I love Korean series, even if I don’t know a lot of the proverbs and sayings. Korean culture is fun, at least in light novel form.
I hugged Rangii and patted her back, told her the magic words that I would explain everything to her after she slept for twelve nights, and finally got her to wait calmly in the master bedroom when I called Saehee to my room.
"Are you including me?"
It didn't take me long to understand what she said.
"You're not."
"As you say. So why did you ask to see me separately?"
I put this off because of the commotion that Kkachi caused, but I called Saehee here so I could ask about the rumor that Kkachi mentioned.
"Explain to me why the rumor that I tricked Rangii into becoming my toy came about."
Saehee made a surprised expression.
"I am surprised that you remembered that, Young Master. I thought that there was so much going on that you would forget."
"Would you just forget and put up with it in my position? When there's a rumor like that being spread."
"Is the rumor not true?"
I just can't beat Saehee.
"…Okay. That aside."
"So you admit to it. After you so boldly said you would do such things to Kkachi-nim, I suppose going that far is nothing to you."
"You're making it so I can't just ignore what you said!"
I was about to explode with anger when,
"You mean you lied? For you to have lied in order to cover something up, I am disappointed in you, Young Master. Then I shall go and kill that thing."
Saehee's shining eyes calmed my rage.
"It wasn't. I was serious."
That thing that died within me before shattered to fine pieces. The pieces are so small that if you ran a vacuum cleaner over them, it would suck them up in a flash.
I tried to run away from that reality.
"Stop talking about that and explain to me why the rumor ended up like that. Since you know."
It's just a hunch, but Saehee was the one who started the rumor. The only ones who could have started a rumor like that are Rangii, Saehee, Narae, Jeongmi, and me. And among us, the only one who could have told that rumor to the phantoms is Saehee. No, who else would turn me into such an evil person?!
Saehee effectively admitted she started the rumor just like I thought.
"I had no choice but to spread such a rumor."
"Why?"
"This may become quite a long story."
"I feel like your story would become a lot shorter if you stopped insulting me."
"You are correct."
Your agreeing to that made me a little sad. I insisted that Saehee tell me her story through my silence. Saehee made a serious face as if she no longer had any plans to joke around.
"Phantoms do not view humans as their equals."
That was a kind of declaration. I remembered yesterday, when Saehee was angry.
"Do you feel the same way?"
"Perhaps. That was true until just yesterday, but starting today, who knows?"
Saehee gave a faint smile and spoke.
"Are you interested?"
"Nope."
"You are quite cold-hearted, Young Master."
The hell do you mean I'm cold-hearted? I could see from your eyes that if I said yes, you would've insulted me again. She'd probably say something like 'Are you targeting me now as well?' And that's not important right now. I remained silent in response, and Saehee continued speaking. (tn: Targeting is likely not the best word to use in this case.)
"You can think of Master and Baduk as special cases among us. Master is so innocent that rather than turn a human like me into a simple changgwi, she made me a part of her family. To her, there is no significant difference between humans and phantoms. In addition, Baduk is a dog who follows humans by nature. Although this may have a little to do with her carefree personality." (tn: I really, really got the translation wrong in the manhwa for the second sentence of this paragraph. This time it should be correct.)
It's probably not just a little.
"So?"
"However, other phantoms are different. They view humans simply as prey, nothing more than toys. But how would they react if they had heard the truth that Master had done such a thing as Fall in Love with the Young Master?" (tn: Fall in love was said in English.)
The content of what you said aside.
"Why're you using English all of a sudden?"
"Were you unable to understand? It means to become enamored. I wrote it down for emphasis. Underline and take notes. This will be on the test."
Fall in love: To become enamored
"Am I taking a test right now?!"
No, this isn't the time to respond to that. Based on what she said, the situation is starting to become clear to me.
"So if you told the truth then the phantoms would oppose it?"
"Good job. If you bring your textbook, I will give you a gold star."
"Are you my teacher?"
"Please lie on the floor."
"Shut up."
Don't you know corporal punishment is banned?
"Anyway, we are all waiting for Master to lead us and open the doors to our era. But what would happen if they found out the truth?"
Saehee didn't give me time to answer.
"The phantoms that will take action with a different goal in mind will multiply."
It seems like she's saying something incredibly dangerous, but I know better.
"Isn't this not a big deal to you guys?"
"Not at all."
Saehee shook her head with a grave expression on her face.
"It is a big deal."
My jaw dropped.
"A big deal indeed. Though individually they cannot equal even the tips of master's fur, if their strength were to be combined, then they could not be ignored. Especially with Master unable to use her original body's strength due to being under the seal, Master could endanger her life if she fought against such a force in order to protect the Young Master."
I realized Saehee was serious and I struggled to open my mouth after being at a loss for words while she was speaking.
"…Then what are you going to do?"
"I created the rumor that Master fell in love with the devil-like Young Master's honeyed words and dexterous fingers. Then even if the Young Master's life were to be in danger, Master would at least not have to face a revolt. I am currently thinking of a solution for after that."
"So you're telling me to just shut up and be labeled a bad guy?"
"That is correct."
"Then what do I have to do?"
Having become an awful villain with my knowledge, I asked her that because I was wondering if I would have to act the part. But Saehee's response was beyond my expectations.
"Acting the same as usual will do."
"Can I really?"
"That will be sufficient."
How is acting the same as usual enough? I was thinking hard about what I did in the past, and Saehee nodded her head, signaling that her serious talk was ending as she raised the corners of her mouth slightly and smiled.
"This is all for the sake of Master, whom the Young Master loves."
I blushed profusely.
"Wh, who is?!"
You must be glad. Happy. Joyful. That place is…"
"Shut up!!"
I was as embarrassed as when Narae got her hands on my middle school diary that was filled with my private world. So I immediately changed the subject.
"That aside, couldn't you have spread a more toned down rumor?"
"I did my best to do so."
How?
"Then I shall go to Master. I have to speak with her."
"Okay. Ah, that's right."
Before she left, I spoke to Saehee about something I wanted to talk about since before.
"That club. Store it somewhere. It reminds me of what happened yesterday so I don't want to see it."
Though the truth is I'm scared of what you might do with it.
"Understood."
Saehee nodded her head.
Having turned over a new leaf, I went outside to explain the situation to Kkachi. Kkachi was sitting in the courtyard, looking up at the sky with her fists clenched. She saved me the trouble of looking for her.
"Hey."
"Heeek?!"
Genuinely getting treated with such scorn is really hurtful.
"Wha, what are you trying t, to do even b, before the sun has set?! A, aren't you fearful o, of heaven?!"
Could that rumor be the problem? Or could the problem be what I said?
Correct. They are both the problem.
It seems like I first need to resolve this misunderstanding, so I should bring her to my room.
"I have something to tell you so let's go to my room."
"S, so you really do want to do it! You pervert! Are you turned on by a body like mine? You lolicon! You human trash pedophile! Heaven will not forgive you! To hell! You're going to hell! If I die, I will tell the Jade Emperor and you will receive divine puni…"
It's tiring to hear any more so I hit Kkachi on the hit.
"Awoooo!"
"Stop complaining and follow me."
I grabbed Kkachi's wrist and dragged her to my room. If a stranger were seeing this, it'd be really easy to misunderstand what's going on, but I'm innocent.
"F, for me to be humiliated by a human!!"
I really am innocent.
My ideal type of women are older sister types with rocking bodies like Narae and Jeongmi-noona, not little kids like her.
For real.
Seriously.
I don't feel even the slightest bit of attraction for brats like her. That's why I frowned after we entered my room because I saw Kkachi undoing her coat-string.
"What're you doing?"
"I, I am preparing my resolve. That way even while you are panting and doing as you please, it'll end as soon as…"
I hit her on the head once more.
"Awoo?!"
I'd better resolve the misunderstanding first. If this continues, then my sensitive mind might get crushed. Kkachi sank to her knees and covered her head, so whether she was in pain or not, I decided to start explaining. Maybe by talking I can put her at ease.
"I have something to tell you."
"Don't you mean you have something to do to me?"
That sounds familiar.
"Shut up and listen."
"Awoooo?! Is that how you get off? I, I'm against violence! Where did you sell your kindness?"
I lowered my fist that was secretly rising. Be patient. Rangii or Saehee can come here at any time so I need to tell her everything as soon as possible. I don't even have the time to hit her. I whispered as softly as I could so that only Kkachi could here.
"What I said before is a lie."
"Awooo?"
Kkachi's hair rose then lowered back to normal. Does that mean you don't understand?
"So what I'm saying is that I lied to Saehee so that she would spare you."
It looks like Kkachi doesn't plan on listening to me. Just look at that. She's glaring at me with doubt and hostility.
"I don't believe you."
"It's the truth."
"That's false hope. I can see in your eyes that after giving me flase hope, you plan on plunging me back into despair, first breaking my mind then my body. Don't think this will go as you plan. I'm stronger than I look."
…What kind of kid thinks like that? If I was as evil a person as you think I am, then do you think I'd be worrying about something like this? I'd be using Rangii to do evil things and fulfill my desires.
"I'm serious. Just believe me."
"How am I to believe a human? Besides…"
Kkachi stopped what she was about to say and shook her head.
"No. I don't need to tell you. There is no need to even check if you are lying. Do as you please. No matter what you say, at the very least my will shall not break."
I sighed as Kkachi pointed at me, as if she confirmed that I was a sex offender.
Why won't this brat believe people?
No. In this situation, it'd be weirder to trust me. I need to be more open-minded.
"Think whatever you want. It's your freedom whether you believe me or not."
What she thinks is irrelevant. Because all I have to do is not touch her.
"That's the end of what I had to say. I'm done. You can leave now."
No, leave. So I can rest too. I'm exhausted from all the things that happened within less than an hour. I'm at my physical and mental limit. I want to rest a little now. Yeah, I'll take a nap. I should feel better after I take a nap.
But Kkachi didn't intend on leaving. All she did was keep eye contact with me.
"What, got something to say?"
Being looked at like that is uncomfortable so I asked her that offhandedly. Kkachi hesitated and opened her mouth.
"Do you mean what you said?"
"Yes."
"Do you really, really, really mean what you said?"
"I said yes."
Kkachi was deep in thought for a moment then carefully looked me in the eye and spoke.
"Then will you swear upon the name given to you by heaven?"
What do you think I am?
"Sorry, but I don't have something like that. Since I'm a human."
After I said that, Kkachi's eyes looked sharply at me and she got angry.
"I knew you were lying! You may say one thing, but the truth is you're a rapist lying in wait!"
So you're picking a fight with me, huh?
"Hey, you brat! I don't have one so what do you expect me to do?! Should I scream at heaven? For them to give me a name? Or should I go ask my parents? Ask them for another name?"
Then Dad would happily give me the name he tried to give me years ago. Nang-kong. Add on my last name and it's Kang Nang-kong, aka Kidney Bean. My aunt told me that if Mom hadn't run out of the maternity ward and beaten Dad half to death when they were registering my birth, I really would have had that name.
"I'm done now so leave! Since it's your freedom whether you believe me or not!"
Kkachi flinched and glared at me. She took furtive steps backwards as her hair flapped.
"I, I see. So you're not in the mood because you're tired. Then I will leave."
In the end, I gave up on persuading Kkachi and made a shooing motion with my hand. Kkachi shut the door and I was hit with a wave of exhaustion.
I should rest. Sleep. Let my unconscious lie. No matter what happens, I'm going to sleep.
I took a pillow from a wardrobe and set it on the ground. As if on cue, the Sandman … no, Rangii came to me.
"Sunghoooon—!!"
Bam!
She sent the door flying and came screaming in.
"Uwak?!"
Shocked by the door that flew past my head, I got up to find an enraged Rangii standing where the door used to be, with her shoulder shaking and going 'Hmph.' I just noticed that Rangii wasn't alone, and that she was holding Kkachi who had previously left the room… But Rangii was holding Kkachi to her side, hanging from her arm like a shrimp. That's right, tigers have incredible strength.
"Why'd you bring Kkachi?"
"I saw her standing still outside the room so I grabbed her without thinking."
Are we in the wilderness?
"So why'd you come here?"
"Ah, that's right! Saehee told me everything!"
Before I could ask her, 'What'd Saehee tell you?' Rangii shouted.
"How does that make sense?!! You're supposed to do that for the very first time with your wife! I can endure the pain or being uncomfortable!!"
…Huh? Wait. How'd you learn about that? No, I don't even need to think about that.
Saeheeeee!! Damn you, what did you teach Rangii?!
Rangii stood tall and puffed out her chest, speaking as if there wasn't a single lie in what she said.
"She said that it would hurt at first but that later it would feel good!! That that's how we can become a real couple!"
Dear Lord, holy crap. An innocent child has disappeared from the world like this once again.
I blushed because Rangii learned something I would rather her have never known and…
"Since we've already done so many that felt good, doesn't that mean that as long as I feel pain we'll become a couple?!"
…Stopped blushing.
Now I can speak sincerely.
I'm sorry. Saehee, I misunderstood you. Thank you. Thank you so much. I can keep on living thanks to you. You must not have had a choice because she kept throwing a fit.
Thanks to a wave of inner peace and tranquility, brilliant joy, happiness almost strong enough to explode within me, and a subtle sense of regret, I was able to treat Rangii the same as usual.
"More importantly, do you know how babies are made?"
"I know that after you become a couple, Grandma Samshin will bring a child!" (tn: Samshin is the goddess of childbirth.)
What are you doing? Organizations across the world, you all should be protecting such an innocent phantom from the world!
"Stop saying stuff like that and let's sleep together! Make me feel pain while I'm sleeping!"
I made a come over here motion with my hand to the tiger that had a strange misunderstanding. Rangii's ears pricked upwards and moved towards me, half with excitement and half with nervousness. I sighed and lightly pinched Rangii's cheek.
"Unyanyanyanyak?"
"Stop saying weird things. I have absolutely no intention of doing that to you, so put Kkachi down and leave."
Those words were a mistake.
"Are you going to do that with Kkachi?!"
I won't explain what kind of misunderstanding this brat made. Because everybody can tell what it is already.
"A-absolutely not!! I have to be your first!"
"Hey, damn it! That's not what I meant!!"
"Uwaaaah!!"
Rangii didn't even give my words a single thought and ran out of the room, crying. While holding Kkachi to her side. She ran out to the courtyard in an instant, before I could even say a word. In other words, she flew outside in a white blur. There was the whoosh of wind as she destroyed the front gate and created a line of destruction through the heavily forested mountain. Even from inside, I could clearly see the trees being forced up into the air, then falling to the ground in a cloud of dirt. All I could do was watch as such a scene played out before my eyes.
"It seems you must learn to give more consideration to both the situation and the one you are talking to when speaking, Young Master."
I was unable to come up with a response to Saehee's words.
"…Kkachi should be okay, right?"
So instead, I asked her something else.
"Why is the Young Master asking me when you yourself must know better than I do?"
You can talk your way out of just about anything, huh? (tn: A Korean proverb. That I just kind of slapped together with English)
You're right. Like you said, I can't even imagine Rangii hurting Kkachi. Even when she was fighting against the bear girls, Rangii did her best to stay her hand like a good girl. She wouldn't carelessly hurt someone.
Though I had no idea why Rangii would eat Saehee and turn her into a Changgwi.
"What are you looking at?"
Crap, she noticed. I quickly changed the subject.
"No, more importantly, I'd be happy if Kkachi didn't come back, but that won't happen, will it?
"Saying the same thing twice neither amuses me nor gives me joy."
"…Sorry."
She was saying, 'Why are you asking that when you already know the answer?'
The name given by heaven. I understood the importance of such a thing. Kkachi will come again. No matter how far away she was sent, she would come and find me again.
Though the first one to come back was Rangii.
Her white jeogori was covered in dirt, her nicely braided hair was now sticking out in places, and even her shoes were caked in mud. Where in the world could she have gone to end up like that? I was going to ask Saehee to bathe her, but damn. She disappeared without me noticing. Her eyes are so sharp she'll end up cutting herself one day.
Share some of that with Rangii.
"I'm your first! I won't say anything if you make Narae or Kkachi your concubine as long as it's after that!"
As Rangii said that so adamantly, I rested my elbow on the top of Rangii's head. And I pressed downward, hard.
"Unyaaaah!"
Maybe I should ignore Rangii, whose arms and legs were writhing as she was in pain, and give some more thought about what to do when Kkachi returns.
"Th-that hurts!! B-but I can take it…"
I lightly bit her ear.
"Unyaah! M-my ears, hunyaaaak!!"
Rangii surrendered after three seconds.
Kkachi didn't come back until dinner time.