Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Paragliding Outing
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There was nothing I could do about my sister going through some full-blown romantic drama.
No, honestly, I'd step in for most things, but that was a bit...
My sister wasn't some clueless girl; I trusted she'd handle it fine on her own.
If things got really serious, she'd call for me then.
That level of scheming? Just ignore it and you're done.
The real issue would be if it turned physical... but surely a romantic drama wouldn't resort to violence.
Though, who knows.
I wondered how that mess would play out.
The pitiful, idiotic guy hitting on my sister didn't warrant a second thought, but the girl who liked that idiot was the problem.
Jealousy was one of the emotions that most easily clouded people's judgment.
Sister, you're in for some trouble.
I'd only step in as a last resort. As long as no physical violence was involved, I wouldn't get mixed up in it.
My sister wasn't the type to care about people talking behind her back anyway.
With nerves thick as steel cables, she'd brush off any scheming or gossip as long as it didn't directly harm her.
Even at the bottom, there were deeper lows, and I had no idea how that toxic mix of pettiness and jealousy might manifest.
The one scenario where my sister might snap? Only if they messed with someone close to her. She didn't take after me in most ways, but that one trait matched perfectly.
She had some close friends in her group, and if they touched one of them... well, they'd need all the luck in the world. I just hoped it wouldn't come to me stepping in.
To think I'd live to see my sister tangled in romantic drama.
What kind of blind idiot falls for a girl like her?
* * *
After a hectic week, the day finally arrived.
Time for the activity.
Yoo Han-gyeol's paragliding exploration vlog.
And so, we were now riding in a car headed to Danyang, Chungbuk.
As expected, Yoo Han-gyeol was behind the wheel. I just took the passenger seat.
I didn't strictly need to be in this car, but that's what made it fun.
Blasting music and chatting noisily in the car was secretly a blast.
When traveling with near-strangers, I'd pop in earphones and listen to music quietly, but with close friends, I could spout nonsense without a care.
That's when even I turned into a chatterbox.
"Lately, my sister's giving me headaches."
"Your sister? Why?"
"No clue. She's caught up in some weird romantic drama."
"Romantic drama...?"
"You know those stories on communities? Guy likes her, but she doesn't like him back, so she friend-zones him, and there's a girl who likes that guy."
"Oh... Yeah, I know the type. Your sister's in that spot?"
"Yep. I was trying to ignore it, but something feels off."
"But that's not something you can fix, right?"
"That's why it's a headache."
"Maybe just pretend she doesn't exist?"
"I figured she'd do that, but romantic dramas always create the most messed-up situations."
"Is this guy a siscon?"
"What siscon out of nowhere?"
"You look just like a worried brother."
"It's not worry about her; it's worry for whoever messes with her. She's part of my circle, so she's under protection."
"Protection...?"
"Yeah. Oh, I haven't given you guys these yet? Here."
With that, I handed brooches to the group.
"What's this brooch?"
"It'll protect you in emergencies. That's what worries me. Anyone who tries to harm the wearer gets hit by what's hidden inside—stops their heart cold."
"...Heart attack? What the hell is this? Where'd you get it?"
"I'm the head of the Eradication Agency. We work with a vampire there; it's her ability."
"Fucking terrifying... So that's what you're worried about? Innocent people keeling over?"
"Exactly."
"Then... just leave it be, right? They'll sort it out among themselves."
"Probably."
"And if they have any brains, they won't touch your sister. Unless they're insane."
"...True."
"So quit stressing. Worst case, they just talk shit behind her back."
Han-gyeol's words from the passenger seat matched my own thoughts.
Maybe I was overreacting... but that was probably a normal person's response.
Still, the bad feeling wouldn't go away.
"Anyway, what about you? You doing paragliding?"
"Uh... I'll just ride quietly."
"Why?"
"Think about it. If I spread my wings and fly around, it'd just get in the way of the paragliders. Could be dangerous..."
"Good point."
"Right? So I'll just ride normally. Might be fun in a new way?"
"Sure."
Pushing aside the unease, we chatted and listened to music until we reached Danyang, Chungbuk.
Took about two hours?
* * *
Arriving in Danyang wasn't the end.
It still took time to reach the paragliding site.
About an hour more?
We soon pulled up to the paragliding spot.
"Ugh, that was a long drive...!"
"Good job driving."
"Hey, next time you all get your licenses, okay? Holding the wheel for over three hours felt like death."
"I don't really need one."
I mentioned not needing a license thanks to my wings, and Yoo Han-gyeol's face darkened.
"...You're dead, seriously."
"Got it, got it. Don't glare like that, jerk. I'll get one if I have to. Wait, why pick on me? Hey, Han Tae-hoon, Jo Min-hyuk, Heo Ji-hoon. You guys not getting them?"
"I plan to."
"Oh, sure, you'll get around to it."
"I already have mine."
"Okay, then you drive back, Jo Min-hyuk."
"Hey, it's still my car."
"Don't care. You drive. I'm beat."
"Fine, fine."
We bickered lightly, took in the majestic mountain views, headed to the reserved shop, rented gear.
Strapped on safety equipment, reviewed rules... and suited up in paragliding outfits.
Pointless for me, but necessary for my friends.
Worst case, if they got in trouble, I'd save them.
Anyway, waiting at the launch site, the instructor arrived.
"Wow, seeing TV stars in person here."
"Ahaha... Hello."
"But what brings a dragon lady like you here? You can already fly..."
"Just tagging along with friends. And it's different from flying on my own, right?"
"Haha! True, true. Anyway, body cams booked?"
"Yes."
"Good. You heard the rundown earlier?"
"Yup."
"Then, dragon lady first. Let's go!"
Sticking close to the instructor, I ran toward the gently sloped cliff at the launch site. Full speed would be disastrous, so I matched his pace.
Then, leaped off the cliff.
Flying via paragliding felt fresh, different from using my wings.
Like... yeah, sitting in the sky?
"Wow..."
The wind whipping past my ears felt better than expected. That's the appeal of paragliding.
After landing, the group buzzed with excitement, sharing their thoughts.
"That was insane. Wanna do it again sometime."
"Felt like sitting in the sky, right?"
"Totally."
"So fun. Worth every penny."
"What now? Head back, or chill at a cafe?"
"We're here; let's grab snacks with a view. Looked nice."
"Okay... Shuttle up top, then."
"Sure."
We took the shuttle back up, ordered coffee and desserts at the cafe, and gushed about paragliding.
Then...
My eyes caught the instructor and one participant with wildly unstable movements.
Caught in turbulence?
Without a word to my friends, I bolted from my seat.
"Huh? What's up?"
Leave them like that, and they'd crash. No time to waste.
Ignoring Min-hyuk's question, I dashed out of the cafe.
I felt eyes on me.
But no time to care.
I spread my wings and flew straight for the instructor and participant in the turbulence.
The scenery blurred by wildly; the precarious pair tumbled helplessly.
They'd lost control completely—an edge-of-your-seat moment, no trees below to snag them. Hitting ground like that meant instant death for both.
No hesitation—I flapped toward them. Closing in, I slowed my speed, caught the pair mid-fall.
"You okay?"
"H-Huh...?"
"Th-Thought I was done for..."
Instructor and participant both looked shell-shocked.
Of course they did.
They'd stared death in the face and pulled back at the last second.
I guided them to the launch site and landed.
Better to get their feet on solid ground first.