Left him room for hope?

Dumbfounded, I slapped at the Mages hand, but Seo Dawon didnt back down. With that said, its not as if he explained in a way that I could understand. So, rather than to chase his delusions, I decided to focus on the reality of the situation, Are you crazy? If Han Kiseok sees your face

Then well just kill him. As he said that, Seo Dawon blatantly gazedobservedmy expressions.

Though I was startled by his cruel words, I didnt break eye contact or oppose the Mage. The minute I did so, I felt like hed actually go and kill Han Kiseok. However, I firmly folded my arms accross my chest to show my dissent.

Im kidding. Han Kiseok didnt see my face.

You dont think I thought that far?

As I expectedas soon as I didnt stop him, he smiled and said it was all a joke.

Though I had enough of the Mage testing me I strangely thought that Seo Dawon was more honest than usual today. For the first time, I truly felt that he was cross with me.

The fact that Im happy about thattheres something wrong with me.

Even as I thought that, I couldnt stop myself from reaching out to Seo Dawon. He stopped talking and stared at me; I managed to grab his arm without any hardships.

However, now that Ive grasped the Mages arm, my words disappeared. Silence formed an invisible wall between me and. the Mage.

What could I even say to make Seo Dawon feel better? I stared him in the eye before eventually releasing a small sigh, By the wayIm super hungry. For the last few hours, I havent had anything but Ice Americano.

Actually, Im not all that fond of Iced Americano. I just wanted to order something that wouldnt take a lot of time to finish My stammering voice faded at the end of my sentence; the Mage continued to listen to me without doing anything.

I gave his face a sidelong glance before quickly continuing, That is to say I wanted to finish this conversation as fast as possible. Being with Han Kiseok was a bit uncomfortable

I feel like Ill get indigestion if I eat anythingSo, what I want to say is

Damn it, why arent you saying anything? Scold me or cheer for me or somethingYou said I was y-your owner right?! Eventually, I became tired of my own anxiety and became angry. Seo Dawon turned his head away and chuckled.

Flushing red, I kicked the Mages shin. I kicked gently because I knew nothing I do would hurt him; my toes still tingled as if I had kicked an iron pipe. My irritation doubled.

Just then, while laughing, the Mage grabbed my shoulders and asked, in a meaningful tone, So, you didnt feel anything when you saw him again and wanted to go home quickly?

How ridiculoushe was being so insistent! I exploded,Thats right! Honestly, whats so good about talking to Han Kiseok with all of you guys as witnesses anyway? Even if I admitted that Han Kiseok was a dark blot in my pastyoull just make fun of me for that! You guys are awful!

My servants, hearing my sincere complaints, grinned despicably and showed no remorse.

Do you really think we have that much free time?

Dont worry, Choi Lee-kyung. I dont intend on teasing you with this matter. However, Id like to inform you Han Kiseok unfollowed you on social media, just now. I thought you should know.

PffftYou knowNo matter whats in Owner-nims dark pastwouldnt it already have been revealed?

Are you going to write about today in your diary, Owner-nim?

Shut up! Piss off all of you! I wanted to grab one of them, at least, by the collar, but Seo Dawon hugged me from behind, making it difficult for me to struggle.

The mage, while hugging me, buried his face casually in my neck and giggled.

* * *

After returning home, I locked the door to my bedroom and laid down on my bed. When I returned to my senses, I was somehow eating the eggs and tomatoes Seo Dawon made for me. While ripping the dish into tiny pieces with my fork, saw the Mage talking to Kim Olim in the living room. And, next to them, Woo Ragi was

Hes honestlyso weird.

The swordsman was doing a one-handed handstand. Jung Garam sat, lotus position, on the sofa and flipped through the TV channels. Eventually, the Assassin absentmindedly settled on some anime broadcast.

Choi Kyungsik had retired to the second floor and had not come down yet. Shortly after going upstairs, suspicious sounds echoed throughout the house and an unpleasant smell seeped forth. According to the Mage, Choi Kyung-sik planned to build his laboratory on the second floor.

The alchemist said wed be briefly uncomfortable because of the construction, but all the noise and unpleasant smell disappeared with a small gesture from the Mage.

[Homunculus], huh

So I was free to be alone in my bedroom, eating tomatoes cut in half, and imagine what Choi Kyung-siks successful experiment might look like without anyones intervention.

They said that becoming a [Homunculus] will relieve some restraints of set by the servant contract That they will be able to move independently from then on

Things could get even more dangerous than it already is now. Biting a fork and perching it between my teeth, I glanced towards the living room where all the other servants were gathered. Right then, I made eye contact with Woo Ragi, who calmly uprighted his body.

Whatre you looking at? The swordsman said.

Im not looking at anything

Do you just want to see Seo Dawon throw a tantrum again or something?

My appetite dropped because of the bullshit the swordsman spoutedand all just because we made eye contact. I laid down my fork and approached the sink, avoiding Woo Ragis piercing glare.

Ding Dong

At that moment, I suddenly heard the door bell ring. This late at night, the ring, echoing through the living room, sounded a bit grave. I placed down my bowl and quickly rushed to the intercom. Who is it?

[Its me]

I could tell it was Koo Hui-seo from the sound of his voice.

He stood in front of the intercom camera with an insanely large bouquet of flowers that covered his upper torso. However, the man looked illemaciated perhaps.

Furthermore, it seems as if the veins in his left eye had burst; the whites of his eye was red. It was a bit disquieting; I couldnt tell if he had contracted some occular disease or if he was simply tired.

I wanted to avoid meeting him at night at all costs

Although, that face was one I never wanted to see in the morning either

I hesitated; Koo Hui-seos appearance right now was the worst Ive ever seen since we freed him.

Are we running a special today where all the candidates for Lee-kyungs boyfriend are appearing?

I told you to shut up!

Meanwhile, Jung Garam subconsciously muttered his inner thoughts; My temper rose, and I stared at Seo Dawon automatically. Surprisingly, he showed no outward signs of displeasure.

Seo Dawon simply looked at Koo Hui-seo through the intercom screen and nodded at me, as if telling me it was okay to open the door. After nodding, the Mage turned the ring he had worn on a finger on his right hand. With that action, the black ring transformed into a silver one.

Did he switch his item preset?

It felt like he changed his gearas if he were preparing for a raid.

In addition, in a flash, Kim Olim stood flush to my back. She had even summoned her shield in one hand and circled me with her otherthough she wasnt touching me, it was as if I was drawn into her defensive embrace. Then, in a serious tone, she requested, His bloodlust is extraordinary. Keep away from Koo Hui-seo.

What? Really?

Dont worry. Its not really aimed at you, rather I dont think hes in full control of himself.

I-Isnt that even scarier?

Its alright. Either way, he wont be able to hurt you. If he tried, the contract will burst his heart and thatll be the end.

Then, why do you want me to open the door?

If we dont let him in, we have no idea what hell do out there.

And, as soon as she finished speaking, Koo Hui-seo frighteningly opened the door and stumbled through the threshold. Naturally, Kim Olim and I closed our mouths; an awkward silence soon followed.

Even after entering the house, Koo Hui-seo kept his head bowed. The bouquet as big as his torso was placed down at his feet; he was wringing his hands and fidgeting helplessly. Somehow, it felt like hed rush at me if I were to move an inchThe tension in the air was palpable.

That tension was broken when I heard the front door lock softly from behind Koo Hui-seos back. His head rapidly rose simultaneously with that metallic click.

Lee-kyung-ssi Its been a long while. Koo Hui-seo greeted me with an awkward smile, but, soon afterwards, fat tears dropped from his eyes. He rubbed his eyes and wiped his tears with the sleeve of a luxurious, designer suit like a child; after taking his shoes off, he stepped into my home fully and left the doorway.

He staggered from the short hallway connected to the front porch to the living room, clutching the walls for support. Although I was told he was dangerous moments ago, to be honest, he didnt look so dangerous rather

Excuse me Are you perhaps drunk? I asked.

He looked extremely drunk.

However, as soon the words left my mouth, the Koo Hui-seos shadow, created by some dim, indirect light installed into the walls, swelled and rose. Though his body seemed fine, thanks to his shadow I could see that something was squirming in his backlike something was threatening to burst out.

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TL: That feel when even Woo Ragi knows Seo Dawon is throwing tantrums bc of Leekyung. Also I totally want to know whats going on for Kyungsik to build a laboratoryhow do you just build one inside a house? I bet thats an OSHA violation lolol.

Dont worry, well revisit Dawon and Lee-kyungs issues. Were just also having Koo Hui-seo.in the mixas well.

And thanks for being so patientHave a bonus chappie!