Chapter 50

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 49

Chapter Title: Seafood Party

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Making my way out of the Muweon Heart Palace with the Deep Sea Ghost King's heart in hand, the outside world had already darkened into night.

A glance at my watch showed it was just before dawn. The sun would rise soon enough.

"Boongie, you waited so patiently."

Boongie had waited over ten hours without a fuss, so I gave the hood an affectionate pat. In response, Boongie flashed its headlights happily.

"God, let me get you in here first."

After briefly manifesting her true form in my arms, the Deep Sea Ghost King seemed to have exhausted what little power she had left. She didn't respond even when called.

I placed her unresponsive heart on the back seat and buckled it in securely with the seatbelt. No way was it rolling onto the floor during the drive.

"Man, I'm beat."

I tossed my bloodstained coat into the trunk for now, then used some bottled water from the car to rinse the blood from my hands and hair. Suddenly, water poured down from above.

"Did you do this, God...?"

Soaked to the skin, I asked. A fake cough came from the back seat.

I was drenched from head to toe, but at least all the blood on me was washing away. It didn't feel malicious—more like she meant to help but couldn't control her power.

Still, pulling off water control like this without a well nearby? I couldn't even imagine how strong she'd be in the ocean.

"Ah, Agent. You busy?"

I wrung out the water from my hair and called Agent Park Jae-hyeon. Time to hand off the cleanup.

I told him I'd "stumbled upon" the Black Yao Society's headquarters and, due to the urgency, taken them out single-handedly.

-You've already handled it?

"Yeah. No choice—the situation was too dire."

Agent Park had asked me to sit this one out. Multiple reasons, but the big one was my high chance of killing the cult leader.

The Anomaly Management Department had planned to use this incident for negotiations with China, trading the leader's identity for artifacts or other rewards.

True to their pragmatic nature, they'd hand him over for greater help with Korea's anomalies going forward.

But I'd killed him, so their plans went up in smoke.

Especially after I'd promised not to pursue the Black Yao Society, only to off their leader in the dead of night. Totally understandable he'd be thrown off.

This could even shatter trust between us. I'd acted alone without looping him in first.

-So the leader's dead too?

"He put up too much resistance. Sorry for going rogue, Agent."

-No, no. It happens. Honestly... I secretly wanted him gone myself. Feels good. Got it. You hurt at all, Fixer?

"Nah, I'm fine."

-I'll dispatch nearby agents to the scene. Send your location?

From the Department's perspective, hoping to capture the leader for a China deal, his death was a huge letdown. But Agent Park personally cheered it.

-Oh, and Fixer, I know you're tired, but stick around for handover when they arrive? Promise extra compensation.

"Sure. I'll wait. But heads-up: lots of dogs at the temple."

-Dogs? Wild ones?

"No. Black Yao goons bred 'em for body disposal, looks like. At least thirty, all Tosas."

-Ah... We'll handle that too. Thanks for the intel.

Call ended.

Anomaly Management agents would arrive within an hour. I pulled out a blanket and covered the Deep Sea Ghost King's heart so they wouldn't spot it.

'Time for rewards.'

With time to kill, I leaned back in the driver's seat and claimed my challenge and level-up rewards.

From the pale assassins to the mad spirit medium, Thousand-Year Assassin, and finally the leader— I'd leveled up once.

Insanely fast by time alone, but given the foes? Felt slow.

'Stats into Mental Power...'

Life Force had been my focus, but with Sowol's link making it near-infinite, time to prioritize Mental Power.

"All essential skills, but..."

Fixer skills had always popped up before, so I'd auto-picked. But these? All vital for survival. Tough choice.

No telling when the next one would appear if I skipped.

"For now..."

Without Baby Mode Pack, I'd grab Word Filtering for survival.

World of Doom has words that drain Mental Power just by hearing.

Filtering blocks repeats after the first hit—great for management. But tough words barely faze my Mental Power anyway. Not urgent.

"Intimidation Aura it is."

Third Eye overlaps with prior skills; no rush. Mostly for escape maps like Backrooms—niche in daily use.

I had the Cursed Mountain Lodge reward, 'Worn Journal,' mimicking it anyway.

So, Intimidation Aura. Stat-based: if three or more exceed the target's, trigger fear.

Like Strength, Intellect, Perception all higher? Boom, intimidation.

Will-based fear without combat—submit foes outright. With 10x stats in Baby Mode, near-guaranteed on most. Farm fear states, toy with 'em. Better on humans than anomalies.

'Next, Breath of the Deep Sea.'

Challenge reward: necklace with blue gem. The gem mattered more.

Two effects: force-unseal her, or efficiently summon avatar.

"God?"

"...Yeah...?"

Using the second effect on Breath of the Deep Sea, the blanketed heart vanished, replaced by the girl I'd glimpsed on the stairs. She lay curled up.

Indigo hair with sky-blue highlights, messy strands sticking out. She wore a sheer negligee.

Still stunning. To my eyes, anyway.

"H-How...?"

"The gem's power. You're even prettier up close."

"Oh..."

She'd been embarrassed about the water, avoiding me. Forced out, she looked around in panic.

Visibly anxious.

"H-How do I... go back...? Do I have to stay like this...?"

"Hold on."

Toying with Breath of the Deep Sea, she slipped into the gem—like Sowol resting in her token. Half-bound to the necklace, it worked.

Heart reappeared intact, so true body separate; just her spirit extracted into the gem.

Perfect for carrying her stably.

"God, got a name? Can't keep calling you Deep Sea Ghost King, and 'God' feels distant."

Asking the gem, she cautiously shared.

-My name is Haeryul. Not sure what it means. That's what ancient humans called me...

"Haeryul, huh? Pretty name."

Fitting for a worshipped ancient god and calamity anomaly. Like Sowol, she had an original name—no need to invent one.

Her status now listed Haeryul.

"Haeryul, it'll take time to get home."

-I'm... fine. I can wait forever...

"Won't be too long. People coming soon—hang tight till then."

Stroking the gem, I dozed off. Soon, vans approached Boongie.

Anomaly Management finally here.

"Fixer? ID, please."

Agents in suits piled out of the vans.

They looked wrecked—dark circles, exhaustion from overtime. Probably no real rest since yesterday.

A woman with heavy bags approached, demanding ID.

Standard procedure. I showed my ID from my wallet; she scanned it and nodded.

"Confirmed. Black ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Yao leader and goons underground, right?"

"Yep. Stairs in that shed lead to Muweon Heart Palace—an underground maze. Bodies of cultists and the leader there."

I detailed the interior; told them the leader melted into a puddle upon death.

Veterans, they got it and moved fast.

"No captives inside?"

"Seemed most were dead before I arrived."

Overwhelming dead cultists and anomalies. Kidnapped sacrifices likely elsewhere.

Department and others investigating; nearly all found. No worries.

Everything but the leader's spot uncovered.

"What about the temple dogs?"

"Tasted human already—no shelters. Lunar Blossom Sect might take 'em."

Good—no euthanasia.

I'd worried about innocents; Lunar Blossom ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠needed hunting dogs, taking them all.

Others handling cleanup. I was free.

"I'll head out then."

"Thanks for your work, Fixer. Oh—watch for vengeful cultists at your office. Stay vigilant till closure. Agent Park will follow up."

"Got it. Appreciate the heads-up."

Guess the kids stay at the office awhile.

At least a week till full closure.

Real work done—back to office.

'Oh, grab seafood on the way...'

Noryangjin?

Search said perfect timing—opening soon. Hit the market for live seafood for Haeryul. Fresher the better, right?

Told Boongie to head there. Might as well grab for Yu-ha and the kids. Taoist Master's there too.

"Um... Hubby..."

"Ah, Sowol. You're up."

"Yeah... What's with the necklace...?"

"Necklace? What necklace? No idea."

"...."

Boongie hit the highway; Sowol, now awake in the passenger seat, stared silently.

Why was I sweating bullets? I'd gotten Intimidation Aura—why was she intimidating me?

"Sowol. It's like... I rescued her. Got lost, y'know."

"Sure? Not 'so cute, must keep'?"

"Kidnapping? Me?!"

Not some thug pulling bride-snatches.

I'd never even thought it...

Her strategy tip flashed: 'Show masculinity & mark with male dominance.'

What situation was this? Just her projecting desires onto me.

"You know it's not... Just teasing, Hubby."

Sounded dead serious. Scary.

"Sigh. Sowol, no weird ideas. She had no home. Thought we could be hers."

"...Noble intent."

"Right? No choice."

"Guess... time for a concubine..."

"What?! Concubine? What do you take me for? Teasing on purpose?!"

"Heehee. Successful men always have two or three. I get it... Hubby."

Shadows deepened on Sowol's face.

Bad vibes about wife-concubine dynamics surfacing.

"Bringing in a young, firm concubine... neglecting the wife... ignoring her...? I won't be crying alone in the back room... right...?"

"Hey, what? I'd never. And 'young and firm'? She's older than you."

"Pardon...?"

"She's Three Kingdoms era. You're Joseon. Get it? You're younger and firmer. Better?"

Sowol brightened instantly.

Telling an anomaly she's "young and firm" was mortifying, but if it cheered her? Worth it.

"Heehee... Good. You see me that way... Joseon is younger than Three Kingdoms... Ahem."

"Exactly. Had to be."

How young was Elevator Girl then?

Wait, elevators born late 19th century—close to Sowol's era?

'Dizzying.'

Turning anomalies into allies via affection? Great. But jealousy between them? Danger zone.

Tightrope time. Balance key.

I'm a pure love guy—felt thrown into a forced harem.

Noryangjin Seafood Market buzzed from dawn.

Sowol and I shopped for prime catches.

At Calamity rank, sans 'Terrifying Face,' she looked like a pretty hanbok girl—fine in crowds.

No spirit user would ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠clock her as anomaly.

"Hubby... This one's good. Hairtail too..."

"Yeah? Take 'em all."

I knew zilch about seafood—left it to Sowol. She picked winners.

My job: buy what she brought.

"Octopus 150k?!"

"Pricey these days. Buy or not?"

Live octopus: 150k each. Add-ons blew past budget.

Seafood pricier than thought. Live premium pricing varied; octopus 120-150k.

Seasonal too—sky-high at peaks.

Never bought live octopus before—clueless on costs.

-Octopus... yum...

But Haeryul loved it—bought three.

Squid too; leggy things her jam.

"Head back?"

"Yes...!"

Loaded seafood in Boongie's back, off to office. Seafood party tonight.

Debating booze, Taoist Master Moon Seon-woo called.

"Yo, hello? Master, what's up? Heading to office now..."

-Fixer, you bringing a Catastrophe anomaly? Please say no.

"Uh? Well... ended up with one."

-Fixer... Disaster's one thing. Catastrophe's too much...

Something wrong.

Catastrophe did cross lines. But couldn't leave her.

No regrets on my choice.

Own the consequences.

-Details when you arrive.

Moon Seon-woo relayed: Lunar Blossom Sect summoning me.

In three days, meet their Divine Maiden...

Felt another mess brewing.