11. Three Days After Meeting Hopkins for the Special Request
Three days had passed since we met with Hopkins for the special request. In that time, we'd finished all the preparations to serve as the detachment team for the special request, as we'd requested from him in advance. Cheong-ah had oiled her sword ahead of time, and Bella—ever paranoid—had bought a new greatsword just in case. As for Dina... well, her body was weapon enough, so she'd focused on food instead. Finally, I'd double-checked the magic tools stuffed in my bag.
And one more thing.
"This is left."
I pulled out a pouch that had been tossed in the corner. It was the one I'd asked Hopkins for yesterday evening and had Karen deliver. This would play a pretty important role in the special request.
After the detachment discussion wrapped up and just before leaving, I'd made a special request to Hopkins.
Opening the pouch revealed about eight fist-sized stones glowing with a translucent blue light.
"Husband. What are you doing?"
Cheong-ah, who was changing clothes in the room, approached as I opened the pouch to take out a stone. I spread it open to show her the contents.
"Ah, this is why."
"Oh my, this is..."
"Karen gave it to me yesterday. Remember? The favor I asked the branch manager for three days ago."
"The magic stones we took instead of the request payment, right?"
"Yeah, all mid-to-high grade ones."
Cheong-ah tilted her head curiously.
"But why'd you ask for magic stones?"
"You forgot? My ability. I can upgrade it with magic stones."
"Ah, so it's for strengthening your power?"
"Yeah. After hearing about this monster lord, it seems dangerous."
I reached out toward the magic stones as I answered. A translucent blue message window appeared before my eyes.
High-purity magic stones confirmed: 8
Remaining magic stones confirmed: 2
Currently usable magic stones: 10
Third target registration possible.
— Consume 3 magic stones
Conductor ability upgrade possible.
— Consume 3 magic stones
New Conductor ability acquirable.
— Consume 4 magic stones
I didn't hesitate, choosing without a second thought.
"All of them."
The moment I did, crackle—lightning flashed across my vision, and throbbing pain engulfed my entire body.
"Urk...!"
"Husband...!"
We both dropped to our knees from the agony ripping through me like lightning. Cheong-ah supported me with a worried face. The pain was so excruciating I couldn't even scream properly. It started in my head, spread to my face, then scattered through my whole body. My throat convulsed, veins bulging from the tension I didn't even realize I was holding. My eyes burned like ruptured blood vessels were about to burst.
Goddamn... this shitty ability hurts every fucking time.
"Grrraaah... fuuuuck."
But since it was my choice, I just let out a silent howl, pulling Cheong-ah's soft body tightly against me. Knowing my pain, she said nothing, just cradling my head firmly against her chest.
"It's okay, husband. You're okay..."
Her soft breasts and the gentle stroking of my hair. But the pain flooding my body left no room for that. Sweat soaked me, leaving everything clammy. It just hurt. So much.
Then, as the new message window appeared, the pain vanished completely.
Target registration limit increased by 1.
Possessed Conductor abilities upgraded.
New Conductor ability acquired.
I exhaled a breath heavy with agony. I'd been holding it without realizing, leaving me gasping.
Cheong-ah looked at me worriedly.
"Hrraaah... haah, haa..."
"Husband, are you okay now?"
"Yeah... thanks."
It was horrific pain, but when it faded, it left no aftereffects—just gone in an instant. It hurt so bad during that you'd rather die, but once it stopped, the ache vanished like it never happened.
Conductor Abilities: 3
※ Abilities and powers cannot be used on self.
※ Conductor's mental power is consumed as cost.
[Body - Sense Exchange]
[Body - Wound Healing]
[Power - Protection]
[Power - Body Enhancement] ↑ Upgraded
[Power - Body Enhancement II]
— Further strengthens target's physical abilities.
NEW [Power - Sense Enhancement]
— Sharpens and heightens target's five senses.
— In exchange, dulls Conductor's senses.
[Magic stones needed for next Conductor ability upgrade: 4]
[Magic stones needed for new Conductor ability: 5]
[Mental Power: 200 / 200] ↑ Upgraded → [300 / 300]
— Increased target slots raise max mental power.
※ Target registration requires magic stones.
└ Magic stones needed for next registration: 4
— Current registered targets: 2 people
Target Registration
— Sense Exchange
└ Ju Cheong-ah: Sense sharing
— Vision (active)
└ Bellatrix: Body sharing
— Right arm (active)
└ Additional registration: possible
[Conductor's Eye - Demon Capture]
[Mental Power Enhancement IV]
[Faint Resistance III]
[Vitality Enhancement V]
A new ability had been added, and the target registration limit increased by one. Mental power rose as a bonus for the extra slot... but honestly, the mental power cost during use wasn't something I really felt. More importantly, like when registering Bella, the magic stones needed for registration had gone up by one—and now it applied to upgrades and new abilities too. It seemed like it increased by one each time. Magic stones were easy enough to get, but the catch was that upgrades required mid-to-high grade ones... Well, did I even need to upgrade more? For now, I figured I should test the new ability. I lifted my head.
Cheong-ah's black eyes still gazed at me worriedly, holding me tight.
"Cheong-ah. I'm fine. Let go now."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I got a new ability, so can I test it on you first?"
"What kind?"
"Sense enhancement. It sharpens the five senses."
"Five senses?"
"Yeah. I can't explain it precisely. Gotta try it to know."
"Got it. Go ahead."
With her permission, I activated the ability on Cheong-ah. The instant I did, she shuddered, her face flushing red as she curled up with a scream.
"Kyaa...?!"
"Wh-what's wrong?!"
I rushed to her in alarm, but she pushed my face away with one hand, letting out soft moans.
"Nngh, ah, no. Husband. Don't come closer. Mmm... my body, it's too sensitive... nngh."
"Too sensitive? Oh..."
Five senses meant touch too, obviously. The enhanced tactile sense made her skin hypersensitive—even the brush of her clothes or my breath was overwhelming.
"This won't work in battle, huh?"
"Nngh... no, that's not it."
"Why? If your body's that sensitive, fighting would be tough, right?"
"Once I get used to it... it might even help. I could sense attacks from behind. And it's not just skin—the other senses sharpen too."
Cheong-ah barely stood, her body flushed with arousal. Her eyes gleamed with subtle pleasure, wet and glistening as she licked her dry lips. She approached slowly, taking my hand and whispering with a nasal whine.
"More than that, husband... we still have a little time before departure, so how about..."
Seductive invitation, thick with desire. I wrapped my arms around her waist.
"Cheong-ah."
"Yes, husband."
As our eyes met and lips drew close—
Thud-thud-thud. A knock at the door, followed by Bella's husky voice.
"Hey, you two lovebirds inside. How long you gonna prep? We're done already."
The mood shattered instantly. I clicked my tongue inwardly, glancing regretfully at Cheong-ah. She felt the same, tsking as she looked down, muttering so low it couldn't be heard.
"Cheong-ah, we should head out soon?"
"...Tch. Interfering like that, maybe I should ban her booze..."
"Cheong-ah?"
"No, nothing. Husband. Anyway, deactivate the sense enhancement. It could be useful once I'm used to it, but not yet."
"Ah, yeah. Got it."
I released the sense enhancement on Cheong-ah, and we headed out to join Bella and Dina, who were waiting, then made for the detachment rendezvous point we'd gotten from the branch manager in advance.