm enjoying the show too much. But that kid really isn't human, huh? Taking hits from Levatein like that and not even flinching."
Good point. Amid the now-familiar smacking sounds, I thought it over. A single slap from Levatein's fiery palm would make me submit instantly, yet this younger, frailer-looking kid was shrugging it off like nothing.
"There's gotta be something special about her."
"No way. My Agility's already out of the normal range. You could call me the Agility God Lee Seong-hoon."
"Sure, sure. But seriously, aren't you gonna stop them? I hear fighting's bad for kids' emotional development—"
"Little one."
"What!!"
Before Raphael could finish, I called out to the kid. I couldn't let something harm my child's well-being.
"I've heard your thanks already. If you don't eat soon, it'll get cold, you know? And cold food doesn't taste good, right?"
"Ah!!"
At my words, an exclamation mark popped up over her head, and she started scarfing down her food like she'd just realized, "Big bro really is a good guy!!"
Raphael and Lachesis weren't that simple-minded, but kids were just like that—pure single-cells.
Still, her eating was cute enough that I let out a sigh and looked down. Levatein was hugging me tight.
"Levatein. Why'd you do that?"
She's calling me Daddy, though, she mumbled. Her lips were pursed in firm defiance.
Was she jealous of the kid? I suppressed the daddy smile creeping up. No matter how cute, I had to be firm now.
I'd read it in a book.
"Levatein. You can't do that anymore. It hurts your big sis."
"No buts."
Good girl. She accepted it right away, so time for praise. Carrot and stick.
Praise when good, scold when bad. Obvious, but the balance is tricky.
With this, I'd taken a solid step toward being a good dad.
"You handled that well."
"Yeah. You didn't do anything, though."
Saying that, I looked up while patting Levatein's back. I was about to chew out Raphael for doing nothing—
A fork suddenly entered my view. It stopped right in front of my mouth. Following the pale white hand holding it...
"Ah."
Raphael was resting her chin on her hand, smiling.
"Ah?"
"Say ahh. Good job stopping them."
"Why are you feeding me?"
"Hm. 'Cause I could've stopped them instead?"
"Jeez."
I was dumbfounded, but she had a point?
No helping it—I took the bite she offered.
"Tastes good."
"Right?"
Of course it did—what'd you expect?
"I'm jealous."
What was that about?
After leaving the restaurant, we learned a few things. First off, the blue-haired kid's name.
I'd planned to just call her "kid," but right as we stepped out, we heard it.
"True Name Reveal, huh."
"Cool. From now on, call me Park Ae except in dangerous moments—then Raphael."
"That's cool. I'll go with Shadow. How's Shadow?"
"Eh, not so much."
"Why not!!"
Anyway, ignore the "Author's got no naming sense~" chatter from the side. The kid skipping happily ahead of us was named Sion.
How'd we know?
"Oh, Sion! Here, take some of this."
"Sion!! Grab this on your way."
"Sion~"
"Sion!!"
Her name echoed every few steps. Was this what it meant to be the shopping district's idol?
Slightly different, but the vibe was similar. Smiles bloomed on people's faces as she passed.
To be this loved by merchants dealing with tourists...
Maybe she really was a good kid? Come to think of it, she hadn't begged for food—just looked.
A bit of a nuisance, but she knew her boundaries. Not everyone Levatein disliked was bad—
"Right?"
"Nothing."
Whatever. Fine. All good. Sion seemed like a nice kid, beloved on this island.
Got it.
"So why're you following us?"
"Following? Our paths just overlap."
Oh ho. Really? I abruptly veered left. Sion matched me perfectly.
Right, left—she trailed like a pet from some game.
"You are following!!"
"N-No? Paths overlapping, that's all!?"
What was her deal? I glared, and she whistled innocently, hands behind her back.
What to do with this playing-dumb pest we'd just met?
"Seems like she wants to hang out with us?"
"For real?"
"Yeah. Kids can't always say it straight, right? Look at you, Seong-hoon. Act all grown-up but you're a kid inside, never honest."
That's different. What now? I glanced at Levatein for her take—she shook her head no.
"Sion."
"How do you know my name?!"
"Everyone's been calling it out."
"Right!!!"
Was she an idiot? I placed a hand on her surprised head. No resistance.
"Won't your parents be waiting?"
"Don't have any."
Ah. Foot in mouth.
"Right in my face..."
Shut up, I didn't know. Ignoring the shocked blonde, I pressed on.
"Why're you following, then?"
"...Bored."
"Bored?"
"I only come to this island once a week. Just eating and leaving feels kinda off."
Once a week? Some pilgrimage? Questions swirled, but I held back.
One slip-up already. I listened quietly.
"But overhearing your family chat... you all seem so warm and fun..."
"So you followed?"
"I don't cry easily, but this is a story you can't hear without tears."
"No tears coming."
"Nope."
Was she messing with me?
Yeah. So, long story short...
We four had a blast. No choice but to bring Sion along to the beach—she splashed around like a fish to water.
Swam so well, you'd believe she was a mermaid. Once she played with Levatein, all the wariness vanished in a flash.
"Thanks."
Even switched to "sis." Great development. Kids grow through fights, huh? Perfect.
And now, post-swim...
"Seong-hoon. I'm thirsty."
"Deal with it."
"Lying on a sunbed sipping drinks is Maldives basics!!"
We're lounging on sunbeds. I don't know about that—go get your own if you want.
Too exhausted from the intense play. Raphael and the kid were sprawled out too.
"Never had this much fun before."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Locals like me, but they don't approach. Outsiders are cold. People like you are new."
Surprising. Everyone seemed to adore her earlier—piling on gifts, calling her name fondly.
"Weird, nya."
"Yeah."
"Super weird. I feel weird too."
Sion giggled refreshingly and hopped up. She'd looked half-dead moments ago, but now she was fine.
I'm the one dying. Even Raphael couldn't move, and Levatein was asleep.
With inhuman recovery, Sion scanned us and grinned.
"So thanks! Had to say it!!"
"For what."
"Gotta thank you, right?"
Just stay quiet.
"May the Guardian Dragon's blessing be with you!!"
A brief silence fell. Raphael and I locked eyes.
"Is this good?"
"Dunno. I've got blessings coming out my ears already."
If this Guardian Dragon's blessing topped Benia's, I'd switch in a heartbeat. But better than Benia? Don't underestimate our dragon maid!!
"What?! Why that reaction?! Dragon? D.R.A.G.O.N? You know how rare they are?!"
Nah, we see 'em daily. Still, might learn the name. If better than Benia, set her free—she deserves happiness!!
"What's the Guardian Dragon called?"
"Huh? Thought I'd tell you during the tour?!"
"Sion. Too bad. We were fighting then."
"One-sided beatdown."
"You were flailing, so mutual."
Makes me hate Korea. What nonsense. As I fumed, Sion, amused by our banter, chimed in like it was her turn.
"The Guardian Dragon's name is—"
She smiled. Pure, joyful laughter as she said it.
"Akurexion."