19
Ep 19
“…Not here.”
I looked around and thought to myself.
Whenever I recognized a place, there was always something I needed to secure.
In the game, it could only be obtained through the orthodox faction route—
But here, I might be able to get it directly.
As I scanned the surroundings—
Cheon Hyerin reached for me.
“Yujin… where are you looking?”
“…Huh?”
She pulled me closer and continued walking.
Her ears, faintly visible beneath her hair, were flushed red.
“…Look at me, Yujin.”
She murmured softly.
For a moment, her tone dropped.
Careful.
Shy.
But clearly mustering courage.
“…Why all of a sudden?”
“Your gaze left me for seven minutes. So now, look only at me.”
…She counted that?
After a brief silence, she held out a red bean bun.
“Here… open your mouth.”
There was a clear bite mark.
…Do I avoid it?
No.
If I hesitate, it’ll look strange.
Act natural.
Like it’s nothing.
“…!”
Sweet.
Warm.
Soft.
The filling spread gently in my mouth.
“It tastes better because you fed me.”
“T-that’s not true…”
I offered it back.
She hesitated again.
Every time—
The same reaction.
She brought it close to her lips—
Paused—
Then suddenly stuffed it all into her mouth.
“Drink some water. You’ll choke.”
“…Th-thank you.”
Her cheeks flushed.
She quickly covered her face.
I remembered something.
Cheon Hyerin—
Known as cold and emotionless.
But when she blushed—
It meant she couldn’t suppress her feelings.
Her ears turned red.
Her breathing uneven.
“Don’t… keep doing things that make me lose control. There are times I can’t hold back.”
She turned away, embarrassed.
Then—
Moments later—
She looked at me again like nothing had happened.
“…Let’s try that.”
I pointed at another dish.
“…That’s too spicy.”
Even martial artists care about spice?
“Then I’ll make something mild for you next time.”
“…You’ll cook for me?”
“…Probably soon.”
“…!!”
Why is she reacting like that?
“I’ll adjust it to your taste.”
“That’s enough…!”
She cut me off.
“How much more are you planning to… affect me…?”
“…Let’s just eat this.”
She froze.
“…How do you know I like this?”
…I guessed.
Why does my luck only work at times like this?
///
While waiting—
I noticed someone familiar.
White hair.
Hong Yeon.
She was disguised.
“…?”
We recognized each other instantly.
In front of her—
A table full of food.
“What are you doing here?”
She asked casually.
Then—
She saw Cheon Hyerin.
“…Sword Empress?”
“…Just out for a walk.”
Hong Yeon tilted her head, confused, then left.
But she was smiling.
“…Eating together, walking at night… everything…”
“…?”
///
That night—
Cheon Hyerin couldn’t sleep.
It wasn’t their first contact.
But—
This time was different.
He was more direct.
And—
She accepted it.
Before—
The most they had done was hold hands through gloves.
Now—
She couldn’t push him away.
Her heart trembled.
Her senses sharpened.
She had always suppressed her emotions.
But now—
She couldn’t.
He made her accept everything.
“…How much must he love me…”
Even while waiting for food—
She slipped her fingers into his.
“…Ah…”
Her face flushed.
She realized—
She was getting used to it.
The warmth.
The excitement.
Being with him—
Made her feel at ease.
She smiled.
She liked it.
Being held.
Being wanted.
“….”
She didn’t want to appear weak.
But—
With him—
Maybe it was fine.
She relaxed.
Let herself be pulled closer.
No resistance.
He didn’t let go.
Instead—
He held her tighter.
“….”
She pretended not to notice.
But her ears turned red.
She tried to suppress her smile.
Then—
He started to pull away.
“…No.”
She grabbed him.
Pulled him back.
She wanted—
To stay like that.
///
Time passed.
The food arrived.
The innkeeper laughed.
“You two look good together. Married?”
“…!!!”
Cheon Hyerin dropped her chopsticks.
“…We’re not like that. Just acquaintances.”
“Heh. That’s what they all say.”
“…Ha…”
I glanced at her.
Her face—
Bright red.
She kept eating.
The innkeeper left.
She looked at me.
“…What are we?”
“…What do you mean?”
“…Our relationship.”
“….”
“…Are we… lovers?”
…Are we?
I don’t remember confessing.
But—
She didn’t let go of my hand.
“I want clarity.”
“…It’s too early to call it that.”
“…We walk together at night.”
“…Hold hands.”
“…You hold my waist.”
“….”
“…That doesn’t sound like strangers.”
“….”
“…Is this how it usually develops?”
“…Not always.”
“…We’re already close.”
“….”
“And one more thing.”
“…What?”
“Hong Yeon.”
“….”
“…Tell me everything.”
“…She’s just training me.”
“…If anything more happens…”
“I’ll make sure it doesn’t.”
“…What?”
“…Nothing.”
“….”
This—
Was going to take longer than expected.
///
In a dark chamber—
“This year’s talents are impressive.”
“Quality over quantity.”
A man handed over documents.
Some from the orthodox faction.
Not all were clean.
Some dealt in human trafficking.
Power was needed.
Quickly.
“…Some are born with destiny.”
“…They can gain abilities not of this world.”
“…Interesting.”
“…Even something like the Heavenly Martial Body.”
“…What?!”
The man stood abruptly.
A legendary physique.
Impossible to obtain normally.
“…Though no one has succeeded yet.”
Still—
They were certain.
They needed it.
///
Heavenly Heart Pills x10
Heavenly Spirit Pills x10
“…Found it.”
As I dug—
Something appeared.
[ A legendary body trait is unlocked. ]