Chapter 389

〈 Chapter 389 〉 Part 1, Chapter 16, Section 24

As everyone joyfully ate, drank, and drifted off to sleep during that evening…

The hour when they should’ve been sleeping…

Currently, near the Gangnyeong Hall of the Baek family where Phoenix was dozing off, various Special Ability users were stationed in their respective positions, forming an array. Some were in an invisible state, others were floating high up in the night sky, and still others were hiding in the shadows, surrounding the hall.

Drunk Phoenix.

According to Kim Nori’s description, it was a perfect ‘kill angle.’ Everyone gave a thumbs-up to the Spirit of Transformation who had been making Phoenix’s face flush red all day, causing her to giggle uncontrollably since morning.

There wouldn’t be another chance like today. All held their breath, waiting for the opportunity. Most were there trying to somehow take advantage of Phoenix’s state.

After all, history is often made at night.

Everyone instinctively knew this might be their last chance. The drunk Phoenix was vulnerable in many ways. Her cheerful laughter and giggles as she greeted everyone lit a fire in people’s hearts.

And the guard protecting the Gangnyeong Hall, Deokbae, was sitting cross-legged in front of the gate with his eyes closed, essentially acting as an automatic door.

“Can’t we just step over him?”

“We could kill him. Phoenix will revive him anyway.”

“That’s going too far! Isn’t there a way to sneak in? There doesn’t seem to be any special Barrier set up.”

“If we cause a commotion outside, Phoenix will wake up! We need to… cough, take a picture of her sleeping face!”

They were at a loss. It drove them mad that B-Rank Deokbae was guarding the gate. Though anyone could theoretically step over him like an automatic door, he’d likely curse them before dying or being subdued.

Then Phoenix would think it’s an attack and wake up, sobering up instantly and responding accordingly. That would ruin everything. So it was agreed: no commotion, sneak in quietly.

“Hmm? What’s the big deal! Move aside, I’m here to match bellies with Phoenix today! Brahmanstruueep?!”

The second strongest Spirit after Phoenix was quickly subdued by the swarm of determined hands. Like zombies, they overwhelmed even an SS-Rank Spirit.

“You don’t want to see Phoenix’s drunken cuteness?”

“…Sorry!!”

Apologies came fast. A drunk Phoenix babbling nonsense was undoubtedly nerve-wracking on many levels.

Some wanted to capture videos of a drunk Phoenix for keepsake.

Some aimed to have grand conversations with a tipsy Phoenix.

Some sought favors while she was impaired.

Some wanted to devour Phoenix.

Others aimed to stop those who wanted to devour her.

And some were simply there to enjoy the chaos.

It was a power struggle in front of the Gangnyeong Hall entrance guarded by Deokbae, which looked both flimsy and impenetrable. Someone needed to distract Deokbae.

“…Deokbae sir?”

Suddenly, the patrolman in a yellow raincoat became the unwitting distractor. Sun-tae shone a lantern at Deokbae, whose head gleamed under the light.

“Why.”

“Uh, aren’t you going to sleep?”

“I have to guard this place.”

“…Hmm, understood. Would you like something simple to eat?”

Sun-tae offered politely, leading Deokbae away. Deokbae shook his head, declining the offer.

“There are too many hyenas around now. Can’t leave my post. The evil vibes are strong. Who knows what’ll happen if I leave.”

“Understood. Then I’ll bring some snacks.”

With a concerned look, Sun-tae left. Everyone held their breath. Perhaps there’d be a moment of vulnerability while eating.

“Have you been waiting?”

Soon, Sun-tae returned with simple snacks. Deokbae picked one up reluctantly. It was a rather thick rice cake.

“What kind of rice cake is this at night?”

“Here, rice cakes are snacks. Miss Baek Hee-a likes them, so we always have ready-to-eat ones in the fridge.”

Somewhere, someone cleared their throat. Deokbae picked up a random rice cake and unwrapped it. It was a glutinous rice cake dusted with powdered sugar.

“Let’s eat well… Cough, cough?!?”

Deokbae choked on the rice cake.

“Deokbae sir?! I’ll immediately get you something to drink!”

Sun-tae rushed off. Clutching the wall pillar, Deokbae gagged and fell forward. Showing no signs of breathing, he grabbed his neck and eventually passed out from choking.

Deokbae died from eating rice cake. Suddenly, Sun-tae became a murderer. Everyone paid their respects to Deokbae.

“Gag, choke…”

…He wasn’t dead.

And in that brief moment,

A green wind swept past Deokbae and entered the Gangnyeong Hall. Everyone regretted missing the opportunity but had no idea what that fleeting green wind represented.

Whoosh.

Then a blue Barrier unfolded.

* * *

“Welcome, Kim Penril.”

The green cat-eared maid, Kim Penril, appeared late at night carrying an ice box. The red-ribboned package bore the distinctive pattern of Huan’s Cafe. I flicked a Core toward her. It was an S-Rank Core born from Black Sand.

“What’s this nyaa?”

“Tip.”

“Who gives an S-Rank Core as a tip for delivering hangover ice cream?”

“This body.”

I sat on the bed, propping my chin with a finger. Penril rolled her eyes but placed the ice box on the table anyway.

“I’m done with delivery nyaa. Undo the Barrier quickly nyaa.”

“I have a present for you too. Go ahead, unwrap it.”

Pointing at the ribbon, I watched as Penril sighed and opened it. As the perfectly sealed box revealed its contents, Penril sniffed and widened her eyes dramatically.

“……This smell?!”

Penril’s large eyes nearly popped out. Inside was a cake blending strawberry and mint scents. I immediately scooped up a large piece with a spoon and devoured it.

“Hmph, nothing beats cake for hangovers.”

“Crazy nyaa?”

“Hmph. Thanks to you, I can enjoy Huan’s ice cream cake even here in White Phoenix Isle. Heh.”

“…I’ve been meaning to ask…”

Penril pointed at me suspiciously.

“Why are you talking like that nyaa?”

“Who talks like that? Hmm, Kim Penril?”

“Though grateful for calling me Kim Penril, it feels weird like you’re mocking me nyaa.”

“Isn’t it strange for someone who establishes identity through ‘nya’ suffixes to criticize my slightly changed speech pattern?”

“Normally you’d die trying to use honorifics, but suddenly you’re acting casual…something’s off nyaa. You’re not Blazing Phoenix nyaa.”

Of course. I patted the bed beside me.

“Sit down. I happen to need someone to talk to, hehe.”

“I don’t socialize with drunks nyaa.”

“Drunken? I haven’t had much.”

“Your face is bright red while grinning like that, yet you claim you’re not drunk? That’s weird nyaa. You’re too drunk to realize it nyaa.”

Is that so? Not sure. Blazing Phoenix’s body always runs hot, and I couldn’t tell if this warmth was physical or magical.

“Hmm… Right now, I feel like I could strangle you.”

Penril made a threatening gesture, sharpening her claws. I blew a loud raspberry and patted the space beside me again.

“Come on! Kim Penril, let’s lie down together like old times.”

“Definitely crazy nyaa.”

“I’ll groom you too.”

“…Seems like you won’t undo the Barrier unless I comply. Fine, I’ll see how bad it gets nyaa.”

With an exasperated expression, Penril sat beside me. I immediately pulled her waist and slid my hand under her skirt. Her long cat tail still sprouted from her hip. I gently tickled it outward.

“…Huhn?”

“I know your weak spots perfectly.”

I played with Penril’s tail while burying my face in her collarbone. Completely caught off guard, Penril could only flail helplessly as I pushed her onto the blanket.

“You, you-you…?”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m your enemy nyaa?”

“Can’t enemies do this?”

I used my teeth to unbutton Penril’s uniform shirt one by one, holding the fabric with my lips and slowly peeling it off. Penril’s porcelain-like torso gradually revealed itself.

“Wait. Let me prepare mentally…. No, what am I saying. Snap out of it nyaa!”

“I’m completely sober right now.”

“Anyone can see you’re drunk out of your mind nyaa!”

“Drunk? Heh heh, what are you talking about.”

I grabbed Penril’s face with both hands. Her eyes darted around nervously as I leaned closer.

“Just wait-”

Smack.

I sucked hard on Penril’s fluffy cheek. Her eyes widened again, and her side-sprouting tail stood straight up. She still smelled strongly of mint.

“Heh heh, all because of you I’ve eaten so much mint…haa.”

“Wh-what are you saying nyaa…. No, stop it nyaa. Don’t try anything with Blazing Phoenix’s body nyaa!”

“While I may be using her body, it’s mine right now. Heh heh, don’t I kiss well? This is one area where I excel.”

“Wrong nyaa. We’re not having any coherent conversation nyaa.”

We’re communicating just fine, so why is Penril reacting like this? I stared at her curiously.

“Hey, Kim Penril nyaa.”

“What is it nyaa.”

“If I said I’d save you instead of reviving Jeolpung, would you join my side? Forsake Seongju and live as Kim Penril.”

“…”

Penril said nothing. She seemed to be assessing whether my words were serious or drunken ramblings. Despite being completely sober myself, Penril clearly didn’t believe me.

“Your goal wasn’t to awaken me as a Spirit nyaa?”

“That’s true. But I’m getting impatient.”

“You didn’t make me your enemy to awaken Jeolpung nyaa…?”

“Jeolpung.”

Awakening him would undoubtedly create an incredibly powerful ally, but is that appropriate now? I extended my tongue sharply, drawing a long vertical line across Penril’s left eye.

Flick, flick.

Penril lost focus due to my tongue play. I firmly grabbed her cheek again, and Penril sighed in resignation.

“Fine, fine. Do as you wish nyaa. I’ll show you this later nyaa.”

“Kim Penril’s cheeks are still as chewy as rice cakes, despite the mint flavor.”

“That doesn’t mean you can do the same to the other side too, hyaah… This is real.”

Penril pushed my forehead with her hand, glaring disapprovingly. Ah, she just looked exactly like Jeolpung a moment ago.

“Shouldn’t you stop? I need to get back to work. I’m currently on duty.”

“Ahh, Jeolpung. Hello? Nice to meet you, or should I say it’s been a while? Either way, this is our first meeting in this world, right? Heh heh.”

“…Not listening at all.”

Penril, or rather Jeolpung, grabbed my head and spun my body half a turn, leaving me beneath him.

“For the last time, I’m busy. The delivery’s done, so eat your ice cream and let me go. I need to make more deliveries. No time to listen to drunken nonsense.”

“Jeolpung, heh heh, foolish Spirit who cannot maintain full autonomy due to being possessed by Kim Penril’s self. Why won’t you acknowledge that Kim Penril is merely another facet of your own identity?”

“…”

“You know very well.”

I grabbed his cheek.

“The brainwashed personality created by Seongju is ultimately the most ideal version of yourself that Spirits desire.”

Am I drunk?

“You…you stupid kitty brat…how dare you let Kim Penril take control while fully conscious…”

Holding Jeolpung’s face, my eyelids grew heavy and closed.