Chapter 162: Abnormal
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 162: Abnormal
“Baeksan was my father’s biological daughter, after all. I used it because I wanted to find her, too. But in the process, I saw you, Ha-chan, using the same red lightning as Baeksan. Of course, back then, I couldn’t even think of coming to find you.”
Hearing it like this, I was struck anew by just how ridiculously overpowered the Crown ability was.
“After that, I lived without using the Crown, and then I happened to run into you while you were working part-time at a convenience store.”
Recalling how we met again, she smiled with delight.
“But a regression…”
Seol-hyang glanced in Baeksan’s general direction.
“This, I truly never expected.”
Then, as if remembering something, Seol-hyang covered her mouth.
“Then, could it be…”
“What? Is something bothering you?”
“Yeah, it’s just a guess for now. But back then… that someone was using an ability similar to mine.”
Seol-hyang thought for a moment before shaking her head.
“I think it’s too much of a leap for now. I’ll tell you later when I’m more certain.”
Since it was Seol-hyang, the person I trusted most, who was saying it, I immediately understood and nodded.
“By the way, is the reason you’re telling me all this today because Baeksan is back?”
“Yes. At this point in time, Baeksan has a severe distrust of humans. Because of that, I plan on sticking close to her for a while.”
“I suppose it would be easier to take care of her if you’re right there with her.”
As Seol-hyang nodded in understanding, she suddenly froze.
“…But when you say sticking close, where exactly?”
“Well, for now, I guess I’ll have to take her to my place.”
“No!”
The moment I said it, Seol-hyang screamed.
Startled, I looked at her, only to find her glaring at me with both fists clenched tightly.
“I haven’t even gotten to live with you yet! How could you!”
Hearing that, I made a dumbfounded face for a moment.
“Seol-hyang, Baeksan is your younger sister-in-law.”
“Don’t you know how dangerous a sister-in-law can be? It’s a classic trope in all the soap operas.”
She’s been watching too much TV.
Or maybe I was the one making her feel insecure.
Considering my actions up until now, I didn’t really have a defense, so I just scratched my head.
“Alright. Then how about Baeksan stays at your place, Seol-hyang, and I’ll take her with me during the day. Would that be okay?”
As for the company, if Seol-hyang said the word, everything would be taken care of anyway.
Seol-hyang thought for a moment, then glanced up at me.
“…Then why don’t you just come live at my place?”
As she looked up at me with a hint of seduction, I flicked her forehead.
“You have to work at the Association anyway.”
“Not falling for it, huh?”
“I can see exactly what would happen if I did.”
Recalling what happened at the guild meeting, it was obvious that Ahyu and Si-ho would raise hell.
Since I had decided to accept all three of them, my mindset was that I couldn’t show favoritism to just one.
“Hmph, fine.”
Seol-hyang was slightly disappointed, but she relented.
“I’ll take Baeksan with me for today.”
“Okay. I’ll come pick her up on my way to work tomorrow.”
As I said that, Seol-hyang seemed to remember something and rummaged through her pocket.
What she pulled out was none other than a car key.
“Then take this.”
She tossed the key to me as if it were a piece of candy. I caught it with a bewildered expression.
…Wait, isn’t this a Ferrari key?
“It’ll be a pain going back and forth to pick Baeksan up. This is perfect. I was worried about you taking the subway or bus, Ha-chan.”
“Uh, excuse me? Madam Chairwoman?”
“That car is the latest model. I’ve barely driven it, so it’s practically new. It’s in the Association’s underground parking garage, so take it when you leave.”
“Hey, can you just give something like this away? This is too much for me!”
“Why not? My husband deserves to drive something like that. Want something better?”
“…I’ll gratefully accept.”
I carefully placed the car key in my pocket.
If something better came along, I wouldn’t be able to handle it.
“…If you feel burdened, then let me wear the lingerie I’ve prepared for you soon.”
As she spoke, Seol-hyang crossed her arms, emphasizing her chest.
Seeing that, I could only nod my head like an idiot.
There wasn’t a man in the world who could resist Seol-hyang in this moment.
“Moron.”
Except for Baeksan, that is.
*
3
Having unexpectedly graduated from my status as a rusty driver, I drove to Seol-hyang’s house the next day.
My purpose was to pick up Heuksan to help ease her distrust of humans for the time being.
“Good morning.”
“You’re here? How’s the car?”
“I’ve never experienced a ride this smooth.”
I exchanged greetings with Seol-hyang, who was waiting at the entrance. She smiled and came to my side.
Looking at her, I lowered my head and gave her a kiss.
“This is what you wanted, right?”
Seol-hyang’s eyes widened before she broke into a bashful grin.
“You’re quick on the uptake now.”
“I’ve been working on it lately.”
“I love it.”
Seol-hyang hugged my arm, expressing her delight.
Thanks to that, I could feel a soft sensation against my arm, but I was slowly getting used to it.
“Tsk.”
“Tsk.”
At that moment, two synchronized tongue clicks sounded out.
I flinched and looked up to see Baeksan and Heuksan standing there.
As if to prove they were the same person, they both had their arms crossed and were clicking their tongues in unison.
They look like twins like that.
“Hi, Baeksan.”
“Blegh.”
While Baeksan made a retching sound, Heuksan glanced my way before trudging over and sitting in the front passenger seat.
Watching her, I scratched my cheek and waved to Seol-hyang.
“I’m heading out.”
“Have a good day, honey.”
It felt a bit like a wife seeing her husband off to work, which made me momentarily embarrassed, but I said my goodbyes and got into the driver’s seat.
Heuksan, sitting next to me, glanced over and buckled her seatbelt.
“Baeksan, is there anything you want to do?”
“No.”
Heuksan’s reply was incredibly blunt.
“Just drive.”
So prickly.
“For now, just show that brat that Earth is safe.”
That shouldn’t be too difficult.
With that in mind, I drove to the company.
I had already arranged to bring Heuksan to the office, so I handed her a temporary employee ID.
“It’s a temporary ID. With this, no one will pay you much mind.”
Without a word, Heuksan snatched the ID from my hand.
I watched her for a moment before heading into the office with her.
“Good morning.”
I went back to my desk and pulled out a chair for her.
She sat down and leaned casually against the desk.
“Ha-chan!”
Just then, Yu U-jeong popped up out of nowhere.
She looked at me brightly before her eyes landed on Heuksan.
“Who’s this?”
“Heuk—no, Baeksan. Seol-hyang’s younger sister.”
“The Chairwoman’s sister?”
Yu U-jeong’s eyes went wide as she spoke, and she cautiously approached Heuksan.
“Hello! My name is Yu U-jeong. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Piss off.”
“…Excuse me?”
Yu U-jeong froze at Heuksan’s cold demeanor.
She stared at Heuksan, her expression asking if she had heard correctly.
“Um, excuse me?”
“Are you deaf?”
When Heuksan asked again, Yu U-jeong’s face scrunched up in annoyance.
She looked like she was about to retort, but she froze when sparks of electricity began to crackle around Heuksan’s body.
Yu U-jeong knew instinctively.
If she fought Heuksan right now, she would die, nine times out of ten.
And so, she tucked her tail between her legs and began to slowly back away.
Then, she hid behind my back.
“Ha-chan, that person scares me.”
“I can see that. So don’t mess around. You’ll get struck by lightning.”
“Eek!”
Yu U-jeong shrieked and fled.
Heuksan paid her no mind and leaned back against the desk.
She seemed to be in a bad mood, so I decided to leave her be and started working on my computer.
All the while, Heuksan showed no particular interest in me, simply sitting there quietly.
Even so, she kept glancing my way, her eyes still filled with wariness.
Yesterday, Baeksan had told me there was no need to approach her recklessly.
Heuksan was already suspicious of me anyway; it was better to wait until her guard came down on its own.
The goal was to make her recognize that her surroundings were peaceful.
And so, I continued to work.
Around lunchtime, Si-ho and Ji-eun showed up.
“Manager-nim.”
“Ha-chan-oppa!”
Hearing them call for me, I paused my plan to take Heuksan out for lunch.
Si-ho, who already knew about Heuksan, didn’t seem to care much, but Ji-eun’s gaze fell on her.
“Ha-chan-oppa, who is this?”
“She’s Seol-hyang’s younger sister. Her name is Baeksan.”
At my explanation, Ji-eun’s eyes also widened.
Then, with a smile, Ji-eun approached Heuksan.
“Nice to meet you! I’m Yoon Ji-eun.”
“Piss…”
Heuksan started to say what she had said to Yu U-jeong, but I shot her a glare.
Yu U-jeong was one thing, but I wouldn’t tolerate her acting that way toward Ji-eun.
“Ugh.”
Meeting my gaze, Heuksan’s lips trembled. She quickly averted her eyes and said quietly,
“…Yeah.”
Thankfully, she was still willing to listen.
“Let’s get along!”
“…We’ll see.”
Heuksan reacted with aversion, as if she couldn’t adapt to Ji-eun’s brightness, but Ji-eun didn’t mind.
Given Ji-eun’s naturally cheerful disposition, I thought this might not be a bad opportunity for Heuksan.
“Manager-nim.”
Of course, Si-ho had no intention of speaking to Heuksan and stuck close to my side.
That was just like Si-ho, who had no interest in anyone but me.
“You remember your promise with Si-ho, right?”
“Yeah, I remember it well.”
It was a promise set for December 31st. I stroked Si-ho’s head.
She smiled, pleased, and hugged my arm.
“Si-ho will go train hard today, too.”
Perhaps because her debut was approaching, Si-ho’s practice schedule had become much more intense recently.
“Then after your training, should we go get something delicious to eat later?”
“Mhm, sounds great.”
Si-ho, who had never once disagreed with me, rubbed her face against my arm. Before I knew it, Ji-eun had attached herself to my other side.
“Hey, oppa, you’re only doing that with Si-ho. Take me with you, too.”
“Alright, alright.”
I had no intention of leaving her out, of course. When I told her so, she beamed.
After watching the two of them head off to train, I felt a gaze on me and turned my head.
Heuksan was staring at me intently.
Her eyes were practically overflowing with disbelief. I tilted my head.
“Baeksan?”
“What the hell do you think you’re doing right now?”
She glared at me as if she couldn’t believe her eyes, and I looked back, momentarily flustered.
Did I do something wrong?
“Hah, crazy… to think my sister got involved with a guy like this.”
The moment she said “sister,” I realized she was talking about Seol-hyang.
“Baeksan, wait a minute. Sister?”
“Those two girls just now, what’s your relationship with them?”
Heuksan’s venomous eyes were fixed on me as she asked.
What was my relationship with them? Well, that was…
“You said you were my sister’s boyfriend yesterday. And this morning, you were acting all sickeningly sweet with her. Are you cheating on her right in the open? Shit, are you insane? Do you like women that much? Is that why you’re doing this with me, too? Is your brain in your fucking pants?”
I blinked once.
Then, slowly, I brought a hand to my chin.
How could I not have realized?
This was proof of just how accustomed I’d become to this life.
“…Right. This is how it must look to other people, isn’t it?”