Chapter 57

Chapter 57. Celine

World Rank No. 1.

To Celine, that grandiose title sometimes felt like shackles.

She loved sweet desserts.

But the reality was that it was hard to even eat a piece of cake in peace because of people's gazes.

The 'Dubai Chewy Cookie' that recently hit SNS hard.

To taste the harmony of that chewy texture and savory pistachio cream, she had flown all the way to Dubai using vacation as an excuse.

But she couldn't actually find that cookie locally.

It turned out it was a dessert that modified Dubai chocolate and was popularized in Korea.

Hiding her dejection, Celine headed straight to Korea.

"Phew... Finally."

In front of a famous dessert cafe in Seoul.

Celine stood at the end of a long line.

Normally, the street would have been paralyzed the moment she appeared.

Because her unique appearance of blonde hair and red eyes wasn't something that could be hidden just by trying.

But people passed by indifferently even seeing her.

It was because the pendant hanging on her neck was shining subtly.

Thanks to this item she obtained by chance while climbing the Tower, she could often enjoy such deviations.

After a boring wait, her turn finally came.

"I apologize, customer. This is the last of our stock."

One heavy cookie handed by the employee.

Due to ingredients running out, exactly one was left.

Celine received the cookie with an expression as if she had the whole world.

She held the cookie preciously in her hand and left the store.

Her footsteps quickened at the thought of going home quickly and tasting it with black tea.

It was then.

*—Thump!*

"Ah!"

Celine felt the shock of bumping into someone and an emptiness transmitted from her hand.

Celine's gaze dropped to the floor.

Her precious ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cookie had disastrously burst open on the cold paving block.

She slumped down.

Her mind went white.

The vain effort of going all the way to Dubai, and the last cookie she obtained by standing in line for over an hour.

All that effort had become a stain on the floor.

"Um... I'm sorry...."

A voice heard from above her head.

Celine raised her head and glared at the man.

Anger soared to the top of her head.

She wanted to snap her fingers right now and blow this man far away.

Mana hummed and gathered in her clenched fist.

But she gritted her teeth and held it in.

If she uses power here, the effect of the [Necklace of Perception Inhibition] will be undone.

She hated her identity being revealed because of this, and it was obvious it would become bothersome later.

"......."

Celine tightly shut her mouth.

She was angry, but thinking rationally, she knew at least that he didn't do it on purpose.

But feeling unjustly wronged couldn't be helped.

"I am truly sorry. I couldn't see ahead... I will compensate you for it."

The man was restless and tried to take out his wallet.

Whatever the man was saying didn't enter Celine's ears.

She rummaged through her bag and took out a single blue bead.

*—Vwoom.*

Light shone from the bead and mana was activated.

She brought the bead to her mouth and spoke.

"Ah, ah... is this translating properly?"

The man's eyes widened.

Looking at the bead, he nodded as if he realized something.

"Ah... You were a foreigner."

The man apologized once again with an awkward expression.

"I am sorry. It wasn't intentional. As an apology, I will buy it for you again."

Celine exhaled a deep sigh.

Compensate?

This wasn't a problem that could be solved with money.

This was the last one.

Instead of answering, Celine raised her hand and pointed at the store she just came out of.

Where her fingertips pointed, a red sign was cruelly hanging.

[SOLD OUT]

The man's gaze touched the sign.

Only then seeming to realize the severity of the situation, his expression was dyed with bewilderment.

"Uh... Then even if from somewhere else...."

He hurriedly took out his phone and started searching.

But the famous places around here had already closed their doors due to ingredients running out.

The man's shoulders drooped.

"Um... It says they're all sold out...."

With a troubled expression, he looked alternately at the crushed cookie and Celine.

Celine snorted inwardly.

*'Of course. Would I have come all the way here if it wasn't.'*

She dusted off her clothes and tried to get up.

It was the fleeting moment she was about to leave, thinking she was just unlucky.

The man clapped his hands as if he remembered something.

"Ah! Right!"

He said with his eyes sparkling.

"I have some I made at home, should I give you that at least?"

"......Huh?"

A deflated sound came out of Celine's mouth.

It was absurd.

She was one who grew up eating only food made by the world's best chefs.

For a man she met on the street to say he'll give her what he made to such a her.

She looked up at the man as if she was dumbfounded.

The moment she was about to spit out words of refusal, her red eyes took on a strange hue.

The state of the man, which she couldn't see properly earlier because she was angry, entered her eyes.

The man's mana circuit and physical information were projected in her vision.

She inhaled sharply.

It was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠clean.

It was a pure physical body like a newborn child, with no waste or turbid energy accumulated inside his body seen at all.

A golden energy was subtly lingering in his dantian.

No, it was hard for even high-ranker Hunters to have such clear energy.

*'What is this man?'*

Curiosity was piqued.

Above all, that pure gaze bothered her.

She wanted to verify if it was groundless confidence about what he made or true skill.

She slyly checked her left wrist.

A bracelet in the shape of a coiled silver snake was fastened there.

As long as I have this, I wouldn't have to worry about poison.

Celine crossed her arms and lifted her chin haughtily.

It was with the intention to just see what kind of amazing thing he made.

"Fine. Bring it out once. Be prepared if it tastes bad."

***

Arriving in front of my house, I ran up panting and came down with the cookie box I had put in the refrigerator.

They were the guys I made for practice to give to Cassia as dessert.

I handed the box to her, who was standing crookedly in front of the entryway.

"Here. It hasn't been long since I made them, so the taste should be fine."

She received the box with still suspicious eyes.

Her gaze slyly headed to her own left wrist.

But the snake's eyes did not glow red and maintained a subtle silver color.

Only then did her wariness seem to loosen a bit.

"Hmm...."

She opened the box and picked up one cookie.

A chocolate coating was layered over the crude but appetizing brown cookie.

She brought the cookie to her mouth without hesitation.

Her small mouth opened and she took a bite of the cookie.

It was that moment.

Her eyes popped open.

Her pupils expanding over her round glasses were seen nakedly.

*'......!'*

Celine stopped chewing and focused on the sensation spreading in her mouth.

For the first taste, the fluffy marshmallow wrapped her tongue softly like a cloud.

But even before that softness disappeared, the Kadayıf noodles packed inside chewed crisply, providing a cheerful texture.

And the flavor of the rich and savory pistachio cream squeezing out between them.

She had traveled the whole world experiencing all sorts of delicacies and desserts.

But I affirm, it couldn't compare to this cookie she was eating right now.

A dessert made by a famous hotel chef?

This was on a different dimension.

A perfect balance that drew out the original taste of the ingredients to the limit while not ruining each other's taste.

*'I want to kidnap him.'*

A dangerous thought flashed through her mind.

A strong urge arose wanting to lock this man in the underground prison of her mansion and make him make only desserts for the rest of his life.

Of course, she wouldn't put it into action, but the taste was that shocking.

Before she even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had time to compose herself, she shoved the remaining cookie into her mouth.

*—Munch munch.*

The speed at which she chewed and swallowed so her cheeks bulged was almost scary.

One cookie disappeared in an instant.

She smacked her lips as if regretful.

She wanted to eat more, but she had face to save.

She lifted her chin acting as if nothing happened and said.

"Well... it's edible."

To say it was edible, strength was tightly gripping the hand holding the empty box, but I decided to pretend not to notice.

She stared intently at me and asked.

"What is your name?"

"I'm called Si-woo. Kim Si-woo."

At my answer, she nodded.

Then what was smeared around her mouth entered my eyes.

I don't know how hastily she ate, but chocolate and pistachio cream were smeared all over the sides of her lips.

I chuckled and took out a portable tissue from my inner pocket.

"It's all over your mouth. Hold on a second."

I was about to pull out a tissue and hand it to her.

But.

While I looked away for a moment, she disappeared.

"......Huh?"

I stood blankly with my hand stopped stretched out in the empty air.

The spot where a person was until just a moment ago was completely empty.

"What was that...?"

I scratched the back of my head and looked around.

Did she leave because her business was done after just getting the cookie?

"I guess she just left right away...."

Because they were made for practice, I worried what if it didn't suit her taste, but seeing her finish it in an instant, the taste seemed to be fine.

It should be fine to give to Cassia too.

Putting the tissue back in my pocket, I entered my house with light steps.

***

*—Pop!*

As the teleportation magic circle disappeared, a familiar scenery appeared.

It was the bedroom of Celine's giant mansion.

She slumped down on the bed.

Her figure reflected in the full-length mirror was seen.

"......Ah."

Chocolate and green cream smeared messily around her mouth.

This was my appearance?

Her face burned so hot she couldn't bear it.

"So embarrassing...."

Despite the awkwardness, the lingering scent of that ecstatic cookie still remained in her mouth.

That sweet and savory taste hovered on the tip of her tongue.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she lightly licked the cream smeared around her mouth with her tongue.

It was still delicious.

Her red eyes narrowed.

She wiped the chocolate smeared around her mouth with her thumb and muttered his name lowly.

"......Si-woo."

The corners of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her mouth curled up as if finding it interesting.

He was a talent too precious to just let go.

It seemed she would have to meet him again.

Of course, this time not empty-handed, but carrying a proper 'price'.