Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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"Ugh, thank you, Silver Fairy."
"No need to thank me. You've always helped me out, Haeseong, so this is the least I can do."
I slowly gazed at the Heavenly Peach the Silver Fairy held out to me.
The fruit seemed to shimmer faintly with light, looking even more luscious than any ordinary peach. The moment I took it in my hand, a subtle fragrance tickled my nose.
One bite, and sweet, rich juice flooded my mouth.
"Wow! The Heavenly Peach from you really is delicious, Silver Fairy."
"You eat the Heavenly Peach so appreciatively, Haeseong."
The Silver Fairy's cheeks had flushed red before I knew it.
She fiddled with a lock of her innocent hair, as if unsure where to look.
But I was too busy savoring the peach's flavor to notice her reaction.
That said...
How strong will this make me?
Even a light toss sent Choi Jeongsu flying like a scrap of paper.
It felt like it would be incredible even if it was just a tenth of the Heavenly Pill from King Yama.
And on top of that, the Silver Fairy's Heavenly Peach grants permanent power.
Meaning no more worries about the strength fading like last time.
Crunch.
As I slowly savored the Heavenly Peach, the Silver Fairy stared blankly up at the sky.
She seemed hesitant about something, then turned her gaze toward me.
"Haeseong, have you by any chance seen a fairy with blonde hair, enormous breasts, and a somewhat prickly personality?"
Her eyes flickered for a moment.
A blonde fairy with huge breasts? And a grumpy personality to boot?
It was obviously the Gold Fairy—no need to spell it out.
I quickly schooled my expression and tilted my head, pretending ignorance.
"Hmm? I haven't seen any other fairies."
"I see... She's actually my older sister. She's always had this habit of taking my things ever since we were young... I was just worried she might come here."
"Why would I let some other fairy into the bathhouse when I have you, Silver Fairy?"
"Ah... I'm sorry. I guess I was scared my sister might show up here."
"No need to apologize... And don't worry about her taking the bathhouse from you. I'll take responsibility for that much!"
"That's not it..."
"...Pardon?"
I tilted my head again, and the Silver Fairy—who had just been faintly shy—now carried a completely different air.
Her long lashes slowly lowered, then rose again, moonlight seeping into her pupils to create an eerie atmosphere.
"What I'm afraid of losing to her... isn't the bathhouse."
"...Pardon?"
The Silver Fairy closed her mouth and quietly cast her eyes downward.
For some inexplicable reason, tension hung in the air as a drop of sweat trailed from my forehead to my chin, landing on the floor with a clear sound before soaking in.
What did she just say?
I'd never seen this expression on the Silver Fairy before, and it left my mind blank for a moment.
Rather than her usual pure and innocent vibe, there was something inexplicably chilling about her.
Her lips curved up ever so slightly, but it hardly seemed like a smile—more like it hid some unknowable meaning.
A cold shiver ran up my spine, and I instinctively straightened my posture.
"Silver Fairy, are you okay...?"
"Sorry. When I concentrate on something, I go quiet. Did I startle you?"
The Silver Fairy smiled brightly, brushing her hair back.
The eerie aura from moments ago felt like it had all been an illusion, as she returned to her pure, innocent self.
Was it just my imagination?
I forced down my fluster and awkwardly lifted the corners of my mouth.
"Uh, you look beautiful even when you're concentrating, Silver Fairy!"
"..."
Her face reddened as she silently gazed at the moon for a moment, then took a step back and slowly floated into the air.
Her silk sleeves fluttered in the night breeze, her long hair swaying gently with the wind.
Wow...
The sight of the Silver Fairy rising against the moonlight was like a scene from mythology—utterly beautiful.
As she ascended, she glanced down and met my eyes.
She gave a soft smile and spoke.
"See you later, Haeseong."
Her voice rippled gently through the quiet night air.
Dazed by her beauty, I shook my head and waved.
"Yes, take care, Fairy!"
With those words, she smiled softly once more and vanished into the distant night sky.
That said...
The Gold Fairy, Donghwa Fairy, and King Yama running into each other wouldn't be an issue, but there was a chance the Silver Fairy might cross paths with someone else someday.
And if that happened, it could lead to quite a troublesome situation.
Is there any way around it...?
I looked up again.
The moonlight still shone brightly over the carefree night sky.
But a strange unease was darkening my heart.
The doorbell chimed, ♬♪♬, and I ruffled my messy hair as I opened the front door.
There stood Jiwon-i's mom, beaming widely as she thrust a large basket into my hands.
"Oh, ma'am, what's all this?"
I took the basket with both hands, flustered.
It was heavier than expected.
I set it on the dining table, and the side dish containers inside clinked softly against each other.
"It's nothing much! Thanks to you, our Jiwon-i is back to her old self. So I brought some homemade sides as a thank you!"
"Ah... I didn't really do anything..."
"Then maybe seeing you gave her the strength she needed?"
"I-is that so?"
Jiwon-i's mom naturally pulled up a chair at the table and started unpacking the containers.
"Here, this is braised short ribs! And this is stir-fried squid—nice and spicy, perfect with rice!"
"Wow... thank you so much."
I opened one lid to reveal glossy, hefty short ribs shining invitingly. Another was packed full of red-seasoned squid and vegetables.
"This is soy-braised beef. Gotta get some protein, so I added quail eggs too. And you like kimchi, right? This is napa cabbage kimchi, and that one's radish cubes I made the day before yesterday!"
"..."
"The radish kimchi's fresh from yesterday, so leave it out at room temp for a day to ferment, then eat."
I stared at the mountain of side dishes on the table, dumbfounded.
It wasn't just one or two—this was enough to last a month.
"I-I don't think I can eat all this."
"Toss anything that goes bad. I'll make more."
"Haha... this is too much..."
"It's fine. This is the least I can do for my future son-in-law."
"...Pardon? Future... what?"
"Son-in-law!"
She was stating it outright now, no holds barred.
I chuckled softly and shook my head in disbelief.
"Last time we met in Seoul, Jiwon-i didn't seem all that interested in me."
At that, Jiwon-i's mom jumped up indignantly.
"What are you talking about? She called me yesterday and went on and on—'Oppa Haeseong hasn't aged a bit and looks even more handsome now!' She wouldn't stop praising you!"
One thing was clear: Kim Sea and Park Hyunju must have been completely crushed.
Not that it mattered. If they could even think of pulling that stunt again after our wild night, they'd be insane.
"...Anyway, I'll enjoy the side dishes."
"Good. Don't you want to call me 'Mom' instead of 'ma'am' soon?"
Jiwon-i's mom seemed oblivious to the concept of rose-tinted glasses.
No matter how high divorce rates were these days, what parent would want their daughter marrying a divorcee?
Especially one without parents and who looked like an unemployed bum on the surface...
It seemed like a joke, but it didn't feel bad—in fact, it felt nice.
"If I actually meet Jiwon-i, you might just faint."
"Pfft! I don't say empty words. And when are you heading up to Seoul again?"
"...Pardon?"
"She said she couldn't even talk to you properly last time because her friend was there."
"That's true."
"So this time, have a meal with Jiwon-i. Got it?"
Eating together wasn't a tough request.
Plus, I was grateful she'd brought all these side dishes.
"When I go to Seoul next, I'll treat Jiwon-i to something really good."
"She takes after me and loves her drinks..."
"Drinks? Ah, then I'll buy her some alcohol too."
"But she's weak like me."
"...What am I supposed to do about that?"
"That's your hint. You get what I mean, right?"
Jiwon-i's mom tried to wink but just kept awkwardly blinking one eye.
Embarrassed, she playfully patted my stomach—then froze.
She jumped back in shock, raising her voice.
"Oh my... what on earth is this!?"