Episode 480 – Joining. And Challenge.
Before I could shake off the aftermath of my spending frenzy at the casino.
I had to welcome the one who had come to find us.
It was only natural as our party had just arrived here from the hospital.
“Shinwoo, we’re here.”
“You came back faster than I thought?”
This was a bit surprising.
As far as I knew, in Japanese hospitals, it takes a lot of time if you don’t make an appointment.
Of course, I couldn’t say their time at the hospital was short either.
However, considering the time taken to go and come back, it felt like they returned way too quickly.
Looking at Kyoukyou’s much more relaxed expression compared to moments ago, it seemed like they hadn’t even gone to the hospital.
“What kind of trick did you pull?”
“Thanks to Hyeji unnie!”
“I didn’t expect Hyeji-chan to be so decisive, haha.”
From just this, I could roughly understand how the situation unfolded.
Probably, Hyeji showed her face, borrowed a translator from Elcia, and persuaded the medical staff with a bit of physical means.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense that they came back so rapidly like now.
“You worked hard, Hyeji. Was it tough?”
“It was nothing.”
Although Hyeji brushed it off lightly, honestly, I felt sorry that I didn’t help much.
We were in a foreign place, and even though we didn’t get to enjoy it properly, she didn’t complain.
She even took the risk of exposing her face to help Kyoukyou.
Even if she said it like that, it probably wasn’t something easy to brush off.
“When I shouted your name, Shinwoo, all the queues cleared up, making it easier.”
“And all the patients suddenly discharged, haha, it’s like Shinwoo-chan became Jesus, haha.”
“I told them I’d do it for free, so please just get out!”
“… It couldn’t have been easy, crazy girls.”
As Hyeji said, it really wasn’t a big deal.
This time, I genuinely contributed.
Though it was in a way I didn’t want.
[The dead Kim Shinwoo drove away the living Japanese.]
‘I didn’t die, you bitch.’
And by coincidence, Ayeon also just arrived here.
“Have you all been waiting long?”
“No, we arrived almost at the same time.”
“That’s a relief.”
Although quite some time passed compared to before, it was still a bit early to close shop.
“Ayeon, did you leave the store in good hands?”
“Yes. I’m glad to see the person who called for me finally arrived.”
Still, considering Ayeon was in the middle of trading, she had likely left the store in the hands of a higher-ranking succubus.
“Whoever it is, if you trust them that much, they must be good.”
“Of course. You’ve met her.”
“Really? Who is it?”
From Ayeon’s words, it might be the succubus who was the manager we met at the hotel.
Or maybe one of the succubi we brushed past at the hotel.
Or possibly the succubus we encountered at the hospital.
“She’s my mother.”
“You’re really crazy, aren’t you?”
Surely, according to Ayeon’s words, it was a succubus I had met.
“I called her since it didn’t look good for her to be resting at home.”
“Just let her rest, please.”
It was just that it was an utterly unexpected presence.
Objectively speaking, it wasn’t a bad choice.
Ayeon’s mother must have a lot of experience running [Healing Succubus Korea] for a long time.
But still, this wasn’t something one could rationally contemplate.
“I promised to give her a part of the proceeds.”
“… Please make sure to do that, really.”
“Of course.”
Setting aside the Confucian issues of treating one’s mother like that.
Unlike Ayeon, Ayeon’s mother might not have enough stamina.
In this case, Ayeon’s father would also be left alone, which was an unavoidable oversight.
They had only just barely repaired their family relationship.
If he felt isolated like this, it wouldn’t be sad for him as the head of the family.
Of course, given his personality, he wouldn’t pursue or question it, but it would still leave a mark.
[Didn’t you intentionally want to be alone?]
‘I was genuinely afraid I’d die from a freak accident…’
With that thought, I cautiously brought it up with Ayeon.
“But won’t it be a bit tough for your mother to do it alone? I’m a little concerned about your father too.”
“Ah, don’t worry too much.”
“Why…?”
Ayeon spoke too confidently and casually.
Seeing that made me feel like she had some faith in something.
I was slightly uneasy, but she seemed to have thought something through.
“My father came along when I said we were going on a trip to honor my mother in Japan.”
“You’re seriously crazy.”
Ayeon had cleverly solved two problems in a novel way.
“Don’t get me wrong. It was my mother who caught him.”
“… Hah, f*ck.”
No, this time, it was Ayeon’s mother who smoothly deceived her father.
Recently, Ayeon’s actions had been shockingly bold and rough.
Now it turns out that Ayeon hadn’t awakened as a businesswoman or a demon.
It seems the traits of a succubus she inherited genetically had only just begun to sprout.
[They say that a child often follows their parent…]
‘Just call it a parent-child relationship, you crazy girl.’
Anyway, it took quite a while.
At first, we met separately while acting independently.
But now, our group had finally assembled here.
So now, what remained was just to challenge the casino once more.
“Shinwoo, are you really going to do the casino thing?”
“It’s a festival, we have to try stuff like this.”
“We’re using your cat beastman’s money, right? I’m down!”
“I’ll show you my gacha skills, haha.”
“Why do you think I devour my husband every night? It’s because I’m a ‘goblin’ of the succubus world.”
Except for Hyeji, who was a little reluctant, everyone else had positive responses.
“Why did you leave me out of this, you idiots!”
“Ah, I forgot.”
Except for the furious Caressy, that is.
Caressy was glaring, hitting the ground with her tail in displeasure.
It was probably because she had quickly lost the pocket money I gave her moments ago.
“Is spending money at the casino not your thing?”
“I’ll give you as much money as you want, but honestly, it doesn’t sit well with me.”
Then Caressy messed up her already messy hair even more.
And she blurted out a sincere thought she had in her heart.
“What if it becomes an addiction? I’m scared I might forget what really matters.”
At those words, I gently caressed Caressy’s tangled hair.
As a way of saying not to worry about such things.
“Caressy, there’s only one important thing.”
“What is it?”
Then, leaving behind Caressy’s puzzled face.
I boldly led our party toward the casino more confidently than before.
“A steadfast heart.”
The weak Kim Shinwoo had died in the previous chapter.
Now, I was a reborn existence.
It was the time for Tazza Kim Shinwoo to step up.
[Bet your lives, which are the chips of the game!]
‘Talk back, you bastard. It’s making me anxious all of a sudden.’
*
“Shinwoo, should I raise it more?”
Just like before, Hyeji still looked reluctant.
But from what I saw, this amount was still okay.
Without hesitation, I gave Hyeji the order.
“Raise.”
“Got it.”
– Chwa-reuk.
Meanwhile, Ayeon had a slightly worried look on her face.
Even though she confidently boasted a little earlier, it must have felt burdensome in a real situation.
Expectations and reality are often very different.
“Are you really okay?”
“It doesn’t matter. Raise it.”
But that wasn’t enough.
“That matters, though…”
– Chwa-reuk.
Caressy had a hesitant expression.
Was this really the right move?
But I was certain.
“Shinwoo, but is this really right? I’m not so sure.”
“I think it’s okay. Let’s raise it, Caressy.”
– Chwa-reuk.
This was nothing to Caressy at this level.
On the other hand, Elcia had no worries, unlike Hyeji or Ayeon.
Before I could even speak, she already took bold actions.
“I’ll raise it a lot!”
In proportion, Caressy’s burden rapidly increased.
Like a snowball rolling down a slope fast.
“Oh, no! Raise it moderately!”
– Chwa-rak-ruuuk.
But that was only the beginning.
Maybe driven by the crazy excitement of those around.
Or perhaps feeling competitiveness toward Elcia, Kyoukyou began to pile it on as well.
“I can’t lose to Eluhua, haha!”
– Waru-ru-ru-ru-ruk!!!
“You too, don’t do this!”
This couldn’t be compared to the earlier actions of Elcia.
Thanks to that, Caressy let out a frantic cry, but Kyoukyou’s hands had already completed that action.
Hands move faster than mouths; it was only natural.
But even amidst this, Elcia and Kyoukyou seemed slightly disappointed.
Probably thinking that this wasn’t enough.
In fact, I didn’t entirely dismiss that thought.
“Master, doesn’t it seem a little insufficient?”
“I want to raise it more, haha.”
“Then shall we raise it a bit more?”
“Stop raising it!!!”
Of course, thanks to the loud outcry from Caressy, we had no choice but to halt.
Where we were was under dazzling lights.
Where countless chips were moving, numerous emotions were mingling.
It could confidently be called the center of chaos in the casino.
“Because it’s heavy, stop raising it, you f*cking dog beastman bastards!!!”
Right next to it was a construction site.
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