Chapter 83:
“The shop looks ordinary.”
“That rumor was false after all.”
“Of course. Firestarter wouldn’t run a flower shop.”
The three Espers whispered among themselves, unaware that the smiling flower shop owner before them was the real Firestarter, Seo Jae-yi.
Instead of revealing her identity, Seo Jae-yi started her sales pitch.
“Are you here for dungeon plants?”
“Ah, yes. We heard you have a wide variety…”
“Of course. Here’s a catalog; take a look.”
She handed them a thin booklet listing the dungeon plants. It was, of course, made by Kim Yoo-sung, not her.
“Oh, this is the one that was posted on the community. The one that lures monsters with its barbs.”
“This one too. Ogre Vine. I think this one is useful. It would be even better with my telekinesis, wouldn’t it?”
After pondering for a while, heads together, they decided to buy both.
Hahaha. These lovely moneybags. Seo Jae-yi, beaming, told them to wait and entered the greenhouse.
“More customers?”
“Yes. They’re buying two types this time.”
“What good customers!”
Even Airok, who had been watering the plants, flapped his wings happily. They hummed cheerfully as they started packing the plants the customers had ordered.
Dungeon plant wrapping paper was different from ordinary wrapping paper. It was infused with Seo Jae-yi’s ability, preventing the dungeon plants from tearing through it.
It was, of course, a Seo Won-yeong original.
“Here you go. It’s special wrapping paper, so the dungeon plants won’t act up until you unwrap them. But it’s not good to keep them trapped for too long, so please use them as soon as possible. And please note that this shop is not responsible for any injuries caused by dungeon plants.”
It was basically a warning to not use them if they couldn’t handle them.
But the customers didn’t complain, as she readily offered compensation for any defects. They paid and left.
“Wow, this is a gold mine.”
Espers seemed to be big spenders, as the plants were selling well despite their high prices.
She had already made tens of millions of won from the five teams of Espers who had come to buy dungeon plants today.
Espers were becoming safer, she was making money, and her business was thriving! It was a win-win-win situation.
‘Ah, farewell, the days of crying over an empty shop.’
She could barely remember the days of guarding her desolate shop alone. Her hardships were over, and happiness had begun.
“You’re glowing.”
Baek Joo-won greeted her as she returned to the greenhouse.
He had started coming to the flower shop every day since they started living together.
She had thought he would be bored, as there was nothing for him to do in the greenhouse, but he seemed content. He had found something to do here.
“I can’t help but smile with all the good things happening lately. Of course, the best thing is being paired with you, Baek Joo-won.”
“Of course I know that.”
Baek Joo-won glanced at the flowers blooming nearby.
“You must be even happier now that you have someone to help you with the flowers.”
Seo Jae-yi hadn’t had the time to tend to the Earth flowers since the dungeon plant sales surged. Even Airok couldn’t help because he had to watch over the dungeon plants.
She had been troubled, not wanting to abandon the flowers she had grown attached to, and then Baek Joo-won had offered to help.
She hadn’t wanted to burden him with work, but she had eventually relented, seeing his genuine interest and skill in cultivating plants.
And so Baek Joo-won had started tending to the flowerbed, shedding his usual sharp suits and wearing a comfortable T-shirt, jeans, and an apron.
‘Huh, this isn’t bad.’
A handsome man in a T-shirt that revealed his biceps, wearing an apron. It was a pleasing sight. She had made the right decision.
“Huh? The flowers look so beautiful.”
Seo Jae-yi, drawn to his prominent biceps, approached the flowerbed and gasped.
The flowers in her greenhouse had always been beautiful and vibrant thanks to Kim Yoo-sung’s Life Force.
But they seemed even more lively and beautiful now. She couldn’t help but marvel at their stunning appearance.
This was strange. They weren’t this beautiful when she tended to them.
“You’re right. I noticed it too.”
Even Airok, with his keen eyesight, agreed.
“Did you use magic or something?”
“Maybe it’s just a difference in talent? I’m exceptionally talented at cultivating plants.”
Baek Joo-won smiled radiantly and caressed a flower. The flower seemed to become even more vibrant under his touch.
“Of course, I’ve never cultivated these kinds of flowers before, but it’s not bad. I prefer these to dungeon plants.”
“Right. You might get hurt by dungeon plants, Baek Joo-won.”
“I’ll take care of the flowers from now on.”
“Thank you! Don’t worry, I’ll pay you a salary.”
“…I refuse payment in gold.”
Seo Jae-yi flinched, remembering her blunder, and turned her head away.
Ah, what a waste.
Drip.
“Oh, dear.”
A drop of blood dripped from her nose. It was a common occurrence since her body had weakened, so she wasn’t surprised.
She was just relieved that her ability hadn’t leaked, and was about to wipe the blood away with the back of her hand when Baek Joo-won grabbed her wrist and pressed a handkerchief to her nose.
“I told you not to wipe it with your hand.”
“I’ll do it.”
“Yes, that’s better.”
Seo Jae-yi took the handkerchief, and Baek Joo-won, his hand free, lifted her into his arms.
“Wait, hold on!”
“I know you’re heavier than you look, so stay still. I might drop you if you keep moving.”
“It’s all muscle. I won’t get hurt even if you drop me.”
“What if your ability leaks from the sudden movement and I get hurt?”
“…I’ll be quiet.”
Baek Joo-won carried her to a nearby chair and sat down, holding her. He took her other hand and started Guiding. Slowly, gently, giving her time to calm down.
“Hmm.”
The comforting, refreshing energy soothed her churning stomach.
Addicted to the feeling, Seo Jae-yi instinctively leaned her cheek against his exposed neck, seeking more contact. Her dizziness vanished the moment their skin touched.
Her senses heightened, and she instinctively snuggled closer to him, seeking more of his warmth.
Baek Joo-won responded by tightening his grip around her waist. She was completely enveloped in his embrace, their bodies fitting perfectly together.
A deep sense of satisfaction spread across Seo Jae-yi’s face, which had been indifferent even when she had a nosebleed.
Baek Joo-won stared intently at her, the Esper who craved his Guiding.
At that satisfied expression, visible only to him.
“Ugh.”
Seo Jae-yi, who had been leaning against him, suddenly stiffened. The Guiding, which had been flowing gently, suddenly intensified.
“W-wait. Stop…”
“Just bear with it for a bit. Your body’s not healing because you keep cutting off the Guiding.”
Baek Joo-won grabbed her arm as she tried to pull away, releasing his hand.
Seo Jae-yi gritted her teeth as the Guiding intensified.
“Continuing is too, too dangerous.”
“Do you think I became your Pair to just give you moderate Guiding? Endure it, even if you want to do something to me.”
It was okay for her to lose control and attack him, to drain all his energy. Baek Joo-won whispered softly, continuing to push his energy into her body.
Seo Jae-yi struggled, but she couldn’t use much force, fearing she might hurt him.
“See? You’re not going to hurt me, so why do you keep resisting?”
“Because I’m holding back now… Ugh, seriously!”
Seo Jae-yi shuddered as a wave of warmth washed over her and grabbed his collar, lifting her head.
Their eyes met.
Her black eyes were filled with a dangerous glint. Sparks flew. They burned with a desire to do something to him, an overwhelming desire.
It was the same look Baek Joo-won had seen before.
His hand instinctively reached for her cheek, drawn to her eyes, which were looking at him with such intensity, but…
“Let’s take it slow. Your ability isn’t leaking as much as before, thanks to the Guiding you’ve received. You’re not going to collapse and die, so please, let’s take it slow.”
His hand froze in mid-air. Baek Joo-won frowned.
“Not going to collapse and die? That’s impossible. If you use your ability even once, your barely healed body will break down again. I know your condition better than anyone.”
No one knew Seo Jae-yi’s condition better than her paired Guide.
Her body was still fragile, like a broken vase, as evidenced by her frequent nosebleeds. The Guiding he had given her so far was like applying a thin layer of glue to the cracks.
If she used her ability now, before the glue had even dried, she would crumble instantly.
“I didn’t become your Pair to see that happen. So you better prepare yourself mentally. I’m going to Guide you properly soon.”