City of Witches Chapter 245

Fine dust: Very Good.

Ultrafine dust: Very Good.

It was a clear moonlit night without a single cloud—rarer than wild ginseng in the heart of Seoul.

Siwoo, who had changed into his swimsuit first, sipped his drink and enjoyed the dizzying bird's-eye view.

The room Periwinkle had guided him into.

Seeing the swimsuit lying blatantly on the bed had been a bit frightening.

At least she hadn't barged into the room offering to help him change or, conversely, asking for help—he considered that a stroke of luck amid misfortune.

Should he call it thorough? Or perhaps a style of pushing ahead relentlessly as planned?

Looking back, it felt like he'd been leashed and dragged along.

The thought that if he didn't stay sharp, he'd be stripped clean like a well-filleted fish crept in unbidden, making the alcohol slow to take effect.

"Did I keep you waiting too long?"

The large glass door slid open smoothly as Periwinkle walked in.

Siwoo's eyes widened involuntarily.

A white monokini where the top and bottom merged into one around the side fabric... It was indeed that, but it was incredibly daring.

Looking at the top, it barely covered half her chest, seeming like her areolas would show with the slightest shift of her body. Looking at the bottom, the fabric area was so narrow it seemed her pubic hair would be visible if she hadn't groomed her bikini line.

A sparkling belly button piercing adorned her prominently exposed, healthily toned navel.

A confident stride despite the clearly increased exposure.

Periwinkle's figure, showcased under the urban lighting, reminded him of a model walking a runway.

Of course, in reality, she was so stunning that she'd put most models to shame.

"Oh, you've got a nice body? Been working out hard?"

Periwinkle closed the distance without formality, pressing close.

Whether due to her uniquely relaxed aura or simply proportions, from afar she seemed taller than Siwoo, but up close she was a head shorter.

"That's not really it. Though I have been working hard lately."

"You're going to be stiff like a tax auditor? I recall asking you to make today enjoyable for me. Lighten up a bit. Come on, one, two, three!"

"........"

"Can't do it? You've had quite a bit to drink."

Whether it's a way to avoid death or something...

Just knowing that made him want to run away immediately, but asking him to liven up the atmosphere on top of that was too much.

Moreover, with a cushion laid at his feet, he couldn't possibly do it.

Periwinkle let out a short, deflated laugh and walked toward the pool first.

Her tone carried a subtle reproach.

"Should I give you some weed or something?"

"I-I'm sorry. I'm just not that lively of a person."

"So you're just going to stand there dumbly? Planning to become a lighthouse?"

"I'll come in too."

Siwoo followed Periwinkle and splashed into the waist-high pool.

He'd worried it might be cold since the night dew was starting to chill, but...

His worry was pointless—the water temperature was warm.

The thought that they couldn't have drawn hot spring water to the heart of Seoul and that wasting hot water like this was beyond wasteful crossed his mind, but he kept his mouth shut.

Well, if they were burning hundreds on a single drink, what was the hot water bill?

And so, the two of them were in the water together.

Periwinkle flicked her finger with a tap, and gentle music fitting for a romance film began to flow.

"Nice atmosphere, right?"

"It seems as good as the interior. Thank you for showing me such a nice place."

"It's my first time coming in too, actually. Not bad."

"Yes, that's right."

After that very brief exchange, an awkward silence.

But what are you supposed to do once you're in a pool like this?

He really had no idea.

Without a swim cap or goggles, it didn't seem like they were about to have a 50m freestyle race.

As he stood awkwardly in an indecisive posture, Periwinkle's voice echoed.

Maybe it was his mood, but it felt rough like sandpaper.

"Is that all?"

"Huh?"

"Nothing more to say? Really?"

"What could I possibly have to say that would be appropriate... Pfft!"

Periwinkle suddenly scooped up pool water and splashed it onto Siwoo's face.

"You're really boring."

The voice, now turned cold, sharply pierced his ears.

It felt more like subtle mockery and dismissal than outright anger.

"Even if I give you a ride~ Even if I treat you to good drinks~ Even if I bring you to a fancy hotel~ Even if I kiss you~ Even if we get in the pool together, you're indifferent. I thought I'd play with you a bit since your face is decent and you're interesting, but you're not good at anything, are you?"

".....Ugh..."

Sharp nails poked jab jab into Siwoo's bare chest.

Periwinkle, suddenly transformed.

Had her patience reached its limit with Siwoo's lukewarm reactions?

Maybe the notion that she wasn't a particularly demanding Witch was a misconception.

"I'm sorry."

Though it hadn't happened much lately, forcing a smile while having his guts and gall bladder figuratively removed in front of an angry person was one of Siwoo's specialties.

Hadn't he endured all sorts of violence for nearly five years during his slave days?

Siwoo put on a smile as if stamped from a mold and faced Periwinkle.

Whether Periwinkle's words were baseless or not, since he wanted to confirm and eliminate future trouble, the one with regrets was him.

"Sorry fixes everything?"

With each word of "Sorry fixes everything?" another nail mark was added to his chest, jab jab.

It wasn't just in his head—it really stung sharply.

"...I'll correct myself."

"If I'd known you'd be this boring, I should've just left you alone. I'm not sure there was any need to save you, even using Magic."

"......."

"Since it seems you lack motivation anyway, I'll change my approach. The price for saving you last time? That doesn't really matter. If you want my help regarding my divination, make me happy."

"In what way?"

He'd thought she was a somewhat decent Witch.

He'd been too careless from the start.

He must have gotten too comfortable living beside a Witch who was too kind and gentle all this time.

Just my luck, I guess.

Siwoo smiled awkwardly on the outside while sighing inwardly.

"Let me ask one thing. Since you seem to lack the ability to lead a conversation or liven up the atmosphere, I'll be a bit arbitrary? That'll increase the probability of making me happy. Is that okay?"

"Yes, it's okay."

The pool's water temperature, which had felt warm, now felt cold anew.

Periwinkle wore a poisonous smile as she scrutinized Siwoo point by point.

"You've been with a Witch before, right?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb. Weren't you living with that Evergreen who was by your side before? How fiercely she glared at me back then, as if she wanted to devour me."Siwoo nearly forgot to control his expression and almost frowned at the sudden personal question.

If it were just about toying with him, he might let it slide, but if the intention was to drag Sharon into this and mock her, he seriously doubted things would go smoothly from here on out.

"......."

"Was my question too difficult? Or is there not enough alcohol? Or are you acting tough because you think I suspect you're cheating?"

Periwinkle pressed relentlessly, like laying down tightly strung barbed wire.

There's something called a pressure interview among the damnable interview methods—this must be exactly how it feels.

"How delicious must she be for you to act so stiff? Ah! I get it. Just looking at you, that girl seemed quite devout, so you're completely under her thumb, huh?"

"Lady Periwinkle, if there is any part that displeases you, please tell me. I will correct it."

Siwoo bowed his head and spoke politely yet firmly.

Even if Siwoo was far inferior to Periwinkle in terms of social standing and magical ability, the gap wasn't as vast as it had been during his former days as a slave.

After all, he now held citizenship in Gehenna as a Witch.

Moreover, provoking Siwoo, who had earned the favor of not only Duke Tiferet but also Countess Gemernai, was a burdensome matter unless one was already a determined public enemy.

In other words, Siwoo's current action was a very, very, very roundabout way of saying, 'Please know your limits.'

No matter what attitude she showed, she was, first and foremost, his life's benefactor, and he had promised to grant her request.

Truth be told, whether it's humiliation or being nitpicky, such complaints are only possible while one is alive.

Consoling himself like that, he kept bending his waist and lowering himself.

At that moment, one person flashed through his mind.

Somehow, it felt like a quite similar situation, and a bitter thought brushed past his heart.

It's laughable to think of it now.

To think that Amelia would contact him first, when he was the one who left like a runaway, leaving behind just a measly note—maybe that was just a thief's mentality.

If he visits Gehenna to meet the Twins this time, should he try to see her?

Since she pulled out all the crazy stops at the end, she might have completely washed her hands of him, but he'd only know the details if they met.

Well, not that she ever promised to meet him anyway.

Is this some kind of psychological escape mechanism?

All sorts of thoughts came to mind.

Anyway, he returned to the unpleasant reality.

Thanks to his brief distraction, the anger that had flared up like a log catching fire had somewhat subsided.

"......."

"......."

What kind of gaze was pouring down on the back of his head?

Feeling inwardly uneasy, Siwoo quietly waited for Periwinkle's reaction.

"Kuk-kuk... Ahaha!"

A sudden burst of laughter.

Periwinkle patted Siwoo's shoulders while laughing, then helped him up.

"Why are you acting so serious? I just tested how kind you were because you looked like a nice person. Were you very upset?"

Siwoo looked at Periwinkle with wary eyes, wondering what kind of act this was now.

She's like a coin.

You can never predict the direction of her actions, as if she's constantly being tossed up, acting one way if it lands heads and another if it lands tails.

"I'm asking if you were upset. I won't blame you, so answer honestly."

"It wasn't very pleasant."

Siwoo answered in a sullen voice.

Although the perception that she's not a bad person, just a bit free-spirited and living at her own pace, had long since vanished, wasn't he still indebted to her for his life?

"So you do have some pride? I almost thought you were a pathetic guy completely under a Witch's thumb, living a pitiful life."

But he had to say this.

"I don't mind hearing harsh words directed at me, but it's hard to listen when Sharon is mentioned. If you have any wishes, I will do my best to accommodate them, so please let me know."

"Are you looking after your woman like you own her?"

Showing a completely unreasonable and arrogant attitude, Periwinkle left the pool and went back into the guest room.

'At this rate, there's a 50-50 chance I could die a sudden, violent death,' 'If I'm not careful, I could die,' he repeated to himself, struggling to hold onto the thread of reason.

Was it because he took her business card before and never contacted her? Or was his reaction really that bad? Did he say something wrong during the conversation?

Pondering over and over, he followed Periwinkle into the bedroom.

A word from the author (Author's Note)

Partially revised!