Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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The sunset glow seeping through the window felt soft and warm, as if quietly wrapping up the day.
Like the calm before the storm, maybe?
A small café called Pine Aroma, tucked near the entrance to the Cheolyeongsan hiking trail.
I'd been staring silently out the window when the café door burst open with a noisy jingle.
"Haeseong!"
Panting heavily as he rushed inside was Detective Yoo Seongjae.
He'd come so fast that sweat beaded on his forehead.
"You're here."
"Sorry, I ran a bit late, didn't I? Took a while to find someone to watch Seonghyeon..."
"Not really. But is Seonghyeon still unable to live on his own?"
"Not exactly, but I worry..."
"Ah... I see."
Detective Yoo caught his breath and sank into the chair across from me.
He glanced cautiously around before speaking in a low voice.
"Anyway, Kim Heegyung really spotted the perpetrator in the Lee Youngjun case here?"
"Yes."
"Then shouldn't we move now?"
"It's been over two hours since she saw the witness nearby. Better to take our time searching."
"Ah..."
Even if I'd sent Detective Yoo ahead first, Sowol the Fairy couldn't be caught by anyone but me.
That's why I was taking it easy, even if we were late.
Rushing wouldn't change a thing anyway.
"Speaking of which, about what I mentioned..."
At my words, Detective Yoo unzipped the black bag slung over his shoulder and pulled out a few gadgets.
A sleek silver mini GPS transmitter, a smartwatch-style tracker for the wrist, and even a self-defense spray.
He'd prepared everything essential in such a short time.
"This is a body-worn GPS device—can go on your wrist or ankle. And this..."
Detective Yoo finished his quick rundown and looked up.
"Got it?"
"Did you test the GPS connection?"
"Checked everything before heading out. Linked the app to my phone for emergencies, and I'll set it up on yours too."
"Sure."
I handed over my phone, and he deftly connected the device, installed the app, and synced the coordinates.
I couldn't help but admire his practiced movements.
"Now it'll show your position live on my phone. Set alerts for signal loss or if you stop moving too long."
"Perfect."
I gave the gear a once-over.
Then Detective Yoo leaned in slightly.
"So, you're planning to be the bait again this time?"
Unlike with the Byulha Fairy and Yuha Fairy cases, I couldn't play bait directly.
Why?
Sowol the Fairy already knew my face from the photo via Jua Fairy.
'Plus, she came to our house and got chased off by Silver Fairy.'
If things went as expected, Sowol was hiding in the mountains, waiting for full dark to lure a man, drag him off, and have her way.
But spotting my face? She'd bolt.
"Impossible."
"Why?"
"This ghost remembers my face."
"What? What do you mean?"
"So I can't be the bait."
His face went blank for a second.
Lips twitching like he'd lost his words, his eyes flickered with confusion, disappointment, and a creeping sense of responsibility.
'What's that about?'
Detective Yoo dipped his head, tapping the table with his fingertips, then squeezed his eyes shut and opened them.
The gaze of someone who'd made up their mind.
"Then I'll do it."
"...Pardon?"
"You brought my brother's mind back. I've been wondering how to repay that."
What was he on about?
I tilted my head at the baffling words, and he continued.
"I'll take the risk and be the bait."
"Bait? You?"
"If something happens to me, just look out for Seonghyeon, okay? That's all I need."
"No, you don't have to—"
"It's fine! I'm ready to stake my life for you now!"
His voice rang firm, and the air in the café seemed to thicken.
It wasn't just kindness or duty as a cop—something far more personal and human burned in him.
'Grateful, sure, but...'
I stared at him wordlessly, scratched my head lightly.
Then spoke carefully.
"Even if you were bait, the odds of catching the ghost are slim."
"What do you mean?"
"The ghost we're after likes handsome human guys."
"...Pardon?"
"Of course, you're built solid and plenty manly handsome, but for her tastes... it's a bit..."
I trailed off, averting my eyes.
The unspoken words hung over the table as Detective Yoo's expression slowly hardened.
"So... I'm not attractive enough to be bait?"
"Not lacking, exactly. It's just that chances to catch her are rare, so we need reliable bait."
He cocked his head, trying to process, then looked downright aggrieved.
His brows knit together, mouth corners quivering faintly.
"I mean, I'm no Haeseong or Seonghyeon, sure, but..."
Mid-sentence, something flashed in his eyes.
They sharpened focus, a wrinkle creasing his forehead as he pressed on.
"Honestly, I'm better looking than Park Gwangho, aren't I!?"
"...Pardon!?"
"Yeah! We only connected because of Park Gwangho."
"Ah... you're talking about Park Gwangho."
"Right! Ghosts don't stick only to handsome humans if they go for him."
"Well..."
I sighed awkwardly, but he raised his voice like he'd nailed a crucial point.
"Every ghost has her type!"
"...Pardon?"
"Some women like big, manly guys like me, right? Same idea."
Ha...
Had I hit a nerve?
He'd stayed cool about everything but his brother, but looks set him off like this. Surprising.
I twisted a wry smile.
"Detective."
"Yes?"
"Do you remember how old Gwangho is?"
He paused, then answered.
"Park Gwangho's... twenty-six this year?"
"Yeah, two years younger than me."
"So why age?"
"Never heard 'age is kingpin'?"
"Kingpin...?"
"Not the thugs you bust—the point is, young is always better."
Detective Yoo blinked, piecing it together.
Soon his mouth drooped, eyes dulling with defeat.
"Ah... so ghosts prefer young human guys too?"
"All the victims so far were in their twenties."
"D-does Haeseong look like he'll stay twenty forever!?"
"...Pardon?"
"S-sorry, slipped out. You're right, all victims were twenties..."
Looks like Detective Yoo was sensitive about his looks and age.
Better tread lightly.
"Anyway, we need a guy in his twenties for bait."
He stroked his chin pointlessly and shook his head.
"Whew... that makes it tougher, huh?"
"Why?"
"Where do we find a twenty-something now? And even if we do, who'd believe we're ghost-hunting and volunteer as bait?"
He had a point, of course.
Who'd agree to be bait for ghost-busting? Sounded like nonsense to any normal person.
But.
I curled my lips in the easy smile of someone who'd already played their ace.
"Don't worry about that. I've already got a fresh twenty-something slave lined up."
"Slave?"
"Ah! My bad. I meant bait volunteer."
Right then.
The doorbell chimed perfectly on cue.
Detective Yoo's gaze flicked to the entrance.
I raised an eyebrow and spoke.
"Perfect timing. Here he comes."