It's Just a Dream, Isn't It?
A luxurious resort decorated romantically with traditional artworks. The crisp, refreshing seaside atmosphere was enhanced by rose petals floating gently in the private pools of each room. With no view from outside, it promised complete privacy for a honeymoon. A pavilion was even provided—anyone could see it was the epitome of luxury, perfect for a special day.
"...Wow. This place is amazing."
"Really? I'm so glad you like it. You must be exhausted from the flight, right? But oppa, why are you suddenly being so formal?!"
The man gave an awkward smile, looking a bit sheepish. Now they could legally share a room. What should I do with this innocent guy? Her heart raced.
"I heard on days like this, the husband carries his wife over the threshold..."
Lee Seojun scratched his head with a bashful expression. She watched him quietly. It was a bit corny, but touching too. The problem was, he was just a D-rank porter, a bit stronger than a regular person. If he hurt his back, that would be disastrous.
"Oppa, let me carry you instead."
"No, that's... I'm fine, whoa! Ga-young, put me down!!"
"No way~. If it's you, I could carry you around forever."
Kang Ga-young's hands gripped his back and the underside of his thighs. A perfect princess carry. He covered his face with both hands in embarrassment, but his smile stretched from ear to ear. She gently laid him on the bed.
"This bed is huge," Seojun marveled, spreading his arms wide. Their eyes met just as he finished speaking. The air turned awkward in an instant. What now?
"Oppa, let's change into our pajamas first." Ga-young pulled out matching couple pajamas and handed them to him. He shot her a playful grin, eyes crinkling—'When did you prepare this?!' Nothing had been left to chance. Oppa, I just want all your attention on me... She swallowed the words bubbling up.
Watching him clutch the clothes tightly, a thought crossed her mind: the lingerie she'd packed for tonight. Sexy red rose style? Lacy and feminine? Cute? Or pure white innocence? Which one would get him excited? As long as it made him lose control for her, it didn't matter.
"Sure~. Mom, we arrived safely. No need to worry."
"Good~. With you there, I feel better. Have fun, dear."
After checking in with Seojun's mother, she felt relaxed. Glancing at Seojun staring blankly at her phone, she started, "Oppa, you go shower fir—"
Whoosh—!!
Suddenly, he pulled her into a hug. Like a shy yet brave groom, his deep voice whispered in her ear. Why does my heart pound like it's our first time?
"I know I'm not enough, but I'll do better."
"...No. You're already more than enough to me."
Just stay by my side and look only at me. Forever. That's what marriage is.
"...Shall we shower together then?"
Bliss.
Tick-tock-----!! Tick-tock-tick-tock------!!
The wall clock raced ahead. Her vision blurred and shifted. The Seojun she held vanished.
Where—?
Her phone was in her hand. An incoming message was open, its contents clear at a glance.
- They've just entered the dungeon entrance. Detailed location...
She squeezed her eyes shut. No way.
"...It can't be. What could happen? Why, why are you so stubborn?"
Kang Ga-young muttered to herself. Anxiety churned in her gut.
Opening her eyes, she saw a dungeon interior. She could guess which one. He's here...
"He ain't followin' anymore. Those meat shields. Nah, porters are all dead by now, right?"
"If you value your life, shut your damn mouth about it!"
She couldn't believe what she heard. Their faces hardened at the sight of her—disgusting.
"...Where is he?"
"Hunter Kang Ga-young?"
"Fuck. Where's my husband?!!"
Her legs moved on their own, like a puppet. Her chest heaved with dread. Please. If there's a god...
"Kriruk?!"
Goblins appeared deeper in. She stabbed and slashed their guts and throats, pushing forward. Amid the corpses, a familiar man.
"No!!!"
She unleashed sword aura, exploding a goblin's head. Rushing over, she lifted his upper body with her arms.
"...Blood's flowing from his head."
No. This joke isn't funny.
"You're holding your breath, right? You know brain cells die if you hold it too long?"
Please. Without oxygen, your brain gets damaged. Why aren't you breathing?
"Did you really go back to being a porter just to avoid alimony?"
Did you hate me that much? So much you never wanted to see me again? Couldn't you just pretend to lose and come back?
Why. Why?! ...This is a lie, right?
She stroked his face slowly. Leaning in, she pressed her lips to his. His cooling body temperature was unbearable.
"No. You're not dead yet. My love, you can't sleep here. You'll catch a cold. Okay?"
"Oppa, let's go home."
It's a dream. Wake up. It's just a dream.
⁕⁕⁕
"Ughhh—bleeech!!"
Kang Ga-young's eyes snapped open, and she vomited. Only yellow-white bile came up. She wiped her mouth with her arm. Sourness lingered.
She must have dozed off unknowingly after running nonstop. Glancing at the sky, time hadn't passed much—thank goodness. Turning her head, an orc corpse lay facing her.
"Fuck!!"
Thud—! Crunch!!
She stomped its head. Salty drops fell onto the body from her face.
"It's a dream. Not real. Right?!"
Why so vivid? Like it really happened!! Why does his body feel so real from that last touch...
She kept stomping until the orc's head was unrecognizable mush. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto it. She didn't care if her clothes got dirty. Come to think of it, when Seojun vanished, she'd called him "oppa" without realizing.
Was she the one confusing dreams and reality?
But what if it wasn't a dream?
Deep down, she knew. It wasn't just any dream. No one but a fool would miss it.
A precognitive dream? The future? No. It can't be. She'd rather it be a simple nightmare.
"I used to love dreaming... now it's my greatest fear..."
Her trembling hands brushed her wet cheeks, slick with tears.
What if he dreamed it too? She shook her head to dispel the ominous thought, steadying her breath. Time for rational thinking.
Scraaaape—.
Her long sword dragged across the floor. She had to find him. Seeing a lively Seojun would snap her back to normal.
"...Please. I'm coming right now."
This time, she couldn't be late.
⁕⁕⁕
A golden glow blocked the orc chieftain's touch. Its face twisted in annoyance.
"Bu-hik, human. You think that bu-hik! buys you time? Bu-hiiiik!!"
As soon as Guardian Angel's effect ended, he chained another. He'd protected life and dignity, but the remaining issue was 'food.' The orcs knew it too, taunting him by roasting wild boar legs.
Such a dirty, evil tactic. Tempting with food...
"Bu-hiiiik! Human. Trade your seeds for bu-huk, this food, bu-hik. What say you?!"
The meat's juices looked mouthwatering. A gulp echoed from behind.
"...Hyungnim!"
"What? You think I'd fall for that? If anyone's doing it, you go."
His pitiful glare made the guy slump. Seojun talked tough, but his throat was parched, stomach empty.
"Bu-hik, persistent bu-hiiiik, human."
How much longer? A sigh escaped—
Booom—crash!! Boom!!!!
"Seojun-ssi!!!! Sujung-ah!!"
"Oppa!!!"
The awaited roar and familiar voices from outside. Relief—they weren't too late.
"Bu-hik?! Faster than expected. Bu-hiiiik!!"
The chieftain dropped its boar leg, grabbing a jagged weapon. The ground shook fiercely.
"Wait there. Bu-hiiiik, my seed pouch, bu-hik!"
It winked and lumbered out. No lock on the door—lacking that intelligence? Fine by them.
After a moment, they slipped out with the man behind. Outside, hunters clashed with orcs in the distance. Most striking: ice rain from the sky—Jeong Ye-na.
"Ye-na!!!!!"
She turned at his voice but didn't spot him. Time to greet them.
"Stay here."
"Y-Yes? Hyungnim?!"
He flared golden wings, reinforcing the barrier on the kid, then soared toward them. The wind brushing his skin felt great.
Twaaang—! Clang!!
Ors and hunters battled en masse, like a medieval fantasy flick. Ye-na's eyes widened like a rabbit's as she looked up. He nodded with a smile. She waved; he waved back.
"Seojun-ssi!! Over here. I came to get you!!"
Yoo Chae-eun bounced in the rear, arms raised. He quickly scanned the wounded, firing off Heal skills indiscriminately—guild affiliation be damned. Broken legs and arms. Wounds potions couldn't fix, bandages hiding gashes—all flooded with green light.
"Good work."
I'm starving for real.
"Let's wrap this up and go home!"
Vitality returned to the hunters' eyes. They gawked at the sky in disbelief. No words needed—he just smiled casually.