Chapter 200
Chapter 200
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 200
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
-----------------------------------------------------------------
html, body { margin:0; padding:0; }
Yujeong lay motionless on the platform, quiet as someone lost in deep slumber.
Faint rooftop lighting filtered down onto her pale face, softly illuminating her eyelids, while her cheeks were even whiter than usual.
"...What did you do to her?"
The one who had descended to the rooftop was none other than King Yama.
The moment he arrived on earth, he stared down at Yujeong without a word, then pressed his fingertip to her forehead.
Her eyes slowly unfocused, and she collapsed just like that.
"She's merely asleep."
"Asleep?"
"We can't show our true forms to humans, can we?"
"Did you erase her memory?"
"I did."
"How much?"
King Yama crossed his arms heavily at my question, narrowing his eyes.
"Was there any memory I shouldn't have erased?"
"N-No, that's not it. I just need to know how much you wiped so I can act accordingly."
"Why?"
"Because I have to match my behavior to whatever she remembers when she wakes up."
King Yama continued with a sly glint in his eyes.
"Are you worried I might have erased even the part where you two shared a bed?"
"...Pardon?"
"Or do you wish for me to erase that as well?"
...Huh?
It wasn't what I'd intended at first, but now it gave me pause.
Especially lately, I'd been tangled up with so many women.
Too many, and it might become unmanageable.
But.
After experiencing Yujeong's cute and gentle charm, I found myself hesitating.
Not to mention, I'd even taken her virginity.
I sorted through my thoughts and shook my head side to side.
"No, that's not necessary."
At my words, King Yama glanced at Yujeong once more before turning his gaze back to me.
"By the way, what were you doing with this human?"
His question wasn't mere curiosity.
More like a reprimand, perhaps?
I tilted my head slightly, meeting his eyes without flinching, and countered.
"I'm human too, you know?"
For a split second, King Yama's gaze wavered faintly.
"Ah... you're human as well, aren't you?"
"...Yes?"
"I must have momentarily forgotten."
This guy...
What does he take me for?
Some slave from the heavenly realm tributing the Gold Fairy's sweat-absorbing garment?
King Yama bit his lip, awkwardly averting his gaze before deftly changing the subject.
"I hear you threw Sowol into hell."
"Like the other fairies I sent to hell, Sowol gave in to lust with a human. We already have eyewitnesses, testimony, and physical evidence secured."
King Yama nodded slowly.
"Sowol has already confessed her sins to me directly."
Sowol, who had thrashed desperately to survive, confessed on her own?
What kind of place was hell that even fairies would voluntarily admit their crimes?
"That's a relief. So, did you come down to earth today for that?"
"You're handling the affairs of the merfolk shrine better than I expected."
Flattery wasn't called that for nothing.
A subtle smile tugged at my lips, and they twitched faintly.
My eyes sparkled, and my whole body tensed with excitement.
'What heavenly pill will I get today?'
Just as I began entertaining all sorts of fantasies, King Yama spoke first.
"Last time, you didn't get to properly tour the heavenly realm, did you?"
"You told me not to wander around, King Yama."
I tilted my head, and he wore a refreshed expression for a moment, flashing a faint smile.
"That was... because of the Jade Emperor. But things are different now."
"...Pardon?"
"Even the Jade Emperor has received your help, hasn't he?"
"Well... true..."
"I've already given him advance notice. So you can tour the heavenly realm."
I had briefly visited the heavenly realm once before, but I hadn't truly seen it.
Back then, I could barely lift my feet, constantly watching King Yama's mood and unable to even turn my head freely.
'...This is practically a special exception...?'
The corners of my mouth slowly curved upward.
They twisted oddly, and in my mind, images of fairies arose hazily against a backdrop of ethereal heavenly mists.
'Does that mean I can see the fairies too?'
Flowing robes danced like in a dream, accompanied by clear laughter, dazzling skin, and fatally captivating eyes.
'Of course, it's not like I haven't seen fairies before...'
Yet the thought of encountering countless fairies in the heavenly realm made my heart race already.
My lips curved even more deeply.
"...You don't want anything more than that, right?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Last time, because of the side effects, I went up to the heavenly realm and ended up serving the Jade Emperor down here on earth for no reason."
"That was merely because I hadn't anticipated you'd cross paths with the Jade Emperor."
"True, but..."
"If you're that worried, do you want the heavenly pill?"
I quickly schooled my expression.
I could get the heavenly pill anytime with the Gold Fairy's sweat-absorbing garment, couldn't I?
Not to mention, there was no way I'd pass up this golden opportunity to tour the heavenly realm.
"But... what if the Jade Emperor says no?"
"W-Well, that can't be helped."
"...You're the king of the underworld, aren't you, King Yama? Even if the Jade Emperor refuses, please push a little for me."
I subtly prodded, but contrary to my expectations, King Yama scratched his head.
"I'm... the king of the underworld, not the king of the heavenly realm."
"Still, you're far greater than the Jade Emperor."
Pitying his deflated look, I offered a bit of lip service, and King Yama burst into hearty laughter.
"Kuhahat! That's right! You're more to my liking the more I see you. I'll put as much pressure on the Jade Emperor as I can!"
Why did King Yama feel so unreliable?
It seemed I'd have to step up myself if the Jade Emperor came down to earth.
"Anyway... hold on a moment."
I approached the shelf.
Then I pulled out the Gold Fairy's sweat-absorbing garment I'd secretly hidden.
With a light shake of its folds, I offered it to King Yama with utmost courtesy.
"King Yama, here is the Gold Fairy's sweat-absorbing garment."
King Yama turned his head to look at it.
His hand reached out halfway, then stopped dead.
"...No need for that now."
"Pardon...?"
A strange wistfulness passed through King Yama's eyes.
It wasn't simple refusal.
It held affection mixed with resignation, and even a hint of regret.
'What's up with this guy?'
Just a few days ago, he'd been in ecstasy sniffing the Gold Fairy's sweat-absorbing garment...
Caught off guard by his unexpected reaction, I leaned in cautiously.
"King Yama, is something troubling you?"
At my question, King Yama, who had been staring off into the distant night sky, let out a short sigh and continued.
"The Gold Fairy... she's been too docile lately."
"T-Too docile?"
"Yes. She used to have a fierce temper, recklessly so. She never admitted her own wrongs. But now... that fiery spirit is completely gone."
"Isn't being docile... a good thing?"
King Yama's gaze gradually darkened.
He spoke slowly, as if reminiscing about the past.
"There were few fairies in the heavenly realm as vibrant as her. She never hid her emotions, and even when shedding tears, she never backed down."
"...And now?"
King Yama slowly shook his head.
"Now... no matter how much I point things out, she just nods. I don't know where that hot-blooded personality went."
Does he prefer a woman who bickers with him, like in human terms?
Come to think of it, the Gold Fairy's personality had changed quite a bit.
At first, even I could barely handle her.
That aside.
This was a big problem.
If King Yama lost interest in the Gold Fairy, it meant no more heavenly pills from the sweat-absorbing garment.
In other words, a fire had broken out on my foot.
"So lately... is there another fairy you've got your eye on?"
I hesitated slightly at the end.
Even for me, prying into King Yama's feelings was a delicate matter.
But unexpectedly, he chuckled at my words, then gazed up at the windy night sky with that wistful look again.
"...Hyehwa."
"...Pardon?"
"Hyehwa Fairy has the same fiery temper as the Gold Fairy used to."
A fairy's name I'd never heard before.
Even so, I couldn't give up.
King Yama's heavenly pills were still very useful to me.
Smoothly.
My gaze sharpened slightly.
My mind swirled with strategies, calculations, and the primal instinct to resolve this at all costs.
"Then, King Yama."
"What?"
King Yama tilted his head, catching my look.
Without missing the timing, I flashed a meaningful smile and spoke.
"If I go to the heavenly realm this time... could you introduce me to Hyehwa Fairy personally?"