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 After Story 5. A Vacation After a Long Time

When Eun-ha planned the family trip.

Upon hearing the news, Kim Min-ji immediately summoned her friends that day.

"Now, let's start the Stylish Women's Meeting."

It's been 10 years since Pandora Clan was founded.

After a time that could change mountains and rivers, Pandora Clan, which had established itself as the top clan in the country, had various social gatherings where clan members fostered friendships.

Among them, the Stylish Women's Meeting hosted by Kim Min-ji was a social gathering envied by female clan members.

A meeting that had its origins in the Stylish Dormitory Girls' Meeting she started with like-minded friends when she was attending middle school academy.

The meeting, in which most of the influential female executives in the clan participated, led public opinion and trends in the clan, and it was no exaggeration to say it was a shortcut to success.

"Bang bang! Doesn't this really make it feel like we're having a meeting? I bought this squeaky hammer on the way here, we can use it from now on whenever we do this! I'll donate this to Min-ji's room!"

Ariel, who was an original member of that meeting, pounded the squeaky hammer.

Every time she did, the blue scales on both sides of her head fluttered, and her pink hair shook.

Hoshimiya Kaede, who had somehow become responsible for cleaning up after her, heaved a deep sigh.

"Ariel, stop pounding that, it's distracting. The noise in the middle of the night..."

"Eit!"

Squeak squeak!

"..."

Before Kaede could finish speaking.

Ariel, who couldn't stay still, hit her head with the squeaky hammer.

"Kaede's height will shrink, but my height, grow! Eit! Eit!"

"..."

"...Are you angry?"

While Ariel burst into laughter, finding something so amusing.

Kaede just twitched her eyebrows with a face that seemed to be suppressing anger.

Only then did Ariel start to read the atmosphere.

It was then that Kaede swiftly snatched the squeaky hammer.

"Ah! My squeaky hammer...!"

"I guess I need to find my lost height."

Squeak!

"Ouch! S-Sorry! I was wrong...!"

"Found 0.1cm."

Squeak!

"Huh? How many times are you going to hit me? I'm sorry! I won't play around anymore...!"

Squeak!

"0.2cm. This does seem to relieve some built-up stress."

"I-I'm against violence!"

Squeak!

"Sorry, but I can't hear Korean well, so I'd appreciate it if you could answer in Japanese."

"Waa! That's unfair! You meanie!"

Squeak!

"No, I'm yasashii, you know."

"...Huh? Is that Korean or Japanese?"

"..."

"But I understand what you mean! Ouch!"

Squeak!

"Forget it, erase it from your memory."

"It's okay! You don't have to be embarrassed! I'm kawaii and yasashii too! Above all, I'm sekushii!"

Squeak!

"I told you to forget it."

"N-Now yamete..."

"Looks like you need more."

Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak...

Kaede swung the squeaky hammer regardless of Ariel's pleas.

In the end, Ariel had to take refuge with Jo A-ra, crawling on her knees.

"A-ra a-ra! Stop Kaede!"

"Um... Riel? I'd rather you not use me as a shield..."

"La la la~"

"Jo A-ra, tilt your head to the side. You might get hit by mistake."

"Hmm, what should I do..."

Ariel, the shortest among the female clan members, cowers and hides behind Jo A-ra's back while holding onto her shoulders.

Jo A-ra, who was suddenly caught between Ariel and Kaede, scratched her cheek as if troubled.

Ra-ra, who was chased up to her head as Ariel grabbed her shoulders, had the same reaction.

Meanwhile, Kaede, holding the squeaky hammer, showed no signs of backing down.

"Everyone, let's stop the jokes there and talk about the main point."

"...I guess there's no choice."

"Phew, I'm saved."

"Ariel, hurry back to your seat."

"Eek... Are you going to hit me?"

"Depends on how you behave."

Kim Min-ji mediated the situation.

Kaede respected her wishes and lowered her hand holding the squeaky hammer.

Thanks to that, Ariel could feel relieved.

Meanwhile, Bae Su-bin, who had been quietly watching the two's antics from across.

"Why don't you switch from bow to squeaky hammer at this point? Now that I look at it, a squeaky hammer seems to suit you better than a bow?"

She raised the corner of her mouth and provoked Kaede, who was revered as <Divine Archer>.

Of course, she wouldn't stay quiet.

Her eyes tensed.

"What did you just say?"

"I said use the squeaky hammer as your main weapon."

"Hmph, looks like you want to play with this too? Instead of being sarcastic like that, why don't you just say it honestly? I'll give it to you if you want. Here, take it."

"When did I say I wanted it?"

"I know you're envious, you know?"

"I'm not, you know?"

"I said take it while I'm offering."

"Why don't you play with it yourself?"

Bae Su-bin and Kaede, who regard each other as enemies and try to fight whenever their eyes meet, even today.

The two engaged in an intense staring contest with drinks and snacks between them.

"Kids? Didn't you hear what I said earlier? I said stop so we can have the meeting, didn't I?"

Kim Min-ji had to intervene in the situation again to stop the two's psychological warfare.

"Sigh... I'm getting old, old."

They really are clan members with strong personalities.

Kim Min-ji, who secretly prided herself on being one of the most normal ones, shook her head.

Then she touched the snacks she had sincerely made, which no one had touched until now.

"Hmm, it's delicious as expected since I made it. Kids, you try it too. It goes well with beer, soju, or anything."

"..."

Kim Min-ji thinks she's normal.

However, people knew that she wasn't normal either.

Because a normal person's cooking skills wouldn't be so bizarre.

...Her sense of taste wasn't normal either.

So they politely declined her offer as naturally as possible.

It was then that she finally brought up the main point.

"Some of you may have already heard. This time, that Eun-ha guy is taking a vacation and following Eun-ah unnie's honeymoon with his family. It's absurd, but Noh Eun-ha did what Noh Eun-ha would do."

Noh Eun-ha did what Noh Eun-ha would do.

As if that phrase had become stuck to their mouths, they were now people who weren't particularly surprised by his eccentric behavior.

They might let out a chuckle, but they accepted it as if it was to be expected.

However, they weren't without complaints.

"So he's dumping work on us and going on a trip? Unnie, did I hear that right?"

"Sister, I heard the same thing. Alone... No, to think they're planning to go play by themselves is too much. We want to play too!"

"That's right, that's right! I want to play wildly, but I don't remember ever playing like that since joining the clan!"

"My sister is right. Because of the Clan Lord, we can't even play recklessly, and it feels like we'll just work until we die at this rate!"

The twin sisters Mei-ling and Mei-lin.

Although there were individual differences, clan members, like them making these complaints, were so busy that they rarely got to rest.

So there was no way they could look favorably upon Eun-ha and his wives' trip.

Moreover, Eun-ha had even taken long vacations for his four marriages!

They couldn't help but have complaints.

"That's why I called for us to gather today. Does it make sense that only they go on vacation? Huh? We're not slaves working for them, shouldn't we go on vacation too?"

"...You're not wrong."

"Whew, I want to go on vacation too."

"Me too."

When Kim Min-ji lamented and sought agreement, several people nodded.

Kaede agreed while swallowing soju, Jo A-ra crunched on snacks, and Son Ga-yeon gently added her words.

"I'm really envious that the Lord and the Angels are going on a trip. I'd like to go too, but I'd only be a hindrance to their cozy family trip, so I should just see them off. I have work for the new religion too."

The only exception was Iriya, who pathologically worshipped Eun-ha.

Meanwhile, there were also people who agreed with Kim Min-ji's opinion but expressed doubts.

"But if Eun-ah unnie and Eun-ha oppa's family are taking vacations at the same time, will we be able to take a vacation?"

"It seems like even if we take a vacation, we'll only be able to go after they come back, right?"

<Browser > On Tae-hee.

Sun Mi-ye, the only daughter of the Twelve Seats <Great Tree> Sun Ki-jun.

The two, sitting close enough for their shoulders to touch, asked while sipping their drinks.

Kim Min-ji answered their questions as if she had been waiting for them.

"You don't have to worry about that. Eun-woo and Mary, Woo-bi unnie and others agreed to work hard during that period."

"Eun-woo Eun-woo and Moo-moo Mary? And Woo-bi unnie too... What's gotten into them all?"

"They have to take a vacation and go on a trip soon too. So they're doing this because they feel conscious of us."

"Ah."

People made a short sound as if they had just realized.

In fact, Eun-ah and Han Chang-jin's honeymoon was just the beginning.

In a few months, Jin Pa-rang and Kim Mary's wedding was scheduled.

After that, Mok Min-ho and Cha Eun-woo's wedding was scheduled...

Yeo Woo-bi and Yoo Nam-hoon were also considering marriage around that time.

There were other clan members too.

The joyous events were endless.

There were reasons for that.

"Unnie, only we don't have..."

"Only we are single... At this rate, I'll live with my sister for life..."

"But unnie, isn't that not bad? You and me, and then we catch one man..."

"Oh my. Sister, that's spicy."

Starting from the Seoul Calamity in Year 15 of Fairy power, through the Second Uijeongbu Recapture War, the Seven Demons' Terror, Baek Seo-jin's attempt to overthrow the state, the conquest of the <Dungeon of the Abyss>, and more.

Pandora Clan members had experienced several major events where they went back and forth between life and death.

They truly realized that death was right beside them.

Especially the black dungeon conquest consumed a considerable amount of their mental strength.

In that situation, they became grateful for life and devoted to their current happiness.

As a result, quite a number of people developed into deeper relationships.

"..."

Except for the people present.

They were living single lives without lovers for various reasons.

So they jokingly said they should change the name of the meeting.

From the existing Stylish Women's Meeting to the Stylish Single Women's Meeting.

"Hmph, living alone is the most comfortable, I don't understand why they want to live together... I really can't understand."

"I agree with that. It's comfortable being alone."

"Oh, really? Then why did someone like that marry On Tae-yang before the regression? What number wife was it again? My memory is a bit fuzzy?"

"Kuk... Shut that mouth. There must have been some reason. There's no way I was stupid enough to become that guy's harem member before the regression. You're one to talk, I heard you gave everything to a man and became a slave before the regression."

"Your mouth is open and saying harsh things, I might have to open your head."

"Try it. My arrow will pierce your red eyes first though."

"Hey, you two? Didn't we agree to bury the stories from before the regression in our hearts? And Tae-hee and I are here, so could you refrain from talking about Tae-yang?"

"Yes, that's... right."

"...I'm sorry. That wasn't my intention."

"...I'll apologize too. Sorry."

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Bae Su-bin and Kaede, who regarded each other unfavorably, made flinching expressions at Jo A-ra and On Tae-hee's words.

Fortunately, thanks to others stepping in, the atmosphere was somehow smoothed over.

Then they promised not to mention what happened before the regression.

"Anyway, we're going on a trip this time to have fun too. We'll go somewhere else since we might get caught up in incidents and accidents if we go to the same place as that Noh Eun-ha guy!"

"Min-ji! Me! Me! Me! I want to swim in the sea! Let's go to the sea!"

And so.

They decided to go on vacation too.

"..."

Meanwhile, Seo-na was quietly sipping her drink and mostly just listening to the conversation.

She murmured softly as she watched her friends making travel plans and chattering.

"Honeymoon... I'm envious."

Wagging her fox tail.

Jin Seo-na swallowed her memories sadly.

But she shouldn't be lost in memories.

"Kyaa!"

Jin Seo-na downed the drink in her glass and decided to forget the thoughts that came to mind.

It's in the past.

It can't be undone.

If you're tied to the past, you can't move forward.

You have to focus on reality.

Didn't she realize this in the <Dungeon of the Abyss>?

So now...

'It's good to go on a trip with just singles too. Let's just think about having fun with the kids.'

Seo-na decided to focus on the present.

So she joined in with her friends who were busy making travel plans.

"Kids, how about we get new swimsuits as a memento? Si-hyeong, why don't you try wearing a bikini this time?"

"...Did I hear that wrong? Bikini? No, Seo-na. What are you..."

"Who's in favor of Si-hyeong in a bikini?"

"In favor!"

"No, guys..."

"Honey, it's time you accepted it. Give up and come over to this side."

"I'm a man. I'm a man, guys..."

<Double Penetration> Bong Gu-rae and <Little Giant> Kang Si-hyeong, honorary members of the Stylish Women's Meeting.

The two had completely opposite reactions.

Gu-rae was proud to attend the meeting, while Si-hyeong felt like crying...

"Ah, is this all the alcohol we had? There should be more in the fridge... Si-hyeong, go get it."

"Okay... I knew you'd send me again. I'll get up, I'll get up."

For reference, Kang Si-hyeong was known as the weakest among them.

* * *

"I'll escort you to the hotel."

"Please take care of us."

The guides welcomed Eun-ha and his family who arrived at Jeju Airport.

They loaded their luggage into the car and guided them to the hotel.

By then, the day was drawing to a close.

"Seo-hyeon, there's no schedule for today, right?"

 "Everyone must be tired, and given the time, we'll rest at the hotel today and start going around tomorrow."

"How about we go eat dinner as soon as we unpack? The kids haven't eaten since the airport, so they must be hungry."

"The food here is delicious. How about we eat at the hotel instead of going out? I heard the night view is so beautiful... I really want to see the night view this time."

"Yeah, I think that would be good too."

It was time for dinner.

Eun-ha and his family decided to go down to the restaurant as soon as they unpacked.

The problem arose at this time.

"But where should we unpack Eun-ha's luggage?"

"..."

They had reserved a total of 4 rooms to stay in during their trip.

Each room was to be used by Han Seo-hyeon, Jeong Ha-yang, Lee Yu-jeong, and Ryu Yeon-hwa.

Eun-ha was supposed to take turns sleeping with them each night.

But they hadn't discussed where to put his luggage.

"Haha..."

"..."

The four women exchanged glances with Eun-ha at the center.

For Eun-ha, caught in the middle, it was an uncomfortable situation to say the least.

"Beep beep beep boop boop boop boop boop boop!"

"Clang!"

Buldak and Clang, who didn't need luggage, watched the situation with interest.

The two animals were planning to sleep with Eun-ha's children in whichever room they felt like anyway.

At that moment, Noh Yu-seong came up with a solution.

"Dad doesn't need to unpack, right?"

"...Our son is a genius. Eun-ha, you'll carry your suitcase around."

"What am I, a refugee?"

Unfortunately, Eun-ha had no right to decide anything.

As a man with four wives, his authority as the head of the family was low.

His authority was only high when night fell and darkness descended.

On the other hand.

"...You want me to eat this?"

Eun-ha also didn't have the right to choose what he wanted to eat.

When he went to the restaurant for dinner, he clicked his tongue at the food placed in front of him.

Eel, oysters, abalone, chives, ginger, omija, kelp, chocolate, soft-shelled turtle dishes, and so on.

All foods known to be good for stamina.

"You'll be tired from going around everywhere, so shouldn't you nourish your body?"

"This is too much for just traveling around..."

"It's not just traveling around, is it? Right, Yu-jeong? Yeon-hwa unnie?"

"Eun-ha, eat a lot and build up your strength."

"...I'll get you more if it's not enough."

"..."

Sometimes, very rarely, Eun-ha thought.

That it wasn't him eating them, but actually his wives eating him.

'...I have no choice.'

But to maintain a harmonious family, he had to eat the food placed in front of him.

Eun-ha resigned himself and put the food they gave him into his mouth.

He suddenly remembered what Yu Do-jun had said snickering not long ago.

—Eun-ha, this is the harem you chose. Don't regret it and endure with evil and stubbornness. You know, they say the person who endures is first-class?

As he chewed the food reluctantly.

Eun-ha made a resolution.

'Just watch me get married again...'

He would absolutely never take another wife beyond this.

At this time, Eun-ha made a resolution that his future self three years later would scoff at.

It was then.

"Here, Eun-ha. You need to drink this too."

"...What's this now?"

Jeong Ha-yang held out a bottle that looked like a vitamin drink to Eun-ha.

Eun-ha tilted his head.

She answered with a bright smile.

"It's a tonic that Alice Group is planning to release this time. They say it's good for men."

"..."

"It's supposed to be really good. You probably don't need it because of your gift, Eun-ha, but I thought it would be good to have anyway."

"..."

"I heard it's much more effective than what you drank before."

Jeong Ha-yang personally opened the cap for him.

A thick, sweet smell rose up and tickled Eun-ha's nose.

"Here, drink."

"...Okay."

"I brought a whole box, so drink one bottle each morning, lunch, and dinner. It's good to use a lot of energy on a trip we rarely take, right?"

"..."

Noh Eun-ha, <Monarch > who conquered the world's first black dungeon.

Even he had something he feared, which was his responsibility as a husband trying to meet his wives' expectations.

He was terrified of the nights he would spend from now on.

He was so afraid of the sticky gazes directed at him.

"Here, Eun-ha."

"Yu-jeong, this is..."

"It's royal jelly. You must eat this too."

"..."

He would never take another wife.

Eun-ha made a promise he couldn't keep.

* * *

Eun-ha didn't just eat stamina-boosting foods.

Occasionally, the children fed him other food out of pity.

"Yu-seong, let Dad taste some too."

"Yes! Dad, here! Say ah~"

"...Yu-seong, you're my only hope."

While Han Seo-hyeon giggled, Noh Yu-seong handed food to Eun-ha.

Eun-ha opened his mouth with a bright face at his son's cute act.

Then Noh Yu-ran and Noh Yu-rin moved.

"Yu-ran should feed Dad too."

"Dad! Aaaaah!"

"Yu-rin, do you want to go give some to Dad too?"

"Yes. Dad, ah~"

"Are you both giving it to me? Thank you, mmm, it's really delicious."

Noh Yu-ran and Noh Yu-rin toddled over to Eun-ha.

Eun-ha ate the food his two daughters gave him and showed an exaggerated reaction.

The two daughters burst into laughter.

Before he knew it, Noh Yu-rin was sitting on his lap and even feeding him various things.

'I wish I had a child too...'

Ryu Yeon-hwa inwardly envied as she watched the children's cute behavior.

She was jealous of how Eun-ha and his wives bonded through the children.

Watching that scene made her feel left out.

It was when she was thinking that.

"Yeon-hwa."

"...Huh?"

Eun-ha suddenly called out.

Ryu Yeon-hwa, snapped out of her thoughts, blinked her blue eyes.

"This time I want to eat what noona gives me. Ah~"

"..."

Eun-ha playfully opens his mouth.

Meeting his gaze directed at her, Ryu Yeon-hwa's lips unconsciously turned up.

Her face lit up with a smile.

"Okay, here you go. Ah~"

"As expected, it tastes even better when my wife gives it to me."