Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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Under the dazzling lights of the host bar 'Luna,' Jeong Jiwoong checked out his new look in the mirror.
A sleek black suit, hair neatly combed back, and a sharply chiseled jawline.
The dust from construction sites was long gone, replaced by the subtle scent of cologne and styling products enveloping him.
"Yeah, this has gotta be way easier to make money than day labor."
Jeong Jiwoong stared at the unfamiliar reflection, a mix of anxiety and excitement swirling inside him.
Just a week ago, he'd been hunched over rebar and cement piles. Now here he was, about to sell smiles to customers as a host.
"Jiwoong, you ready for your first shift?"
"Yes!"
The manager's voice came from behind.
He took a deep breath and headed down the hallway to the main hall.
The bar was dark but alive with flashing red and gold lights, soft jazz drifting through the air.
The other hosts were already chatting up guests, laughing it up. Jiwoong stood there, nerves on edge.
"Excuse me, I'll take that one."
A refined voice cut through to his ears.
He looked up to see two women beckoning him over.
One exuded elegance in a vibrant red dress; the other had a haughty air in a black dress.
Wine glasses sparkled in their hands.
"Me...?"
Jiwoong hesitated as he approached, and the Yuha Fairy smiled, scanning him up and down.
"New face, huh? What's your name?"
"Jeong... Jeong Jiwoong."
"Oh, nice voice too. Come, sit here."
As Jeong Jiwoong started to sit, a hand clamped down on his shoulder from behind.
"Jiwoong, come out for a sec."
He turned to see Yoo Woongtae.
The bar's top veteran host, but right now, something ominous flickered in his eyes.
"...Yes?"
After excusing himself from the women, Jeong Jiwoong followed Yoo Woongtae out. The hallway by the restrooms was silent, unlike the bustling main hall.
Yoo Woongtae glanced around before speaking in a low voice.
"Those two women... be careful."
"Pardon...? What do you mean?"
"Three months back, a newbie got picked by them. Haven't heard from him since the next day. Still no word."
"Then what should I...?"
"Nothing you can do tonight, so sit with them. But turn down any invites to meet outside. And... if anything feels off, come straight to me."
Jiwoong tilted his head slowly at Woongtae's emphatic warning.
"Shouldn't we report it to the police?"
"We did. Didn't help. No evidence."
"...Got it."
As Jeong Jiwoong stepped back into the main hall, the Yuha Fairy was swirling her wine glass, whispering to the Byeolha Fairy. The moment she spotted him, her lips twisted into a bright smile.
"Where'd you go? Kept us waiting."
Her beckoning gesture held no threat.
She looked graceful, friendly even.
But Woongtae's warning echoed in his mind.
"Sorry. Had something urgent to talk about."
As Jiwoong sat back down, the Byeolha Fairy gripped his arm and whispered.
"But... wouldn't you rather drink somewhere quieter than here? It's so noisy..."
His heart sank with a thud.
Woongtae's warning was coming true.
"Uh... the shop rules say we can't meet guests outside."
The Yuha Fairy, who'd been watching their exchange, suddenly burst out laughing.
"Come on, rules are made by people. We'd show you a real good time if you came along. We'll prepay plenty for drinks and table charges."
Her hand slid onto his knee.
Cold fingers brushed his skin through the fabric.
"Tonight might be tough... It's my first day and all..."
As Jeong Jiwoong held firm, the Yuha Fairy's eyes changed in an instant.
The warmth vanished, replaced by a sharp darkness.
"Oh? That's a shame... By the way, what did that guy who dragged you out say?"
Jiwoong's mouth went dry as both women's gazes pinned him.
"N-Nothing much... Just basic tips for a newbie..."
"Hmm... really? He didn't warn you about the host we picked who went missing?"
As her eyes narrowed, cold sweat trickled down Jiwoong's back.
"N-No, nothing like that..."
The Yuha Fairy laughed loudly, slapping his shoulder, then leaned in to whisper.
"Truth is, we help guys we like quit places like this."
"...Pardon?"
"We deal with lonely chaebol housewives."
"W-What kind of deals?"
"We introduce them to men and get paid."
The Byeolha Fairy picked up, quietly pulling a business card from her handbag.
It was luxurious, gold-embossed.
"Come work for us, and you'll make several times what you do now. Hook just one rich lady right, and you'll have enough for life in no time."
Jiwoong's life had been dirt poor since childhood.
Day labor after turning adult? All because of poverty.
"Why... why pick me?"
"'Cause you're handsome. Great voice, good vibe—housewives would go crazy."
"B-But..."
"Secret, but that guy who took you out? He pitched himself to us first. Turned him down, though. Didn't qualify."
Jiwoong's eyes widened.
Why hadn't Woongtae mentioned that?
"R-Really? But... Woongtae hyung's the top guy here..."
"He's old. Chaebol housewives want guys in their thirties. Younger the better."
"...I see."
The Byeolha Fairy took his hand, continuing.
"Of course. Why would we lie? You planning to host here forever? With your looks and manners, you could shine on a bigger stage."
Woongtae's warning clashed with their offer, rattling Jiwoong's mind.
Then the Yuha Fairy set down her glass and spoke.
"Just try it once, call it a loss if it flops. One night, and you'll pocket at least five hundred easy."
"F-Five hundred?"
"Yep. Body's just gonna rot anyway—might as well cash in while you're young. Way better than pouring drinks here till late."
Jiwoong sank into deep thought.
If they were telling the truth?
It could light up his aimless life of odd jobs.
But Woongtae's warning wouldn't leave his head.
"Still... I need time to think tonight."
"Hmm, too bad. Can you let us know within a week, yes or no?"
"...Sure."
The Yuha Fairy slipped another card into his pocket, whispering.
"Opportunities like this don't come often. Think it over."
"Y-You're leaving?"
"Yeah. Like I said, we'll cover drinks and charges generously."
"...Thank you."
With that, the two rose gracefully, handbags in tow, and left.
Jiwoong stared blankly at their retreating figures, muttering.
"Is it really an opportunity...?"
"What exactly did Gwangho say?"
I'd dangled a little bait, and now Detectives Yoo Seongjae and Kim Jin-ho had shown up at my place.
They sat straight-backed, choosing their words carefully.
"By the way... did Gwangho get sexually assaulted...?"
Yoo Seongjae glanced at Kim Jin-ho, then nodded slowly at me.
"No evidence to speak of, strangely enough. But we think it's possible."
If Sowol the Fairy really raped Park Gwangho, she'd wipe memories or whatever—no traces left.
Get caught, and it's straight to hell for her.
Anyway.
I'd visited the hospital to execute the plan perfectly, but came up empty.
Gwangho was out of it—couldn't tell how bad it'd been.
That's why.
I'd been skeptical until Butler Lee Hyun-seok mentioned it, but seeing Gwangho myself tipped me toward believing he'd been raped by Sowol the Fairy.
'To get info from them, I need to earn some trust first...'
I stroked my chin and looked up.
"I asked Gwangho right when he snapped out of it."
"Asked what?"
"Who did this to you."
"S-So Sowol's name came up?"
"It did... but he said it wasn't a person."
"What...?"
I kept my face calm as I continued.
"I can see ghosts. Gwangho said it was a ghost, not a person."
"A g-ghost...?"
"I've seen them since I was a kid, and Gwangho knew that."
"Oh... I see...? So he really regained his sanity?"
Saying 'fairy' would've complicated things, so ghost it was. Yoo Seongjae's brow furrowed a bit.
Didn't believe me, probably.
As expected, I straightened up.
"Any other cases you suspect the same perp?"
His eyes went wide.
"H-How'd you know?"
"Just asking?"
"There is... my own little brother."
"Oh... sorry."
"It's fine. But why ask?"
I let out a short sigh and slid a prepared sketch over to Detective Yoo Seongjae.
A montage drawn from the villa's CCTV footage by Butler Lee Hyun-seok—Sowol the Fairy herself.
"Hmm... After hearing Gwangho, I got chills and scoped the hospital. Saw a ghost like this. Gone quick, though."
"This the ghost you saw, Haeseong?"
He eyed the sketch skeptically.
I curved my lips meaningfully.
"How about showing this sketch to your brother's case?"