Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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"That's exactly why it seems even more suspicious!"
Junseok left those words behind and shot off like lightning.
Before I could even continue speaking, he dashed to the front door, grabbed the handle like he was snatching it, and flung it open.
A cold gust of wind rushed into the house, and I instinctively jumped to my feet as well.
"Y-you crazy bastard!"
I shouted too late, but Junseok was already bolting out the front door.
His retreating figure was a mix of playfulness, curiosity, and steely determination to uncover the truth.
'Sigh, this is why you hear stories online about guys dying young because they can't resist their curiosity.'
I shook my head side to side and eventually slipped on my slippers, slowly heading toward the front door myself.
Normally, I would've chased after him right away to stop whatever nonsense he was up to.
But not this time. There was no need.
To get to the rooftop, he'd have to pass through that iron security door anyway.
'Good thing I installed it.'
This was the moment my deliberate "blockade" of the rooftop paid off.
Just as expected, Junseok stopped in front of the iron security door, gripping the handle with both hands and pushing forward, then pulling back.
"Ah, seriously... what's wrong with this thing?!"
"What do you mean? The door's locked."
"Open the door."
"No."
"Why?!"
I glanced toward the rooftop, putting on a serious expression as I faced Junseok, whose eyes were still brimming with curiosity.
"I didn't want to say this much, but our house rooftop is full of ghosts."
"R-really...?"
"Yeah. I can't open it because it could put you in danger."
Junseok tilted his head, his face full of disbelief.
"But... I can hear water sounds in my ears right now too?"
"That can happen. Sometimes even normal people get a glimpse of spiritual energy."
"So... the sound of water flowing by my ear... is a hallucination?"
"Let's talk inside first. Ghosts might be listening."
"Hah... why do you have so many secrets?"
I furrowed my brows slightly and took a step forward.
Then, I gently pried Junseok's hand off the door handle.
"It's all for your sake."
"Agh, fine. I'll go in."
Junseok let out a short sigh and opened the front door.
Then he turned to me, standing there dumbfounded, with a face full of question marks.
"Why aren't you coming in?"
"I'm just gonna go up and check real quick."
"Check what?"
"It's easier to relax if I confirm beforehand whether the sound is from a ghost or not."
"Then can't you take me with you?"
I immediately shook my head at Junseok, who took a step toward me.
"If it's a real ghost—or worse, a malevolent spirit—I won't be able to protect you too."
"...Then what happens?"
"Didn't you see what happened with Yerim last time?"
"Ah... but what if you get possessed?"
"Dude, I exorcised the ghost at your house last time, remember? I chased it out myself."
"Yeah, that's true, but... you never know."
"You're worried about me right now?"
"Y-you idiot! Would I cheer you on if you got possessed?"
Junseok rubbed the back of his neck with his palm and strode into the house.
Even as he did, he glanced back and asked,
"You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah."
"Scream if you're scared."
"So you can come up?"
"...I'll call the cops for you."
"Forget it. Just go inside."
I didn't move until Junseok was fully inside the house.
Only after the front door clicked shut did I slowly turn and head toward the rooftop stairs.
'Who could it be today?'
The Jade Emperor wasn't due to visit for a while yet.
I pushed my curiosity aside and carefully opened the rooftop door.
Screeeeech.
I closed the door from the inside, pressing my palm against it to make sure it latched properly, then climbed the stairs.
As I reached the top, my view opened up wide.
The moonlight was half obscured by clouds, and the rural night air felt chillingly cool.
"Haeseong-nim!"
At that moment, a clear, lively voice rang out.
I shifted my gaze, and in an instant, the hem of a glowing blue outfit fluttered under the moonlight as it flew toward me.
It was a familiar face.
But somehow, an unfamiliar body and figure.
Today's guest was none other than the Donghwa Fairy.
"Do-Donghwa?"
"Haeseong-nim!!"
The Donghwa Fairy came running with her arms wide open and leaped straight into my embrace without hesitation.
The moment she hugged me with a thud, I felt a weight that was far from light.
"Urgh, hold on... you are Donghwa, right!?"
I was startled by the sudden embrace and wrapped my arms around her back, but what shocked me more was that this wasn't the Donghwa Fairy's usual petite frame.
"What... is this... how did this happen?"
"Surprised?"
The Donghwa Fairy's facial features were much sharper now, her cheeks softly rounded, her large innocent eyes giving a deeper, more mature impression.
Above all, the femininity hidden in her small body was now fully on display.
In a word, it felt like she'd taken a Heavenly Peach pill that made her age up.
"This isn't... some side effect, is it?"
I gently pushed her shoulders back to create some distance, and the Donghwa Fairy just beamed innocently.
"I've fully grown up for real now!"
"Grown up...?"
"Yes! Now I can maintain this form without the Heavenly Peach pill!"
Proudly declaring this, the Donghwa Fairy immediately stepped back.
She placed her hands on her hips, stuck her butt out a bit, and struck a pose that accentuated her side profile.
"Now my body's as great as Gold Sister's and Silver Sister's, right?"
The Donghwa Fairy grinned with her eyes crinkled into crescents.
A pink flush on her cheeks brimmed with vitality, and she seemed to be enjoying the change herself.
"Y-yeah, it is."
"Now I look like a grown-up too, don't I?"
It was a question from the Donghwa Fairy, who was over a hundred years old.
On one hand, I felt relieved.
Out of all the rooftop visitors, she was the easiest and most comfortable to deal with.
I let out a sigh of relief and chuckled.
"You've really grown up. Already done with your bath?"
"I didn't come to bathe today. I came to show off to you, Haeseong-nim."
"Then why'd you turn on the water?"
"So you'd hear it and come up."
"Ah, I see."
"And..."
The Donghwa Fairy clutched the hem of her Celestial Robe carefully and approached hesitantly.
Her demeanor was pitiful and cautious.
I stepped back a little again and tilted my head.
"Why the sudden act again?"
"N-no, it's not that... Can I play at your house again today?"
After finishing her words, the Donghwa Fairy took another small step closer and looked up at me carefully.
In her eyes, hesitation mingled with a faint glimmer of expectation.
'Ah... I feel kinda bad, but...'
Right now, Junseok—who was utterly useless to my life—was inside the house.
I glanced at the Donghwa Fairy's mature figure, swallowing hard, but today wasn't the day.
I curved my lips slightly and looked at her with apologetic eyes.
"Can't today. I have a friend over."
"A f-friend?"
"An old friend came over to hang out. I can't kick out someone who traveled far just for you."
"I traveled far too..."
"Next time you come, I'll make something delicious."
I trailed off with a soft smile, and the Donghwa Fairy blinked, peeking her head over the rooftop railing.
She scanned the house below, then turned her gaze back to me.
"Your guest... isn't a woman, right?"
Before I could answer, her voice trembled slightly, and her eyes seemed to well up with tears.
Moreover, after speaking, she bit her lip carefully, waiting for my response.
Her actions were cute, but they gave me a slight chill too.
It reminded me how Soeun-i's fondness for me might have gradually turned into obsession just like this.
"No, it's a guy."
I waved my hand dismissively in the air as I answered, and relief spread across the Donghwa Fairy's face.
Her brows relaxed naturally, and a faint smile formed on her lips.
"Got it. I'll come next time. You have to make me something delicious!"
"Yeah, sure."
The Donghwa Fairy nodded lightly, turned around, and looked up at the sky.
Even as her hair fluttered in the wind and she ascended, she gave me one last glance.
'Phew, she's finally gone?'
It felt like tonight would pass without incident.
As I sighed in relief, Junseok's scream pierced my ears.
"Aaaargh!"
My heart sank with a thud.
Along with Junseok's scream came a loud crash from inside the house, like something falling.
In that brief moment, my senses sharpened intensely.
'W-what the hell!?'
I spun around from the rooftop railing without hesitation.
My feet swiftly headed for the stairs, my mind in chaos.
There was no reason for Junseok to scream in this situation...
What could it be?
Screeeeech. Rattle!
The moment I came down the rooftop stairs, I flung open the front door without time to tense up.
And there...
"...Why the hell are you back?"