Chapter 176: The Meat Fairy of Justice!
When people meet up with friends or, being busy with work, make time to catch up after a long time, what do they usually do?
Depending on the purpose of the gathering or personal hobbies, they might watch a movie, go to a game room, or have conversations over lunch and dinner—just typical outings.
In 2088, even during the peak of the Hunter Era, gatherings didn’t differ all that much from those in the past.
After feeding meat to Lirisia and sending her off, Shia, Menelapie, and Yeonhwa pondered what to do next. Following Shia’s suggestion, they decided to check out a newly reopened movie theater near Hongdae.
In the previous world where Shia and Menelapie lived, there had also been similar entertainments like movies, so Menelapie showed keen interest, believing the movies in this world called Earth would be quite amusing.
Upon entering the theater, each of the three held different expectations.
Shia anticipated the movie to be fun.
Yeonhwa was simply happy to be out with Shia, breaking the monotony of her daily life.
Menelapie, however, was looking forward to what would come after the movie.
Since the cinema wasn’t impacted by the dungeon corrosion incident in Mapo District last time, they hadn’t needed any disinfection work or temporary business suspension, which was probably why it was still bustling with people even on a weekday.
The lively crowd and the theater’s flashy decorations alone were enough to excite the visitors.
".........."
".........."
And after the movie ended, the three walked out of the theater looking somewhat dazed.
"...S-sorry…"
Hiccup!
Feeling deeply apologetic, Shia lowered her head in front of the theater, hiccuping as she looked at Yeonhwa and Menelapie.
Normally, Yeonhwa would have said, “It’s okay, unnie. It wasn’t as bad as you think.”
No, Yeonhwa would have supported Shia no matter what she did… Even if Shia were to kill a nasty netrunner she didn’t like and bury the body somewhere on a mountain, Yeonhwa would have helped dig the hole and dispose of the body, standing by Shia’s side.
But now… she couldn’t bring herself to say anything at all.
"................"
"................"
"Ugh…"
Avoiding Shia’s gaze, Menelapie shifted her eyes to a shabby poster near the theater entrance.
The poster featured the bold phrase, “The inevitable showdown begins!” accompanied by the words “17th Quarry” in giant letters.
Under normal circumstances, Menelapie would have said, “If you enjoyed it, that’s all that matters. People’s tastes and preferences are different. I respect your choices as your companion.”
Even if the movie had fallen short, the simple fact of being with Shia would have been enough for both Yeonhwa and Menelapie.
But this time…
How was the movie?
If Teresa had been there, she likely would have grabbed Shia by the chest and shouted, “You useless big-chested fool! Are you trying to kill me with disgust? Oh, it worked!”
“Shia…”
“Unnie…”
“Ugh…”
Shia couldn’t bear the weight of their gazes.
Had they lashed out in anger like Teresa, she would’ve been relieved.
Instead, Menelapie and Yeonhwa simply looked at her quietly, as if gazing at something pitiful. Shia couldn’t help but feel herself shrinking more and more.
Her decision was simple.
That disastrous movie had a sequel?
Not just “8th Quarry,” but “17th Quarry”?
It must have done well to become a series!
Since it was showing in theaters, it had to be at least decent!
With that thought in mind, she chose the movie.
However, with the slightly tacky poster and clumsy but overly solemn tagline, Shia lacked the worldly knowledge to choose a different film after seeing those signs.
After all, it had been over 60 years.
In her foggy memory, she couldn’t even recall what made the first movie seem like rotten tomatoes, leading to this unfortunate incident.
Yes…
Looking back, I was a fool to expect anything from "17th Quarry."
No, it wasn’t just foolish; it was downright stupid..!
Yet, people are creatures of communication, forgiveness, reason, and intelligence.
“I’m sorry… I’ll do anything…”
"...!"
"...?"
The moment she said that, Menelapie and Yeonhwa, who hadn’t been looking pleased, immediately turned their heads towards her.
Anything?
Did she just say *anything*?
“Anything? Did you just say anything, unnie?”
“Y-yes…”
Yeonhwa’s eyes sparkled as she involuntarily took a step back.
It felt like dropping a helpless lamb into a lion’s den, and the weight of guilt for subjecting Menelapie and Yeonhwa to the rotten tomato that was "17th Quarry" made her regret her words.
But what could she do now? The words were already out…
“Well then. I won’t hold back. After all, it’s best to make the most of the opportunity while it’s there.”
“Uh, yeah. Anything, just tell me. As long as it’s within my limits…”
“Do you think I’m some loan shark out to take advantage of a deal? Don’t worry; it’s not a big ask. I just want to experience the liquor of this world.”
“Liquor?”
If Shia was obsessed with meat, then Menelapie had a hobby of collecting various liquors, wines, and traditional spirits.
She even had a private storage space in the imperial palace just for her liquor collection, though Teresa occasionally snuck in to steal from it.
“Liquor… That sounds good. I agree with her.”
And so, not long after, despite having eaten a lot of beef for lunch, Shia, who had planned to skip or just nibble on a light dinner, was now heading to a bar with Menelapie and Yeonhwa, slightly early for dinner but fulfilling Menelapie’s request to experience Earth’s alcohol.
The bar visit wasn’t in their original plan, but Shia had no say in the matter.
Not that it was a huge ordeal, and with good food and drinks in a bar, Shia wasn’t one to complain.
The three headed to a cocktail bar with a sophisticated interior they had visited before.
“Ah! You’re back!”
“Hello.”
And as soon as Shia walked in, the bartender bowed at a full 90-degree angle, likely remembering vividly her last visit when she downed 218 cocktails alone.
After entrusting the bartender with the menu, the three officially started their feast.
Perhaps they wanted to wash away the memory of that monstrosity called "17th Quarry" with alcohol.
“Oh, foreign liquors are quite unique.”
“A cocktail is a mixture of various alcohols and fruits, or sometimes milk or juice.”
“Right? Isn’t it tasty? Yeonhwa used to come here sometimes, and I tried it once too, and it was amazing!”
Fortunately, even Menelapie, who had refined tastes, seemed to appreciate the drinks at the cocktail bar.
And so, the three continued to drink.
And drink. And drink some more.
But at some point, Menelapie and Yeonhwa stopped sipping their drinks.
Naturally, with smaller stomachs than Shia, they drank less, but even so, the two put their cocktail glasses down fairly quickly.
Gulp, gulp.
*Puh-ha.*
“Hehe, one more drink!”
“Alright, alright. Keep drinking.”
“Unnie..? Aren’t you already drunk?”
As the Saintess of the Dead started downing glasses faster than she could handle, Yeonhwa began to grow concerned.
“Nope. I’m not drunk…”
“You are drunk.”
“Hehehe, yes. You’re drunk.”
Compared to the last time she had 218 cocktails, Shia had only downed about 50 drinks this time, but surrounded by her dearest friends, Menelapie and Yeonhwa, the cozy atmosphere and sense of security made her feel tipsier than usual.
Maybe she thought that even if she lost control or things went wrong, she could trust herself to Menelapie and Yeonhwa.
The last time, she’d suddenly dived into the Han River and even managed to catch a whale… Hopefully, tonight she’d at least make it home with all her limbs intact.
“I don’t wanna. I want more…”
“There are a lot of people here, unnie. We can’t have a drunken video of you circulating the Hunter Gallery.”
“Ughhhh…”
With Shia’s reputation having grown significantly since receiving the quarterly Hunter Certificate and being involved in the Mapo District dungeon incident, even those who didn’t watch broadcasts often recognized her, so it was only proper to maintain a certain image.
If she wasn’t careful, some crazy tabloid might publish a story with a provocative headline like, “Future S-Rank Hunter, Shia, Drunken Rampage?”
Of course, if such an article surfaced, Yeonju, an administrator of the Yeon family, would cut it down immediately.
“Hah, hoo… Heh…”
So today, Shia was…
“Hahaha…”
“What’s funny, Menelapie?”
“Isn’t she adorable? The Saintess of the Dead, who saved an entire world, weakened by just a few drinks… Or maybe it’s also the mood she’s enjoying.”
“That’s true. There was a time I drank with unnie before you came, and she seemed quite lonely back then.”
“Oh? Tell me more.”
“She said it was lonely being alone and suddenly patted my head. She drank over 200 cocktails. Then, when my cocktail seemed tasty, she leaned over
and tried a sip, only to scrunch her face at the taste. It was adorable. Honestly, not just her looks, but mentally, I doubt she’s really 85.”
“Hahaha, unchanged.”
“Ehehe… hiccup…”
All in all, Shia becomes delightfully childish and entertaining when she’s drunk.
Back then, she drank out of loneliness, but now, with Menelapie by her side, she was neither lonely nor lacking in joy, basking in the lively atmosphere, which seemed to bring her tipsiness on faster than usual.
“Since you’ve shown me something entertaining, I’ll show you something amusing in return.”
“Something amusing?”
“Yes, something very amusing indeed.”
If Menelapie was saying it was amusing, it seemed worth looking forward to.
“Shia may be strong and unyielding in the face of any adversity, but, you know, she’s incredibly weak to alcohol.”
Yeonhwa already knew that.
Why was she bringing it up again?
“She’s resistant to all toxins and strong against meat… but she’s especially weak to alcohol and children.”
“Children… Could it be that unnie thought of me as a child?”
“To my eyes, you’re still a fresh sprout. But that’s not the important part.”
Speaking in a calm tone, as though recounting a past story, Menelapie continued.
“When Shia gets drunk and falls asleep… she doesn’t wake up.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. No matter what you do.”
“What?”
At that moment, Yeonhwa, who had been supporting Shia, was met with Menelapie’s unsettling, almost sly gaze, sending chills down her spine.
Then, while supporting Shia with one hand, Menelapie gently brushed Shia’s cheek.
Yeonhwa suddenly imagined Menelapie’s touch as if tasting prey, like the flicking tongue of a snake.
“No matter what you do. The next day, Shia wakes up as if nothing happened. She remembers nothing after drinking.”
“......”
“Unless she only drank a little, but today… Well, I think she’s reached the point where she won’t remember a thing tomorrow.”
At that moment, Yeonhwa realized.
Menelapie had spent 64 years alongside Shia in their previous world.
Would she not know the Saintess of the Dead’s weakness to alcohol?
Absolutely not.
She likely knew exactly which types of alcohol and how many bottles would make Shia pass out.
Menelapie would know Shia’s weakness to alcohol, her adorable drunken behavior, and…
"...................."
“Yes, she won’t remember a thing.”
Yeonhwa, meeting Menelapie’s ominous gaze, was certain of it.
Menelapie had deliberately gotten Shia drunk, all with a clear, well-defined goal.
Wow, she always acted without any greed or hidden desires… This is what makes her an Empress…?
Yes, with such a mask, she’d definitely be fit to rule an empire.
Yeonhwa didn’t hesitate for long.
Yes, Menelapie was right.
It would be best to go home looking composed if possible.
Just one day... After resting somewhere quiet.
"Kyaaah!"
"What? Unnie?"
"Shia?"
At that moment, Shia suddenly jerked away from Menelapie, who had been supporting her.
In response to Shia’s sudden convulsions, Menelapie briefly feared it might be a "hunger seizure," an ominous thought—but there were no cracks in Shia's skin, and no foul, putrid water was oozing out.
"Unnie, what’s wrong...?"
"The smell!"
"Excuse me? The smell...?"
Yeonhwa sniffed her sleeve, wondering if there was some strange odor coming from her.
There was a slight cocktail aroma, but it wasn’t unpleasant.
In fact, it smelled pleasant, more like a fragrance.
"What smell could you mean..."
"The Demon King smell!"
"...!?"
Menelapie's eyes flashed at Shia’s words.
No, not just a flash—the air around them suddenly grew heavy.
The moment Shia mentioned "Demon King," Menelapie’s golden aura instinctively burst forth.
Luckily, there were no civilians around; otherwise, breathing would have been difficult.
“The Demon King? Unnie, could you explain...?”
“Hah, ha-ha, the pest, disturbing the world…”
“Un...Unnie?”
In Shia’s hand was now a mace.
Yeonhwa knew what that mace was.
It was [King's Scepter of the God of the Dead], the mace Shia often used.
With that mace, she had crushed a Black Minotaur’s skull in one strike. It was the same mace with which she defeated the Demon King.
“The vile, despicable Demon King… justice... justice will…”
"Unnie?"
"The Meat Fairy of Justice will not forgive them!"
Just then, Shia bent her knees slightly, her powerful thighs momentarily visible under her skirt…
*Bam!*
She vanished, like a missile launched somewhere into the distance.
Watching this scene in silence, Yeonhwa snapped out of it and shook Menelapie’s shoulder.
"Menelapie, we have to...!"
".........."
"Menelapie?"
But when Yeonhwa looked at Menelapie, she turned her head away again.
Hmm, best to pretend I didn’t see that.
“This lowly scum-sucking Demon King dares to interfere at such a crucial moment, like a damn pest... how dare he, this wretched piece of trash, this despicable waste of existence…”
Listening to Menelapie muttering something akin to a curse, Yeonhwa momentarily questioned whether she really was a hero.
○○○
“So that woman… No, I mean the Meat Fairy of Justice, smelled the Demon King and came here?”
“…Yeah, basically.”
After hearing the situation from Yeonhwa, who had followed Shia, Lirisia let out a sigh of relief.
It seemed Shia hadn’t been following her from the start.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
*Boom!*
[Wait, stop.]
“I won’t forgive you!”
*Thud!*
*Boom!*
[Hit the bone. Hold on. It hurts.]
“Haha! Die! Dieee! Dieee!”
*Thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack!*
Watching Shia mercilessly pummel the Demon King, Lirisia sighed.
“Take this! This one’s for the beef!”
*Thwack!*
[Crack..!]
“This is for the pork!”
[Guh, ugh… I won’t let this… go...]
“This one’s for Sheep Lani!”
[What on earth is… Urk!?]
“And this one’s for every kind of meat in the world!”
[This lunatic… Aaagh!]
*Boom!*
*Thud, thud!*
Fortunately, despite being drunk, Shia’s duties as a saintess didn’t disappear, and she instantly reacted the moment the Demon King appeared.
If things had gone wrong, or if Shia’s response had been slower, there was a chance Lirisia’s body might have been taken over by a fragment of the Demon King.
Of course, Lirisia had intended to fight back with all her strength, but at least that was one worry she didn’t have to face.
*Click, clack*
Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps and sensing the presence, Lirisia knew that Menelapie had arrived.
“Oh, you’re here. Hey, go calm down your saintess and take her away. She’s drunk, right?”
"........."
However, noticing that Menelapie’s aura was different from usual, Lirisia tilted her head.
What is this?
Something felt off.
If it were the usual Menelapie, she would have at least nodded politely in greeting to Lirisia.
But now, Menelapie’s eyes had a gleam that made her look like a drunken madwoman.
Feeling a chill, Lirisia sensed goosebumps prickling her arms.
“What’s with the silent treatm—”
*Whoosh!*
Without answering, Menelapie brushed past Lirisia and flew toward Shia and the Demon King.
The direction Menelapie dashed toward was where the Demon King, currently being beaten by Shia, lay.
And with a golden aura enveloping her foot, Menelapie, like she was kicking a soccer ball, ruthlessly stomped on the stomach—more precisely, the uterus area—of the Demon King possessing Wang Soyeong’s shell.
*Wham!*
[Kuhhh!!!!]
"Uh."
"Whoa…"
Witnessing that merciless strike, Lirisia and Yeonhwa couldn’t help but open their mouths in awe.
“This damn bastard, because of you, this damn filthy scum…!”
[Stop, st—stop... I think my spine… my spine is broken…]
“That’s right! That’s right! The Meat Fairy of Justice won’t forgive pests that disturb the world!”
[Stop. Ugh. Ugh.]
*Thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack*
Watching, Shia burst out laughing, then joined Menelapie in pummeling Wang Soyeong.
Indeed, Wang Soyeong had already been devoured by the Demon King. What they were now beating was merely a shell taken over by the ruler of malice, the Demon King.
It was an entity that deserved neither mercy nor restraint. It had to be annihilated, or countless humans might die.
But regardless of this, its appearance was still human… Was it okay to beat it so mercilessly…?
Considering that it had fully possessed the vessel and could feel all the pain…
“Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!”
“Die! Just die already! Hahaha!”
Yeonhwa and Lirisia sat on the rubble a little distance away, dusting off debris as they crouched down.
It seemed this would take…
*Thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack!*
“Hehehehehehe!”
“Die! Die! Die! Die, you despicable, damn Demon King! How dare you, how dare you, how dare you!!!”
A long… time.
"............"
“Are these two… a hero and a saintess…?”
“Haah…”
It wasn’t the first time, but Lirisia still found it hard to believe that she had once been defeated by this mad duo of hero and saintess.
Well, Shia, maybe… but why on earth is the hero acting like this?