Chapter 43

EP.43 Amplification of Virtue

A large open space.

I was standing outside, watching Sehwa drive while talking to Marcella on the phone.

Sehwa, who was waving at me from a distance with the driver’s window open.

I waved back at her, sending her a bright smile, and then asked Marcella, “What’s Yuria doing now?”

– Kim Taegon… no, the Demon King is enjoying a life of leisure with the money he provided. He keeps texting me non-stop… it’s driving me crazy… He keeps asking if I’ve been having more dreams about reincarnation.

Marcella was currently playing the role of Kim Taegon in my place.

Since I couldn’t have a proper conversation with Yuria while being around Sehwa, it was a necessary choice.

“I know. I’ve been seeing the texts you’ve sent too. Keep him friendly and tame him.”

– Got it.

“What about the doctor’s device?”

– It’s still in production, failing over and over. It’s going to take a while before it’s finished.

“How’s the World Union moving?”

– Most countries have properly set up their defense systems. Except for the weaker nations, they should be able to handle E and F-grade demons without issue.

“Focus on the major nations and release a large number of F-grade demons. Mix in some E-grades occasionally.”

If no gates appear while the new device is being made, the doctor will grow suspicious.

Sacrificing some weak demons was necessary.

After all, demons are a dime a dozen, so losing a few doesn’t matter.

– Understood.

“Has Yoo Seunghyun paid off all his debts?”

– He finished paying them off yesterday and was jumping around in joy. He said he’s really grateful for the hotel room.

He’s got grit, that one.

That’s what makes him my rival… no, my toy.

“What’s he doing now?”

– He’s looking for a house. He asked for an advance… what should I do?

“He’s going to be the manager who boosts our store’s sales, right? You need to trust him so he’ll stay loyal to the store for life.”

– Got it. Then I’ll lend him the money interest-free.

“Adjust his working hours to be more flexible too.”

– Yes.

As we were talking, Sehwa’s car approached me.

“I’ll hang up now.”

I ended the call and put my phone in my pocket just as the car came to a sudden stop.

Screech!

That startled me. I thought she was going to hit me.

How did she even get her license with braking skills like that?

She was doing so well until the very end.

I frowned slightly, and Sehwa got out of the driver’s seat and stomped over to me.

“Why aren’t you paying attention to me?”

Ah, so that’s why she slammed the brakes. She’s sulking.

“I was paying attention. Let’s ignore the sudden stop at the end, but overall, you drove well? You handled the curves nicely. Though the first curve was a bit rushed. It looked like you were nervous, your hands were tense, right? Next time, turn the wheel more smoothly.”

At my detailed feedback, Sehwa’s face immediately softened.

“Was that a work call?”

“Yeah, it’s all done. Want to try again? This time, I’ll ride shotgun.”

“Okay.”

Sehwa, who was walking briskly with her skirt fluttering, got back into the driver’s seat.

Her underwear is showing… she’s so careless…

I chuckled and got into the passenger seat, watching Sehwa drive for a long time.

We spent the next few days touring all over Jeju Island.

We visited various famous restaurants, enjoyed the natural scenery at famous tourist spots, returned to the hotel to have some fun, and even filmed it to upload on Twinkle.

Sehwa’s new phone didn’t have a single photo of Yoo Seunghyun.

She had transferred the photos when she changed phones, but she deleted all the memories with Sehwa to make space and filled it with photos of me and her.

I knew the storage was overflowing, but I just let it slide.

Dr. Cash also called.

She informed me that F-grade demons sent by Marcella had appeared worldwide.

Sehwa was very worried about the appearance of these demons, but since the global defense systems were well-established now, there was almost no harm to humans, so the doctor just told her to relax.

Thanks to that, Sehwa was able to enjoy our trip with peace of mind.

In the past, she would’ve been heartbroken over even the smallest sacrifice, but now, she didn’t seem to care about such things.

**

Wearing a high-quality bathrobe, Sehwa, who was sucking on ice cream delivered by room service while watching a movie, patted her belly.

“I think I’ve gained 2 kg in just a few days.”

I, with my hand on the pillow and my head resting on it, laughed mockingly.

“You haven’t gained any weight. Stop messing around and just eat.”

“Why aren’t you eating? This is really delicious.”

“I left it all for you.”

“Really?”

Sehwa, with a meaningful smile, tried to adjust her position but ended up spilling ice cream on my robe.

Right on the crotch area.

I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

Either hide that mischievous smile and act, or just blatantly spill the ice cream. What’s this?

“What should we do? It’s spilled.”

Her acting is so bad.

She was pretty good when she was talking to Yoo Seunghyun.

“Yeah. I should clean it up.”

“With what? Your mouth? Should I get ready to film?”

Showing her true colors, huh? Mischievous thing.

But I’m not falling for it.

“No. I’ll clean it up, so you just keep watching the movie.”

As I said that and reached for some tissues, Sehwa, seemingly annoyed, started hitting me with a spoon.

It doesn’t hurt at all, so what can I do?

By the way, ever since Sehwa confessed her love, the frequency of her hitting me has increased a lot, which is concerning.

Of course, it’s not as serious as that punch last time, but this violent side needs to be shown to humans…

I can’t just become a punching bag.

I thoroughly ignored her spoon attacks with complete indifference.

Then Sehwa made a lost puppy face and climbed on top of me, kissing me all over.

Forehead, eyebrows, under the eyes, cheeks, nose, philtrum, lips, and chin.

She made kissing sounds on every part, and when my reaction wasn’t satisfying, she pouted and bit my neck.

When even that didn’t change my expression, she bit my chest, and when that didn’t work, she tried to bite my…

Wait, not there.

“Get up.”

“Hehe…”

She quickly got up and lightly bit and pulled on my lips.

Sehwa now was like a cat going through socialization.

Just like a cat bites a person’s finger to confirm affection, Sehwa also tried to confirm my feelings through these actions.

Whether it was hitting me with a spoon or this kind of skin contact, it was all part of her way of confirming affection.

I flicked Sehwa’s forehead with a *thud*.

“Ow!”

Sehwa, who screamed and rubbed her forehead, glared at me.

“You…”

“Me? You’ve been getting cheeky lately, huh? Next time, your foot’s coming out?”

“Why did you hit me!?”

“Because you’ve been acting like a child, so I’m trying to educate you a bit. It doesn’t even hurt, so why the fuss?”

“Because I’m upset…”

As she said that, Sehwa’s eyes were filling with moisture.

Do you think whining will solve everything?

I’ll let it slide for now.

I pulled Sehwa into a tight hug and kissed her forehead.

Only then did the real Sehwa smile brightly.

I feel a bit manipulated, but… let’s move on.

**

After a 9-day vacation, we returned to Seoul on Saturday evening.

Boom!

The sound of thunder echoing in the dark sky.

It sounded like Yoo Seunghyun’s future crumbling, so I couldn’t help but smile.

Sehwa, startled by the thunder, had been tightly holding my waist for a while now.

Feeling a tingling sensation in my waist, I said, “It hurts. Stop pinching.”

“Ah, sorry…”

“Just hold my hand, why are you grabbing my waist?”

At that, Sehwa quickly grabbed my hand.

We took a taxi back home.

As soon as Sehwa opened the front door, she immediately went to check the room with the portal.

She was checking if there were any issues.

It was clear evidence of how much Sehwa cherished the existence of the Beast Slayer.

“The portal seems fine.”

Of course it is.

Who do you think made it?

“Let’s link it with the device later. So you can use the portal anytime, anywhere.”

“Is that possible…?”

“With enough polymers, anything’s possible.”

“Ah…”

Sehwa’s eyes grew distant.

The word “polymers” must have reminded her of our first meeting.

We met by chance, pretending it was accidental, in the Future Science building.

After finding out we were in the same department, and after helping her with the professor’s questions, we grew close rapidly, and in just three months, we’ve come this far.

It’s a long time, but considering Sehwa’s cautious personality, it’s incredibly fast.

Enough to brag about.

Of course, it wouldn’t have been possible without Marcella.

I’ll have to properly satisfy her soon to further increase her loyalty.

The schemes against Yuria are progressing steadily, and Rose… now Stella Hailey, is also being monitored in real-time.

The remaining Beast Slayers, Caroline and Celine, haven’t appeared yet, but they’ll come eventually.

You can’t ignore the pull of fate. Yes, that’s right.

“What are you thinking about?”

I was thinking that Yoo Seunghyun has probably paid off all his debts by now, so it’s time to face him head-on, when Sehwa’s question snapped me out of it.

I smiled brightly.

“Probably the same thing you’re thinking.”

“What am I thinking about right now?”

“The day we first met.”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

Sehwa, feeling shy, looked up at me.

I ruffled her hair and then took off my clothes.

“Let’s shower quickly. I’m tired.”

“Coming home feels strange. Can’t we go on another trip? There’s still a lot of vacation left…”

“I’ll be busy for a while. Let’s handle some company work, finish the device portal, and maybe go abroad.”

“So I’ll be alone for a while? What am I supposed to do alone?”

“Play with Yoo Seunghyun or something.”

At that, Sehwa clapped her hands.

“Ah, right. I forgot about Seunghyun.”

Forgetting her boyfriend? Sehwa, you shouldn’t do that yet.

You need to strip Yoo Seunghyun’s soul bare and make him crawl at your feet.

But Yoo Seunghyun is something else.

He’s paid off all his debts, Marcella even gave him an advance, and adjusted his working hours, yet he’s holding back from calling Sehwa.

Even though Sehwa said she’d contact him first, he’s got quite the patience.

Is he trying to show his best side during the next meeting?

If so, good luck. You can’t change the fact that Sehwa has the Demon Realm, but if you can stay on the scale, that’s commendable.

“Wait. I’ll send Seunghyun a message.”

“Just meet him now. Even if he’s working, he should be able to spare some time.”

“Should I? Then I’ll be back soon.”

“Do that.”

Sehwa kissed me and headed for the front door.

I stopped her.

“Did you forget something?”

“Huh? What?”

“Change your ring.”

“Ah…”

Sehwa’s face turned red immediately.

Putting on the ring that says “slave” must be both embarrassing and exciting.

Sehwa rummaged through her handbag, took out the ring box I gave her, and changed the ring.

She twisted her hand around, seemingly satisfied, and nodded.

She went into the room, changed into normal clothes, put on a hat and mask, and said, “I’ll really be back. It might be a bit late.”

“Late? Aren’t you just meeting for a bit?”

“I know it’s Seunghyun’s working hours. But still… if he can’t spare 30 minutes or an hour for me, doesn’t that mean he doesn’t love me anymore?”

“That’s a bit too forward…”

“I’ll just think that way. I’m off?”

“Come back safely.”

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