Chapter 340
Chapter 340
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 340. The Smiling Child
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You have to use everything at your disposal.
That's the mindset a weakling should have.
We're the ones challenging the Aesthetes, and we're even fighting in their home base.
It's so disadvantageous that not a single situation looks favorable to us.
"This way."
And so, following the suddenly appeared person, Jang Chaeyeon and I exchange glances.
"Where are we going?"
...
The person doesn't answer my question, and we exchange looks with each other.
They said they'd grant wishes inside the hotel, but aren't they actually not granting them properly?
Considering everything we've been through, it seems entirely plausible.
Does Jang Chaeyeon think the same? She stands tensely beside me with a stiffened expression.
But whether the person can hear us or is just pretending not to, they simply keep walking steadily on their path.
Let's sort this out for now.
The Aesthetes regenerate even if destroyed.
Which means their main body must be somewhere.
That's the short version.
But the place where the tailcoat-wearing person led us was completely different from what we'd expected.
"...What is this?"
I look at the tailcoat-wearing person, unable to hide my bewilderment, and they nod with an emotionless voice.
"I've found the item you requested."
...
Before our eyes is an old chair.
Just a wooden chair.
"This is what we wanted?"
Did they misunderstand the request?
I stare blankly at the tailcoat-wearing person, but they just nod.
"Yes. That's correct."
...
Fine. Whatever. We'll deal with it.
"Chaeyeon."
At my words, Jang Chaeyeon raises her hand, and the chair floats into the air—
...
"Uh...!"
Jang Chaeyeon's face turns bright red as she keeps her hand raised, but the chair stays nailed to the floor as if it's impossible.
And the tailcoat-wearing person and I just watch the scene.
"...Ah, it's not working..."
Jang Chaeyeon mutters while taking a deep breath.
...
I pull out my gun and shoot the chair.
-Bang!
The bullet hits the chair, but surprisingly, nothing happens.
I stare at the tailcoat-wearing person, and they meet my gaze.
Slowly, they open their mouth.
"The purpose of the chair is to sit on it."
...
It seems like they're telling me to sit.
Do I really have to sit on this chair?
Anyone can tell something's going to happen.
After staring at the chair for a moment, Jang Chaeyeon slowly speaks up.
"I'll sit first."
"No."
That's not happening.
At least the odds of physical harm from the chair are lower than mental harm.
Above all, I don't want to burden Jang Chaeyeon unnecessarily.
...
But still, let's confirm one more time.
I look at the person with an expression asking if I really have to sit, but unfortunately, they say nothing—no "just destroy it" or anything I want to hear.
Fine. I'll just sit then.
I reach out to stop Jang Chaeyeon as she moves, then slowly sit on the chair.
Far from comfortable, it feels extremely unpleasant.
An old chair that's clearly far from any ergonomic design.
"I sat—"
Before I can finish speaking, a massive wave of dizziness hits, and the scenery before my eyes changes.
*
"...What is this."
When I open my eyes, the hotel scenery from before is gone, replaced by a completely new landscape.
A cool breeze brushes my hair, and pleasant birdsong reaches my ears.
...
The moment I try to stand and look around,
"Huh."
Along with a warm sensation on my lap, Jang Chaeyeon is sitting on my knee.
Lighter than expected—no. That's not the point.
...
...
She turns her head to look at me, then awkwardly stands up.
Unable to look me properly in the eye, she opens and closes her mouth repeatedly before finally speaking slowly.
"Sorry. I couldn't wait and came right away."
"...You could've waited a bit."
"How could I wait when you vanished?"
...
...
A brief silence.
Jang Chaeyeon glances at me furtively, and as I'm pondering what to say amid the lingering warmth on my lap,
"Was I heavy?"
"Ah, no."
"Yeah. I'm lighter than I look."
At my words, Jang Chaeyeon says it with a still-embarrassed expression but a hint of pride.
How can she say everything she wants to while being so shy?
Others should take notes.
I feel a sense of awe but don't voice it, instead clearing my throat and brushing off my knee.
Even sweating like this, the citrus scent doesn't fade.
But the awkward silence doesn't last long.
"...That must be it."
"Looks like it."
Jang Chaeyeon points with her finger, and I turn my gaze that way.
It's a very old farmhouse.
The kind made of wood, like something out of a novel.
"What is that?"
"We'll know when we get closer."
I draw my gun and slowly move forward, with Jang Chaeyeon following behind me.
...
In the silence, as we approach the house, sounds start coming from inside.
Not anything special, but from our perspective now, it's plenty special.
"...Laughter?"
Jang Chaeyeon mutters, and I strain my ears, wondering if I heard right.
[Ahaha! Stop it!]
[Hahaha!]
Joyful laughter.
It fits the scenery but not the situation.
...
After exchanging glances with Jang Chaeyeon, we slowly approach the house.
I peek just my eyes toward the window, but it's not fogged—nothing blocks the view.
Looks like we'll have to go through the door after all.
...
Jang Chaeyeon stands beside me, and with no other choice, we head to the front door.
[Ahaha! Stop it!]
[Stop! Ahaha!]
The laughter continues.
As we stand before the door, it grows even louder.
I grab the doorknob.
"...Chaeyeon, ready?"
"Yeah."
At my words, Jang Chaeyeon nods, and I slowly open the door.
It's a dark house.
Despite the bright and peaceful exterior, no light enters the darkness, where children are gathered, laughing.
[Ahaha! Please!]
[Hahaha! 枯木死灰! 塗炭之苦!]
Children gathered together, laughing joyfully and shouting.
The words the children shout are strange too, but that's not the problem.
"...No torsos."
Jang Chaeyeon mutters, and I check below the children's necks as well.
Where torsos should be is empty, and the children are just heads placed on chairs, laughing happily.
All the chairs are the same size, same design.
And I remember seeing that chair too.
No, of course I do.
I came here by sitting on that chair.
[Wahaha!]
[Hahaha!]
Among the children smiling innocently, only one chair is empty.
Should I go in?
I hesitate for a moment, but we have no choice.
Having come this far, we have to enter.
I slowly open the door wider and step inside, and Jang Chaeyeon hesitantly follows behind me.
-Creeeak...
The old hinges creak, but the children laugh on without a care.
[Stop it! Ahaha!]
[Hehehe...!]
<枯木死灰! 塗炭之苦!>
...
Fortunately, the children don't even notice us passing by, just laughing and saying their own things.
As I approach the headless children, a translucent window finally appears before my eyes.
[Name: Children]
[Age: Created 300 years ago]
[Specialty: X]
[Talent: X]
[Background: Everything has an origin. Whether the future of the child who was just laughing and having fun with these children turned out differently is beside the point.]
[Weakness: These children are not harmful. You can just pass by them. There's no need to anger them.]
I look at the still-laughing children, then at the empty chair, but sadly, no translucent window appears.
I look up ahead.
"...There's another room."
"Yeah."
At my mutter, Jang Chaeyeon nods in response.
Behind us is what looks like a kitchen, and above it are stairs so rotten I'm not sure we can climb them.
"...I'll take the lead."
I go first, and Jang Chaeyeon quietly follows behind me.
[Wahaha!]
[Ahaha!]
Even as we move forward, the children just keep smiling happily.
*
Entering the kitchen, a musty smell assaults my nose.
I forcibly relax my furrowed brow and look around when,
"Huh."
Jang Chaeyeon pokes my arm.
"Look at that."
"Yeah?"
Turning my gaze forward at her words,
...
In the darkness, a silhouette like a person—or rather, a body—comes into view.
"This time it's the complete opposite."
...
Heads at the entrance.
Now, a single headless mannequin stands posed.
The head part is empty.
"...Is this the Aesthetes' house or something?"
"Who knows. But it seems like it."
Jang Chaeyeon quietly responds to my mutter.
-Clink!
Then, the mannequin that had been standing still starts moving as if cooking.
-Clink! Clink!
At that moment.
<...>
<...>
The children laughing outside fall silent.
I turn to look at the children.
The headless children have their eyes closed, trembling.
-Swish... swiiiish...
From upstairs, the sound of something being dragged begins.