[No title provided]
Finally freed from Lee Seo-yeon's embrace after what felt like forever, Yoo Seol-ah took a moment to catch her breath. The height difference always meant she ended up buried in those ample breasts whenever they hugged, and it seemed like it actually restricted her breathing a bit this time. Yet there she was, wearing a happy smile—which made me think maybe an appreciation for boobs transcends gender.
Once Lee Seo-yeon settled back on the sofa, Yoo Seol-ah mulled over my story for a second, tilting her head curiously.
"But... is that Klein guy pretty strong?"
"Strong? He's the strongest out of anyone I know."
"...Yeah, I figured. He kinda gave off final boss vibes just from the way he talked."
Yoo Seol-ah nodded like she'd expected as much.
Back when I was first kidnapped to Astasia and knew nothing, I had no real sense of just how powerful Klein was. He just seemed pretty strong, I guess. But after serving as his stress-relief punching bag and rapidly growing stronger myself, I got a true feel for the terrifying skill hidden behind his casual speech and expressions.
The first time my wooden dagger grazed Klein's body? Exactly 34 days after my kidnapping. I'd poured everything I had into it, yet it barely brushed him—a speck of contact that left me utterly dejected. Klein let out a sigh that looked almost sorrowful.
'...How the hell are we supposed to beat the Demon King like this...?'
'Nah... that's not why I sighed.'
Of course, back then I thought he was disappointed in my slow progress. The truth was a bit different. I later realized that sigh came from someone confronting the gap in raw talent.
By the time I'd defeated Demon King Magnus, I was definitely stronger than Klein. Our party had overwhelmed him from the start with sheer overpowered might. Combat power isn't something you can quantify easily, but Klein was more than qualified to stand among Astasia's elite, rivaling Magnus himself. The fact that I'd reached even the tip of his toes in just a month spoke volumes about my own talent.
My very first real battle left me baffled. This was supposed to be a pretty tough monster, right? Yet I handled it effortlessly on my debut. When your sparring partner is Demon King-level, regular foes just don't satisfy.
"He must be a good teacher, though? Klein's gotta be super talented himself. I hear geniuses often suck at teaching others..."
"He's great at it."
Klein did have overwhelming talent. There was just someone even stronger above him. And thanks to his personality, he didn't bother hiding his frustrations.
'Lately it feels like he's hitting me harder on purpose.'
'No way.'
'...Do I still look like the guy from a few months ago? Don't brush me off like that.'
'...This is why I hate smart kids. While I'm grinding away year after year, they get it in months. Makes my blood boil.'
'You summoned me yourself—shouldn't you teach me properly? Why so petty?'
'That's one thing, but this kind of special training is rare. Don't you have that saying about appreciating your master's grace?'
'We don't count jealous masters as real masters.'
And then he beat the crap out of me under the guise of more "training."
Suddenly my body ached like hell, so I stretched a bit. That's when Yoo Seol-ah tossed out another question.
"But if it's an assassin guild, there must be other people there, right?"
"Yeah, but they mostly just drop by for drinks now and then. Never saw them team up or anything guild-like."
I got along decently with a couple—like Luke, or Elle. We'd shared drinks.
Yoo Seol-ah's face suddenly clouded with unease.
"...Were there any women there...?"
Her voice trembled noticeably. It screamed jealousy, but she clearly had to know.
"Yeah. Elle."
No point lying, so I answered straight.
"...R-Really."
Why worry about it now? But considering it all happened before we met, her anxiety made a little sense.
Seeing her struggle to stay composed sparked my mischief.
"We were pretty close. Drank together a few times."
"......"
Normally she'd clock that I was baiting her, but her eyes shook wildly—no room for rational thought.
"...Was she pretty...?"
"Yeah, she was."
Elle really was stunning. The scar on her face even suited her somehow.
Yoo Seol-ah tried playing it cool but finally pouted.
"...If she's that pretty, then g-go back and see her or whatever..."
But no matter how pretty, she couldn't hold a candle to Yoo Seol-ah. Plus, I couldn't return to Astasia anyway. And there was one big issue on top of that.
"Elle's married. Doesn't count."
"......"
As Klein said, our "assassin guild" was more like a mercenary hangout. We used killing intent for combat and kept things secretive, but we didn't actually assassinate anyone. It had deep traditions and took real hits back in the day, but times change. Plenty of members were married—like Luke and Elle, a real couple. I'd even drunk with them sandwiched in between.
Elle handled poisons freely and supplied the tavern with potent brews—some literally poisonous. Klein fed me one during training once.
Memories flooding back. Hope they're doing well.
Unlike my nostalgic mood, Yoo Seol-ah's face flushed red fast.
Then she started smacking my thigh.
Smack—
"Then...!"
Smack-smack—
"You should've said so...!"
Boom—
"Earlier...!"
...Boom? I'd teased too openly, and a fuming Yoo Seol-ah didn't hesitate with magic. Her palm swing sounded like a sonic boom...
I raised my killing intent to counter her spell. Similar forces clashed and fizzled out instantly. She knew her swing was too slow to land, but she still huffed indignantly.
Lee Seo-yeon stifled laughs beside her, but if I cracked up too, round two would start. Time to yield.
"I told you I wasn't thinking about dating before I met you."
"......"
She knew that already. Yoo Seol-ah went quiet, her face a mix of pout and something else, then grumbled.
"...You always poke the wound and then soothe it. Think that'll work?"
Busted? Guess even the great Yoo Seol-ah catches on after a few repeats.
As I pondered my next move, quietly giggling Lee Seo-yeon chimed in slyly.
"Baek Sion, just hug her later and she'll melt."
"W-What are you saying, Seo-yeon...!"
Yoo Seol-ah shot me a glare, then whipped around 180 degrees to yap at Lee Seo-yeon instead. Lee Seo-yeon looked a tad embarrassed now.
"I was just kidding... You don't actually mean that, right?"
"......Of course not...!"
That subtle pause before answering? I wasn't the only one who noticed.
Grinning mischievously at first, Lee Seo-yeon suddenly looked bittersweet, like something hit her.
"...Fine, then do it when you're alone."
"I won't...! Stop pushing!"
The four of us in the club room wore wildly different expressions. Yoo Seol-ah fighting her embarrassment, Lee Seo-yeon seeming wistful. I managed an awkward smile.
Silence fell, then a voice from the back.
"Sion, later sort a rough summary of those assassin guild folks and send it over."
"...Got it."
Even Doyun-hyung, the pure dev who'd been chuckling at our antics the whole time.
Lee Seo-yeon sighed deeply at his vibe.
...This is partly your fault too, you know, Seo-yeon.
"The cat carrier and... yes, everything's ready. Call me if you have questions, or ask Seo-yeon here—she knows most of it."
"Yeah, ask me. I know pretty much everything."
"Cool, thanks, Seo-yeon."
After wrapping up our surprisingly productive club session, we headed to pick up Shabu as planned. While chatting with the director, Shabu sat calmly between me and Yoo Seol-ah, tail swishing slowly.
Yoo Seol-ah knelt by the open carrier and cooed.
"...Will you go in?"
For such a free-spirited cat, words alone seemed iffy, but she and Shabu had some unspoken bond—he hopped in obediently and settled.
"Baek Sion, come help a sec. Gotta grab food and litter too."
"On it."
Leaving Yoo Seol-ah petting Shabu, I followed Lee Seo-yeon to a storage area.
"One box each for now. You good?"
"Yeah."
"Go on ahead. I'll help here a bit longer."
This was nothing. I grabbed two medium boxes and headed back. Yoo Seol-ah's usual sharp gaze was gone—her face totally relaxed as she murmured.
"Shabu-ya, do I look good with unnie and oppa?"
Nyaang...
Too cat-focused to notice me? If she knew I was here, she couldn't say that with a straight face.
I watched silently from afar. Yoo Seol-ah beamed.
"...How about calling us mom and dad instead...?"
Nyaong.
Shabu shook his head, whether he understood or not.
"...Too soon, huh...?"
Nyong.
Seeing her slight disappointment, I accidentally made a noise.
Yoo Seol-ah jumped and whipped toward me.
"...W-When did you get here?"
"Just now. What're you up to?"
"N-Nothing, just talking to Shabu..."
"You two communicate pretty well, huh?"
"Y-Yeah..."
She desperately bridged the convo, eyes gauging if I was really just arriving. That anxious look prompted my calm reply.
"Previewing is important too."
"...You heard e-everything...!"
One day we'll really be called that. As her embarrassment maxed and a punch primed, I called for backup.
"...Shabu, stop her quick."
Nyawoong...
Did he really understand? Shabu kneaded her leg, pinning her in place. Crisis averted.
Thanks, Shabu.