Chapter 23
Chapter 23
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: There's No Other Beast Like Her
-----------------------------------------------------------------
RED TEAM VICTORY!
"Heeju~"
The kill log pops up with a basic knife icon, showing my nickname alongside the uncles' nicknames. The team victory sound plays, and I stretch lazily.
My soft, gentle voice contrasts sharply with the uncles' wails from next door. Man, the cries of the defeated are music to my ears.
"No way! Throwing a flashbang in a 3-vs-1? That's a first..."
"Grenade meta... isn't the norm?"
"Who cares about meta or whatever? The winner makes the rules~"
"Exactly! My girl's right. You guys lost your heads to her knife, and now you're complaining?"
Dad, on the other hand, is over the moon—probably because we won three rounds straight out of five. He's practically ascending to heaven with joy.
Ah, this is my veteran edge at work.
Back in the day, Thunder Attack was mostly about intimidation tactics that not many could pull off.
Sword fights were treated like romantic duels, a kind of one-on-one gentleman's agreement.
But once I grew up, Thunder Attack turned into a chaotic party where grizzled vets dropped grenades from the sky, teabagged gun-toting foes with flashy footwork, and assassinated like ecosystem disruptors.
Sure, I hadn't played much since elementary school days, but my skills, honed in the army entertaining seniors when there was nothing else to do, hadn't rusted a bit.
The problem was that "entertaining" meant beheading them, flashbanging their eyes, or putting holes in their helmets.
"Tch... Isn't knife in a gunfight bad manners?"
"If you use guns, it ends too fast."
"..."
"What the hell? I couldn't even mix it up."
I considered carrying all five rounds, but that would've been rude.
So I faked a few mistakes in the first three to give them hope, then in the end, went, "Ugh, can't hold back anymore. Time to go beast mode~" and slaughtered them.
At least they got a taste of happiness, right?
"Hey, Jeongu. Time to head out."
"Yeah. O-okay."
"Huh? You guys aren't eating? The uncles were gonna treat us."
Oh? Really? It does sound tempting... Nah, pass.
Imagining chewy sashimi dipped in sweet-spicy soy sauce makes my mouth water, but these uncles need their guys-only time. Crashing as kids would be tactless.
They'll drink, laugh at inside jokes, and swap stories.
"Well, had fun today~ Heehee. See you next time~"
"Yeah. Get home safe. ...Man, your daughter's got great manners."
"Tell me about it. Look at my kid just standing there blankly. Say hi at least. Jeez. No wonder his mom's crazy about you."
Huh? Sudden diss on his own son?
Jeongu must feel bad with Dad comparing him to me right in front of him, but he doesn't show it—just sighs.
"Dad. Should I tell Mom?"
"Wh-what?!"
"Kidding. Don't drink too much."
?? Wow.
What? That poise from an 8-year-old stuns me, Dad, and the uncles.
Jeongu chuckles, urges me to go before we're late for taekwondo, grabs my hand, and heads out.
I knew he was more mature than other kids, but this much?
Walking home with him, I glance sideways and cautiously ask,
"Don't people usually get mad about that?"
"Huh? Oh, you mean what Dad said earlier?"
"Yeah. Must've hurt a bit."
This isn't kid stuff. Even middle schoolers, high schoolers, or adults feel humiliated and angry when superiors trash them by comparing to a peer right to their face.
Especially when it's against elite elementary student Han Yuna.
Jeongu pauses thoughtfully, then shrugs it off.
"Nah. Dad didn't mean any harm. I've snapped at you over thoughtless words before... Teacher said to consider others' perspectives."
If I get mad at harmless words just because we're close, it only sours things.
Thinking it was just casual since Dad and I are buddies made it not bother me.
"..."
"That's how I see it... Why so quiet? Weird?"
"No, not that."
Wow. This kid's got depth.
Not your typical elementary schooler thoughts.
He always flinched at my every move.
Never imagined I'd be the one shocked by Jeongu.
"Just... you're such a good kid with deep thoughts."
"?"
Is this the same boy who peed himself seeing me on day one?
The one who shook and couldn't speak around me? So grown-up now.
My chest swells with pride.
'Hmm~ For seaweed soup, I need seaweed... and what else?'
Honestly, my past life's seaweed soups were college ramen hacks with just seaweed for budget... post-grad, chicken or beef versions.
Last year's lavish wedding anniversary means this birthday, a simple seaweed soup to help Mom and Dad make a sibling. Hmm.
Maybe add oysters—nature's aphrodisiac from the sea.
Mom's fine, but Dad's age might need a boost down there.
'Oysters this weekend, then. Got seaweed at home?'
Mulling birthday plans, I open the front door.
"I'm ho—"
"Yes, Yuna just got home. Jeongu's mom, got it."
"??"
Jeongu's mom? What's up?
About to shout my return as usual, I freeze at Mom glaring daggers while on the phone.
Uh? W-why's Mom looking at me like that? Any reason?
Haven't hit kids lately, no mischief, nothing to anger her.
"Yes. I'll give my husband a good scolding when he gets home."
'Ah.'
Dad and the uncles... busted drinking.
Grown men craving daytime sashimi and booze? Happens.
Day drinking's uncommon but not forbidden.
Jeongu's mom spots them, calls mine? Plausible. They're closer since the piggyback incident, chat often.
Dodong sashimi joint? Easy to get caught by her or neighbors in tiny Ulleungdo—everyone knows everyone.
But mentioning me too? Serious trouble.
Someone spilled top-secret booze beyond holding their liquor—admitted losing to a little girl. Insane.
We're screwed!!
Mom hangs up, lips smiling but eyes blazing like a ticking bomb. Haha... tough spot.
"M-Mom, it's like this...!!"
"They say my daughter's a crack shot?"
'Fuck.'
Busted flat-out!
These old geezers sold out a kid for loyalty?!
"Even stabbed people with a knife?"
"I-it's a g-game! Heehee."
It's all a game~ Not like I'm spraying bullets or swinging knives in real life~
Sweating bullets, forcing a casual smile and excuses, but... paranoia?
'Why do I feel cornered?'
Trying to play it cool, say it's no big deal, don't worry.
But it sounds like confessing guilt.
No choice.
Didn't wanna go this far!!
Squeeze eyes shut, peek up at Mom with teary eyes.
Hunch shoulders, clasp hands over chest fidgeting, admitting fault while looking scared!
Trembling weakly, voice drained like peeking at her mood!!
"T-truth is, Dad made me..."
Save the survivors. Not these traitors.
Sold me out? Unforgivable. Grrr...
"Wh-what?!"
"I-I didn't even have an account, so Dad lent his... Said to come to the PC bang after school..."
Not lying.
Dad called me to that PC bang from morning till 2 AM, Thunder Attack's adult-only, so borrowed his ID. True.
"Sorry, Mom. I-I didn't know it was wrong...!! Dad said we had to win, couldn't say no!!"
No lies.
Betting drinks, must win—fact.
I'm innocent. ...Probably?