Living Dangerously with a 999-Year-Old Gumiho – Chapter 87

She shouted with a faint voice.

Her friends were puzzled to see Yoonhwa approaching.

She staggered toward them, drunk, using her tail to warmly embrace all her friends.

Yoonhwa’s tail was covered in soft and fluffy fur, giving the feeling of being wrapped in a warm blanket every time she hugged her friends.

Seojin, snugly wrapped in Yoonhwa’s tail, was swept away by a moment of happiness.

His face was filled with a satisfied smile.

“Yo-~ this is so cozy..!”

His voice was heartfelt, and in that instant, he felt a joy that came from deep within his heart.

Hyun was initially taken aback by Yoonhwa’s sudden hug, unsure of how to react.

But soon, he melted into the warmth of the situation, feeling shy as his face turned red.

“Uh, um Yoonhwa-..!”

Kangtae felt a mix of emotions between Yoonhwa’s sad story and the present moment.

He gently patted Yoonhwa’s shoulder, offering comforting words.

“Yoonhwa, the past is just the past…”

“Let’s forget the 300 years and enjoy the now-..”

Kangtae’s voice was filled with sincere comfort and warmth, and his gaze tried to provide stability to Yoonhwa.

Nomi found all of this so new and magical.

Being cuddled in Yoonhwa’s fluffy tail felt like a scene from a fairy tale.

She chuckled with pure joy.

“Wow~ it’s really cozy! Yoonhwa unnie’s tail is the best!”

Nomi’s voice brimmed with joy and excitement, and her happy laughter echoed throughout the living room.

After finishing the warm hug with her friends, Yoonhwa took a moment to catch her breath and looked at Kangtae.

Her gaze was blurry from the alcohol, but seemed resolute, as if she had made a decision.

“Kangtae, can I, um, hang that orb again?”

Her voice shook a bit from the intoxication, but there was a seriousness to that question.

Yoonhwa looked at Kangtae again after catching her breath, her gaze firm despite the alcohol blurring it.

“Kangtae, uh, can I, um, have that orb back-..?”

Her voice trembled a bit, but her question was sincere.

Kangtae was surprised by Yoonhwa’s request but could read her earnestness in her eyes.

He hesitated for a moment and then pulled out the sparkling Fox Orb from his pocket.

Kangtae carefully handed the orb to Yoonhwa.

Yoonhwa took the orb Kangtae offered her with caution.

Gazing at the Fox Orb he handed over, Yoonhwa took a quick breath and then, as if having made up her mind, brought the orb to her lips.

As she took a deep breath, the orb vanished into her mouth and was absorbed.

For a moment, it seemed as if a subtle light circled around Yoonhwa’s body.

Though there was still a hint of drunkenness in her eyes, power was rising from within her.

Feeling the newly surfaced strength, Yoonhwa looked at her hands.

The alcohol still clouded her mind, but she decided to try a small magic trick.

She tried to control her power as gently as possible to avoid harming her friends.

From Yoonhwa’s palm, a small light began to slowly emerge.

The light was a soft blue, dancing like a tiny flame that fluttered over her hand.

Yoonhwa gazed at the tiny flame with interest and gently nudged it with her finger.

At that moment, the flame reacted and grew a bit larger, shining brightly.

Yoonhwa gave a faint smile, looking at her friends, and said in a slightly tipsy voice.

“This, it’s called Fox Fire-.”

“It’s the only magic that my parents taught me…”

Her tone mixed with memories of childhood and a hint of bitterness.

Yoonhwa gently handled the glowing Fox Fire in her palm, enjoying the way the light danced.

Her eyes, filled with intoxication, sparkled as if captivated by the flickering of the Fox Fire.

“See, it’s not hot at all.”

“Don’t worry, touch it!” She said, offering the glowing flame to her friends.

Nomi cautiously approached Yoonhwa’s hand.

With a curious gaze, she looked at the Fox Fire and finally mustered the courage to reach out.

As Nomi’s finger touched the Fox Fire, she opened her eyes wide in surprise.

“Wow, that’s amazing!”

Nomi’s voice was a mix of astonishment and joy.

Yoonhwa smiled contentedly at Nomi’s reaction.

She started to move the Fox Fire more freely in her palm, letting the flame gently dance among her friends.

The Fox Fire moved safely among her friends, leaving a beautiful trail of light.

They were all enchanted by the magical glow of the Fox Fire, each taking turns to touch the flame and experience its wonders.

Kangtae, Hyun, and Seojin were also astonished that the flame was not hot at all, admiring Yoonhwa’s ability.

Hyun briefly shifted his gaze to his wristwatch amidst the laughter of his friends and the dazzling glow of the Fox Fire.

The watch’s hour hand pointed to 11 o’clock.

He exclaimed in surprise,

“Uh, it’s already 11. Kangtae, didn’t you say you have to go home by 10?”

“Did your mom call for you or something?”

Kangtae reacted to Hyun’s words, looking at the light of the Fox Fire and then lifting his head.

His face was flushed from the alcohol, and his eyes were sparkling.

“Ah, it’s okay, it’s okay. I can be a little late-..”

Kangtae waved his hand casually with a carefree smile.

His voice, slightly loose from the alcohol, carried confidence, but there was also a hint of recklessness.

Hyun checked the time again and said with some concern.

“Let’s be a bit quieter now-.”

“Being too loud at this hour might be a bother..!”

However, Seojin brushed off Hyun’s worries.

He continued to enjoy the amazing light of the Fox Fire and said.

“Don’t worry, there are no other houses around-…”

“And besides, the house next door is mine, so it’s alright~.”

“If we’re a bit loud, no one’s gonna complain..!~”

Seojin’s voice carried a worry-free assurance.

At Seojin’s words, the friends burst into laughter again.

Hyun eventually felt reassured by that and focused once more on Yoonhwa’s Fox Fire play.

Kangtae, even amidst the effects of alcohol, thought back to his mother’s words, but the joyful time with his friends consumed his thoughts.

Nomi, amidst Yoonhwa’s Fox Fire play and her friends’ laughter, slowly started to feel sleepy.

The soft glow of the Fox Fire and the warm atmosphere gradually lulled her to drowsiness.

“This is so much fun…”

“But, I think I’m getting sleepy…”

Nomi said, yawning.

Hyun saw Nomi looking sleepy and stood up to support her.

“Nomi, it’s time for bed~”

Hyun kindly suggested as he helped Nomi.

“Nomi, let’s brush our teeth and wash our face before we sleep. It’ll feel more refreshing-”

His tone was caring and thoughtful.

However, Nomi, exhausted from the alcohol and fatigue, didn’t respond much to Hyun’s words.

“Ahh… too much trouble..”

“I think I’ll just sleep right here~..”

Nomi shook off Hyun’s support and flopped onto the living room floor.

Her voice lacked strength from the drowsiness.

Hyun was briefly taken aback by Nomi collapsing on the floor.

Yoonhwa, despite still feeling the effects of the alcohol, immediately took action upon seeing Nomi lying there.

“Nomi-yang..~ it’ll be cold sleeping on the floor!”

“A bed is so much better..!!”

She picked Nomi up effortlessly.

She safely moved Nomi to the bed.

“Here, this will be much better-..!”

Yoonhwa gently laid Nomi down on the bed.

Nomi fell quietly asleep just a moment later on the comfortable bed.

After Nomi had fallen asleep, Yoonhwa quietly closed the door and returned to the living room.

Her friends sighed in relief, welcoming her back.

“Is Nomi asleep?”

“Thanks, Yoonhwa.”

Hyun asked.

Yoonhwa nodded with a smile.

“Yeah, she’s sleeping soundly!-“

All her friends seemed to agree with her words, nodding in agreement.

At that moment, Kangtae looked at the round clock and muttered to himself.

“Hmm… it’s 11:30 now…”

“What time did Mom say to come home again…?”

There was a hint of confusion in his voice.

Even amidst the alcohol, Kangtae tried to remember his mother’s words.

Hyun looked at Kangtae and said.

“She said to go home by 10~.”

“It’s already pretty late.”

There was concern in his tone.

Kangtae’s mind snapped back to reality at Hyun’s words.

“Oh, right… Mom definitely said by 10…”

He lowered his head, a look of regret washing over him.

“Uh… I should get going now.”

“I’ll probably get in a lot of trouble with Mom…”

His worried voice made his friends all look at him seriously.

Yoonhwa approached Kangtae and offered comforting words.

“Kangtae-yah- don’t worry…~”

Her voice was soothing.

Hyun also patted Kangtae on the shoulder and said.

“Yeah, Kangtae, hurry back!”

Hearing Hyun’s words, Kangtae cracked a slightly relieved smile.

Seojin pulled a water bottle from his bag and handed it to Kangtae.

“Drink some water before you go-..”

“Wake up a little to the alcohol before you head back.”

Grateful for Seojin’s thoughtfulness, Kangtae drank the water.

Bolstered by his friends’ encouragement and consideration, Kangtae seemed to feel a little lighter.

“Thanks..! I’ll be off!”

He expressed his gratitude to his friends and, despite the late hour, felt a sense of responsibility toward his family as he headed home.

As Kangtae stepped out the door, his friends called out to him.

“Be careful-!”

Kangtae waved goodbye from beyond the door, offering a final farewell.

After Kangtae departed, the atmosphere among the friends left in the living room grew quiet for a moment.

Breaking the calm, Hyun looked at Seojin and asked.

“Seojin, when are you leaving?”

Seojin replied with a drunken grin, his face flushed.

“Me? Why would I leave now~?”

“I’m sleeping over at your place!”

His voice was brimming with playfulness.

Hyun looked a bit taken aback by Seojin’s response but soon burst into laughter.

“Haha-! Alright then, sleep over.”

Hyun began tidying up the remaining food and drink bottles with a smile.

Seeing Hyun’s actions, Seojin got up to help him.

“I’ll help, Hyun~.”

Seojin said as he began to clean up the area.

Yoonhwa, upon seeing her friends tidying up, felt the urge to help too.

She picked up a soju bottle.

But due to her drunkenness, she gripped it too tightly, and the bottle burst in her hand.

As the soju bottle shattered from her grip, shards of glass flew everywhere.

“Uh-oh-!!”

Yoonhwa screamed in surprise.

Her expression was one of shock.

Hyun and Seojin quickly turned their heads to Yoonhwa at the sound of her scream and the bottle shattering.

“What- what’s.. Yoonhwa, are you okay?!”

Hyun asked with a worried tone.

Seojin also moved closer to Yoonhwa and examined her hand.

Yoonhwa looked momentarily startled as she inspected her hand.

The shard had grazed her hand, leaving a small cut that quickly started to heal.

In an instant, a faint light radiated from the tips of her fingers, and the injury seemed to vanish as if it had never been there.

“Uh, I’m okay. It only stung a bit..”

Yoonhwa said, her face slightly flushed as she realized the living room had turned into a disaster due to her mistake.

“Oh no, it’s a battlefield… I’m really sorry…!”

She genuinely apologized to her friends.

Hyun, concerned she might hurt herself again, spoke carefully.

“Yoonhwa-..!! Don’t move there. I’ll clean it up..”

Seojin returned to the living room with a broom in hand, ready to clean up the mess.

Yoonhwa, seeing Hyun and Seojin preparing to clean up, proposed to her friends.

“Wait a moment, I have magic..!”

Hyun and Seojin looked at each other in surprise at Yoonhwa’s words.

“Really? Then please, Yoonhwa!”

Hyun said, his eyes full of curiosity.

Yoonhwa nodded and began to focus.

She extended her hand toward the broken shards of the soju bottle, emitting a soft light.

As the light enveloped the shards, they slowly began to move.

The fragments fit together like pieces of a puzzle, and the broken soju bottle was restored to its perfect shape.

Glass shards scattered on the living room floor returned to their original places as everything was tidied up.

Seojin was left speechless in awe.

Hyun laughed in disbelief.

“Wow-.. Yoonhwa, you’re amazing~”

Yoonhwa shyly smiled at her friends’ admiration and praise.

“Hehe- this kind of thing is nothing special..~”