CH 111

Chapter 111

“Geum Miyoung contacted me first.” Koo Hui-seo gently blew on the green tea held inside a mug I received as a freebie with the [Hanyang Ribs] logo printed on it.  1 Then, after taking a sip, he dropped it somewhere far away from him and began to get to the point. “Following my mother’s funeral, she approached saying she’d like to discuss the contract again. Because the contract was signed under the [Red Dragon] guild’s name, it would be hard to break; but, it’s not impossible.”

“Did she say anything in particular?”

“She said she’ll negotiate through my secretary but asked if I had anything in my schedule in 12 days. I refused to respond on the spot and said I would contact her separately.”

Lackey began to play with the mug that was placed on the ground at a distance. The hot water spilled onto the floor, but no one but me seemed to be paying that mess any attention.

When I gestured at Lackey to order it to stay still, Seo Dawon grabbed my hand and lowered it under the table. Simultaneously, the spilled water began to quickly evaporate.

Feeling awkward for no reason, I stared at both Seo Dawon and Koo Hui-seo, but the newly initiated guild master must have been staring at me all the while. Our eyes met instantly. I mean, if you’re in a conversation with Seo Dawon, why must you focus on me–a radish kimchi… [/efn_note] Radish Kimchi is a metaphorical term referring to a person who cannot fit well into a situation. [/efn_note]

“A-apologies, I was a bit bothered, so….” I stuttered my apologies quickly, embarrassed he noticed me.

Koo Hui-seo smiled–his eyes slit–pretending to be a nice person. “No, no. Watching him from the side, I just think Lee-kyung-ssi is so cute.

“…….”

Although, of course, what followed was completely off context and burdensome.

I glanced at Seo Dawon involuntarily. I was both curious and worried about his reaction; the Mage was historically aggressive when Koo Hui-seo said something that crossed the line to me.

" "

“Ha ha.” However, when our gazes locked, Seo Dawon smiled as if he were thoroughly enjoying himself. Then, instead of getting angry or rebuking Koo Hui-seo’s words, he suddenly kissed me on the cheek.

I almost flinched away, but, perhaps because Seo Dawon still held firmly onto my hand, I couldn’t move one inch and was forced to suffer. After seeing our public display of affections, Koo Hui-seo rolled his eyes and started to look at Seo Dawon from then on.

“That’s right. He’s so cute, I can’t help but to do this,” The Mage said.

“……”

It would have been cringe-worthy if we were the only ones privy to such a childish conflict, but there was a very interested audience behind us that were just shy of popping some popcorn…I bowed my head in shame.

However, just because I bowed my head, it didn’t mean that I couldn’t block Jung Garam’s and Kim Olim’s conversation.

“Pffthahaha. If I were Koo Hui-seo, I would’ve hit hyung.”

“Does Koo Hui-seo like Choi Lee-kyung? The bloodthirst coming off him is extraordinary.”

“Honestly, if Lee-kyung-ie were home alone today, he would’ve tried to do something? That guy kept on trying to coax him over or ask if Lee-kyung was home alone.”

“….What? Choi Lee-kyung. It’s prohibited for you to meet with Koo Hui-seo alone now.  If you hear me, nod your head.”

Of course, I ignored them. In the first place, I had no intention to meet Koo Hui-seo alone, and I wanted to ignore their conversation.

However, Jung Garam continued to tease, as if he were having fun. “I’m also going to kiss cutie Lee-kyung-ie later. I’ll do it on his left cheek.”

“Ridiculous. Then, am I supposed to kiss him on his lips?” Kim Olim retorted.

Just–you don’t have to do that…!

Listening to the voices of Kim Olim and Jung Garam quarreling with each other, perhaps this is what happens to those that have been with the [Red Lotus] guild for a long while. Whether this person or that person, they seem to be flinging their fists at whomever they please, with disregard to others’ feelings.

“… And then, a follow-up call came–we agreed to meet this month. Geum Miyoung sent an invitation to a party, saying that she’d love for me to attend with a partner. That’s why, this time, I thought it’d be prudent for Lee-kyung-ssi and I to go together.” Meanwhile, Koo Hui-seo fixated his eyes upon me again and explained his arrangements with Geum Miyoung. Since we didn’t know how far Geum Miyoung’s background with these shady dealings extend, he probably meant for me to accompany him to survey the situation.

I nodded softly in agreement even though I had reservations about being alone with him–appearing as his partner at that.

However, Seo Dawon attacked that line of thought. “Bring a different partner. I think it’d be good to bring Kim Sangyoon this time.”

“……H-huh?”

“Kim…Sangyoon? Who’s he?”

He’s bringing up Sangyoon in this situation again? Flustered, I stared at Seo Dawon, but the Mage simply shrugged his shoulders and continued, “Geum Miyoung asked to meet with you for a simple reason: she’s curious about Koo Kyungman who betrayed their alliance and disappeared. So, she’s itching to hear the cause from your mouths directly under the pretense of inviting you to a party. Further, those bastards don’t know anything about you, right? After all, you’ve been imprisoned in the hospital until now.”

“……”

“In my eyes, I judge that it would be far too dangerous to bring Lee-kyung-ie as a partner just to gather information. Lee-kyung-ie’s exposure should be delayed as long as possible.”

If it were to be known that I’m somehow connected to Koo Hui-seo, the amount of surveillance and scrutiny I would encounter would pale to the paltry amount of times I’ve met Bae Jaemin.

I didn’t think that far, but Seo Dawon’s words did not seem like a simple excuse to not let Koo Hui-seo take me as his partner. Koo Hui-seo also fell silent, unable to refute that logic.

Then, after a short while, Koo Hui-seo, as if implicitly agreeing with Kim Sangyoon as the better choice, asked Seo Dawon, “This Kim Sangyoon… How deeply is he involved in this business?”

“Rumors of your younger brother have probably yet to reach his ears?”

“…I guess he’s a reliable person?”

“He was with us at the hospital.”

Koo Hui-seo lowered his head briefly, touching the tips of his fingers against each other, before undoubtedly nodding his head once. Afterwards, he suddenly pulled something black and long–like an antenna–from behind his back.

Looking at him, I wondered what he was doing but wasn’t very wary; however, I was surprised to see Kim Olim clear the distance between us in the blink of an eye and stand on the table, blocking the path between Koo Hui-seo and me with her large shield. When on earth did you get here? Weren’t you playing around with Jung Garam just moments earlier?

Of course, Koo Hui-seo, who couldn’t see Kim Olim, slowly prodded this black tentacle-like thing towards Lackey without noticing Kim Olim’s sword pointed at the tip of his chin. When Lackey felt the tentacle tapping at its shoulder, it tilted its skull and gently handed Koo Hui-seo the mug it was holding.

Gracefully receiving the mug from Lackey, Koo Hui-seo leisurely moved his wheelchair backwards. Kim Olim did not move until the tentacles completely disappeared behind his back and pushed his wheelchair back. The Paladin seemed to consider those things weapons. Drenching in cooling sweat, I slowly took calming, short breaths so as to not betray my true feelings.

“Well…I understand. Then, I’ll get going, Lee-kyung-ssi…” Koo Hui-seo announced his departure as suddenly as he announced his arrival. Although his words were not too loud, the front door opened immediately; the big men that accompanied him earlier approached Koo Hui-seo, holding the wheelchair handles and bowing their heads politely.

“Ah, Have a safe trip…” 2 Caught up in Koo Hui-seo’s pace, I rose to give my parting greetings as well. Soon, I realized what he had done, though, and quickly called after him, “W-wait a minute! But why are you taking my mug…”

“Ahh, this?” Koo Hui-seo pulled out the mug with a wriggling tentacle. Then, holding it dearly with both hands, he stuck his nose in the cup and breathed heavily, as if he were smelling the insides. “Lee-kyung-ssi’s smell is so strong here… I wanted to take it as a souvenir.”

What kind of bullshit is this? That only held water and tea!

I stepped back in disgust; Koo Hui-seo had even smiled while licking the edge of the mug. I couldn’t even entertain restraining the man, and instead stood rigidly until the front door closed.

TL: Honestly, formalities are so interesting to talk about. There’s a way that people speak in this novel that makes them unique and I hope it shows through…although I’m not too sure how successful I was with that. For example, Lee-kyung-ie is always unfalteringly polite in his speech to people whereas his inner voice isn’t. Jung Garam gives no fucks to formalities. Kim Olim is robotic…Koo Hui-seo gives the bare minimum needed in formalities despite his flowery language now and then. He calls Lee-kyung 'ssi” which indicates that Lee-kyung is not superior and more of an equal (Compared to how Sangyoon (the other living servant) speaks to Lee-kyung in the most formal of ways that flatter him as superior). Seo Dawon doesn’t care to be formal much either, but compared to Jung Garam, uses endearments with most everyone.

Also, excuse me while I recoil in disgust at Koo Hui-seo licking that mug–I need to go clean all my cups now, lmao. Where’s MC’s restraining order?

Footnotes

That’s referring to the food ribs. Not like…the anatomical ribs. The original is actually just an uber formal goodbye…but I wasn’t quite too sure what to put. Have a safe trip was what I landed with…but either way, I still feel it doesn’t quite fit. Sucks, but there’s such a huge difference in formalities in the English and Korean language.