6. Dungeon Agales
Ultimately, the conquest of Dungeon Agales got pushed back by a day.
It wasn't due to any major crisis. After restoring Ju Cheong-ah and Bellatrix von Pernalid, I'd passed out from shouldering the aftereffects of all the wounds they'd inflicted on each other in their brawl.
Well, to be precise, the real reason I blacked out was that Bella clocked me right in the face the moment I came to.
Thanks to that, here I was with both eyes swollen black and blue, a handkerchief Cheong-ah had soaked in cold water draped over them. Still, my mood wasn't half bad—probably because I was using Cheong-ah's lap as a pillow. Her soft thighs made for the perfect knee pillow, always a delight, the absolute best.
"Feeling better now, my lord?"
Cheong-ah gently stroked my forehead with her palm.
"Yeah, much better. Though, Cheong-ah... your hand's kinda cold?"
"Oh... Is it uncomfortable? Should I move it?"
"Nah, the chill feels good. Keep it there."
"As you wish, my lord."
Bella, who'd been peeking at me from the side, hemmed and hawed before mumbling awkwardly.
"Hey, uh... sorry about that, you idiot. I didn't think it'd hurt that bad. Who'd guess you'd take all the pain yourself and heal us in a flash? No wonder the buffs felt so damn good. Never imagined a penalty like that. You're pretty impressive, y'know?"
"Forget it—you already apologized. I forgive you."
"Ahem, still feels shitty though."
"No need to worry; I'm not gonna cut off your arm over it."
Only then did Bella relax, scratching the back of her head. She flashed her new arm—gleaming with a black metallic sheen—and grinned.
"Oh, good. Whew, I thought you might get pissed and cancel the contract right away... Haha. Truth is, I love this thing. Makes me wanna smack the cheek that tried to refuse it yesterday."
God, what a material girl... But I didn't resent her or get annoyed. For all her rough talk, her actions screamed her true feelings. If she really thought I'd yank the buffs, she'd have bolted the second I accepted her apology. Instead, even now, she kept checking on me—watching for any sign of pain or discomfort.
Her gruff way of speaking was annoying as hell, but her behavior was cute enough to cancel it out. Physically, though... not so much.
...Maybe I should tease her a bit.
A mischievous urge bubbled up. I smirked.
"Don't worry, won't happen. I'm generous with my women."
Bella's face flushed crimson as she screeched.
"Y-your woman...? Who the fuck said I'm yours, you psycho?!"
"You and Cheong-ah?"
"Bullshit! Who decided that, you asshole?!"
She glared daggers, spewing curses for a good while, but eventually realized it was just hurting her own throat. With a huff, she shot to her feet.
"Anyway! While you rest today, I'll handle food and everything. Ian, you just chill. Cheong-ah, you... do whatever."
"...You do the same."
"Hmph, bitch."
Bella stormed out of the tent, and Cheong-ah shot me a loaded look. She stroked my forehead repeatedly, lips parting and closing, biting her lip in hesitation over and over.
Finally, she seemed to steel herself.
"My lord."
"Yeah? What?"
"You refused at first... but you ended up doing it anyway."
"Huh? Oh, uh... yeah. I did."
"I see."
I fumbled for a response, eyes closed under the cold compress, mind racing. Cheong-ah spoke first.
"I'm not blaming you, my lord. I asked you to."
"Cheong-ah, I'm sor—"
"No."
Her voice carried a hint of wetness, flooding me with guilt. Should I apologize? As I opened my mouth, her hand caressed my cheek, slipping a finger between my lips.
"I'm not asking for an apology. I suggested it first, and you just went along. But... my heart aches strangely. Why is that?"
Drip. A droplet pattered onto the handkerchief.
In that instant, something soft pressed against my lips. I couldn't see through the cloth, but I knew instinctively—it was Cheong-ah's mouth.
We stayed like that, lips touching, unmoving. Not our usual deep, sultry kiss—just pure contact.
"Hey, lovebirds! Lunch is— ...Uh. Er. Hope the stew's boiling okay?"
Bella swept the tent flap open, announcing the meal, then awkwardly backed out. Cheong-ah peeled away, carefully lifting the handkerchief from my eyes.
Our gazes met. Smiles tugged at our lips in unison.
"Cheong-ah, shall we head out? Sounds like food's ready."
"Yes, my lord."
Still unsteady, I leaned on her support to exit the tent. Sitting by the campfire, Bella soon approached with steaming stew ladled into bowls from the pot.
Her cheeks were pink, expression sheepish, eyes deliberately avoiding ours as she thrust the bowls forward.
"Here."
"Thanks."
"Thank you."
As we took them with thanks, she spun away, muttering under her breath.
"Hey, uh... I didn't see shit, so... don't get all awkward on me."
I scooped stew with my right arm—the one sharing senses with her, still at half strength and feeling off—barely mustering the effort.
"See what? We didn't do anything wrong. Right, Cheong-ah?"
"Beats me."
"You fuckers. Trying to be nice, and you both gang up... Fine, you jerks!"
Bella grumbled irritably, ladled her own stew, and plopped into a chair opposite me—body twisted ninety degrees away. She shoveled it in vigorously.
"She's kinda cute when you watch her."
"I think so too."
Cheong-ah and I chuckled softly at her antics, eating quietly. I'd been too busy teasing to notice, but damn, it was good. For someone who looked so rough, far from the cooking type.
"Hey, Bella."
"What?"
Her surly reply oozed "I'm pissed" from every pore. I couldn't help a snicker, then added soothingly,
"Not bad at all. Tasty?"
She side-eyed me, chin lifting proudly as she angled subtly toward me, shoulders shrugging smugly.
"Yeah? Figured. I've got some mercenary chops, y'know? Picked it up glancing at the guys cooking."
"Impressive for side-eye learning."
"Heh... brat. Nice compliment, even if it doesn't suit me. Feels good. Gimme more."
"In your dreams, bitch."
"Dick."
After that profane meal, we retired to our tents for the night, set on entering the dungeon tomorrow.
To extend Sensory Sharing for 24 hours:
1. Swallow Ian's semen
2. Kiss Ian
Choose within 10 minutes or ability expires.
§ The next morning.
Before tearing the scroll to re-enter the dungeon, Bella spat curses with a dissatisfied scowl.
"Ugh, fuck... What kinda perverted-ass ability is this?"
No big reason. Last night, after the limit on my ability expired, the same notification window that had popped up for me and Cheong-ah before appeared for her too.
Her choices: Swallow my semen to extend another day... or kiss me this morning.
Regrettably, she hadn't picked the semen option.
So, kiss it was. That's why her face was beet red, fuming over locking lips with me again.
"If you hate kissing, there's always the other way."
"Fuck... even so, you expect me to swallow your cum? You think I'm a whore, you perv?!"
"Whoa, harsh words."
"Harsh my ass... This sensory sharing or whatever. Anyway, no way I'm drinking cum."
"Then kiss every time to activate."
"Sigh... Fine. Kissing's better. Not cum."
Cheong-ah tilted her head curiously at Bella's resigned sigh.
"Why? It's not bad. A bit annoying daily, but... my lord likes it. Feels rewarding."
"Rewarding my ass. Like it's your job."
"It is my job. I'm sharing senses too, y'know?"
"...Huh? You too, Cheong-ah?"
"Pardon? Yeah. You didn't know?"
Their eyes snapped to me.
"My lord..."
"Ian, you fucking—"
I scratched my head sheepishly.
"Haha, must've slipped my mind."
Hey, shit happens.
After the brief commotion, we dove back into the dungeon.