Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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A single sedan raced down the road on a dark night.
The roads were still sparse with traffic, allowing them to push the speed without hesitation.
Detective Kim Jin-ho gripped the wheel, eyes fixed ahead, but he asked in a quiet voice, as if something weighed on him.
"Do you really think the Seonghyeon case and the Park Gwangho case are similar?"
Detective Yoo Seongjae, seated in the passenger seat, closed his eyes briefly before opening them again.
The streetlights flashing by outside illuminated his weary face.
He stayed silent for a long moment before replying in a low, resolute tone.
"It's not just similarity—the brutal wounds left on Park Gwangho's body are too much like that time."
Yoo Seongjae's voice was subdued and heavy, as if suppressing his emotions.
Kim Jin-ho instinctively tightened his grip on the wheel.
Yoo Seonghyeon—Yoo Seongjae's own brother.
The atmosphere grew even heavier at the mention of his name.
"I've seen photos of the wounds on Seonghyeon's body too. Sure, there are some similarities to Park Gwangho's like you said, but they're definitely different."
Yoo Seongjae nodded at Detective Kim Jin-ho's words.
"Right. At first, there were a few differences. Some of the wounds on Park Gwangho didn't quite match Seonghyeon's case. But those differing wounds? The ones you pinpointed between 7 and 8 a.m.—they're fresh."
"...So if you only look at the initial wounds, they're like Seonghyeon's?"
"Yeah."
"But Park Gwangho's mental state is a mess right now. Is there even a way to get answers from him at the hospital?"
"I just need to meet Park Gwangho and check something."
"They say he doesn't even communicate."
Yoo Seongjae rubbed his chin and stared out the window before speaking.
"Our Seonghyeon doesn't communicate normally either. But every now and then, he mutters to himself like he's furious about something."
"...Yeah, I've seen that too when I visited him."
"At first, his speech was so slurred I couldn't make out a thing. But after hearing it enough, one word started ringing clear as day in my ears. That's what I'm going to check with Park Gwangho."
"What's the word?"
Yoo Seongjae shifted his gaze from the window to Detective Kim Jin-ho.
He spoke in a calm tone.
"...Sowol."
*
"So, you want me to analyze the contents of this?"
"Yeah. You're the only one I can ask about something like this. I figured you might know something."
In a quiet café in Seoul, Junseok stared intently at the ziplock bag containing the soju glass and bottle.
"What the hell is this anyway?"
"If I knew, would I be asking you?"
"Where'd you even get this bottle from?!"
Explaining it would drag on forever, and with the Gold Fairy having erased Soeun-i's memories too, the perpetrator was clueless about what she'd done.
I grabbed Junseok's hand firmly on the table.
"Trust me."
"That's why I'm doing this—because I don't. You psycho! Asking me to analyze it secretly means there might be drugs in it."
"Do I look like the type to do drugs?"
"Hell if I know. You've been acting weird lately."
"Weird how?"
"Suddenly dabbling in stocks and making money, and your face—did you get plastic surgery or something? You look way more handsome now."
I released Junseok's hand and twitched my eyebrow.
"If you're suspecting drugs just because I made some cash, does that mean you're on them since birth, Mr. Chaebol?"
"That's not what I—"
"This is the first time I've ever asked you for something like this. How desperate do you think I am?"
"Sigh..."
"And if I were on drugs, would I be crazy enough to hand this to you for analysis?"
Junseok snorted and nodded.
"Fair point."
"I'll explain everything later, so just do this one favor."
"...Fine, I'll look into it. But this is new territory for me, so don't get your hopes up."
"Just checking is more than enough. Thank you."
Junseok, who'd agreed more easily than expected, now switched to a humble tone.
"Alright, now let me tell you what to do at the birthday party."
"Fuck, do I have to act a certain way too?"
"Want me to back out on the analysis?"
"...I'll at least hear you out."
We bickered as usual, but thankfully, the rest of the conversation went smoothly.
The host of this extravagant 28th birthday bash was Jang Seohee, the youngest daughter of Daesung Group.
She and Seo Yerim had always seemed friendly on the surface since childhood, but it was just the kind of business tie you'd expect between chaebol families.
Seo Yerim, true to her "Ice Queen" nickname, had skipped every gathering of chaebol heirs—until now. Her father's strict orders left her no choice but to attend.
Jang Seohee, of course, had caught wind of it and wasn't about to let it slide.
Hence the new "rule": all attendees must bring a date of the opposite sex.
"So I just stand quietly next to Seo Yerim?"
"Jang Seohee will definitely approach you and start talking."
"Then what do I do?"
"Just smile. Yerim said she'd handle the responses."
In other words, play dummy in a chaebol pissing contest.
It didn't sit right, but what could I do?
Promise made, favor owed—what choice did I have?
Dreaming of stuffing my face with fancy food, I crossed my arms heavily and leaned back in the chair.
"If they don't get along, won't she pick a fight?"
"Too many eyes around for that."
"Seo Yerim doesn't even feel reliable... She's not that great with words to speak for me."
"Jang Seohee will test the waters a few times, but back off once Yerim gets defensive. Even Daesung Group doesn't want bad blood with us."
Why were these chaebols turning a birthday party into a childish showdown?
Then again, what did I know, having lived my whole life as a commoner?
"So where's the party?"
"Banquet hall at the Ivan Hotel in Gangnam."
"Where do I meet Seo Yerim?"
"Lobby at eight. Take her number just in case."
The conversation flowed so naturally, but the absurdity of it all drew a dry laugh from me.
Junseok kept making sorry faces, muttering "hold on" before stepping out of the café.
'Isn't he just going to the bathroom?'
As I tilted my head, Junseok returned.
In his hands: a tuxedo and dress shoes, as if he'd dashed off somewhere.
"Here, take these."
"Where'd you go?"
"Grabbed 'em from the car."
"Fine, tux makes sense, but what the hell are these shoes?"
"What's wrong?"
"Never mind the height insoles—fuck, these aren't clown shoes! Why are the heels so damn high?!"
As if he'd anticipated my reaction, Junseok sat back down and bowed his head deeply.
"Sorry... Jang Seohee's 170cm. With heels, she might match or even top you."
"You psycho! You think shoving me in these clown heels won't make me a bigger laughingstock? This has to be your idea, not Seo Yerim's."
I'd hit the nail on the head—cold sweat beaded on Junseok's forehead.
His face flushed as he cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem! Yeah, but I'm just looking out for you."
"Sigh... I appreciate the thought, but like at the reunion, can't you warn me ahead?"
"I knew you'd bail."
"You blackmailed me with that hitman bullshit—how could I not show?!"
Junseok shoved the clown shoes back toward me, head still bowed.
"They look weird, but they're 10cm height boosters."
"You think I'm hitting the runway? Add insoles and trip—I'll snap an ankle, you madman!"
"Tsk..."
Junseok stared at the clown shoes again.
Even he seemed to realize this was too much, shaking his head before muttering "hold on" and heading out again.
Now I was anxious just seeing him leave.
Soon he returned with different shoes in hand.
"Hey, brought these as backup. 5cm heels. Everyone there will be in similar ones—won't stand out."
"How many pairs do you have in that car?!"
"...Sadly, this is the last."
I sighed deeply and eyed the new shoes.
After the clown ones, 5cm felt downright normal.
"Fine, hand 'em over. No insoles?"
"They'd show in these anyway. I'm against it too."
I headed to the bathroom, slipped into the tux and height-boosters, and stood before the mirror.
I felt way taller than expected.
Come to think of it, I'd arrived first, so Junseok didn't know about my growth spurt.
Heavenly Peach gave me +4cm, plus 5cm shoes—173cm to 182cm now?
"Hm..."
Should've asked for a bit more height if I'd known about the shoes.
No—sudden shoe height could explain it away, but actual growth was a different story.
I straightened my clothes and stepped out.
Junseok's eyes widened at my unexpectedly towering frame.
"You mad bastard! I said insoles would show!!"