Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Tomboy Childhood Friend's [Sex Partner] Invitation
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My stomach was burning.
I had no idea how many shots of booze I'd knocked back.
Excited, disappointed, excited, disappointed...
Fuck.
What the hell am I supposed to do?
"Chang-gi ya."
"Hold on, just let me think alone."
"Huh? What're you thinking about?"
"I'm calculating how much I've saved up in my piggy bank and how long that'll last. I've got some CDs too, so if I cash those in, maybe I can make it work somehow..."
"What the hell kinda bullshit is that?"
"What bullshit? It's not like I can just waltz into the upper echelons of hunters. I don't even know anyone among my fellow scavengers. But I've got money stashed away, so if I hit the brothels hard enough, I can probably rank up within a year..."
She flinched.
"You crazy bastard!!!"
"Ow!?"
For a split second, I thought my eardrums were gonna burst.
Seong-yeon was cursing me out.
Her voice was so loud that the few other customers in the place turned to stare, but they quickly looked away, not wanting to get involved.
"Whoa, you scared me. Why the hell are you yelling all of a sudden?"
"Ugh... It's nothing. Sorry."
What a weirdo.
Maybe the booze had gotten to her, but she scratched her cheek and let out a sigh.
"'Nothing'? Then why'd you flip out again?"
"I just... Even if it's for your skill, I hate the idea of you going to a place like that. I lost it for a second. Sorry."
"Out of nowhere?"
"Do you have any idea how filthy those places are? It's not just one person—you're talking about a spot where multiple people cycle through every day... What if you catch something? That'd burn through your money and wreck your health, all for that skill. Is it really worth it?"
"Worried about AIDS or something? Nah, that's just what happens when infected people hook up. These days, with auras and skills around, they're cleaner and better than most places."
"Can you guarantee it's 0% risk? For STDs or anything else? Are you sure it's really safe?"
"If you nitpick like that, you could find fault with anything."
"True, but still..."
I figured she was jealous over something stupid.
This gay dude—maybe he's gotten too attached because I saved him back then?
We're just elementary school buddies. Why go this far worrying about me...?
"Whatever you say, I can't find any other path. If I were popular or something, sure. But even if I was, I couldn't keep banging the same girl just to level up my skill. Everything's a problem no matter what I do. Got any better ideas?"
I always thought this skill was total bullshit, but today it pissed me off more than ever.
Damn tower lord.
Why'd you give a skill meant for some alpha male to a total loner like me?
"........."
"...Nothing else to say, huh? Look, I appreciate the concern, but you're barking up the wrong tree. I'll handle this myself, so don't worry and let's just drink."
"........."
"...Seong-yeon?"
She downed her shot in silence.
Wondering what was up, I watched quietly and saw her face flush beet red.
"Hey, Chang-gi ya."
"What now? If you're trying to talk me out of it, save it. I'm a hunter with some field experience. I wanna move to the next stage already."
"I know."
"Then why? Didn't we come here to have a good time?"
"I didn't wanna say this either. So I'll stop trying to stop you. When you think about it, it's your life, and that skill might even help the world someday."
"The world? You're saying cryptic shit again. You were pissed a second ago, now you're hyping me up?"
"It might really turn out that way."
Fine, no more nagging. I waved it off and poured another round.
The sharp scent of alcohol lingered at the bridge of my nose.
Maybe I should ease up. I set my glass down for a moment, and Seong-yeon fixed me with a serious look.
"What?"
"Can I make a sudden proposal?"
"Outta nowhere?"
"Yeah. It's not a bad one. Might even be exactly what you want."
"........."
Hmm.
Did I drink too much? She's acting kinda off.
"Not asking me to cosign a loan or anything, right?"
"I said it'd benefit you. I barely get anything out of it."
"So what is it?"
"Don't want anyone overhearing, so I'll lower my voice."
Song Seong-yeon's aura gathered at her lips.
Green light. It suited her guild's name perfectly.
'What the hell kind of proposal needs aura?'
To avoid looking suspicious, I casually picked up a piece of meat and popped it in my mouth. Then that 'bombshell' hit me completely out of the blue.
............
...Huh?
"Pfft!?"
"Chang-gi ya!"
"Gah, hack! Cough cough cough!!"
"Why so shocked! Here, water!"
The lunatic pounded my back and shoved water at me.
I had no clue what I'd just heard, and even as I chugged the water, my head was spinning.
'Sex partner? A top-tier hunter sex partner!?'
Cold sweat poured down.
I'd let my guard down because she was my friend, but her included, everyone in the heavenly ranks was a monster through and through.
Just as civilians gawk at me taking down an ogre, I gawk at their hunts.
They slice what I couldn't dare touch, stand against giants I couldn't face, and achieve feats beyond my reach.
'Calm down. Maybe I misheard. No way something like that comes out of this pure-looking guy's mouth. Just a minute ago, she jumped up furious at the idea of me hitting brothels. No way she'd suggest this.'
Denying reality, I took another swig.
My stomach burned.
"Phew... You scared the shit outta me. For real."
"You okay?"
"Yeah, sorry. Must've misheard something. What'd you say again? I think I got it wrong—mind repeating?"
"Sure."
Aura gathered at her lips again.
I focused mine on my ears to listen carefully.
Probably misheard, right? Bracing myself so it wouldn't shock me this time, hands clenched on my thighs...
............
Fuck.
I didn't mishear.
It was all real.
"Chang-gi ya?"
"I heard you. Wasn't a mishear this time, you maniac."
"R-Really?"
"Sigh."
Why the sudden push for this? I thought she knew nothing about it—turns out she's a guy after all?
You can't judge a book by its cover. She's a top-tier hunter, alright.
"You said you don't have a girlfriend anyway."
"Right. No girlfriend now, none in the future either."
"Then... how'd you find a sex partner?"
"Complicated circumstances on this end. Can't go into details, but she's really top-tier."
"...Like, how top?"
"Can't say for her privacy. But at least top 100. Maybe one time's enough for a rank up, or two at most. Ah, no—too optimistic? First time seeing a skill like yours, so I'm guessing... probably within 10?"
"...!!"
She backpedaled a bit, but "within 10" still beats brothels by miles in efficiency.
And free top-rank hunter sex!
Never saw that coming...
"Why go this far?"
"Huh?"
"It's weird. Our reunion's surprising enough, and now this? Makes me wonder if you're scamming me."
"Fair enough. I'd think the same."
She reached out her hand.
Despite me telling her not to earlier, she overlapped hers on mine and gripped tight.
"Chang-gi ya. Trust me. You basically saved my life. I still feel hugely indebted, and I'm truly grateful we reconnected. Consider this proposal just part of paying you back—no strings."
"Seong-yeon..."
"For real. No ulterior motives. Well, maybe hoping you'll help me out once you're grown stronger."
"Me, help you? Why so sudden?"
"Trouble in the Golden Tower. Government's teaming up with top hunters to cover it. Can't say more now, but I'll tell you when the time comes... So trust me for now."
Our eyes met.
"........."
"........."
We were both drunk, but the moment felt stone-cold sober.
It started as sex partner talk, but now I was knee-deep in Seong-yeon's troubles.
"Chang-gi ya."
Her hand on mine felt warm now, not burdensome like before.
So I caved.
There was only one choice anyway.
"What do I gotta do?"
"Just promise to keep it. That's the deal."
"Lay it out."
She nodded.
Seong-yeon focused her aura again, whispering so only I could hear.
...Straight-up male prostitute terms.
And join Chomok to boot...
"Putting me in your guild?"
"Yeah. That's my condition. I'll help rank up your skill, so come to us."
"But I just caused a scene, and my rep's in the toilet..."
"I'll handle the image rehab. Yes or no, Chang-gi?"
She extended her hand.
A handshake this time.
Grab it, and I'm in one of Korea's top guilds, 【Chomok】.
'Not a bad deal. Something feels off, but the terms are too sweet. And it's from the childhood friend whose life I saved.'
Couldn't refuse.
If it's a trap, I'd step in laughing.
"Chang-gi ya. Trust me. I won't let it be a bad experience."
Flashback to her tenderly caring for my burns.
She's no ungrateful friend.
Even after years apart, I trust her.
"Obviously."
I took her hand.
A system message after ages.
Now I'm a Chomok guild member—and Seong-yeon's managed male prostitute.
"Thanks. I'll do my best."
"Do your best? You're the one shaking your hips."
"Hehe."
She grinned sheepishly and handed me a glass.
The booze was bitter, but our friendship was sweet.
"To our reunion—cheers!"
"Hell yeah, cheers~!"
Clink!
I planned to drink till I blacked out tonight.
And soon, my vision blurred.
Despite reuniting with a friend, my consciousness cut off right there.