DrinkyL C10

Chapter 10

 

“What did you call me here for?”

Baek Seolgu stood at Ban Dayeong’s side, his eyes gentle and docile. Whatever boldness he’d shown earlier had vanished, and he was once more the half-witted elf.

Ban Dayeong handed Seolgu a piece of paper.

“Sign this.”

Without a second thought, Seolgu signed his name across the page—‘Baek Seolgu’—pressing so hard that the letters looked as shaky as a child’s. Among those watching the elf sign his name, Ban Haeyoung was the first to speak.

“Excuse me, Mr. Baek Seolgu? Why would you sign something without even reading it? Do you know what kind of contract this is?”

“Um?”

Black hair, shining like a wave down to her waist, caught the light with every movement of Ban Haeyoung. Staring absentmindedly at her hair, Seolgu opened his eyes wide at her cool question. He glanced where she gestured, at the rows of unfamiliar words: principal, agent, clauses, responsibility. He guessed it was a contract, but whether it was good or bad he couldn’t say—he’d never seen one before in his life.

Had he done something wrong by signing without asking? He thought it was a little unfair, but quickly folded his hands above his belly in a posture of polite apology, hoping to look remorseful and perhaps avoid a scolding.

Ban Haeyoung, exasperated at his silence, waved the contract.

“You do understand this is an employment contract, yes?”

“No, I didn’t.”

Seolgu shook his head. An employment contract? Hadn’t he signed one with the village head and CEO already?

His expression was so honest you could read every thought running through his mind, and the vampires could easily see what he was thinking.

“The contract you signed with the construction company CEO—well, let’s just forget about that one. We’re writing a new one, and I’ll explain it if you don’t know.”

“No, it’s alright!”

“Really? Wait, you’re sure?”

Her raised eyebrow wrinkled with disbelief, and Seolgu hastily pressed his hands together once more. Ban Haeyoung made a faint sound of frustration and waved her hand, defeated.

Ban Dayeong, who’d been quietly watching, asked the question he’d wondered about. Either way, he knew this half-elf would sign any contract, however unequal.

“Baek Seolgu, are you taking your supplements?”

“Yes, yes! Two a day, without fail.”

“Then why do you look like that?”

The bluntness of his remark sent a flush across Seolgu’s cheeks. The vampires gathered in the room could easily insult his looks, especially in comparison to their own striking features.

But still, he thought—after a week without fieldwork under the sun, his complexion had finally cleared. That very morning he had smiled at his reflection, seeing his cheeks filling out, his skin smooth, and his hands, battered by soil, growing softer.

He believed this was thanks to eating well and resting in Ban Dayeong’s house. His heart, full of gratitude just moments earlier, sank beneath Ban Dayeong’s teasing.

“I’m just asking why you haven’t changed at all after a week.”

“That’s not true! I’ve gained weight, my skin’s better, I sleep soundly—I’m healthier than I used to be.”

His protest burst forth involuntarily, and Ban Dayeong tilted his head. How was it possible for that body to gain weight so proudly?

All around, Ban Jinyeong, Ban Haeyoung, and Secretary Yang shared the same doubt.

With a height of only 173 centimeters, Seolgu looked small and frail compared to vampires, who were all nearly 185 centimeters on average. Add to that a timorous, naive personality, and it was hard not to worry that someone so feckless might just be a burden for Ban Dayeong.

Secretary Yang, who’d even delivered him a kiosk, considered whether perhaps someone so ignorant of the world ought to be sent back, but as an employee, his opinion counted for little.

“In any case…”

Suddenly braver, Seolgu rolled up his sleeve in front of Ban Dayeong. An arm thin as a twig gleamed under the fluorescent light.

“Would you like some?”

Blushing, Seolgu held out his arm to Ban Dayeong.

“…He’s absolutely crazy. No question.”

“Watch your words, Jinyeong.”

“What, he is crazy.”

The siblings’ expressions mirrored their disbelief as they watched a rabbit tiptoe into the jaws of a snake. Ban Haeyoung, seeing Seolgu in person for the first time, was especially baffled.

But more surprising was Ban Dayeong’s attitude. He hated incompetence, trouble, stupidity, and those who overstep their bounds. Seolgu was all these in one—and yet, Ban Dayeong was not only tolerant, he seemed to find him rather cute. It was clear from their conversation alone.

“That’s enough, Mr. Baek Seolgu. When you’re stronger, then maybe.”

“I am strong now.”

“I doubt it. Get stronger.”

“Hmm.”

Unsure how to prove his newfound strength, Seolgu fretted—what if this was just Ban Dayeong’s way of waiting for the right moment to dismiss him?

Sensing his worry, Ban Dayeong pointed to the contract.

“You’re contract staff, so as an employee you’ll need to keep working.”

He gestured to the phrase “indefinite contract.” Of course, Seolgu had no idea what it meant and glanced about in confusion, prompting Ban Dayeong’s patient explanation.

“It means your contract doesn’t have a set end date. Don’t worry—I wouldn’t end it arbitrarily.”

“Then I really work here now?” Seolgu asked, eyes bright with excitement as he looked at the grand building. Could he really have something to do here?

But within moments, Ban Haeyoung’s reply dashed his hopes.

“No, you’ll be working with me, not here. I hear you’re good with plants? I want you to manage the hotel’s ‘planterior.’”

“Planterior…?”

“It just means checking the health of our plants. We have landscaping professionals, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

Her explanation revived Seolgu’s excitement. Even half-blooded, the elven side of him thrived in green settings. The reason he went out to the terrace so often was simply his love of nature.

His smile nearly reached his ears. Not only was he safe from being cast out, he’d found a job doing what he loved.

He felt almost like wiggling in delight, and Ban Dayeong’s broad hand reached out to ruffle his hair.

“Happy?”

“Yes, yes! Thank you. I’ll work hard and get even stronger!”

“Good. Off you go.”

Just as he’d been summoned out of nowhere, his dismissal came just as suddenly. No one in the vice president’s office challenged the order.

Bowing deeply, Seolgu left with Secretary Yang. The sound of his light steps faded into the distance.

“Seems that naivety is a basic feature for him.”

“Indeed. For an elf, he’s particularly mild.”

Ban Haeyoung, unable to bring herself to say “stupid,” phrased it gently, especially since Ban Dayeong seemed to fancy Seolgu.

Ban Dayeong offered no further comments, merely reminding them to take care of the paperwork as he dismissed his siblings.

Having lingered longer than expected, they left after a brief farewell.

“Haeyoung.”

“Big sister.”

“Yes, Haeyoung, big sister.”

“You little brat.”

As her brother slipped into casual speech, she cuffed him, jerking her chin for him to continue.

“Is fairy blood really that good? It’s unsettling how benevolent the boss is—makes me curious.”

“Who knows? I don’t care for fresh blood. Chilled is best.”

“That’s what I thought too…”

Jinyeong smacked his lips. His crimson eyes sparkled with curiosity and hunger.

For all his unchecked appetite, Haeyoung could only shake her head.

“Don’t go poking around at Baek Seolgu out of curiosity, Jinyeong. If you land in the boss’s bad books, I won’t help you.”

“Please! Who says I’d touch Baekgu? I’m just curious.”

“Curiosity killed the cat. Don’t push it.”

He shrugged, despite her serious warning. Even vampires, for all their instincts, valued their lives like anyone else.

And for all his bluster, Jinyeong had every intention of playing by the rules. He’d never lay a finger on Baek Seolgu.

At least, not unless another foolish fairy wandered into his path.