Chapter 46: A Soothing Massage and Wings of Flight

After wrapping up their rest and exiting the dungeon, the hunters gathered to exchange farewells.

"Thank you so much for today, Taejeong."

"No need to thank me."

"What happened today... I'll never forget it for the rest of my life."

"Come on, it's not that big a deal. You're embarrassing me. Anyway, about that favor I asked earlier..."

"Oh, don't worry. Everyone on our team can keep a secret."

"Thanks. It'll all come out eventually, but for now, I want to keep it as quiet as possible."

"I get it. Things are bound to get noisy. We'll head back now. Take care."

Once Woo Kyung-ho and the others had driven off in their vehicles, Taejeong and his group moved to the limousine waiting on the side.

Park Se-ah, who had been waiting, stepped out of the car to greet him.

"How'd it go?"

"Fine."

"No injuries?"

"None. Let's go. I'm beat."

Riding back, Taejeong and the group parted ways one by one until they finally reached the lodging.

"Thanks for today, Taejeong."

"What thanks? We're practically neighbors—let's just keep saying hi now and then."

"Sure."

"Head on in."

After seeing off even Seo Ju-ah last, Taejeong dragged his weary body into the house.

He collapsed onto the sofa with a thud and let out a sigh, muttering to himself.

"What a long day."

Park Se-ah approached with a glass of juice and asked,

"Shall I get you some water?"

"Nah. Just gonna shower and crash."

"What about dinner?"

"Not hungry, and my body's wiped. Eat without me tonight."

Saying that, Taejeong got up and headed to the bathroom.

He scrubbed away the grime, washed up thoroughly, and stepped out, intending to head straight to his room.

Right then.

"Oh. Hold on a sec."

"...?"

"Come lie down here for a bit?"

She pointed to the mat she'd laid out in the living room, and a question mark floated over his face.

"Why?"

"Didn't you say your back hurt on the way home?"

"Yeah, but."

"I want to give you a massage. Lie down."

Caught off guard by the unexpected offer, Taejeong chuckled and shook his head.

A secretary doing a massage? Ridiculous.

"I'm good. No massage. Just rest."

"Come on, try it. I'm pretty good."

"I said no. And massages should be from pros anyway. I appreciate it, but..."

"Just come here."

"Huh?"

He couldn't shake off her sudden grip as she pulled him over.

Half-seated awkwardly, he tried to stand, but exhaustion made his legs refuse to cooperate.

It was real. He wanted to bolt up right then.

Did I push too hard today? Guess no choice.

Reluctantly turning over, he said to her,

"Just do it quick. I'm really fine."

"No such thing as quick. Shoulders first. Relax."

With that, Park Se-ah climbed onto his back.

And her unique, dazzling handiwork began.

Taejeong, who'd never had a massage before, was blown away—it far exceeded expectations.

The moment her hands touched, the knotted fatigue in his shoulders melted away like it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had never been there. Clearly the work of an expert.

"How's that? Feels good, right?"

At her question, Taejeong asked in wonder,

"Did you train for this? You're amazing."

"My major was physical therapy. And I picked up some rehab and massage during secretary training."

"Guild secretaries learn everything."

"Basics. The boss's comfort and health are top priorities. Moving to your lower back."

With his permission, she lifted his shirt and started on his waist.

Firm presses alternating with gentle kneads—it dawned on him how pleasurable touch alone could be.

Shoulders, back, legs, feet—a full course later, he rolled over for his arms and hands.

"Hands are surprisingly crucial. Especially for hunters wielding heavy weapons; you need to loosen the finger joints. Accumulated pain here doesn't heal fast."

Her diligent explanations made her look like a pro from some center.

The comfort melted away his tension, and soon her voice faded as he slipped into deep sleep.

How much time passed?

Taejeong's eyes fluttered open naturally, realizing he'd dozed off in the living room.

Dawn was just breaking.

Glancing aside, he saw Park Se-ah fast asleep on the sofa.

"Guess she nodded off too after being up all day."

Thinking of her discomfort on his account, he gently pulled the blanket over her and quietly entered his room.

But sleep wouldn't come.

The massage had worked wonders—no fatigue lingered.

Over an hour until full sunrise, he pondered what to do and stepped back out.

To repay yesterday's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠kindness.

Confidently heading to the kitchen, he racked his brain for breakfast ideas.

Fried eggs, ramen, egg rice, tteok ramen, soy butter rice, dumpling ramen... What? That's all I can make?

As a lifelong bachelor, his repertoire was limited.

Mostly convenience store meals or instant noodles, so even with ingredients, nothing came to mind.

He finally logged online for recipes.

Then a familiar voice from behind.

"What're you doing?"

"Ah! You scared me."

"Why so jumpy? What were you up to? And the eggs..."

She eyed the four eggs on the counter.

Unable to admit egg rice, he grabbed them casually.

"Throat's a bit dry. Want one?"

His cooking flop ended with him eating the lavish 12-course breakfast she prepared before leaving the lodging.

Out on the main road, he headed to the guild's central market.

"Welcome!"

The manager, recognizing him on entry, rushed over with utmost courtesy.

"Want to sell some items."

"Of course. This way, please..."

Escorted to the VIP room, Taejeong sipped coffee while awaiting the appraisal.

Moments later, the staffer returned with the calculator and quote sheet.

"Total: 1.47 billion won."

"Nice."

Satisfied inwardly, he scanned the sheet.

As Woo Kyung-ho said, the Red Essence fetched a whopping 1.1 billion, and the rest exceeded expectations.

"Sell it all."

"Transferring now."

With swift deposit, he left the market.

Staring ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at the phone message, Taejeong let out an involuntary chuckle.

When had he ever handled this much cash?

Just yesterday, 100 million had him buzzing sleeplessly.

A monumental leap.

Lucky, sure—but excluding the essence, the potions alone profited.

"Earn like this daily, and riches ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠are a cinch."

Wallet fat, he pondered next steps and rode to the combat training grounds.

"Enter through the central gate."

"Thanks."

As Kim Hyung-sik instructed, he entered centrally; some hunters queued for tickets.

He went to the empty line, flashing his guild ID.

The staffer, spotting his rank, startled and bowed deeply.

"Welcome, executive."

"Not an executive. Want to use a training ground—any solo ones?"

"We have VIP-exclusive. Shall I guide you?"

"Yes."

Directed to the basement level 2—a "small" room spacious for ten, perfect for skill tests.

Two skills total.

Exoskeleton C-Type from leveling up, Parallel Jet Booster from the quest.

Conveniently bundled.

Taejeong activated the Exoskeleton C-Type first.

Blue light surged over his upper body, forming steel-like armor in an instant.

Mechanical plating matching the leg exoskeleton—right up his alley.

"Finally feels like real protection. Legs alone felt exposed."

Fit and range of motion were solid.

Testing movements, he summoned the awaited Jet Blaster.

Hologram light formed wing-like blasters on his back.

"Gerard, this lets me fly, right?"

"How do I operate it?"

"Handy. Easier than leg boosters."

Learning voice commands from Gerard, he tested immediately.

"Ignition 1."

Blue flames erupted from the five-nozzle blaster.

Lifting a handspan off the ground, he marveled, then issued the next.

"Ascend 1."

Shoooo!

A whoosh of wind, and he shot upward.

Halting at 10 meters, he called "Ascend 2," rising another 10 to 20 meters altitude.

Excitement burst from his lips.

"Whoa... this is killer!"

Hovering at 20 meters, gazing down, his chest swelled with the thrill of flight.

Dominating the air meant huge hunting advantages.

With firepower, ground foes would face disaster.

"Sucks can't use on mechs, though. And 20 meters is high. Crash wrong, and I'm toast."

Steadying shaky legs, he resolved to practice until hunt-ready.

His clear voice echoed through the training ground.