Chapter 42
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Mental Management
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Pale moonlight descended.
That serene, subtle glow quietly enveloped the ruins of the ancient site, now reduced to rubble.
It was a beautiful sight.
On Earth, it would have been the perfect scene to sit around with friends, chatting away, eating, drinking, laughing uproariously, and clinking glasses.
Rustle. Rustle.
Taking in the hazy vista, I slowly made my way back to the watch post.
There sat an exotic beauty whose allure rivaled the scenery itself.
Pert nose. Striking features. Ample breasts. Reserved elegance and an innate haughtiness.
I'd heard one of her grandparents was foreign, and true to her quarter-blood heritage, this chaebol heiress boasted not just a killer figure but a stunning face as well.
She leaned against the wall, staring blankly into the void.
Smoothly, I sidled up and held a teacup out before her eyes.
Hot steam wafted up, and Han So-hee blinked prettily as the warmth and aroma hit her.
Her lovely eyes slowly turned to me, then dropped to the cup.
"Drink up. Its chamomile tea. Good for insomnia, delivers you a deep sleep, and ease stress. Have some now, and you'll drift off comfortably soon enough."
"Where'd you get something like this?"
"Brought it from Earth."
I'd agonized plenty over what to pack when leaving Earth.
Backpack space is limited, after all.
Stuffing it blindly just piles on the weight and it will just backfire later. Sometimes, little luxuries like this beat the essentials.
'Sure, you can buy coffee or chamomile tea in the rest areas here too...'
But cash was tight early on, so I'd tucked some into one of my backpack corners. Barely any weight.
"......"
Han So-hee stared straight at me, then accepted the cup I offered.
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
"One thing I want to ask you. Do you always look after people like this?"
In short, was this tea just a polite gesture?
'Pretty much.'
But in front of a woman, careful words pay dividends—and a smooth tongue keeps you out of the sweet frying pan. Ten brutal years had drilled that into me. I deflected smoothly.
"...Not just anyone, at anytime."
"What does that mean?"
"You looked like you had something weighing on you."
"Huh?"
"I watched you for a bit. You seemed lost in thought. I couldn't just walk by."
Han So-hee turned surprised eyes on me.
"That obvious? Thought I'd hidden it well."
"I'm sharp like that."
After ten years of dancing on death's edge, how could I not be?
A glance, a tone, a simple gesture—I could read a person's state pretty accurately.
"...I see. Didn't realize you had that kind of talent."
After a brief pause, Han So-hee spoke up.
"Truth is—"
"Okay, hold it there. No need. Didn't offer the tea to hear your story."
Other people's baggage just wears you down.
In the selection process, who lacks a sob story? Hardly anyone.
Once you start listening, you're trapped hearing it out and bearing the brunt.
One round of mopping up after a sleepless, sobbing, drunken mess of a woman? That was enough in round one.
'Spare me the backstory. I just need no issues for tomorrow's fight.'
Hence, the chamomile tea.
Han So-hee gazed at me blankly, then broke into a soft smile—one brimming with genuine warmth, unlike her usual perfunctory one.
"You're so thoughtful."
In the chill night air, she lifted the steaming cup to her nose and parted her smiling lips.
"Thanks. Truth is..."
I took a seat. She'd already opened the floodgates, she was just begging for an ear. My right to bail? Already vanished.
Party leader time: do some mental health checks for the team.
Han So-hee continued, her face a touch timid.
"...Truth is, I've been thinking about the people who came here with me. Because of my failings, they all left me behind."
Abandoned her? Or died due to her screw-ups? It was unclear, but even the middle-aged captain who'd guarded her had split.
'That guy looked pretty steadfast.'
He didn't scream betrayal, but you never know. Onec you drop humans in this trial hell, and they'd dredge up their ugliest instincts to survive.
I got dumped ten minutes into my first trial.
Soon after landing, a bunch of lizards swarmed me.
The "let's conquer together!" crew instantly turned me into bait, shoving me flat and bolting away.
-Now! Run!
-Flee far while he's tanking!
-......
Luckily, reeds were everywhere. They aggro'd by hard fleeing; I however flattened myself in the mud and lived.
But the shock? It was indescribable.
So yeah, I understand Han So-hee's turmoil. Her shock.
"That's why I... I..."
Her tears welled up uncharacteristically. I reached out and gripped her hand tight.
"Don't worry. Least I won't ditch you."
"Wha...?"
Pure party morale maintenance, of course. Raid tomorrow afterall—can't have her off her mind.
"What did you...?"
Her hand trembled in mine. She whipped around, pretty eyes locking on.
"I won't abandon you, period. No worries. It won't happen again."
"!!"
Worked like a charm—no gloom in her eyes, just wide-eyed bunny shock.
I was satisfied, but her file flashed in my mind. I swallowed the caveat.
'As long as you curb the greed, I won't drop you.'
...Greed. Yeah, that's the poison.
[Star of Fate] bearers tread a brutal path.
If she dodge the fated road? She'll have no growth. But if she embraced it? Then the road will be filled with tragedy.
'Selection process bullshit—big rewards demand big prices—and it has to be on full display.'
Some might even recruit her for that S-rank [Star of Fate] potential.
Not me though.
Complete opposite.
That cursed trait had me tempted to refuse outright. But she begged so earnestly, I relented.
Besides that, she's useful as hell.
"Y-you won't abandon me? Saying something so embarrassing..."
Well, her pure, cute reactions? It's fun to poke around on.
I grinned, wrapping it up.
"Don't overthink it. I just don't toss my property. You're mine too, yeah? I won't toss you. That's the gist."
"Ah..."
Eyes saucered, then she chuckled lightly after absorbing it—carefree, chasing off the heavy vibe.
"Thanks. That hit home. You're a warm soul. Thoughtfulness like this? It's the first, ever since Manager Go."
"Manager Go?"
"Yeah, Strategic Planning's Go Cheol-woo. You remember right—he grilled you before."
Ah, that middle-aged dude was Manager Go.
I was curious about his whereabouts, but I skipped asking. My goal's met: I relaxed my face and sipped my tea. Become fight-ready for tomorrow.
"Great tea. Thanks for hosting me."
"Anytime."
She bowed with gratitude; I dipped back modestly. When she put her head up—our eyes locked perfectly.
"......"
"......"
Is the warm tea chasing the cold air? Or is her heart thawed by comfort?
Han So-hee stared, cheeks rosy.
Her gaze burned with blatant fondness. Our noses brushed eachother. Faces inches apart.
"......"
She's screaming for it.
But, in the end, there was no kiss.
Her lips hovered hesitantly; her lovely face eased back slowly.
She probably believes it'd cheapen her worth, her poise.
A mindset as refined as her looks—maybe that's her noble edge.
...But for me? Not kissing here? It was a certifiable loser move.
"!!"
I slammed my lips into hers. Her eyes flew wide, then drifted shut as she pressed back.
Smack... Our saliva mingled, tongues coiled.
...How many soft, slick dances?
"Haa... haa... Nngh. It's t-time. I'll wake them."
Her face crimson, she shot up and fled to the tent. She hid inside for ages.
Textbook virgin first-kiss freakout.
"Yaaawn."
Time passed; and soon the yawning ladies emerged.
'Good, both of them crashed proper sleep.'
Their pillow creases sharp, hair tousled—proof of solid sleep, no bullshit.
"Min-jun, quick bathroom run."
"Mm. Unnie, me too."
Off to the banquet hall's side room they went. I watch them dragged on; Han So-hee returned ladylike beside me.
With my arm around her waist, I yanked her close.
"Nngh."
She gave no fight; she yields easily.
I kissed her deep and put my pants down. She glances at my cock, she bends her body, bringing her face to my groin—soon she bobs away, sucking at my cock.
"Slurp slurp slurp."
"Faster."
"Slurp slurp slurp slurp."
A chaebol miss's devoted suckling. I extend my hand and yank her waistband.
Her plump ass pops out, and I see my gifted panties. I bring my hand to her panty cleft.
Twitch.
"No stopping. Keep sucking."
"...Slurp slurp."
Shlick shlick.
Shiver shiver.
"...Unnie, so like I said."
Rustle—the duo are returning. Han So-hee lifts her head; but nope.
"Don't stop till I blow. Yeah, just suck sloppy like that."
I fondle her cleft, which buck her hips.
My fingers feel her slit drip her juices; soon the doorway silhouettes sharpen.
"That Dickhead fucker then..."
They step out. Faces clear—I soon unload in her mouth.
[[Summoner's Letter Envelope: Replica] has been used.]
Splurt. Splurt. Spleurt.
"Ah, fuck yeah, unloading. In a rich bitch mouth's insane."
"...Gulp gulp gulp."
I gave no order, but she gulps my semen down. With a thorough up-down polish to finish—classy spendthrift.
"Sohee, is my cum that tasty?"
Nod.
"Good. I'm giving you daily feeds ahead. Don't be greedy though, just cling quietly by me. If you want some rest? I got it."
I gave her a hard ass smack for a good job. She straightens and tidy her mouth quickly.
She fusses my clothes, made my hair perfect, then replies.
"Promise. Give me your loads, daily. I won't be greedy, just your obedient shadow."
Later in the tent, feigning sleep together—she milked me two more times.
"Ngh, I'm blowing again."
"...Gulp gulp. Gulp."
Morning came, much like usual—but it felt off somehow.
'Hm. My body feels stiff.'
Sitting up is tougher than expected. I cautiously craned my neck and scanned the surroundings.
"......"
To my left: panty-clad Han So-hee hugging me tight, snoring softly. To my right: buck-naked Yi Sera latched on, cheek to my chest, fiddling my cock.
Tldr: a naked trio tangle.
'...When'd the brat slip in?'
I'm not fazed anymore. With my thoughts done, I dozed off—then I felt someone slurping my dick. It was Yi Sera, apparently.
"Oi, get up. Its morning."
"Mmm."
I gently shook Yi Sera; who burrowed deeper, she made tongue-flicks to my nipple.
Her squirms jostle me; Han So-hee just clamps to me tighter.
'Life, huh. Waking up sandwiched by two stunners—virgins to boot.'
Round one never saw this. I laid back and scooped up both of them.
Plush asses packed tight, faint body wash whiffs to my nose, their fresh skin scents—my morning wood throbbed fiercely.
...Post-special lowjob first, then down our breakfast, we prepped to roll out.
Tent struck down and mats stowed, we then packed all our gear.
"All set!"
"Yosh. Hit the road. Then lunch at the rest area. Dickhead, move it."
"Hold up."
I halted the Shin Seo-yeon-led crew at the dog hole, dropped a pack in the vast hall's corner.
"Miss something? You need an emergency dump?"
"Nah. Pre-departure chore here."
I stretched, my hand to my pocket.
'Few folks can't down a raid boss.'
Usually its trial-dependent, but 500+ minimum people is the consensus.
But with the ultra-early strict caps in people? It was flat out impossible.
Gathering that many people? It was a pipe dream.
'To have five people pulling it off? Preparation is mandatory.'
Big crews are needed for the raw DPS drought.
Even transcendent Shin Seo-yeon falls short.
'We crave a firepower plug—or alternatively a fixed—potent item.'
Is it found in the rest area? Nada.
Makes sense. These spots stocks of at best, trial-fit gear only.
So...
"Huh? Min-jun, that's..."
I drew the envelope.
[[Summoner's Letter Envelope: Replica] has been used.]
The party invite-lookin' envelope sprouted cute wings, ripped an air slit, then dove in.
"F-fuck, that thing!"
Shin Seo-yeon agve me bugged eyes—it was probably a bad flashback for her. Fyi, [Summoner's Letter Envelope] theoretically yanks anyone/anything.
'Is it a hit?'
10 secs later: the air rends, and the envelope comes back.
Halts neatly before me—like a grunt saluting their CO—then it gapes its mouth huge.
Riiip.
It hacked up its cargo form its guts, no holds barred.
Thud!
Its huge mass quakes the space.
"Wha—?!"
A humanoid shape monster. Lanky limbs. Pregnant-swelling gut. Its head? Just a large maw.
The 5m alien-esque moster thudded down, then crankyly scans the environment.
"M-Min-jun?"
"H-hey, f-fuck, Dickhead! What the hell'd you drag in?!"
A Rock Ghost.
~A Fourth trial regular monster. Its a mountain-dweller and a rock-muncher.
With a rock diet it has huge amounts of defense—like it laughs off most physical hits.
Rooooar!
Pissy that I yank it from its home turf. It snarled at us.
The envelope spooks at the bellow, then zips at the rift-its gone now.
Grrrr.
Thus, its fury zeroes in on us.