Chapter 203
The 40th floor, which had lost its master Phynox, quickly fell into the hands of the Demons. Despite the struggles of Phynox’s aide, Ariana, who had survived by managing the special forces, it was of no use…
“Damn it, kill her…!”
She was overwhelmed alone. Veronica, who had personally captured Ariana, asked Ersha, who was temporarily coordinating the troops.
“What should we do, Assistant?”
Ersha looked at the concentrated magic artillery installed on the 40th floor’s walls. From what she heard, the one who developed this was the woman they had just captured.
Even with just three soldiers possessing ordinary magic, it was certainly an innovative tool that could deliver impressive firepower. The only problem was that it was against a monster that was invulnerable to most attacks.
“Let’s keep her alive for now.”
“Didn’t you say to kill her!!”
“There’s a possibility she might commit suicide, so make sure she can’t die.”
“Understood.”
“This filthy…!”
With those words, Ariana could no longer resist. Bound and gagged, she was taken away by Veronica and the 2nd Legion soldiers.
“You’re leaving her alive.”
At that moment, Lin approached and asked. Ersha nodded slightly and replied.
“Since she’s a valuable asset, we’re letting her go for now. Whether to keep her alive or not will be decided by His Majesty and Nahun.”
“Well, in that case, I understand.”
Ersha had the precaution of not needing to create a potential threat by leaving someone who had been an enemy alive, but Nahun was known to have a fondness for talented individuals, which was why she hesitated to let her go.
As Seere’s legion thoroughly searched the 40th floor Demon King Castle for any remaining remnants, Ersha wandered around the castle, glancing at the surroundings.
“?”
Then she sensed something and moved her footsteps. In a corner of the corridor leading to Phynox’s audience chamber, there was something suspicious.
“…A breeze?”
A gust of wind was blowing from somewhere. There shouldn’t be any wind in a closed corridor, and upon closer inspection, there was a gap in the wall. Ersha tilted her head and touched it, and something astonishing happened.
Crack…
Part of the wall moved sideways, revealing a hidden space. Though slightly taken aback, Ersha focused first on what was inside.
The interior was dark and nothing was visible. After looking around briefly, she summoned her magic. Thanks to Nahun previously securing a large amount of magical blood from Paimon, she could utilize significant magic power now.
As a progenitor of her lineage, that magical power was akin to blood. The red blood gathered in her hand emitted a glow. The crimson light dispelled the darkness and filled the space. Then Ersha saw what Phynox had hidden here.
“What is this…?”
Rather than seeing something surprising, she reacted with curiosity about why such a thing was stored in such a suspicious place. Ersha could not figure out if there was a reason to hide something like this.
After gazing at it for a while, Ersha decided it would be better to show it to someone first rather than touch it herself. She stepped back into the corridor and called out to Celestia, who happened to be passing by.
“Celestia, Commander.”
“Yes?”
“Could you move this? I think it needs to be sent to the Demon King Castle.”
—
Seere was smiling broadly.
Although she had injuries to her ribs and side, luckily her lungs weren’t damaged, and the injured organs were merely her kidneys. It was her kidneys that could function with just one, so she had no trouble with daily life.
She had lost a lot of blood and had been down for a while, but she could eat without any issues.
“Please feed me this time.”
“Sure.”
“Ahh~.”
The reason Seere was smiling was that Nahun was personally feeding her. Her hands weren’t even injured, but saying she felt weak, she had asked to be fed, and Nahun gladly complied.
Of course, because she had injured her kidneys, she needed to avoid salty food. Only low-sodium, gentle, and clean-tasting meals were permitted, but Seere was enjoying them deliciously just because Nahun was feeding her.
“I’m glad you’re eating well. It must be bland.”
“It’s okay. It’s good enough.”
“Do you want to eat more?”
“Hmm, I think I’m full.”
Nahun chuckled and put down the spoon. There were still a few side dishes left, but he had been told to just feed her moderately when Rea served the meal. He set the meal aside and returned to his seat.
“I didn’t know.”
“Pardon?”
“You created your own magic.”
“Ah.”
Seere smiled sheepishly and said, “I just applied what you taught me.”
“That’s impressive.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The quality was high, and the power was tremendous. Few could withstand that attack in the Demon World.”
It was no flattery. Objectively, it was true. A student who had solo-produced magic of such caliber looked so wonderful and adorable to Nahun that his smile wouldn’t fade.
“You’ve grown up, really grown up.”
“Hehehe….”
Maybe it was thanks to Nahun’s gentle touch as he patted her head, but Seere couldn’t stop smiling.
Then Seere suddenly collected herself. Currently, the relationship between herself and Nahun had progressed beyond a simple teacher-student or mentor relationship into that of lovers… and this situation felt rather inappropriate.
Isn’t this basically treating her like a child? Thinking like that, Seere quietly gazed at Nahun.
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“When did I say I would recover?”
“You mentioned it would take about 2 weeks for the surgical scars to gradually fade, and that we’d have to monitor for a week to decide when you could walk again.”
“That’s quite long.”
“You got hurt significantly. Don’t think about doing anything, just rest well.”
Nahun’s well-meaning remark caused Seere to sulk slightly.
“Did you read my thoughts?”
“Do you think I’ve been watching you for years?”
“…But, Teacher.”
Seere leaned slightly toward Nahun. As she did, the loose clothing he had put on her slipped a bit, exposing her fair skin.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had time alone like this; it feels too wasteful.”
“Didn’t you hear me? You need to stabilize for at least another week.”
“I’m not saying we have to do everything. We just haven’t even kissed since the war started.”
Nahun glanced at Seere. Due to her position, her clothes have slipped further down, accidentally revealing her curves. Consequently, Nahun cleared his throat awkwardly.
“C-Could you adjust your clothes first?”
“E-But you like it, right?”
“When did I!?”
Seere chuckled lightly and fixed her attire at Nahun’s request. Then, having granted her request, she looked at him, as if waiting for him to reciprocate. Nahun, reading her gaze, couldn’t help but wear a helpless expression.
“Just stay still. You might reopen your surgical area if you move around.”
“Okay.”
Nahun got up from his chair and climbed onto the bed. Seere slightly shifted to make space for him and smiled bashfully as he cupped her cheek.
Then, rubbing her cheek slightly and speaking in a voice tinged with a hint of ecstasy, she whispered.
“Hmm, Teacher’s hands are big, I like it….”
Nahun was not impenetrable when faced with such cuteness from his lovely and beautiful lover. No, perhaps under normal conditions, he could have withstood it.
However, the touch of smooth skin on his palm and the breath tickling his ear triggered instincts deep within him.
“Ah… Teacher….”
Seere’s slightly flushed cheeks and sweet voice were only provoking him further.
Eventually, Nahun pulled Seere into a tight embrace and lowered his head to touch their lips. The moment their lips brushed, a knock echoed from the door.
Both Nahun and Seere stiffened. They both silently tried to ignore the knock, but upon hearing it again, they furrowed their brows.
Eventually, as Nahun started to rise, Seere gripped his shoulder and narrowed her eyes fiercely. Then, she closed the small distance between their lips properly.
“!?”
“Your Majesty, I apologize, but I will enter now.”
It was Cain’s voice. There was the sound of a doorknob turning. Seere, at that moment, released Nahun and quickly pushed him away. Nahun, sensing the situation, promptly sat back in the chair, and Seere naturally spoke to Cain, who entered through the opened door.
“Ah, what’s the matter?”
“I see you’re awake.”
“I didn’t hear because I was talking with my teacher.”
“I see. Actually, Your Majesty, an item has arrived from the 40th floor, and I think you should take a look.”
“An item?”
“Yes, it’s from Assistant Ersha. They found it in the hidden room of the 40th floor Demon King Castle.”
“Hmm? A hidden room?”
Both Seere and Nahun couldn’t help but show interest. Upon hearing “hidden room in the 40th floor Demon King Castle,” Nahun suddenly recalled something.
“Ah, could it be that item…?”
“This is it.”
Cain placed the object on the table so that the two could see it well. It was a small box that was easily lifted with one hand. Inside the box was a glowing blue orb.
Seeing that, Nahun smiled and said, “I had forgotten about it, but Ersha found it well.”
“It’s just… a small orb, isn’t it?”
“It’s not just an orb.”
Nahun rose from his seat, took the box, and approached Seere again.
“Thank Cain for delivering it.”
“Understood. Oh, and since the recovery of the 40th floor is nearly complete, it seems that Nahun should also pay a visit later.”
“Right.”
Cain respectfully bowed his head and withdrew, and Nahun opened the box before Seere. Immediately, the blue light that had clearly maintained a spherical shape dispersed like smoke.
“Oh, it disappeared!”
“It’s okay.”
As Nahun raised his index finger, the light that had scattered just a moment ago wrapped around his finger and began to gather.
“What is this?”
“It’s a power that can further enhance your magical power.”
“Really?”
What Ersha had found was none other than a rare “status enhancement item,” one of the few that existed in the Ebel Queen Maker.
—
Nahun had intended to seek this out immediately upon conquering the 40th floor. He had momentarily forgotten about it due to Seere’s injuries, but it seemed Ersha had fortuitously found it first.
Although it was a consumable item, its effects were definite. An item that boosted stats without needing to digest a certain amount in a simulation game held immeasurable value. Especially since it was an item that increased magic stats in a game, it raised expectations for how significant an effect it would have now that reality had taken form.
In the original, this blue power was referred to quite mysteriously as “Chilling Aura,” but Nahun felt there was no need to explain that, so he only relayed its effects to Seere.
“I don’t know the exact principle, but it’s a power that strengthens the magical power of the one who absorbs it.”
“Is it safe?”
“Of course.”
In the original, there were no penalties associated with the item. There was no reduction in other stats in exchange for an increase in magical power.
“How do I absorb it?”
“Just release your magic. It will naturally flow through the circuits in your body and absorb itself into usable magic.”
“Okay.”
As Seere released her magic slightly, the blue energy wrapped around Nahun’s finger reacted violently to her magic and rushed towards her to be absorbed.
“Oh….”
“How does it feel?”
Seere was sensitive to magic. She could sense Nahun approaching from afar through his magical presence. The same went for her own magic, and she immediately detected the change.
“My magic has increased. By quite a bit too.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Nahun smiled happily. Then he said to Seere, “Ersha found it for you.”
“Is it okay for me to use this?”
“It was originally something I planned to find and give to you. Seeing that Ersha sent it to me, it’s likely intended for you.”
“Ah….”
Feeling her significantly enhanced magic, Seere beamed with a smile.
“I guess I should reward her later.”
“Sure.”
“Hmm… but Teacher.”
“What is it?”
“Is it just me, or is it a bit cold?”
“Huh?”
Seere wrapped her arms around herself. Then, slightly furrowing her brows, she spoke to Nahun.
“It feels like the heating isn’t working….”
Nahun tilted his head. To him, the room temperature hadn’t changed at all. However, he soon realized that Seere was speaking sincerely.
“Seere!? Are you hurt?”
“No? Ah, no. It’s just gotten a bit cold….”
Seere’s body began to tremble slightly. Nahun looked at Seere for a moment, but it didn’t seem like she was actually hurt. She was simply shivering as if she was really cold.
“Huh….”
He pulled up the blanket to cover her, but Seere continued to shiver. Not knowing why this was happening, Nahun felt bewildered as he scanned around for something warm, and suddenly recalled something.
‘…Chilling Aura?’
It was the name of the power that Seere had absorbed earlier. When it was manifested as an item, it had no penalties, as it was a stat-enhancing item… but….
“Don’t tell me….”
As reality had taken shape, the effect had changed just as the name suggested. While it still increased magical power, it had turned into a dangerous item that made the absorber feel excessive chill.
“Oh no….”
Whether it was a temporary side effect or a continuous one was important. When Nahun realized his mistake and frowned, Seere spoke up.
“Teacher, I’m cold….”
Seere trembled even more than before.
“Is there anything warm…?”
“…Just a moment.”
Nahun looked around, but aside from the blanket, there was nothing to cover her with.
“I’ll just get you this….”
Nahun grabbed one of the dolls near the bed and handed it to her. Seere hugged the white bear tightly, but it didn’t seem to help her at all.
Reluctantly, Nahun was thinking about telling her to turn the heating back on when Seere reached out and grabbed him gently.
“Teacher…”
“Yeah. I’ll just tell them to make the room warmer….”
The shaking Seere shook her head.
“There’s nothing warm left in this room, Seere.”
“…There is.”
As Seere said this, she pulled Nahun closer. Although her weakened state due to the cold made it hard to pull him in completely, Nahun understood what she was trying to say.
For a moment, Nahun felt flustered and blurted out something nonsensical.
“…You’re just cold, right?”
“I’m… um, right now it feels like I’m acting….”
“Oh, no. Yeah, that can’t be it. What am I saying?”
Nahun removed his shoes and climbed onto the bed.
“Come a little closer.”
“Uh, okay….”
Shifting aside, Seere made space for him, and Nahun sat behind her and wrapped his arms around her, pressing his body closely to hers.
“Ugh….”
As soon as their bodies made contact, Nahun sensed that she felt cold. Knowing that her body had cooled down because of the energy she absorbed a moment ago, Nahun felt guilty as he hugged her tighter.
“Come in a bit more. Pull up your blanket.”
“Okay….”
“Are you feeling any better?”
“A little….”
The shivering had definitely calmed down a bit. Nahun shut his eyes and pondered.
‘This is… a typical way to share body warmth.’
Especially when lost in the rain or snow, it’s said to strip off all wet clothes and remain skin to skin for the best method of maintaining body warmth.
Although he thought so and quietly held Seere,…
“Te-Teacher….”
“…What is it?”
“Something… feels hard….”
“It’s nothing.”
Nahun couldn’t help it. After just having been in such a moment with Seere earlier, and due to the nature of the situation being so stimulating…
As he held Seere, he felt soft skin pressing against him. While hugging her from behind, he was exposed to sights that wouldn’t normally come into view: her pronounced collarbones, her bright white neck, and the alluring curves of her bosom…
Moreover, the smell of her sweat, due to her being unconscious earlier, was further stimulating him. Although he didn’t have a fondness for the scent of sweat, the fact that it belonged to the person he loved and felt desire for was a problem.
Furthermore, because he was embracing her whole body from behind, Seere’s rear end inevitably pressed against his growing desire.
Nahun didn’t want to feel this way, but he couldn’t overcome such a natural bodily response.
“Rest assured, I’m not aroused… so just relax, alright? You believe me, right?”
“…Yes.”
Of course, aside from that, both Seere and Nahun’s faces were considerably flushed and red. Both of them were too preoccupied with the cold that had settled on Seere’s body to ignore the sensations rushing to Nahun’s groin.
Seere understood as well. She realized why Nahun couldn’t help but react this way.
Seere glanced at Nahun with a slight turn of her head.
“…What’s wrong?”
“Later….”
“Hmm?”
“…Later, once I’m all healed, I’ll take care of everything.”
“……Perhaps it’s better not to say that now.”
“Ah… okay….”
With their trust in each other, the two were able to remain still. Fortunately, thanks to Nahun diligently holding Seere, the chilling sensation that had felt like a temporary side effect soon faded away.
