Chapter 154: I’m Not a Pervert
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 154: I’m Not a Pervert
Though he was loath to part, Akito returned to the lodgings after finishing his long conversation with Teresa.
The tiny young shrine maiden, who had introduced herself as Mint, led him with small, quick steps.
“You can walk slowly. You don’t have to rush on my account.”
“Ah! D-Did you notice…? Thank you!”
Mint bowed deeply, grateful for Akito’s consideration.
The ninety-degree bow was far too formal for such a young child, but the way she greeted him with such bouncy energy before looking up was so adorable that Akito couldn't help but smile.
Looking at her reminded him of Lilia, who was always left home alone whenever he went out on a quest.
Worrying if her identity as a demon had been discovered or if she was eating well, Akito chatted with Mint, who resembled her, as they made their way back.
When they were close enough to the lodgings that he could find his way without guidance, Akito saw his teammates all gathered outside.
As he approached, he noticed they were all staring at a vacant lot to one side, and Akito’s gaze naturally followed theirs.
“Hey, I’m pouring. Please, feel something this time.”
“No, I’m telling you, I don’t feel anything!”
“You should be able to! It’s because you’re incompetent! There’s nothing wrong with the magic, I’m pouring!”
Akito had briefly forgotten, but there were other guests who had been invited even earlier than him.
Seo Yeon-woo and his team.
Recalling how Yeon-woo had received the treatment of a VIP, Akito watched him blankly.
‘What on earth is he doing…?’
The women were nowhere to be seen; only the men were gathered, engaged in what looked like some sort of prank.
Takeo was filling a jar with water using a hose, while Masayoshi sat a short distance away, watching.
Rio was facing away, arguing with Yeon-woo, and Yeon-woo was pouring the water from the jar onto the ground.
“I don’t feel a thing!”
“You useless brat. What’s the point of giving you a magic book? You can’t even learn it properly. Move, I’ll detect it myself. If I can do it and you can’t, you’re dead.”
“Oh, let’s see how great you are then. Pour it.”
“Yeah, I’m pouring.”
“I already poured it, you idiot! You can’t feel it either!”
“Huh? That’s weird. It definitely worked before…?”
Having no idea what they were doing, Akito watched blankly before asking Shiori.
“What is Yeon-woo doing?”
“Who knows? I haven't a clue. Is it the first or second time that man has acted like a fool?”
“One should be solemn at a shrine, yet he is such an ill-mannered fellow.”
Shiori and Kurumi dismissed Yeon-woo, and Emma nodded as if in agreement.
However, Kaira and Shunya watched them with interest, and even Justina, while pretending not to care, seemed secretly intrigued.
“There must be a reason. Whenever he does something strange, there’s always a purpose behind it.”
Chika, who had spoken nonchalantly while watching Yeon-woo, turned to look at the others in the quiet atmosphere.
“Chika-unnie, you’ve been praising that man a lot lately.”
“You used to hate him so much. Did something happen between you and that jerk?”
At Shiori and Kurumi’s words, Chika stared at them silently before curling the corners of her mouth.
While she was gentle and kind to those she was close to, she was the 'mad dog' recognized by Yeon-woo.
No matter how close they were, Chika could sense the impure intent behind their words, and she wasn't one to hold back.
“If anything, did something happen to you guys? It seems some dim-witted bitch hasn't learned her lesson even after being dealt with by him so many times.”
“Are you talking to me?”
“You’re the only one in front of me, aren't you? Are your eyes broken too?”
As Chika leaned in close with a sneer, Kurumi’s hand moved toward the katana at her waist.
“If you’ve been beaten that much, learn from it. How many times have you lost to him? Have you ever won even once?”
“Are you defending a man who uses such cowardly tactics? Besides, that was just training, not a real battle.”
“And you’re the one who couldn't win a single time in that 'training.' Did you have some kind of penalty every time you trained?”
When Kurumi, bristling with anger, tried to draw her sword, Chika gripped her wrist tightly.
Kurumi tried to push her away with force but was startled to find her arm didn't budge, as if caught in a vice.
Though she had faced the crisis of falling into darkness several times, Chika had overcome it each time with Yeon-woo’s help and trust. Her current skill level was second only to Akito’s, and Kurumi was flustered by her sheer strength.
“Unnie, please don’t fight.”
Shiori quickly stepped in to stop them, only to be met by Chika’s gaze.
When Shiori flinched at the cold, emotionless eyes, Chika finally sighed and released Kurumi’s wrist.
“I don’t particularly like the way he does things either. It’s a bit… how should I put it… well—”
“Petty?”
“Yeah, something like that. It’s cheap.”
When Ailee provided the word for her struggling vocabulary, Chika nodded.
“To be blunt, the way he acts during training isn't exactly 'cool,' is it? It was like that when we were on the same side on the deserted island, too. It’s even more infuriating when you meet him as an enemy.”
Since everyone there had been victimized by Yeon-woo at some point, they all nodded in agreement.
Kamira also gave a bitter smile, remembering Yeon-woo mocking her while spraying poison at the subway entrance.
Even as transfer students, they found him annoying, so they felt pity for those who had been subjected to his training for the entire first semester.
“But he wins. Even in disadvantageous situations, he squeezes out wisdom… wisdom… wisdom?”
“Cunning.”
“Right, right—cunning.”
Having been on the receiving end herself, Chika couldn't bring herself to use a noble word like 'wisdom' and continued.
“Even in a disadvantageous situation, he uses his head like crazy and eventually achieves his goal. I acknowledge that much. The fact that he’s doing something strange to find a way is a good thing for us too. We only have one goal right now, after all.”
The goal of everyone gathered here.
To find and stop the mysterious Fierce Beast that had attacked the villagers.
He was incredibly annoying as an enemy, but as an ally, there was an expectation that he would get things done.
Even Shiori, who despised and ignored him, had to admit that.
“Whether you like him as a person or not is a secondary matter; it’s time to acknowledge it. That guy is strong. Both in terms of raw power and his intellect.”
“Hmph, it’s actually surprising that you haven't acknowledged it yet. I already knew.”
Justina, who had even wet her panties during Yeon-woo’s attack, feigned knowledge while completely erasing her embarrassing memories.
Still treating Shunya like a pet, Justina tickled her chin before turning her gaze toward Yeon-woo.
The women, who seemed to have just finished bathing given their damp hair, had arrived and were watching him.
Yeon-woo was still at a loss, wondering why it wasn't working, when Yukina spoke up.
“You said it’s magic to feel vibrations. And you said it feels like a slime, so shouldn't it be more of a solid state? Something like that?”
“…Huh? You’re right.”
Yeon-woo immediately asked the shrine maidens for help and brought over a large, viscous mass that looked like a slime.
“I feel it! I can feel it!”
“Yeah! Yukina, you’re a genius!”
When Yeon-woo hugged her, Yukina, who always maintained a cool demeanor, turned her head away in embarrassment.
It was foolish and messy, but the warm atmosphere was conveyed to everyone around them.
The shrine maidens covered their mouths with pleasant smiles, and Chika thought back to the past.
When it was just Shiori, herself, and Kurumi, the atmosphere had been similar to that.
They all liked Akito, but they had been considerate of one another and got along well.
But now, while it might look harmonious on the surface, it was exhausting because they were all keeping each other in check behind the scenes.
Especially for Chika, who hated such psychological warfare and underhanded behavior, just being together was stressful.
Chika knew exactly why it had turned out this way.
Emma, who desperately tried to occupy the spot next to Akito at all times.
She subtly got on everyone’s nerves while acting all sweet and charming in front of Akito, so there was no way the people around her would like her.
Since they couldn't win against her 'fox-like' behavior, Akito was completely fooled by her act. If they got angry, they were the ones who ended up looking like the bad guys.
Perhaps that was what she was aiming for.
The more she played the innocent victim, the more attention and protection Akito gave her.
At this point, it was all futile.
The atmosphere was already thick with mutual suspicion; nothing would change even if Emma disappeared.
Just as Chika was feeling the fatigue, Yeon-woo approached them.
“Yo~ You guys were invited too?”
“Yeah, Lady Teresa called for us this morning.”
“Right, of course. If she doesn't acknowledge you, who would she acknowledge? Her standards are so high there probably wouldn't be anyone else to invite.”
Yeon-woo praised Akito before looking down at the shrine maiden who had guided him.
Everyone around noticed that his gaze was far from ordinary.
His observant eyes were focused with intense interest, as if he were seeing something fascinating for the first time.
It was only because Yeon-woo was handsome; if Rio or Masayoshi had looked at a young child with those eyes, Kurumi would have subdued them instantly.
“Hello, what’s your name?”
“I’m Mint! I just became an apprentice, so you wouldn't have seen me when you came last time, Yeon-woo-nim. Please feel free to be comfortable with me!”
“Right, you’re quite energetic. I like that.”
“Really? The older sisters scold me every day to be more quiet.”
Mint looked up at Yeon-woo with sparkling eyes.
She didn't know exactly what he had done, but he was someone the entire clan respected and treated with courtesy.
To the young Mint, Yeon-woo seemed as important and great as Teresa.
Yeon-woo picked up Mint, who was looking up at him with large eyes, and sat her on his arm.
“Are you busy today? What’s your schedule after this?”
“Uh… I have to guide Akito-nim…”
“Aren't we already here? Do you need more guidance?”
“No, I’m fine. But why?”
As Yeon-woo looked at him, Akito answered while casting a suspicious glance.
It wasn't that Akito was overreacting; Yeon-woo’s gaze looked far too sinister.
The way he looked at the young girl, as if he had found exactly what he wanted, was enough to cause many misunderstandings. Even Chika, who had just defended him, looked at him suspiciously.
“Why? To play together, of course. Mint, want some candy? I brought a lot.”
“Candy? What kind?”
“Reaaaaaaaally! Delicious ones. I’ll give you some if you give me a kiss on the cheek. But you have to mean it. Otherwise, no candy.”
Ssh—
At Yeon-woo’s words, the surrounding atmosphere instantly turned ice-cold.
Not just Akito’s group, but even his own teammates like Fei and Masayoshi looked at him as if they were ready to cut him down at any moment.
“You degenerate… There are things a person can do and things they shouldn't…”
“That bastard finally did it…”
“Shouldn't we stop him?”
“No, it’s not like that! I have a plan!”
As people began to whisper, Yeon-woo shouted as if making an excuse.
At that, the people’s gazes grew even colder, and Mint, unaware of the atmosphere, wrapped her arms around Yeon-woo’s neck and kissed him.
Chu—
“Lolicon…”
“You lucky… I mean, you piece of trash…!”
As people sent looks of contempt, Yeon-woo was also flustered because he had received a kiss on the lips instead of the cheek he’d asked for. But Mint just gave a pure, innocent giggle.
“I want to do the Ritual with Yeon-woo-nim too.”
“Ah… if you say something like that here…”
She knew the Ritual was important, but Mint was too young to know what it actually entailed.
She had only overheard that a man was needed and that her sisters and seniors said the Ritual they did with him was happy.
Amidst everyone radiating murderous intent, only Mint was smiling brightly.
“You pervert!”
“Kill him now!”
“Save the loli!”
“No, I didn't say that! This is unfair—gaaaah!”
In an instant, his teammates and Akito’s followers became one team, rescuing Mint from the 'hands of evil' and pummeling Yeon-woo.
While Mint stood there with wide eyes, unable to understand why Yeon-woo was suddenly being beaten, Yukina approached and lowered herself to eye level.
“Don’t worry about it. The older brothers and sisters are just playing. And here’s the candy he promised.”
“Wow~! Thank you!”
Yukina, who had somehow pulled a basket of candy from Yeon-woo’s luggage, handed it to Mint.
“Guh—! Ack! Stop it! This is unfair! No, listen to me! Ack!”
“Shut your mouth, you filthy human!”
“Ehehe, it’s delicious.”
Even though Yeon-woo, who was respected by the clan, was being lynched in the background, Mint was distracted by the sweet candy and was perfectly happy.
Yeon-woo’s screams sounded pitiful, but to a young child, nothing was more important than sweet candy.
*
The full moon rose, brightly illuminating the dark night.
Mint, who had received plenty of candy from Yeon-woo that morning, still had a lingering smile from the sweetness.
Though she didn't have much left after sharing with her friends, such sweet treats were as valuable as gold to young Mint in this secluded place.
Pondering what to eat first when she got back to her room, Mint performed a final check of the altar room.
Checking it every day before going to sleep was one of the tasks assigned to her.
The other shrine maidens had already tidied up and finished their checks, but it was a simple task given to Mint to help her build good habits as an apprentice.
Mint took a quick look and closed the door again.
Normally she wouldn't be so careless, but she had to get back quickly today.
If she was late, her hungry friends might eat the candy first.
Anticipating the specific candy she had her eye on, Mint hurried across the garden.
And then, the world flipped upside down.
“Ah…?”
Realizing that she was the one who had been flipped, not the world, Mint soon hit her head on the ground and tumbled.
She knew she had been sent flying by some powerful force, but she felt no impact or pain, so she touched her body in confusion.
“Kyaaaaaa—”
Startled by a bone-chilling sound that was more beast than human, Mint managed to lift her frozen head.
Something with its mouth agape, blocking out the moon in the sky, lunged at her. There was no way for the powerless Mint to dodge.
Thud— thud— clack— thud—
“… …?”
Mint, who had squeezed her eyes shut, slowly opened them when she heard only dull thudding sounds.
A girl who looked human—if not for the gaping mouth large enough to swallow her whole—was repeatedly biting her body.
The girl was clearly biting with all her might, and her sharp teeth were tearing through Mint's clothes, yet there wasn't a single scratch on her body.
And then, a welcome voice came from behind.
“Didn't I tell you? I put the Soul Chain on her because I had a plan. All you bastards who didn't believe me, get on your knees.”
The voice sounded incredibly angry, but as soon as Mint heard Yeon-woo’s voice, she felt a wave of relief.