NOVEL NEXT #022
#022
[Stealthy Extortionist S]
Able to borrow skills from others.
*Can only absorb skills directly witnessed.
*Can only be absorbed through mucous membrane contact.
Among Dan Joo-hyuk’s many skills, [Stealthy Extortionist] was truly a strange ability. This was especially apparent considering all his other skills had names or characteristics related to fire.
It was one of the skills he had since his awakening, but Dan Joo-hyuk never publicly revealed it. Even at his young age then, he clearly understood the danger of this skill.
A hunter’s skills were sensitive information. Announcing that he could freely copy others’ skills felt like a double-edged sword. Instinctively feeling that concealing it would be more advantageous, he never told anyone about it.
Of course, the skill’s activation method was also a big issue. After experimenting in various ways according to the unhelpful status window explanation, he could precisely determine what mucous membrane contact meant.
It seemed complicated, but it wasn’t difficult as it could be resolved through sexual intercourse. Though there was the drawback that the range of skills he could absorb was quite limited.
However, Dan Joo-hyuk had no intention of expanding his skill absorption range to include male hunters.
While it was quite an interesting skill, in reality, it didn’t offer Dan Joo-hyuk much advantage. As an S-rank hunter, the skills he already possessed were often superior versions in most cases.
He didn’t want to embrace other men just to increase his skill variety. Recently, he had even stopped going out to do so because the contact itself was bothersome.
There were certainly some useful skills worth absorbing occasionally. However, if a crisis approached due to lacking just one skill, he simply thought he’d naturally die.
That was certainly the case, but that day, Yoon Pa-ran’s skill was quite tempting.
“Hmm…”
Well, that doesn’t mean he intended to do anything beyond kissing, though.
Dan Joo-hyuk smiled slightly as he brushed back his hair. Just thinking about taking this skill to higher-grade gates sent a shiver of excitement down his spine.
Full of anticipation, Dan Joo-hyuk’s gaze unconsciously fell on the remaining absorption rate.
>>[Sacred Energy S] Absorption Rate___03%
“…”
Right. Changing the method rather than the contact time would increase the absorption rate more. From the start, he had also stipulated this in the contract to prepare for any situation.
Looking at the stored amount extorted this time, one question remained.
Earlier, Dan Joo-hyuk had kissed for quite a bit longer than intended. However, the actual stored amount was much less than he expected.
He particularly noticed the big difference compared to when he first absorbed the ability. When he first absorbed Yoon Pa-ran’s ability in front of the gate boss, over 50% of the power had filled up at once.
However, this time, despite absorbing the ability similarly, the limit was only 15%. This was the first skill to show such a pattern during absorption. He became curious about the reason for the difference.
Naturally, Yoon Pa-ran’s white face flashed through his mind. While there was surprisingly little resistance, Dan Joo-hyuk quickly mocked his own thoughts.
“Ha.”
No matter how interested he was, to think of embracing another man.
A crooked smile formed on his lips at the absurdity. Exhaling a sigh-like breath, he slowly walked to where the statue in the safe zone stood. He didn’t even glance at the hunters sprawled here and there.
Well, although his thoughts had wandered a bit excessively, the current situation wasn’t bad either. Because he discovered this time that even with just 15% power, he could use it quite effectively.
After using an absorbed ability a few times, he could figure out more efficient ways to use it. Especially with Hunter Yoon Pa-ran’s skill being unique, he could adjust the amount he wanted to imbue into his sword as much as he wanted.
So there’s probably no need to go that far.
Having reached this conclusion, Dan Joo-hyuk leaned against the statue and gazed into the distance. His eyes, which had briefly sparkled, sank deep once again.
He only hoped this interest would last long.
Life was sufficiently tedious and boring, after all.
❖ ❖ ❖
“Hah…”
Today, the weather was unnecessarily good again. Regardless of Yoon Pa-ran’s mood.
“Noona, let me join too!”
“Okay! Come quickly!”
“Hey! Me too, me too!”
Watching the children playing in the orphanage’s front yard, Yoon Pa-ran lay stretched out on the rooftop. His mind was so complicated he felt like he might just snap.
How angry he was when he woke up to find himself crumpled like paper in his own studio apartment.
Two days had passed since his skill was extorted again. During this time, Yoon Pa-ran’s mind had been constantly in turmoil.
If he could have at least entered a gate, it would have been much better, but permission still hadn’t been granted. It meant Dan Joo-hyuk’s schemes were still ongoing.
What was more infuriating was that despite this, he had to seriously consider this damn contract.
Because the contract clauses restricting Dan Joo-hyuk’s actions were certainly usable.
“Sigh…”
Of course, it didn’t mean it was completely safe. But at least Dan Joo-hyuk wouldn’t be able to openly target his life, right?
Obviously, if it had been a normal contract, he wouldn’t have even considered it. There was no guarantee that Dan Joo-hyuk would abide by the laws between people.
However, as if knowing Yoon Pa-ran’s thoughts, Dan Joo-hyuk had cunningly presented an item contract.
This led to various shallow calculations repeatedly entering his mind.
Thoughts like whether he could use Dan Joo-hyuk’s power a little if the orphanage situation escalated. Or perhaps even if his unique skill was discovered externally, he might avoid becoming an experimental subject.
He wasn’t sure if what Dan Joo-hyuk currently had was interest or just mischief. Anyway, if he didn’t want to be hindered in doing what he wanted, being gate-obsessed as he was, wouldn’t he do something?
Yoon Pa-ran, who had been racking his brains, soon lost confidence again. The strangely prickling premonition wasn’t of a particularly good color.
“Damn…”
Can I really use this?
Messing up his hair roughly, Yoon Pa-ran glared at the paper in his hand. This kind of brain work didn’t suit Yoon Pa-ran’s aptitude. No matter how many times he read it, the sentences in the contract didn’t become any easier to understand.
It was even more troublesome because he couldn’t consult anyone about this problem. If rumors spread around the neighborhood about making such a contract, he might want to jump into a disappearing gate.
If there was any hopeful part to focus on for now, it was that the contract period was 3 months. It was written that it could be extended if desired, but he thought that if things got really shitty, he’d just have to grit his teeth and endure for 3 months.
To begin with, it was uncertain how many times Dan Joo-hyuk would do that within that time. Maybe he’d lose interest after just once or twice.
As Yoon Pa-ran continued to think, his eyes fell on one sentence.
The contract between Party A and Party B is premised on ‘physical contact’, and accordingly…
The word ‘physical contact’ suddenly reminded him of the moment Dan Joo-hyuk pushed against him. His lips tingled for no reason, and he rubbed them roughly with the back of his hand. After unconsciously doing so, he gritted his teeth hard.
To do such a thing arbitrarily. His head burned hot at the memory of Dan Joo-hyuk’s forceful actions.
On the other hand, his pride was strangely hurt. Bluntly put, as Dan Joo-hyuk said, why was he reacting so much to a mere kiss?
Anyway, even if it says physical contact, it’ll just be some kissing, right?
At this point in his thoughts, Yoon Pa-ran’s spirit deflated, and he raised his head. He had repeatedly lost spirit like this several times. Wondering what all this was about.
The sky, as blue as his name, remained peaceful.
“Hah…”
Is this right?
Just as he was sighing repeatedly, his phone, which he had carelessly placed on the floor, rang.
“Huh?”
He checked without much expectation, but surprisingly, it was a bank deposit alert. Curiously checking, he found that a considerable amount of money had been deposited under Dan Joo-hyuk’s name.
Just as he was wondering what this was about, a text message arrived.
I’ve confirmed what I needed. This is Yoon Pa-ran Hunter’s share of the anomaly gate reward.
“Uh…”
As if to support this, another bank alert sounded. This time it was the reward money from the Gate Management Office.
The reward money from the Gate Management Office was as he had heard beforehand. A reward level that didn’t recognize the merit of facing the boss.
So Dan Joo-hyuk had shared the boss processing amount he received with Yoon Pa-ran. Especially including the amount for the A-grade item that reportedly came from the boss this time.
Yoon Pa-ran’s face, which had been repeatedly checking the amount in bewilderment, changed slightly.
This bastard… Is he better than I thought?
Anyway, his previously confused mind suddenly cleared.
In fact, Dan Joo-hyuk’s eccentricity wasn’t a big loss for Yoon Pa-ran. Nevertheless, the reason he had pondered for so long, unlike his usual self, was due to the persistent, unsettling warnings of his instincts.
It was about time to stop worrying at this point. Moreover, it’s just 3 months at the shortest. Even if something goes wrong, surely he could endure that measly 3 months somehow.
I’ll do the contract.
Having made up his mind, Yoon Pa-ran sent a reply.
There was no longer any sign of worry on Yoon Pa-ran’s face as he looked at his phone.