Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Hoping to Get Close (2)
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Jang Hyeonguk looked at the Heavenly Demon, who was sitting there sternly with his arms crossed.
“You don’t need to be on guard.”
“What nonsense is this?”
“You’re being aggressive and rude, too.”
“What did you say?”
As the Heavenly Demon’s eyes flashed red, Jang Chaewon jumped to her feet.
“I-I’m sorry. The Heavenly Demon hasn’t been here from abroad for long yet…….”
“That’s exactly the problem with you as the employer, ma’am.”
“Huh?”
“You’re defending your employee right now.”
Jang Hyeonguk spoke very calmly and firmly.
“The fact is, he was rude.”
“…Y-Yeah.”
Jang Hyeonguk turned his gaze back to the Heavenly Demon and pulled something out from his pocket.
“If you’d like, would you care to try this?”
What he held out was sweet chewing gum in a square case.
Seeing this, Jang Chaewon’s eyes widened.
‘Is he insane?!’
Even so, offering the Heavenly Demon chewing gum that kids eat?
Jang Chaewon squeezed her eyes shut. Surely the Heavenly Demon would yell loudly.
But contrary to Jang Chaewon’s expectations, the Heavenly Demon’s eyes gleamed.
“What is this?”
“It’s called gum.”
“The color is unique.”
“It’s super sweet and sticks right to the roof of your mouth.”
What Jang Chaewon didn’t know was that the Heavenly Demon loved sweets so much he regularly visited specialty dessert shops on payday.
Unaware of this, Jang Chaewon was swept up in anxiety.
She thought the Heavenly Demon might leap up and punch Jang Hyeonguk in the face.
“Hmm.”
But the Heavenly Demon obediently popped the gum into his mouth and chewed, like a good kid.
Chwap, chwap.
After chewing the gum repeatedly with his large molars, the Heavenly Demon nodded.
“Not bad.”
“Really? Want another one?”
When Jang Hyeonguk held out his hand, the Heavenly Demon nodded and popped another piece of gum into his mouth.
“Oh, by the way, I heard something from Ms. Jang Chaewon.”
While the Heavenly Demon chewed away, Jang Hyeonguk began the counseling session.
Surprisingly, Jang Hyeonguk had even better conversational skills than Go Eunyoung, who had visited before.
Even when the Heavenly Demon said something off-base or aggressive, he listened very kindly and gently.
Jang Chaewon, watching the session, felt her vision blur.
‘Huh?’
Before she knew it, a black beast sat where the Heavenly Demon had been.
Black fur, red eyes. A massive beast with flames flowing from its entire body.
And she even saw illusions of Jang Hyeonguk occasionally petting its scruff.
“…I see.”
The long counseling session finally came to an end.
After briefly organizing the Heavenly Demon’s story on his electronic notepad, Jang Hyeonguk turned to Jang Chaewon this time.
“The Heavenly Demon’s behavior is also a reflection of your own, Ms. Jang.”
“Huh?”
“How much time have you devoted to the Heavenly Demon? How much attention have you given him?”
“Why should I spend time on this guy…….”
“Didn’t you just say he came from abroad? From a harsh, barren land?”
“No, even so, he’s a grown adult. I don’t need to worry about every little thing…….”
Jang Hyeonguk put strength into his eyes as he spoke.
“The only person the Heavenly Demon can rely on is you, Ms. Jang. But you tend to see him just as a bundle of trouble sometimes.”
Have I been like that?
Jang Chaewon’s mind grew foggy.
The continuing lecture from Jang Hyeonguk, and the Heavenly Demon standing there blankly, transformed into a beast.
She just nodded along, entranced.
This time, it was Go Eunjin’s counseling session.
Go Eunjin was even more wary of Jang Hyeonguk than the Heavenly Demon.
In truth, she was just as indifferent, unresponsive, and uncaring toward others.
Jang Chaewon was curious.
How would this counselor Jang Hyeonguk win her over this time? More gum?
“Wow, did you really fill out all these documents by yourself?”
Jang Hyeonguk looked at the stack of papers on Go Eunjin’s desk and asked.
“According to Ms. Jang, not only the paperwork but your reports are incredibly well-written.”
Surprisingly, Jang Hyeonguk was quick on the uptake.
He kept exclaiming in admiration as he looked over Go Eunjin’s documents.
“Wow, your handwriting is so neat! It’s not like a report—it’s like academic material. Super clean and clear.”
Go Eunjin still wore an indifferent expression.
But as the praise continued, the corners of her mouth slowly crept up.
“You’ve explained it so cleanly there’s no need for graphs or anything extra. That must be why you’re so good at cooking, too.”
Having read the introduction Jang Chaewon gave him carefully, Jang Hyeonguk now praised her cooking.
“You’re amazing. Not many people dare to handle dungeon ingredients. You’re pioneering a new field, Eunjin.”
It was over-the-top praise. In reality, countless chefs handled dungeon ingredients.
But Go Eunjin’s eyes had already softened.
Jang Hyeonguk’s expression was utterly sincere, and his voice sounded genuine from the heart.
‘A wolf? Eunjin’s a wolf?’
Before Jang Chaewon’s eyes appeared a silver wolf that looked gruff but had cute, endearing eyes.
“…Yeah. You’ve been through a lot.”
And Jang Hyeonguk was showering the wolf with affectionate words nonstop.
At last, all the counseling sessions ended.
In the empty interior of the Complex Complex.
Jang Chaewon sat in a chair with a weary face. Across from her sat Jang Hyeonguk, looking very serious as he fiddled with his electronic notepad.
“It’s all your fault, Ms. Jang.”
“My fault?”
Jang Chaewon’s mouth fell open.
“You’re saying it’s my fault for holding back everything until now?”
“That’s right.”
Placing both hands on the table, Jang Hyeonguk said with a serious expression.
“Those animals (people) are innocent. Putting such different species (people) together suddenly and making them work—naturally, they’ll feel repulsed.”
He seemed to speak plainly, but different words echoed in Jang Chaewon’s ears.
“Y-Yeah, I see.”
“From now on, isolate them as much as possible and shower them with affection.”
“Huh?”
Jang Chaewon couldn’t hide her bewilderment.
“Wasn’t the counseling supposed to help those two get along at work? Now you’re saying to keep them separate?”
“They’re different species (people) from the start. They can’t mix.”
“But then what was the point of all this counseling…….”
“The employer needs to change.”
“Huh?”
Jang Hyeonguk said in a low voice.
“The current state of your employees reflects your own state. If you change, Ms. Jang, their misguided attitudes will definitely change too.”
Jang Chaewon’s mouth fell open.
‘How did it end up like this?’
“You need to be stricter, Ms. Jang, and teach them rules. And make efforts to strengthen your bonds.”
Drooping her shoulders, Jang Chaewon asked with a resigned face.
“How?”
Jang Hyeonguk said in an utterly serious voice.
“Walks.”
“Walks?”
“Yes. Walks are the best way to strengthen bonds.”
‘Walks… walks?’
Jang Chaewon imagined walking down the street, one hand holding the Heavenly Demon and the other holding Go Eunjin.
Insults would fly nonstop from both sides. By the time they returned, her mind would be a mess and blood would drip from her ears.
The thought made her dizzy.
“Any other options?”
Smiling faintly, Jang Hyeonguk said again.
“Then, a company dinner, of course.”
“A dinner?”
“Yes. But absolutely no talking—just let them eat and drink.”
“Why?”
“Because they’ll fight if they talk.”
In that moment, Jang Chaewon had a great realization.
Right. There were countless other loose screws in the world besides the Heavenly Demon.
“A dinner, huh.”
Jang Chaewon grinned widely, and Jang Hyeonguk grinned back.
And just like that, he was chased out of the store.
* * *
“You just wasted my time.”
Jang Chaewon sighed, propping her chin on the desk.
At her fingertips was Jang Hyeonguk’s business card. Below his name was written “Animal Trainer.”
“I never should’ve trusted that shady internet ad in the first place.”
And behind the card was another sheet of white paper—Jang Hyeonguk’s counseling bill.
-Rare Animal Counseling Solution. 2 types, ₩3,000,000.
Seeing the circles drawn next to each item made her let out a hollow laugh.
Crumple.
Crushing the bill in one hand, Jang Chaewon snorted.
Of course she had no intention of paying for such nonsense counseling. But what was strange was Jang Hyeonguk’s attitude.
-Even later, if you feel this amount is fair, you can deposit it then.
His smiling figure walking away looked just like a prophet foreseeing the future.
“Hmph. As if I’d fall for that.”
He had convictions and a smooth way of speaking, but he was no different from a total con artist.
Jang Chaewon tsked and tossed the bill paper into the trash.
* * *
A few days later.
At lunchtime, the Heavenly Demon ordered jjajangmyeon from the Chinese place, while Go Eunjin got a sweet, heavy salad from the nearby bakery.
They always fought over meals, so they just ordered separately now.
“Pathetic. Liking that grass mush is why you’re so weak.”
“Someone who likes jjajangmyeon must have a muscle-mon brain made of jjajangmyeon, right?”
“Stale comeback. That’s why the food at your pocha is nothing special.”
“Who asked you to crawl into someone else’s pocha, muscle-mon?”
Even sitting separately to eat, they busied themselves insulting each other. They looked just like a massive beast and a wolf.
-Restrict food first if they fight. Never give it until they stop.
“No!”
Jang Chaewon, who had been silently eating fried rice, suddenly jumped up as if possessed.
“No food if you fight!”
Like snatching a pet dog’s bowl, she grabbed their food plates with both hands.
-And let them know with your eyes that you’re making a very big mistake right now.
Jang Chaewon put on a very firm, stern glare.
‘Wh-What?’
She blinked, coming back to her senses.
What she’d just done was something you’d do to scold five- or seven-year-olds.
But then the amazing happened.
At her scolding, the Heavenly Demon and Go Eunjin stopped fighting and didn’t avoid each other’s gazes?
When she handed back the plates, they quietly ate without quarreling.
‘It actually works?’
In that instant, Jang Chaewon recalled the solution Jang Hyeonguk had suggested. Maybe she should try it once?
‘Hmm.’
But her mouth didn’t open easily, despite her thoughts.
There was only one reason to go through with a dinner, but reasons not to were overflowing.
First, the Heavenly Demon and Go Eunjin’s arguments were pretty heated. Add alcohol, and the fight was predictable.
Second, Go Eunjin genuinely didn’t want a dinner. Jang Chaewon didn’t want to stress someone who hated it.
Third, even Jang Chaewon herself didn’t want to. Watching their bickering gave her stomachaches out of nowhere.
‘A-Alright.’
Jang Chaewon took a deep breath. If not now, when?
“And we’re doing a company dinner today.”
Before the two could frown, she said firmly once more.
“It’s an order. No skipping.”
In the middle of restaurant alley, a samgyeopsal place with a sign reading “Hometown House.”
The place where the Heavenly Demon and Jang Chaewon had their first dinner.
Jang Chaewon grilled the pork belly diligently, like a pro.
Warm heat rose from the charcoal, brushing her cheeks, but the table was ice-cold.
Because the Heavenly Demon and Go Eunjin, sitting across from each other, ignored one another.
-No talking at all! Just eat meat and drink!
Remembering Jang Hyeonguk’s words, Jang Chaewon had laid down the law before the dinner.
And the two kept the promise, not saying a word as they ate and drank.
‘Hmm.’
Jang Chaewon’s lips wrinkled like a grandma’s as she grilled.
It was fine for about thirty minutes, but as an hour passed, she felt suffocated.
“Urgh.”
Jang Chaewon clutched her solar plexus while grilling. Her stomachache was flaring up again.
“Keuh.”
She downed a shot glass on the table.
At times like this, soju was best to soothe her bitter stomach.
‘I should’ve done this when Driver Kim was around.’
Having decided on the sudden dinner, Jang Chaewon had quickly called Kim Chanwon.
But he had an important appointment today. She couldn’t just say, “Oh? No Driver Kim, so dinner’s canceled!”
After agonizing, she suggested Jang Hyeonguk’s “eat and drink without talking!”
And the dinner turned into a funeral wake atmosphere.
‘I give up now.’
“Keuh.”
Letting go, Jang Chaewon poured and drank soju alone nonstop.
The mood was tense, but why was the soju so sweet? The sizzling pork belly tasted like honey today.
How much time passed?
Night deepened, and most of the packed customers left.
In the corner of the samgyeopsal place, Jang Chaewon, the Heavenly Demon, and Go Eunjin silently pounded soju.
‘Huh?’
Come to think of it, something was off.
She’d thought they’d just grab a bite and go.
But whether they liked the pork or the soju, they’d been eating and drinking nonstop for over two hours.
“Keuh.”
“Kaa.”
The Heavenly Demon and Go Eunjin ate sizzling pork with soju.
As sighs of satisfaction escaped both mouths at once, the dry atmosphere softened a bit.
They hadn’t said a word yet, but the quiet vibe of the samgyeopsal place seemed to bring the two a little closer.
‘Is this what he meant?’
Jang Hyeonguk had insisted on a silent dinner. Had he really foreseen this?
Drunk, Jang Chaewon saw the Heavenly Demon and Go Eunjin as beasts again.
A hugely built but lonely-looking black beast.
A small wolf that looked cute but viewed the world cynically.
The two beasts sitting side by side somehow looked close.
‘Come to think of it, it’s not just differences.’
Jang Chaewon chuckled, gazing at their beast-like forms.
The Heavenly Demon and Go Eunjin surprisingly had something in common.
They both had grumpy, unique personalities and didn’t fit in with ordinary people.
The Heavenly Demon who had dominated the martial world alone.
Go Eunjin, called a black sheep even in the mercenary world, operating solo.
They were like twins yet from entirely different races.
‘I get it now.’
Jang Chaewon finally realized.
These two weren’t the type to bond through talk.
They sensed each other like beasts.
So it’d be better to keep them close, even if they fought.
‘This should do for today.’
No need to rush closeness. There was plenty of time ahead.
“Shall we head out?”
Jang Chaewon grinned as she said it.
The two downed their soju shots in unison. No eye contact, but downing drinks together was cute.
“Good meal.”
After paying and stepping out, Jang Chaewon suddenly stared blankly at the card receipt from the owner.
“Where… was it?”
In her mind, she was searching for Jang Hyeonguk’s crumpled bill from before.