Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Caught Red-Handed
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"Urgh!"
"Hey! Why the hell did you toss that there?!"
Right from the start, someone was already nagging at the sight of an expensive grenade sailing through the air.
"No cash this round, so we gotta play it safe. Conserve ammo."
I hurriedly ducked behind a wall.
But my warning fell on deaf ears.
Sea was already charging straight into the enemy lines like a rabid dog.
The opposing team's guns all swung toward her in unison.
I wasn't about to miss that opening.
I slipped through the ventilation duct on the opposite side and flanked behind them.
A quick double-tap to their exposed backs.
Bang! Bang!
A 'Double Kill' log flashed on the screen.
"Whoa, Dojin, that backstab was chef's kiss."
"Shut up, dumbass. Focus."
"Two enemies ahead. Let's take the high ground first."
My character reloaded while sprinting toward the map's center.
But Sea had already pulled way ahead.
Her character was waiting for me atop a yellow container box.
"What're you doing? Climb the ladder!"
"On it."
My character grabbed the metal ladder and started climbing.
Sea, waiting above, began hopping in place like she was bored out of her mind.
"Urgh! Urgh!"
"...Why do you keep grunting like that?"
"It's a thing, dumbass. Hurry up and get to the entrance!"
No sooner had the words left her mouth than a massive boom erupted.
Kaboom!
An enemy grenade came flying out of nowhere and detonated right behind the drum barrel where Sea was hiding.
"Gah! Crazy! I'm down to 1 HP!"
Sea's scream pierced through the headset, rattling my eardrums.
Her health bar was flashing red on screen.
One graze and she'd be dead.
In that do-or-die moment, I spotted an enemy sniper lining up a shot on her exposed head.
"Get down!"
I cursed under my breath and leaped from the container.
The instant my character blocked her path...
Boom! A dull explosion rang out, and my character's armor gauge bottomed out.
I'd taken the bullet for her.
"Whoa, what the—my bro's a beast!"
"Grab a medkit quick! No armor left on me, so you're on point now."
"You got it! Sis is gonna carry!"
Back to full HP thanks to my sac, Sea bolted out again like a maniac.
I tossed our last smoke grenade into the entryway.
Hiss. The screen hazed over, blocking vision.
Sea didn't hesitate—her gun spat fire into the fog.
"They're all toast."
The clatter of my keyboard filled the room like a machine gun.
"Damn, they're hanging on. How's the bomb plant?"
"Planted! 40 seconds left! Hold 'em off!"
"Roger that, fuck."
Panicking, the enemy team popped their own smokes and rushed in.
We picked them off calmly from cover, racking up kill logs.
"They're breaking through! Right side! Right!"
Sea's frantic shout.
Beep, beep, beep, beep-beep-beep-beep.
The bomb's beeps accelerated.
The last guy burst from the smoke, charging to defuse.
My mouse snapped to his head.
Bang!
He crumpled, and the screen flashed white.
KA-BOOM!
Sea yanked off her headset and slumped back in her chair with a yell.
"Hell yeah, that was sick. Games are only fun with you."
She kicked my chair lightly with her foot, grinning in satisfaction.
"Those pub trolls were gonna give me cancer, but now I can breathe."
"...Yeah, hand felt good after a while."
I'll give credit where it's due.
Our breaths synced without a word.
That thrill of trusting your back to someone completely?
Only hittable with her.
But tonight's flow was extra killer for another reason.
[Graphics Settings: Ultra High]
Before we queued, I'd cranked every slider to max with shaky hands.
No lag, not even a hitch. Flick the mouse, and the view glided silk-smooth.
Chills. Zero-point-zero-zero-one-second delay. Perfect sync.
Felt like my optic nerve was hardwired to the mouse.
I used to pray through smokes back when lag was inevitable.
Now? Dopamine exploding in this beast rig.
"Ughhh..."
I stretched and checked the clock.
1 a.m.
Raced back post-class; six hours straight.
Eyes gritty.
"Hey, let's grab food."
Sea stretched, glancing my way.
"Eat what? Go home already."
"Nah. Backlog's insane. Pulling an all-nighter—deal with it."
"Sleep's a thing. Got 8 a.m. class."
"Dead people sleep."
"Fuck off."
I spun my chair to glare at her.
That insane stamina.
Chaebol heirs popping supplements like candy?
I was half-corpse already.
"Please leave, you psycho. When the hell do you study to keep those grades?"
She snorted at my genuine question.
"Business major, duh. Chaebol daughter—early ed privileges, ever heard?"
Brazen as hell.
I narrowed my eyes, sizing her up.
"Don't think you can bullshit 'cause I don't know the rich kid life."
Her pupils flickered—just a twitch.
Clear panic.
She averted her gaze, fiddling with the mouse.
"What? That face."
"W-what."
She jutted her chin, deepening her voice for show.
Acting tough, but her eyes trembled, dodging mine.
"Spill it."
Roll. I dragged my wheeled chair closer.
Knees nearly touching, she flinched and burrowed into the leather seat.
"Jeez, back off."
"Dodging like that? Got dirt?"
I was zeroing in, eyes locked—then leaned too far.
Roll. The rickety wheel spun out, chair sliding back.
"Huh?"
Balance gone, torso wobbling.
Reflexively reached for support.
Grab.
But my hand latched onto her exposed side.
Then, from her lips—an unexpected sound.
"Hnn♡!"
I froze mid-lunge.
"......"
"......"
She slapped both hands over her mouth with a gasp.
Bunny-wide eyes, cheeks flaming crimson.
Leave her like this, she'd suffocate from embarrassment.
"Shit, what was that noise?"
I scowled hard, rubbing my arm for effect.
"W-what noise!"
She fake-coughed, yelling desperately.
"That sound. Like a... bitch in heat."
"What bullshit!"
"Nah, I heard it. 'Ahn' or some shit, right?"
"You wanna die? Why would I make that noise?!"
She jumped up, smacking my back.
"Ow! That hurt. You bitch—one more and you're dead. For real."
"Whatever! Hey, starving. Let's eat first."
She pivoted topics in a panic.
Ears beet-red, but voice booming.
I just stared; she whipped her head away, hiding behind her hair.
Good enough. Let it slide.
"Nothing at home."
"Hit the convenience store for ramen, damn it."
"You go."
"No way. You go. Fingers hurt."
She flopped onto the bed like fleeing.
That gall.
Whatever—can't send her out at this hour.
I sighed, standing.
"Hot chicken?"
"Yeah. Cheese too."
Grabbed my wallet, headed to the door.
Slipped on my jacket, glanced back.
Sea had claimed the spot by my pillow, scrolling her phone.
"Hurry up. Starving to death here."
"Yeah, yeah."
Beep-boop.
Door locked behind me as I stepped into the hall.
Cool air nipped my skin.
Cleared the head-fog from that mess.
Stood before the convenience store shelves.
'...Surprisingly slim.'
Always scarfing—figured some gut.
That side I'd grazed? Way slimmer, softer than expected.
Distinct from mine. Alien feel.
"Fuck, perv much? Analyzing what?"
I shook my head sharp, picked ramen.
Meanwhile.
Silence blanketed the room.
Door click confirmed, Sea finally exhaled.
"Haa..."
Heart pounding like mad.
Thought I'd die of shame.
That unguarded side-grab was the trigger.
Still tingling where his fingers brushed.
"Crazy, Han Sea. Get a grip."
She slapped her cheeks, rolling on the bed.
"......"
She froze.
Mattress weight against her back.
Dojin's sleep-and-wake spot.
She slyly turned, eyed the pillow.
Plain gray cotton case.
But to her? Most seductive pillow ever.
Slowly.
She reached, trance-like, pulled it close.
Buried her nose.
"......"
Sniff.
Deep inhale.
No sweat or stale dude-stink.
Just cozy, faint fabric softener.
What brand?
Didn't matter.
This was Dojin's scent.
From his hair, nape—brain lit up knowing it.
"Haa... driving me nuts."
Face deep in pillow.
Lips curled uncontrollably.
Every cell buzzing electric.
Reason melting.
Shoulder warmth from gaming, casual kicks, that rough side-grab.
All sensations revived; lower belly tickled.
"So good..."
Pillow between thighs, hugged tight, she inhaled his scent deep into her lungs.
Like an addict huffing elixir.
Sniff, sniff.
A bit more.
Just a little more.
Pulled the blanket over, cocooned head to toe.
This Dojin-scented nook? Pure heaven.
"Dojin-ah... hnng."
As she rubbed her lips on the pillow, moaning softly.
Beep-boop.
Cheery digital chime shattered the quiet.
Click.
"Hey, no hot chicken so I got..."
Door swung open; Dojin entered, convenience bag in hand.
"...What the hell are you doing?"