Chapter 108: Song Ha-Eun and The Leech Queen (3)

Kwon Oh-Jin's pupils shook. “Miss Isabella?”

What the...? Why is she here?

She should be busy scrambling to secure the vacant seat left by the Marco Family.

On top of that, she had to maintain her public image as the Saintess, running dozens of centers as part of her façade. She didn't have the time to come all the way here just to meet him.

“Why are you here?” he anxiously asked.

“

Hehe

. I just really missed you, Mr. Oh-Jin.”

No way.

Cold sweat trickled down his back.

She ditched all her work just to come here?

Han Tae-Ho dizzily glanced back and forth between them. “

Hmm?

So you two already know each other?”

She smiled brightly. “He protected me back when assassins were after my life.”

“

Ah

, I remember hearing about that on the news." Han Tae-Ho nodded. "So that’s what happened... Trying to assassinate Rome’s saintess, though... Italy sure has its share of scum.”

The Saintess of Rome was globally renowned for saving tens of thousands of lives through her kind deeds. It could be said that only the utterly vile would attempt to take her life.

He then turned to face Kwon Oh-Jin. “Still, how did you know about that and end up in Italy?"

“I didn’t know. I was there for a different investigation and found her with assassins on her tail.”

“

Ha

. Quite the coincidence,” Han Tae-Ho remarked.

Isabella shook her head, her eyes soft yet burning with the unmistakable look of a girl in love as she gazed at Kwon Oh-Jin. With a gentle smile, she placed her hand over her chest. “No. I don’t think our meeting was a coincidence. It was fate.”

Her cheeks flushed a vivid red as she graciously clasped her hands together.

Han Tae-Ho was stunned, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

“Uh, um... Haha!

To think the young lady of the Colgrande Family would show such passionate interest in you..." He laughed heartily as he patted Kwon Oh-Jin's shoulder. "You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you?”

Kwon Oh-Jin, however, didn’t share the sentiment. His expression remained far from cheerful.

The Saintess of Rome was a celebrated, stunningly beautiful super-rookie known for her warm heart. She offered homes and meals to the needy, but was also renowned for her exceptional abilities as an Awakener who had risen to six stars in just one year.

He squinted.

I don’t know how she’s mimicking the abilities of an Aries Awakener, but...

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

“Mr. Oh-Jin?” She stared at him with innocent eyes, a gentle smile, and a soft demeanor that was enough to disarm any unsuspecting person.

It’s all fake. I know who she really is—the Leech Queen.

Isabella was the Black Star Society's third-ranked Executor and a bloodthirsty witch who had effortlessly slaughtered a nine-star Awakener with a single gesture.

She can't find out that I know her true identity behind her saintly mask. I have to keep it hidden no matter what.

“

Ah...

I’m sorry. I didn’t expect you to come to Korea,” he said.

“Have I inconvenienced you?” she asked.

He shook his head with a smile. “No, not at all. It’s an honor to meet you again, Miss Isabella.”

“An honor? Please don’t say such things.” She stepped closer and held his hand. “You told me back then, didn’t you? To stay with you from now on.”

“That... well...”

He recalled that he'd indeed said something along those lines.

Damn it. If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve never done it.

His eyes twitched slightly. “

Haha

... I haven’t forgotten those words even for a single moment.”

Fuck.

“But you see, you’re really too cruel.” She pouted cutely. “I even gave you my contact information, but you didn’t call or send a single text...”

He forced an awkward smile as he averted his gaze. “I’m sorry. A lot has happened since then.”

It was a flimsy but valid excuse.

“

Hehe

, I heard all about it from the chairman right here. You made significant contributions recently.” She beamed, leaning in with sparkling eyes. “You were busy saving people just like you saved me.”

“I... didn’t save you, Miss Isabella.”

She suddenly clutched his hand tightly. “

Oh

, don’t say that. You're my savior.”

He stood before her silently.

“What was it called, the Black Star Society?

They’re such... horrible people.” She scowled as though even uttering the name was repulsive.

Kwon Oh-Jin, however, knew her true identity. Her acting skills sent chills down his spine.

“Yes. I never expected such a terrible organization to exist in Korea either.” He sighed, maintaining a natural flow of conversation. “Actually... there are rumors that they've been active in Italy recently.”

Isabella’s expression suddenly turned grim. “Yes... The Colgrande Family is also in pursuit of them, but we haven’t been able to catch even a shadow.”

Of course they can't,

he thought.

Your family is the shadow's goddamn head.

“I see,” he replied.

“Anyway~ I’m just glad you’re safe, Mr. Oh-Jin!” With a blossoming smile, she tried to pull his hand toward her voluptuous chest.

“Oh-Jin.” Song Ha-Eun aggressively shoved Isabella’s hand aside and firmly stood between them. “Who is this bitch?”

“... Who are

you

?”

The women exchanged hostile looks. Even though the Stigma of Lyra wasn't in use, it felt like blue sparks were flying everywhere.

A chilling sensation ran down Kwon Oh-Jin's spine.

Shit.

He looked at Song Ha-Eun with a panicked expression, wanting to scream.

No, Ha-Eun! That woman's completely out of her mind!

Recalling how Isabella had mercilessly sliced hundreds of Awakeners, he quickly grabbed Song Ha-Eun’s arm and pulled her aside. “Ha-Eun, this is Miss Isabella, whom I mentioned before.”

She squinted, scanning Isabella from head to toe. “You two seem awfully close, unlike what you told me.”

“

Hmm

, are you his sister?” Isabella asked.

“Obviously not. Can’t you tell just by looking at my hair?” Song Ha-Eun waved her reddish-brown hair provocatively.

“I see. So, if you’re not siblings...” Isabella's eyes flickered with a chilling, crimson light. “Are you perhaps his lover or something of that sort?”

Song Ha-Eun straightened her back and tilted her chin upward, looking smug. “Well, you could say it’s along those lines.”

“Ha-Eun!” Kwon Oh-Jin hurriedly pulled her toward him again.

I wouldn't normally care about that kind of label, but not now...!

Isabella’s fixation on him bordered on obsession. If she believed Song Ha-Eun was his lover, there was no telling what kind of irrational action she'd take.

“W-What?” Song Ha-Eun asked, confused.

“We grew up together in the orphanage,” he declared.

Isabella clapped, smiling brightly. “

Oh!

So you two are like childhood friends?”

“It’s not like that...” Song Ha-Eun muttered under her breath, pouting unhappily. Noticing his unusual behavior, she refrained from saying more.

Kwon Oh-Jin sighed in relief and nodded. “Yes, something like that.”

Isabella glanced between them. “

Hehe

. I didn’t have many friends growing up, so I’m jealous of the bond you two have.”

Han Tae-Ho, who had been quietly listening from a step away, cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Anyway, you two being already acquainted makes things easier." He gazed intently at Kwon Oh-Jin. "Could you show her around Seoul? The association will cover any and all expenses.”

The Colgrande Family wasn't just a prestigious name in Italy. It was one of the most influential families in all of Europe. The association could stand to merit deeply if the Thunder Wolf could forge a close relationship with their young lady.

“Sure, I can do that.”

Shaking her off seems impossible. Besides... I've gotta check if she's really in Korea just to see me.

“Then I’ll leave Miss Isabella in your care,” Han Tae-Ho said.

“Thank you for taking such good care of me, Chairman.” Isabella bowed politely. She moved closer to Kwon Oh-Jin, who led her outside alongside Song Ha-Eun.

“Is there anywhere you’d like to go?” he asked her.

“

Hmm...

There is one place,” she replied, her eyes glimmering. “I want to visit your home, Mr. Oh-Jin.”

“Excuse me?”

My home?

She giggled. “I’d like to see how my savior lives.”

“Uhh...”

He scratched his head awkwardly at a loss for words. He hadn’t anticipated that she'd have such a wish.

“

Hmph

. Home?" Song Ha-Eun glared sharply at Isabella. "She’s a foreigner, so shouldn’t you just drop her off at Myeongdong or Namsan Tower or something?"

Isabella flinched and hid behind him, peeking out timidly from over his shoulder. “

H-Hic! Um...

did I do something wrong?”

“What?”

“You seem upset with me for some reason since earlier... Did I do something to offend you by any chance?"

Song Ha-Eun was flustered and caught off guard. “Th-That's...”

“If I’ve done something wrong, please tell me!” Isabella pleaded as she started tearing up.

“N-No, what I mean is...”

“If I’ve been disrespectful in any way, I’m truly sorry!” She bowed deeply.

Song Ha-Eun yanked at her own hair in frustration.

“Ughhh!”

It would’ve been easier if Isabella had fought back. Instead, her meek and apologetic attitude completely threw Song Ha-Eun off.

“Tsk...”

After glaring at Isabella one last time, she let out an exaggerated sigh and turned away. “Fine, let’s go.”

“Pardon...?”

“You wanted to see Oh-Jin’s house, right? Let’s go!”

“

Oh!

Really?” A radiant smile spread across Isabella’s face, the tears in her eyes vanishing like they’d never been there in the first place.

Kwon Oh-Jin clicked his tongue at Isabella effortlessly toying with Song Ha-Eun.

What a sly bitch. I definitely can’t let my guard down around her.

Thud. Clank!

Loud construction noises greeted them before they reached his house.

“

Oh

, right! I almost forgot!” Isabella clapped her hands. “A gift! I brought a gift for you, Mr. Oh-Jin!”

“A gift?”

“

Hehe

. To thank you for saving me before, I got you something really nice.”

He tilted his head, eyeing her empty hands.

Surely, she’s not about to say something like, “The gift is me." That would be so cheesy and retro.

For half a second, the image of her wrapped in a red ribbon and flashing a playful smile popped into his head. He immediately shook it off.

No way that’s happening.

This isn’t some cliché rom-com.

“I really hope you like it, Mr. Oh-Jin.”

“But where exactly is this gift you’re talking about?”

“

Huh?

It’s right there in front of you. Over there!”

“What?”

What is she talking about?

He furrowed his brow as he looked around.

The only thing I can see is—

“Wait a second.” His gaze shifted toward the luxury apartment complex where construction was underway.

Isabella squirmed and fidgeted with her fingers like she was embarrassed. “

Hehe

. When I did some research, I found out that Korean men really love houses! They apparently spend their whole lives saving up just to buy one.”

Well, that isn’t exactly wrong, but—

“So, I prepared a moderate house as your gift!” she excitedly exclaimed.

... That luxury apartment is her idea of a moderate gift?

“J-Just many pyeong[1] is this apartment?” he nervously asked.

“

Hmm?

Pyeong?”

He scratched his head.

Huh? Do they not use pyeong for measurement in other countries?

She declared, “I bought the entire apartment complex.”

“... Sorry?”

What the fuck did she just say?

“Y-You bought that entire apartment building?!” he shouted.

Not just a few square feet? She bought the whole building? And she’s planning to give it to me as a gift?

“Yes!" She giggled softly. "It wasn’t that expensive.”

Bullshit.

A 100-square-meter unit in central Seoul easily cost over 1.5 billion won. If she bought an entire luxury apartment complex, an astronomical amount of money had to be involved.

Holy shit. So this is how wealthy the Colgrande Family is.

He swallowed dryly, staring at her intently. A sudden, uncontrollable impulse pushed him forward.

“

Uh...

Miss Isabella.”

He firmly grabbed her hands and leaned in close, so close that their noses almost touched.

She started to blush. “M-Mr. Oh-Jin...?”

“If you don’t mind... could you buy me some ice cream?"

“... Excuse me?”

1. One pyeong is equivalent to approximately 3.31 square metres or 35.58 square feet ☜