Breakfast Revelations with Eunyoung Noona
It was during breakfast that I explained my awakening ability to Eunyoung Noona.
I told her how I could earn awakening points by sleeping with female hunters to strengthen my powers, how I could use several awakening abilities beyond swordsmanship, and even that having sex with her would grant a massive amount of points.
I figured I had to explain at least this much for her to understand why Hyeun had so readily given her permission. Of course, as we'd discussed beforehand with Hyeun, I didn't mention the condition that triggered the urgent task.
She probably wouldn't want the kids to know about her less-than-stellar feelings anyway, so it was best to take that to the grave.
"An ability that grows stronger the more you sleep with female hunters... I've never heard of anything like it."
"Isn't it wild? I couldn't wrap my head around it when Taekyung first told me either."
"Setting everything else aside, the fact that a boy awakened is miraculous enough... Maybe this power came from your wish, Taekyung."
"My wish?"
"You said you wanted to become the strongest hunter so no one else would die to monsters."
I nodded at Eunyoung Noona's words, and she continued explaining my ability.
"Your wish can be split into two parts: becoming the strongest hunter, and making sure no one dies to monsters."
"Yeah."
"I think the first part ties into your multi-awakening ability. No matter how skilled you are, it's hard to claim the top spot with just a sword."
Her words made sense. Seo Okhee, the closest thing to the strongest hunter in Korea right now, wielded five different awakening abilities, after all. I'd need at least that many to call myself the best.
"What about the part about preventing deaths from monsters?"
"That's probably what manifested as sleeping with other female hunters."
"Huh?"
I blinked in confusion, but she calmly pressed on with her explanation of my ability.
"You said sex isn't just about finishing for you—it's only when you share your heart with the woman, when you truly love each other."
"Yeah."
"Here's my guess: hunters' abilities weaken because they can't have loving sex like you do."
"I think that's right too."
"So that's why you got this power. You pursue loving relationships, and every time you share that love with more hunters, more of them regain their abilities. That naturally reduces deaths from monsters and hunters alike."
"...Ah!"
So that was the meaning. Until now, I'd only wondered what my ability really was and why I'd gotten it. But her explanation made it crystal clear—why it strengthened me through sex with female hunters.
"Sex with you really does feel amazing, though. Right, Mom?"
"Hey, what are you saying at the breakfast table?!"
"Ever since I started sleeping with Taekyung, I've been in top form almost every day. That proves he respects and loves his partner during it. I know two other women who've benefited from sex with him too."
"Don't talk about him like you're rating him in front of Taekyung, Hyeun."
"I'm fine with it, Eunyoung Noona. It actually reassures me that I'm doing it right when Hyeun's this honest."
"So, how was it? You've got experience beyond Taekyung, so you can compare."
"..."
"Was it better with Dad, or with Taekyung?"
At Hyeun's persistent question, Eunyoung Noona's face turned beet red as she floundered.
"..."
She glanced quietly my way instead of answering.
"Glad you enjoyed it."
"..."
Eunyoung Noona silently moved her chopsticks around her plate before speaking up.
"Anyway... why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Huh?"
"If you'd said from the start that sleeping with female hunters... sharing love makes you stronger, I might've allowed it earlier."
"So you weren't totally against it?"
"Th-that's not it! I mean, if I'd known it was good for you, I'd have said yes easily!"
I'd considered persuasion like this, but not seriously. Eunyoung Noona, who'd always lived for mine and Hyeun's happiness, would've agonized but not run or refused if I'd told her sex brought me real benefits.
But that kind of sex wasn't what I wanted.
"Then it wouldn't be you truly wanting to share love with me."
"...Huh?"
"I always want my partner to genuinely desire sex with me first. Not twisted by other factors, suppressed emotions, or force—that's not what I want."
It might not even fulfill the 'heart-sharing' condition needed to restore hunters' abilities. Maybe that's why I got this power in the first place—because I always thought this way.
"For our first time, I wanted you to want me and give yourself willingly."
"...Really?"
Sex as an excuse 'for her son' wouldn't fully capture her heart. It took time and effort to take the long way around, but the results were solid. Her pupils trembled every time our eyes met now, and the projected 60 points floating by her face confirmed it.
Simple excuses wouldn't have gotten me that.
"And if we both consent to the first time, you'll happily do it again, right?"
"Wh-what are you saying? I said this was the last time! No more after this!"
Yet her body had been itching for round two this morning. Hyeun backed me up next.
"Whatever. I don't care."
"...Hyeun?"
"If your urges build up again, just tell Taekyung. I've already given permission."
"..."
"As long as Taekyung achieves his dream of becoming a strong hunter, I don't mind who he sleeps with. Better you than some dangerous, obsessive woman."
"I think you're right, but..."
She seemed swayed by Hyeun's flawless logic, so I chimed in supportively.
"And I love doing it with you, Noona. Sex with you feels too good."
"T-Taekyung?"
"So think about it rationally, Eunyoung Noona. Don't hide behind the ridiculous mother-son excuse."
"..."
She paused her meal, pondered, glanced at our faces, and finally spoke with difficulty.
"...M-maybe... occasionally... it could be okay."
Not a bad outcome.
As breakfast wound down, I caught Hyeun's eye across the table.
"Hyeun."
"Yeah."
"Day off today, right?"
"Yeah."
"Perfect timing. Let's do it today."
She knew exactly what I meant by do it without explanation. Her cheeks flushed naturally.
"...Today?"
"Yeah, today."
"...Here at our house?"
"Your room's the closest and best."
"..."
It was to fulfill her condition: sex with her within a week after sleeping with her mom. But Hyeun looked dumbfounded and flustered.
"B-but Mom's home..."
"We've already shown everything. What's the big deal?"
"...St-still..."
"It's fine, right, Noona?"
"Y-yeah, don't mind me..."
"See? She says it's okay."
"Of course she'd say that if you ask..."
But resisting the temptation of sex I'd proposed first proved too much—her head bobbed up and down in a nod.
We headed straight to her bedroom after eating, her more bashful than usual.
"...Ah!!"
As we climbed the second-floor stairs hand in hand, Hyeun suddenly grabbed my arm and tried to drag me back down, like something had hit her.
I wondered if she'd forgotten something downstairs, but her voice turned urgent.
"T-Taekyung!"
"Yeah?"
"N-no, let's not! How about your place instead? Mom's here...!!"
"We already got permission."
"A-and! Y-your bed's bigger than mine!!"
"Nah. We're already here."
"C-come on! J-just think about it once more! Taekyung...!!"
...What's with her all of a sudden?