Chapter 34

It seems Chae-a is determined to appeal that she won’t give me up no matter what.

Every time Seorin tries to take me away,

she shakes her head vigorously with a pouty expression.

“Si-ler! Hae-un is going to live here…!”

As I’m being dragged along by Chae-a, I gaze blankly at the trash pile that will (not) become my new home.

Though it’ll be tough, I decide I can endure with Chae-a and Seorin around.

Then Seorin picks both me and Chae-a up and says,

“Sorry, but please calm down.”

At this, Chae-a glances at Seorin, blinks, then nods proudly,

“Unh!”

Does she really understand?

I’m not sure, but something tells me no as I pat her head.

Right then, our Suspicious Viewer sends us a new message.

[MoneyAndSuspicious – Since we have to decorate the Lair anyway, it might be good to bring anything you want.]

That’s true; there’s nothing here to decorate the Lair with. We should gather some things.

As I’m about to grab the desk I scoped out earlier,

“Kamang!”

The Kamangi that had disappeared suddenly leaps from Seorin’s arms.

Looking around wondering when they got there, I gently pat their heads one by one.

The Kamangi effortlessly lift the desk I had picked out and start following me.

‘Could they be offering to help?’

Surprised by their actions, I look at the Kamangi who bounce energetically, signaling they’ve got this.

Grateful for their help, I bow slightly before turning back to push the desk.

‘I feel bad leaving it all to the Kamangi. I should help too.’

Putting all my strength into pushing the desk, Seorin easily lifts it and asks,

“Let me handle this kind of thing. Is there anything else you need?”

“… Gan-chan-na! I can do it too!”

“Nope, this is something adults do. I’ll handle it!”

But I’m the adult here… Aren’t I?

Despite usually acting mature, realizing Seorin sees me as a child shocks me.

‘Why…?’

Don’t I seem like an adult to anyone?

Confused, I stare blankly at Seorin who smiles cutely and says,

“Then let’s go. Chae-a, if you like any PET bottles, bring them along.”

“Unh! Got it!”

Still bewildered, I hold onto Seorin’s pants leg and shuffle along.

*

“Uwaaaah! It’s sparkling! Like stars! So pretty!”

Returning to the place chosen for the Lair, we’re greeted by a crystal floating in the air, glowing white.

Its brilliance clearly signals activation as it shines brighter and sways side to side when I approach.

‘It feels alive.’

Thinking it resembles a small bird while giggling, the crystal seemingly reads my mind and nestles into my arms, speaking.

[Would you like to create a Lair?]

Nodding affirmatively,

the crystal flashes brilliantly and instantly constructs wooden walls around us.

“Uwaaaah!”

Seeing this, Chae-a’s eyes sparkle as she looks around, then happily runs over whispering,

“It feels like the middle of a mountain… I like it!”

Middle of a mountain?

Wasn’t there something like that?

Suddenly recalling something shocking,

‘… A restroom?’

Realizing there are restrooms for hikers in the mountains, I blink.

‘Plus, they sometimes build them to resemble cabins.’

Could the place Chae-a likes be a restroom?

Trying to dismiss it,

“Because there are so many bugs, it’s a place Chae-a loves!”

Chae-a confirms my worst fears, making me shiver.

I awkwardly smile at Chae-a as she giggles and starts stacking PET bottles.

“Cute~”

Patting her head approvingly, I ponder how to decorate the Lair.

‘So, how should I decorate it?’

Since it’s cabin-style, maybe cozy would be best? Or since it’s inside a building, should it match the building’s atmosphere?

Whatever it is, thinking it’ll be fun, I settle my wiggling tail as the crystal in my arms twinkles and advises,

[If you’d like to expand or shrink the size of your Lair, just let me know. I’ll resolve it swiftly.]

Can it really do that?

Impressed, I nod and point to the hallway, asking it to expand.

[Zaaan!]

The area I pointed at instantly widens.

Stroking its head appreciatively, the crystal excitedly bounces.

‘Then let’s get serious about decorating…!’

Thinking this will be easy, I roll up my animal pajama sleeves and prepare myself.

*

Decorating the Lair was incredibly fun.

Sure, with few furnishings, densely decorating isn’t possible,

but being able to freely place items where I want is thrilling.

‘This turned out great, right?’

Confident others would find it amazing, I proudly look at Seorin.

Seorin gives me a somewhat awkward compliment,

“W-well. Chae-a and Hae-un have… uhh… impressive artistic senses?”

‘Could it be bad?’

Glancing around unsure, everything seems fine to me, so I tilt my head.

‘Not good?’

Not knowing, I turn to the viewers for opinions, bringing my face close to the screen.

“What do you think…?”

After a brief silence, the chat explodes with messages.

[GradStudentWanted – The prettiest in the world, Hae-un haha!]

[NoWorkPlease – Oh my gosh, seriously, that dump is adorable lol!]

[TailPuller – Lol everyone SHHH!!! Hae-un really did well decorating!]

Though the reactions were a bit strange,

thinking positive feedback is good enough, I proudly waggle my tail.

‘Maybe I’ll redecorate when I get new furniture.’

Excitedly imagining the finished product, I giggle until…

Chae-a excitedly tells me,

“This feels like a castle! A treasure castle!”

“Huh?”

“Because it sparkles so much!”

Didn’t castles mean dumpsites for Chae-a?

Frozen momentarily upon uncovering an unsettling truth,

I decide against it and shake my head quickly.

‘… With how well I’ve decorated it, it can’t possibly be a dump!’

Others said it’s pretty, and most importantly, I like it, so it can’t be a dump.

Deciding this firmly, I nod as someone chuckles behind me.

“Hey kids, it’s Uncle.”

Recognizing the Spirit Master’s voice,

grateful for his usual help, I grab Chae-a and Seorin’s hands and step outside.

Uncle Spirit Master approaches carrying a black plastic bag filled with ice cream.

“I heard you’re making a Lair, so I brought snacks. Let’s eat while we work.”

Perfect timing as I’m hungry.

Gratefully bowing to Uncle Spirit Master, he chuckles and glances at my Lair.

Proudly looking at him with a “Isn’t it pretty?” vibe,

Uncle Spirit Master taps the edge of the Lair with his palm and says,

“You’re cleaning trash before building your Lair? Wait, I’m good at breaking stuff too.”

“…”

“By the way, making kids clean trash isn’t right. Hey Seorin, who’s in charge here? We should confront them.”

At this, Seorin visibly flinches then waves her hands defensively,

“T-trash? Isn’t it super cute? I was amazed.”

“Is this? Ah… Maybe it’s some trendy gangster or insta-worthy aesthetic?”

Shocked, I stare open-mouthed as Seorin frantically intervenes,

“This isn’t a dumpsite, it’s the Lair Hae-un and Chae-a built.”

“… What.”

With that single word, Uncle Spirit Master closes his eyes and turns away.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, at the Hunter Community,

recent threads are dominated by terror investigation updates and Hae-un memes.

Amid jokes that it should be renamed the Hae-un Community, a new post appears.

—

[The Lair Destroyer Strikes Again

– As usual, Ms. Lair Destroyer came to demolish Hae-un’s lair today…

Last time, there was still some conscience left, so excuses were made.

Now, it seems all conscience is gone as she insinuates it’s a dumpsite while trying to destroy the lair (attempted).

]

Reply: ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ If Hae-un comes with a broom next time, you’ll know the real deal has arrived.

Reply: This is actually true.

Reply: Hae-un doesn’t talk like that.

Reply: Well, they’re up to something funny. Also, it does look kinda weird lol.

Reply: Is Hae-un a stray cat or something? Why does she like such decor? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

—

Han Arin, who should be recruiting graduate students…

can’t stop laughing despite trying, covering her mouth with her hand.

So cute and hilarious, after stifling laughter for a while,

she takes a deep breath and shakes her head.

“Ah… I should buy her proper furniture.”

The current decor is truly disastrous, so leaving it as is wouldn’t be right.

Deciding to replace the furniture, she nods firmly.

---