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I would be so incredibly happy if only I could get the digital scans of all the volumes. Unfortunately, it’s not really possible. I saw a magpie yesterday, though. They’re surprisingly big.

Also, some of you may have noticed that I changed the spelling of Kkachi’s calling card vocalization from “awuuu” to “awooo.” That’s because Momiji is best wolf tengu, and I realized only after scanlating My Love Tiger that I’d been spelling it differently.

Awooo says best wolf girl. Awooo says best bird girl.

We stopped playing in the water by lunch time. Rangii and Baduk clearly wanted to play more, but cut me some slack. I'm not a kid nor am I a phantom. I'm a normal pubescent high schooler. I promised we'd come again later, so even though Rangii and Baduk looked sad, they nodded their heads.

"Then I'm going to go get changed."

As I was walking into the forest with a towel in my hand, Rangii stopped drying herself off and made a question mark with her hair.

"You did that before too, but why? Can't you just get changed here?"

Ah, look at those innocent eyes. No matter what I say it probably won't do any good.

"I just do."

As I said that Saehee glanced at me.

"Please understand, Master. Because that is something that men can only do when alone. Especially when certain things are fresh in his mind just like now…"

Of course you can't help me normally.

"Hey, dammit. Don't say weird things in front of kids."

After I made sure Saehee wouldn't say anything weird while I was gone, I went into the forest.

Walking deep enough into the forest so that I couldn't see Rangii anymore, I took off my swimming trunks and dried myself off.

Whew, it was tiring, but I had fun.

Come to think of it, this was my first time playing in a valley.

Dad always stayed indoors, Mom visited so infrequently that I can count the number of her visits with one hand, and although my aunt's house was in the countryside, there was nowhere where with enough to water to play.

Well, the past is in the past so I should just put on my clothes.

I put on my underwear, and bent over to put on my shoes.

Right then I heard something like an airplay flying.

So figuring it was just an airplay, I ignored it, but the sound of the wind got louder and,

"Awooo!"

Now I could also hear a strange sound.

I turned my head, curious as to what that sound was.

There was an upturned skirt showing pale legs and a striped light blue and white pair of panties, and someone I was increasingly believing to be a girl was flying towards me with bare feet. So fast that I couldn't see her properly. I stood there without even the thought to dodge. As a result, that's correct. An immensely powerful nonflying kick-like flying kick grazed past my head and hit a tree!

Cr-cr-crack!

The tree made a strange noise as it shattered into pieces.

…Huh. So I would have ended up like the tree if I was hit by that?

Did I almost die just now?

"Awoooo, you are quite lucky!"

I could finally see my would-be murderer. She had on a striped-sleeve jeogori (tn: the top of the hanbok) that was about two sizes too big for her and slightly exposed her shoulders, and below that she had on a habok skirt that barely covered her thighs. She also had short, messy hair puffing out above her ears by feather-like hair ties, and a long ponytail tied by a white hair tie. My would-be murderer was an especially cute barefoot little girl with clinking ankle bracelets on both legs, and slightly large breasts in comparison to her age.

Meaning she's not a phantom. Just a week ago, I would've been shocked and thought 'Who the hell is she?!' but this is how humans grow. She's a phantom, and I don't know why, but she's trying to kill me. But why am I calmly explaining this right now?! I'm about to die!

"This time I will…"

The girl jumped from the fallen tree and landed on her bare feet to stand in front of me. Then Poof! her face turned red.

"Awoo, awooo, awoooo!! Please don't show such a hideous thing!"

The hair above her ears was flapping as she pointed at me. Is it possible for hair to move like that? Are all phantoms able to do things like that? I should find the answers to these questions later and run away. My life is in danger. I should run away to where Rangii is.

"Someone save me!!"

Screaming, I tried to run when something got caught around my feet. It was then that I realized all at once that I was in the middle of putting on my pants, that my feet were caught on my pants, and that for some reason that girl was blushing and covering her eyes. Those three realizations came to me along with the pain of falling onto the ground.

"T, to go around revealing such a ho, horrible thing! You are definitely a pervert!"

Even in this situation, my mouth moved on its own.

"You showed your panties just a bit ago too."

"Awooo?! You're as despicable I have heard! But this is where you die!"

It's not like I wanted to see it or that I wanted to show you that, so isn't killing someone an overreaction? No, you were trying to kill me since the beginning!

She rolled up her sleeve. Her exposed hand didn't look like a human's, but a bird's wing. No, it was a bird's wing.

"I will start by gouging out those rotten Pollock eyes!"

"My eyes may not be shining, but they aren't rotten Pollock!"

"Then they're dried squid eyes!"

The heck's the difference?!

I had a lot of other things to say, but she sliced downward with her wing, showing she didn't want to hear what I had to say. I closed my eyes and instinctively raised my arms to cover my head even though I knew I didn't stand a chance against a phantom. Ah geez, I'm dead. Am I really going to die like this? But no matter how long I waited, the terrible deed didn't occur.

"…And how do you plan on harming Sunghoon on my land?"

It's Rangii.

I opened my eyes after hearing a familiar yet different-sounding voice. Rangii was standing in front of me with one wing blocked in her hand. Maybe she ran to me right away after hearing me yell, but she only had shorts on and nothing on top. …But why am I so nervous even though Rangii came? Ah, I think I know why.

Rangii is seriously angry. She had her back turned to me so I couldn't see her face, but I could tell by the way her tail was raised with its fur standing on end, or by the way her silvery white hair was swaying in the air because of her phantom power (tn: name pending because phantom power is literally the lamest thing I could have translated it to). Most of all, it was clear that the girl's face turned deathly pale because she took the full force of that phantom power.

"P, please move aside, Tiger-nim. I, I will kill that…"

"Shut your mouth."

Just those words silenced everything else. The mountain birds chirping at full blast, the wind shaking the leaves, the water flowing down the stream, none of them were making a sound. The only thing I could hear was the breathing of the two phantoms and one person.

"So a lowly thing like you dares to flap its lips before me even after trying to harm my Sunghoon!"

The ground shook as if following Rangii's command. Could that be all that's happening?

[—————————————————————————-!!]

Rangii's ferocious roar felt as if it was going to tear apart the mountains and destroy the world. Of course, to me it only felt like a tiger was saying 'Roar, I'm gonna eat you~' but that's what I felt.

"Ah, ah, awoo—."

The girl that was standing in front of Rangii had fallen to her knees as if all the strength had left her legs, and she began to tremble. Her body was shaking and her teeth were chattering as if she went outside dressed in nothing but underwear in the dead of winter, when a strange smell suddenly appeared. What I'm saying is… The smell of urine. A yellow stream flowed from under the girl's skirt and across the ground towards Rangii, meaning towards me as well. Oh no. This isn't the time to be sitting. I raised my pants and moved to the side. Rangii moved naturally to stand in front of me. The girl came back to her senses at Rangii's movement and looked down.

Her face turned red. I'm actually feeling bad for her since a little girl just peed herself in front of others. But Rangii must not have felt that way because she shifted her hand into a tiger's and lifted it up high.

"You will pay for your crimes with your worthless life!"

This brat, she's serious. She's planning on kill her. Hey, dammit. Don't you know you can't kill someone even after doing that? Do you only know the Code of Hammurabi? And then,

"P, please kill me."

The girl closed her eyes as she said that. She was clearly prepared to die. But the scary thing was that she, perhaps involuntarily, stopped shaking and her head dropped. It looked as if she couldn't handle Rangii's energy and fainted.

I should stop her. Even if she tried to kill me, she's still a child. And most importantly, after I calmed down thanks to Rangii, I became curious about something.

I quickly slipped my hands between Rangii's armpits and pulled her towards me. …If she had only been wearing clothes properly, I could have comfortably hugged her.

"Unyaa?!"

After being grabbed by me, Rangii was surprised, and her authority and presence disappeared as her tail went between her legs and stuck to her belly. Her hand at some point changed back to that of a human's.

"Wha, what are you doing?"

"What do you mean? I'm trying to spare a person."

Though she's a phantom, not a person.

"Why are you doing that? That thing tried to hurt you!"

"That's true, but…"

Hmm. I should give a simple reason.

"Don't you feel bad for her? And it's not like you enjoy doing things like this."

"But, but."

She looked back and forth at the passed out girl and me. I put my chin on Rangii's head while she was like that and spoke.

"Please, Rangii. I'll feel troubled if you kill her. Do you want to trouble me?"

"Uk. That's unfair."

Rangii looked unhappy as she looked up at me, then she lowered her head.

"I understand. It is the wife's duty to follow her husband's words."

I wanted to ask "Who's the wife, and who's the husband?" but I'll overlook it this time.

"Thanks."

I put Rangii down and patted her head. Rangii's tail swayed and she was happy. Okay, then what should I do? There's nothing I can do here so I should take her home for now. Since there's also the problem that she's unconscious right now.

"It is a relief to see that you are okay."

As usual, I had no idea how long Saehee had been here when she spoke from my right. I was too tired to even be surprised.

"Ah, perfect timing."

"Who is that child?"

"Ah, you see—."

I tried to explain, but Saehee took one look at the girl and narrowed her eyes.

"My apologies, Young Master. I had no idea your lust had accumulated to such an extent."

"Do you really to turn me into a criminal that much?"

"I will act as your partner when we return home so please release that child."

The hell is she thinking? I tried to quickly explain the situation before Saehee said any more weird things.

"That kid suddenly tried to kill me."

Saehee scoffed.

"You mean to say that she tried to kill you on this land? There is a limit even to lies."

"Why would I lie about something like this?"

"…Please excuse me for a moment."

Saehee gracefully sat down and grabbed the girl's now human hand. It looked like she was taking her pulse. After holding the girl's wrist for a second, Saehee frowned as if she found something unpleasant.

"So it is true."

"I didn't say anything."

"I could tell after examining this magpie phantom."

"You could tell she was a magpie phantom as well?"

Saehee nodded her head.

"Because unlike the incompetent Young Master, I am completely capable."

"Then the capable Saehee-nim, do you know why this magpie phantom attacked me?"

"There is too much guesswork involved for me to answer completely."

"So you're saying you do know?"

"I have no intention of informing you."

I knew she'd say that. Then for now I should take this stranger, this magpie phantom whom I'll just refer to as Kkachi, back home and listen to what she has to say.

But bringing Kkachi home was going to be a challenge from the very start. The very first person to be against this, unbelievably, was Baduk, the one carelessly given such a common name (not 100% accurate).

"No."

Taken aback at Baduk's serious face and interjection, I stopped what I was doing.

"She is a bad kid who attacked you, Young Master. It is best to bite and shake her here and be done with it. We absolutely must not take her home."

After Baduk said such scary words so nonchalantly, I saw she was totally determined so I turned to Rangii.

"…The truth is I also think that's best."

This probably wasn't how Caesar felt after getting betrayed by Brutus. Even while looking at me hesitantly, Rangii gave her opinion.

"That thing tried to take your life on my land. I also cannot allow her to be taken home!"

I have never gone through such a troublesome situation as these two girls looking at me like they're saying "We are absolutely against this!" I looked at Saehee without a single expectation.

"If you take her home, I will have it served as a side dish."

I didn't expect anything from her so there's nothing to be disappointed about.

I know that they're correct. Because that girl really did try to kill me, and I almost died because of her. I would've died if she hadn't messed up and if Rangii hadn't saved me. The weird one's me, the one saying we should take this dangerous kid home. That's the logical perspective.

But I'm curious. About why this kid would try and kill me. I need to know why. That's the only way…no, never mind that for now.

"We still have to bring her home."

"Sunghoon!"

Rangii clung to my leg and pulled on my pants. Hey, stop that. They might drop.

"But if, just if, we bring this thing home and it hurts you even a little I might start crying really hard!"

Is that a threat?

"I can say with complete confidence that something like that won't happen. Since you're going to protect me just like before."

"…Uu."

Rangii was lost for words and puffed out her cheeks while looking at me. Since you're confident that you'll protect me too, you can't deny that, right? But Rangii's gaze hurt my conscience in multiple ways. I felt bad sorry for Rangii, so I turned my head to look at Saehee.

"There's something I'm more worried about. Since someone who knows everything won't speak, I'll have to find out directly."

Saehee smiled ever so slightly. Since it felt like she was complimenting me with that smile, I felt just a little better.

"I understand, Young Master."

Rangii was shocked after realizing her reliable ally had suddenly become her worst enemy.

"Unyak?! Saehee? Why're you saying that?!"

"I believe the Young Master has a good idea, Master. I believe that in times like this, it is the wife's duty to save face for her husband."

"Uu—uu."

I started getting worried when she mentioned Rangii being my wife. Her word choice wasn't accurate, but I was thankful that she ended up persuading Rangii. But still, isn't there any other way you could've done that?

"I understand. Baduk, you lower your claws as well."

"…Understood, Master."

I was barely able to save Kkachi's life. Though she doesn't know this because she's unconscious.

But still. Even if you don't know, isn't it wrong to rashly try and kill someone who was barely able to save you?

Waking up after we moved her home, Kkachi attempted a full-on charge. If it had been a big sister type with big breasts charging at me, I would have acted weak and let her. But since it's a little girl running at me with her hand made into a bird's wing? Sorry, that's a no go.

Not me, but Rangii.

"You!!"

I was stunned, but Rangii stood in front of me, infuriated, and swiped once with her hand changed into that of a tiger. Kkachi broke the door as she fell into the courtyard.

Rangii saved my life once again and roared, causing the world to shake. It seems like she's about to attack and kill that kid.

No, there was someone who moved sooner than Rangii. It was Baduk. In human form, Baduk crouched on all fours, and for the first time I saw her ferocious expression as she bared her sharp fangs at Kkachi, stopping her from retreating. Baduk looks like if I told Baduk to bite her, then Baduk would kill her straight away. No, Baduk looks like she'll kill her anyway. I should stop her. At this rate, I brought Kkachi home for no reason.

I took what I thought were quick steps towards Rangii from behind, put my arms between her armpits, and lifted her up by hugging her chest. After her body was lifted slightly towards the sky, I hugged her ample waist.

"Uweh?"

She only appeared deadly serious for three seconds before she let out a weird sound and bent her body as she was hugged to my chest. Confused at my sudden behavior, she looked up at me then thought hard about something. Her tail was straight out. Yeah, you noticed?

"Ack?! Are you telling me to spare it again?"

"Got it in one."

Telling her 'Rangii's a good girl, such a good girl, listen to what I tell you,' I rubbed my cheek on Rangii's head. She smelled good.

"Eh heh heh. Do what you want…no that's not it!"

Tch. She won't just move on.

"I don't know how it did it, but that thing tried to kill you twice in my domain! This time even with me right next to you! I shall not permit that thing to live!!"

Rangii roared the loudest I had ever heard her roar, making it clear she would not be stopped.

Because of her, terror struck. In Kkachi's case, she clenched her teeth to act tough, but her body reacted honestly, running away from Rangii by dragging herself along the ground by her butt, as if she couldn't see Baduk who was baring her fangs. Baduk wasn't able to pay attention to Kkachi approaching her as her fur was on end to not be dominated by the energy emanating from Rangii. Even Saehee was clearly uneasy. And me, the person closest to that roar, I was…

So relaxed that I was able to observe everyone to this extent. If this goes on, I might even yawn from boredom. I'm not being weird. Think about it with common sense. It's common sense upon common sense that no matter how mad Rangii gets, she would never hurt even the tips of my hair. And she's even being held by me right now. In that position, even if she gets mad, I'm not scared at all. So I, utterly relaxed, was the only one who stopped Rangii.

"Hey, brat. Calm down for now."

"Kuwaaang!!"

I was ignored.

"Rangii?"

"Kuwang! Kuwaang!"

She's like an upset cat. It looks like words won't have any effect on this brat. Tch. I don't have a choice.

"Listen to me."

I lowered my head and put my lips lightly on Rangii's cheek. This was for no other reason than to get Rangii to calm down. Because skinship with kids helps them settle down. Just look. Moments ago, Rangii was ready to pounce on her, but I surprised her. Now she's looking up at me. I smiled at Rangii while she was confused. She lifted her arm to put one finger on her cheek, then she blushed and suddenly turned her head the other way. I was wondering why she did that, but I saw she was tapping her opposite cheek with her finger and I realized why. What a greedy tiger. I gave her a quick peck on that cheek.

Hah? Now she's pressing her finger against her lips. Hey. In this position, there's no way I can do that. So I guess you could say I did this instead. I pinched Rangii's belly.

"Ow!"

"Enough is enough."

What the heck are you asking me to do in front of people who are watching us?

"…Uu. But I'm so angry. Why in the world are you asking me to spare such a child, Sunghoon?"

The person who answered Rangii's question was Saehee, who had returned to usual.

"It is because he is a lolicon."

Rangii's tail wrapped around my waist.

"Have you taken a fancy to that thing?! What's so good…"

Rangii stopped talking and looked Kkachi over, halting her eyes at Kkachi's breasts.

"No, no! Absolutely not!"

Rangii's body trembled in horror. …Hey, you brat. What do you think I am?

"It's not what you think."

"Then why do you want to spare her?!"

I have many reasons. First, I don't want you to kill someone. Second, I'm opposed to murder in general. And third, I'm curious about that phantom girl. Yeah. Saying this is ridiculous in and of itself, but I don't remember doing anything that would cause a phantom I've never meet before to try and kill me. Because the first phantom I ever meet was Saehee—no, I mean Baduk. But this unknown phantom tried to kill me. Two times now. Even though it's obvious that she'd fail because Rangii was right next to me.

Something's up. I know that much.

But how could I tell this to Rangii? So I only told her the first reason.

"I don't want to see our cute and lovely Rangii do something like that because of me."

Terrible. If someone had recorded what I just said and played it back to me, I would drink poison like it was an energy drink. But thankfully, it looks like my words got through to Rangii. Rangii's cheeks flushed, and she tapped on my hands with she fidgeted with her fingers. She meant for me to put her down. I put Rangii down, sat down in the courtyard, and tapped on my lap. Rangii spoke after sitting on my lap.

"If you put it like that, then there's no helping it."

Rangii's energy began to dissipate, allowing Kkachi to calm down and realize that she had her back up against Baduk who was baring her fangs.

"Awooo?!"

She flapped the hair above her ears in surprise. Now I get it. It seems like her hair moves whenever she's surprised or confused. It's interesting, but nothing new after I've seen Rangii's question mark.

Rangii spoke to the confused Kkachi.

"Hey you! Because I am moved by my husband's generous art, if you swear on your name to never do such foolish deeds again, I won't take your worthless life!"

Sitting on my lap in an embarrassing position, her charismatic speech caused Kkachi to… Huh? Kkachi suddenly seemed different. She was no longer cowering in fear, and instead glared at us with her eyes wide open, clenched her fists tightly, and yelled back.

"I don't care! I don't care if you kill me! No, please kill me!! Since either that human or I must die anyway!"

The moment I heard those words, my reason flew off refreshingly. What the hell? Did you say one of us has to die anyway? Is that something for a kid to say? What the hell do kids these days think a person's life is? You think you'll just come back to life after 15 seconds? If it's not one brat, it's another!!

"…Sunghoon?"

My anger was surging up. Rangii was looking up at me with her eyes wide open for some reason. I hugged her, put her to my side, and spoke to Baduk.

"Hold on to that brat so she can't move. Can you do it?

"Yes, Young Master."

Baduk held Kkachi from behind.

"L, let me go! What are you doing?!"

Kkachi couldn't free herself from Baduk's hands no matter how she struggled. With her like that and looking up straight at me, I held my hand up as high as I could and swung down, hitting her on the head. I didn't hold back so it should hurt.

"Awoook!!"

"A kid shouldn't say stuff like that!"

"Awooo? What do you care?! And why are you yelling at me?!"

You've got a point. This is definitely the first time I've met her, and our first meeting wasn't particularly pleasant either. An attempted murderer and her victim. I have no reason to get angry on her behalf. But that's not true.

I know an idiot brat who, just yesterday, tried to kill herself because of me before my very eyes. The one who selfishly tried to take her own life for my sake is behind me.

That just happened yesterday. That wound hasn't healed yet, but there's a brat trying to give up her life right in front of me. How can I just leave her alone?!

…Of course, this is an embarrassing story so I'm not going to say it.

But the main character of that embarrassing story said,

"Listen up! Do you not even know gratitude? How can you talk like that to your savior?! I won't just end my punishment with you; I'll severely punish three generations of your family!"

She unashamedly yelled facing us. At Rangii's words, Kkachi's face paled. Kkachi spoke desperately, shaking her head as if she would have bowed if Baduk hadn't been holding her.

"Ah, awooo! Please don't! That's so terrible! My parents haven't done anything wrong! Please, if you must kill someone, just kill me! Please, please just me!"

…Those brats are shooting a crap historical drama right in front of me.

If I left those two to it, it feels like they'll shoot a soap opera that'll bring me to tears whether she lives or dies, so I gave them matching hits on the tops of their heads.

"Ow!"

"Awoo!"

Rangii stared at me like I was being unfair, but I ignored her and bent down to be at eye level as I spoke to Kkachi.

"That's enough. What's your name?"

Kkachi turned her head to the side and spoke bluntly.

"I don't have a name to tell the likes of you."

Is that so? The truth is I wasn't that curious about your name either.

"Then I'll call you Kkachi."

Kkachi was surprised at what I said, and her hair flapped as she shouted.

"How did you know my name?!"

I had nothing to say for a moment. For her name to be Kkachi. Your parents have the best naming sense.

"…Anyway, my name is Sunghoon. Kang Sunghoon."

"I don't want to know."

Rude brat. But I'll show her the generosity of an adult.

"Ah, really? Then sorry."

Not expecting me to apologize, the hostility in her eyes wavered. Huhuhu, this is what's called the composure of an adult.

"But the thing is. Why're you trying to kill me?"

She answered my question with more questions.

"Do you not even know that? Isn't that common sense? You're an idiot."

"How the heck is that common sense?"

"This is common sense to us."

Don't force phantom common sense on me. And also, just look. Among the phantoms here, there's no one who knows that common sense you're talking about … except that's not true. As expected, Rangii and Baduk had their heads tilted to the side, oblivious as to what Kkachi was talking about. But Saehee was the only one smiling. The moment Saehee and my eyes met, she turned her head away.

That ass. She knows. Though it seems like she doesn't want to tell me since she keeps avoiding eye contact. If she had something to say, she would've said it already. Since she's the kind of person who cuts into other people's conversations when she has something to say and blathers on without end. I eventually gave up on getting an explanation from Saehee and I asked Kkachi to explain.

"I normally live completely separate from common sense, so explain."

"I don't want to. Why should I do that?"

Kkachi spoke irritatingly and stuck her tongue out at me. You just dug your own grave. If you don't answer after I ask so nicely, then I'll have to take drastic measures. Don't blame me.

I stood back up and looked at Rangii. Rangii had her brow furrowed since before; probably because she didn't like the way Kkachi was talking back to me. I gave her plump butt a few taps. Rangii looked up at me. I whispered in Rangii's ear.

"Scare her a little."

Rangii nodded. And at the same time,

"Kuwaang!! You aren't speaking?!"

She roared and shifted both her hands into those of a tiger. With one swing, Rangii created a gust of wind that caused Kkachi's hair to flutter.

"Kyawooo!! Are, are you threatening me?! E, even so, I won't.."

One more tap.

"I'll go nom nom nom on three generations of your famiy!!"

That really is a scary threat.

"I, I'll talk!"

Rangii's eyes were sparkling as if she enjoyed watching Kkachi tremble in fear while expressing with her whole body to spare her. Rangii went hmph and stopped to listen to Kkachi. Ah geez, if you keep that up you might end up catching a magpie.

I put my hand on Rangii's head as if I was rubbing it, but I was actually lowering her head a little. (tn: Translation incomplete because I didn't know a word)

"That's enough."

"Unyak?"

She looked up at me, unsure about what I meant, then,

"…Eh heh heh."

She laughed embarrassedly and scratched the back of her head. I realized after seeing her do that. Brat, did you forget what I said?

"It seems you have become an animal tamer."

Shut up. Don't you know this all happened because of you?"

But before talking with Saehee, I had to hear Kkachi's story first. It's rude to talk in the courtyard so we should go inside. Also because I can't have Baduk hold Kkachi forever.

"Give me your story inside."

I turned to go into the master bedroom when,

"…What're you doing?"

I spoke to Baduk, who was holding onto Kkachi and walking with her awkwardly. She looked exactly like a penguin and I almost laughed.

"Because I have to hold onto it."

"No, but you don't have to?"

"It has not stopped its murderous intent."

I realized that my thinking was shortsighted. Rangii's threat is gone now. As if her earlier cowering form was a lie, Kkachi was fiercely testing if a phantom could kill a human with only her eyes.

Did you think that would work, you brat?

"Hey."

"You know that my name is Kkachi."

"My name is Sunghoon."

"For a human like you, calling you dangshin is sufficient." (tn: I didn't really know how to translate this. Kkachi always uses polite Korean, so she uses an honorific form of the pronoun "you.")

Even if you say that, haven't you realized that you're using polite Korean to me, you brat?

"Then just speak casually."

"This is how I speak. I have no plans on fixing it."

Do what you want. That isn't the important thing right now.

"So Kkachi."

Smiling triumphantly after I gave in, Kkachi spoke.

"What is it?"

"For now, how about we have a peace treaty, a cease-fire, in the house?"

Kkachi betrayed her youth with her entire body. In other words, she started worrying about what my words meant.

"I'm saying when we're inside, don't do anything to try and kill me. We won't hurt you either."

"P, please don't misunderstand! I know what you meant! I was just thinking about why you would say that to me!"

I'm sorry for misunderstanding.

"But why do I have to do something like that?!"

Rangii's eyes were sparkling again. It's amazing how her eyes can flash like that even when it's bright out. I covered Rangii's eyes with my hand and gave this issue some thought.

Hmm. Based on her reaction earlier, she'll do what I say if I put her family on the line, but there's no way I can threaten a little girl. Since I'm not a villain. I'll save that method for last.

Because I still have other choices.

First, ask nicely.

"Please."

"No."

A bribe.

"I'll give you candy."

"I, I'm not a kid!"

She may have said that, but the hair above Kkachi's ears started to flap noisily. Despite what she said, it seems like she wants to have some. I turned around and looked at Saehee. Realizing what I meant by looking at her, Saehee sighed, took out an orange-flavored candy from her sleeve, and gave it to me. I took off the candy wrapper and spoke to Kkachi.

"Ah."

"Ah—."

Kkachi opened her mouth without realizing what I was planning, and I put the candy in her mouth. Kkachi flapped the hair above her ears with a happy look on her face, rolling the candy around in her mouth, when she went Ack! and blushed.

"Th, this isn't what it looks like!"

"Yeah, you're right."

I'm not sure what she meant by that, but I didn't want to lord over the fact that I gave a little kid candy. Kkachi, likely embarrassed about unknowingly accepting a candy, shattered the candy in her mouth and quickly ate it. Thankfully she didn't spit it out.

Okay. For last, I'll try negotiating with her.

"Isn't there something you want?"

"Your life."

Looks like negotiations have failed. And then,

"You!!"

Queen Rangii got angry and made Kkachi go,

"Awooo!"

I grabbed Rangii's wrist as she moved towards a frightened Kkachi and shook my head. It isn't good for Rangii to solve everything through force. Even as she did what I wanted and stopped, she puffed out her cheeks, took a slight step back, and hugged me by the waist. This must be her sign of complaint. But it's cute so it had not effect. I poked her cheek.

"Puh—."

The sound of air rushing out was cute. No, this isn't the time to play with Rangii.

"Hm…"

I thought about this predicament. Isn't there any way to get this brat to listen to me? Do I really have to hit her? But I want to do this peacefully. But I need to know something about her for that. I don't have any interest in birds though. The only things I know about magpies (or Kkachi) are the fable about how chirping magpies foretell the coming of a welcome guest and the old children's fairy tale I read as a kid.

…Hm?

"Then how about this?"

"I have no reason to listen to what you say."

"Even though I saved you from Rangii twice?"

"—Awook."

She reacted. Kkachi flinched and looked away, the hair above her ears drooping down. I'm also a fan of avoiding reality, but I don't plan on ignoring this.

"Wow, how disappointing. Was the story about the grateful magpie all a lie?"

"Awooo! It's not! I said it's not!"

Kkachi glared at me and shouted. Why'd you get so angry?

"Okay. All I have to do is listen, just listen! While I'm inside, I swear on my name that I won't hurt you. Okay?!"

"You promise?"

Kkachi nodded.

"I'm not a disgraceful liar like you so if I make a promise then I'll definitely keep it."

This brat's as complicated as Saehee. Whew. If this world were filled only with kids like Rangii and Baduk … then the world would be in big trouble. That would be terrible.

Since I was imagining a world where Rangii, with a bright smile on her face, kicks Baduk.

"But that's only in the house. If you go outside, then no matter what happens to me, I will take your life. Absolutely."

Kkachi took the initiative by saying something I hadn't even been able to think of.

Ah, so she could have done that.

"Okay."

But still, at least I've ensured my safety indoors.

"Baduk, you can let her go."

"Understood, Young Master."

Kkachi eyed Baduk nervously once after Baduk let go of her hands, but she quickly followed behind me as I walked towards the room.

All while being kept fiercely under watch by Rangii.

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