Chapter 370

〈Chapter 370〉 Part 1, Chapter 16, Section 4

The family cried their eyes out.

They sobbed so hard it seemed like they might faint, and even after eating dinner, it took a long while before they could finally calm down.

“Gaeul-ah.”

“Yeah, Mom?”

“Don’t lie to us.”

“…So you really didn’t believe me?”

Gaeul’s carefully crafted story collapsed in one fell swoop. The hastily put-together scenario was riddled with holes from the start and wasn’t meant to deceive her parents anyway.

“Special agent of the Association? Honestly, I almost believed that part. But the secret order from the Association… That’s just too far-fetched. How much of an acting career do you even have?”

“…Guess you weren’t fooled…”

“Kid. If we counted every time you faked your death to trick us, you’d be dead three times over by now. We’re only letting this slide because you’re our daughter.”

Gaeul remained silent. In many ways, she knew she was at fault. Though most of it was Phoenix’s doing, Gaeul couldn’t deny that during the Seoul Recovery Operation, she had recklessly run outside Phoenix’s Barrier.

“So, what exactly happened to your hair? It doesn’t look dyed…”

“And your eyes… not contacts either, right?”

“Yeah. All natural. Changed when I awakened to S-Rank.”

The couple’s jaws dropped. They had suspected some big changes in their daughter’s life but never imagined she’d actually become a Special Ability user.

“What on earth happened?”

“…Promise you won’t get mad?”

Taking a deep breath, Gaeul gave a brief explanation:

The dangerous situation in Seoul where Cheongnyeon saved her.

Waiting for a safe day until the Seoul Recovery Operation happened.

And how she was killed by a member of Pine Tree Unit under Sun Icheol’s command but came back to life.

“You died and came back?”

“Yeah… You know… Blazing Phoenix Revival.”

Seizing the moment when Phoenix wasn’t listening, Gaeul started fabricating details.

“They can turn monsters into humans, so reviving someone shouldn’t be impossible, right? There was only one item left, and they used it to bring me back.”

“…So everything except the ‘special agent’ part is mostly true?”

“Damn Sun guy sure is trash. Tsk tsk.”

“…”

Gaeul didn’t bother defending Sun Icheol. After all, Sun Icheol was partly the reason she died, and Gaeul harbored resentment towards him as well.

“So, Gaeul, now that you’re a Special Ability user, what are you doing?”

“…W-well…”

Though Gaeul revealed her rank, she hesitated to disclose what kind of ability she possessed. Her notorious reputation in the community wasn’t something she wanted to share lightly.

Brat .

Phantom, who spoke rudely without honorifics to anyone, was no different from a thug. Her abilities were also not widely known.

During the Indian battle, Phantom moved in such a way as to avoid being caught on camera simultaneously. Thus, only a few people knew that Phantom’s power involved transformation.

“Alright. If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine.”

“Looks like even heroes get hate sometimes. You always get criticized by your anti-fans, don’t you?”

“…Mom and Dad know me too well.”

“Well, duh. We’ve been watching you for years.”

“We raised you nonstop since you were born in Seoul, kid.”

The couple began bombarding Gaeul with nagging comments. Normally, she would have thrown a tantrum saying she didn’t want to listen, but hearing her parents’ scolding after several months felt strangely comforting—

“So, when are you getting married?”

“Is there someone you’re seeing?”

An unwelcome topic suddenly popped up, souring Gaeul’s mood.

“…Why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?”

“There’s someone you like, isn’t there?”

“Looks more like unrequited love to me.”

“Can we stop talking about this?”

Gaeul blatantly avoided the subject, but it was futile. Approaching thirty, the topic made her increasingly nervous, and the couple started seriously worrying about her future.

“You’re an S-Rank Special Ability user, right? Talented, wealthy, good-looking, and at this age… Nowadays, thirty is considered perfect!”

“Yeah, Gaeul. Who is he…?”

Gaeul’s father drew a sharp breath. Sensing something, Gaeul immediately grew anxious. Her father had an uncanny knack for intuition, and she silently prayed his hunch was wrong.

“Could it be… Mr. Cheongnyeon?”

“……”

Gaeul’s vision went dark. Lying to her parents proved utterly useless as the couple scrutinized her face intently.

“Really?”

“It seems so…”

The couple paused briefly. Despite her S-Rank status, societal norms were still too ingrained for them to easily support such a relationship.

However…

“…Do as you wish.”

“Dad?”

“If you came back from the dead, then surely it’s possible. Isn’t he the one-of-a-kind benefactor who revived you? Even I would think it’s reasonable. Gaeul, don’t feel ashamed.”

“Surprisingly calm…”

“…”

The couple fell silent. Gaeul found their silence unsettling.

“Are you giving me time to prepare my heart?”

“…No, it’s just… too shocking.”

The couple began to worry earnestly.

“How should we handle the dowry? Are we even compatible?”

“To hold a wedding… Is it even possible in our country?”

“Honey. If Mr. Cheongnyeon wants to marry, surely laws can be changed. Don’t worry, Gaeul. Your dad may not excel at much, but when it comes to tying red headbands and causing a scene, he’s the best in the world.”

“Not necessary.”

On the contrary, Gaeul declined. In the dynamic between Phoenix and herself, she inadvertently became the subordinate. She firmly restrained her parents’ excessive actions.

“…I’ll handle it myself.”

“Hmm… Gaeul. Even if you say you’ll handle it, remember that Mr. Cheongnyeon has many admirers worldwide.”

“Yeah. So, you’ll need to work extra hard. Ordinary effort won’t cut it. Look at me—how much effort I put in to marry your mom?”

“Ugh, why bring that up now, cough…”

Gaeul’s father cleared his throat awkwardly and changed the subject.

“Anyway, Gaeul. Take care in Seoul. Let’s go; we’ll miss our train.”

“Yeah. Since we can’t visit often, come to New Seoul whenever you can. And don’t make kimchi stew again.”

“…Alright. Are you really leaving? Stay the night.”

Gaeul pointed to the room, but the couple shook their heads.

“Your dad can only sleep in his usual bed. We find staying in New Seoul more comfortable than Seoul.”

“Just seeing you alive is enough. You must be busy too, so focus on your work.”

“Nope. I’m on vacation till the end of August. I have plenty of free time lately. Tell me anything. Through Mr. Cheongnyeon, I can fulfill any requests. Don’t underestimate me—I do wield some influence here.”

“Anyway, Gaeul. Could you ask Mr. Cheongnyeon one thing?”

Gaeul lifted the Magical Gear with a “say anything” expression. The couple pointed toward the door, putting on their coats.

“On the way back, could we ride the Black Flame Dragon one more time? Never in my life have I experienced such a comfortable private car. Dad hasn’t traveled this comfortably since…”

“…”

Gaeul contacted Phoenix, who readily agreed. Not only that, Phoenix even took them on a full tour around the Korean Peninsula.

Though flight permission wasn’t granted, the couple safely returned to New Seoul away from prying eyes.

“But how will you get back without a bus? Hmm, let’s return to the plaza when we go back to New Seoul.”

“Mom. I can run home from Seoul in an hour.”

“Oh, so commuting between New Seoul and Seoul is possible for you?”

“…Well, I need to wait five minutes in Seoul.”

Gaeul deflected the crisis with a plausible excuse. Phoenix presented the couple with a Magical Gear as a farewell gift and even demonstrated normal communication via phone call right in front of them.

***

“It would’ve been nice to treat you to dinner at a hotel.”

“…Exactly. Hmph. I was practicing cooking for this.”

Gaeul worried unnecessarily whether her cooking caused her parents to leave early. Somehow, respect for her parents grew within her.

“Since you learned your daughter is alive, you should’ve stayed overnight.”

“Yes. They insisted on returning to New Seoul, saying Seoul’s infrastructure is still insufficient.”

Gaeul tapped her leg. While Seoul was suitable for living as a Special Ability user, it hadn’t fully regained its former functionality. Unless one overcame disabilities through awakening like Pungbaek, living normally in Seoul was difficult.

“Or maybe they didn’t want to burden you, their daughter.”

“What’s wrong with being a daughter? I’m fine with it.”

“That’s your opinion.”

I summoned Yun Yuhwa using the Magical Gear. Yuhwa’s face was slightly flushed, probably playing with Karna.

[What is the matter, Customer?]

“I thought we should place an Xroid at Ms. Cheon Gaeul’s parents’ house.”

[Xroid? There are plenty spare ones… Ah, so you visited New Seoul today? Did you finally introduce Ms. Cheon Gaeul…your sister?]

“Yeah. I’m right next to her, you idiot.”

Phantom earns the nickname ‘thug’ more often than ‘rascal.’ Yuhwa calls Gaeul ‘sister’ whenever she’s absent.

[Oh, sister. Which generation of Xroid should I send?]

“Obviously the latest Garura model.”

[But sister, that’s a Bio-Loid.]

“Robots are all the same. Stop nitpicking. Send one. My daughter works hard to earn money, so let her show filial piety this way.”

[…Understood. I’ll send a spare model. Can’t offer Garuda, but one specialized for housekeeping. Anything else?]

Yuhwa chuckled bitterly. I understood why he wore that expression but was more distracted by the sight reflected in the glass behind him.

“What are you two doing?”

[Ah! Caught. Dehehe~]

Yuhwa made an adorable gesture that wouldn’t fool anyone while twisting his body awkwardly. Behind him, Karna was swaying his hips in front of a woman we’d never seen before.

“Not a Bio-Loid?”

[Karna-sama met a lady while wandering around New Seoul as a male model. She’s an idol-turned-actress…something about NTL Group’s Na Baekhap…]

Contrary to her name, the idol-turned actress was deeply infatuated with Karna (male). Yuhwa tapped the air with his hand.

[Don’t worry; we’re shielded by a barrier here.]

“Truly remarkable…”

“…Ah, isn’t that the lead actress who replaced her?”

“…”

Gaeul’s expression turned complicated. Seeing the former female lead of the drama she was forced to exit due to her supposed death now attached to Karna evoked emotions unimaginable.

“She always said she liked Korean men.”

[Hwaaaang, Western blondies have amazing equipment!!]

“…I’ll call you another time.”

[Wait! Customer! I-]

Click. I ended the call abruptly.

“Looks like meeting Karna unleashed some hidden desires.”

“What are you talking about?”

“She has strong sexual desires. Living seven lifetimes intensifies them. Though combined appetites for food, sleep, and sex might not match greed for wealth, obtaining S-Rank magic power through Karna unleashed these suppressed urges uncontrollably.”

“Was she like this originally?”

“No. With heavy responsibilities, she needed an outlet for escapism—through dolls instead of the real body.”

“…Then what about this?”

Gaeul subtly approached from behind and embraced me from the back.

“Can I indulge too?”

“…”

I felt soft hills pressing against the nape of my neck. Ascending to S-Rank enhanced Gaeul’s voluptuous figure dramatically, and unlike before, a warm sensation radiated from her touch.

“…You mean anything, huh?”

“Know what I mean. This form works, transformed form works, or even if you transform, it’s fine.”

“Saying ‘anything’ is what I dislike the most.”

“Why not?”

Gaeul’s hands boldly descended, signaling clearly.

I…

…

…

…

“Gaeul.”

“What?”

“I already said I’d grant all your requests except this one.”

I pushed her hands away. Gaeul clicked her tongue and frowned.

“You’re so unfair. Yuhwa and that other guy are sleeping around with other women!”

“You’re hooking up with Gongsung and Garura too, aren’t you? Pretending to be Seo Seung-hyeong to do a threesome with Garura—did you think I didn’t know?”

“Then give me one chance!”

“Wow, turning the tables. No thanks. Go find someone else.”

“…Fine! Then another request!”

Gaeul grabbed my waist from behind and jumped onto the bed. I landed squarely in her embrace.

“Lower the protection. Let’s sleep like this.”

“You’re treating me like a pillow?”

“Why not? It’s wholesome, isn’t it? Or should I transform into a man like others and sow my wild oats everywhere? Heard it feels good to do that as a man.”

“…Sigh. I shouldn’t argue with you.”

I rested my head in the valley between Gaeul’s breasts, relaxing my body. Gaeul fondled various parts of my body, marveling at them.

“Hey, you really lowered it? Then-”

“Never. What makes you think you can touch me?”

Despite Gaeul grabbing my chest, I erected barriers akin to a swimsuit over vital areas. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t reach my sensitive spots.

“Pfft.”

“Watch me tonight. I’ll keep this up all night!”

I spent the night nestled in Gaeul’s arms.

Ultimately, Gaeul failed to achieve her goal and fell asleep exhausted.

“Today was truly wonderful.”

“Please don’t mention it.”

I quietly closed my eyes atop Gaeul’s body.

***

“Will you refrain from nocturnal emissions tonight?”

Oracle also closed her eyes.