Ch.18Mojito

I just wanted to get back home in one piece.

Who would have thought the liquor supplier would be Korea’s largest organization, and that their team leader would even be the Red Death…

Thankfully, my Angelic Hand level has increased.

If it had been Level 1 like when I used it on Anna, I would’ve been strangled immediately for trying such a stunt.

I rubbed my chilled neck as I descended the stairs.

On my way down, I suddenly recalled the Red Death’s expression as she held the cocktail.

It wasn’t the face of a killer or a gang member, but that of a girl longing for her father.

Of course, she’s older than a girl, but she looked that pure and pitiful.

That atmosphere made even tense me become calm and serious.

Thanks to that, I was able to perfectly create the Red Eye…

Would I have chosen power over a new face in that moment?

I can’t say for certain.

I could only comfort her as she regretted her choice.

That comfort, at least, was sincere.

Still, I’m glad things worked out well.

Luxury items like alcohol are hard to come by these days, so it’s fortunate to have such a reliable supplier.

While making these calculations as I was leaving the building, I felt someone’s gaze.

I immediately looked outside the building, startled by the eerie feeling.

“You’ve arrived.”

Four organization members were standing in a row right in front of the headquarters.

They bowed their heads respectfully when they saw me.

I could see the man called “Sangmun” who had guided me to the Red Death.

What… what’s going on?

Am I really going to end up being squeezed dry in some factory?

I slowly walked past them, clutching my crossbody bag with both hands.

But their greeting wasn’t just my imagination.

The organization members turned their bodies toward me as I passed and stared intently.

“Is there something else you…”

“The team leader instructed us to escort you home.”

“Home?”

“Yes, she said to make sure our ‘precious’ guest gets home comfortably.”

Sangmun grinned.

I couldn’t tell if his smile was one of kindness or like that of a loan shark who had found his debtor.

I’m being treated as a precious guest…right?

Despite my suspicions flooding in, I had no choice.

I reluctantly got into the black Starex, feeling that refusing might lead to something unpleasant.

As huge men sat on either side of me, my shoulders instinctively hunched.

“We’re going to my home, right?”

I forced myself to ask them.

“Of course. We’ll escort you ‘comfortably.'”

Sangmun replied while looking at the rearview mirror.

The car started moving.

The men, each holding swords or clubs, glanced down at me occasionally.

Then Sangmun, sitting in the passenger seat, scolded them.

“Hey, stop staring like that. You’re scaring our guest.”

As if his words were law, the organization members all responded loudly in unison, “Yes, big brother.”

Hearing it so close made my ears ring.

“I apologize. Our boys grew up rough… they get shy around women their age.”

Women their age?

Does that mean these intimidating men sitting next to me are all in their early twenties?

These faces…?

Their heads are closely shaved, and their foreheads are wrinkled like drought-cracked earth.

Anyone would see them as weathered, veteran hunters in their 30s…

“The boys only know how to work out… they don’t know how to groom themselves.”

Sangmun laughed, seemingly trying to lighten the mood.

Did they only exercise with their faces…?

“Your name is Siho, right? It’s an honor to escort you. I’m Junseo.”

“I’m Seoyun.”

A youthful boy’s voice came from a face that looked to be in its late thirties.

Even their names are pretty, like today’s kids.

“The honor is mine, being escorted by such reliable people.”

The young organization members blushed when they made eye contact with me.

I forced myself to smile at them.

Right, we live in a world where you never know when you might die.

Faces can end up looking like that.

“Honestly, I was a bit surprised.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s rare for someone to have a private audience with the team leader and even make a contract. Especially when she’s sensitive, like today…”

Come to think of it, they did warn me to be careful when meeting her today.

No wonder she was lost in thought alone in the office.

“Did something happen to the Red Death?”

“Ah, that…”

Sangmun hesitated to answer.

He took a short breath and turned to look at me intently.

“Today is the anniversary of her father’s death.”

I was at a loss for words at his answer.

So that’s why she was sensitive…

Suddenly, I felt guilty for peeking into her sad memories.

But if I hadn’t seen them, I would probably have ended up in a drum, so I hope she understands.

“Thank you. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the team leader smile like that.”

He bowed his head with his hands on his thighs.

The other subordinates followed suit like shadows, lowering their heads.

“Thank you!”

I waved my hands dismissively.

These people’s actions all seemed exaggerated somehow.

But one thing was certain.

They genuinely cared for the woman they served.

They truly wanted her to be well.

Just like my comrades in my past life who waited for me to grow.

Thanks to them, I realized that the Red Death wasn’t simply a murderer who enjoyed slaughter.

Quite different from ‘someone else.’

“Um… could you stop here?”

Familiar scenery was already visible outside the window.

“No, we’ll escort you to your doorstep. We also have something to give you.”

Something to give me…?

The black SUV pulled into the apartment parking lot.

The car, parked conspicuously in front of the apartment entrance, blocked all the residents trying to leave.

The trapped people in the parking lot started honking their horns.

The increasing number of honks made me tense as well.

Because with each honk, the organization members’ faces grew scarier.

“Aish- Are they crazy, seriously…”

A middle-aged man’s voice could be heard from outside the car.

It was the man who lived on the floor below mine.

He was always a nuisance, smoking on his balcony and letting the smell drift up to my apartment.

‘Mister…’

The man knocked aggressively on the tinted window.

Sangmun snorted in disbelief and rolled down the window.

‘Run away…’

“Are you out of your mind? Parking your car in broad daylight…”

He was the angriest man in the world.

But his expression froze completely when he saw Sangmun’s face.

“The car… what?”

Sangmun smirked, asking him to repeat himself.

He gestured to the subordinates sitting next to me.

“Boys, I can’t quite hear what this gentleman is saying… get out and listen to him more carefully.”

“Yes, Director.”

The Starex door flung open.

Two bear-like men thumped out of the narrow door.

“Well…”

“Mister, are we setting up camp here? We’re just unloading and leaving. Why are you in such a hurry…”

One of the subordinates with a shaved head placed his hand on the man’s shoulder.

He was in his early twenties.

“Right? I was being hasty. Take your time with your business.”

The man’s flushed face quickly turned gentle.

With such control over his complexion, I wondered if he had some blood-related ability.

After thoroughly pacifying the man and sending him away, the Red Death’s subordinates opened the trunk.

They began taking out large paper boxes.

“We’ll bring these to your home.”

“Thanks, but what are all these?”

“Cocktail ingredients. Triple sec, Cointreau, Campari, and so on. The team leader sent them.”

Already?

I was impressed by the Red Death’s efficiency.

They carried the boxes up the stairs and placed them at the entrance.

And to avoid making me uncomfortable, they quickly prepared to leave.

“Then, have a good afternoon…”

“Wait a moment.”

I stopped the men who were about to leave.

They turned their heads back at my call, sweating profusely even in early spring.

“Since you’re here, let me make you each a drink. Have one before you go.”

“No, you don’t need to worry about us…”

“It’s fine. Come in.”

Now that I have ingredients, I plan to leave for the raid camp in the evening.

For that, I need to start making cocktail potions right away.

Let me test them on these men first.

With four men entering my small home, the living room suddenly looked cramped.

They knelt very reverently, watching me prepare cocktails in the kitchen.

I could hear the subordinates whispering as they looked around my home, which was quite uncomfortable.

Comments about the nice smell in the room, or how it’s their first time in a woman’s apartment, were quite something.

I shook my head and sighed.

I would have had a similar reaction if I’d gone to Jisoo’s place, so I should understand.

After wiping my hands with a dishcloth, I immediately prepared for bartending.

There’s one cocktail perfect for people tired from sweating.

I prepare the glass cups I have at home.

I add two spoons of white sugar to the glass.

Next, I place 3 fresh mint leaves.

30ml of tangy lime juice.

I gently press with a muddler to awaken the mint aroma.

Fill up with cool carbonated water.

Finally, add cold ice and…

<Classic Mojito>

Grade: ★★★☆

Effect: Restores 30% of the consumer’s energy.

Information: A classic mojito made with mint and rum.

Sweet, fragrant, and refreshing.

I maximized the aroma by stimulating the mint.

Received a bonus ★ due to the Angelic Hand effect.

“Here, enjoy.”

I served mojitos to the organization members who had kindly delivered alcohol to my home.

They stared at my face even as they received their drinks.

“Is there something on my face?”

“No… you just look cool…”

The organization member looked at me with sparkling eyes.

I smiled and thanked him.

The subordinates’ eyes definitely matched those of men in their early twenties.

Their pupils sparkled like admiring boys.

With those gazes, the men gulped down their mojitos refreshingly.

“How does it taste?”

“It’s really refreshing.”

“I feel energized just from drinking it.”

The subordinates exclaimed in loud voices with appreciation.

Sangmun scolded them for being too noisy.

He cleared his throat and calmly evaluated the taste.

“The team leader will certainly be satisfied with this…”

Even the always-serious Sangmun nodded in satisfaction.

The organization members finished their mojitos without leaving a drop.

For some reason, they hurriedly prepared to leave right after drinking.

I handed them cocktail potions I had already divided into glass bottles.

<Mojito Potion>

Grade: ★★☆

Effect: Restores 20% of the consumer’s energy.

Information: A mojito potion made with mint and rum.

Sweet and refreshing.

The grade and effect decreased due to being made as a potion.

Received a bonus ★ due to the Angelic Hand effect.

“Take these with you when you leave.”

The men who were hurriedly putting on their shoes looked surprised.

They waved their hands, saying they couldn’t accept such gifts after already enjoying the drinks.

So I forcefully placed the drinks in the organization members’ hands and retreated back into my home.

I held the door with both hands and peeked my face through the gap.

And quietly said:

“It’s a gift for helping me today.”

The men’s faces turned red at my words.

They quickly turned their heads away from my gaze and ran down the stairs.

The members of Ilshim certainly seem to have a lot to do.

Why are they in such a hurry?

I went back into my room.

Even though the men were only here briefly, the room seems to smell of cigarettes.

Did my place smell like this when I lived alone…?

I cleaned up the spilled drinks and prepared to make potions.

“But wait a minute…”

Come to think of it, I never told the organization members my home address.

How did they know where I live…?