3. The First Request...
After wrapping up what was billed as "training" but felt more like outright torture, I dragged myself back to our room that evening. Somehow managing to wash off the grime, I collapsed face-first onto the bed.
"Ugh, shit..."
I started to curse, but then I remembered Cheong-ah's nagging whenever I'd let one slip—how she always disapproved. So I swallowed it down. Damn it. Can't even swear in peace. My whole body throbbed. My legs were jelly, my arms trembling like they were about to give out. It felt like death. And this was just the first day, where they'd supposedly only made me run. So why the hell were my arms shaking too...?
Exhaustion dragged my eyelids shut as I tried to sleep, but Cheong-ah's voice shook me awake.
"Darling. Darling? Wake up."
"Ugh... uuuuh..."
Letting out a zombie-like groan from what felt like my deathbed, I barely pried open my heavy eyelids. There she was, carrying a tray with some food. Probably brought it for me to eat. It smelled pretty appetizing, sure, but after that torture session, my stomach was completely turned. The last thing I wanted was anything in my mouth. I was about to refuse when she propped me up forcibly.
"I just... can't eat right now..."
"You still have to, darling. Haven't you heard? 'Eating is part of training too.'"
"...Never."
...I'd heard something similar, sure. Back in my old world, some singer-turned-variety-star who'd gotten fit through endless workouts said eating was part of the exercise. Close enough.
I just sat there, not taking the bowl she offered. With a sigh of good grief, Cheong-ah plopped down beside me and scooped up some food with a spoon.
"Anyway, you need to eat. Here—ahh."
It was a thick broth with a hefty chunk of meat floating in it. Meat stew, huh...? Must've cost a pretty penny. But I had zero appetite. Still... her feeding me by hand like this? How could I say no?
I parted my reluctant lips.
"Aaah..."
The sturdy wooden spoon slid in, followed by savory, salty broth that moistened my parched mouth. Then the meat filled it up.
"How is it, darling?"
"Uh, it's good."
"Right? Good thing. I figured you liked meat, so I got something with plenty."
"...Thanks."
Her thoughtfulness hit me hard. One bite, two. I swallowed the meat and broth she fed me. Despite my whining earlier, somehow I polished off the whole tray.
"Haa... I'm stuffed."
"My, you ate it all in the end."
"Yeah."
"Good. Now lie back comfortably."
"Yeeeah..."
I did as she said, sinking into the bed. Then Cheong-ah rested her head on my arm and snuggled in. Her unique, pleasant body scent wafted over me. Belly full, back warm against her, bed soft, and that lovely fragrance beside me. My eyes naturally drifted shut.
"Darling."
"Mm."
"Sleep well."
"Yeah."
"Then I'll take my share for today."
Take...? What? My mind was too foggy to care what she meant. Whatever. If she needed it...
"Yeah, take whatever."
"Thanks as always, darling."
After that, my pants came off from the waist down, a brief chill hitting my lower half. Then her hand on my cock drew the blood there, making it stiffen. A pleasant tightness and warmth enveloped it for a moment. Slurp—smack—pop. Lick—lick.
That night, I dreamed of Cheong-ah squeezing me off blissfully.
"Huff... huff... huff."
Time flew by. For three straight months, Cheong-ah and I hit the guild daily, knocking out flash requests in record time before heading back for more training. My body, which had been wrecked after that first day running with her, could now handle it with a grin.
But still.
"...It's still brutal, huh?"
Why did this training feel so damn grueling every single day? I muttered in confusion, and Cheong-ah, running beside me, laughed.
"But compared to when you couldn't even talk at the start, you've improved tons."
"Well... yeah."
I didn't feel the gains day-to-day, but compared to the beginning? Massive difference. Not that I was some powerhouse now. In a world where even goblins had mana... a mana-less meatbag like me still struggled against them. The silver lining? After all that hellish training, I could handle up to three low-grade monsters now—the ones with barely any mana storage. Considering I'd flailed against a single goblin not long ago, that was huge progress.
"Anyway, tomorrow we can finally rank up."
"Yeah."
Tomorrow marked three months since Cheong-ah joined the guild. Knowing her, she'd gun straight for a high rank test.
"Straight to Platinum?"
"Yep. Dribbling up step-by-step isn't my style. Pull the iron horns off while it's hot."
"Right..."
I replied, but bitterness welled up inside. Blame the nickname I'd picked up at the guild lately.
Pillar Husband.
It stuck after three months of Cheong-ah's overwhelming prowess shining through—even on lowly Iron Badge gigs, she cleared them in seconds. It started when some adventurer spotted me tagging along on a request with her.
Incompetent. Trash-tier. Worthless scum. And now, Pillar Husband.
I hadn't expected glamorous adventures after three years of grinding, but Pillar Husband? Sure, it beat "incompetent eternal Iron trash," but those jealous glares from male adventurers and disgusted looks from the women whenever I showed up? Brutal. Thinking about it choked me with frustration, a deep sigh escaping.
"Haa..."
"What's wrong, darling?"
Cheong-ah, running beside me, asked worriedly. She knew the nickname was partly her fault and felt guilty, so I smoothed my expression.
"Nah, nothing. Just worried about you jumping straight into the Platinum test tomorrow."
"Hmm? Really? No need, darling—you know my skills better than anyone."
"Well, yeah..."
"Once I'm Platinum, we'll get higher quests... more money. I'll take good care of you then."
"Thanks."
...Making the Pillar Husband label even stickier. More envy, more scorn headed my way. I shook my head.
"More importantly, anything I can do today? I wanna help as much as possible."
"Hmm... well..."
"Well...?"
She paused thoughtfully at my words. I stopped too, and she whispered in my ear, eyes half-lidded and sultry.
"...Can I look forward to tonight?"
That? Easy.
"I'll make it so you can't take the test tomorrow."
"Oh my..."
She curled her lips in a faint smile, slowly licking her upper lip.
The next morning—a bit late. Leaving Ian, who'd crashed hard after last night's efforts, Cheong-ah headed to the guild alone to apply for the Platinum Badge test.
But it was denied.
"...Pardon?"
"Sorry, Cheong-ah. You can't take the Platinum test."
Karen, the receptionist, bowed apologetically as Cheong-ah blinked in shock. Her calm explanation followed.
"You've only been Iron Badge for three months. We know you're exceptional, but Platinum requires solid verification."
"Eh..."
It made sense on a moment's thought. The Adventurer's Guild wasn't some neighborhood club—it was a continent-spanning giant. They wouldn't hand out crucial ranks like Platinum willy-nilly. Verified skills and guaranteed identity: those were the basics.
"S-So... what's the highest I can go...?"
"Well..."
Karen rifled through papers, then stood.
"No proper records here. I'll be right back."
She climbed the stairs to the upper office. Soon after, she returned.
"Sorry for the wait, Cheong-ah."
"No, it's fine. So?"
"Well..."
Karen hesitated, then pointed upstairs.
"Our branch manager wants to meet you and Ian first."