Chapter 159
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: Omen
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"...Sigh. Can't I just take this back somehow?"
Kang Chaeyoung stared at her phone with a defeated look on her face.
She hadn't been able to hold back and had messaged Minguk first. She wanted to come across as a poised, dignified woman—or at least a cool one who didn't cling—but...
There was no helping it. No helping it at all.
"...Hoo."
With a sigh, Kang Chaeyoung's gaze drifted downward.
Lying naked on the bed, she gazed at her own body before sinking back into the soft mattress.
The king-sized bed felt unnecessarily vast today. Naturally, her hand wandered lower.
"Mm."
Her fingertips brushed the coarse texture of her pubic hair. Touching a certain spot sent a sharp jolt of pleasure through her mind. Gradually, a floating sensation began to build, like she was soaring through the sky.
But...
The large, firm hands caressing her body. The intense, sweat-drenched scent. The overwhelming power that had dominated her completely.
Her small hand could never recreate that feeling. Even tools wouldn't help—they only brought a jarring disconnect that amplified her frustration.
"I'm seriously going crazy. Is this why those depraved girls go nuts hunting monsters just for a fix?"
Kang Chaeyoung muttered through gritted teeth.
On days like today—once a month when her lust exploded unchecked—her body twisted in agony, her mind fraying at the edges.
If she hadn't known Minguk's in the first place, it wouldn't have mattered.
But the bond forged in Vietnam, melting under his touch... Chaeyoung still vividly remembered their nights together. That's why these times without him were unbearable. Utterly intolerable.
All that pent-up frustration twisted into resentment, aimed squarely at him.
"You bastard. You said you liked me, and then... You're probably rolling around with some other girl right now, aren't you?"
Chaeyoung's eyes flicked to her phone. That had to be why she hadn't heard from him.
Irritation bubbled up unbidden. Finally, she sat up from the bed. She needed intense exercise to clear her head if she wanted to endure this. Just then, her phone lit up.
"Huh?!"
Startled, Chaeyoung's hand shot toward it. Her face lit up with eager anticipation.
Confirming the message, she wore a subtle expression. Double-checking it, she firmly pressed the number 3 on speed dial.
[Huh? Kang Chaeyoung? What's up?]
The call connected, and a woman's voice answered.
"I'm taking the day off today."
[What?! Hey! Why are you telling me this now...!]
The flustered voice of Memória's raid leader came through the receiver. Chaeyoung let the woman's complaints wash over her with one ear while opening her mouth again.
"Something important came up. This is about my future."
[What the hell? You crazy bitch?! How am I supposed to handle the schedule? Why bail now of all times!!!]
Hyun-ah wore an awkward expression as she looked at the woman before her.
Hero of Korea, number one dealer ranker, Memória's nuclear bomb—various nicknames and titles for the woman flashed through her mind.
To most heroes active in the country, she was a senior: Kang Chaeyoung of Memória. And now, Korea's top hero fixed her gaze on Hyun-ah.
"So, what you're saying is you've been living with Hero Han Minguk?"
"Yes. Since graduating from Hero Academy... It's been about two years now."
"Hmm."
At Hyun-ah's response, Chaeyoung's cheek twitched faintly.
Why hadn't Minguk mentioned this to her? Or maybe there was no need to? It irked her for no good reason.
"So how did you know about my relationship with Minguk?"
A strange energy flickered in Chaeyoung's eyes.
Seeing her slightly annoyed reaction, Hyun-ah quickly spoke up. She knew exactly what this attitude meant—it was a classic response from her female classmates at Hero Academy.
"Minguk told me in Vietnam. And anyone in our raid party knows you two are close seniors. You helped us out before, right?"
"R-Really? Minguk said that?"
The energy in Chaeyoung's eyes vanished in a hurry. They sparkled brightly now.
"What else did he say?"
"That you're a hero with outstanding skills?"
"And?"
"Pretty and beautiful?"
"Why didn't that guy tell me that stuff directly..."
Chaeyoung's cheeks flushed as she waved her hand dismissively. Hyun-ah sighed inwardly at her reaction.
Even a half-made-up compliment got such a strong response. She was clearly into Minguk. Or was that just natural?
'Is bringing this woman in really the right move?'
But considering Chaeyoung wasn't in Rose Shield but Memória clan, her packed raid schedule, her age, and various other factors—she ticked every box for the partner Hyun-ah wanted.
'It might make things a bit cozier between Chaeyoung and Minguk...'
She could tolerate that much.
They weren't in the same clan or raid party, so they wouldn't meet excessively often. If things got too close, she could interfere—or head out on a long expedition.
Expositions spread like phenomena, pulling Chaeyoung and Minguk apart while she, in the same raid, stayed by his side forever.
For her condition management and future plans, she absolutely needed a woman to partner with Minguk.
"So, about what I mentioned, Senior."
"Yeah. You want us to live together, right?"
Chaeyoung replied leisurely, crossing her legs. Her eyes turned to Hyun-ah.
"But wouldn't it be uncomfortable for you if I moved in?"
"No? I'm fine with it. It's an honor to live with you. I can hear vivid stories from your battles against the Hordes of Darkness. And honestly, I'm making this proposal for my own sake too."
"What do you mean?"
"...Nights are too tough."
At Hyun-ah's frank words, Chaeyoung flinched and stared at her.
It sounded like overflowing blessings, sparking pointless jealousy. But reconsidering, she wondered just how tough it must be to confess this.
'Well...'
Thinking of Minguk's insane stamina and skills, it made sense.
He was beastly beyond normal men or even male heroes.
And after just a few meetings, he'd groped her ass like she was nothing—remembering his habits and animalistic lust made her frown.
With that kind of drive, yet no contact since returning home...
After a moment, Chaeyoung spoke calmly.
"So, when should I move in?"
Hyun-ah's eyebrow arched smoothly. Success.
"Anytime. But... the place isn't that big. About 2,300 square feet? That's it."
"Doesn't matter. I sleep in dungeons fine—as long as I can rest properly."
"As expected of you, Senior."
"Plus, I don't have much luggage. But I have Memória contracts, so I'll wrap things up within a week and contact you."
Hyun-ah nodded at Chaeyoung's words.
With the big matter settled, the conversation shifted. Hero topics dominated: dungeons, schedules.
"You guys are starting 【A】-rank clears now, right?"
"Huh? Oh, you haven't heard. We cleared 【A-9】 dungeon the day before yesterday."
"...Fast. Minguk's leading is definitely special."
Recalling Minguk's command, Chaeyoung's pink lips curved slightly.
Talent, maybe? No rookie fresh from Hero Academy could lead like that.
"At this rate, wonder if the war with the Darkness will end before we know it?"
Team GGW's explosive growth drew attention domestically and abroad.
Countless heroes had risen and fallen in the long war against the dark monsters. None matched Minguk's impact.
Chaeyoung's gaze shifted to Hyun-ah as she muttered.
"Ah, of course, your skills let Minguk shine too."
No matter how great the raid leader, it was the team that executed. Without skilled heroes, raids failed.
In that regard, Rose Shield's Team GGW gathered only top prospects with solid foundations.
"Oh, how's Tanya?"
Recalling GGW members, Chaeyoung asked with a smile.
Tanya Russ, the sub-tank on loan to Rose Shield from Memória.
"She's amazing, as expected from Russia's rising star. I learn a ton watching her in trials. Minguk relies on her a lot too."
"Doing well, then."
Chaeyoung nodded.
Tanya was Russia's super prospect. Given their hero power, it was weirder if she wasn't.
The two women chatted lightly, closing the distance for their shared future. They had to—any friction in living together meant one would leave Minguk's side.
"...What?"
"Yeah, that's how it went. Hold on. Let me change out of these clothes."
Minguk, watching raid videos on his tablet, widened his eyes at Hyun-ah's words upon her return from errands.
He'd nodded absentmindedly when she mentioned needing another housemate. But... something incomprehensible had happened.
"Kang Chaeyoung is moving into this house? Why?"
There was plenty of space; no inconvenience. But Chaeyoung was Memória, not Rose Shield. No reason to live here.
Besides...
'Were Hyun-ah and Chaeyoung close?'
Minguk shook his head after pondering. He recalled her speaking admiringly, but never private chats.
"Why her? Wouldn't Yuna or Jeong Yerin be more comfortable? Learning raid experience from Chaeyoung while living together?"
Various guesses, no certainties.
Hyun-ah reappeared, changed into casuals.
"Why Kang Chaeyoung out of everyone?"
Hyun-ah blinked a couple times at his question, as if she'd anticipated it.
"Someone I respect? And you're close too. You don't think I know what happened in Vietnam, right?"
"...No way."
"Anyway, I asked, and she was thrilled. And what's with 'Kang Chaeyoung'? It's Senior Chaeyoung."
"Uh, yeah. But won't her clan complain? She's Memória."
"It's not a dorm—what's the issue?"
Minguk nodded unwittingly at her casual response.
Still, it felt off. A new person entering their two-person home.
But Chaeyoung—the hero he'd shared passionate times with in Vietnam. Recalling that didn't feel bad.
"You okay with it? Not uncomfortable?"
Hyun-ah paused at his sudden question. And then—
Dungeon break of 【A-7】 difficulty confirmed near Qingdao City, Hebei Province, China. Expansion phenomenon currently in progress.
Their phones buzzed violently in unison. Minguk and Hyun-ah's eyes met, then darted to their screens.
The two's faces drained of color upon reading the message. A dungeon break.