Chapter 246
Chapter 246
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Heavy Drinker
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Realizing I had neither the justification nor the power to refuse the Heavenly Demon's words, I half-resignedly slipped into the clothes she'd handed me.
The truth was, I hadn't held out much hope when putting them on.
Given my build, most adult men's clothes never fit right.
So inside the mountain or out, I'd kept washing and rewearing the outfits Master made me. When those were in the laundry or I had no choice but to grab something else, I'd make do with sizes a bit too small...
"...It fits perfectly?"
"Good thing. I was only eyeballing it, so I wasn't entirely sure."
"...Pardon?"
"For a martial artist, sizing up an opponent's physique is crucial."
...Seeing clothes that fit like a glove, I couldn't help but instinctively shrink back.
This wasn't something she'd whipped up while I was briefly off seeing Yeo Socheon. These had been prepared in advance—and they fit me to a T?
'What the hell did she prepare...?'
My image of the Heavenly Demon was drifting into some untouchable realm.
Sure, I'd have come here within half a year anyway, but she wouldn't have made that outrageous deal to offer me up as tribute.
Was she preparing for some distant future...? Or even if I'd dropped by within those six months, she never planned to let me go easily...?
Either way, it wasn't something I could just laugh off.
'Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult...'
It was an utterly absurd position.
The Young Cult Leader was typically a direct blood relative of the Cult Leader—or at least someone qualified to claim succession. And now it was me?
I hadn't fully grasped it yet, but even a moment's thought revealed how brutally dangerous it was.
You parachute in moderately, but this? No martial arts training, and a physique that's bottom-tier even among civilians, straight to Demonic Cult Young Cult Leader?
Say that as a joke, and you'd get your throat slit.
...And that not-even-joking nightmare was my reality.
'Even if I try refusing for lack of qualifications...'
The one who could grant those qualifications stood right in front of me.
The person who held the entire Demonic Cult in her grasp.
In a society with basic order but ultimately ruled by strength, no one could challenge her word.
"...But what pretext do I even have for ascending to Young Cult Leader?"
"Hm?"
"If the Divine Cult's Heaven herself appoints me, no one would dare complain. But surely there's at least some nominal justification."
"Well, obviously—my husband."
"...I see."
Her answer matched my vague hunch, so a sigh escaped before any surprise.
"You already suspected as much? You were jumping at shadows just moments ago."
"...You made it that obvious from our first meeting. I'm not that oblivious."
"Pity. You look good when you're startled."
I flinched.
A line from the future Heavenly Omens flashed in my mind, making my body tremble slightly.
That bizarre personality seemed to be her real one.
"If Young Cult Leader feels burdensome, don't worry. I won't suddenly meet with mishap, and the military affairs handle all the Cult's business anyway. After showing your face at the appointment ceremony, you'll have nothing particular to do."
"Doesn't the Cult Leader have duties too?"
"Predecessors were much the same, just varying degrees. Who has time to sift through paperwork piles when they're busy training?"
'...While she's holed up drinking.'
"But I'm stronger than my predecessors, so no need to fret."
"?!"
"Ah, not reading your mind or anything. Sometimes thoughts just 'leak' through unbidden. Can't control it, so no need for that panicked face."
She dropped a bombshell like it was nothing.
Reading minds unconsciously?
What the...
"Now, enough idle chatter. Shall we get to what husbands and wives must do?"
I jolted.
As I froze in shock, the Heavenly Demon seemed bored with talk and seized my arm.
'...It's finally here.'
My appetite hadn't even returned yet, and calling us husband and wife felt rushed—but if it was just a title, I could accept it.
Since she'd already declared me offered up, becoming that kind of relation was only a matter of time. Protesting a bit wouldn't change anything.
As she pulled my arm toward somewhere, I squeezed my eyes shut and cautiously spoke.
"G-Go easy on me..."
"Here are the liquors I couldn't show you last time. I've prepared every rare vintage from the Cult's stores for you to sample."
"Eh?"
I blinked in confusion, and my view filled with the table from before—and countless glasses lined beside it.
"Last time, you had to leave before we finished, but no such need today. Let's go all the way. Specially, I won't neutralize the buzz with inner power either. Let's see who's the true heavy drinker in a fair contest."
The Heavenly Demon pointed at the table and glasses, eyes gleaming.
A pure, excited sparkle.
"...This is what husbands and wives do?"
"Hm? When a couple first meets, shouldn't they bond over drinks?"
"R-Right... Ahaha..."
Why had I assumed we'd head straight to the bedroom?
The images from Heavenly Omens kept overlapping, confusing me. Her affection was just a bit heavy, but she was still a virgin now.
Anyone would think I was the eager one.
Obvious I'd get mercilessly ravaged the moment we hit the bed—who'd enjoy that...?
"So, which liquor first? Some from last time are here—mention any you remember. No place to go now, so days of nothing but drinking wouldn't be bad, right?"
She sat me at the table first, then lifted a few bottles from beside it.
"Liquor..."
At that word, the mental guard I'd raised against her loosened a touch.
...Booze is fine, right?
Our compatibility stemmed from shared hobbies anyway...
Not going to the bedroom right away changed nothing—she'd declared my body hers ages ago.
If we drank and she suddenly pinned my arms and crushed me to the floor anytime, I had no right to refuse.
'M-Might as well enjoy it?'
This wasn't me succumbing to temptation.
I had to give it up anyway—smart to enjoy what I could.
Like buying a 100,000 won premium pack on 70,000 won sale for 30,000 won savings.
"Th-Then, the blue-glowing one from last time..."
"Ah, Blue Cloud Liquor? That's... here."
Pour...
She filled my glass, then silently handed me the bottle. I naturally took it and poured hers.
No need to say it anymore.
Most folks toast with speeches before drinking, but we just clinked glasses lightly and tilted them back.
And so the drinking bout began—and stretched on until the light outside faded away.
How much more time passed after that?
Unlike last time, I had the shield of "no need to collapse here," so it went down even smoother.
Any normal person would've burned holes in their liver by now—we'd pounded booze nonstop without a single side dish.
"Hoo... hoo... Fine form. I didn't misjudge you."
The Heavenly Demon was no different.
No sides touched, matching me glass for glass on the same liquors. Keeping her promise not to suppress the intoxication with inner power, a deep flush colored her cheeks this time.
"Y'know... Heaven's face is awfully red right now."
"Same goes for you, doesn't it?"
"Does it...?"
I tilted my head at her words.
My mind felt fuzzier and dizzier than usual, things doubling up—odd sensations, but I didn't feel drunk per se.
"It's been ages since I felt this buzzed. Feels great. Drinking alone, I'd force the high sometimes, but it just left me lonely."
"Same here... It's been a while for me too."
"You didn't drink much with those women, huh?"
"Never much chance..."
They were busy, and two of three were Daoists—hard to suggest drinks.
Dang Ayoung and I had a few rounds, but she wasn't exactly a drinker.
"We'll drink plenty from now on. Liquor overflows here—no worries."
Pour...
She refilled my glass with those words. I took the bottle to fill hers.
And that's when disaster struck.
Thud.
Spill...
"Whoa?!"
"Oh..."
Even buzzed, her ingrained reflexes held—no shaking hands. But as a total civilian, mine trembled inevitably.
Mid-pour, I fumbled the bottle, spilling liquor that soaked her clothes.
"S-Sorry! I-I'll wipe it quick..."
"Happens when you're drunk."
My head cleared instantly as I scanned for a towel-substitute and approached her across the table.
I froze on the spot.
The already thin fabric clung transparently, soaked through. Excess liquor hadn't fully absorbed, trickling down to stain her lower half.
It pooled in the crevice between her thighs, slowly spreading downward. Droplets unable to settle trailed her curves sideways.
Even with some resistance, how could any man stay composed at that sight?
Brain pickled in alcohol, no less.
"Ah..."
I stood there, rag forgotten, just drinking it in.
Did she notice my stare?
"You bring a wipe and don't use it? It'll stiffen and feel gross."
"Ah, uh... S-Sorry."
Her signature smile chiding me snapped me back. I raised the cloth.
"If you're fine with it... I could use something else to clean you?"
Slide.
Jolt.
That smile, and her fingers lifting her collar—I froze solid.