Chapter 88: Tae-yang, Why Do You Have Such a Dark Hickey on Your Neck? Who Is It?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 88: Tae-yang, Why Do You Have Such a Dark Hickey on Your Neck? Who Is It?
So Yu-min, the daughter of the Magic Tower.
She was by no means an easy opponent.
Unlike Su-jin or Melanie, she was the type of woman who wouldn't hesitate to barge into my house unannounced. Since she already had a track record of doing exactly that, I had to stop her from coming over at all costs.
What if Chun-hyang got summoned while she was at the house?
‘The place would be reduced to rubble.’
Chun-hyang was blindly in love with me, and the same went for Yu-min. One was a summoned beast and the other was bound to me by a contract; both shared an incredibly close bond with me.
Allowing the two of them to meet was out of the question. That was the primary reason I had to deal with Yu-min first. It wasn't a matter of Melanie or Su-jin being less important. It was simply textbook protocol to defuse the most volatile explosive first.
(So Yu-min)
Yu-min, Bogeumjari Mall said they’d look for a place for me, so I’ve already decided to go with them.
That reporter just wrote the article weirdly. I mean, I was considering it, but I just—
< Shouldn't we talk about this in person? I could live there too, you know... ♥?
In person?
That was absolutely not happening. If we met, we’d inevitably end up having sex to make up for lost time, and I couldn't guarantee that Chun-hyang wouldn't manifest during the act. To prevent Chun-hyang from appearing, I’d have to go a round with her first, but that made the whole process too complicated.
‘Sex with Chun-hyang, then sex with Yu-min... then coaxing her about the house... I have to do all that?’
As much as I enjoyed getting laid, I wasn't some host being controlled by my own dick. I was supposed to enjoy it too; I had no intention of swinging my cock around purely out of a sense of duty.
(So Yu-min)
That’s true, but since we’re still students, I don’t think I’d be able to focus on my studies if we lived together.
< Can't we just... pace ourselves? Do you hate me...? ㅠㅠ...♥???
Of course not. It’s just that I want to become a respectable person so I don’t feel ashamed when I stand beside others.
The most important rule of managing a fish tank is to minimize direct expressions of emotion as much as possible. In rom-coms, the moment characters confess their feelings, they’re basically dating, aren't they? That’s why even after exchanging feelings, people stall for time by saying things like, "Wait for me until I'm ready to officially ask you out..."
Usually, once the characters start dating, the story gets boring.
‘This isn't even a pure love story...’
In a harem, if you suddenly open your heart to just one person and move in with them? You’re essentially making fools out of all the other heroines. That was why Kim Min-su’s "Harem Pure Love" was a nonsense concept from the start.
Taking care of Ryu Hye-mi, Melanie, and whatever other heroines might appear while officially dating Yu-min? It was easy to predict how absurdly ridiculous the plot would become.
Perhaps by intervening, I had actually made it easier for Min-su to achieve a Harem Pure Love ending. Of course, making it easy is one thing; whether he actually gets to sit down at the table and eat is a different story.
(So Yu-min)
< ㅠㅠ... Then I guess it can't be helped... That's a shame...
Just as I thought I’d put out the fire with Yu-min’s disappointed reply, a sudden thought flashed through my mind.
‘Why am I walking on eggshells because of a summon?’
Something like this had happened before. Back when I was almost whipped by Yu-min, the situation was very similar.
‘This isn't like me.’
[Summoning Seong Chun-hyang!]
The reason I couldn't invite Yu-min over and talk to her—it was all because of Seong Chun-hyang.
"My Lord, what brings you to... suddenly... As I thought, you couldn't think of anyone else but me to attend to your needs tonight..."
"Chun-hyang."
"Yes?"
Why was I worried about the house getting trashed? If I just disciplined Chun-hyang properly from the start, there wouldn't be any problem.
"Baek Tae-yang, whipped by a woman"—what a ridiculous line that would be. An alpha male was an alpha male because he wasn't controlled by women.
"It is true that I hold you in high regard, but manifesting as you please... I can no longer tolerate it."
"My Lord, you said that once before. And after hearing those words, I..."
"Yes, you certainly said you understood back then, but how can I trust you?"
[Activating Coercion! Target: Seong Chun-hyang]
When she was a Boss Monster, she might have resisted my ability, but not anymore. It’s a cliché among clichés that an enemy becomes weaker once they become an ally. As a summoned beast, Chun-hyang could not withstand my Coercion.
Furthermore, the masochism she craved and this Coercion were on completely different levels. Back then, I had used Coercion while choking her, but she didn't enjoy the Coercion itself. In other words, she was currently in a very painful state.
"My Lord... why... so suddenly..."
"It just occurred to me. Honestly, your sudden manifestations were only amusing the first few times..."
It was starting to become a headache, thinking she’d do it every single time. After spitting out those short words, I looked down at Chun-hyang, who was pinned to the floor.
Why should I have to worry about catfights while meeting and seducing women? I didn't want to be a coward who fretted between women, wondering whose side to take.
I am Baek Tae-yang.
"Chun-hyang, I will play with you occasionally so you don't feel neglected, so I hope there will be no more unauthorized manifestations."
"...Uh... hup... ye... hek... kek... My Lo... rd... I... can't... brea... th..."
"Reverse Summon."
[Reverse summoning Seong Chun-hyang!]
To be honest, I didn't expect the effect to be perfect just because I used Coercion and said a few words. However, taking this stance alone would surely have an excellent preventative effect. Now that I’d ingrained in her that she’d be treated like this every time she came out, she wouldn't dare show herself so easily.
(So Yu-min)
Why don't you just come over?
< Is that okay? ♥♥♥♥♥♥ Then I'm coming right now♥♥?? I can, right♥♥??
Hurry up.
< Okay ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
< (Emoticon of a cute cat running fast)
I felt embarrassed for talking about "duty" and other nonsense earlier. Since when did I start being so picky? I guess living in the Gates for a while had messed with my head.
‘It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve been with Yu-min...’
I finally had some time to rest, and all I could think about was rolling around in bed alone.
‘Sex is the best rest.’
I felt my mind clear up.
++++++++++++++++++++++
"Tae-yang can be such a beast sometimes."
Yu-min began to dress up for the first time in a while. Since they hadn't had a proper chance to meet since their Wonderland date, she planned to make a lasting impression this time.
Between him hanging out with Melanie lately and that sophomore senior, Yoo Su-jin? Was that her name?
‘He’s just too popular.’
The "vixens" were swarming around him like moths to a flame just because he was handsome. Whether it was physique, face, or ability—he had it all. It was natural to want a man who had everything, but surely there was an order to these things?
‘I’m the class president, after all.’
Who was the one who’d been intimate with Baek Tae-yang since his first day as a transfer student?
‘That would be me.’
Who was the one bound to him by the Absolute Trust Contract?
‘That’s also me.’
After much thought, Yu-min concluded that she was the only "main wife." Of course, there were a few more reasons besides those.
‘He must have wanted me so badly that he even manipulated me into breaking up with Min-su.’
Looking at herself in the full-length mirror, she seriously considered what to wear. It was a shame they couldn't live together, but if they had a passionate night like today, he might change his mind.
Since the weather was getting warmer, she decided it was okay to show some skin and swung her closet doors wide open. She settled on a peach-colored see-through top over a black bra to create a "peek-a-boo" effect.
‘With short denim shorts... and a thin cardigan.’
Her red hair swayed like a flame, reflecting her resolve for the day. After confirming that her underwear was a matching set, Yu-min stepped out of her room.
‘I’m going to blow his mind today!’
(So Yu-min)
< Tae-yang, I’m coming over right now, so don't go anywhere and wait for me♥♥♥
Okay, I got it.
< Mwah!!♥♥♥
++++++++++++++++++++
How did it come to this?
It was all well and good that I’d warned Chun-hyang and told her not to manifest as she pleased. Even the plan to call Yu-min over for some messy sex and relaxation was perfect.
However, the current situation was a worst-case scenario I hadn't considered even once.
"Tae-yang, why do you have such a dark hickey on your neck? Who is it?"
I never dreamed that the kiss mark Su-jin left before I went to the Gate would still be there. My excuse was that I’d been too busy to even look in a mirror.
‘I should have at least put a pain relief patch over it...’
Even though Chun-hyang hadn't used a skill, I felt an illusion as if the air around me was freezing solid.
"Why aren't you answering? I asked who made that mark. Tell me. I’m really not mad, so it’s okay. I’m actually very generous."
Was she not aware? Yu-min’s hair was currently ablaze. From her burning eyes to her hair that flared like fire.
‘I have to handle this calmly.’
I should have just let the catfight happen. Regret washed over me.