42. Noona is acting weird today
42. Noona is acting weird today
After explaining the day's plan to the Guild Master, I came down the stairs.
The Orc Hero's corpse and the rewards are apparently combined and given out together.
As soon as I arrived on the first floor, everyone's gazes focused on me.
I thought I wasn't the type to enjoy others' attention.
-Did you hear? That guy's a rider from the 210s...
-That's Arin-nim's husband. Weren't you there that time?
-The Orc Hero...
-Orc Hero on the 10th floor? Bullshit.
Seeing people whispering about me made me feel needlessly excited.
Gazes full of envy created a sense of superiority, and jealous stares bred arrogance.
The feeling of being recognized in this unfamiliar otherworld, the pride of accomplishing something with my own hands.
I shook my head and pulled myself together.
Hadn't I seen someone who tried to show off to Master-nim recently and ended up getting burned badly?
Now I understood why they were so full of themselves.
They must've lost their minds after basking in those gazes for so long.
'I'm still just a 10th-floor scrub. I'm still just a 10th-floor scrub.'
Better to live humbly than to go around bragging and making enemies everywhere.
It's a truly easy life. That's how the director taught me from the start...
With an embarrassed expression, I gave an awkward smile and left the Guild.
Now I just needed to get my skill appraised at the church and head home.
My steps were incredibly light. Praise really does make people feel this good.
This Labyrinth City felt happier than my tough original world.
It's complicated. I definitely planned to return to my original world... but now I have someone incredibly precious.
Seems like I've gotten tangled up with forces trying to disrupt this life.
Thinking of that precious person brings worries trailing after.
"Guess I should hurry home and finish up training."
Better to give it my all right now than make excuses later about how I had no choice.
With that, I ran toward the church.
The appraisal process was incredibly smooth.
With the kind priest's guidance, I paid, waited a few minutes, and bam!
[Congratulations! You've obtained a high-quality essence!]
Even the same essence is stronger when it comes from higher-level monsters, apparently.
For me, does it show as levels?
I looked at the 'Hardening' essence in my hand.
The ability lets you harden any part of your body.
'Tsk... how can I mix this with my bug and make use of it?'
Before eating it, I planned to check with Master-nim first.
And so, when I got home...
"Baby!♥ Come here quick and take a look at this!"
"Master-nim?"
Master-nim was stacking several boxes neatly on the floor.
"Hehe, they're all usable... With this much... I can make some amazing elixirs."
"Master-nim? What's all this?"
Master-nim put her hands on her hips with a snap and said proudly.
"Brought it from the Duchy for you, my baby. And I got my apology too!"
I couldn't even imagine the Gongnyeo apologizing.
"An apology? From the Gongnyeo?"
"Yeah, next time we meet, she'll apologize to you separately too. And..."
Master-nim put a hand to her chin and furrowed her brow.
"Becoming a Raid Member... you might need to rethink that."
"Because she's too deeply entangled in the danger?"
"Yeah, the Duchy was in an uproar today too. Tsk tsk..."
I thought it over carefully.
"...Master-nim, I think becoming a Raid Member is the better choice."
Master-nim widened her eyes and asked why.
"Why's that?"
"They already know information about me. Since I'm already tangled up, better to get their support."
The pink-hair already knew about me.
She either figured it out herself or used some method.
I've already disrupted their plans.
In that case, having the Duchy's protection would be a bit better.
Even if it means getting more deeply involved, more backing is always good.
I've realized how important it is to have someone pushing and pulling for you.
Master-nim furrowed her brow for a moment, then nodded.
"You're right... I hadn't thought of that. Better to bleed them dry instead."
"N-No, not bleed them dry... haha."
"Go ahead and bleed them dry as you like. They've got plenty of money."
A pretty sharp assessment.
Master-nim quickly changed her expression, gently stroked my back, and boasted.
"Hehe, you're better than me. As expected of my disciple. Anyway, take a look at these! This one's an herb that went out of production ages ago..."
Master-nim wagging her tail excitedly as she explained.
She's so lovable...
"Nggh... It'd be nice if there was one more herb with strong yin energy... I-I'll get some soon."
'Yin energy?'
I suddenly remembered the blue flower in my Inventory.
I pulled it right out and offered it.
"Would this blue flower help by any chance?"
"Oh? It's Belladonna, the flower from the Western Continent infused with yin energy. This should be plenty! But where'd you get it?"
I gave a simple, condensed explanation.
"Got it from the Duchy."
"...Well, it's usable enough."
Is this luck stat? A flower I forgot about ends up being this useful.
Master-nim grabbed my hand and smiled bashfully.
"Heehee...♥ Look forward to it. I'll make you an ultimate elixir."
...I really can't hold back.
Is this what newlyweds feel like? I'm going crazy with the urge.
-Woosh!
"Honey!"
"Oh? Kyaa! Baby~♥ Ah... Nggh...♥ Honey, I haven't washed yet..."
"Let's do it once, then train, then wash."
"Just once? Really just once?♥"
With such a pretty wife like this, I...
'Ha... I'll do my best.'
I really put my heart and soul into serving her.
♥♥♥
As I tidied Master-nim's sweat-mussed hair, I said.
"Huu... Honey, that essence from last time was 'Hardening.' Should I eat it?"
Still nestled in my arms, Master-nim looked down at the essence and nodded.
"Haa... Haa... Chu!♥ It's a good essence. You can harden just when you want, so no hindrance to swordsmanship."
After hearing the explanation, I swallowed the essence immediately.
-Ding!
[You've acquired the skill 'LV.6 Hardening'!]
'6???'
In the world... Level 6 right away. First time for an essence like this.
I immediately closed my eyes and imagined my arm hardening.
No weird sensations. I tilted my head, tapped my arm with my fingernail...
-Tick tick!
The sound of tapping scrap metal came from my arm.
Master-nim heard it, jumped in surprise, and tapped my arm.
"You already ate it? The hardness... it's pretty high-grade..."
Master-nim kneading and inspecting my arm all over.
I thought about what it'd be like down below, but didn't test it.
Master-nim seemed to think the same, pausing before staring at me intently.
"If we do this... you might die... right?"
"Who knows...? What should we do?"
"Uuung♥ You're so naughty♥"
I stroked Master-nim as she rubbed her head against my chest.
We decided to test it next time.
No proficiency yet—what if it gets injured?
With that, we finished training, did some bed training too, and the day ended.
The next morning after finishing training...
"...Go on."
Master-nim saw me off with a somehow complicated expression.
She didn't like me going to Cheon Hwa-ryeong but was holding it in.
I hugged her tightly, full of apology.
"I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. That's just how the world's flow goes, so don't mind it, baby."
With her trusting me like this, should I tell her about the training process?
But how do I even say it, that 'process'...
'Stop moping and think about reducing the side effects.'
I smiled, greeted her, and headed out.
Cheon Hwa-ryeong's house when I arrived.
I opened the door...
-Slide
"Noona? Oh!"
"You're here..."
Cheon Hwa-ryeong sat there looking somewhat tired.
She was even wearing clothes.
Seeing her especially welcoming today, I burst out laughing.
"You're wearing clothes today! You look so much better all dressed up!"
Cheon Hwa-ryeong stared at me steadily, then let out a deep sigh.
"Ha... Yeah."
"...? You feeling better? Can you move around?"
"I still have no energy."
"Then how'd you put on clothes..."
"Shut up. We're starting, so come sit."
Yes, yes, that's how it has to be.
With a much lighter heart, I sat in front of Cheon Hwa-ryeong.
Cheon Hwa-ryeong slowly approached me and mounted on top in the exact same position as last time.
The fragrant scent rushing into my nose, her body pressing down...
"Can't you not climb on like this anymore?"
Cheon Hwa-ryeong shot me a prickly glare.
"I said I have no energy."
I nodded a bit intimidated by the Heavenly Demon's growl.
"Noona-nim, don't get mad..."
Cheon Hwa-ryeong squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face in my neck.
"...Start."
"...Yes."
She seemed in a bad mood today, so I decided to behave and listen well.
As I recited the Oral Formula, my whole body's senses sharpened and grew acute...
-Snap!
...I failed to control it again today.
But since I'd already seen everything there was to see, I just kept reciting the Oral Formula.
Even as I recited and felt the sensations, doubts crept in about whether I was doing it right.
Because Cheon Hwa-ryeong was silent.
After reciting for a good while, I felt the climax approaching, withdrew my internal energy, and opened my eyes...
"...Haa."
Cheon Hwa-ryeong's face was beet red, her lips bitten tight.
She stared at me with sticky, gooey eyes, like she was antsy.
We couldn't tear our eyes off each other.
"Uh..."
"You pervert... Even with clothes on..."
This felt unfair.
"It's a side effect of the mago, right..."
Cheon Hwa-ryeong squeezed her eyes shut and breathed raggedly.
"Huu... Yeah. It's a side effect."
"Have some understanding, Noona-nim."
"Haa... Pants, take off your pants."
Guess it's happening again.
"Yes..."
My mood felt weird.
Less guilt than yesterday, starting to feel like it's normal.
As I pulled down my pants...
-Swish whoosh!
-Grip!!
My waist got squeezed by Cheon Hwa-ryeong's thigh clamp.
"Gah! Noona-nim! Legs! Noona!"
"...Ah, ahem! No need to make a fuss..."
Make a fuss? If it weren't for my Slime Body just now, my waist would've snapped.
I glared at her with dagger eyes, and Cheon Hwa-ryeong started Chugung-gwa-hyeol with a you-little-shit expression.
-Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
Her hand movements were especially strong today, so I pleaded.
"Urk... Go easy."
-Squeeze!
Suddenly, Cheon Hwa-ryeong's movements got even rougher.
No idea why. Maybe because I had my head down.
Perhaps she wanted to finish quick.
As I surrendered to the pleasure...
-Bubble! Gush!
"Urk..."
"Sniff sniff..."
Suddenly, Cheon Hwa-ryeong's eyes trembled as she stared intently at me.
-Grind!
"N-Noona-nim?"
"..."
"Sorry for dirtying your clothes. But let go of my dick."
"..."
"..."
"I'll go wash up."
"Huh? Yeah."
She nodded, liquid dripping from her palm as she left the room.
"What the hell. Is she in a bad mood today?"
Well, even I'd get annoyed if this happened every training session.
'Tsk. Better not sass her today.'
I cleaned up, then prepared a meal in the kitchen.
Stir-fried meat and a soup.
I'd set up a simple meal in the room, but Cheon Hwa-ryeong didn't come back.
"What's up?"
As I wondered if I should check...
-Slide!
The door opened, and Cheon Hwa-ryeong stared at me blankly.
"Noona. I set up food."
"..."
-Thud thud
With her listless steps, I pulled out a chair in consideration.
But Cheon Hwa-ryeong sat on my lap and leaned back against me.
-Thud...
"Huu..."
"Noona?"
"I-I'll... eat well."
"Huh? Y-Yeah."
Had Cheon Hwa-ryeong ever expressed thanks like this?
She must really be exhausted.
I even pulled out a bottle of Wonhongju and fed her with the meal.
"Eat."
-Munch munch gulp!
"Hu... Not bad."
"Right? Gets better the more I cook."
"...You do it every day? All three meals?"
"Sometimes I skip."
"I see... Huu... I'll eat every day then."
Cheon Hwa-ryeong had softened up a lot more than before.
Must be feeling better with food in her.
"I might not be able to come tomorrow 'cause I'm prepping to enter the Labyrinth."
-Crunch!
"Wh-What? Did you bite a rock?"
"...Yeah."
"Weird, I checked carefully when washing... Tsk. Can't buy rice from that shop anymore."
Cheon Hwa-ryeong said in a husky voice.
"Just give me alcohol."
"Noona falls asleep only after drinking the stuff I give her?"
-Slurp!
"You're right."
Cheon Hwa-ryeong turned her head, looked into my eyes, and smiled.
"Guess I can't do without you now."
As I got lost in her beautiful smile, Cheon Hwa-ryeong's eyes gleamed purely...
"Snooore..."
.........She fell asleep.
Feeling a chill yet thrilling sensation, I averted my eyes with effort.