The Opening Skirmish
"Wow... So this is the research lab?" Yuria's voice was filled with wonder. Sehwa, who had been glued to her side the entire time, smiled brightly and began explaining the facilities.
"Yes. That's the situation board, over there is the medical wing, next to it the lounge, then Dr. Cash's private quarters... and way down there is the aircraft hangar..."
Watching her chatter away without pause, it was obvious how thrilled Yuria was to finally be here. Sehwa played the part of an enthusiastic real estate agent, showing her every corner of the lab until Dr. Cash stepped out of her room. Sehwa immediately bowed.
"Doctor! Hello!"
"Well, you're certainly energetic today."
"Yes. Oh, this is..."
"I know. Miss Yuria Elenar, correct?"
The doctor stepped forward and offered her hand. Yuria took it firmly.
"It's an honor to meet you, Dr. Jennifer Cash."
After the simple exchange of greetings, the two women sat down at the table in the command center and began to talk. Sehwa and I were included in the conversation.
The discussion stretched on for a long time before finally drawing to a close. Dr. Cash seemed to like Yuria quite a bit and showed genuine interest in her story. Yet she clearly still believed the woman fell short of being a suitable Device candidate.
Sehwa had earned her Device because, even in the middle of a crisis, she had shown the instinct to protect others. Yuria, however, had only ever dismantled criminal organizations. She had never demonstrated the same selfless concern for ordinary humans that Sehwa had. On top of that, they couldn't place complete trust in her yet, so the doctor's lingering caution was perfectly understandable.
When Yuria learned about the Aether Device, her jaw dropped in pure astonishment. I'd love to ram my cock straight into that gaping mouth. The urge to corrupt her as quickly as possible made my skin crawl with anticipation.
"Ah... so that's how Sehwa transforms..."
"That's right. Amazing, isn't it?"
At some point the doctor had shifted into casual speech. Yuria answered politely.
"Yes... Aether... It really is a fascinating energy."
Just wait until she learns how the Devices are charged. The real shock is still coming.
"Do you understand why we're revealing secrets like this to you?"
"Not really, no."
"Because Sehwa trusts you. The fact that Leona approached you without any wariness after transforming was part of it. However... I still believe we need to observe you longer."
Sehwa started to speak, but Yuria beat her to it.
"That's completely reasonable. I would do the same in your position."
"Could you stay at the lab with us for the time being?"
"Yes. But..."
"Is there a problem?"
"I have my father. My reincarnated father... He hasn't recovered all his memories yet, so I want to stay close to him until he does."
She's talking about Kim Taegon. She still firmly believes he reincarnated.
"Sigh... Well, we've already seen events that transcend entire galaxies... I suppose reincarnation isn't that strange by comparison. What is his name?"
"Kim Taegon."
The doctor looked momentarily flustered but didn't show excessive surprise.
"Song's business partner?"
"Yes. He had a dream, and..."
Now it's Yuria's turn to vent. This is excruciatingly boring. It's starting to piss me off.
By the time both sides had exhausted every topic, it was already deep into the night. Sehwa had returned home with Yuria. The doctor and I remained alone in the lab, reviewing everything Yuria had told them.
"Reincarnation... Can you actually believe something like that?"
"As a scientist it's embarrassing to say, but... I want to believe it. Just as you and Sehwa met like fate, I think Kim Taegon and Yuria meeting was fate as well. Her explanation was remarkably detailed."
"That's true."
"Still... no matter how much faith you have in Leona's judgment, you revealed far too many of our cards."
The doctor nodded, letting out a small sigh.
"My mistake. I must be more exhausted than I realized lately."
When people are tired, they need someone to lean on. They want to believe in that person's words. The fact that the doctor had spoken to Yuria about Aether was part of that pattern. She hadn't handed over a Device immediately, which showed she still trusted her own judgment more, but she was clearly placing considerable faith in the girl. She relied on me even more than on Sehwa.
I gave her a gentle smile.
"Since it's already done, let's focus on finding a solution."
The doctor stared at me intently. Why is she looking at me like that?
"You sound exactly like my husband."
Ah. So that was the reason for the deep longing in her eyes. An unexpected profit.
"People with drive tend to speak that way."
"The way you slipped in a subtle compliment about yourself makes me think you're exactly like him. Maybe that's why I kept you on as my assistant... no, my partner."
The doctor rose from her chair and washed her face in the bathroom. Her bare skin, glistening with water droplets, was strikingly beautiful. It wasn't easy to look that lovely without makeup.
I stood up as well and stretched. Then, with a serious expression, I spoke.
"Shall we talk about money now?"
Dr. Cash visibly tensed. It was a reaction I hadn't seen from her before. I want to pin her down so badly it hurts.
The doctor sitting across from me cleared her throat and tried to ease the tension with a lame joke.
"I just called you my partner to butter you up... Did I earn any points?"
"Quite a few."
"That's a relief. How much... can you provide...?"
Her tone was extremely cautious. Yes, money conversations always required care.
"How much do you need? I'll match whatever amount you want."
"Well... rather than taking everything at once, I'd prefer monthly sponsorship..."
"So tell me the exact amount."
"You already know roughly... how the lab operates. I'd appreciate support on that scale."
She's lowering her head. A very good sign.
I pretended to think it over, stroking my chin, then named a figure. The doctor's eyes widened dramatically.
"Y-you don't need to give that much..."
"I'm only keeping enough for my companies to run smoothly and directing the rest here. Money is better in larger quantities, isn't it? The more the better, right?"
"That's true, but..."
"If everything Miss Yuria said is true, the real monsters haven't even appeared yet. It looks like Tyrat is toying with Earth... We can't just sit and take it. We need to develop new equipment and search for any remaining Aether."
"Song, are you sure that's okay...?"
"It doesn't matter if I have to sell a few companies. What good is money if we lose Earth and end up living as slaves? Don't worry about the lab's funding anymore. I'll make sure it's taken care of."
The doctor nodded silently, then stood. She bent down and hugged me tightly while I remained seated. And I... gently stroked the back of her thigh. It wasn't intentional. It was simply a habitual gesture from when I embraced Sehwa.
"Hey... Song... What do you think you're doing?"
The doctor's whisper brushed my ear. Her breath was both ticklish and strangely sensual. I quickly pulled my hand away.
"Ah, that's just... a habit."
The doctor released the hug and stared at me in disbelief.
"You touch thighs when hugging someone?"
"When Sehwa hugs me while I'm sitting, her legs stand perfectly straight. I like that feeling, so..."
At my detailed fetish explanation, the doctor let out a small laugh. She didn't seem particularly upset, apparently willing to let it slide.
"Sehwa must have her hands full with you."
"She actually enjoys it."
The doctor gave my head a light tap. There was no real force behind it, only affection.
"Don't do that next time. You nearly got slapped."
"It felt nice though... Can I touch it one more time?"
"Are you trying to die...? Do you actually hear the words coming out of your mouth?"
"Just kidding. See you later."
"Yeah."
I shrugged, flashed her a bright smile, and left the lab.
Physical contact at this level is still too much for now. I know everything about the Beast Slayers. The doctor does not. She would have every right to be angry, yet I find it entertaining instead. At least she hadn't panicked and pushed me away, and she hadn't flown into a rage at my joking request to touch her again. It seems she's begun to trust me far more than before... No, it's probably favor rather than trust. It might also be because the image of her dead husband had accidentally surfaced through me today. From this state, I'll slowly peel away her shell.
When I arrived home, Sehwa and Yuria were drinking beer and chatting away. I couldn't help chuckling. They looked closer than actual sisters.
"Jihyeok, you're back? Want me to make you some coffee?"
The Sehwa I knew would always come running the moment I returned, kissing me and clinging to me. Seeing her acting so prim and proper felt strangely disappointing.
"I'm fine. Will you be staying the night, Miss Yuria?"
Yuria stood up with an awkward smile.
"You don't have to test me. I've already decided. I'll be staying in Seoul for the time being."
"I'll give you the unit next door. You can stay there."
"That's alright. I can stay at a hotel with the money my father gave me."
"If that's what you prefer, I understand. Also, you no longer need to worry about your identity. I've handled everything properly. There won't be any risk of suspicion."
"Thank you so much."
Yuria bowed at a precise forty-five-degree angle. You're not really this kind of girl, are you? You're just acting polite because you want to look good and get your hands on a Device. In time the doctor will open her heart and give you one, but... I'll help speed things up. I want to see you transform as soon as possible.
"Would you come to my room? There's something I need to discuss with you privately."
"Ah, yes..."
I stopped Sehwa, who was grinning and trying to follow along, and entered the room with Yuria before closing the door.
"I know you possess strength that ordinary people can't even compare to, Miss Yuria. I also know that strength doesn't work on monsters. It's simply stronger than the average human. That's why you want a Device, isn't it? To transform like Sehwa, fight monsters, and find Tyrat."
Yuria's eyes trembled faintly. She answered honestly.
"Yes."
"Let me ask you one question. If Tyrat, after being struck by you, was preparing to flee, and right beside him was a dying human, who would you choose? Would you chase Tyrat to kill him? Or would you save the human?"
"Excuse me...? What is this suddenly..."
"Answer the question."
"I..."
After sinking into deep thought, Yuria bit her lower lip hard. She finally spoke.
"I would save the human."
"Why? It's the perfect chance for revenge."
"That's true. But if I abandoned a dying person right in front of me for the sake of my revenge... I would regret it for the rest of my life. My parents didn't raise me to be that kind of person. But why are you suddenly asking me this..."
"Dr. Cash has only one criterion for choosing Device candidates. How much someone values human lives. Sehwa took care of others even when she herself was facing death. Without that level of character, the Device cannot be used."
Yuria let out a soft "Ah..." and nodded slowly.
Keeping a warm smile on my face, I offered her the words she wanted to hear.
"I'll speak to the doctor on your behalf. Your answer was very satisfying. I'll tell her that Miss Yuria cares about humans to this degree."
"R-really...? Why are you suddenly doing all this..."
"From the lab's perspective we cannot trust you easily, but personally I believe you are trustworthy. It's also for Sehwa's sake. That's the biggest reason. Still, don't take it as guaranteed. I'm not particularly eloquent."
Yuria's face lit up with joy.
"Thank you so much. This kindness..."
"Nothing is confirmed yet. We'll talk more next time."
"Yes... Yes! Thank you!"
Yuria kept bowing and thanking me repeatedly. At some point Sehwa had cracked the door open and was listening. Her bright expression made it clear she was satisfied with my answer.
I gently pushed her face back from the gap and spoke to Yuria.
"Let's meet again soon."