Leaning against the bus, I let out a long sigh. As the evening sunset covered my face, exhaustion swept over my entire body.
“Oof, I’m dying…”
My body ached. At least An Gyeol Won’s shadow magic didn’t consume too much mana, which was fortunate.
“Well, what to do?”
Park Eun Ji’s mind control exceeded my imagination.
Replicated abilities are always weaker than the originals – that’s a rule of this world. But who would have thought it could be turned around like this?
I really felt all my energy being drained. A properly trained ability user might barely succeed even once.
“Going at this rate, I’ll die soon.”
“Did you think you’d live long?”
“…”
“I thought you had no intention of doing such things again.”
True, I had been pushing my body hard.
Still, it was bearable. The appearance of the Controller means the story is progressing, and I’ve definitely powered up as well.
Should I go home first? Or to Noah’s place?
While pondering, my phone rang. It was a text from Noah.
[Uncle]
[?]
[Hurry up, dinner’s almost ready]
[Are you at my place?]
[Yes]
Turns out he went to my house and started preparing the meal.
How should I take this? But I decided to be grateful for having someone cook for me.
“I’m here.”
“Welcome.”
Opening the door, Noah greeted me in an apron.
It was a strange feeling.
“…Aren’t I the homeowner?”
“So what?”
This kid has been coming and going so often lately that he treats it like his own house.
Anyone seeing us would think we’re living together.
Though it’s hard to complain when the food tastes good.
“What’s for dinner?”
“Do you like Budae Jjigae? The sausages were nearing their expiration date.”
“Sounds good.”
Walking inside, the delicious aroma tickled my nose. The unique smell of kimchi and processed meat boiling together.
And it was definitely appetite-stimulating.
As expected, a perfectly cooked Budae Jjigae greeted me. Noah’s cooking skills are improving.
“You could get married now.”
“Planning to take me?”
“Someone else.”
“Hehe, why don’t you help with dinner instead of changing clothes right away.”
“Alright.”
This kid can’t handle jokes well. While Noah has become brighter recently, reacting like this makes my heart sink.
“Uncle? Why are you spacing out?”
“…No, nothing… Ah, by the way.”
Wait a moment.
“Do you have something to give me? Is it a present?”
“…No, nothing.”
You damn idiot.
I hesitated while reaching into my pocket, remembering a critical mistake.
“…How should I give this?”
How am I supposed to hand over these underwear?
Saying I took them from An Gyeol Won wouldn’t work since Noah doesn’t know who the culprit is yet.
…If I mess this up…
“Am I going to be accused of being the thief?”
I might be suspected of being the person who stole Noah’s underwear.
Damn.
“What should I do?”
My brain worked rapidly to find the right solution.
The answer that came up was:
“Just keep it and throw it away casually during a visit later.”
For now, I’ll keep it. This is absolutely not done with any improper intentions.
I know that kindness doesn’t always lead to good results.
Bringing this out now won’t result in any good conversation.
“I’m hungry, let’s eat.”
“Why are you so hungry? What did you do?”
“Secret.”
Noah pouted.
“Tch, that’s unfair.”
“Yeah, adults are naturally unfair.”
“I’ll become an adult soon too.”
Ignoring his tantrum, I started eating first.
The warm broth warmed my tired body.
‘I want to sleep after finishing eating… If I sleep now, I probably won’t get three hours.’
Speaking of which, I have to go to work later.
‘…My head feels fuzzy…’
The warmth made sleepiness come over me.
My eyelids feel incredibly heavy.
I quickly emptied my bowl and stood up.
“Noah, I have to go to work later. Just tidy up a bit and go home, got it?”
“Yes, please rest well.”
“Take care of things…”
Entering my room, I took off my coat and placed it on the chair. Falling onto the bed, the cushion softly received me.
‘Kkomkmu, you should rest too…’
‘Yes, sleep well.’
‘Oh…yeah…’
The Kkomkmu slowly leaving my body. With the ‘click’ sound, I drifted off to sleep.
+++++
He’s a man full of secrets.
Even when he smiles and talks, there’s always a feeling that he’s hiding something, and sometimes he completely avoids the topic.
Same as usual this time.
Saying “secret” when asked where he went.
‘What does that mean?’
Noah felt disappointed.
At least he could have told me where he went, right? He didn’t do anything embarrassing.
‘…Did he do something embarrassing?’
Like a date or visiting some entertainment establishment.
‘…Nah, impossible.’
I already know he doesn’t have a lover. And he’s not the type to enjoy nightlife.
Anyway, even if he did something like that, it’s difficult to say anything about it.
Wait for me! That was practically just waiting for my own sake.
“…Why is unrequited love so painful…”
After putting the leftovers in the fridge, Noah headed toward his room.
He was lying on the bed without even changing his clothes. What did he do to get so exhausted?
‘He didn’t even properly put away his clothes.’
Noah picked up the clothes hanging on the chair and hung them on the hanger.
Looking at it again, it’s quite flashy. To think he planned to wear this for the inspection ceremony.
‘Still, he looked cool.’
Next time when we hang out, I should ask him to wear it.
Thinking about that, Noah heard a faint sound.
Something softly falling to the ground.
On the floor lay a small, white, triangular piece of fabric.
‘This is…’
Holding it up, Noah barely managed to suppress a scream.
This is…
‘My…my…so…underwear!’
It was Noah’s underwear that popped out of his pocket.
Noah’s cheeks turned red as he looked at Shin Hyun.
‘Why…!’
Why does this uncle have it? The shape, the ribbon, it’s definitely the underwear that was stolen from me today.
Could the thief’s identity be-
‘No…no…don’t suspect…’
Maybe he found it by chance and picked it up. Maybe he found it on the street…
‘Would that…even…happen?’
Honestly, it’s more reasonable to think that this uncle took it. Though I don’t want to believe it, it’s hard to deny.
Thinking about him stealing my underwear, Noah…
“…If he had just told me honestly, I would have given it willingly…”
Started having strange thoughts.
“It’s not like it would wear out…if it was Uncle…maybe I could have given him a set…”
Strangely, I didn’t feel bad. Rather, I felt good.
“Hmm…pretending to be innocent all this time…”
Realized he was subtly hinting at something. After all, they say all men are perverts.
“Mm…”
Holding the underwear, Noah thought for a while and then folded it neatly.
Then opened the drawer and put it in the section with his underwear.
A kind of gift…right?
“Uh…if you find it, I’ll give you a reward.”
Thinking about it myself, it’s a perverted act to leave underwear at another man’s house. Yet, I somehow wish he would find it sooner…
“…I must be crazy…”
Despite blaming myself, I couldn’t stop smiling, and Noah hurriedly left.
“A…Uncle…I might forgive you if you use it as a head accessory…sleep well…”
If I stayed any longer, I might have given him the upper set too.
Now that I think about it after getting home, maybe I should have stolen one too?
+++++
“QQQ, did you check with the others?”
“Yes, I checked with everyone.”
A month had passed. During this time, I refrained from Kraken activities and quietly waited.
This was partly because Iris became stronger, handling things well on her own, but mainly for a specific goal.
“Did they not get significantly stronger?”
My dissatisfied voice prompted QQQ’s response.
“Yes, there wasn’t much change.”
“Hmm…”
I was discontent.
“This is problematic if only Iris keeps getting stronger…”
The fact that the others aren’t progressing.
It’s understandable. Iris is abnormally strong, and she serves as the spearhead of the team.
However, if the others don’t grow because of this, it’s quite troubling.
“So, we should make them fight without Iris for a while.”
Rather,
“Maybe make them fight against Iris.”
They might realize their shortcomings by directly confronting her.
“How do you plan to make them fight?”
QQQ’s question had a simple answer.
“Mental control.”
“Mental control…!”
“After capturing Iris, I’ll put a strong mental control on her. That way, I should be able to control her for a while.”
I’ve been conserving my mana for this. Suppressing Iris and applying mental control will definitely consume a lot.
It’s a decent plan, and QQQ mumbled while looking at me satisfied.
“…Tying up a high school girl with tentacles and controlling her mind…”
“Ho ho.”
“Do you like that kind of thing, Shin Hyun?”
“No.”
“This is worrying…I’m scared you’ll abduct Noah with me later…”
“I won’t.”
“…Ah.”
“Why?”
“Does that mean it’ll be a 3P-”
“No!”
Ugh, my head hurts, I need to get back to work.
