Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: It Was Summer
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It was summer.
About two days later. School was starting soon. Next week, I'd have to ditch these comfy casual clothes and put on the uniform again.
How unreasonable is that? Not that it matters much—I'm basically just wearing a white dress shirt anyway.
Still, I hated the idea of school starting. I didn't want to wake up early in the morning. I didn't want to come home late at night.
Waking up late at home, getting my belly scratched by Raphael, eating the meal Lily prepared in the late afternoon, and playing with Sion and Levatein—that was the life.
"But that won't last much longer."
Why did happy times always fly by so fast? Time really was relative.
Not a single lie in that statement.
"So what kind of mood are you in to meet up with me right when it's almost over?"
I stopped grumbling and looked up at the sound of her voice. There was a silver-haired woman. She set down the drink she'd been sipping and rested her chin on her hand, staring at me.
Her eyebrows were arched like a bow, insisting she was mad, but her lips were curved upward in a smile that made her expression look downright weird to anyone watching.
She seemed aware of it, forcing her mouth back down into an angry pout, but that just made her look even funnier.
"Oh dear, what's gotten into you?"
I couldn't help but chuckle at Sophia's adorable antics. It was like a puppy growling fiercely until you pet it, then melting into bliss.
How straightforward a comparison was that?
"Sorry."
I reached out and stroked her hair as I said it. Lately, it'd become a habit.
Anytime I saw something cute, I had to pet it. Maybe because Levatein and Sion loved getting their heads stroked?
Who knows. Still, treating Sophia like the kids felt a bit off, so I tried to pull my hand away—but
"..."
Sophia just sat there, letting me pet her. Her cheeks flushed a shade matching her eyes, her head bowed low.
Like she was positioning herself perfectly, begging for more.
When someone's asking like that, how could I stop? I petted her with all my heart, as tenderly as I would Levatein's head.
I ignored the sudden voice from beside me, but yeah, it was fine. Today was supposed to be the big showdown day, but no worries.
It wasn't even a real battle anyway. Just the guild mobilizing to take down a few demonkin—it'd be over quick. No idea why they went so overboard.
Of course you'd be cautious with demonkin around, but this was excessive.
Anything else wouldn't explain it. Maybe Rosaline threatened to kill them if they didn't go.
Whatever. The incident wasn't even happening until evening, and with the guild moving out, there was no way they'd fail.
No one was dying, that's for sure. I'd even sent crows as backup, just in case.
Which meant I was free to play around.
Hail Dawn Guild. Hail Yang Min-ji. Hail Yang Min-ji's dad.
"Anyway, how long are you gonna—"
Pet me? The question didn't get finished. Because...
"Ehehe."
I heard a laugh that said she was feeling good. Should I keep going a bit longer?
What was so great about getting her hair petted, anyway?
Sheesh.
"Heehee."
As long as she's happy. Whatever.
"I'm still mad at you."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Even if you buy me something this delicious, I'm not forgiving you. Thinking a little head pat will fix it is wishful thinking!!"
"Absolutely."
The smile she couldn't hide shone on Sophia's face as she yelled "It's true!!" She was trying to keep a straight face, but her lips kept twitching upward.
"Don't ever try acting."
"...Pfft."
What was that? Isia acting? Better apologize to her directly if so—puffing her cheeks won't change a thing.
Still, she seemed genuinely happy since earlier, so that was a relief. Worth the effort to come out today.
It was tough. Getting out of the house today was a real struggle.
I told Raphael I had a promise and had to go out.
—Who are you meeting?
—I only know women anyway? Is it Miss Sophia?! It's her, isn't it!!
—No!! You can't go!! Beat me at that fighting game first!!
—Aaaah!! Don't get good right when I need you to suck!!
I had to stay up all night playing with Raphael.
—Daddy. Going out tomorrow?
—...
I had to pat Levatein's back right up until I left. Sion acted all grown-up, but she got lonely easily, so she had to play with Raphael too.
In short: my low Stamina stat meant I felt half-dead right now.
But seeing her smile like just being with me made her happy... well, maybe it was worth it.
"Where to next?"
"No plans."
"For real?"
For real. As if a 25-year concentrated solo like me would have any. Don't underestimate me.
What even was a date? Meeting up with a girl? Guys just walk silently to the PC bang like always.
Hit the PC bang, get hungry and grab food, back to games.
That's guys hanging out. Don't know anything else.
We ate already. No clue after that. Movie? Nah.
Think about it. Vampire eyes shine bright even in darkness. They see clear as day in any dark—but
Movie theaters are different. Lights go out when the film starts.
Everyone focused on the screen, and here I am with glowing red eyes. Peak nuisance.
Yeah. Zero preparations on my end. Sorry. I looked at Sophia apologetically, but she just smiled back warmly.
Not the forced one from before—a genuine, heartfelt smile.
"It's fine."
She rested her chin on her hand, gazing at me. Her softly closed eyes formed beautiful curves. Her lips naturally lifted into a smile.
I lost my words for a moment and just stared at that smile.
"I like just being together. We can walk in the park later or whatever."
Nothing to say to that, so I just nodded. My face felt a little hot—guess it really was summer.
That's not how you use that line.
'What is this?'
Shin Chae-yeon narrowed her eyes and stared ahead. The demonkin had already been subdued.
Three in total. The two who resisted fiercely were reduced to ash, and the last one was restrained and being carted off.
She knew it'd end anticlimactically, but she couldn't pinpoint the irritation bubbling in her chest.
'This place pisses me off to begin with.'
Even being here annoyed her. It was a headache-inducing tangle of messy politics.
The grand magus had predicted the demonkin's next move. Fine up to there. Catching demonkin was great.
But they pawned it off to the guild with some "too busy" excuse. Couldn't antagonize the grand magus, and it boosted the guild's rep anyway, so Dawn moved out.
To show trust in the prediction, even the guild master joined. And since he was going, the swordmaster who wanted good ties with Dawn tagged along.
Thus, Shin Chae-yeon was here. On "experience," with one family knight.
She should've been home practicing swordsmanship. Wasting time here soured her mood.
"Not in a good mood?"
"Yeah. Don't talk to me."
"Too bad. The young lady was looking forward to this too."
"I wasn't."
Should I kill it? She ignored the sassy spirit needling her. Ignored the knight with the same blank face and just stood there.
It was over. Done. No chance for her to shine. She'd watched Dawn's monsters fight the demonkin briefly, and that was it.
'And a museum? What the hell.'
What was worth stealing from a museum? Common knowledge: almost all displayed artifacts were replicas.
Not like they were advertising "Steal me~." No way they'd leave the real ones out in the open.
Hidden away tight or used by top heroes. One or the other.
'Not artifacts, then. Something else?'
That made sense, but it was already over. They'd torture the captured demonkin for answers if needed.
With that thought, Shin Chae-yeon looked up. Her eyes fixed on one man.
Black hair with a blue tint, black eyes, expressionless face. Objectively, kinda handsome.
She watched him closely. Simple reason.
—Keep an eye on the black-haired guy there.
She'd gotten that text the day before yesterday. She owed him plenty, no reason to refuse.
'How'd he know one was here?'
How the hell did he know? The more she thought, the weirder he got. Asking her to watch like he already knew something.
He said it, so it felt like something was about to go down—
That's when it happened. The black-haired man moved. Said something to the guy next to him and vanished somewhere.
"Huh?"
Shin Chae-yeon followed. If she didn't move now, she'd lose him. She reacted fast. Could be something simple like the bathroom, but...
—Keep an eye on him.
She couldn't stay put with that annoying voice replaying in her head.
"Miss? Where are you going?"
"Bathroom."
"Ah. Yes. Go ahead."
She bolted past the nonchalant family knight. Keeping distance to avoid detection, something flew by her side.
Black beak, black wings, black eyes. A pitch-black creature.
"A crow?"
She dodged in surprise, but it took no time to see it meant no harm.
It landed on her shoulder before she could even tense up.
'What the.'
Her confusion didn't last. One scene flashed in her mind.
—Ahh... This is the "Harmful Bird"...
—Brave Bird!!!!
"What kind of idiot is he. Seriously."
Shin Chae-yeon chuckled and tailed the man.