Natural Flirting
I scratched my head at the situation unfolding right in front of me.
Haa… seriously, why is my life never this calm…
I let out a short sigh as I gazed down at Cheon Yura, her face growing paler by the second.
My conscience wouldn’t let me just walk away like this.
“Just hang in there a little longer… You’re an S-rank hunter, so you can tough it out, right?”
I slipped my hands under her armpits where she was huddled on the ground and grunted as I hauled her upright.
“Eek… up you go!”
Why is she so damn heavy…
She felt way heavier than your average adult woman.
Part of it was me being weaker now, but her body was packed solid with muscle—it was much heavier than it looked.
I gave up on carrying her and dragged her along instead, mustering every ounce of strength to finally lay her down on a nearby tree bench.
“Haa… haa… seriously… this sucks all the energy out of me…”
I roughly wiped the sweat beading on my forehead with my sleeve and steadied my ragged breathing.
Carefully, I reached out to adjust her body so she wouldn’t slide off the bench, then placed both hands on her shoulders and the nape of her neck.
Kneading Lv.2
The moment Kneading kicked in, my hands moved on their own toward Cheon Yura.
Press, press, knead.
“Euk…!”
As my palms dug into her shoulders and neck, her body—which had been twitching in agony—jerked violently.
The rigid tension in her frame began to melt away into softness.
Slap, knead knead.
“Grr…” “Ah… kueuk…”
Baek Arang’s hands moved on instinct, gently pressing into Cheon Yura’s body.
Each time they made contact, the curse energy rampaging inside her slowly dissolved.
“Just relax.”
I leaned in with more weight, getting serious about the kneading.
The first time had been tricky, but with the skill helping out, it wasn’t so bad.
I’d already done it on Kim Hyunah, after all.
How long had I been at it?
“Hua… haeut…”
The pained groans leaking from Cheon Yura’s lips had faded away.
In their place came languid, almost aroused sighs—like she’d just had the most refreshing massage ever.
Her deeply furrowed, intimidating face smoothed out, her original beauty shining through.
Her bloodshot eyelids closed peacefully, and color returned to her lips.
Now she finally looks human.
“Phew… that was rough.”
I panted heavily as I carefully lifted my hands from her body.
Just like with Kim Hyunah, kneading a person drained way more stamina than I’d expected.
My forehead and the back of my neck were soaked in sweat.
Feeling hot and stuffy, I flung the hood of my hoodie back over my head.
No one around anyway, and she didn’t look like she’d wake up anytime soon—just cool off the sweat and put it back on.
“Ugh… much better now.”
My ears perked up happily in the cool breeze.
I stretched lightly and peered down at Cheon Yura sprawled on the bench.
Drenched in cold sweat and limp, but her expression was utterly serene.
Her breathing had evened out, steady and calm.
“You were half-dead a minute ago, now you’re sleeping like a baby.”
A little worried about the cold wind hitting her sweaty skin, but she was S-rank—this wouldn’t take her down.
No sign of that vicious glare or killing intent from the Baekya Guild earlier; her face was pure peace.
Sleeping so quietly, she looked totally innocent, like a little lamb.
“Seriously, scaring people in the dead of night.”
Maybe it was the tension easing off, but a cheeky impulse bubbled up unbidden.
I poked her soft cheek with my index finger, squish.
Like testing perfectly kneaded dough, I gently worked her cheek.
Squish.
Must take good care of her skin—so soft.
“……Eut.”
With the brutal headache fully gone, her eyelashes fluttered faintly, and her eyes snapped open.
Her dazed gaze stared blankly at the sky before drifting downward.
And locked onto Baek Arang, who was playfully kneading her cheek.
“Eh…?”
I froze solid, finger still buried in her cheek.
No way, already awake?! Thought she was dying—figured she’d sleep longer!
I sucked in a breath, eyes darting frantically.
Cheon Yura blankly alternated between Baek Arang’s face and the finger gripping her cheek.
Who is this…?
Thick confusion clouded her eyes.
The relentless headache—like needles stabbing her skull—had vanished without a trace, as if it had all been a lie.
The horrific curse from that betrayal in the Tower, plus years of built-up fatigue, gone clean.
“What is this…”
Unbelieving, she slowly propped herself up.
She stared at her hands, clenching and unclenching her fists over and over.
Her whole body felt feather-light and refreshed, impossibly so.
Had she ever felt this perfectly conditioned since birth?
Snapping to, she quickly scanned every inch of her body.
Her mana circuits were perfectly stable.
“The headache… the headache… it’s gone…?”
Her gaze shifted back to Baek Arang.
The girl who’d been holding her cheek when she woke.
“Uh… um…”
I finally jolted, stumbling back two steps.
What if she yells at me for messing with her cheek…?
“Uh, um… glad you woke up safe… Th-then I’ll head out now.”
She’s up, she can handle the rest.
Time to bolt.
I waved awkwardly and spun around fast.
Tap!
“Wait.”
Cheon Yura’s hand snatched my wrist.
“Eek!” “You’re the one who saved me?”
Her voice sank low.
I broke out in cold sweats, eyes rolling every which way.
How do I explain this…? It’s a skill, but… say I did some first aid ‘cause she looked bad?
“Um… you collapsed, so before calling 119, I did a bit of emergency care…”
“So you did save me.”
“Uh yeah… pretty much.”
She stood fully from the bench.
Her grip on my wrist was firm but not painful—and she wasn’t letting go.
Cheon Yura swept her eyes over the rundown park.
Then she bowed solemnly toward me.
“Thank you.”
“Yeah? Oh… sure. Glad you’re okay. You seem fine now… mind letting go of my hand? Gotta get home.”
As I gingerly tried to pull free, she clamped both my hands tight between hers.
“Can’t just let you go. You basically saved my life.”
Her eyes burned with intensity.
“If I did, my father… no, I want to repay you. Anything I can do, within my power—I’ll make it happen.”
Her words made me blink.
Anything?
I stared at Cheon Yura, who had seized both my hands.
Money…?
Nice to have more, but I wanna earn it myself.
Power? A position? Nah, too much hassle. I just want a chill life.
So what do I even need…
As Baek Arang pondered, Cheon Yura’s gaze drifted from her face a little higher.
“Hm… what’s that?”
Her eyes shook violently as she stared silently at Baek Arang.
With the hood flung back, Baek Arang’s snowy white tiger ears were fully exposed to the night air.
Twitch. Twitch.
The ears flapping noisily every time Baek Arang furrowed her brow in thought.
Cheon Yura stared, entranced, at those ears moving atop her head.
That… what is it?… So cute…
Her tense face softened, her gaze locked hypnotically on Baek Arang’s ears.
Hm… really drawing a blank… What to even ask for? Won’t let me go if I say nothing.
No matter how I racked my brain, nothing came to mind right now.
…Ask for a bakery room? But then I’d have to manage it… too annoying.
Still no answer.
Wanting to wrap up this awkward mess quick, I carefully spoke up.
“What I want? Hm… just one thing, then.”
“Eh…? Oh… uh, go ahead.”
She told me to ask, so why’s she spacing out? See something funny?
“Just… get along with Guild Leader Cha Eunwol.”
Gonna be visiting Baekya Guild a lot anyway—hate seeing fights every time.
Neighbors should at least smile at each other.
The moment I finished, a heavy silence blanketed the park.
An utterly baffled voice leaked from Cheon Yura’s lips.
“What…?”
