Chapter 408

Chapter 408

Chapter 73 Reward Vacation (5)

“There’s nothing to ask about, it’s obvious just by looking.”

After releasing the woman’s grip from his collar, he let Yeonwoo sit and took a seat next to her.

“Did you order the food?”

“Yes, but I only ordered for us since I don’t know when Oppa will come.”

“We can always order more.”

Hyunwoo hesitated but took the menu from the waiter.

Suddenly, Jinwoo flinched and shivered.

That was when he realized the countless gazes directed at them.

It was no exaggeration to say that everyone around them was watching Hyunwoo.

Whether Hyunwoo was aware of the attention or not, he was browsing through the menu while keeping the woman beside him standing.

“Um…”

The woman stood in the same place she first locked eyes with Jinwoo, looking around in all directions.

Her pale gray eyes sparkled, and despite her calm demeanor, she seemed rather excited.

Leaving the woman standing when everyone else was seated didn’t look too good.

There was only one way to remedy the situation for those who felt uncomfortable.

“Excuse me… please sit here.”

Jinwoo offered a seat directly opposite Hyunwoo and next to himself by pulling out a chair for her.

As soon as the woman turned to him with a smile, Hyunwoo spoke in a stern voice.

“Mare.”

“A.”

The woman lightly tapped her own lips and spoke.

“Thank you, Kang Jinwoo.”

Jinwoo nodded with an awkward smile.

He decided not to be surprised that she knew his name despite not introducing himself.

‘Considering that my brother introduced her, it probably means she isn’t a threat to us.’

There was no need to be overly cautious.

While Jinwoo was reassuring himself, Yeonwoo asked her.

“Do you know my name too?”

“Of course, Kang Yeonwoo.”

“What’s your name, unnie?”

“I can’t tell Kang Yeonwoo my name.”

While the two exchanged brief words, Hyunwoo finished placing their order.

Once the waiter left, Hyunwoo gave a light wave of his hand.

Suddenly, all the noise disappeared, and the twins looked around, wide-eyed at the quiet experience.

All the people at the surrounding tables were still talking.

Their lips moved, and they used cutlery, clinking their glasses, yet no sound was heard.

As the twins marveled at this peculiar experience, Hyunwoo spoke.

“Let me give you a few reminders. We’ll be together for a while, and as you can see, she’s not human. So if you notice anything strange, just let it be.”

“Um… What’s your relation with Oppa?”

In response to Yeonwoo’s question, Hyunwoo glanced at the woman once.

Then sighed deeply and replied.

“We’re not close, but think of her as a friend I have to stay with.”

Such a straightforward response before the woman seemed a bit harsh for a moment.

‘Is it okay because she’s not human?’

It seemed the woman wasn’t affected by Hyunwoo’s indifferent response.

‘It’s clear that this meeting is not what my brother wanted.’

Given the open display of reluctance, it seemed more like he had reluctantly agreed to it.

“Please take care of me for the time being.”

The twins nodded, caught off guard by the subsequent greeting from the woman.

The awkward silence that followed didn’t last long.

Curiosity got the better of Yeonwoo, who spoke to her first.

“If you can’t tell us your name, can we just call you Unnie?”

“Not giving my name is simply because it’s impossible for the two of you to pronounce it, so don’t misunderstand. If you need to call me something, feel free to choose an easy name.”

What could her name be that would make it impossible for others to say it?

The twins glanced at each other, exchanging glances of bewilderment.

Reading their expressions, Hyunwoo rubbed his temple and said.

“Just take it all in stride. Everything.”

“Hmm… Then, how about calling you Hena Unnie?”

The first name that popped into her mind, simply because the mysterious woman wasn’t human, was Hera.

And since using that was slightly awkward, she changed it to Hena.

Though she hesitated, thinking it might have been too casually given, the woman looked unperturbed.

“That’s fine!”

Once the name issue was resolved, Hyunwoo clicked his tongue and muttered.

“Why did you say you wanted to meet my siblings?”

Eagerly responding, the woman replied.

“Aren’t they the driving forces that made today’s Kang Hyunwoo? I wanted to meet them and talk at least once.”

“Did it ever occur to you that your interest might harm my siblings?”

“That won’t happen. If I watch over them, they can receive my blessing—a life booster!”

“You….”

He was about to retort further but just sighed, exasperated.

‘My brother is giving in.’

‘Hyung is yielding.’

It was a scene they saw for the first time.

Their older brother wasn’t the kind of person to back down and concede like this.

‘What’s their relationship?’

‘What’s her identity?’

Who could exist that Kang Hyunwoo couldn’t dominate?

Curiosity began to creep into the twins.

Just as they were about to start probing, Hyunwoo asked.

“Did you finalize the travel plans? Need an extra day?”

Jinwoo showed him the calendar app on his smartphone.

It contained the itinerary for this trip, planned with Yeonwoo while Hyunwoo was away.

“It’s mostly where she wants to go, but I don’t mind.”

“But since Unnie’s with us, don’t we have to add what she wants to do?”

“Well…”

Hyunwoo took the smartphone, scanned the screen, and smiled as he returned it.

“No need to adjust; let’s leave right after lunch.”

“Yay!”

At the moment Yeonwoo cheered, raising both hands, their food was served.

To ensure a successful trip, they needed to finish their meal quickly.

Both twins immediately began eating fervently.

* * *

There was an awkwardness involving Rashar when it came to tourist plans.

It was a self-inflicted issue from a past slip of the tongue.

I had been the one making boastful promises to the Damned System about taking it to the material world—a reckless statement.

Accompanying it as a guide was inevitable.

There was nothing essential for me to do immediately, so I wanted to get the tiresome itinerary over with quickly.

However, in the process, the Damned System insisted on bringing the twins along.

So, the moment I got to Korea, I brought the kids.

‘Personally, I wonder if it’s necessary.’

There was no reason to fight tooth and nail against it.

Those who experienced miracles worldwide typically garnered attention and protection from the Damned System.

It would be not bad if the Damned System cared for and watched over the twins.

Rather, it should be seen as beneficial.

‘Who knows what the future holds for the twins?’

I’d always watch over them myself, but having a god’s support would surely be advantageous.

Allowing this unwelcome meeting was all for that reason.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the twins did not seem too bothered by the presence of the Damned System in their travel plans.

“Wow, wowww!”

“Look at that!”

The synchronization between them was admirable, especially with Yeonwoo.

“It’s high! Kang Hyunwoo, really high!”

“Oppa, look at the sea over there! So sparkly and pretty!”

They eagerly pressed their noses against the window of the Ferris wheel, admiring the sprawling city and sea.

Yeonwoo being excited was understandable.

She was abroad for the first time, of course, she would be thrilled.

But why was the Damned System getting all worked up?

‘It’s looked down on the material world from a much higher causality…’

I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes at the Damned System in disbelief.

Regardless of my thoughts, the Damned System and Yeonwoo didn’t stop chatting throughout the Ferris wheel ride.

Of course, the circumstances didn’t change even after getting off.

“Ugh, grossss!”

The clamoring continued when they reached the Gum Wall, one of Seattle’s notable tourist spots.

“Yuck! Don’t touch that, unnie!”

“Why?”

“It’s chewed by others, it’s gross!”

Although I couldn’t understand why she added her own chewed gum to the wall.

‘Glad they’re enjoying themselves.’

Damned System followed in Yeonwoo’s footsteps and added its gum to the wall as well.

After snapping a few photos there, they visited the very first Starbucks.

Each bought a drink before heading to the city’s oldest traditional market.

While the twins and the Damned System were engrossed in their sightseeing, I carefully observed the people around us.

‘More locals than I expected.’

We hadn’t built on empty land—it was territory already established.

So it was only natural there were many native residents.

Despite providing immigration support, leaving one’s lifelong home wasn’t easy.

Conflicts with these people wouldn’t be solved easily.

Currently, they were allowed dual citizenship; properties owned here were respected.

However, within a few years, they’d have to decide whether to remain foreigners or become citizens.

‘There are numerous challenges.’

I wondered if I’d ever get to discuss marriage with Rashar.

“Ah.”

My musings were interrupted when the Damned System, walking next to me, suddenly tilted.

It hadn’t yet adapted to the body it crafted after a century.

It had lost balance and almost fell several times.

Each time, I had to grab and steady it.

Right before it hit the ground, I caught it by the scruff.

“Thank you, Kang Hyunwoo!”

“Hena Unnie, hurry, hurry!”

“Yes! Coming!”

After regaining balance with my help, the Damned System resumed its lively interaction with Yeonwoo.

Watching them, it didn’t seem all bad for the Damned System to accompany the twins.

‘Jinwoo and I aren’t nearly as energetic.’

Watching the two race ahead, I casually asked Jinwoo.

“Don’t you want to take photos?”

“Yeonwoo already has plenty.”

“Want anything?”

“Would just be more baggage, wouldn’t it?”

“Alright, we’ll take our time.”

Had we traveled without the Damned System, Yeonwoo might’ve wandered about alone or Jinwoo and I would’ve had to adjust to her energy, which could be exhausting.

However, having a high-energy companion like the Damned System meant Jinwoo and I could take it easy.

In some way, the presence of the Damned System balanced our traveling party.

The realization brought me some relief and gratitude.

After recognizing the perks of traveling with the Damned System, I decided to adjust my mindset.

If a situation couldn’t be avoided, it was wiser to pinpoint advantages and maintain a plausible outlook.

That approach would be better for my mental health.

Yet, that mindset didn’t last even through the day.

“K, the savior of humanity, on a date with a mysterious woman?”

“A scandal of the century! Who is K’s love?”

“A new encounter in old Seattle for K!”

“While humanity suffers, he romances…? Angry outcries.”

“Snatching K’s heart, a white-haired lover—who’s she?”

“Double-timing K? Lady at the airport, different woman on tour?”

“What the…”

That night, I was caught off guard by outrageous headlines!

Both Korea and the world spent the night buzzing over similar rumors.

There were plenty of photos supplied alongside the articles.

The issue, however, was that the photos portrayed the Damned System, not Rashar.

‘If they’re going to publish, they should at least do it accurately!’

Looks like I’d have to reevaluate and change my thoughts from earlier.

The accursed Damned System seems to bring trials, not benefits, to my life.

Even as I gritted my teeth, a flood of messages arrived from people with newly announced contact numbers.

Damned System

New Elements and Characters Introduced:

현우 – Hyunwoo (he)

진우 – Jinwoo (he)

연우 – Yeonwoo (she)

라샤르 – Rashar (she)

시스템 – Damned System (it)

K (he)