Chapter 140

〈 Chapter 140 〉 Side Story 3: Hot Spring Trip (8)

8 PM. After packing their belongings and securing rooms, they all gathered as if by some unspoken agreement. Each of them submerged themselves in the hot water to relieve the physical and mental tolls they had endured.

* * *

<Men’s Bathhouse>

“Why are you looking over there like that?”

“Who are you talking to?”

Deokbae’s irritation prompted Ji Hwa to ask while splashing water on his head. After undressing in the locker room and scrubbing down in the bathhouse, they headed outdoors, opening the door leading to the open-air bath and immersing themselves. Deokbae pointed toward the bushes far away.

“Those perverts over there.”

“What?”

Ji Hwa wiped the foam off his eyebrows and activated his Special Ability. As his vision expanded through the eye attached to the back of his hand, his ability from above—

Squish!

—was instantly canceled by a green-colored arrow that flew out of nowhere. Ji Hwa swallowed hard at the bloodlines appearing on the back of his hand.

“This is definitely Yu I-shin!”

“That’s why… why were you trying to look over there?”

Ryu Cheonseong entered with his bulky chest muscles rippling, leaving the door wide open. Uncovered by any towel, his boldness made Ji Hwa and Deokbae quickly turn their heads.

“Oh, so this is <Sky Castle>? We didn’t meet during dinner but here we are now. Nice to meet you, <Gale Guest>.”

As Hikari swept her glossy black hair forward, Ryu Cheonseong flinched and drew his legs together. However, upon seeing the man’s dignity floating between his spread legs, he sighed in relief before submerging himself in the water.

“I’m just the mayor right now. I’ve been pardoned, so don’t worry about it.”

“If our kid goes to Seoul, please take good care of him.”

“Do you really plan to send Miss Hikari to the Blue Wind Sect?”

At Ji Hwa’s question, Hikari emitted a Killing Intent. Ryu Cheonseong and Deokbae subtly rose, their massive muscles flexing, causing Hikari to withdraw her Killing Intent. But he was justified in doing so.

“It’s rude to call her by her first name. Unless Hikari decides to naturalize in Korea, for now, please address her as ‘Himeji-san’ or ‘Himeji-sama.’ Calling her by her given name…”

Hikari forced a smile while suppressing her Killing Intent as much as possible.

“…should only happen after receiving her permission.”

‘Definitely a sis-con.’ Deokbae signaled with his eyes.

‘Severe case.’ Ryu Cheonseong nodded with closed eyes.

“You truly love your younger sister.” Ji Hwa awkwardly deflected, wrapping it up nicely. Hikari flicked water with her fingers and agreed.

“There’s quite an age gap, but she’s my only remaining family now.”

“Ah.”

“Sorry.”

Hikari shook her head. The smart gear on her wrist translated smoothly above the water.

“Don’t worry about it. By the way, this Blue Wind Sect seems pretty cool. Especially that monster controller cosplay lady, Oya, is impressive.”

“Oya?”

“The leader of your group. That monster controller cosplayer girl.”

“Did you fight…her?”

When Ji Hwa turned pale and asked, Hikari shook her head and pointed to her own ribs. Despite soaking in the hot spring, ice clung stubbornly to her waist.

“I went up against Snow Princess, but I couldn’t even land a hit. According to Snow Princess, someone stronger than her exists.”

“…Probably at least Sir Gawein level.”

“Who knows how that’ll turn out. There’s such a thing as type advantage among ability users. You won’t know until you face off.”

Hikari burst into hearty laughter and crossed her legs. At this, Ji Hwa leaned back and smirked.

“That’s true. There are some things you can see clearly without needing to fight.”

“……You’re called ‘Lighthouse,’ right? Did you do a strip show for those old Association guys or something? That’s why you got the nickname ‘Lighthouse,’ huh? Oh my, it must be great for you. Just looking at it, it seems like you’ve never used it once.”

Hikari pulled her legs in as Hikari mocked her. Her attacks didn’t stop there.

“The lighthouse beams brightly, but there aren’t any ships docked. What should we do? Hey, as a commemoration of meeting, should I introduce you to a nice young lady? Hmm?”

“……It’s fine. Who in this world would like someone like me?”

As Ji Hwa grumbled, Deokbae tilted his head. Ryu Cheonseong smiled slightly and responded.

“Lighthouses generally don’t look directly below them, right?”

“Yeah. You’re clumsy too.”

The meaningful words from the two hulking masses turned Ji Hwa pale.

“Is…is there someone who likes me?!”

“Oh. Is there someone? Wow, you’re lucky.”

Hikari sat up excitedly. Though she was the one spreading gossip everywhere she went, tales of other people’s romances always intrigued her.

Of course, Ji Hwa felt the same way. Even though he lacked awareness of his surroundings, his ability to catch underlying meanings in conversations and infer hidden truths was exceptional.

“Wh-who is it? Could they be inside the Blue Wind Sect?”

“……Go figure it out yourself.”

“Instead of looking at individual trees, you’re trying to sweep the whole forest.”

Ryu Cheonseong and Deokbae simply shut their mouths. They wanted to help Ji Hwa, watching pitifully from the side, but gave up due to his limited perspective. Hikari whistled and pointed beyond the bushes.

“Could it be over there? …Not my sister though.”

“If you say ‘over there,’ there can’t be more than five people, right?”

“That sister of yours, Chairman Yoo Sung, Cheon Gaeul, Yu I-shin, and Snow Princess. Five people.”

After pondering while stroking her chin, Hikari nodded. Watching Ji Hwa fidget nervously, she clicked her tongue. If it were any of the officers, it would be an easy choice, and even Hikari noticed someone lingering around Ji Hwa, but she didn’t feel like telling.

Hikari compared her arm muscles with Ryu Cheonseong and Deokbae.

“By the way, those guys’ bodies are incredible too. Compared to our side’s bulkies, there isn’t much difference.”

“Who? Round Table?”

“Yeah. Jeronimo and Kangaroo. When compared to those uncles, Mayor Uncle…”

Ryu Cheonseong flexed his chest muscles left and right. Despite being well past the age of forty, his muscular physique far exceeded Deokbae’s, making Ji Hwa shrink his shoulders.

“At the very least, you wouldn’t lose. If you weren’t an ability user, you could’ve easily won bodybuilding championships.”

“They tried every trick in the book to reach S-Rank. As physical enhancers, they believed training their bodies would eventually lead to S-Rank awakening. Haha! Deokbae, wasn’t it the same for you? You know, muscles…once you start growing them, you just keep going.”

“Not me. It happened naturally while doing manual labor. Don’t lump us together.”

Deokbae blatantly avoided the topic, making Ryu Cheonseong regretful. Still, Ryu Cheonseong’s gaze swept over Deokbae’s entire body. Especially when he noticed something, Ryu Cheonseong flinched.

“Baldies say this part grows big.”

“That’s talking about the nose. …Jo Deokbae, why do you carry something you don’t use?”

“I already told you! Why are you looking at such things? Do you want to see it that badly? Hey!!”

Deokbae stood up. Hikari gasped, her face turning red.

“Too intimate…”

“Hey. If you keep acting like that, the situation gets weird.”

“Bu, but it’s embarrassing, can you sit down?”

“□□□□□□□□□□□□□!!!!”

Deokbae let out an incomprehensible roar and collapsed back into the water. His overwhelming presence made Hikari unconsciously gulp.

“Hey, how far does it grow?”

“Are you talking about…that? Are you serious?”

Deokbae recoiled in disgust as Hikari casually wagged her finger and clicked her tongue.

“Just curious. What if you recklessly use it and hurt your partner?”

“Hey. I’ll handle my own kids. Mind your own business and don’t go around making babies everywhere. Aren’t you embarrassed in front of your sister?”

“People live however they want. Hey, I’ve never bought or sold anyone. It’s all about mutual love and enjoyment, isn’t it?”

“……”

Deokbae tightly closed his eyes and crossed his arms, clearly refusing to continue the conversation. Feeling awkward, Hikari splashed water. Ji Hwa changed the subject frantically.

“So, Gale Guest, what will you do now?”

“What do you mean?”

“You asked what you’ll do assuming Miss Himeji joins the Blue Wind Sect.”

“……I haven’t thought about it yet.”

Hikari corrected her expression and answered seriously.

“I move wherever the wind takes me. No special plans. Kill monsters along the way, fight strong people, enjoy good women and fine wine.”

“A mindset that wouldn’t lose to European swindlers.”

“If the world really ends in five years, shouldn’t we enjoy ourselves to the fullest until then? In that sense, I fully support my sister coming here. They said they’d let her research whatever she wants.”

Hikari seemed lost in thought for a moment.

“No. Maybe I should settle down in Seoul? It’s fun to clash with Seok Harang, and maybe I could have a good fight with that captain lady.”

“That’s your goal? You might die doing that.”

“Dying fighting someone stronger than me would be glorious. Ah, but it would be a bit disappointing to die before fighting Seongju, so if I die before then, please revive me as a monster or something.”

The Blue Wind Sect officers realized this gender-neutral-looking person was no ordinary lunatic. Watching the decreasing number of normal people around him, Deokbae sighed while gazing at the night sky and stood up.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“I’m getting up.”

Deokbae strode confidently, opened the door, and walked inside. Watching Deokbae’s retreating back, Hikari stretched her hand as far as possible.

“How’s this compared to that guy?”

“……Don’t envy it. That guy’s bald.”

Ryu Cheonseong clicked her tongue while staring at the spot Deokbae had vacated.

“If he lost his hair but gained muscles, isn’t that what they call a ‘profit’ these days?”

“That’s something you should ask someone whose hair is lush and not suffering from baldness.”

Where would someone like that be? The three men decided it was better to engage in more constructive discussions rather than dwell on what they couldn’t have.

“So, monster fluid is composed of magic power, right? Then is semen also made of magic power?”

“Since I came back to life once, there’s a possibility all my sperm died. Ji Hwa, did it feel different when you last discharged? Did the volume increase, or did the range extend?”

Ji Hwa coughed awkwardly and lowered his voice slightly.

“Actually….”

Ji Hwa’s discoveries about the secrets of monsters began to spread throughout the open-air bath.

* * *

“Cough, cough!”

“Master? Are you alright? Did you catch a cold?”

“Monsters.”

Yoon-hwan adjusted his throat while massaging his neck. He tried his best to alter his voice so the boss wouldn’t hear it. Anastasha urged him excitedly.

“Hurry up. It’s been so long since we’ve been to a hot spring together; I can’t stand the anticipation.”

“…Where to?”

“You know, right?”

Anastasha pressed her crossed arms closer and grinned mischievously. Yoon-hwan smiled happily at the small hill touching his elbow and took a step forward.

At that moment, a ball of blue fire fell in front of Yoon-hwan and Anastasha. Instinctively, they both raised their magic power to dodge the attack.

“…What nonsense is this, trash?”

“This is unforgivable. What are you doing right now?”

With fiery wings spread in the air, Phoenix lightly touched the ground. Despite it being early summer, Phoenix was fully prepared for the impending battle in her usual thick priestess robes.

“I felt a familiar magic power and came out for a walk, but I didn’t expect you two to be here.”

Phoenix had no intention of fighting the couple.

“I don’t care what you two do. Whether you run away together in love or make love outdoors—it’s none of my business.”

Phoenix pointed to the <Yellow God Hall> sign behind her.

“But since you two will obviously go into the hot spring together and do that, please leave immediately. Don’t think about creating a sperm hot spring.”

“…Cough! Cough! W-we don’t go that far!”

“Madness. Were you really planning to do it in the hot spring?”

“……”

Bright Sword, Deep Plunge.

“……What’s the problem? If you’re dissatisfied, why don’t you dig your own hot spring?”

“That’s troublesome. There is a mixed bath here though.”

“In that case, it’s settled. Move aside immediately and get out of our sight.”

“Instead, since it’s an outdoor bath, other guests might hear your loud moaning. Seok Harang is here too.”

“……”

Anastasha, Deep Plunge.

In no time, Phoenix verbally subdued the couple and looked up at the night sky, sighing.

“…I’ll tell Yun Yuhwa, so return to Busan immediately. Any traces you left today, I might personally come and erase them. Don’t get caught doing that here—go elsewhere.”

“Are you saying you’re also thinking of joining, since Harang is here?”

“S…”

Yoon-hwan’s words almost made Phoenix swear.

“…I have absolutely no intention of joining, so go back immediately.”

“Mother, what exactly do you plan to stop us with? We’re merely customers using this place. If it bothers you so much…”

Anastasha grinned triumphantly and pointed at Phoenix.

“Then you should set up a barrier in the family bath and hide us.”

“You crazy people. Is the option of not engaging in [email protected] even in your minds? Do you really want to show us while doing it?”

“…Well, there’s no need to show it to that guy—”

“No, Master. Let’s give her a proper show.”

Anastasha ignited her determination.

“To show the greatness of our love to that poor innocent bird who doesn’t understand love.”

“…Should we use my ultimate technique in the hot spring too?”

Phoenix chuckled while folding her wings.

“Why are you so fixated on doing it in the hot spring? Didn’t you get chased out before?”

“Yeah.”

“To the owner, I apologize sincerely. If he’s still alive, I intend to apologize.”

“Ho.”

The couple exchanged glances and laughed awkwardly.

“Sorry, but we don’t accept troublemakers as customers.”

Manager Ha Sun-tae had been observing their argument from the entrance. Impressed by his decisive refusal of customers to protect the water quality, Phoenix admired him while the couple fled in embarrassment.

“Manager, you’re truly amazing.”

“And you’re a wonderful customer. Please ensure I don’t have to report you to the police.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s based on years of experience. I feel like you might face a major crisis today.”

“…I don’t know what that means, but I’ll try.”

Phoenix tilted her head and walked inside. Manager Ha Sun-tae looked at the distant mountains and chuckled bitterly.

“On days like this when it looks like it will rain, there’s always an accident.”

Raindrops began to fall, wetting the ground. Manager Ha Sun-tae quickly put on a yellow raincoat and started gathering items indoors.