When I looked back with a dumbfounded expression on my face, Kang Yoo-hyun looked at me unabashedly. He even frowned as if asking me why Iâm looking at him with such an expression on my face?
âThen youâre going to do it to another bastard?â
âNo, that wasâŠ!â
Yes, I kissed Kang Yoo-hyun on the lips in the dungeon, but there was nothing else I could do at that time. Who knew that an SS class boss monster would appear so suddenly? The boss was an opponent that couldnât be dealt with if the skinship level wasnât high.
However, seeing Kang Yoo-hyunâs glaring eyes, I realized that he had misunderstood something. I never told anyone about the activation condition for this skill. Eden might have noticed it while he was observing, but he never asked me directly.
âŠApparently, Kang Yoo-hyun thought that what I did to him was the activation condition.
âI mean, I think youâve misunderstood something.â
I calmly opened my mouth. But I donât know how to fix this damn misunderstanding. What he and I did was just one of the activation conditions. That said, the whole world will try to kill me for daring to steal the main characterâs precious lips. Yes, I am the one who must be killed!
As I tried to remedy the situation, I gradually started falling deeper into the abyss while I tried to think of what to say. After a moment, I managed to spit out a few words.
âLast time the ki⊠sigh⊠we didnât have to do that.â
ââŠWhat does that mean?â
Kang Yoo-hyunâs black eyes became deeper and darker like an abyss. It seems as though its light represents my remaining lifespan, or is it just my feeling?
âI mean it does work well. But, actually, I just need to hold handsâŠâ
âSpeak clearly. Han Yi-jin.â
Ah, shit. Shame on him.
Do I really have to say this myself? I couldnât hold back and shouted, as I opened my mouth like a goldfish.
âHey, donât you feel bad? Do you want to do that with me again!?â
ââŠâ
I could see Kang Yoo-hyunâs face hardened as I shouted at him.
Yeah, you feel bad, donât you? When you think about that time, your anger outweighs your appreciation for the usefulness of the skill, so you want to give it all up, right? I understand. I understand everything.
As I nodded inside in a generous mood, Kang Yoo-hyun asked in a gloomy voice.
ââŠYou felt bad?â
âWhat?â
âDid you feel bad?â
The question I asked was repeated back at me and mixed with the sound of his teeth grinding. This time, I know. If I answer wrong here, Iâm fucked.
âNo, I donât feel badâ
ââŠâ
âI-I just donât want you to feel bad. Hahaha.â
This is a life and death situation, this lie is necessary for my survival, so lying right now is not wrong. Yeah, yeah. I have to live and see for now.
A God-like main character shouldnât be offended even if I feel bad. It canât be helped even if Iâm cheap and nasty. I held back my tears and smiled stupidly. It was a business smile full of tears.
âI donât feel bad either, so it shouldnât be a problem.â
âHuh? What?â
Excuse me? What? What did you just say, main character? Pardon? Haha, am I deaf already? The main character has been talking nonsense since a while ago. I canât hear him. Canât he take his words back?
âWellâŠâ
âOh!â
Park Yoon-sung, who was listening quietly, cut off the conversation. I looked at him belatedly and gasped in surprise, like a teenage boy found unsightly by his parents.
âIf Iâm not mistaken, Han Yi Jinâs S-class auxiliary skillâs activation condition isâŠâ
ââŠYes, it was physical contact.â
âAhâŠâ
Surprised, Park Yoon-sung said while looking at me and Kang Yoo-hyun in turn.
âHmm, ki⊠Youâve done it with Hunter Kang Yoo-hyunâŠâ
âYesâŠâ
I just nodded my head lifelessly. Park Yoon-sung, who was flustered, hastily collected his expression when he saw me half out of my mind.
âOh, well, thatâs definitely a difficult condition, and letâs be carefulâ especially with the female guild members.â
âYes, thatâs rightâŠâ
No matter how effective my skill was, touching a guy I donât know, I donât like the idea, and of course other people wouldnât like it either.
But what about Kang Yoo-hyun? Was kissing a man trivial because of the skill effect? Maybe he thought it just felt a little uncomfortable like an irrelevant issue.
I glanced and saw Kang Yoo-hyunâs expressionless face. My guess seems to be right.
âSince Hunter Kang Yoo-hyun agreed to it, I think it would be better for you two to form a pair.â
âPardon? What?â
If we formed a pair, I would have to follow along and stick to Kang Yoo Hyun like gum. And I had to accompany him unconditionally when he conquered the dungeons.
But because of Han Yi-jinâs death flag, I had to get as far away from Kang Yoo-hyun as possibleâŠ
Seeing my troubled face, Park Yoon-sung tilted his head.
âFor now, most of the dungeons with high fluctuations due to abnormalities in the dungeon rating will be assigned to Kang Yoo-hyun. Therefore, S-class auxiliary skills will benefit us only if we focus on Kang Yoo-hyunâs abilities.â
ââŠâ
Oh, yeah, damn it. From now on, Kang Yoo-hyun, the main character, will become a hot topic because of his efforts and contribution in rectifying dungeon rating abnormalities. And then his reputation will explode not only in Korea but also internationally.
Even though weâre at the beginning of the story, I donât know what will happen now that the SS class boss monster has already appeared. Therefore, I need to help Kang Yoo Hyun to stay alive. Because if Kang Yoo-hyun died, it would be the end of the world.
Still, I canât help but worry about his relationship with Han Yi-jin. Damn death flag. I would be at ease if I could avoid that for sure.
âYou will be given priority bids for items in the dungeons that you will enter as a pair in the future. The remuneration is usually three times the appropriate amount. The condition is, of course, the use of the S grade auxiliary skil.â
""
ââŠ!â
Shit, thatâs too good a condition to refuse.
I could see a bunch of money flying in front of me. When I got emotional, I grabbed Park Yoon-sungâs beautiful hand.
âIâll do my best.â
âYes? Oh, yes.â
Well, I got this. Iâll break the death flag. Iâm Thor! Iâm going to smash everything!
âLet go of his hand.â
âHyung, let go of his hand.â
ââŠ?â
When I turned my head, the brothers looked at me as if they were going to eat me. Surprised, I let go of Park Yoon-sungâs hand. Whatâs with them all of a sudden?
âIâve surprised the guildmaster-nim.â
âOh, yes.â
I was wondering what was going on, but I was worried about Park Yoon-sung. Feeling awkward, I bowed to Park Yoon-sung.
âIâm sorry. I got a little excited.â
âNo, ahem, itâs fine.â
Park Yoon-sung, whose voice cracked strangely, coughed quietly and waved his hand. His flustered face even looked slightly pink. He may be sensitive because he is an angel. I did something very rude too. After quick self-reflection, I opened my mouth.
âUm, Iâd like to ask you another favour.â
âYes, what is it?â
Park Yoon Sung, who had returned to normal again, asked in a calm tone.
I was actually wondering whether to say this or not but I decided to do it when I saw a flashing notification on my phone.
âI want you to mention my name at the upcoming press conference.â
âYes?â
âI want you to mention that we conquered this abnormal dungeon together. Iâm not seeking additional compensation.â
I was rewarded quite well because I assisted Kang Yoo-hyun in defeating King Draugr. So I didnât mean to ask for more.
âJust why⊠I think it would be best to hide Hunter Han Yi-jin for now.â
Park Yoon Sung has a point. It would be dangerous if my existence was exposed to other Awakeners. There might be villains who would want to kidnap me because of my skill. I donât know about the Loki Guild that is about to collapse, but if itâs the Laufey Guild, then there is a possibility.
âI thought so too, but Iâll be exposing the Loki Guildâs corruption soon enough.â
I received a cell phone this morning from an awakener that Sim Dante sent. I put it on the table. It contained data sent by the watchdog who had completed his task.
âIf you spread this to the association and to the reporters, Jang Tae-sanâs life will be over. Heâs not that scary, but the Laufey Guild behind him is different.â
ââŠâ
When I mentioned Laufey Guild, Park Yoon-sungâs face darkened. The accident that killed his family, it was the Laufey Guildmaster who arranged it.
The guildmaster of the Laufey Guild is the final mastermind who will appear at the end of the novel, but since the story has progressed a lot, I donât know when and how he will come out. So before that, I should strike first.
âEven if I hide, he will still find out. He will find out that I betrayed the Loki Guild when my brother is rescued and Jang Tae-san is arrested.â
ââŠI suppose so.â
âSo please let everyone know who I am; rather than being a danger to me, it will be a force to protect me.â
Thatâs what itâs like to be a celebrity. If I get involved with Kang Yoo-hyun and become famous, no matter how strong Laufeyâs guildmaster is, he wonât be able to touch me recklessly.
âAnd of course the Odin Guild can protect me, right?â
I said this a little provocatively as I looked at him, Park Yoon-sung smiled and nodded in response.
âOf course.â
I felt reassured already. Iâm glad I chose the Odin Guild. Itâs too early to make a hasty conclusion, but I smiled languidly like the cat that got the cream1Â at the steady progress.
âCome into our accommodation right after the press conference.â
âHmmâŠâ
Kang Yoo-hyunâs words made me think for a moment. As the best guild in Korea, the Odin Guild is equipped with the most advanced facilities. Of course, Kang Yoo-hyun and Kang Soo-hyun were also staying in the accommodations provided by the Odin Guild. In addition, Kang Yoo-hyunâs residence was a private house, and it was also spacious and as superb as the guildmasterâs house.
Well, maybe the place I will be allocated to wonât be that great, but I want to live while being treated like an S-class. Thatâs enough for me.
âIâll be right there after I finish packing my things. Thatâs okay, right?â
âYes, Iâll have it ready.â
Satisfied with the reliable answer, I rose from my seat. I have achieved my goal, so I will get some rest and prepare to set off tomorrow.
âThen Iâm going.â
âYes? Youâre leaving?â
âYes?â
Park Yoon-sung and I looked at each other with confused expressions on our faces. Park Yoon-sung opened his mouth first.
âIâll arrange a seat, so please show your face at the press conference.â
ââŠâ
Sorry? What did he say?
Footnotes
Self-satisfied, having achieved oneâs objective.