Contact #016: You're Doing It on Purpose!
“You're doing it on purpose, right!? You're deliberately only injuring your right arm!”
“No way.”
“Liar!”
Three days had passed since the fight with the orcs. In that time, he hadn't skipped a single day of orc hunting—and not once had he failed to injure his right arm. In other words, Yi Cho-rin had to consume Ga-on's semen every single day.
The first day, she'd been worried for him, taking the injury in her place. But now, she was outright angry. To the point where it seemed suspiciously intentional. No, it was almost certainly deliberate, given how he kept getting hurt in the exact same spot.
Thanks to the string of days like this, Yi Cho-rin had grown quite skilled at it. And that fact only fueled her anger more. Three days ago, she'd sworn this would be the last time, only to break that vow the very next day—and then three more times after that, grabbing and stroking Ga-on's cock.
Of course, Ga-on paid no mind to Yi Cho-rin's scolding and quickened his pace toward the cave.
It had been nearly ten days since they'd started living in the cave. Traces of their life filled the interior, proving as much. Just past the entrance sat a campfire with stacks of firewood beside it. Deeper in, dried fish hung from strings along the wall, and baskets woven from grass held peaches. At the very back lay their bed of piled grass. It was a fine nest.
“Miss Yi Cho-rin. The firewood's run out. I'll step out for a bit.”
“Hmph! Do whatever you want!”
“Yes. I'll be off, then.”
“Tch!”
Yi Cho-rin pouted as Ga-on actually left the cave just like she'd told him to. He seemed gruff, but he had a subtly competitive streak, hating to lose. He never once moved the way she expected.
Grumbling under her breath, Yi Cho-rin pulled the fish she'd caught earlier from the sack slung over her shoulder and began threading them onto sticks for dinner.
Meanwhile, Ga-on wandered outside, gathering dry branches for firewood as he lost himself in thought.
It's about time the factions start merging...
Southwest. The direction of another lake, the dungeon where the troll was sealed, and the survivors' camp. Even in his previous life, that area had been dominated by one overwhelming faction. The leader had been a gangster, he remembered. Using his experience, he'd built power through force and threats, eventually crushing and absorbing every other group.
Shin Segye. The name of the faction ruled by the gangster, Park Gyu-wan.
They followed a brutal law of the jungle, where the weak could never defy the strong. Everyone except a tiny elite with special abilities was exploited.
Of course, the gangster wasn't just a brute. If he were, he never could have grown his faction that large. He favored and cherished those with unique abilities. In that sense, it might even seem like a decent group to join. Both Ga-on himself and Yi Cho-rin, with her wound-healing power, would likely be treated well.
For now, I'll watch the situation a bit longer.
There was no issue surviving here right now, so no need to join up. Unless the orcs started tracking them later, things were fine for the moment. Besides, he couldn't be sure Shin Segye was the same group from his previous life. The future could change drastically from even a single action. The third regression was already vastly different from the first and second, so he couldn't assume this timeline matched.
If Park Gyu-wan had failed to unify like before, and some new figure had risen instead, that could pose a major threat to Ga-on and Yi Cho-rin. Though the odds were low, so no need to worry excessively.
“Time to head back...”
As he picked up branches one by one, his hands were soon full. Ga-on scanned the surroundings one last time, confirmed nothing was amiss, and returned to the cave.
That evening, they enjoyed delicious grilled fish.
“Hm-hm-hmm~”
Yi Cho-rin hummed a tune as she scouted for orcs. Today, Ga-on hadn't gotten hurt, so no need for his semen. It had been two weeks since arriving in this world, and a week since she'd started consuming it.
A few days ago, Ga-on had repeatedly injured his right arm on purpose to get her accustomed to it. But that was starting to feel risky, so he'd cut back to every other day. Giving something and then taking it away bred resentment, but the reverse eased anger. As part of that strategy, after daily doses, skipping a day shifted it to every other time—and Yi Cho-rin seemed quite satisfied. She even treated Ga-on better than before his semen, or so he imagined. Ga-on nodded to himself, unseen, confident in his choice.
The changes didn't stop there. Repeatedly killing orcs had accelerated their physical enhancements through karma absorption. Yi Cho-rin could now overpower an average adult male with pure strength. Ga-on could now face orcs head-on. Mana was steadily accumulating too, keeping their growth on track.
...As long as no variables cropped up.
Ga-on finished his rough patrol, dusted off his hands, and stood. As expected, all he'd found was a canteen. They already had dozens back at camp, but more was always better. Water didn't spoil quickly, and filling them ensured they could last even without the lake in a pinch. A no-brainer.
“Alright, Miss Yi Cho-rin. To the lake. Might as well fill up while we're at it.”
“Yes! Let's fill 'em quick and head back. I'll make something delicious for dinner!”
Yi Cho-rin stood, stuffing the canteen into her sack—full of edible mushrooms besides—and shouted energetically. She'd downplayed it as helping her mom and grabbing some certifications, but distinguishing mushroom types showed her expertise was far beyond that.
Ten minutes later at the lake, they filled up and headed back. Three canteens each added real weight, but two weeks of gains made it feel like feathers. No hindrance to movement, so no need to lighten the load.
An hour passed, bringing them right to the cave mouth.
“Ahhh...! Good work today! I'll start dinner right awa—”
“Stop.”
Ga-on blocked Yi Cho-rin as she stretched and stepped toward the cave. His gaze fixed on the bushes beside it.
Moments later, the foliage rustled in response, and a group emerged. Five men, sauntering out casually.
“Ah, shit, we got spotted?”
“Told you to stay quiet, you idiot. Why were you panting like a dog in heat?”
“Hey, how could I stay still seeing those tits? Ass looks firm too—perfect for doggy.”
The front three leered up and down Yi Cho-rin, snickering. Starting at her face, then chest, waist, hips, finally gathering on her thighs peeking through her torn skirt. Meanwhile, the two in back kept lecherous eyes on them but steadily aimed crossbows at Yi Cho-rin and Ga-on. Ready to fire at any twitch.
Faster than expected...
Their gear was too good. Each had a sword or spear, plus 2-3 daggers at the waist. And crossbows on the rear pair. That screamed strong faction. Nothing but Shin Segye fit here.
Problem was, unification shouldn't happen for days yet. Dispatching scouts this early meant it had wrapped up days ago. The timeline had diverged from his previous life.
“G-Ga-on...”
“It's fine. Five's no problem.”
As Ga-on gauged the variable against his past knowledge, Yi Cho-rin tugged his sleeve from behind, huddled in fear. Terrified by the men's lustful stares. His calm reassurance eased her a bit.
But that worked only because it was her. The others, clueless about Ga-on, burst into laughter.
“Puhaha! Hear that?”
“It's fiiiine. Fiiiive's no proooblem~ Kahahaha! Fucking hilarious.”
They mocked his words in a slurred imitation, clutching their bellies. Truly gifted at pissing people off. Even Yi Cho-rin's tense face flushed with rage.
The calmest-looking one reined them in. “Hey, quit laughing. You'll screw it up.”
“Screw what? It's over. Shit. Kill the guy quick and fuck the girl.”
They closed in slowly, swaggering like cats toying with cornered prey. Ga-on gripped his spear tight—then the frontmost flashed a sadistic grin.
“Hey. Ain't the guy kinda pathetic? Dying over a girl would suck for him.”
“What bullshit?”
“Wait. Got a fun idea.”
Stepping forward like this was his cue, he ogled Yi Cho-rin's figure blatantly. His snake-like gaze made her shudder. His smile only deepened.
Stopping three meters away, he tossed out his “mercy.”
“Hey. Drop your weapons and fuck off. We'll let you live.”
“......”
“No interest in you. Just beat it. We only need the girl. Or you wanna die?”
His expression screamed you don't really wanna die, right? as he waggled his weapon. Infuriating enough to kill him on the spot.
Seeing that, Ga-on tossed his spear to the ground.
Clang—
“G-Ga-on!?”
“Uhahaha! He actually did it? Hey, drop the spear on your back and daggers too.”
The man nodded at her shocked cry, issuing the next order. Ga-on hesitated this time, slowly drawing the spear from his back. Frustrating, sure—but the bastard just giggled like he was loving it.
Spear and daggers hit the dirt. The crossbowmen, deeming no more threat, lowered their arms.
Just as I thought. Idiots.
Lowering aim without knowing their abilities? The front one was the worst, but the followers were just as bad.
The instant the crossbows dropped, Ga-on snatched the canteen from his waist and hurled it with all his might.