Ch.74Prairie Oyster

How did the Red-Eyed One know where I live?

My whole body trembles.

Since we’ve already made eye contact, pretending not to see her isn’t an option.

I reluctantly approach her slowly.

Only the sound of my footsteps fills the dark apartment corridor.

Arriving at the door, I cautiously look up at the Red-Eyed One.

Then I flinch in surprise.

Her hair, usually so elegantly styled, was disheveled.

And through the gaps, I could see black blood flowing from her forehead.

“A-are you hurt…?”

I carefully asked with my hands clasped together.

But the Red-Eyed One didn’t answer.

She just looks down at me with those red eyes.

It’s frightening, as if she’s scanning me up and down to see where I’ve been today and what I’ve been doing.

“Come in. I’ll put some medicine on that…”

Trying not to show my fear, I opened the front door.

I pushed aside the shoes in the shoe rack to make way.

True to her appearance, the Red-Eyed One staggers inside.

I respectfully received her jacket with both hands.

The jacket reeks of gunpowder.

It’s even heavy, probably from a gun in the inner pocket.

Did she fight with the Association again?

Or some other organization…?

“Please sit down.”

I urged her to sit on the bed.

Then I hurriedly brought the medicine box.

I wonder if there’s any disinfectant left.

I think I used the last of it on Anna.

While rummaging through, I spot the feminine hygiene product the Red-Eyed One gave me.

I press my lips together and hide it at the very bottom.

As expected, there’s barely any disinfectant left.

I carefully bunch up some cotton and soak it with what little remains.

“Can I see your forehead?”

I slowly brushed aside her black hair.

A torn wound immediately greeted me.

When I gently dab it, her eyebrows twitch.

“That must hurt…”

I made an “ooh” shape with my lips as I covered the wound.

It’s the last bandage left after treating Anna.

But the forehead wasn’t her only injury.

The Red-Eyed One soon raised her finger.

The index finger that pulls triggers.

There was a small cut there, with blood slowly trickling out.

“What should I do… I’m out of bandages…”

Before I could finish speaking,

the Red-Eyed One thrust her finger toward me with a decadent expression.

“Ah…”

Her red eyes stare at me intensely.

I instinctively move toward her finger.

A vivid drop of red blood.

I carefully open my mouth.

Viscous saliva stretches between my teeth.

I slowly take her finger into my mouth.

And I begin to suck obediently.

The tangy taste of blood envelops my body.

Following that taste, my body trembles and my lower abdomen squirms.

To suppress that squirming, I place both hands between my thighs.

Her knuckle pushes deeper.

Despite gagging, I delicately accept her finger onto my tongue.

“You…”

The Red-Eyed One, who hadn’t spoken a word, opens her mouth.

The room, which had been filled with the sound of finger-sucking, suddenly falls silent.

“Don’t bare your canines.”

“Yes…”

“Practice for later.”

For later…?

My already hazy mind goes blank at those words.

Saliva drips from my mouth.

The Red-Eyed One wipes it away with the finger I had been sucking.

“You weren’t answering your phone, so I thought you were holed up at home, but…”

Her haggard red eyes look me up and down.

From the ridiculous squirrel headband in my hair,

to the bag I received as a prize and the amusement park ticket tied around my arm.

“Who was it?”

The red serpent glares at me as if she could kill me.

Frozen by that murderous intent, sweat trickles down my spine.

“I-I’m sorry I couldn’t answer your call…”

“That’s strange, I asked who you went with.”

The Red-Eyed One loosened her tie.

And with narrowed eyes, she looked down at me sensually.

“With Anna…”

“Did she force you to go?”

Why am I acting like this…

What business is it of the Red-Eyed One who I go out with?

But I bowed my head like someone who had committed a crime.

Soon, the red-eyed woman placed her hand under my chin.

And forced me to look up.

“You should answer when I ask you something, shouldn’t you?”

“No… I went out of my own accord.”

I couldn’t bring myself to lie.

I closed my eyes tightly, afraid of what punishment might come.

“I’m sorry…”

But the Red-Eyed One didn’t punish me at all.

Instead, she smiled and said:

“You’re honest, aren’t you?”

The red-eyed woman crossed her long legs.

The black stockings stretch, highlighting the flesh-colored skin beneath.

“Your lips.”

I obediently raised my head with my eyes closed.

And parted my lips to receive her tongue.

It was different from yesterday.

The Red-Eyed One’s tongue gently violated mine.

As I felt each sensation, my entire body became rigid with heat.

My body submits to her gentleness, different from before.

Soon, my saliva stretches like a thread from her tongue.

After swallowing even that saliva, she whispers to me:

“I’m not trying to scold you.”

Her sensual whisper makes my eyes half-close.

With each kiss, my body becomes sensitive again, as if drugged.

“When I can’t reach you, I get anxious… At least reply to messages.”

“Yes…”

Satisfied with my answer, the Red-Eyed One unbuttoned her taut shirt.

A black bra cradling her breasts is revealed.

The scent of flesh blooming between them makes my inner thighs twitch.

She undid her shirt and carelessly tossed it onto the chair.

“What are you doing?”

“Eh…?”

The woman in her bra lies down on the bed ostentatiously.

She stretches out both arms.

“Come here.”

I fidgeted with my hands clasped together.

Then slowly crawled onto the bed.

“I haven’t showered yet…”

“What were you expecting? I just want to sleep together.”

The Red-Eyed One’s hands wrap around my back.

Her bra hook presses against me as she pulls me closer.

I helplessly fell into her embrace and lay down on the bed with her.

The acrid smell of gunpowder and her body scent intertwined strangely.

I feel dazed, intoxicated by that scent.

Each time she inhales, her voluptuous breasts swell.

Our breasts press against each other, rubbing back and forth.

Soon, the Red-Eyed One turned to lie facing me.

Her red eyes stare intensely at my flushed face.

“Your kissing has improved a lot?”

“Th-that’s… because you keep forcing me to…”

I averted my gaze and mumbled.

In response, the Red-Eyed One’s fingers played with my protruding forelock.

“So. Did you dislike it?”

How mischievous.

Such a mischievous question made me cover my mouth with the back of my hand.

“No…”

My heart beats wildly.

I swallowed deeply and savored the sound of her breathing.

Unlike me, she seems to have had a difficult day.

Even her breathing is irregular.

Did she come to me right after it ended…?

The Red-Eyed One pulled me closer with her eyes closed.

I curled up like a child and pressed against her.

Is this as far as we go today?

My heart pounds with disappointment.

What am I disappointed about!

Because of these strange thoughts, my body becomes even more rigid.

I was gradually being tainted by pleasure.

First because of the drugs.

Then because of the alcohol.

And now I’m completely sober.

If I’m like this even when sober, what am I…?

I closed my eyes tightly.

And laid my tired body on the Red-Eyed One’s arm.

I gaze at her beautifully closed eyes.

A face both beautiful and deadly.

When I first saw her, I was terrified, but now she comes looking for me.

And somehow, I was becoming attached to her.

I’m scared.

Surely, the Red-Eyed One is a good person.

But the closer we get, the more frightened I am of my submissive behavior toward her.

If we truly become close…

What will happen to me?

My heartbeat grows so loud I can hear it in my ears.

I tried to sleep with my hand between my thighs to drown out the sound.

But I couldn’t fall asleep because of the breathing of the woman pressed against me.

Despite being tired from spending a long time with Anna today.

“—.”

My eyes snap open.

My breath caught suddenly.

What I saw when I came to my senses were the Red-Eyed One’s arms as she slept.

Having barely escaped from her, I staggered to my feet.

I’m thirsty.

I went straight to the sink and gulped down tap water.

Only after hydrating could I look around.

On the table, I see the Red-Eyed One’s blood-stained jacket and gun.

I blink as I stare at the gun.

“I went shooting yesterday too.”

I carefully pick up the gun.

And try the stance Anna showed me.

Suddenly, I notice my reflection in the mirror.

I look pathetic, like a little girl playing around.

Realizing this, I sighed deeply.

And placed the gun back on the table.

This kind of thing doesn’t suit me anymore.

Instead, an apron hanging on the chair catches my eye.

I silently tied it around my waist.

Is it because I’ve done it many times?

I, who used to be clumsy at tying aprons, have now become quite skilled.

I noticed the Red-Eyed One sleeping alone.

Whatever happened yesterday, she’s sleeping deeply as if dead.

“Should I wash her jacket?”

I held the black suit jacket in my hand.

Suddenly, I feel a paper texture from the inner pocket.

I carefully pulled out an envelope.

And was somewhat surprised.

The Association’s symbol was embossed on the envelope.

“A recommendation…?”

Entranced by the word “recommendation,” I checked the contents.

And I was shocked.

The document was…

a recommendation letter for a Potion Master.

I looked back and forth between the letter and the Red-Eyed One.

“How…”

But before I could guess why she had obtained this recommendation, I put the envelope back in the jacket.

Because the Red-Eyed One, whom I thought was sound asleep, let out a low groan.

“Are you awake?”

“What time… is it now?”

The Red-Eyed One asks with half-closed eyes.

Her disheveled hair and beautiful eyes are striking.

Whoever dates her would see that sight every morning.

“It’s 8 AM.”

At the mention of 8 o’clock, the Red-Eyed One’s red eyes flash.

She clutches her groggy head and searches for her phone.

“My phone…”

“Here.”

I hurriedly approached in my apron and handed her the phone.

She looked alternately at my face and apron, then cleared her throat as if embarrassed.

“Thanks.”

The Red-Eyed One sighed deeply at the pile of missed calls.

Then she made a call somewhere.

“Yeah… I’m fine. I called because I’m not dead.”

“Right, I’ll come to work right away.”

It must be her subordinate, Sangmun.

Perhaps because of the intense fight yesterday.

I stood politely holding a tray.

The Red-Eyed One sighed deeply and picked up the shirt she had thrown last night.

“I told you, my visit to the Association was for personal reasons.”

Could it be… did she face trouble because of my recommendation letter?

I bit my finger and watched carefully.

Soon, the Red-Eyed One ended the call.

Then she roughly fixed her disheveled hair and prepared to leave.

“Are you leaving right away?”

“Yeah. I forgot there’s an executive meeting.”

“You should eat something before you go… you must be hungry.”

I look at her worriedly.

In response, the Red-Eyed One tucked her forelock behind her ear and smiled.

“Look at you worrying. Hand me my jacket.”

“This…?”

Feeling guilty for touching it without permission, I stammered as I handed her the jacket.

The Red-Eyed One then searched the inner pocket and pulled out the familiar envelope.

“Take it. The interview is the day after tomorrow, so buy some clothes in advance.”

She held out the envelope and a credit card.

I received them in a daze and asked her:

“An interview?”

“Yeah. It’s called an interview, but you just need to make a cocktail when you get there. It’s just to make an appearance.”

That’s strange.

Just two days ago, she said the Association was her enemy, but now she’s received a recommendation from a council member.

What happened yesterday?

For now, I placed the items I received on the table.

And stared at the Red-Eyed One as she put on her shirt.

This isn’t the time… I should quickly do something for her before she leaves.

I headed to the kitchen.

I grabbed a glass for the Red-Eyed One, who seemed about to leave soon.

Usually, cocktails are enjoyed at the end of the day, to wrap things up.

But there are also those meant to be drunk at the start of the day, like a Red Eye.

Just like this cocktail…

I take out an egg.

Discard the white and gently add only the yolk.

Add one part spicy-sweet Sriracha sauce.

One part tangy tomato ketchup.

Then drop just two drops of vinegar on top.

Finish by sprinkling some pepper…

<Prairie Oyster>

Grade: ★★★☆

Effect: Restores 25% of health and energy for 1 minute.

Info: A hangover cure known as the “prairie oyster.” As you can see, it contains no alcohol and is good for fatigue recovery.

“Red-Eyed One! Drink this before you go!”

I call out to the woman cramming her feet into shoes at the shoe rack.

The tall woman frowns at my glass.

“What is this…?”

“What do you mean? It’s a cocktail.”

I shrug as if it’s obvious.

But the Red-Eyed One tilts her head at the unusual cocktail appearance.

I suppose egg-based cocktails aren’t common in Korea.

Still, I can’t back down now.

People tend to get irritable and tired when they go to work on an empty stomach.

“You shouldn’t go out on an empty stomach, no matter how rushed you are.”

At those words,

the Red-Eyed One’s hurried movements came to a halt.

She stared at me in my apron as if reminded of someone.

Finding her gaze burdensome, I scratched my cheek.

“If you don’t want to drink it, that’s fine…”

“No.”

The Red-Eyed One shook her head.

And gracefully accepted the glass I offered.

“There was someone who used to say exactly the same thing to me every time I went to work.”

She brought the glass to her lips.

The smooth yolk slides into her mouth.

The Red-Eyed One squinted her eyes as if drinking whiskey.

Then she smiled with a small sound of appreciation.

“It’s delicious.”

Just a brief comment.

But that was enough to satisfy me.

“Take care.”

The Red-Eyed One opened the front door.

A glorious morning.

The chirping of birds poured through the doorway.