This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 547

“Is this what they mean by being as wet as a drowned mouse?”

Of course, I wasn’t soaked to the point of having my underwear completely drenched, but I was definitely wet.

The only parts that were wet were my head and upper body, so it wasn’t like I was entirely saturated.

Even so, I couldn’t help but grumble to Yoonseo because I was planning to go back up after training and help Chae-rim with her tasks.

But to throw water on someone like that…

Even though I had started it by pressing her, using her talent to retaliate was a bit too much, right?

“It’s not like I spilled a drink or anything; it’s just water, so drying off should be enough…”

But just thinking about drying my hair and clothes one by one with a hairdryer was already getting kind of annoying.

That’s why I thought to myself that I had to repay this grudge, or rather, this favor.

If you’ve annoyed someone, it’s only natural to face the consequences, right?

So, quietly gauging Yoonseo’s mood… perhaps she decided to wrap things up today, and taking advantage of her moment of distraction as she finished training, I approached her silently from behind.

And then—

“Kyah?!”

I hugged Yoonseo tightly from behind, catching her completely off guard.

Perhaps the surprise of an unexpected back hug caused her to jump in shock, trapped in my arms.

Yoonseo’s body, caught in my embrace, trembled momentarily.

“W-What are you doing all of a sudden…”

Then, perhaps due to this influence, her voice came out slightly subdued compared to her usual self.

To be precise, it was trembling just a bit.

Feeling that soft voice echoing in my ears, I couldn’t help but smile.

“What is happening all of a sudden, you ask?”

Of course, that was obvious.

“This.”

“Heeek?!”

Since I had resolved to get my revenge, I couldn’t just clash with Yoonseo like we were siblings again.

I had no choice but to substitute a punch with a playful poke.

With that determination, my fingers, curled like hooks under my will, began to scrunch around her sensitive spots.

And in that scenario, the only thing Yoonseo could do as I poked at her side was tremble in my embrace.

“T-That’s enough…”

It’s a bit late to say this now, but this method was one I often employed when Yoonseo was in elementary school, no, when we were both in elementary school.

Even though she has improved a lot since then, back then Yoonseo really… had quite the temper.

She seemed to be stirring up trouble every day, so I couldn’t help but do something to prevent her from causing accidents.

That said, it was somewhat inappropriate for a second-time guy like me to be wrestling with a girl who had just entered elementary school, so after much thought, the idea of tickling her emerged.

And this method I concocted after much deliberation was obviously effective.

As proof, hasn’t Yoonseo made it this far without being dragged away anywhere?

Using a method whose effectiveness had been verified nearly ten years ago once again against Yoonseo brought back so many memories.

It felt that way particularly because the places that Yoonseo was ticklish hadn’t changed much in the past decade.

While I was reminiscing, Yoonseo was too busy flinching uncontrollably.

The moment I realized that Yoonseo’s reaction was a bit strange was then.

If it were Yoonseo from before, she would be roaring with laughter, right?

But now Yoonseo seemed like she was holding something back.

That’s why I began to think that perhaps I shouldn’t poke any further.

However, was it already too late?

Just as I was about to remove my hand from Yoonseo’s side, her body in my arms started trembling again.

And this tremor was on a different level than what Yoonseo had shown so far.

It wasn’t just a simple shake; it was like her body would curl up tightly and then stretch out in a manner that reminded one of something profound.

After continuing to shake for a while, she finally relaxed as if she were exhausted.

‘Wait, does that mean…’

No way, right?

As that ambiguous question arose in my mind regarding whether it was directed at me or Yoonseo, I quickly became aware of something.

What had changed wasn’t just Yoonseo’s height; my left hand had changed too.

Especially considering Yoonseo had just gone through an exhausting training session moments ago.

Thus, the effect of the ability tied to my left hand would definitely be stronger than usual, and having relentlessly teased her sides…

‘Come to think of it, they say that the more ticklish a spot is, the closer it is to being a sensitive area…’

Was that why little Yoonseo used to be such a little troublemaker, poking at my nerves?

Momentarily caught off guard with this fragment of truth, I addressed the now breathless Yoonseo in my arms.

“Hey, are you… okay?”

Fortunately, it seemed she still had the presence of mind to reply to my question.

“I told you to stop…”

“No, I didn’t mean…”

I didn’t think it would turn out like this.

I quickly swallowed the words that rose to my throat again.

Given how things had turned out, saying “I didn’t know” would be worse than not saying it at all.

As a result, while I remained silent, Yoonseo continued to speak.

Is it really that hard for her?

“What are we going to do about this…”

Her voice, unlike the usual confident tone, lacked strength.

That made me even more uncertain of what to do.

“I’m all soaked now, because of you…”

The funny thing was that even as she was flustered, her body reacted to the unusual tone in Yoonseo’s voice.

So she was soaked because of me.

Hearing Yoonseo say she was soaked made my imagination run wild, and that couldn’t be helped.

“Am I… soaked?”

I gave her a tighter embrace while she busied herself trying to escape and whispered into her adorable little ears, which peeked out from her beautiful brown hair.

And in response to that, Yoonseo showed a rather startled reaction.

“Are you crazy?! This isn’t my house; it’s a training ground!”

“Since you said I made you soaked, you have to take responsibility.”

“N-No, but…”

“So, you don’t want to?”

“Just not here…”

“Then I suppose as long as it’s not in the training ground, it’s fine?”

That was as far as I went before leaning in slightly forward, not knowing what I had imagined, planting a light kiss on Yoonseo’s flushed cheeks.

Then I whispered into her ear.

“You know there’s a private resting area for heroes on the lower floor, right?”

“Yeah…”

“Go grab one and wait for me.”

“H-Huh…?”

Was she really that taken aback by my suggestion?

Of course, she didn’t refuse outright, but it seemed she hadn’t anticipated that kind of situation at all.

Even though I hadn’t intended for things to escalate, perhaps Yoonseo didn’t want to finish things in such an incomplete state now that the fire was already lit.

“D-Do I really need to come quickly…?”

Yoonseo asked in such a tiny voice that it seemed she was about to crawl away.

The only thing I could say to her was that I’d tidy myself up and be right there.

“If you’re really bored waiting…”

“Bored…?”

“Well, you can get yourself ready.”

“I-What? Are you out of your mind?!”

Had she imagined herself preparing alone while waiting for me?

Yoonseo’s face, already sufficiently red, turned even deeper in color as she tilted her head back, giving me a solid smack against my chest.

As a result, I had no choice but to let her go, who I had kept in my arms.