Chapter 46: The Slap Was Necessary
The boutique’s soft lighting danced across the polished crystal floors as Seraphina collapsed like a marionette with its strings cut.
The elf tailor plummeted toward the ground, her wild golden-leaf vest fluttering around her.
Hyun-woo lunged forward and caught her before her head could crack against the marble. “Whoa, easy there!”
Medusa’s rich, echoing laugh filled the boutique. She didn’t even try to hide her amusement, her hand covering her mouth while her emerald snakes writhed in clear delight. “That sassy little stitch-witch finally got what was coming to her. Always poking and prodding everyone like they’re her personal mannequins. About time she bit off more than she could chew.”
Vespera, still standing on the staircase in her stunning new crimson-and-gold dress, crossed her arms under her massive chest, pushing her H-cups up even higher.
The motion made the already strained halter top protest dangerously. “Hmph. Serves the insolent peasant right,” the dragoness declared, though her six golden eyes kept flicking nervously between Hyun-woo’s obvious bulge and the unconscious elf in his arms. “Consort, drop her this instant. She dared lay hands on what belongs to me.”
Hyun-woo sighed, carefully adjusting his grip on Seraphina’s limp body. “I’m not just dropping her. If that’s what you mean.”
“Give her here.” Medusa stepped closer, her cool fingers brushing deliberately against Hyun-woo’s arm. The green crystal pendant he’d given her swayed gently between her breasts.
She could have used a gentle wake-up spell. A pulse of restorative magic. Even a soft shake.
But instead, she chose violence.
SLAP.
The sound cracked through the boutique. Seraphina’s head snapped to the side, her amethyst eyes flying open as she let out a sharp, pained yelp.
“Ow—! What in the bloody Feywild?!” Seraphina clutched her reddening cheek, wincing hard as she freed herself from Hyun-woo’s arms. “You cold-blooded, scale-faced hag! I faint from raw info overload, and your first instinct is to smack me like some misbehaving whelp?!”
Medusa folded her arms, looking utterly unrepentant. Her emerald snakes hissed in smug agreement. “You were drooling all over my beloved. Consider that a public service.”
Seraphina pushed herself to her feet, still rubbing her cheek. She whirled on Medusa with the fire of someone who had just survived a stats-induced mental short-circuit and was absolutely not in the mood.
“Oh, please. You’re one to talk, Miss ‘I’ll-devour-his-mouth-in-the-middle-of-my-own-shop-while-pretending-I’m-above-such-things.’ At least I’m honest about appreciating exceptional craftsmanship! You’re simply jealous I got to measure the goods first!”
[ EN: What the hell, this is golden. ]
Medusa’s eyes narrowed dangerously, but Seraphina wasn’t done. She poked a finger right into the Gorgon’s chest.
“And spare me the ‘he’s mine’ nonsense. You two have been circling him like territorial cats in heat since he first walked in. I faint for the sake of science and fashion, and you slap me? Hypocrite!”
Hyun-woo stood there, completely stunned. I can't believe this elf just casually flipped the table and made Medusa shut up like that; I am truly impressed, he thought.
On the other hand, Vespera also looked positively delighted at the verbal bloodshed.
Medusa opened her mouth for a cutting reply… then closed it. Her emerald snakes bared their fangs for a fleeting second before settling down as a rare, reluctant smirk tugged at her lips. “Tch. Fine. You win this round, you chaotic stitch-witch. But only because I’m in an exceptionally good mood today.”
Seraphina flipped her hair triumphantly, still wincing a little from the slap. “Damn right I did. Now, back to business.”
She turned to Hyun-woo, her manic energy returning in full force, though this time it was tempered with genuine awe.
“Hyun-woo… I have appraised thousands. Ancient Dragons. Floor Guardians. Even Mother herself. But you? You are no mere person. You are a living singularity. Infinite. Bottomless. My Appraisal literally shattered trying to process you. I have never witnessed anything like it.”
She circled him slowly, her eyes sparkling with professional hunger. “Which means your garments must be exceptional. Not merely sturdy, but adaptive too.”
Seraphina clapped her hands, already summoning floating bolts of enchanted fabric. “For that, I will require rare materials from every outer Guardian in your circle. Medusa’s scales from her back, naturally. Ebonara’s stinger. Stheno’s golden venom. Euryale’s petrification-laced snake fangs. And contributions from any additional Guardians you’ve… acquired. I’ll compile a full list and send it to your phone later, Medusa.”
“Fine,” Medusa said, very reluctantly, snatching the glowing crystalline tablet from the air as Seraphina manifested it. She had wanted something custom-made for him, but having been ordered around like that, she didn't like it one bit. “Give me the list. I’ll see what can be arranged.”
Seraphina blinked, then shrugged with a dramatic sigh. “Bossy as ever. Very well.” She tapped the air rapidly. “There. Everything required. Do not skimp on quality. I want fresh samples. After all, this could very well be my masterpiece.”
Hyun-woo rubbed the back of his neck. “So… I have to go collect stuff from all of them?”
“Exactly, darling,” Seraphina said cheerfully. “Think of it as a delightful little bonding adventure with your growing collection. In the meantime, though, let’s finish fitting that temporary new outfit properly.”
The next twenty minutes were a whirlwind. Seraphina had Hyun-woo stand on the crystal platform while enchanted tapes danced around him. She kept things mostly professional this time—mostly—though her commentary remained shamelessly brazen.
Eventually, she stepped back, looking extremely pleased.
The final outfit materialized on a floating mannequin: a sleek black combat tunic with subtle emerald, crimson, and gold accents. Reinforced pants with generous, enchanted room in the crotch. A long, flowing coat with combat-ready inner pockets.
Hyun-woo changed behind a modesty screen (at his own firm insistence). When he stepped out, the fabric settled perfectly. It was light, durable, and somehow made his broad shoulders and soft face look both handsome and imposing.
Medusa’s cool fingers traced the embroidered patterns on his chest. “Acceptable,” she murmured, her eyes dark with approval. The green pendant he’d given her rested perfectly against her own skin, matching his new accents.
Vespera pressed against his other side, the crimson silk of her dress luxurious against his arm. “You now look… worthy of standing beside me, Consort.”
Seraphina whistled. “You three are going to cause a riot in the streets. Try not to destroy my city while looking that good, hmm?”
Woman, I am not that popular, Hyun-woo thought, but he wisely didn’t say anything out loud.
As they prepared to leave, Medusa slipped her cool hand into Hyun-woo’s. Vespera immediately claimed his other arm, pressing close.
“Food,” Medusa said smoothly.
“Yeah, I’m really hungry right now,” Hyun-woo said, rubbing his stomach.
“What do you want to eat, then?” Medusa asked.
“Something you cooked,” Hyun-woo said immediately. He truly loved her cooking.
“You like my cooking that much already?” she giggled, clearly enjoying the compliment.
“It was the best,” Hyun-woo replied without hesitation.
“Only the best?” Medusa teased him, raising a perfect eyebrow.
“No—it was legendary,” Hyun-woo corrected quickly. He really wanted that food.
Vespera’s golden eyes gleamed with curiosity. “Hmm? Does food truly taste that delicious?”
Hyun-woo swallowed an imaginary mouthful of saliva. “Vespera, you just have to wait and see.”