Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: No Romance Outside the Home (3)
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The sun had set, and the sky was illuminated only by the faint glow of the moon. I walked calmly through the quiet, deserted alley. I extended kindness to the trembling child beside me until her shaking subsided, slowly leading her out toward the light.
Less than five minutes later, we emerged into a dazzling display of lights. The wide street welcomed us.
As night fell, the road, as dark as the shadowy alley, was brightened by the vivid lights from the surrounding shops. The bustling noise everywhere reminded me that this was the entertainment district.
It was a place where time flew by in a frenzy. The area was so brightly lit that it felt no different from daytime, and the sounds echoing from all directions—like attending some grand performance—left me dazed.
But the real problem was something else entirely.
"Oppa! Where are we going now? You're an adult, right? At this hour, heading out for drinks?"
Why on earth was this girl still hanging around me instead of leaving? That was the biggest issue.
"First off, I'm not 'oppa.' I don't know where we're going either. I'm not just an adult—I'm a full-grown guy, and I've never had booze before, so I'm debating it. So go home now, kid."
My tone had shifted to polite formality to create some distance. Our connection ended with me saving her. Now it was time for us to go our separate ways.
"Ahaha~ You've got humor, and you're super popular! Got a girlfriend? If not, can I get your number?"
"Come on, don't do this. You look like a high schooler. I'm 31. I'd get in trouble. No way. I don't want this. Stop."
"Whoa... I guess older guys are my type... No wonder I never felt anything for the boys around me. Oppa, can't you wait just two years? I'll be an adult then~ No problem, right?"
No. There'd be problems everywhere.
I naturally pulled out my phone and dialed. After a few rings, a voice answered.
- Oppa, where are you and what're you doing? Why's it so noisy around you? Still not home?
"Sihyun-ah, this girl's harassing me... I'm suffering."
"Huh? Who's this? A girlfriend?"
- Oppa, hand the phone over.
I obediently passed it to her. Her calm voice promised resolution, and I trusted it.
"Sure~ Hello! Hi there. Who might this be?"
- ....
"Ah~ Yeah, yeah. See, he saved me. Yes, so..."
- ....
"Really? Oh my gosh! Thank you~ Yep, yep, I'll head straight home!"
What? Why was she suddenly so cheerful about going home? What did she say?
The girl handed the phone back with a bright smile.
"Oppa! I'll head out first then~ See you next time! Oh, and my name's Sua! Lee Sua!"
What? See you next time?
"Sihyun-ah, what'd you say to make her so happy?"
- Huh? Oh, just figured she was totally into you, so I told her to shoot her shot when she turns adult and gave her your number?
Is she insane?
"How old am I?"
- 31~
"And you tell her to hit on me? You little..."
- Come on~ She's just a kid that age, it'll pass quick. Humor her a bit~
Fine, whatever. But if your brother gets hauled off, don't blame me.
- So when're you coming home, oppa?
"Oh, me! I'm gonna try drinking. Realized I've never had booze before."
- Huh...? For real? Oppa, you've never had a drink?
"Yeah, never in a position to."
- Ah.... Slavery....
"No, I keep telling you it wasn't slavery."
- *Sniffle*... Then should I come? Wanna drink together?
Her pitying tone was a bit much. But drinking with my sister for the first time didn't sound bad.
"Sure~ I'll head to a bar first and order?"
- Yeah, lemme just throw on some clothes. Wait for me. Text me the location.
"Yep~"
I hung up and scanned for a bar. Didn't fancy my first drink surrounded by rowdy crowds, so I picked a cozy, atmospheric spot and went in.
"Boss, the best side dishes and soju here, please."
I sat in a corner, ordered, and dazedly waited for Sihyun. Thought about sipping first to test the taste, but since it was my debut, better together.
Or just chug it?
As my impulses clashed with reason,
"Oppa. Wait long? Why you sitting there all mopey alone? Hitting on girls?"
Sihyun poked her head in, dressed casually unlike her usual outings. She plopped down with a playful smirk.
"As if~ Was debating ditching you and chugging solo."
"Aha. Bad thoughts~ Gonna flick your forehead."
As we bantered, the drinks and sides arrived. My eyes sparkled with anticipation. But the odd alcohol scent from the soju wrinkled my nose more than the savory smells.
"Eww... Smells like hand sanitizer. Safe to drink?"
Why drink hand sanitizer?
"Wow... Oppa really never had booze. How'd you go 31 years without?"
"Beats me. Somehow never touched a drop. Kinda unfair."
"...Oppa. Still don't wanna talk about how you survived those 10 years?"
"Nope~ Gotta cherish my embarrassing past deep in my heart."
".... Your way of talking is so damn annoying."
"Hehe, use pretty words. Now, let's drink~"
I poured. Filled the tiny glass with clear soju and tossed it back with the toast I'd always wanted to try. First sip: brutally bitter. Not medicinal, but an odd revulsion twisted my face.
"...."
"Pfft! Oppa, that face from the bitterness? So childish~"
"No... Why drink this? Tastes awful. It's hand cleaner!"
"Keep going~ You'll get it eventually."
Sihyun grinned and refilled me. Grimacing at the weird taste, I downed what she poured. Empty bottles piled up.
"Sihyunaaa~ I-I'm dizzy..."
"Yeah? Feeling good? Kinda nice, right?"
"Y-yeah.... Spin's the world..."
"Right? Makes you wanna spill your heart, huh?"
"Y-yeah.... Kinda like that~"
"Then tell me your story, oppa? Super curious~"
Is this what it does? Vision spinning, mood soaring. Buried grudges melting away, lips curling up for no reason.
And spilling hidden tales at Sihyun's coaxing—booze's fault? Who knows.
Tales from Pretoria.
The fantasy world breeds unfounded omnipotence. The world shines brilliantly—not me—yet it swells your ego. As the Hero? Even idling grants inexplicable confidence. I thought myself ordinary, no Hero material, but subconsciously I exalted myself.
Ignorance assuming a month's training covered 21 years. Arrogance from dabbling in holy power's unknown realm. Poison to me. Should've realized it wasn't ordinary, but dismissed foes as street thugs.
Thus, I rolled in the market dirt as the 'Hero.' Burning misplaced justice unused on Earth, mistaking arrogance for pride, hubris for confidence. Pathetic—bruises on my face taught reality.
So I focused solely on growing stronger. Shelved boredom and fatigue, glued to the training grounds, obeying Sio. First learned overtraining makes you puke. People vomit from this too.
Months of pure training, it seemed. Seasons shifted; chilly winds turned refreshing, cooling sweat on my brow.
"Hero, training hard again~ Hmm~"
Feminine voice from behind. Feigned delicacy—I turned, and sure enough, not Seren today.
"Yes, hello~ So... Candidate Kali?"
I matched her phony tone.
"Yes~ That's me! Guess I've been visiting a lot lately~"
"Indeed. So, what's up today?"
"Aw~ Does a Saintess Candidate need business to visit the Hero?"
Dunno. Seems you girls chase the title, not me.
"Fair~ Any word on what Seren's up to lately?"
Other candidates swarmed; Seren was scarce. Wondering if something was wrong.
"Ah~ Seren Candidate's swamped with training and rituals, no time for the palace, I hear~"
"Seren's grinding hard~ But I'm busy too, gotta go."
I cut it short and headed back to training. Her obvious lies made more talk pointless.
After training, straight to the temple, I thought.
"So... Oppa’s comrades were slaves who got abused too...? *Sob*..."
No, I said they weren't slaves...
Dizzy, I couldn't retort properly and wrapped up. No clue how far I'd gone. Probably skipped being the Hero.
"Waaah... Poor oppa~"
Ah, you're drunk too. Steadying my blurry vision, she was swaying, head shaking, tears flowing.
We were a pathetic sight.
"Sihyun... Let's go home quick..."
Slurring, I supported her. Our wobbly state was comically pitiful. Amazing we were safe like this.
We shuffled home slower than usual.
"Opaaa~ Legend of League? Do what you wanna~"
Good mood plus gaming? Peak happiness. I nodded eagerly.
In the game that started,
Ah, you orphan shits. If you're gonna suck that bad, GTFO. Motherfucker.
Huh, how'd you know our parents are gone?
Yeah. Been a while since Mom and Dad dipped~
Wow, that guy's trash.
For real lol
We could only suspect our personal info had leaked.
How the hell did they know.