Chapter 34

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: penny

Chapter: 34

Chapter Title: Blue Bee Honey Temple

-----------------------------------------------------------------

- Flash!

Choi Si-woo opened his eyes upon arriving in [Martial Arts Earth] to find himself in a mountain at dawn, just as the sun was rising.

Lying beside him was Dang Hwa-rin, asleep and covered from head to toe in traces of him. He stared, mesmerized, at her massive breasts rising and falling with each breath.

Just gazing at that white, blissful mound filled him with happiness. Then Si-woo snapped back to reality.

'Oh right. The quest.'

Si-woo pulled the [Mid-Grade Quest Scroll] from his inventory. It was a square piece of paper that looked just like a train ticket.

He gripped it tight, and a message appeared before his eyes.

'Yes.'

- Rumble!

Something began to stir. It sounded like massive cart wheels turning, or perhaps a vast river flowing like the sea.

A single sound evoked countless sensations. Various images flashed through Si-woo's mind.

An instant passed, and all the sounds and feelings vanished like an illusion.

Si-woo pondered deeply, but nothing came to him. He shook his head and focused on the message before him.

'Debts from a past life...? Ugh...'

Just imagining it was a hassle. He dismissed it and focused on Blue Bee Mountain.

The Blue Bee Honey Temple en route to deliver Blue Bee Honey was nearby, and the mountain there was Blue Bee Mountain. The quest was to investigate ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and resolve whatever was happening on that mountain.

'What's going on up there...?'

After a moment's thought, Si-woo made his choice.

Si-woo's eyes lit up at the quest rewards. The skill was a no-brainer—obviously useful.

'Random is a bummer, but... what's the rest?'

The vague description made Si-woo narrow his eyes.

'Phenomena? Could that include awakeners' abilities?'

With Mixed Origin Qi Art, he could absorb others' energy and mimic their abilities.

But it wasn't foolproof. Complex powers could only be used up as a one-shot burn.

'Pass for now.'

'Vague explanation. Can't it specify the realm?'

As if responding to his thought, more detail appeared.

Si-woo's eyes widened.

'Peak realm.'

Peak realm masters went beyond sword qi ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to unleash sword beams. In the real world, they were the S-rank hunters.

Among the world's elite.

"Whoa..."

Tempting reward, but he calmed himself. No point getting excited over what he hadn't earned yet.

Still, picturing sword beams pouring out made his lips curl up involuntarily.

Si-woo tried to steady his mind and looked down.

Gazing at Dang Hwa-rin's massive breasts soothed him. He wanted to embrace her right then, but held back.

Whenever he'd missed her, he'd popped into [Martial Arts Earth] briefly.

Of course, they'd been intimate each time, but after two straight days, even a sturdy second-rate martial artist's stamina gave out.

Feeling guilty since then, Si-woo hadn't dared return.

But with clan matters sorted, it was time to focus here.

Si-woo gazed at the sleeping woman and recalled memories.

'The Iron Martial Workshop bastards attacked.'

Last time in [Martial Arts Earth], he'd repelled the Iron Martial Workshop's raid and been with Dang Hwa-rin.

As he reminisced about her supple flesh, she stirred awake, and their eyes met.

Dang Hwa-rin glared at him. Exhausted from two days of torment, she spoke in a hoarse, low voice.

"Ugh... You're no beast, so how much more do you need?"

"Sorry."

No words to say. From her side, it must feel like being ravaged by a wild animal nonstop. As she drank water, Si-woo spoke.

"But it felt good... Whoa!"

"What did you say?!"

Si-woo shoved a donut into her mouth. It was coated thickly in powdered sugar.

"Sorry, eat this. Hungry, right?"

He offered the donut to her, who hadn't eaten properly.

Her furrowed brows softened as her mouth began to move. The sweet taste eased the tension on her forehead.

"Mmm... So... munch— you... gulp. Ahh! What's this? No, anyway, you—!"

After a long scolding, Dang Hwa-rin sighed. When Si-woo wiped her mouth, her nagging stopped completely.

"...Got it?"

"Yeah. I'll hold back from now on."

"Hold back... Sigh... You really want to that badly?"

Who wouldn't?

Si-woo nodded, and Dang Hwa-rin pondered briefly.

"Hmm... Guess I need to figure something out... It's too much."

If she couldn't handle it alone, recruit help... He'd mention it later when she was in a good mood.

After drinking and fully waking, Dang Hwa-rin said worriedly.

"By the way, will the Iron Martial Workshop be okay?"

Si-woo thought a moment before replying.

"From their ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠perspective, that raid was reckless, right?"

"Probably? They're well-known in Honam Province, but not a true sect, so losing a first-rate martial artist must hurt."

Just as expected. Si-woo nodded.

"Let's not worry about it."

Her face filled with confusion at the absurd answer.

"Huh? Not worry?"

"Yeah. Don't they have rival factions? Like the eldest miss or something?"

"Yeah."

"If they're smart, they might see this as their chance—politically or by force."

"Hmm... Probably?"

"Let them fight it out among themselves."

Dang Hwa-rin looked impressed.

"True, they'll need someone to pin the blame on..."

Si-woo continued.

"If they come for us, we deal with them then. Anyway, ignore it until we head back to Honam Province."

Her mouth parted slightly.

"Sounds too simplistic, but not wrong."

"Rest up today, at least."

"Sigh... Fine. I'm resting fully today. Don't touch me."

Si-woo chuckled. Honestly, he'd gone too far. No proper meals for two days, dozens of times...

"Yeah. Not hungry? Let's eat something."

Dang Hwa-rin hesitated, then nodded, eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Try this."

"Looks weird. What's it called?"

Si-woo handed her a handmade burger slathered in teriyaki sauce.

"Handmade burger. Or hamburger?"

"Hamburger? Funny name."

Dang Hwa-rin didn't love all food. But she generally liked sweet flavors.

Si-woo stared intently as she opened her mouth for the burger. Her pink tongue peeked out, sharpening his focus naturally.

Feeling his gaze, her cheeks flushed.

"Why stare like that? It's embarrassing. Look away."

"You're cute."

"W-what...? Geez."

Her lips twitched upward subtly. After fumbling shyly, she bit into the burger.

Her eyes widened, cheeks puffing out.

Munch, munch.

Seeing her chew like a cute squirrel brought a warm smile to his face.

Sauce naturally smeared on her mouth—not messy, just a perfect, intriguing spot. Intentional or accident?

"Delicious!"

Stars sparkled in her eyes as he wiped her mouth. She smiled softly at the gentle touch of the handkerchief.

Si-woo took a bite of his burger too.

'Oh? This is good.'

His tongue danced with joy.

Fresh lettuce with the meat patty, tied together by rich sauce—it was flavorful.

Even Si-woo, prejudiced against instant burgers, nodded in approval. No wonder she devoured it.

Mid-meal, a thought struck him. Dang Hwa-rin was happily munching, cheeks full.

"Hwa-rin."

She looked up, still chewing.

"Hm?"

"You're second-rate, right?"

"Yeah. So?"

Si-woo waited for her to swallow.

"How'd you—or why'd you enter the tournament?"

"Uh...? Well, that is..."

He smirked at her averted gaze.

"Did you cheat, Hwa-rin?"

"C-cheat?!"

Her ears turned red.

"Hiding your realm to enter the third-rate tournament isn't cheating?"

"Ugh... S-sorry..."

She avoided his eyes, speechless. Si-woo smiled.

"It's fine. Everyone cheats sometimes, right?"

Her eyes shook with anxiety.