Chapter 156: Reality (32)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 156: Reality (32)
Im Hye-rin walked toward us.
Her steps seemed somewhat unsteady.
The tips of her feet trembled slightly, and I could feel a subtle imbalance in her gait.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
Im Hwa-yeon examined my body with a worried expression.
I casually brushed off my sword and answered coolly.
"As you can see, I'm fine."
As she let out a sigh of relief, Im Hye-rin's gaze turned to me.
Her red eyes slowly scanned me, as if searching for something.
"Good work. You're much stronger than I thought."
Her voice was calm, but it was tinged with a hint of awkwardness.
"Thank you."
I bowed my head slightly and observed her carefully.
Her trembling eyes. A gaze that was somehow anxious and restless. And a faintly flushed face.
So the Musk Pill is finally taking full effect.
A subtle smile spread across my lips.
Im Hye-rin opened her mouth, as if trying her best to maintain her composure.
"Your clothes are quite ruined... I'll have new ones brought for you, so let's get you cleaned up and have a meal."
Her voice was as calm as usual, but I thought I could detect a slight tremor in it.
I looked at her for a moment before giving a light smile.
"Understood."
"Then, let's head back."
Im Hye-rin led the way out of the training grounds.
Upon returning to the mansion, Im Hye-rin gestured to a maid.
"Please escort our guest. Prepare a room for him, and draw a hot bath."
"Yes, Master."
The maid bowed respectfully and began to guide me.
As I walked slowly, I glanced back at Im Hye-rin one more time.
She stood with her arms crossed, trying to maintain her sharp gaze, but her restlessness was palpable.
Following the maid, I entered a room on the second floor and went straight in to take a shower.
As I showered, I replayed my fight with Jo Han-su in my mind.
Maybe it's because it's been a while since I fought someone of a similar skill level... but that was fun.
The hot water streamed down my body, relaxing my tense muscles. I felt the shock from the battle slowly subsiding.
I looked at my torso in the mirror. Bruises were scattered across my skin.
To think this is what happens from just getting grazed by his shockwaves.
I was once again reminded of Jo Han-su's monstrous strength. If this hadn't been a simple sparring match but a fight to the death, these wouldn't have been mere bruises.
What do I have to do to reach the Transformation Realm...?
I pushed my hair back and studied my reflection again. It hadn't been long since I'd reached the Supreme level, but there were far too many powerful people in this world.
To reach the Transformation Realm, enlightenment is essential.
That much was certain. But I couldn't even see a glimpse of it. A suffocating feeling washed over me, as if a great mountain range was blocking my path.
Well, there's no need to rush. I'm sure I'll be able to overcome it someday.
Just as I was about to rinse off one last time and turn off the shower, I heard something.
Someone was approaching the bathroom. Judging by the way they were muffling their footsteps, their intentions didn't seem good.
Leaving the water running, I quietly approached the door. I grabbed the handle, opened it, and saw Im Hye-rin.
I grasped the situation in an instant.
Im Hye-rin was crouched down, and in her hands were my clothes.
She looked up at me, her expression frozen.
"......!"
The moment our eyes met, her red pupils wavered.
She looks flustered.
I slowly leaned one hand against the wall and looked down at her.
"What are you doing?"
At my question, she flinched, her gaze darting around.
"Th-that is...!"
I chuckled, wrapping a towel around my waist as I looked down at her panicked state and thought.
The Musk Pill is definitely working. The question is, can I make a move on her right now...
If the effect was weaker than I thought, approaching her like this could get me killed. Provoking the wrath of an S-Class user was no different from suicide.
She avoided my gaze and held out the clothes in her hand.
"H-here...!"
Unlike her usual charismatic demeanor, her voice trembled.
"I... I brought you a change of clothes... I thought your old ones needed to be washed..."
Watching her, I slowly reached out to take the clothes.
In that moment, I saw her flinch slightly.
"......!"
The fingertips that handed me the clothes were trembling minutely.
I deliberately brushed the back of her hand as I took the clothes and whispered in a low voice, "Thank you for bringing these to me yourself, Mother."
Her shoulders went rigid. Her lips parted slightly before closing again.
She quickly averted her gaze and stammered, "I-it's nothing... I just brought them because it seemed necessary."
Even so, her eyes unconsciously roamed over my upper body. Following the water droplets that ran down my freshly showered skin, her gaze slowly descended.
Her breathing grew subtly rougher, especially as her eyes traced the lines of my chest and abs down to my waist. It was obvious she was unconsciously licking her lips and swallowing hard.
Good, she's definitely reacting.
I deliberately raised a hand as if to adjust the towel, surreptitiously loosening the one wrapped around my waist.
"Mother, why are you so tense?"
Startled by my words, she took a step back. But her eyes remained fixed on my body.
"Wh-what nonsense are you spouting! I-I'm not! Just hurry up and get dressed!"
Im Hye-rin tried her best to maintain her composure, but her voice was shaking.
The tips of her ears were red, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.
I smirked as I looked at her.
She seemed to find it difficult to meet my eyes, taking another step back while avoiding my gaze.
"Mother, you seem quite flustered today, don't you?"
She flinched and turned her body away.
"Th-that's not it...! Ugh... Dinner is ready, so just hurry up, get dressed, and come out!"
She rushed out and closed the door as if she were fleeing, her steps betraying a desperate need to escape the space as quickly as possible.
But I didn't miss it. The fact that her legs were trembling slightly.
Watching her retreating figure, a smile naturally formed on my lips.
Now, how should I prepare this dish?
The effects of the Musk Pill were more than sufficient.
All that was left was to watch when and how she would break. To see just how long her pride as an S-Class user could hold out against the effects of the Musk Pill.
I looked at the clothes she had given me and slowly began to dress.
Dinner is going to be interesting.
After getting dressed, I headed to the dining room. I must have been the last to arrive, as Im Hwa-yeon and Jo Han-su were already seated. Jo Han-su still looked clearly uncomfortable, while Im Hwa-yeon appeared as natural as ever.
And at the head of the table sat Im Hye-rin. As I entered, I saw her body flinch ever so slightly.
I naturally made my way to the seat opposite Im Hwa-yeon. She smiled faintly as I sat down.
Just then, a maid approached and began to serve the food. But I didn't fail to notice Im Hye-rin's gaze occasionally darting toward me.
Once the meal began, Jo Han-su was the first to speak.
"Today's battle... wasn't bad."
His tone was still laced with dissatisfaction, but it seemed he was willing to acknowledge what needed acknowledging.
I bowed my head lightly and replied, "Thank you."
The meal proceeded in a surprisingly quiet atmosphere. Everyone seemed to be silently focused on their food, but a subtle tension hung in the air.
Whenever I glanced at Im Hye-rin, I saw her blush and avoid my gaze. Even the way her hands cut her food seemed unsteady.
"By the way..."
Jo Han-su put down his fork and spoke.
"What are your thoughts on the request from the British Royal Family?"
Im Hye-rin hesitated for a moment before answering.
"That... let's talk about it in detail tomorrow."
Her voice trembled slightly. Just as she was about to continue, her gaze became fixed on my hand as I lifted my wine glass.
As she watched the red wine swirl inside the glass, her breathing grew subtly ragged. It was as if her own desires were swirling just like the wine.
"Still, the general outline..."
As Jo Han-su continued to speak, I slyly stretched my leg out under the table and lightly touched Im Hye-rin's.
"......!"
Her body jolted.
"Mom? Are you okay?"
Im Hwa-yeon asked with concern.
"...Yes, I'm fine."
Im Hye-rin tried her best to regain her composure, but I could feel that she was acutely aware of me.
"Is the food to your liking...?"
She tried to force a change of subject.
I smiled and slowly nodded my head.
"Yes, it's delicious."
The wine glass in Im Hye-rin's hand trembled slightly. With my leg still touching hers under the table, she struggled to act normally on the surface.
Im Hye-rin's breathing grew heavier. I could see her chest rising and falling noticeably beneath her clothes.
"Hnngh..."
A faint moan escaped her lips.
"Mom, your face is really flushed... Are you sure you're okay?"
Im Hye-rin turned her face slightly and replied, "I'm... I'm fine... It's just the wine..."
Her words trailed off. Under the table, the tip of my foot was slowly tracing its way up her calf.
"...Ngh!"
"Mother, are you alright?"
I asked, feigning concern. But under the table, I continued to stimulate her leg.
"Ah... I'm fine..."
She barely managed to answer, but her tone was subtly shaky, unlike her usual self.
"Still, you look very flushed..."
As I moved my leg higher, her breath hitched. When I brushed against her inner thigh, her hand clenched the table tightly.
Thud!
Her hand shot out, bracing against the table with a sharp sound.
"I-I'm going to be excused...!"
She tried to stand, but my leg wouldn't let her go.
She hastily pushed her chair back and stood up, her breathing now noticeably ragged.
I watched her retreating back as I slowly brought the wine glass to my lips. I could see that her gait was unsteady as she fled the room.
Her reaction is better than I thought.
As the deep aroma of the wine spread through my mouth, a satisfied smile appeared on my face. The effects of the Musk Pill were beyond my expectations.