Interlocking Gears (4)
The atmosphere emanating from the two women facing off was downright murderous. The sheer presence they exuded made the people around them instinctively sense the danger, spreading out in a dome-like formation. To be precise, it wasn't mutual killing intent—it was one woman's aura completely overwhelming the other. But to outsiders, it just looked like tense vibes they couldn't quite read.
"Got something to say to me?"
"……."
Han Mina faced her party leader's piercing glare, her mind instantly flashing to one gut-wrenching possibility: that thing she'd done with Sung Taekyung a week ago. The sex that started when she couldn't hold back her heat cycle and pounced on him—and Kang Hyeun had found out.
It was the only reason she could think of for Hyeun to direct such raw killing intent at her. An unprecedented wave of crisis and pressure crashed over Mina.
Damn you, Sung Taekyung, you bastard...!! You said it wouldn't cause me any trouble!
You said you'd tell her! Just wait a little, you said!!
She mentally cursed his name a few times for dragging her into this mess. Then, her tense lips parted slowly.
"Hic."
"……."
"……."
Unfortunately, the first sound out of her mouth wasn't an apology or excuse—it was a pathetic hiccup.
I wanna run.
If the one in front of her was a dungeon monster instead of Hyeun, she'd bolt without hesitation. But they worked at the same company and even knew each other's home addresses—running would only make it worse. To survive, she had to squeeze out an apology and explanation from her panicked brain.
"H-Hyeun...ie..."
"Yeah?"
"S-Sorry... I didn't have a moment to breathe back then..."
"……."
"I-I didn't even know Sung Taekyung was coming to our place that day. B-Before I knew it, my heat cycle hit and I jumped him... O-Of course, I don't have any romantic feelings for him or anything weird like that...! J-Just the heat cycle! I hadn't contacted him at all, but then we ran into each other again right when it hit... I-I properly apologized to Sung Taekyung. He told me not to say anything, so I couldn't tell you, Hyeun... S-Sorry! I'm really, really sorry...!!"
Mina strung together her feeble apology and explanation, stealing glances at Hyeun's face. She knew Hyeun hated anyone messing with Taekyung—even back in school, kids who touched him got shield-charged into the wall without warning. She braced for it.
"……."
After her words trailed off, the killing intent filling the air around them finally lifted.
"It's just like Taekyung told me."
Mina eased up a fraction at Hyeun's softened tone.
"H-He told you...?"
"Yeah, yesterday. Right up to how you two had sex at your place during your heat cycle."
"O-Oh... right."
In truth, Hyeun hadn't asked to threaten or interrogate. She just wanted confirmation from Mina's side about what Taekyung had told her yesterday and today. If their stories didn't match, it'd stress her out. But they aligned, so no drama. The killing intent had just leaked out while she focused on Taekyung-related talk.
"……."
Still, Mina was confused by Hyeun's attitude. It wasn't a secret that got busted—it was out in the open. Was this dodging the worst-case? Or still a crisis since Hyeun knew the risky secret? As Mina hesitated on how to react, Hyeun continued.
"Take good care of each other from now on."
"……Huh?"
What did "take care" even mean? Mina blankly echoed her words, not getting it.
"W-What do you mean 'take care'? Did you break up with Sung Taekyung?!"
"...Would you like that if I did?"
"N-No, no, nooo~!!! I-I just thought it sounded weird, that's all~!! Who else matches you like Sung Taekyung?!"
"Right?"
Sensing the killing intent creeping back, Mina quickly buttered her up with her natural quick wit.
"I'll keep dating Taekyung. No matter what happens, I'll never break up with him."
"R-Right!"
"So you have fun sex with Taekyung every heat cycle too, Mina. It's good for you, right? No more buying heat suppressants."
"……W-What? You're still dating Sung Taekyung, right? Then why are you telling me to sleep with him during my heat cycles? What kinda weird talk is that?"
"Why? Because it's what Taekyung needs to get stronger."
"……Huh?"
Mina tilted her head at the conversation that still wasn't clicking with her leader.
"M-My heat cycle ending has something to do with Sung Taekyung getting stronger?"
"Yeah, Taekyung's awakening ability is having sex with female hun—"
Hyeun started explaining, assuming Mina already knew about Taekyung's ability. Then a possibility hit her.
"Taekyung hasn't told you about his awakening ability?"
"He awakened...? T-This is the first I'm hearing of it...?"
"……."
Mina's reaction was perfectly natural—she truly was hearing it for the first time. But her longtime friend blinked in surprise, then curved her lips into a pleased smile.
"Oh, so Taekyung hasn't told you that far yet?"
"W-What is it? What's Sung Taekyung's awakening ability?!"
"Dunno. I'm not saying. Ask him yourself next time."
"Hey! Kang Hyeun!"
Humming happily now, Hyeun ignored her. Despite Mina's sudden injustice-fueled grilling about Taekyung's ability, no more info came out.
⁎ ⁎ ⁎
The moment I checked the final reward tied to Hyeun in the skill unlock menu, an unexpected prize appeared as a new skill. My lips curled up on both sides.
A brand-new skill called Shield Arts was sparkling right among my existing ones, proudly announcing itself. Starting at level 2—not even 1—made it even better. Sure, in awakening points, it was just a measly 100-point difference. But that little boost was enough to thrill me. More than anything, it was basically a free new skill.
Shield Arts, huh. Hyeun's awakening is definitely Shield Warrior of the Guardian Shield. I faced it ages ago, but I know the gist. So this unlocked ability tied to the target hunter has to mean this Shield Arts skill, obviously.
Someone might say what's the point of learning Shield Arts when Hyeun's right there. But combine it with her special Shield Warrior of the Guardian Shield ability, and it's different. Her power lets her summon and recall shields in any form she wants. She knows the exact conditions and usage better than me, but I hear she can even lend or transfer shields to others temporarily.
No immediate use now, but in the same party? Super useful. Way better than pointless Spear Arts.
With that in mind, I didn't hesitate—spent 200 points to bump Shield Arts to level 3. Might seem dumb investing in a skill I won't use right away. But it was like self-hypnosis to solidify my goal: transfer to the company and join Sky Blue Shield. Another motivator never hurt, especially since that's my next target anyway.
Next, I checked the newly unlocked achievement reward.
Finally, I scanned the point shop for new items. That's when I spotted a weird new addition, and my eyes lingered on the subtle menu.
"What the hell is this?"
Unlike stuff I'd bought before, the description wasn't intuitive. It straight-up strong-armed me with "the most essential item for you." And it boldly centered the shop page at full price. Everything about it rubbed me wrong.
Isn't the "system intelligence" in my awakening basically the ability itself? Valuing its own smarts like some artifact such as the subspace pouch or Mystery Mask. Overly self-aware, if you ask me. Not sure if the system even has self-awareness.
I'm not some old fogey fumbling a kiosk—I'm not inept at the interface. No need for this. Plus, it soured my mood remembering the old system that took points for UI upgrades. I ignored it to close the system—
Instead of closing, the point shop item's price dropped in real-time.
...Well, well, what's this?