I may be a sick Sparrow, but I am still the Landlord chapter 6

* * *

“Ahhhhhh!”

Saewoo let out a piercing scream, as if he’d just seen a ghost.

‘No way, how did he even find this place…?!’

Panicking, Saewoo squirmed desperately to break free from the black panther shapeshifter’s grip.

Swoosh.

“…?!”

But before he could react, the black panther effortlessly hoisted Saewoo up, slinging him over his shoulder in a flash.

“P-put me down…!”

“…”

Even though Saewoo was screaming and thrashing around, his face turning bright red, the man didn’t budge an inch.

There was no way a small sparrow could overpower the strength of a top predator.

Saewoo wanted to escape by transforming into a sparrow, just like he had that morning, but he didn’t have enough energy left.

Still, maybe he could find a chance somehow…

“Pfft.”

“Pfft…?”

As Saewoo thought that, the black panther let out a mocking laugh.

“If you try to escape by transforming, you really think I’ll let you off?”

“Ugh…”

The panther sneered as if he could see right through Saewoo’s thoughts.

Feeling hopeless, Saewoo gave up resisting and went limp.

“All done with your little tantrum?”

‘T-tantrum…?’

Saewoo had been struggling with all his might, but to this guy, it was just a tantrum.

He felt utterly defeated.

“Hmph, aren’t you curious how I found you?”

Then, turning his head slightly to look at Saewoo slung over his shoulder, the black panther grinned widely.

“I left my scent in a special spot, hidden away. Of course, I’d find you.”

“A s-special spot…?”

“Yeah, only predators like me can pick it up. You looked so clueless, I figured I’d let you in on the secret.”

‘Only predators can smell it…?’

Saewoo blinked, taking in this new information about predator habits.

Ever since being transmigrated into this novel, his top priority had been avoiding dangerous predators like this one.

Unlike the original story, he’d lived his life constantly on the run, dodging any risky areas or individuals.

As a result, he had almost no knowledge about predator habits.

He’d been so focused on just staying alive that it never crossed his mind to learn more about them—and now, that was coming back to bite him.

‘But still… I really got too cocky after becoming a landlord. I should’ve stayed out of it…’

Saewoo deeply regretted helping the black panther in the rain.

“I’m doing this all for you, you know. If I weren’t around, other predators might snatch you up.”

While Saewoo was lost in thought, the panther continued, his voice brimming with satisfaction.

“I even went through the trouble of rummaging through those dumpling containers. Thought you might’ve been steamed inside them. Couldn’t let you get mistaken for a kimchi dumpling and gobbled up.”

“…”

The black panther chuckled, clearly amused by his own joke.

His laughter was so deep and rumbling that it reverberated through Saewoo.

‘No way… He followed me all the way to the food stall… The owner must’ve been terrified. I hope she wasn’t too shaken up…’

Saewoo’s head throbbed.

It was clear now that brute force or peaceful negotiations weren’t going to work on this lunatic.

Steeling himself, Saewoo decided to go with a more assertive approach.

“…Put me down.”

Saewoo gathered all his strength into his core and spoke firmly.

It wasn’t easy, given how he was practically dangling upside down, but he was determined.

“Why?”

“W-why?!”

Of course, this deranged panther wasn’t fazed in the slightest.

Saewoo’s frustration surged, but any more blood rushing to his head and it would be dangerous.

“I-I’ll report you! You keep following me, breaking into my house—this is trespassing!”

“You’re the one who opened the door for me.”

“T-that’s…”

“And if anyone’s reporting anyone, it’ll be me.”

“What…?”

The black panther stared intensely at Saewoo. His sharp eyes glowed a brilliant gold.

“…Seriously? You think you can just ghost me like that after one night?”

“One… night…?”

Saewoo was utterly confused. Did this guy really think they had… a one-night stand or something?!

Finally grasping what was going on, Saewoo was too stunned to respond.

The man sighed heavily, looking exasperated.

“Do I really have to spell it out for you?”

The black panther’s expression hardened as he spoke, clearly irritated by Saewoo’s cluelessness.

“I’m not interested in a one-night stand with you. I want more.”

“W-what…?”

‘More…? He thinks we had a one-night stand?!’

It finally clicked for Saewoo why the panther had been chasing him around like a stalker.

Saewoo, dumbstruck, couldn’t say a word.

The man, annoyed by the silence, let out a frustrated sigh.

“And by the way… we’re the same age, you know? You can drop the formal speech. Oh, wait, is my birthday earlier than yours? When’s your birthday, babe?”

“B-babe…? Ugh…”

Saewoo was utterly speechless at the absurd nickname, but his head was spinning too much to focus.

He’d been hanging upside down for too long, and now he felt nauseous.

Realizing Saewoo wasn’t feeling well, the panther adjusted his grip, lifting Saewoo into a bridal carry.

“Hmm, with a soft, round butt like this… Are you sure you’re a sparrow and not a rabbit?”

Even as he repositioned Saewoo, the panther couldn’t help but make more absurd comments.

“Ugh…”

“Are you okay? Let me see.”

The black panther glanced over Saewoo’s pale face, examining his soft earlobes, downy neck, and the smooth thighs peeking out from his loose shorts.

His gaze was clearly far from innocent, and Saewoo noticed it all too well.

“S-stop staring…”

“Why? Is someone gonna eat you?”

‘You’re already trying to eat me…!’

Saewoo wanted to shout, but he had no strength left.

His body was getting warmer, and if he didn’t take his medicine soon, his condition would worsen.

“By the way, what’s your name? I’m Yoon Jibeom. You can call me Jibeom or just babe.”

“…”

At this point, Saewoo couldn’t help but let out a disbelieving laugh.

The guy wanted to introduce himself now?

Jibeom, mistaking Saewoo’s laugh for something else, grinned widely.

Apparently, when he was in a good mood, he had a broad, carefree smile.

“What’re you staring at? Should I just kiss you?”

Saewoo had only glanced at him, but Jibeom leaned in, his face dangerously close.

“I-I wasn’t looking…!”

Startled, Saewoo quickly turned his head away.

“Oh? Then I guess I’ll just leave a mark.”

“What do you mean by a mark—wait, no, don’t…?!”

Recalling how Jibeom had mentioned leaving his scent in a “special spot,” Saewoo squirmed, horrified, but it was no use.

“Like this.”

“Mmm…!”

Jibeom bent down and pressed his lips against Saewoo’s.

He traced the inside of Saewoo’s warm lips, causing his body to tremble in his arms.

The way Saewoo immediately reacted to the slightest stimulation was irresistibly cute.

Jibeom’s tongue explored deeper, brushing against Saewoo’s teeth and pushing further inside.

“Ah, ngh…!”

Saewoo’s body reacted instantly.

His breath quickened, and his shaky gasps were palpable.

Jibeom chuckled as he released pheromones into the roof of Saewoo’s mouth.

Saewoo’s hands clung weakly to Jibeom’s shirt, his fingers trembling, their tips flushed pink.

‘God, I’m losing it…’

Even as his tongue moved skillfully, Jibeom kept his eyes wide open, watching Saewoo’s every reaction.

The more he saw, the more fascinating Saewoo became, and the more Jibeom craved him.

He couldn’t stop wondering what their night together had been like.

If it were up to him, he’d whisk Saewoo away right now and spend the entire day in bed with him.

A man, a bird shapeshifter, and a complete stranger—Jibeom had never been so drawn to someone before.

What could it be?

Was it those small, tempting lips?

They were narrow, soft, and tasted so good that he couldn’t help but want more.

“Wa… Wait! Tha… hng, stop…! Ugh, ack… huff, cough, cough!”

Saewoo, who was suffering under the relentless barrage of kisses, pulled away and started coughing.

His chest heaved as he struggled, and the sound of his coughing was anything but normal.

“What’s wrong? Why are you like this?”

“Ugh… cough! Hah… hey, the meds…!”

“Meds? Where are they?”

Saewoo’s face was flushed red as he shouted in distress, and Jibeom turned to head back into Jinho’s house.

“N-no, not there… cough! Not the house…!”

“Not the house? Then where? …Ahh, that house where we got all hot and heavy?”

‘God, even in a situation like this, this idiot…!’

Despite how much Saewoo was struggling, Jibeom was still being cheeky, and Saewoo glared at him with wide eyes.

But that was all he could manage. His condition only worsened, and his coughing continued.

“What the… I thought you were exaggerating.”

It finally dawned on Jibeom that if Saewoo didn’t get his medicine soon, things could get dangerous.

He tightened his grip on Saewoo, who was clinging weakly to his chest, and hurriedly moved, not letting him go.

* * *