City of Witches Chapter 169

Convenience store part-time work is simple.

Scan barcodes for checkout, swipe cards or take cash and give change, sort out expired items, stock incoming products while checking inventory, occasionally mop the floor—that's it.

Given Sharon's beauty, there used to be occasional troublemakers or overly clingy people, but ever since she deliberately acquired a 'Thin Shadow' talisman for that purpose, even that has become a thing of the past.

As the name 'Thin Shadow' suggests, it's a talisman that drastically reduces the presence of the person carrying it. It's no exaggeration to say most Witches who come to the Mortal Realm carry one.

Witches all possess breathtaking beauty, and beautiful looks tend to attract pests, after all.

It's not a high-performance Artifact like Siwoo's music box that completely erases the Wave of Magical Power or blocks internal sound, but if 500,000 won can reduce annoying attention, it's a bargain.

Back when she didn't know about it and walked the streets, honestly, she'd get hit on once every ten steps—it was truly exhausting.

"Should I quit this soon too?"

Sharon glanced around the empty convenience store and plopped down on the chair behind the counter.

Originally, she would study stocks or look into crypto during this time, but...

After both stocks and crypto turned into pouring water into a leaky bucket, her enthusiasm vanished.

So, she ended up just idly passing the time.

Moreover, the reason Sharon unavoidably had to work six hours a day was for basic living expenses, including rent.

But now, there's no need to separately prepare rent money, and it seemed more important to think about earning money for the time she spends teaching Siwoo Magic.

If things continue like this, she'll inevitably become dependent on Siwoo.

"Siwoo... Siwoo, hmm..."

With her arms crossed and legs crossed, Sharon muttered his name that suddenly came to mind.

She remembered this morning's incident.

The 'Want to Touch My Chest event' that Sharon, mustering great courage, prepared for a discouraged and sad Siwoo.

Thinking about it now, she realizes it was quite a bold move.

No matter how close they are, exposing her bare chest was embarrassing and made her face burn.

"I really..."

Sharon opened her chest in front of Siwoo and even let him hesitantly grope it.

As a result, seeing him regain his energy and become a bit more excited than usual, it was an attempt worth the shame, not regrettable at all.

Sharon idly stroked her own chest.

'Your chest is pretty.'

It was the first time she'd ever heard that in her life.

"Hmm..."

Is it really pretty? It's just uncomfortable when running, and there's even a black mole on it.

Having never shown it to a man before, she had no confidence, so she couldn't tell if Siwoo's words were just sweet talk or not.

She showed this to Siwoo and even let him touch it with his hands...

In slightly risqué movies, there are many scenes where a man gropes a woman's chest while having sex.

She was curious what it felt like to make them do that, but honestly, Sharon didn't feel much of anything.

Occasionally, when her nipple was firmly pressed against his thick palm, there was a somewhat ticklish sensation, but it wasn't much different from touching herself.

"But why is this happening...?"

Then why does her face burn so hotly just remembering that situation?

Does the skin of her chest that he held feel tingly and warm?

Romance movies didn't teach this either.

Still, she felt proud.

It was evident that Siwoo liked it.

Although she is aware it's somewhat of a lewd act...

"So what? It's not like I'm doing anything bad."

She told him to ask to touch it whenever he's having a hard time, but kind Siwoo wouldn't likely show signs of distress, and even if he were, he probably wouldn't make such a forward request to Sharon.

So, she planned to occasionally offer first.

Anyway, enough random thoughts for today.

After doing a final check of the store condition before her shift ended, Sharon left the convenience store, humming.

"Huh?"

And then she suddenly noticed.

Her steps toward the officetel elevator were light as a feather.

Even an awkward hum flowed out naturally.

It wasn't just because work was over.

After briefly thinking about the reason, it was because once she took that elevator, she would soon meet Siwoo.

[Even when we're not together, I always think of you]

[For you, I'd give any treasure in the world]

[Just imagining meeting you makes me happy and joyful]

[I didn't know why before, but now I do]

[I was in love with you]

Suddenly, lines from an actress in a movie she once saw came to mind.

Thinking of the other person when not together + Wanting to give them anything + Feeling happy and joyful just imagining meeting them = ?

"Is this... love?"

Sharon was momentarily stunned, then chuckled.

It was a light laugh of disbelief at herself for having such a thought.

"Pfft, love? What's love got to do with paying off debts?"

Anyway, Sharon returned home with light steps.

"Got something?"

"Nope."

Sharon, changed into her Witch attire, stood on a utility pole and looked at her compass.

The usual routine.

After finishing her convenience store shift, Sharon went out to put up flyers and, while at it, track Homunculi.

However, regarding the issue of Siwoo being by her side, Sharon had to admit her mistake.

Unlike before when she only had to worry about hunting Homunculi, Sharon now had a troublesome point.

Namely, the existence of Della, who threatened to take over Sharon's hunting grounds.

So, originally, she planned to hunt alone, leaving Siwoo behind.

If she encountered Della, she intended, albeit humiliatingly, to beg for mercy.

But there was a problem.

Namely, there was no suitable excuse to separate from Siwoo.

Siwoo told Sharon that he defeated Della.

If Sharon now tells him to quietly stay in the room and explains the reason, it becomes indirect proof that she had noticed his lie.

It would trample on the face he had built up with difficulty, and Sharon's encouragement would also become meaningless.

In the end, what Sharon chose was fervent prayer.

Surely nothing would happen in just one night, right?

Starting tomorrow, I'll think of a better excuse, so please just don't show up today... that was her sentiment.

"Another dry run today... Is it really okay lately? Feels like I haven't caught one for almost weeks."Sharon couldn't decide whether to feel relieved or depressed about the consecutive failures.

It was fortunate that no troublesome situations had arisen for both Sharon and Siwoo.

On the other hand, it was unfortunate that she had once again failed to find a way to repay her debt today.

Let's just go back.

This is too dangerous.

Having made that judgment, Sharon leaped down from the utility pole and tried to persuade Siwoo.

"Shall we call it a day and head back?"

"Already? We've only been out for about 30 minutes."

"I'm just a bit tired... I want to rest at home today."

Moreover, Sharon had almost no magic power left.

If they encountered small fry as they had been doing so far, it wouldn't be a problem, but if they happened to run into a dangerous Homunculus today, they would have to rely entirely on Siwoo's strength.

"Ah..."

Since it was Siwoo who had found Sharon after she collapsed from Della, he also wore an understanding expression.

Then.

"Huh..."

As if by some lie, the compass needle moved.

Meaning there was a Homunculus cloaked in a Hidden Boundary nearby.

Unfortunately, Siwoo saw the compass.

Why did it have to appear now, when it usually never showed up! Sharon screamed internally.

"I'll go check it out alone."

"What? Absolutely not!"

"But you look tired too, and you haven't fully recovered your magic power, right? I actually wanted to test something out, so this works out perfectly."

At Siwoo's nonchalant words, Sharon felt like she was burning up inside.

She didn't know if he was being serious or just bluffing, but a Homunculus wasn't something to be taken lightly.

And considering Della as well... her head was getting complicated.

First, let's try to persuade him.

"Do you think a Homunculus is some kind of slime? They're not as easy as you think. It could really be dangerous!"

"I'll be careful. And it's probably just the black dog we always catch, right? I think I can handle that much on my own now. If it feels dangerous, I'll pull back immediately. And if we ignore it and pass by, someone else might get hurt by the Homunculus."

In the end, Sharon couldn't find a proper way to persuade Siwoo.

Siwoo actively helping with hunts that had nothing to do with him was driven by his desire to prevent the damage Homunculi could inflict on civilians.

Siwoo was fundamentally a kind person.

Even if she tried to stop him, he'd probably go alone anyway, so it would be more reassuring to watch over him from the side.

"Phew, then I'll go with you. I need the money anyway."

"If you come along, I'll feel much more secure."

Siwoo grinned and ran toward the direction the needle pointed, with a reluctant Sharon in tow.

And as they stepped into the heart of the bustling district, the area, including the department store, was enveloped in a Hidden Boundary.

At the center of the barrier was a tall department store connected underground to Sinchon Station, with five basement floors and twelve above-ground floors.

"Shall we go?"

"I'll take the lead."

The department store, already closed for business with its lights completely off, was naturally the same inside the Hidden Boundary.

The magic power stored in Siwoo's Brand amplified repeatedly, and shadow particles flowed out, forming armor that enveloped his body.

Sharon also stood before the department store entrance, holding her staff and keeping watch.

Since the department store was at the center of the barrier and the compass needle pointed inside the building, the Homunculus must be in here.

"I'll open it."

"Yeah, feels like we're trespassing."

"Aren't we?"

After exchanging trivial jokes, Siwoo grabbed the doorknob.

He only pulled it slightly, but the sheer strength from the armor was immense.

The firmly shut door's frame bent with a sound like a can being crushed, and the glass between the frames shattered into pieces.

Perhaps because the surroundings were quiet, the noise felt especially loud.

"...No alarm?"

"Stop holding the doorknob and let's hurry inside."

"Ah, I was just curious."

Sharon might be used to this kind of life, but Siwoo wasn't.

Trespassing into a closed department store, and at a time when no one was around.

Even if it was inside a Hidden Boundary, it was still fascinating.

"Siwoo, what did you mean by wanting to test something out?"

"Ah, I tweaked the shadow particles I usually use a bit. It's just adding one or two more strokes, but I'm curious how it can be utilized in actual combat."

"How did you change it?"

"I mixed in a tiny bit of the earth element formula you taught me as a reference. I'd like you to point out any shortcomings."

At Siwoo's words, Sharon barely managed to suppress her astonishment.

How long has it been since I taught him that, and he's already trying to integrate it into his existing Magic?

But she didn't show it outwardly.

It wasn't too late to judge after seeing the results firsthand.

...Though a strange belief had arisen that Siwoo would somehow produce effective results.

Thus, Siwoo and Sharon proceeded deeper into the first floor of the department store.

"It's pretty dark."

The first floor, selling cosmetics and seasonal clothes like any department store, was so dark it was hard to make out the surroundings.

Since the department store had no windows, not even moonlight could enter, and the only lights illuminating the dark interior were the green emergency exit signs.

The eerie atmosphere and the inexplicable feeling that the interior was slightly colder than usual were just bonuses.

"I'll light it up a bit."

About five ornamental flames lit up around Sharon.

This made it feel more like a peculiar date.

She didn't voice it out loud.

But when they had searched about half of the first floor, Sharon noticed something and looked at Siwoo.

Around the same time, Siwoo seemed to have sensed the same thing, as he was also looking at Sharon.

The impressions of the two, whose eyes met, were:

"Something's off."

"It's a bit strange, right?"

A sense of incongruity.

The detection range of Sharon's compass was a radius of 150 meters.

"Didn't we walk at least 150 meters from outside the department store to here?"

"That's what I'm saying. Then something should have shown up by now..."

In other words, by the time they had looked around the first floor, they should have either encountered the Homunculus or, even if they missed it, the compass needle should have moved.

"The needle kept pointing in one direction."

"Let's get out."

Siwoo immediately prepared to take Sharon outside.

There was no way to know exactly what was happening.

But for some reason, it didn't feel right.

"Huh?"

And at the same moment.

The compass began spinning round and round as if it were broken.My mind races frantically, unable to decide where to point.

-Grrrrr

A low, throaty growling reverberated from all directions.

They were the black dogs that Sharon and Siwoo had been hunting until now.

"Siwoo, I don't have the strength to protect you."

"Sorry, I was stubborn for no reason."

"Apologize later. It's not something you should be sorry for, and did you expect this?"

This was something even Sharon couldn't have anticipated.

It was unheard of for this many identical Homunculi to gather in one place. Even if there were around ten, the current Sharon could have handled them without much difficulty.

Anyway, the growling coming from all directions wasn't from just one or two.

The cosmetics shop display cases, the Escalator, between clothing racks, the hallway, the stairs.

Glinting red eyes emerged here and there, one by one. A rough count put them at over fifty.

A pack of beasts, having successfully cornered their prey, finally revealed their true forms.

As if to exact revenge on the two Witches who had taken the lives of their kin until now.

Author's Note (Afterword)

Thank you for your support!!!

• Thank you Kichi-nim for 300 coins!

Even though my writing is lacking, you read it with enjoyment and even support me... I don't know what to do with myself!

• Thank you Megameganium-nim for 50 coins!

As you said, I'll add it to the fund for Sharon's broken pipe.

• Thank you Joyjang-nim for 50 coins!

I'll work hard from now on too!

• Thank you Byeolmyeong-nim for 100 coins!!

I'm taking good care of my health!

• Thank you Amelia-mom-nim for 50 coins!

Killing Amelia seems a bit difficult!

• Thank you qkdk****-nim for your support!

• Thank you Heuheu-nim for your support!

If you wait just a little, more will come out soon!

• Thank you Lego Haksalja-nim for 100 coins!!

Please stop eating Legos!