Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Drunken Whale
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[Drunken Whale Tavern]
'It was already surprising enough that the snake understood my promise to treat it, but now it wants to drink alcohol?'
I've heard tales of snakes soaked in liquor, but never a snake drinking liquor.
"Don't tell me you want me to treat you to booze?"
In response to my question, the black snake bobbed its head up and down without a moment's hesitation.
'...So it wasn't my imagination.'
"Snake, think about it again. That place is for whales, not snakes."
"Hiss!"
The snake hissed at me in protest.
"I'm not lying. Look, it says so on the sign. Drunken Whale."
"Sss!"
Despite my attempts to dissuade it, the snake raised its head high, poised to barge right into the tavern.
If we kept bickering like this, it really would drag me inside!
"Fine, you're a drunken snake, not a whale. But still, you can't go in there."
"Sss?"
I explained another reason why we couldn't enter the tavern to the black snake, which turned back to me as if asking what the problem was now.
"I'm a minor who hasn't even passed my coming-of-age ceremony. Taverns aren't allowed to sell booze to kids like me in the first place. So treating you to drinks is out of the question."
"Sss..."
This time, it seemed like a convincing reason, as the black snake deflated with a disappointed hiss.
'To look that let down... it must really love alcohol.'
Not that I could picture a snake drinking booze.
"Anything else? Something you like or want?"
"Sss."
As if booze was the only thing that mattered, the black snake sullenly shook its head side to side.
'Even on the brink of death, nothing but booze would do? No wonder it reeks of the alcoholics from my past life.'
What now?
If I just sent it away, would it bite me with those sharp fangs for breaking my promise?
No way!
I didn't claw my way into the Heavenly Demon Cult just to die a pathetic death from some random snake bite.
"How about this?"
After pondering, I decided to make a new proposal to the black snake.
"Right now, I'm too young to drink, but once I undergo my coming-of-age ceremony and become an adult, I can have booze. Let's drink together then. Sound good?"
The black snake, which had been listening quietly, reluctantly nodded.
'Yes! The snake accepted my offer!'
Relieved that I wouldn't get bitten, I let out a soft sigh. But then the black snake turned away from me.
'Business concluded?'
What a snake with such a clear sense of beginning and end. Almost rude.
"Sss!"
With that, the black snake, still wrapped in the handkerchief I'd given it, slithered leisurely into the underbrush and vanished.
Watching its tiny retreating form, I thought to myself.
It had been a wondrous encounter, but I'd probably never see that snake again.
After sending the black snake on its way, I headed back to the meeting spot with Daddy.
'I took advantage of Daddy's presence being away for a bit to buy some essentials for the Heavenly Demon Cult too!'
Thanks to that, my backpack was even fuller than before entering the market.
"Oh? Daddy!"
"Star, come here, sweetie."
Somehow, Daddy had returned without me noticing and was already waiting at our promised spot.
"Daddy!"
For some reason, the way he beckoned me felt so welcoming that I ran straight into his arms.
"Did you buy the flower shoes alright?"
Oh, right.
To complete Operation 'Our Star Has Changed,' I needed to show Daddy that I'd safely bought the flower shoes all by myself!
"Here! They're flower shoes made of the finest silk. Pretty, right?"
"To Daddy's eyes, our Star is ten million times prettier than any flower shoes."
Daddy's sincere gaze reached me.
'Uh-oh, this isn't good.'
Daddy didn't seem interested in the flower shoes at all?
Then I'll grab his attention!
"Daddy, you saw me bravely buy the flower shoes, right? I did great all by myself!"
I shrugged my shoulders and stuck out my foot in the new flower shoes.
'See? I won't die just from being a little away from you like you worry.'
So don't worry.
With that in mind, I put on an even braver expression to reassure Daddy.
"Nothing happen on your way back?"
"Well, I did meet a snake, but it wasn't scary! I bravely caught it and sent it home?"
"...Star."
Daddy, who had been listening quietly, called my name in a gentle voice.
"Yeah?"
"You can let loose and act spoiled around Daddy."
"......"
"You're not alone anymore."
'How does Daddy know?'
I'd been found out.
That even while pretending to be fine, I was actually trembling.
'Was I too tense when I met the snake?'
Once my body stiffened, the tension didn't ease easily.
"I'm really okay..."
"You're brave and admirable enough even if you're not okay. So, will you lean on Daddy now?"
Seeing Daddy's kind face made tears well up in my eyes.
'I can't cry...'
But somehow, it felt like it was okay to relax and cry now.
"Daddy!"
I buried myself in his arms and burst into sobs.
I rambled on incoherently about how scared I'd been of getting bitten by the black snake, but it turned out to be surprisingly kind and fond of alcohol. Daddy listened silently to my story.
"S-Sniff... I didn't just cry!"
When I stopped crying and stubbornly denied it while remembering my plan, Daddy stroked my head with his large hand and met my eyes.
"Why? To Daddy, our Star crying is just lovable."
"I don't know, no!"
"Alright, if it's not our Star, then it's not."
'Looks like Operation Show Brave Side to Free Daddy from Worry has failed.'
All my efforts, down the drain...
As I pouted sullenly, Daddy hugged me close again, as if I were precious.
"You did well. Star's first errand was flawless. I'm proud of you, my daughter."
Hearing Daddy's praise made all my hard work melt away.
'Acting like this really makes me feel like a six-year-old kid. But I shouldn't let my guard down if I want to change the original story's death...'
Still, feeling Daddy's warmth, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
That living a little like an ordinary six-year-old wouldn't be so bad.
A mystical mist rose around the black snake, hidden among the bushes.
Moments later, what emerged from the fog was not a small black snake, but a young man with striking, refined features.
With mysterious yet sharp eyes and amber golden pupils, he was Gwangyu, one of the Heavenly Demon Cult's 11 elders.
'I came to check out the rumored prodigy in the Cult on a whim, without much expectation...'
Gwangyu swept back his short black hair swaying in the breeze with a long hand, recalling Cheon-seong's face.
"Sorry for throwing a rock at you. Seems people have some misunderstanding about you. I'll apologize on your behalf."
'Humans, regardless of age, usually freak out in fear at the sight of me as a black snake. But she approached without a hint of fear... and she's just a tiny kid.'
"Fun. It's been ages since I had such a good time. If only there'd been booze too, it would've been perfect."
It was a shame, but even without alcohol, it had been satisfying enough.
'It's been a while since I had a encounter like that. Hmm, about five hundred years?'
Gwangyu was the only beastkin among the 11 elders, with the blood of the spirit beast black snake flowing in his veins.
'Jealous folks spread false rumors about black snakes among humans, turning us into feared monsters.'
Thanks to that, those who revered black snakes as spirit beasts vanished, and no one dared attack recklessly anymore.
"Come to think of it, that little bean promised to buy me booze when she comes of age."
'The more I think about it, the bolder that bean is.'
Gwangyu lay down in the shade of a tree as if it were habit.
"A promise from such a tiny bean after she grows up? I could just pretend I didn't hear it."
As he closed his eyes to nap, Cheon-seong's clear voice echoed in his mind.
"And I'll make sure to take this snake home safely, so please don't throw rocks at it like before."
"It's okay. This snake is nice. It even picked up the money pouch I dropped."
Gwangyu, reminiscing about Cheon-seong, slowly opened his eyes.
"Well, since she made me happy after so long, maybe I'll make an exception?"
Recalling his promise with Cheon-seong, the corners of Gwangyu's smooth lips curved into a pleased arc.
"Her first drinking buddy."
'Booze is something you learn from adults, after all.'
"Tch, that's weird though."
Gwangyu, lost in thought for a moment, suddenly felt puzzled and sat up.
"Secret King said the bean went off for secret training, so why's she in the market?"
'...Is she slacking off?'
"Ah, so she's slacking off? That makes sense."
It would be a big issue for a normal Heavenly Demon Cult newbie, but for Gwangyu, the Cult's notorious delinquent for whom slacking was routine, it was nothing special.
"Then, shall I get some good rest now?"
Just as Gwangyu, having resolved his doubt, tried to lie back down in the grass—
A chilling voice thundered down on his back like lightning from somewhere.
"Gwangyu."
"Uh... yeah?"
It was the appearance of the Heavenly Demon Cult's Lord and doting daddy, the Heavenly Demon.