The Price of Reunion
Jung Su-a took her seat, and Arpa served her tea before immediately launching into the main topic.
"I heard from Cindy. You said you'd let me meet Hwa-ryun, right?"
"That's correct. And I assume you've also heard that I'm targeting you, Jung Su-a?"
".....I have."
"Let me be perfectly clear. I fully intend to respect you, Jung Su-a. And even if you refuse, I will still help you meet Lieutenant Jung Hwa-ryun if that is what you wish."
"....What? What did you just say?"
The completely unexpected proposal made Jung Su-a's mind go blank. She had never imagined he would extend an offer so advantageous to her.
"You must be joking."
"Do I strike you as the sort of frivolous man who would joke about something like this? True, we've only known each other for a few minutes... but eyes that have weathered countless storms can read a person fairly well."
"....."
Though they had only just met, Jung Su-a understood exactly what Arpa meant. After years spent beneath Jung Dae-woon, she had unconsciously honed an eye for people, and her instincts were now screaming at her. The man before her was no ordinary human. Even if he was merely a game NPC.
"....I can see you're not joking. But please give me a clear reason. Only then will I be able to relax."
"As you wish. The primary reason is that you are far more beautiful than I ever imagined."
"....Pardon?"
"After hearing about you from Cindy Macglen, I didn't believe it. That there could exist a woman as beautiful as she. But... Jung Su-a. You are more beautiful than anything I could have pictured. That is why I chose to respect you. At first I was astonished by Cindy Macglen, who proved more beautiful than Lieutenant Jung Hwa-ryun. Yet... I never dreamed there could be a woman even more beautiful than Cindy Macglen. Consider this my repayment for being allowed to witness the most beautiful woman of my life. Cindy Macglen... you surpass even her."
The blatant words made Jung Su-a's face burn crimson. Being told she was more beautiful than both Cindy and Hwa-ryun might have been unfair to them, but as a woman—and more importantly, as Yoo Kang-hyun's woman—it was the highest possible praise. Even if the one offering it was not Kang-hyun himself. No, she could never hear such words from him. Because Kang-hyun loved all six of his women equally....
"The second reason is that you are an S-rank adventurer."
"Why... would that be a reason to respect me?"
"...Jung Su-a. It appears you don't truly understand the value of an S-rank adventurer."
Arpa's answer made her chest tighten with guilt. It was true that she had reached S-rank through An Rok-san's full support and superior equipment, but she lacked any real knowledge about what the rank itself signified. Above all, since the only players enjoying Endless Universe were her own group, gathering information online the way they had in Changcheon Murim was impossible. There was Yoo Ran, but she was never home, rarely answered calls, and had to be considered an exception.
"Allow me to explain. S-rank adventurers are precious existences across the entire universe. And Pantera's S-rank adventurers are rarer still. Countless adventurer guilds exist across numerous planets and nations, yet the guild you belong to on Pantera stands among the highest class. The monsters of Pantera are counted among the fiercest and most difficult to hunt anywhere in the universe. It is one of the planets with the greatest energy density, and it is the monsters who absorb the majority of that energy—whether they are animal-type or plant-type."
'No wonder the repair bills were so crushing before I received equipment support.... So the monsters were that powerful...'
Only now understanding why she had constantly struggled with money, Jung Su-a felt a hollow laugh rise inside her. If she had known earlier, perhaps she should have gone elsewhere. Still, she listened carefully to Arpa's continued explanation.
"There are exceptions... such as the Empire's biological weapons under my command, but since they are artificially created life forms, they cannot be considered purely strong. There are also a few monsters that evolved artificially over long periods before naturally adapting, but that isn't important right now so I'll move on. Another reason mercenaries are valuable is their freedom. Whether you know it or not, the Omega Empire and the Federation are engaged in mostly small-scale border conflicts. Though it is technically wartime, there aren't many large-scale battles... It is closer to a passive cold war. But that is only the surface. Beneath it, the Empire and Federation are fiercely competing to secure combat personnel. To defeat the other side."
"...Then was the reason An Rok-san approached me also... an attempt to recruit me?"
"It's not certain... but the possibility exists. No matter how close I am with that friend, I don't know everything."
"....I understand what you're saying. In the end... you want my strength."
"Precisely. If you were merely a beautiful woman... I would not have chosen to respect you. The universe is not kind enough to let me accommodate every person's circumstances. But a woman more beautiful than Cindy Macglen and Lieutenant Jung Hwa-ryun, who has proven her worth with the title of S-rank adventurer, is more than worthy of respect."
"That's a very blunt and calculating statement."
"Feel free to criticize me. I admit it openly."
".....I never said I was criticizing you."
Jung Su-a had simply spoken her honest impression. Having grown up as Jung Dae-woon's daughter, she had seen countless men like Arpa. Compared to the ugly behavior of those who hid behind masks, Arpa's willingness to reveal his true self actually inspired a small measure of trust in her. Just a little.
"What was the original condition you intended to demand from me?"
"You may regret this. It would be wiser to simply accept my goodwill while I am still respecting you."
"I don't want to owe any debts. Not unless it's a fair transaction."
From her time as the successor of National One, Jung Su-a had learned bitterly that owing a debt to someone like Arpa would inevitably come back to bind her ankles. There was nothing more terrifying than a favor given without expectation of return. That was why she wanted to hear his conditions and make an equitable deal. Yet that resolve of hers had already been shattered by the betrayal of both Hwa-ryun and Cindy.
"Hehe, very well. They told me you, Jung Su-a, are very fond of doing it from behind."
"....Pffft?!"
At the sudden crude remark, Jung Su-a spat out her tea. Arpa smiled with dark amusement, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction.
"Both of them said the same thing. That the woman far more lewd than either of them is none other than Jung Su-a."
"......Ugh.."
'Cindy.... Hwa-ryun.... When I see both of you later, I won't let you get away with this!!!!!!'
"My condition is the one I stated at the beginning. During the journey to the Empire, you will allow me to take you. Naturally, I will not touch you from the front—only from behind. ...Jung Su-a, unless you ask for it yourself, that is."
"....Just what exactly... did you hear from Hwa-ryun and Cindy?"
"Do you truly wish to know?"
"....No. Let's stop here. Please give me a moment to think."
The unexpected mental blow, the obscene revelations, and the way her most shameful secrets had been laid bare in an instant left Jung Su-a momentarily stunned. Yet having been forged in the fires of Changcheon Murim and having endured all manner of trials, she quickly regained her composure and began to think.
Her desire to meet Cindy and her younger sister Hwa-ryun was undeniably strong. But the thought of betraying Kang-hyun—not once, but twice—held her back. Jung Su-a agonized deeply. Yet her hesitation did not last long.
"Alright. I will accept your proposal."
'Honey... I'm sorry. But... you gave me permission too... I won't ask you to understand... Above all, it's only from behind, not the front... I've experienced plenty of it in Changcheon Murim... and I want to meet Hwa-ryun.'
The experiences she had accumulated through playing Changcheon Murim, along with the times she had given her body to An Rok-san, had changed Jung Su-a far more than she herself realized. Thinking that if it was only from behind, the reluctance was manageable and not impossible, she rationalized her decision and silently apologized to Kang-hyun as she accepted Arpa's offer. Completely unaware of the vulgar, lewd pleasures that would soon overtake her.
"Thank you. Then, separately from that, I would like to ask how much Cindy told you."
"Yes? What do you mean?"
"Did she not tell you? The fact that she received genetic enhancement procedures."
"....Ah, that..."
"This offer is valid for you as well. Taking you from behind is the price for arranging your meeting with Lieutenant Hwa-ryun. If you desire it, I will also perform the genetic enhancement procedure for you."
"...I...."