City of Witches Chapter 243

The night air had grown quite chilly by now.

Siwoo was loitering around the Witch Point building.

With all sorts of administrative facilities gathered here and rows of massive corporate headquarters lined up, calling it the heart of Seoul didn't feel awkward at all.

Many cars sped along the road, but surprisingly few people walked the sidewalks.

Those standing neatly at the bus stop were probably the ones in relatively decent situations.

The brightly lit, towering buildings, illuminated for overtime workers, made one forget it was night in the city.

As he lingered in front of the bus stop by the main road, a rumbling sound approached from afar.

"What's that?"

"It looks like a toy."

"Hey, hang on, let me hang up."

"Let's take a picture."

The man who had finished a grueling day and was waiting in a long line for the bus, the woman with a weary expression and slumped shoulders, and the middle-aged man massaging his temples as if exhausted—all began to have their attention drawn to the unfamiliar supercar that had appeared in the heart of the city.

A black color gleaming with a luxurious sheen, like a limousine.

A low-slung body, aesthetically pleasing and sleek curves rarely found in mass-produced cars, side air intakes greedily sucking in air, an elongated protruding hood, and a horseshoe-shaped grille.

Even Siwoo, who had little interest in cars, understood immediately.

That this was a disgustingly, disgustingly, disgustingly expensive car.

Even the usually aggressive taxis and impatient buses kept a wide berth, trembling nervously—that said it all.

"Ah..."

The hypercar, scattering a deep exhaust note as it leisurely cruised the inner lane, made an impressive illegal U-turn and came to an abrupt stop right at the bus stop.

Right in front of Siwoo, who had been pointlessly loitering by the roadside.

Next to the dark blue license plate, instead of a region name, was written the word 'Diplomatic.'

To an unknowing observer, it might seem like some high-ranking royal from an oil-rich Middle Eastern country here for fun...

But somehow, it made sense.

He had momentarily forgotten that some Witches were wealthy to the point of having a distorted sense of money.

After all, Sharon and Eloa, whom he had observed for a while, were incredibly frugal Witches.

"Long time no see?"

The passenger-side window rolled down, and Periwinkle, wearing gradient sunglasses, leaned out to greet him.

Somehow, the green-to-pink gradient reminded him of a Maldivian beach sunset.

Now that he looked, they seemed less like sunglasses and more like fashion tinted lenses.

Her outfit was only partially visible, but she was dressed up as if she were a movie star.

"Get in."

The surrounding gazes converged on Siwoo.

And not just gazes?

Who is that guy? Do they know each other? Is he a top host? A third-generation chaebol heir? And so on.

The whispers were so audible his face flushed hot.

Unable to bear the pressure, Siwoo quickly scrambled into the car.

As soon as the door closed, the sports car—whose engine oil change alone cost 30 million won—glided away, leaving behind only the murmurs of the crowd.

Siwoo cautiously looked around the two-seater sports car, which he was riding in for the first time in his life.

It had sounded quite loud from outside, but the interior was surprisingly quiet.

Quiet enough to not disturb the appreciation of the tasteful old pop music flowing within the car.

The seats, dashboard, and even the door pads were finished in leather.

The luxurious cowhide, which probably cost less than selling human skin, made him feel guilty just sitting on it.

The seats, which seemed to mold to his body, were ergonomically designed, offering a lying-down-like comfort despite not being particularly spacious.

Parents often teach not to get into cars with people you don't know well.

But with such a fantastic car, even parents would probably gladly ride along.

"Anything you want to eat?"

"No, I'm fine."

"How's your body holding up?"

"Thanks to you, Witch, I'm unharmed."

Periwinkle, who had saved Siwoo from a near-death situation before.

Siwoo knew just how transcendent a Great Witch was.

The realm of the 15th Hierarchy, where instinct and innate magic become one.

From this stage onward, unless intended, a Witch does not harm herself with her own magic power.

Since survival and living are human nature, the magic power within the body refuses self-harm.

The activation of 'Autonomous Defense' against surrounding threats operates on the same principle.

And then, the 20th Hierarchy, reachable only by leaping a full five steps beyond.

From this point, a Witch's innate magic twists the natural order and principles flowing through the world.

It's recognized as the level of a Great Witch, one who disregards natural laws, physical laws, and even the inevitability of the real world.

Although Siwoo had encountered numerous Great Witches since his days as a slave, it had been a long time since he felt this tense.

Perhaps because he couldn't tell what schemes the other party might have.

"Why so tense? You can relax a bit. Don't you like the car?"

Periwinkle, who had been driving smoothly without hitting a single red light, turned to look at him and asked.

She threw a subtle glance from behind her sparkling glasses.

"No, I like it. It's just so amazing. I never thought I'd get to ride in a car like this in my lifetime."

"Right? They say there are only three in Korea. I got it as a gift from the government as thanks for building the hotel."

No wonder the license plate seemed a bit unusual...

Korea isn't some dirt-poor third-world country; they wouldn't just hand over a car worth billions for building a single hotel.

It was probably more like: A Witch built a hotel in Seoul => She'll stay in Korea frequently and for long periods for management => She'll hunt public enemies and Homunculi while she's at it, so let's tie her down with gift diplomacy... or something along those lines.

Well, that's just speculation, of course.

"It's cool."

At Siwoo's answer, Periwinkle laughed out loud.

When he looked at her quizzically, she turned her gaze toward the passenger seat and spoke.

"You're still so tense and flustered."

"Ah, it's late, but thank you so much for saving me back then."

"That's not what I meant. Oh right, how's that girl? Miss Evergreen, was it?"

"I heard she's unconscious but not in danger. This is also thanks to you. I'm really grateful."

"Enough, it's not like I did it for free."

With those final words, a chill inexplicably ran down his spine.

In fact, the reason Siwoo couldn't fully relax and enjoy the car interior was precisely that context.

Nothing in this world is free.

How exactly did she plan to collect the debt of two lives?Rather than stewing in vague unease and heartache, I was considering just asking directly when it seemed we had already arrived at our destination.

It was a fine dining restaurant operating without a signboard in Myeongdong.

"I did say I wasn't hungry, but I went to the trouble of making a reservation. It'd be a shame to just leave now. How about sharing a meal?"

"I'm hardly in a position to refuse."

"Good answer."

Periwinkle, getting out of the car, tossed the keys to the valet waiting without even looking back and leisurely strode ahead.

A restaurant that looked like it could seat up to 100 people if packed tightly.

In the restaurant, with its wide, high ceiling reminiscent of the barn Siwoo used to live in, only one table covered with a white cloth floated like a lonely island.

"Let's go."

Periwinkle, naturally accepting the staff's guidance and taking a seat, ordered an aperitif and draped a napkin over her neck.

"Did you rent out the whole place?"

"There are times when a lively atmosphere is appealing, but today isn't one of them. Your name was Siwoo, right? A toast to celebrate Siwoo's safe return."

"Thank you."

As we awkwardly clinked wine glasses, Periwinkle chuckled softly and elegantly sipped her wine.

Siwoo also drank his wine and glanced at Periwinkle sitting across from him.

Earlier, she was sitting right next to him, and he hadn't had a proper chance to observe her, but now he could look at her quite leisurely.

As expected of a Witch, her appearance was one of breathtaking beauty.

Her dark navy blue hair, a color that couldn't exist naturally, was tied up in a natural updo, yet it didn't feel out of place.

Because it suited her that much.

The shirt dress clinging tightly to her voluptuous figure had a couple of buttons undone, revealing a cleavage rivaling Sharon's, and her fully bloomed rose-colored lips shone even redder than the wine, adding a spoonful of Sensual Aura.

Finally, the naturally placed beauty mark was so bewitching it could capture any ordinary man as a prisoner on the spot.

It was an atmosphere only a woman born with Alluring Charm, who had honed it and knew her own appeal, could exude.

"You can stare more blatantly, you know? It's not like I'll wear out."

Periwinkle, who had undoubtedly been tasting the wine with her eyes closed, somehow knew and cast a subtle smile at Siwoo.

Siwoo, who never thought he'd be caught, was flustered.

"You really were watching, huh?"

Then, seeing Periwinkle laugh so hard her chair rattled, he realized he'd been had.

Periwinkle was a completely different type of Witch from Sharon, who was quite the scatterbrain, and Duke Tiferet, who was similarly full of vulnerabilities.

Meaning she was like a cunning fox.

"It may be presumptuous of me, but that day, you asked me for a favor."

"That's right, in exchange for killing the drowned Witch."

"Could I hear what that favor entails first?"

"It's not a difficult task."

Siwoo gulped.

"Grant 100 of my wishes."

He barely swallowed back the words 'That's a bit of a jerk move' that rose to his throat.

As he pondered whether this childish statement was serious or not, Periwinkle chuckled softly again and emptied her second glass.

"My jokes aren't landing at all. Why are you so serious? And loosen up a bit when you talk. It's not like anyone's going to eat you."

If doing something 'loosely' just came naturally, no one would have any troubles.

Periwinkle fiddled with her fingertips, muttering, 'Then what should I ask for?'

As if she was enjoying watching Siwoo squirm.

"Ah! This might be good. Follow me around for the rest of your life."

"Pardon...?"

"Travel with me, go on drives like today, have meals together sometimes, how about it?"

Siwoo barely managed to read her intention.

Perhaps he should have anticipated what she would ask after hearing the proposal at the contact point.

She wanted a male companion to stick by her side like a pet.

And that was a request he couldn't grant.

"I'm sorry, but that seems difficult. I'm truly grateful you saved my life, but..."

"Is that so? Then let's just hang out for a day, no, two days."

The hurdle lowered as easily as flipping a palm.

From a lifetime to a day or two.

She spoke as if she had absolutely no worries, making it impossible to tell what was sincere and what was a joke.

"Your answer?"

"I can certainly do that much."

"And one more thing, act naturally like a lover. I can't stand stiff and boring things, you know. I won't scold you for being rude."

"I'll try my best with that as well."

"Then, first, will you tell me your story? How a man became a Witch. I want to hear it from the person involved."

He hesitated for a moment, but with the timely arrival of the amuse-bouche, he began to unfold his tumultuous life story.

A word from the author (Author's Note)

Thank you for recommending so many great authors!

I'll check them out!