The Price of Favors
'What the hell does she mean?'
Yeonwoo didn't jump straight into it. Pure goodwill inside a gate? Any veteran hunter would be suspicious as hell.
There's always a price tag on favors like that.
And this woman had pinned a werewolf barehanded—a goddamn monster. No room for complacency.
What's her Stigma that it's got her so hooked?
Her identity piqued his curiosity in every way, but right now, the situation at hand took priority.
More importantly, why?
There were too many questionable bits. This psycho had hogged the wolves, beat down other hunters, and spat righteously on them. Yet she hands over the killing blow on a superior specimen like a werewolf?
And she's been piling on the favors in this weirdly persistent way.
Suspicious as fuck, honestly. So he played it cool, gauging her, then drew his weapon. He picked the 'Real Combat Compression No.2' form. Flaunting overwhelming power with something else might raise flags, so he stuck to the original tool for Gathered Slash.
For now, no reason to turn it down.
But he kept his guard up. If she pulled any tricks, he could bolt anytime.
Yeonwoo raised both hands high, channeling his strength.
-Grk, grrr…!
The werewolf, sensing its doom, thrashed wildly. Pretty lively for something pinned down.
Damn systematic about it.
Might be nothing, but it was worth noting more than he'd thought.
Gates didn't give full contribution credit just for the last hit. Fighting together split EXP based on contributions. That's why 'Real Combat Compression No.2' was gold—it didn't just finish off dying mobs but used Gathered Slash on relatively fresh ones to snatch massive life in one go, racking up high shares.
If Shin Gaon had clocked that on purpose… she might be watching his technique, scheming to figure out how he sealed the deal.
Whoosh—!
As Yeonwoo swung down, Shin Gaon dodged aside. The blade's path cleared solely for the werewolf, lopping its head clean off.
"Hng."
Shin Gaon eyed him with a nasal hum, her gaze narrowing especially sharp.
"Huh. Fun."
She scooped up her fallen axe. Her bold vibe showed zero regrets over the werewolf.
"Shall we?"
"Mm."
"Let's go."
Even with Yeonwoo's lukewarm response, she didn't react. Just cocked her head and strode ahead.
…Feels a bit fulfilling, somehow.
Maybe from nabbing that superior specimen. The superiority from Species Annihilator tingled faintly, filling a void.
Yeah. I can always bail anytime.
With that, Yeonwoo trailed Shin Gaon deeper into the Battle on the Eve of the Wild Sanctuary Gate.
And so their dangerous partnership began. Or at least, potentially dangerous.
But the risks came with real benefits.
-Kyaang!
-Grk….
Sword and axe. Yeonwoo and Shin Gaon side by side, cutting wolves down.
Yeonwoo stuck to 'Real Combat Compression No.2' out of necessity, but his power ignored the form. Shin Gaon was just straight-up strong. Strength on strength made gate clears smooth as silk.
Proof? Wolf corpses littered the area—all their handiwork.
Definitely. Clears hit different with two.
No encirclement risk for one. backs guarded, solid as rock.
Sure. Solid, yeah.
…But maybe a tad too close.
Were their backs pressed that excessively? The thought lingered.
Come to think of it, her elbow had nudged his slyly a few times.
"Not bad."
Shin Gaon clapped approvingly.
No matter Yeonwoo's thoughts, her attitude stayed consistent. Just grinning like she was having a blast, pushing forward.
She even yielded finishing blows on werewolves multiple times.
"Nice one."
Shin Gaon, still lounging amid the pinned werewolf, tossed it out casually. Then extended her arm.
"Hand."
Yeonwoo grabbed it without suspicion and yanked hard.
"Whoa."
"Oopsie."
With Shin Gaon's brazen, over-the-top fuss, Yeonwoo's body got pulled right into her embrace.
"Whoops. My bad."
She flashed a shameless grin. No further touches, thankfully.
But first time hugged by that firm-yet-soft, solid frame.
"W-Watch it."
Yeonwoo scrambled up, flustered.
They kept hunting wolves after that. But every so often, Shin Gaon's antics popped up.
Sticking close when moving. Insisting on walking abreast in tight spots.
Even.
"Wolf pack ahead."
"Yeah?"
When Yeonwoo focused on vibration sense to scout… she'd sneak up, rest her chin on his head using her height.
What the actual fuck.
But this felt more like pranks. Hell, he'd pull similar if Mikael crouched whining in front.
Which made it more confusing. This woman's boundaries were nonexistent.
Gate delve continued like that.
Until shit finally hit the fan.
Whoosh—
Crack!
The ferocious two-handed axe shattered a werewolf's leg. Not severed—pure overwhelming force pulverizing it.
-Kaaak! Grk!
Kiiik, gak!
The werewolf collapsed, convulsing in agony. Three at once this time—no room to yield the finish.
But even three wasn't a crisis.
Strong as hell. And her instincts are killer.
Her raw power and sense stood out. Reckless, brutal fights, executed flawlessly every time. Impressive.
With skills like this, she should've been famous in the future. Personality issue, then?
Yeonwoo had seen plenty of talented hunters flame out from ego trips, vanishing quietly. Relationships weren't rocket science. No need to be nice to everyone. But no need to piss everyone off either.
Dying weak or ugly was a dog's death. Waste of talent.
Her Stigma's probably super strength or destruction-based.
Maybe from time together, curiosity about Shin Gaon crept up.
First impression: total lunatic.
But kind to him. Synced well too. Mostly him adjusting with vet savvy, but still.
At this rate, event clear seemed smooth.
Lost in that thought—
Bam!
Shin Gaon's axe smashed the werewolf's skull.
Ting.
A crisp chime rang out.
…Weapon!
Yeonwoo whipped his head up. Sound alone told him.
And from a superior werewolf?
Third claw.
No doubt. Part of the dagger series from before.
◈ Part of Real Combat Compression series
"Ooh, weapon?"
Shin Gaon grinned at the claw-shaped dagger, then looked right at Yeonwoo like showing off.
"This one's for our Yeonwoo too?"
Such a smarmy vibe. Her tone was next-level cheeky. Made him wanna deck her.
"Yes!"
So he answered energetically. Endure once, get a free weapon. Ego bruise temporary; weapon eternal in his Stigma.
"Fine. Yours."
"Thanks."
Fearing she'd change her mind, Yeonwoo darted over and bent to grab it.
"Careful, slippery there."
Her brutal style had blood and guts everywhere—prime slip zone.
Appreciated, but Yeonwoo wouldn't slip. Not even distracted by loot; he wasn't that dumb.
Still, she reached out, steadying his back unnecessarily.
As his fingers closed on the dagger—
"Ah."
Shin Gaon's hand slid fast. From back to waist. Waist to lower.
No time to shake.
Squeeze.
She gripped in one go.
"Eek!"
Clang!
The dagger slipped free, hitting the floor. A weapon, of all things.
The vertigo from that alien sensation overwhelmed him.
"Ah, uh…."
Unfamiliar feeling choked words. And she showed no sign of letting go.
This wasn't a slip-up.
Squeeze.
"Hngk."
She kneaded blatantly. That iron grip mauling his ass like dough.
Dizzying vertigo he'd never felt. Didn't want to feel it, period. Just his ass, but it weighed like his whole body seized by a giant hand.
Powerless before the forced pressure, vision narrowing.
This psycho bitch…!
Unspoken curses jammed down his throat.
"Heh."
Shin Gaon chuckled meaningfully. Her hand kept going, like it was her right.
…Ah.
Finally clicked. This bullshit had a pattern.
No way—this bitch has been…
Helping.
Shoulder pats.
Yielding weapons.
Waist groped.
Hunting aid.
Hugs, clinging, grinding.
And now.
Openly fondling.
There's always a price on favors.
His own words echoed. Face burned like exploding.
Favors clear. Price clearer.
"You… right now…!"
"What."
Shin Gaon replied like what's the issue?
"You followed knowing, right?"
"Eut…."
Speechless. This humiliation. Shame. Self-loathing.
Plus the unwanted vertigo surging despite restraint.
"Get off, you crazy bitch!"
Smack!
Yeonwoo slapped her hand away viciously. Near-fist slam.
"Haha!"
Shin Gaon didn't care. Laughed like dying of fun.
Then ruffled her hair back, scanning Yeonwoo top to bottom with sharp eyes.
"What. You started it, bitch."
"…What?"
Unthinkable reason. No comprehension.
Me? When?
"Did all that for you. Now you play hard to get."
Ridiculous. Weapons great, wolves easy, new gear incoming.
But ass still stung, shame unbearable.
Something snapped.
Slap—!
Shin Gaon's head snapped sideways.
"You… animal bitch."
Yeonwoo snarled, face flushed crimson.