Confessions Over Drinks
The women who joined the party's drinking session in the Waiting Area were all stunning beauties. But they weren't just any beauties.
"I'm Claret. You've all met me at the merit shop. I'm a cat beastkin hybrid."
Everyone already knew Claret, the mix of beastkin and human, since they'd seen her at the shop.
"I'm Lisa. Quarter-elf, a blend of elf and human."
Lisa evoked an image of pure white innocence, her beauty carrying a mystical aura. Even as a quarter-elf, she retained a hint of that signature elven mystery.
"My name's Lauren. I'm not pure human either. I've got a bit of werewolf blood mixed in."
She looked almost entirely human at a glance, but Lauren was a hybrid too. Her beauty was so captivating that no one noticed any differences, and above all, she boasted a voluptuous, sensual figure.
"And last but not least, I'm Kurin! I've got a touch of other blood too, but I'm mostly human. Except..." She pointed to the small horns on her head. "I've got some demon blood in me."
Kurin, descendant of demons, had a slender build overall, but her beautiful face and decadent vibe made her irresistibly alluring.
With these four hybrid beauties joining the table, the atmosphere heated up in an instant.
"Wow, Guho, you're so cool. First time drinking with an inviter like you."
"Jaehun, passing the tutorial? That's impressive. Not just luck."
"You're so reliable. Hot. Totally my type."
Lisa kept chatting up Lee Guho, Lauren showed interest in Jo Jaehun, and Kurin openly caressed Kim Hoon's chest, making her desires clear. Claret, having already tasted a bit of Seojun earlier, was naturally eyeing him—but with Gisohee plastered to his side, she was just biding her time.
"Cheers! Let's drink!"
"Yeah!!"
Lee Guho downed his drink excitedly, and everyone at the table joined in without hesitation, the booze flowing freely.
As the party loosened up, the women slipped in subtle questions here and there.
"Whoa, a top-tier talent in magic? Inviters really are something else!"
"Jaehun got a rare-grade skill at level 5? Jealous. Even if it's non-combat, it's still rare."
"Just clearing the tutorial is huge. So cool!"
The more they talked, the brighter their eyes sparkled.
Namgung Seojun sipped his drink quietly, glancing at Claret now and then. Sensing it might be okay, she cautiously sidled up to him.
Back off! Gisohee didn't say it outright, but she shot warning looks in every way she could. Still, Claret ended up sitting on Seojun's right.
"Seojun, let me pour you one."
"Thanks."
The two began chatting, and soon Namgung Seojun was talking with Claret too.
"We're residents born in the tower. Our jobs are working the waiting areas."
"There are several waiting areas prepped, but with fewer Earth adventurers entering lately, we're only running this one."
"I've been here four years, but the others are newbies under a year."
"Honestly, for plain residents like us, sharing a drink with an inviter like you is a real treat."
Namgung Seojun laughed and chatted with Claret, naturally picking up all sorts of info about the Tower World. At the same time, he started looking forward to a steamy night with her.
As the pair's conversation flowed in a cozy vibe, jealousy ignited inside Gisohee.
I shouldn't, but...
She recalled the guide's advice.
As one woman to another: Grab a core member from your group tutorial clear. Right now.
Parties that cleared the group tutorial were top 1% elites among tower entrants. An inviter? Sky-high value.
Tower World relationships are nothing like Earth's. Don't tie yourself down.
No commitments, but get physical—that was the advice. Especially!
Even in this sex-open world, virginity has value. Give yours. It'll make the bond last. If not, at least once.
In this desperate, anxious spot, her feelings for Seojun had grown close to love. She couldn't hold back.
"Excuse me?"
Gisohee spoke to Claret, who smiled back.
"Yeah?"
"Mind giving us some space? Seojun looks uncomfortable."
Claret laughed and snuggled closer to Seojun instead.
"Nah, he seems fine to me?"
With Namgung Seojun looking totally unfazed, Gisohee finally exploded.
"Seojun's mine! Mine! I've had my eye on him forever! So back off!"
Gisohee shot up from her seat, bellowing her true feelings.
The lively table fell silent at her surprise confession. Then came the comrades' laughter.
"Kekeke, yeah, you've been burning up for him."
"Right? She staked her claim first."
"Haha, fighting, Sohee! We got you! Sorry, Claret, yield tonight."
Lee Guho, Jo Jaehun, and Kim Hoon cheered her on. Gisohee blushed.
"......"
With the party backing her and politely asking Claret to step aside, she looked disappointed.
"Killing the mood. Fine, I yield tonight."
She stood first and headed out of the shop.
After Claret left, Namgung Seojun and Gisohee went quiet, but the others revived the party, drinks continuing.
Soon, people started getting wasted.
"Ugh... tough..."
Lisa showed weakness first, staggering drunk into Lee Guho's arms naturally.
"......"
"Guho, I'm beat."
Her blatant seduction was obvious to everyone.
"Uh... yeah..."
"Take me home, Guho."
She handed him the perfect chance on a platter.
"Alright, Lisa, I'll walk you."
Lee Guho supported her out of the restaurant first.
Next, Jo Jaehun and Lauren.
"Jaehun, wanna grab one alone?"
Her direct come-on had him glancing at Namgung Seojun, who pretended not to notice—green light.
"I've got werewolf clan's traditional moonshine at my place. Let's chat over that."
Lauren tempted him practically clinging. Jo Jaehun awkwardly demurred.
"Well... I look young, but I'm over 60 back on Earth."
"You old man, so innocent? Earth age means squat in the Tower World."
Her bold advances continued, and he was a man after all.
"Then... that weird brew. One drink?"
"Yes! Let's go!"
Lauren hooked her arm in his, the pair glued together as they left.
Kim Hoon and Kurin were already kissing.
"Mmm... smack..."
When they parted, her saliva glistened on his lips. He wiped it with his sleeve.
"Vibe's shifting. We out?"
Kurin nodded with sultry, brain-melting eyes.
"Let's... watch the moon."
"Moon?"
She whispered hot breath in his ear.
"I know a perfect spot for moon-gazing. We'll... do it there. Real hot."
Her "hot" promise had his pants bulging.
"Going."
Kim Hoon took Kurin out.
Now just Namgung Seojun and Gisohee at the table.
"...."
Seojun impassively sipped his beer. Gisohee gauged him, then spoke.
"Seojun, that was..."
She wanted to explain but stammered, repeating "That... that..."
He waited for her excuse, but when none came, he spoke first.
"Sohee, I'm over 30 Earth years. No marriage, but plenty of experience. I know relationships."
"....."
"I gotta blow off steam too. Why block me?"
"'Cause... I like you, Seojun."
Her second confession. But he shook his head.
"I don't want to date you, Sohee."
Clear rejection. She was shocked but held firm.
"Why? Why? You hate me?"
No way he hated Gisohee. Not top-tier, but strikingly beautiful anywhere, with a killer waist-hip figure. Tough yet sweet—every guy would want her, not just Seojun.
"No, I don't hate you. But I don't want a responsible relationship."
Namgung Seojun just wanted to vent lust, not get serious. Waiting Area girls were no-strings fun—no responsibilities.
With Gisohee, they'd keep crossing paths. He hated the aftermath obligations.
Smart Gisohee got it instantly.
"Then treat me like the others. No strings."
"Hm? What?"
His puzzled look got a simple rundown.
"Like these girls here. No responsibility... just a nameless fuckbuddy from a club!"
Seojun chuckled. He set down his drink, took her hand, and stood.
They left the restaurant. After her plea, rejecting felt... pointless.
They reached Namgung Seojun's lodging. Before opening the door, he checked.
"That earlier promise. Still good?"
"Yes. Just a one-night fling. Enjoy me lightly."
Their eyes met. Her resolve shone through. Namgung Seojun opened the door, and they entered.