Chapter 45

There’s a bed in the master bedroom.

It’s the king-sized bed where Kabe and I sleep, but since Kabe slept with Dusik today, I’ll be sleeping alone.

The problem is Sohee…

“Sohee, are you planning to sleep on the sofa…?”

I was about to ask if she wanted to sleep on the sofa, but Sohee was shaking her head vigorously.

Hmm.

I can’t sleep on the sofa either.

My back hurts if I sleep on the sofa.

“There’s only one bed. Want to sleep together?”

It’s a king-sized bed anyway, and it’s way too big for just me.

It’s a bit awkward since it’s Sohee, but it should be fine, right? It’s not like there’s another crazy person like Prilly in the world.

I’ve gotten used to sleeping with Kabe next to me, so sleeping alone tonight feels a bit weird.

Sohee said she could handle some alcohol, so I let Kabe sleep with Dusik, but turns out Sohee can’t drink at all. I didn’t want to drink alone, so I just had one beer and called it a night.

“Alright, let’s sleep together then.”

“Sleeping in the same room as my older sister… This Sohee feels truly blessed…”

“Stop saying weird things. I’m going to wash up, so you go to the living room. There’s another shower there. Go wash up. As for underwear…”

Of course, she wouldn’t have any. I pulled out a pair of panties from the drawer and tossed them to Sohee behind me.

“Change into these panties, and just wear the bra for another day. We’ll go buy some tomorrow.”

No response. When I turned around, Sohee was holding the light blue panties, unfolding them and examining them closely.

“What are you doing?”

“Sister, what is this?”

Ah.

She’s from the Joseon era, so she wouldn’t know.

“This… this is Sister’s undergarment…”

Afraid I might take them back, Sohee grabbed the piece of cloth called panties and dashed out of the master bedroom.

Actually, minions like her don’t really need to wash. Unless they sweat excessively, they stay clean, and their clothes are always pristine.

But still, telling her to wash up might be…

“Sister…”

Sohee’s pupils dilated dreamily.

And without realizing it, she buried her nose in the panties.

“This… is Sister’s scent…”

The floral scent filled her nostrils.

Petals fluttering in her mind created a picturesque scene.

As if lying in a flower field, a warm and fluffy sensation gently enveloped her body, making Sohee’s legs go weak.

“Sister… Sohee… wants to die like this, buried in your scent…”

—

The ventilation system is perfect.

Being on the top floor, the shower room inevitably gets humid, but after showering, it didn’t feel damp at all.

After drying my hair and changing clothes, I came out to find Sohee sitting politely on the bed.

“You wore what I laid out?”

Before going to shower, I had taken out some clothes and left them in front of the shower room for Sohee.

I figured sleeping in her hanbok wasn’t ideal.

I don’t care if it gets wrinkled, but the rustling sound would probably keep me awake.

Sohee was wearing light workout pants and a T-shirt, but her natural beauty shone through no matter what she wore.

“Sister, thank you for your concern.”

I nodded at Sohee, who smiled like a blooming flower, and checked the clock. It was already 11 PM.

Since there was no news from Kabe, she must have fallen asleep without a fuss, so it was time for me to sleep too.

“Sister, isn’t your pillow too high?”

Sohee looked at my pillow and asked curiously.

It was understandable since my pillow was stacked two high with regular pillows, making it look quite tall.

Strangely, I can’t sleep if the pillow is too low.

It doesn’t have to be so high that my neck bends, but I need some height to fall asleep.

It’s just a habit I’ve had since childhood.

“It’s just a habit. Lie down already.”

I didn’t feel like listening to her nagging.

I pushed Sohee’s shoulder to make her lie down, then lay down beside her.

The bed sank softly.

Since it wasn’t winter yet, I pulled up the autumn blanket and covered both of us.

“Go to sleep. I’m tired too.”

It had been a tiring day.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring, so I should sleep… As I closed my eyes, *tap tap*, Sohee’s fingers tapped my shoulder.

“What? Can’t sleep?”

“Sister, can I borrow your arm…”

I stretched out my arm as Sohee pulled it.

She quickly rested her head on my arm.

“What are you doing?”

“Sister, I can’t sleep if the pillow is too high. So just for tonight…”

“Tsk. If you lie on my wrist like this, I won’t be able to sleep comfortably.”

I pulled Sohee closer and rested her head on my forearm.

“Ah…”

“This way, I’ll be comfortable too.”

I pulled Sohee closer and hugged her sideways, patting her back like I do with Kabe.

“Go to sleep. It must feel strange and awkward in a new place, but we’ll talk more tomorrow in the daylight.”

“Y-yes, hehe, S-sister…”

Her voice seemed to tremble slightly, but it must be my imagination.

As I drifted off to sleep, intoxicated by the shampoo scent tickling my nose, I wondered how she even knew how to shower…

—

When I opened my eyes, it was morning.

The building faced south, so even though it wasn’t direct sunlight, the room was filled with warmth.

Hearing soft breathing, I glanced down to see Sohee curled up in my arms, fast asleep.

Even minions get tired, huh?

“Wake up.”

But since the sun had been up for a while, I slapped her cheeks lightly to wake her.

“Sister, you’re awake.”

“Yeah. I just woke up.”

My arm wasn’t numb even after being used as a pillow.

I stretched as I got out of bed.

*Crack crack*, a strange sound came from my waist, but it’s a sound I’m used to, so I didn’t pay much attention.

Today’s the day Keru is supposed to return.

I wonder when he’ll be back and what he’ll bring.

“Mm, I’m back.”

Speak of the devil.

Keru pushed open the bedroom door and entered.

He was carrying a large box on his back.

Is that the magical gun or whatever?

“Ke, Keru…?”

“Sohee, isn’t it you! Heukcheon Amhwa Dan Sohee!”

“Why are you here… No, before that! Sister! Why are you petting that creature!”

Why?

Well, my mascot just came back from a long trip, so a little welcome is normal, right?

Keru seemed to enjoy my touch, purring and making his unique sound.

Is he a cat or a leopard…

“By the way, do you two know each other?”

“Uh, yeah. We kinda know each other.”

“Sister! Get away from that filthy beast right now! Your precious body might get tainted!”

“Don’t talk about my mascot like that.”

I lightly chopped Sohee’s head.

*Thud*, it didn’t hurt, but Sohee held her head and groaned.

“Stop exaggerating. Keru, go call Dusik and Kabe.”

“Mm, got it. Will do.”

—

I’m so tired.

Dusik is clinging to my left arm, and Sohee is holding onto my right arm.

Kabe is sitting on my lap, eating candy.

In front of us, Keru has placed the box.

“Can you let go now?”

“No. Protecting Sister is my duty as [Vice Commander].”

“Absolutely not. Protecting Sister is my duty as [Younger Sister].”

They’re emphasizing certain words, but I get it—they’re not letting go.

I’ll just give up.

“So, is that the magical gun or whatever?”

“Yes.”

“Open it.”

Keru placed his front paws on the box and muttered a spell. The box started vibrating intensely.

After shaking for a while, the locks on the box clicked open, and a magic circle appeared beneath it.

Bright light erupted from the magic circle, and the locks on the four corners of the box released.

“Oho.”

Is this… a rifle?

It feels a bit short for a rifle.

The rifles I know are long, requiring one hand on the trigger and the other supporting the barrel, but this one has a very short barrel.

I could probably hold and shoot this with one hand.

“This is one of the treasures of the Dark Realm, the magical gun Vesprede.”

The rifle was adorned with lavish gold decorations all over its body.

“Magical gun Vesprede, huh…”

“Mother-Body, transform and pick it up with your left hand.”

“Guys, let go. You heard Keru. Kabe, go to Aunt Dusik for a bit.”

“Okay!”

Finally releasing my arms, Dusik picked up Kabe and held her.

Pressing the earring, the familiar sensation of transformation swept over me.

But something felt different.

My left hand twitched as if searching for something…

It felt like my hand was instinctively seeking its counterpart.

“Vesprede, right?”

I reached out and picked up Vesprede, which was resting gracefully in the box.

As if it had always been my other half, a sense of peace washed over my left hand holding Vesprede.

Dark magic power flowed from my left hand into Vesprede, and the gun trembled slightly as it absorbed the energy.

It felt as if Vesprede and my uniform were always meant to be a set.

And then.

A voice of unknown origin flowed into my mind.

「To the one who wishes to become the master of the proud magical gun Vesprede of the Dark Realm.」

What?

“Hey, Keru. Did you hear that?”

“Ah, Vesprede is speaking to you.”

Keru sat there nonchalantly, scratching the back of his head.

“Vesprede is one of the magical weapons that chooses its own master. It’s an ego rifle, with its own consciousness, thoughts, and the ability to speak.”

An ego rifle, huh.

「If you wish to become my master, you must prove yourself worthy.」

What’s this?

A gun talking big.

「To prove your worth as my master, you must pass my trial…」

*Thwack.*

I smacked Keru’s head hard.

“Ow! That hurts! What are you doing, Mother-Body!”

“Hey, put this back.”

A trial?

A triiiiaaaaal?

A gun dares to test me?

“Take this back and bring me something normal. Talking about trials, huh? You’ve got some nerve, you piece of metal.”

I shoved Vesprede back into the box.

“Take it back. I don’t need something like this. I just need something I can use while approaching. Why did you bring this? Thanks for the effort, but take it back and bring me something normal.”

Ego rifle or whatever, I can’t stand arrogance.