Chapter 74
Translator: uly
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The Invitation - 4
What kind of sudden confession is this?
During dinner before she left the house. I hadn't sensed any sign of such a confession coming.
In fact, lately, it seemed like So-hee had something on her mind.
Her face had looked shadowy for a while, and since yesterday, her chopstick movements seemed particularly heavy.
"Yun-ho."
During dinner, after finishing my work as a storyteller and eating the food bought from the tavern, So-hee stopped her heavy chopstick movements and called my name.
"Yeah?"
Was she finally going to bring up whatever was worrying her?
My new story had been a huge hit for two days now, so my worries had vanished, and I was ready to listen to her troubles.
"That young lady in the new story. Does her name really change to a different beautiful woman's name each time?"
"Haha! Originally, she has a separate name. But who do you think I am? I approach women who look like they're wearing good clothes and might spend some money, and sell them the naming rights!"
"To women who look like they might spend money?"
"Exactly! Even today, before I even started the story on the stage, I looked around and thought, 'Ah! That lady looks like she'll spend some money!' I spotted her and then approached! Thanks to that, we made a good haul today, right?"
"...Yeah. So that's how it was."
So-hee gave a small smile and then lightly picked up food with her chopsticks again.
What's this? I thought she was going to consult me about some other worry.
After dinner, So-hee left the room. Until then, I couldn't have imagined she would come back and say something so shocking.
"So-hee? What are you talking about?"
So-hee isn't the type to fantasize about spending Christmas with a girl just because she had lunch with a female colleague a few times like I did, and this is too sudden.
"I said, become my husband."
As if to confirm I hadn't misheard, So-hee boldly repeated it once more.
What on earth is going on?
Is this a penalty game?
After hearing So-hee's sudden confession, I briefly looked around.
I checked to see if any assassins from Salmak were watching us with laughter.
Not visible. Well, if they were properly hidden, there's no way I could find them.
This isn't the first sudden confession I've received. I had one in high school too.
— Yun-ho. Actually, I've liked you all this time. Will you go out with me?
— I can see all your friends hiding over there watching.
— Hahah! Sorry! Sorry!
The girl laughed awkwardly and went back to her friends who were watching the scene.
— Idiot! You got caught!
— What are you talking about? If you guys weren't there, he would have fallen for it 100 percent. Hurry up, let's play the embarrassing game again!
As if I would have fallen for it. Something that good would never happen to me. Although my brain did short-circuit for a moment when the girl I had a crush on confessed.
As I stared at the disappearing group of girls with a dumbfounded look, the friends who had been watching the situation approached.
— Hey. Yun-ho. You just got confessed to.
— You bastard. You were excited for a second, weren't you? Buy us dinner to celebrate the start of your love life.
— Stop messing around and let's go eat.
I said I'd date in college. Study hard, get into a good college, and then I'll date as a freshman too. To hide my feelings of having my youthful pure love crushed, I chattered away like that during the meal.
Of course, that never happened.
Just because you go to a good college doesn't mean you date as a freshman.
I looked at So-hee's face after her sudden confession.
Her expression was infinitely serious, but her pupils were trembling. I could clearly feel she was worried about what would happen if she got rejected.
'Is she really proposing?'
For a person to decide to marry, there needs to be a significant emotional exchange. Proposing like this is just too abrupt.
You go through the stage of meeting and getting to know each other, walk the streets together, create memories, share pasts, emotions become passionate, you hold each other, and as the relationship deepens, you become more active with physical contact....
'We did all of that.'
I accomplished that difficult task. Me.
What the... What have I been doing all this time?
Could it be that I was dating without even realizing it?
No. Even so, that's going too far. "So-hee. Are you asking me to marry you right now?"
So-hee, if that happens, your oppa would be committing bigamy.
If So-hee's marriage mindset is like a small-to-medium enterprise hiring a new employee, it might actually be good.
A society where experienced workers like me are valued. Isn't that nice?
"Marriage?"
So-hee tilted her head slightly at my words.
"Huh? Didn't you just propose to me?"
"......"
Her expression froze for a moment.
Then she quickly bowed her head deeply.
"So-hee?"
"...It's an infiltration mission to Daeheunghyeon. I'm asking you to help."
That makes sense.
It was a communication mishap.
I can't see So-hee's face, but her snow-white neck is redder than usual.
"Can I hear the details of what's going on, oppa?"
I need to hear the explanation of the situation.
After finishing her meal with Yun-ho, Cheonsalseong headed to the Salmak branch in Chilgok-hyeon.
"You're here. Have a seat."
The middle-aged branch manager, who was sipping tea in the secret room as usual, spoke.
"What's the matter?"
Unlike usual, So-hee sat in a chair and asked this time.
"What else would I call Cheonsalseong for? A new mission."
"Where?"
"Daeheunghyeon. A request to kill the fortress family head."
A familiar name. It's so easy to guess who the client is.
"I refuse."
I just need to be by Yun-ho's side. I don't need to go assassinate anyone anymore. With that thought, Cheonsalseong refused the assassination mission.
"There you go again. I deliberately brought in a mission from nearby. Do this one. The higher-ups are worried that Cheonsalseong might have gone soft because of that massacre incident last time."
"Do I have to do it?"
"Even if I say you're fine, the higher-ups keep making a fuss about having the main headquarters check. This time, let's at least pretend to accept a mission to confirm you're normal. Think of it as a chance to reduce the remaining killing intent while you're at it."
Killing intent.
That word gave Cheonsalseong pause.
Being by Yun-ho's side makes the killing intent disappear. But if I leave Yun-ho's side, I'll lose my reason to the killing intent.
'Will assassination make the killing intent disappear?'
Maybe 30 people in the shantytown wasn't enough. The killing intent hiding like embers within. Assassinating might extinguish those embers.
Even if it proves useless, it's necessary to try performing an assassination mission once.
'If I go to assassinate, I have to take Yun-ho with me.'
To not lose my reason to the killing intent, I have to take him. That thought made So-hee's shoulders feel heavy.
If only they had given the mission a few days earlier. What kind of reaction would I get if I told him to leave this place now that his earnings have improved again?
Would he coldly tell me to go alone? So-hee briefly imagined Yun-ho telling her to go alone. Then her heart ached a little.
She needed him, but did Yun-ho think he needed her?
With a trembling heart, Cheon So-hee spoke to Yun-ho.
******
"So that's what it was. Then let's go, So-hee."
After hearing the detailed explanation from So-hee, I agreed.
"Really?"
So-hee's eyes widened, then she thrust her chin forward, looking up at me and asking again.
"Yeah. Daeheunghyeon. If So-hee is protecting me, I won't have to worry, right? Let's go."
After the last incident, I showered with the Thousand-League Tracking Incense So-hee gave me.
As long as she doesn't abandon me, escape is a pipe dream.
Since she'll protect me, I shouldn't worry.
It's a shame to give up the income, but I owe her a favor, so I should go.
"Yeah! Let's go together."
The shadow that had been on her face for the past few days was gone from her face as she answered.
Was she worried because she wanted to go on the mission together?
Daeheunghyeon, huh.
I wonder what will happen there.