Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Panties
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Sip, sip.
The banana milk in my hand was nearly gone. Its sweetness helped mask my gloomy mood a bit, but it couldn't compare to the exquisite taste of a drake heart.
I leaned my exhausted, tear-drained body against the bench. Vice Guild Master Lee Ji-young sat beside me, her head bowed low.
"...I'm truly sorry."
A feeble voice crept from her lips.
"It's fine. It was just a misunderstanding."
Even as I said it, irritation seeped into my tone—I couldn't help it. This wasn't some ordinary person smacking my back; it was a sitting B-Rank Hunter. Anyone normal would've ended up with bruises.
The pain in my back had subsided, but my sunken mood wasn't lifting anytime soon.
"But—"
"Still hurts like hell, though."
Her shoulders flinched at my follow-up. With a troubled expression, she offered excuses.
"...What you ate was a Corrupted Prime Drake's Heart. It's laced with toxic mana—fatal for any regular person. I just reacted without thinking..."
'No wonder it had that bitter edge mixed with the chocolate flavor.'
I got it. If your contract partner suddenly chowed down on poison right in front of you, anyone would worry.
But understanding and forgiveness were different beasts. And if she was that concerned, she should've listened to me first. Smacking my back without a word was unforgivable.
"I get it. But I have a skill that lets me eat that stuff."
"I'm really sorry..."
Lee Ji-young couldn't lift her head. I was tired of hearing apologies by now. No hard feelings toward her, but I wanted some alone time.
I didn't fancy riding public transport with my tear-streaked face, so I pulled out my phone and texted Yoo So-jeong.
[I'm at the Azure Rose Guild right now. Could you pick me up and take me home?]
The reply came in under five seconds.
[Yes. I'm already here. I'll meet you at the main gate.]
I pocketed my phone and headed toward the warehouse. A frantic voice called from behind.
"Wh-where are you going?"
I answered without turning.
"The warehouse. Grabbing a few hearts before heading home."
"Huh? Oh, no, let me handle that! Just wait a sec—I'll pack them safely..."
"No need."
I brushed off the offer and kept walking. After a few steps, something occurred to me, and I paused.
"Oh, and the contract's still on, so don't worry."
I took a few more steps and glanced back, but Lee Ji-young remained frozen in place, too stunned to follow.
I grabbed four hearts to savor from the warehouse, plus the black one on the floor, then headed to the main gate where Yoo So-jeong waited.
A familiar black sedan was parked out front. As I approached, Yoo So-jeong stepped out and opened the rear door for me.
Sinking into the plush seat released my tension, flooding me with fatigue.
The car glided smoothly away, cityscapes of midday scrolling past the window. Then, a soft voice came from the driver's seat.
"Did something bad happen?"
Yoo So-jeong's eyes met mine briefly in the rearview mirror.
"...Nah, nothing much."
At my curt reply, she fell silent for a moment before fiddling with the car's screen. Gentle classical music flowed from the speakers.
I didn't usually care for classics, but the soothing melody calmed my nerves.
Soon, we turned into my familiar alley, pulling up outside my studio apartment building.
"Thanks. I'll head in now."
As I moved to get out, Yoo So-jeong spoke up.
"Miss Lee Da-yoon. Isn't it about time to do your laundry?"
"Huh? Yeah, I guess. Why?"
"I can help with that using my skill."
I recalled her mentioning a laundry-related skill.
Thinking about it, I couldn't just toss 12 million won worth of designer clothes into any old machine.
'Better leave it to a pro.'
"I'd appreciate that."
I punched in the door code and stepped inside. Yoo So-jeong naturally scanned the pile of clothes stacked in one corner.
She inspected blouses, t-shirts, pants—everything meticulously.
Watching her made me belatedly embarrassed. Even if she was my handler, having an attractive woman go through my worn clothes was mortifying. I averted my gaze to my phone.
After a long once-over, Yoo So-jeong tilted her head and turned to me.
"Miss Lee Da-yoon. Do you have laundry stashed somewhere else?"
"No. That's all of it."
Her face took on an indescribable expression. Then it smoothed back to neutral as she asked,
"So, what kind of underwear do you usually wear?"
"...Pardon?"
My brain short-circuited on processing that. Seconds later, panic hit.
"I didn't see any underwear in the laundry."
Heat rushed to my face unbidden; eye contact became impossible.
'This is insane...'
Right now, I wasn't wearing any underwear. Full-on commando mode.
Not without reason, of course. First, I hadn't had time to shop for any. Second, finding ones that fit was near impossible.
But the biggest reason overshadowed both.
'...I'm a grown man. Wearing those things is just...'
I wasn't shameless about going commando, but slipping into girls' panties triggered an indescribable revulsion.
"Uh... um... Couldn't find any that fit, so I don't wear them."
I mumbled my lame excuse. Yoo So-jeong nodded.
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
She stepped out. Soon, I heard the car door open and close, and she returned with a shopping bag.
Inside were neatly folded scraps of colorful fabric.
Rabbit characters, strawberry prints, lace trims...
Structures varied too—wide-coverage with tail holes, low-rise for wearing under the tail...
All sharing one trait: they eroded my sanity.
"......"
I stared blankly at the children's panties before me, speechless.
"Wh-where did these come from?"
"I mended them as backups. But without taking measurements, I'm not sure about the fit."
Yoo So-jeong replied matter-of-factly.
"So, you should try them on now and check how they feel."
Her words hit like thunder from a clear sky.
"Y-you mean put them on... right now?"
"Yes. Underwear is crucial for hygiene and daily comfort. Wearing the right ones is as important as dressing sharply."
She continued fluently, but my mind was a mess.
"Fine, I'll try them. Sure..."
No counterargument came to mind; I could only mumble agreement.
"There are two styles, so try these two."
She handed me a white lace pair with a tail hole and strawberry-print low-rise ones.
'Of all designs...'
Clutching the two pairs, I shuffled to the bathroom.
Now, which to try first? The white lace seemed less horrific—at least the coverage evoked drawers.
"Nngh..."
First, thread the tail through the hole, then slip in both legs.
The fabric strained against my plump tail like it was screaming, but I managed to pull them up to my waist.
"Ugh..."
The fact that I'd dressed myself in this was horrifying, but the fit felt custom-made, hugging perfectly.
Still, stretching like this every time would turn them to rags in no time.
"Miss Lee Da-yoon. How does it feel?"
Swallowing my shame, I answered honestly. As she said, proper underwear mattered.
"It... fits, but the tail snags and stretches the fabric."
My face burned as I spoke. At least she wasn't right in front of me.
"Hmm. Noted. I'll adjust for that. Could you step out briefly for feedback?"
My mind blanked.
"...Huh?"
"We're both girls, so it's fine, right?"
Then it hit me.
'...Right, So-jeong thinks I'm a girl!'
But my mind was thoroughly male. Checkmate.
Refuse to go out? She'd suspect my over-the-top shyness.
Go out? I'd be a pervert deceiving the opposite sex into inspecting my underwear.
Trapped in this no-win dilemma, I let out a silent sigh.