Why isn't she coming?
I grumbled, starting to feel a bit bored after waiting.
My heart, which had been pounding with excitement and tension, now felt like it was flailing aimlessly in the air at some point.
It was as if a bucket of cold water had suddenly been dumped over my heated chest.
No, things had been great up until now—what the hell happened?
If I could rate this pleasure house, the score in my mind kept dropping.
That's when the knocking sound rang out.
And the door opened.
“Brother Ju, you're finally... huh.”
Unlike the courtesans I'd seen so far, her entire body was covered.
No face, no skin exposed.
Even so, her figure was blatantly obvious: wide hips, long legs, slender waist, and beautifully shaped breasts.
In terms of body alone, she was by far the best among the women I'd seen in this pleasure house.
...Wow.
No wonder it took so long.
They were preparing a courtesan like this.
Fair enough. Score restored.
But at the same time, my psychological pressure mounted.
With someone this stunning walking in, even I tensed up.
Should I say something first? Or since she's a courtesan, should I wait for her to speak?
While I was pondering, the courtesan closed the door.
It was a soft sound, but oddly weighty.
Then she stood ramrod straight in the middle of the room.
Without taking a single step forward.
No words, no greeting.
“...”
“...”
...Is this how it's supposed to be?
No tutorial for a first-timer like me? Isn't that a bit much?
I'd imagined a courtesan who'd fawn over me, saying she'd make me happy, acting all cute and coquettish.
Maybe she's high-class? It felt a bit different, though I had no clue.
Her clothes were different from the other courtesans I'd seen, too.
We faced off like that for a while.
Since it was my first time, this awkward air somehow felt like my fault.
I was supposed to take the lead, but I wasn't.
Even on the first floor, guys were boldly handling the courtesans—did I need to be that assertive too?
What would an average guy say when he comes to a pleasure house and a courtesan appears?
I racked my brain and finally opened my mouth awkwardly.
“Uh... then, why don't you come sit beside me... No, sit down.”
“...”
Even after the command, the courtesan stood frozen for a long while before finally stepping toward me, one foot at a time.
A large, square table.
A feast laid out on top.
Plenty of seats, but this awkward courtesan still sat next to me.
“...Oh.”
And a realization of common sense.
Courtesans smell good.
It was a scent that made me want to sniff a bit more.
Just like Brother Ju said.
Not some artificial smell... more like her natural body scent... it was really nice.
Once the mood loosens up later, maybe I can lean in for a better whiff?
...And if she gets shy about it, that'd be fun in its own way.
As such useless fantasies filled my head, I realized this time was actually pretty enjoyable.
“Ahem, ahem.”
I cleared my throat to hide the stupid grin leaking out.
It was hard to deny I was getting excited—my first real chance to be alone with a woman like this.
I glanced at the courtesan.
I tried to peek at her face through the cloth veil, but the dim room made it hard.
But now the courtesan was staring straight at me.
I could feel her head turned my way.
I awkwardly turned my head forward.
When the hell is Brother Ju coming?
Just looking at the room's atmosphere, the food on the table, and this courtesan's... figure, a ton of money must've gone into this.
Every second was precious—why waste it?
...This is gonna be expensive; shouldn't I at least make the most of it? Brother Ju told me to enjoy myself.
Half regretful, half curious about the courtesans' appearances from earlier, I asked.
“Uh... do you keep the white robes on the whole time? Or do you take them off later...”
‘...Ha.’
A faint scoff echoed.
It felt like she was saying, What the hell are you talking about?—my face flushed red as I whipped my head forward.
...Why pick on me like that.
No, maybe this is part of the act?
A rare, hard-to-get woman concept?
Like a cold cat?
My throat went dry.
My eyes landed on an elegant porcelain bottle.
Clearly filled with liquor.
I started to pour it myself, then caught myself and steeled my resolve.
...If I'm paying for a pleasure house, I shouldn't be the one pouring drinks.
Sitting next to a courtesan and pouring my own drinks would make me look like such a total loser.
“...Pour me a drink.”
The courtesan froze for a moment, then slowly reached for the bottle.
I nodded inwardly.
Yeah, this is it. Step by step, and eventually the robes come off, right?
Yes. I was too hasty. She pours drinks, of course.
I picked up a small cup.
The courtesan held the bottle with both hands and poured the liquor as delicately as if it were tea.
Fierce vibe, but her actions are demure. A woman through and through.
“...Hm?”
Her hands look a bit rough.
She seemed aware, pulling her sleeves long to half-cover them.
A real man doesn't point out a woman's flaws.
...Though honestly, I like a woman who's embarrassed.
I downed the cup in one go.
Tastes good.
Is it because a woman poured it? Even such an outdated thought crossed my mind.
But what's outdated about it? This is how it should be now.
“One more, please.”
The courtesan hesitated again, then silently lifted the bottle.
The more I commanded, the more my inner sadist seemed to awaken.
I wanted to order her around a bit more.
While she poured, either from courage or whatever, I stared intently at her.
Curious about under the white robes, but dying to see under the veil even more.
“You don't take off the veil?”
“...”
The courtesan paused, then replied.
“...Please remove it for me.”
...Kya. Asking me to take it off.
Insane, insane.
Her voice is pretty too—like jade.
In terms of voice alone, almost on Cheongwol's level.
And her first words to me in that voice: 'Please remove it.' A courtesan is a courtesan.
I raised one finger and slowly hooked it on her veil.
Then, slowly, I lifted it up.
Her chin appeared first. Then cherry-like lips.
I gasped in admiration. You can tell from the lower face alone if someone's pretty.
Her jawline is overwhelming. Have I ever seen a woman like this?
My heart pounded.
...But really, I could spend the night with someone like her if I wanted?
Brother Ju wasn't lying?
...Not that I plan to, but the fact it's possible is mind-blowing.
“What did you come here to do, I wondered.”
Those small lips let out a seductive, clear voice.
I couldn't focus and kept lifting my finger.
Her straight nose bridge next.
The harmony of lips and chin was insane. Are all high-class courtesans like this?
...Huh? But...
Then, the cup started overflowing. Liquor spilled wastefully onto the floor.
“Oops!”
But the courtesan didn't stop pouring.
“...What did you leave Mount Emei for.”
In that instant, it felt like my heart dropped.
...How the hell does she know I came from Mount Emei...?
The liquor kept wetting the floor, and my finger stopped.
Rising dread made the veil on my finger feel like a blade.
I carefully withdrew my hand.
Something. Something was wrong.
Then the courtesan asked.
“You wanted to see my face, didn't you?”
“...”
Even as she spoke, she didn't remove the bottle, and like I was bound, I held my cup too.
My stingy habit of hating waste kept me frozen.
It was all so sudden, I floundered.
“W-Who... who are you.”
I asked, trembling.
Hao Gate? Is this the kind of person Uncle Gwak Du warned me about?
No... no way. It can't be her. She's on Mount Emei.
Right?
Tell me it's not.
It can't be.
“...”
The courtesan didn't answer.
Anxiety and fear mixed inside me. Finally, I grabbed her conical hat and yanked it off.
“I said, who are you!”
In that moment, silk-like hair scattered.
And right before my eyes, overwhelming beauty.
A soft fragrance wafting.
But strength drained from my hand.
The cup hit the floor and shattered.
It was Cheongwol.
Even blinking, it was Cheongwol.
My thoughts froze.
Why the hell was this crazy bitch—who should be on Mount Emei—here?
In this city, this pleasure house, this room.
...Why her, of all people?
My mouth hung open, but no words came.
Breathing was hard.
Did she track me down?
Me?
Our last session flashed back.
Her, docile on the surface but glaring furiously at the wall.
Left abandoned.
Slamming the basement door shut in my face.
I'd fled because it seemed like she'd kill me... so did she chase me?
Here, in this city? 170 km from Mount Emei?
Like Seoul to Daejeon?
...Meeting her in a pleasure house room?
“...”
Suddenly, her epithet came to mind.
Life-Pursuing Ghost Cheongwol.
The ghost that hunts lives.
Experiencing it firsthand, terror made my hands shake.
“...Branch Leader.”
Cheongwol used our familiar title.
My heart skipped a beat.
It felt like she had my heart in her grip.
Death greeting me in the place I'd fled to survive.
“...This is what you ran off for.”
Cheongwol sneered.
“You fled Mount Emei without a word?”