Living Dangerously with a 999-Year-Old Gumiho – Chapter 76

Hyun quietly approached the center of the living room.

The sofa was behind him, and Yoonhwa was lying on it.

Hyun sat at her feet and carefully pulled the blanket over her so she could be comfortable.

His touch was gentle and thoughtful.

After covering her with the blanket, Hyun faced the TV and began to pull out the laundry he had brought from the basket, piece by piece.

His movements were skillful, folding each item of clothing with care as he did the laundry.

Occasionally, he glanced at the TV screen, showing interest in the program Yoonhwa was watching.

“Nature is truly amazing, Yoonhwa. Watching this kind of program seems to calm my heart…”

Hyun said softly.

His voice was still gentle and warm.

Wishing for Yoonhwa to feel more at ease, he quietly folded the laundry beside her.

Yoonhwa lay on the sofa, facing the TV, but her focus began to waver as she stared blankly ahead.

Her heart was still filled with anxiety and confusion, and she was unknowingly drawn to the enticing scent emanating from Hyun.

It was the delicious smell of a human that triggered intense instinctual reactions in her, being a nine-tailed fox.

Perhaps because her mind wasn’t entirely clear, the scent felt even stronger.

Every time Hyun glanced at the TV while folding the laundry, Yoonhwa stared fixatedly at the back of his head.

Her eyes were clouded with worries, and the conflict between instinct and reason was clear on her face.

‘Just one bite…’

‘No, I shouldn’t…!!’

Yoonhwa wrestled with herself, caught in a battle within her mind.

As her affection and friendship for Hyun deepened, the thoughts of wanting to harm him felt increasingly horrific.

However, her instinctual desires occasionally overwhelmed her rationality, plunging Yoonhwa into great turmoil.

‘Hyun… I’m so sorry…’

‘Please forgive me for thinking like this…’

Yoonhwa internally apologized to Hyun, struggling to suppress her instincts.

Her tail moved anxiously, mirroring her psychological turmoil. The tip of her tail flicked and swayed, curling back again.

She took several deep breaths, trying to compose herself.

At the peak of her emotions, her body slipped off the sofa and lunged at Hyun.

Her instinctual impulse had momentarily overridden her reason, and before she knew it, she brought her mouth to his arm.

Hyun was startled when Yoonhwa suddenly lunged at him and brought his arm to her mouth.

His eyes widened as he momentarily failed to comprehend what was happening.

But when he felt that Yoonhwa wasn’t actually biting but merely nibbling on his arm without applying any force, Hyun realized the conflict and pain she was experiencing.

His face was flooded with surprise, but at the same time, he understood just how tormented Yoonhwa was.

For a moment, he was confused about what to do, but his desire to help Yoonhwa as a friend guided him.

Yoonhwa was desperately trying to restrain her instincts.

Her teeth grazed Hyun’s arm as she fought not to apply pressure.

Tears mixed with fear, guilt, and concern for Hyun streamed down her face.

As she struggled to control her instincts, she let out a pained whimper.

Hyun carefully tried to pull his arm away from Yoonhwa’s mouth, but her instinctual grip was unexpectedly strong, making it difficult to free himself.

Yoonhwa wasn’t biting him, but her lips and teeth were still in contact with his arm.

Hyun broke into a cold sweat upon realizing the gravity of the situation.

He understood that it was tough for Yoonhwa to restrain such instinctual impulses, but at the same time, fear surged through him that he might actually be eaten.

His heart pounded furiously as he witnessed his friend’s inner turmoil and struggle.

“Y-… Yoonhwa..!! It’s me, Hyun… Can you recognize me..??”

Hyun spoke as calmly and warmly as he could.

He tried to appeal to the rational side within Yoonhwa, encouraging her to overcome her instincts.

Summoning her last reserves of strength, she managed to pull herself together and slowly removed her mouth from Hyun’s arm.

As soon as Yoonhwa released his arm, she apologized in a trembling voice.

“Hyun, I’m so sorry… I really am…”

Her voice was filled with regret and sorrow.

She covered her face with her hands, tears streaming down as she dashed into the bathroom.

She didn’t have the courage to meet Hyun’s gaze and felt deeply ashamed of her actions.

Locking the bathroom door behind her, Yoonhwa sat on the toilet and broke down into sobs.

Alone in the bathroom, Yoonhwa wept in a spiral of deep self-loathing over her actions.

“I’m a monster… A real monster…!!”

The pain of almost harming her beloved friend hit her hard, and her sobs echoed in the small space of the bathroom.

Deep down, the sweet and delicious essence she had sensed from Hyun’s arm continued to torment her.

In that brief moment of contact with Hyun, Yoonhwa’s senses became unforgettable.

‘So sweet… So delicious…’

‘I want to taste more..!!’

She thought subconsciously, but the thought soon morphed into regret and sadness.

Yoonhwa covered her mouth with her hands, overwhelmed with shock and disgust at her thoughts.

“No… I can’t…!”

After returning to the bathroom, Hyun was left alone in the living room.

He was in shock, his body unresponsive, and he unconsciously sank to the living room floor.

Hyun’s eyes were blank, staring into space, but his heart was raging like a storm.

He looked down at his arm, where Yoonhwa’s bite marks faintly lingered.

The slight staining of saliva on his sleeve vividly rendered the reality of the incident.

Hyun quietly gazed at his arm, realizing the inner struggle his friend was enduring.

What pained him more than the fact that Yoonhwa had tried to hurt him was the suffering she was going through.

The marks left on his arm seemed to testify to her conflict, pain, and struggle between instinct and reason.

Hyun paced in front of the bathroom door, then thought about how Yoonhwa might be hungry.

He couldn’t muster the courage to speak to her again, yet he felt a strong desire to help her.

He hoped that preparing a meal might ease her at least a little, so he forced down his trembling hands and headed to the kitchen.

Arriving in the kitchen, Hyun quickly got to work preparing breakfast.

He paused for a moment, contemplating what kind of food Yoonhwa would prefer and what might comfort her most in this situation, and ultimately decided to grill some meat.

He remembered that Yoonhwa liked meat and hoped it would help lift her spirits a bit.

Hyun opened the fridge and took out some fresh meat.

He placed the meat in the frying pan, seasoning it with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.

As he heated the pan over medium heat and added oil, the hot oil began to sizzle.

The moment he placed the meat in the pan, a savory and delicious aroma filled the kitchen. Hyun delicately flipped the meat to ensure it cooked evenly, hoping that Yoonhwa would be drawn out of the bathroom by the smell.

He flipped the meat once one side was beautifully browned, cooking the other side evenly.

Once the meat was perfectly cooked, he carefully plated it.

Hyun took a moment to catch his breath as he gazed at the beautifully prepared breakfast on the dining table.

His heart remained tense, but the desire to help Yoonhwa guided him.

He cautiously approached the bathroom door and lightly knocked to check if she was inside.

“Y- Yoonhwa, breakfast is ready… Let’s eat together!”

Hyun’s voice was tense and cautious but held warmth and kindness.

He stood by the door, taking deep breaths as he waited for Yoonhwa’s response.

His hand trembled slightly with each knock, but he gathered the courage to reach out to Yoonhwa.

Inside the bathroom, Yoonhwa heard Hyun’s voice.

Upon hearing him mention the breakfast he had prepared, her heart raced even more fiercely.

Recalling the moment she almost harmed him, Yoonhwa felt a wave of pain wash over her.

“Why are you being so nice to someone like me… A bad nine-tailed fox…?!”

Her voice trembled, tears continued to soak her face.

Yoonhwa was caught between guilt for her actions and gratitude for Hyun’s kindness.

She was moved by his warmth but simultaneously afraid she might harm him again due to her instinctual behavior.

Hyun hesitated for a moment before quietly leaning against the bathroom door.

His body trembled slightly due to the tension, but he hoped Yoonhwa could sense him and find some comfort.

At that moment, Yoonhwa’s sobs inside the bathroom became even clearer.

Her voice trembled, and deep despair and anguish echoed through her words.

“Hyun… I really don’t have the courage to come out… N- I… I…”

Yoonhwa’s voice broke, interrupted by her tears, expressing the depth of her pain and fear.

“… I… I don’t even know why…!”

Her words faded, leaving only her whimpers resonating through the quiet living room.

Hyun sat quietly by the bathroom door, listening to Yoonhwa’s sobs.

Her desperate voice and painful cries pierced deeply into his heart.

As Yoonhwa’s fear and pain reached his ears clearly, Hyun was reminded of the terror he had experienced in that moment.

During that brief moment when Yoonhwa’s teeth had touched his arm, his body instinctively tensed, and his heart raced.

Yet, deep down, Hyun possessed a strong resolve to understand and forgive Yoonhwa.

He knew in his heart that her intention to harm him wasn’t her true nature.

Hyun could sense Yoonhwa’s heartfelt struggle between her instinctual impulses and the inner turmoil she was facing.

“It’s okay, Yoonhwa. I’m not scared…”

“You didn’t mean to hurt me…”

Hyun whispered softly to himself.

His voice trembled, yet there was a steadfast determination and understanding beneath it.

He recognized that Yoonhwa’s attempt to hurt him wasn’t her will but the result of the internal battle she was facing.

He reached out and gently brushed the door of the bathroom.

His touch was soft, wishing for Yoonhwa to feel his presence just beyond the door.

Hyun decided to give Yoonhwa the time she needed, waiting for her until she was ready.

His heart was full of deep compassion and understanding for Yoonhwa.

“I’ll be here, Yoonhwa…”

Hyun’s words softly flowed through the bathroom door.

He resolved to stay by her side, helping her through this challenging time until she could rise again.