Chapter 37: Cheonsu Guild's Duo
Poke. Poke poke.
The sharp sensation of claws pricking his cheek became too much to bear, forcing Seojun to open his eyes. Right before him loomed a stunning red-haired siren, gazing down at him with eyes brimming with curiosity.
"Hey, wake up! Oh? You're awake?"
He flailed his arms instinctively, and the red-haired siren burst into tinkling laughter. Just the fact that she could communicate with humans marked her as this dungeon's boss. But why was she giving him a lap pillow?
As he squirmed unwittingly, the siren tightened her grip on his arms, pinning his body against hers. The vivid texture of her fins brushed against his head and neck.
"Hungry?"
Having arrived without any preparation, he was honestly starving. But could he trust food from her? Her upper body was that of a woman, after all. Her breasts were right in his face, nearly smothering him. The position was uncomfortable, and breathing was a struggle.
"...Hmm."
Gurgle.
His stomach growled insensitively, and the siren handed him a fruit from the pile stacked beside the rock. He reached out to take it.
"Eek?! No."
Wait, she wasn't giving it to him? He stared at her in disbelief, and she tilted her head quizzically. Then, in a soft, melodic voice, she said,
"Come on, open wide. I'll feed you."
"......"
"Huh? Why isn't he talking?"
"Ahh~."
He opened his mouth, and she beamed with a motherly smile of satisfaction. She fed him chunks of fruit, though the feeling was... strangely off.
Munch munch. Gulp.
"Good eater."
It was sweeter than expected. At least his depleted hydration was replenished. Even if the fruit was laced with poison or a curse, he could dispel it all anyway.
He stared blankly at the siren's grinning face.
"...Um, could you let me go?"
"Huh?! What are you saying?"
A monster with this level of intelligence might guide him out. She hadn't treated him badly so far, so the worst-case scenario seemed unlikely.
"You're my spoil of war."
"That's..."
At that moment, two more sirens flew in. But they were different from the first impression. The green-haired one had a massive wound on her tail.
"What happened?!"
The red-haired siren, still holding him, asked worriedly. The blonde siren replied irritably,
"Two ships came. We gave up on one because of the storm, but..."
The green-haired siren panted heavily as she added,
A thick fluid soaked the ground.
"From the other brigantine, some sword-wielding bitch attacked us."
The green-haired siren trembled, grinding her teeth. Red blood dripped steadily from her tail.
"Looks like we need to eat this guy to heal."
"A human male like this is too precious. Can't we find another?"
As the blonde siren approached threateningly, the red-haired one hugged him protectively. The soft sensation buried his face.
"No way! My sister's hurt—do you think some guy matters more?! Eating human males heals our wounds. He's just emergency rations anyway."
The red-haired siren set him down slowly, her face tinged with regret—but no affection, just mild disappointment. Wait, was she seriously planning to eat him?
"Excuse me."
"...?!"
Surprised that he spoke, the sirens watched him. But the blonde one strode forward dismissively.
"That wound. Let me heal it. So don't touch me."
"Hey, what are you babbling about?"
He quickly swung his hand. A warm green light spread out. The green-haired siren, bleeding profusely, gradually regained her healthy appearance. The blonde siren looked shocked. The red-haired one dropped her fruit in panic.
"Eh?!"
"See? So don't eat me."
Time to ask while he had the chance. If they had any conscience, they'd tell him.
"How do I get out of this dungeon?"
The sirens exchanged quick glances. Their conclusion:
"No way. We can't let him go. Guard him!"
The blonde siren shouted, and the red-haired one nodded resolutely. Ungrateful wretches. He'd hoped, but he was the fool for expecting better.
His face plunged into the siren's ample bosom. Breathing was impossible. Maybe suffocation would come before being eaten.
Damn. The easiest way was usually killing the boss to open the exit. Once the sirens fell asleep, he'd have to try a sneak attack.
"Wake up."
Kang Ga-young poked Jeong Ye-na's shoulder with a fallen twig. Was she still out of it? Her mumbling suggested a pleasant dream.
"Jeong. Ye. Na."
Sighing, Kang Ga-young whispered in her ear. Ye-na's eyes snapped open.
"...Huh?! Ga-young unnie?"
Confused, Ye-na looked up at the woman staring down at her. Kang Ga-young, arms crossed in her black suit, gave a pitiful look.
"Get up. We need to clear this fast."
"What? Unnie, how'd you get in? How'd we meet?"
Ye-na glanced around. Clear skies, ocean—a resort-like vibe, but dense trees loomed behind. A fairly large uninhabited island.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Ye-na rapid-fired questions. Ga-young responded impassively.
"Probably some tutorial to get here. Saw the sirens at the start? Obvious bosses. The guy you came with might be on this island too. Let's hurry."
Ga-young pressed her temples wearily with one hand. The other held a crudely scavenged amateur sword.
"Got it. Let's do this!"
Ye-na's eyes sparkled. Lee Seojun would be fine. Definitely. But without a team, he couldn't do much. Realistically, flying away on wings was his only option—like a fairy-tale hero rescuing a prince. Ye-na clenched her fists in determination.
Unlike her resolve, Ga-young asked,
"First, check the USB."
Ga-young eyed Ye-na's soaked bag worriedly. It was completely waterlogged.
"...Ah."
Ye-na couldn't meet her gaze. The USB, cosmetics, even her phone— all ruined.
"Haa."
Ga-young swept back her hair, glaring at Ye-na. But Ye-na's heart hurt more. Screw the USB. What about today's photos? They were memories.
Ye-na racked her brain, praying for recovery.
"What're you doing? Come on."
Ga-young, with dark circles under her eyes, called out tiredly. She shook water off her sword.
Thud thud.
The two beauties ventured deep into the suspicious island.
"Hah—yah!!"
Kang Ga-young's sword plunged into the massive crab monster's shell. Enraged, its sturdy claw aimed for her head.
"Unnie, duck!"
Ye-na's ice spike swiftly severed the claw. Ga-young yanked out her sword.
Stab, stab stab!!
Poor weapon quality, but Ga-young coated it in sword aura for the finish. The crab collapsed limply, and weary breaths echoed.
"Haa."
Turning, countless monster corpses littered the ground. Ga-young wiped sweat from her brow and glanced back. Just Ye-na.
"Rest a bit?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
Ga-young plopped onto a fallen log. Not hungry, but physically drained. She didn't want to dream and feel worse. No sleep.
As dusk fell, Ye-na lit a campfire discreetly for warmth. Ga-young watched her mourn her dead phone and asked. Come to think of it, the aquarium trip, her outfit—perfect sizing.
"Date?"
Just those words, and Ye-na's smile bloomed uncontrollably. She must really like him. Ga-young chuckled softly. Her chest ached. Had she been like that once?
"...Don't regret it like I did. Treat him right."
"Unnie, no worries. I'm confident I'll do great!"
Chatting eased her sleepiness. Ga-young bombarded with questions to stay awake.
"So, what kind of guy?"
"Mm. Talented, cool, kind, handsome."
Yeah, just the type for girls her age. Seeing her junior's shining eyes, Ga-young smiled. She'd scouted her as talent, and she had skills. Good instincts, worth nurturing. Like in her past life. A bit immature, sure. Love, huh.
"Good. I'll cheer you on. Buy you dinner when you bring your boyfriend."
"Ah, not boyfriend yet..."
"Flirting? Date by next vacation. I'll hook you up with a Cheonsu Hotel suite."
"...Really?"
Ga-young lightly smacked Ye-na's back. She just hoped this naive girl found happy love.
"If he's precious, never let go. Treat him perfectly."
Ye-na nodded eagerly, like a student under a love guru.
"If I got one more chance..."
I could do it right.
"Huh? What, unnie?"
"...Nothing."
Gazing at the crackling fire, Ga-young shook her head. A faint tear welled, but it was trivial.