Chapter 689

〈 Chapter 689 〉 Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 16

Squelch. Squelch.

I lay sprawled out with Harang and Yuna on either side after a night of passionate activity. Yuna was on my left, Harang on my right, both sleeping soundly with their heads resting on my arms.

‘This is happiness.’

Where else could be better than having two goddesses lying naked beside you?

If only I had been born as a woman instead of a man, it would have been perfect – but no one can have everything in life.

‘Harang gave the okay, so the game’s over.’

I checked a message through my Magical Gear.

[Ms. Jeong Su-ri is taking an early morning train to Haeundae~~ Congratulations on your new girl, Customer~ haha]

[One A-Rank Core will do.]

[Love you.]

Yuha, as a board member, pressured the Academy to send Su Ri to Busan. Due to various circumstances, Su Ri would visit Busan and engage in an unofficial sparring match.

<Flame Master visits Busan, boosting local Guild activity?>

Su Ri’s visit to Busan was already widely publicized. We couldn’t control her movements anyway, and information leaks were inevitable during the process of bringing her to Busan.

‘Just grateful she’s coming at all.’

Since Seok Harang couldn’t leave Busan, we needed to bring Su Ri to Busan for their match to happen – allowing us to complete our quest condition of “Defeat an A-Rank opponent.”

“Mmm…hnnn…”

I gently stroked Harang’s snow-white hair while holding her close. Even in sleep, she clung tightly to me.

‘She’s sleeping, can’t wake her up.’

Seok Harang is like a local wife who can only be seen when the protagonist visits Busan. Without special circumstances, it’s difficult for the protagonist to visit Busan or maintain a relationship with Harang.

“Need to give her all I can while she’s here.”

Just being near Harang increases affection points. I lightly kissed her forehead, making her snuggle deeper into sleep.

“…”

A cold gaze came from the side. One of Yuna’s legs subtly wrapped around my groin like a body pillow.

“No way. Any more and Harang’s condition will be bad tomorrow.”

“Even thinking about it isn’t allowed?”

“If you want magical energy replenishment, why don’t you just do it with me?”

“Hmph. Got it, got it.”

Yuna’s leg trapped my manhood as I tried to sneakily take advantage of Harang’s sleep, much like she did to me when we were younger.

“Just let her rest. She was really exhausted.”

“Honestly, if I’ve given Harang 80% of my attention, you’ve taken away 20% too, haven’t you?”

“So? That makes 100%. Damn.”

“This…”

I pinched Yuna’s breast. She lifted her legs, massaging me with her thighs.

“Sleep quietly. You’ll be busy starting tomorrow morning.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

While Harang and I were having our private moment, Yuna had already set things in motion.

– Su Ri, I’m coming to Busan. Heard Set Wha Princess is offering spars to A-Ranks?

Not quite a battle enthusiast, but sparring with an S-Rank doesn’t come easily. With only two S-Ranks in Korea and one being an old man stuck at home, Seok Harang volunteering first would create a long waiting list.

“Su Ri, on the bus?”

“Yes, taking the late-night bus down.”

Su Ri trusted Yuna’s words. Even if Yuna’s claims weren’t true, Su Ri would drop everything to come to Busan when asked. Worried about Yuna getting hurt elsewhere, she rushes down immediately.

‘Then later gets raped by villains.’

Villains use Yuna as bait to lure Su Ri. Realizing Yuna didn’t actually call her, Su Ri cuts off consciousness herself, only to be found later by Yuna and the protagonist group as an irrecoverable cripple.

“What a loyal dog.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means loyalty to her master.”

“Though Su Ri does rely on Yuna a lot, calling people dogs is a bit…”

Yuna would rush to Busan upon a single word, showing how deeply she depends on Yuna. While Nuri is more like a stray cat type, Su Ri has a wounded stray dog quality, relying heavily on Yuna as her master.

“No, you’ll understand eventually too.”

I revealed Su Ri’s hidden tendencies. Surprised, Yuna blinked.

“…She’s definitely a puppy.”

“That’s right.”

“Doggy’s being talkative.”

Crunch. Another leg pressed against my tip, this time cool and wrapping around from a different direction. The unexpected contact made my back tingle.

“Hey, Harang. You’re awake?”

“How could I sleep when you’re critiquing other women?”

“Not critique, just analyzing personality types. Convenient timing. Harang, listen closely – I’ll tell you Su Ri’s weakness.”

“…As an official S+ Rank, do I really need to know her weaknesses?”

Proud of her strength gained through my enhancement, Harang was adorable in her confidence. I maintained a serious expression.

“Your job is teaching, not overwhelming her.”

“So what should I do?”

“Attack from behind.”

“What?”

Su Ri’s sole weakness: though formidable in straightforward combat, she struggles with variable battles against villains or monsters.

“Su Ri is weak against rear attacks.”

* * *

<10 AM, Busan Hero Association Sparring Arena>

“Huff…huff…”

Su Ri couldn’t calm her heated body. Thinking about her upcoming opponent made her magic power boil within.

“Ri, don’t push yourself.”

“Don’t worry. I’m Flame Master. Stat-wise, there’s only a difference of 9 between us. How could I pass up this opportunity you arranged?”

She took a nap on the bus to make it to Busan, all because Yuna said she’d secured a spar with Seok Harang, which Su Ri accepted despite suspicions due to trust in Yuna.

“With Set Wha Princess here in Busan, how could I not come down for a match?”

Upon arrival, Busan Association staff treated her like a VIP guest, leading her to the arena where she saw <Flame Master> and <Set Wha Princess> displayed on the monitor.

“Heh, you already had your match?”

“Yeah, a proper one.”

“Now it’s my turn to get one. I’ll take revenge for Yuna.”

“…”

Yuna defeated Harang in a 2-on-1 battle but couldn’t explain the details to Su Ri, merely hiding her thoughts with a subtle smile while worrying about her friend.

“You’re at a disadvantage elementally though.”

“I don’t believe in those unofficial elemental theories. If elements alone determined victory, last year’s Hero Olympics wouldn’t have turned out the way they did.”

Spinning her magical staff made from the core and charcoal of a tree monster she defeated as a freshman, Su Ri prepared herself.

“Ultimately, good skill, good equipment, and the effort to support them are what matter to win.”

“…”

Yuna couldn’t easily agree with Su Ri’s words, knowing the fight was predetermined by overwhelming talent differences but unable to wound her friend with such truth.

“Sorry for the delay.”

The door opened, revealing a white-haired woman in formal attire facing Su Ri in the arena. Her icy gaze was calm and deep like the sea.

“Pleased to meet you, Set Wha Princess. I didn’t know you had such a connection with Yuna.”

“Well…we do share a deep connection. We spent last night together.”

“What…does that mean?”

“Curious?”

Seok Harang twisted her lips, raising her hand above her head. Instantly, the arena walls froze solid while the floor remained ice-free.

“This is…”

“A defensive barrier with the same durability as my Han River freeze. Unleash your full power without worry – it won’t break.”

“Wait! What does spending last night with Yuna mean…!”

“What are you imagining? Yuna and I are on the same ‘team.’ Just regular team interaction.”

“Team?!”

Hearing Harang’s shocking statement, Su Ri turned to Yuna sitting in the audience surrounded by extra-thick ice barriers.

“What kind of team is that?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. Secret from others. Set Wha Princess, you’re now part of our guild.”

“…”

Learning one of Korea’s top two Hero Association members belongs to a foreign guild sent chills down Su Ri’s spine.

“And now you must keep this secret too, Flame Master Su Ri.”

Realizing what these words implied, Su Ri felt her position as someone who could join any guild at Hero Academy completely reversed.

“Now we’ll conduct a guild entrance test. Are you ready, Flame Master?”

“Who decided I’d join…!”

“No. You will join us regardless.”

Swish. An ice crystal butterfly appeared on Harang’s palm.

“To twist your fate, I’ll bring you into our team with full strength. Attack me. If you lose, you join us.”

“…I don’t understand any of this, but one thing is clear.”

With a roar, Su Ri’s hair floated upward as massive flames erupted around her.

“Forgetting all the complications, I just need to beat you!”

“Hmph, defeating me directly would indeed settle this. But remember…”

Harang’s Magical Gear flashed.

“The world isn’t only about fighting straightforwardly.”

Flicking her finger, a giant ice crystal pierced toward Su Ri’s back.

* * *

<Meanwhile, Near Busan Hero Association Hot Spring>

“Wow, they’re putting on quite a show.”

“Never thought I’d see something like this…”

Watching Harang and Su Ri’s 1-on-1 battle via Yuna’s Magical Gear recording, Sun Gyeoul and I enjoyed some downtime at the hot spring. The flame and ice elemental powers created a textbook battle.

“Quiet enough here for just the two of us. Right?”

“…This place is still hard for them to enter.”

Both Sun Gyeoul and I mocked the group of ability users outside who couldn’t enter due to their tattoos marking them as part of the Patriotic Youth Corps, considered hate speech promoters.

“Nice change. Always getting weird looks, couldn’t relax properly.”

“I’ll apologize for that on their behalf.”

“That’s not your responsibility…Ouch, intense.”

A group of bulky men entered the hot spring, their tattooed areas covered by flesh-colored wraps. They approached our area confidently.

“Sorry to disturb your relaxation.”

“No problem. Go ahead.”

I grabbed some sikhye, roasted bean curd eggs, and strawberry milk, pointing to a corner.

“Why don’t you go relax over there?”

“Eh…?”

In every hot spring, there’s always a small cave-like space. Barely large enough for one person, I crawled inside.

“Coming?”

I made just enough room for one more.

“Want to miss watching Set Wha Princess vs Flame Master?”

“…Damn.”

Muttering under her breath, Sun Gyeoul slowly crawled into the cramped space after me.