Former S-Rank Shin Ye-hwa
A tense air hung between the man and woman facing each other. Unlike the man's somehow relaxed expression, the woman's face was filled with suspicion and wariness. Just minutes ago, her eyes had been brimming with tears, pleading for release, but now they sharpened with a fierce edge.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"Of course I do."
Shin Ye-hwa furrowed her brows at Seong Ye-han's utterly confident attitude, deep in thought. Sleep with me, and you'll regain your original power. That was his claim in a nutshell. Of course, there were elaborations—that her rank drop was due to some kind of curse, that a side effect of his special ability removed negative status ailments through intercourse, that he was still just E-rank because he had no way to prove it properly. But it all boiled down to the same thing.
"What is this, some porno?"
"The world has all sorts of abilities. There used to be hypnotists back in the day—what's so weird about this?"
She'd heard about hypnotists. Trash doing trashy things and dying like trash. Seeing that, his claim didn't seem entirely far-fetched. But even so, doubt lingered in Shin Ye-hwa's mind. The man before her... Seong Ye-han was definitely lying to her.
First off, his claimed rank. The power he'd used to subdue her was no E-rank. The helplessness she'd felt when he pinned her down proved he had physical abilities at least on par with hers. Even demoted from S-rank, matching her current specs would make him at least B-rank.
But if Seong Ye-han were B-rank, more inconsistencies arose. This shoebox apartment, for one. It might just be another parasite's hovel by her standards, but B-rank hunters were elite human resources, treated well wherever they went. They were the veteran special forces among awakeners, with the state offering benefits to prevent overseas poaching.
She'd awakened straight into A-rank, so she didn't know B-rank life intimately, but she'd researched benefits by rank back then. Basic knowledge. By that measure, Seong Ye-han's lifestyle screamed anything but B-rank.
Plus, no hunter gear anywhere in the house. Hunters staked their lives on their jobs; gear was like a second life. Yet this room lacked even a basic weapon case or bag.
That muddied her judgment of him. What's his real goal? Too straightforward for a con artist—transparent, even. What scammer tells a stranger, "Fuck me and your problem's fixed"? Even a cult leader would get beaten for that pitch. Not after her money, either... It almost seemed like he just wanted to sleep with her. Not that that made sense.
"Need more time to think? Look, I can heal you. You just grit your teeth through it, then vouch for my ability once you're cured. I ditch E-rank life. You reclaim S-rank, film your king's return, and we go our separate ways, no hard feelings."
Shin Ye-hwa just glared silently for a long stretch, so Seong Ye-han spoke in his usual nonchalant tone.
"I lose nothing either way. Popping a former S-rank bombshell's cherry? Total win."
"Like you lose nothing, you rapist."
"Who'd believe former S-rank—current A-rank—hunter Shin Ye-hwa got raped by an E-rank nobody? In his house? No way. Your lifespan probably shot up a century already—don't tempt another."
He sure talked big after dragging a drunk her home and having his way. What pissed her off more was how logical it sounded.
"And you're the one who freaked out when I tried to leave. Plenty of witnesses."
"Filthy trash..."
"Hm. Deal's off, then? You seem shaky even for A-rank. Good luck."
He jabbed a finger at the door. Obvious provocation. But for her, it might've been cold reality.
Grind. The spark igniting in Shin Ye-hwa's chest burned away the foggy doubts. Right. She couldn't fall like this. She'd tasted freedom above the clouds. If she could reach it again, she'd do anything. Even if he was a con man. A few lays? Just trial and error. If he was fake, he'd slip up soon enough—she'd deal with him then. If true... no issue. She'd reclaim S-rank and rule from the skies again.
"If you're lying, I'll kill you for real."
No more carelessness if it was bullshit. She let killing intent leak deliberately. A shadow of her past, but the edge of the world's strongest violence lingered. A chill like a honed blade grazed Seong Ye-han's nape.
"Blessings come to those who believe."
Yet he faced her intent head-on, brimming with conviction. Impressive self-control, even for a con. More rational to think he truly believed something.
"Fine. I'll believe you."
No loss for her anyway. Shin Ye-hwa decided to trust him—a little.
***
She bit.
He'd feigned calm, but Seong Ye-han's insides had been churning. What he wanted wasn't power or money—it was Shin Ye-hwa herself. Winning someone over was one of the world's toughest feats. Especially with their rocky start.
She was locked as his main heroine in his ability. Rejection meant game over. Human nerves kicked in. Her brief killing burst had slicked his back with sweat. Good thing his words were pure truth. Any lie, and he'd have cracked.
Anyway, all roads led to Seoul. She'd accepted.
Perfect.
"Shall we start, then?"
Deals needed seals. Verbal contract or not, time to sign.
"S-start... what?"
Shin Ye-hwa, who'd radiated dominance moments ago, trembled like prey facing a hunter. The gap between them shrank. That cheap dress shirt barely concealed her premium body. Memories of savoring her all night fueled his arousal. And she felt the same weird thrill.
"Don't play dumb."
"W-wait..."
"Sign the contract if we're doing it."
"Sign...? Mmph!"
Lips met. Softly overlapping, then he suckled hers gently. They shared deep breaths, then he teased her sealed lips with his tongue until they parted.
"Hah... mmph..."
Her mouth opened. He plunged in like an explorer charting a maze, bold and thorough. Until he found the hidden treasure and drew it out.
Slurp— smack— lick—
"Hah... ah..."
Tongues tangled. Touching, rubbing, entwining—the barriers blurred into oneness. Her initial stiffness melted. He sucked her deep, released, passed saliva; she gulped it eagerly. Then she pulled him in, savoring the texture before breaking for air.
"Haa... haa..."
Talent? She adapted seamlessly, no resistance. Her reactions screamed novice, yet she mastered it too fast. Seong Ye-han marveled.
"Signing... done?"
Lips glossy and wet. Eyes dazed yet craving. Demeanor oddly meek.
"What, wanting more?"
"Trash..."
He just stared silently, so she clammed up too, sitting still. But slyly, her hands hiked the shirt, baring her body teasingly.
Cheeky vixen. That word fit her perfectly now.
"Won't lose this round."
He surrendered first—but not the war. Time to carve his shape into her. Until she begged for it. Again and again.
"Aang! Ahng! Haaang! Y-you... too dee—eep! Rou—gh!"
The tiny room filled with scorching heat once more. It lingered a good, long while.