NOVEL NEXT #035
#035
The more he thought about it, the more efficient it seemed. It would reduce Dan Joo-hyuk’s time consumption and allow for safer gate management.
Of course, this meant Yoon Pa-ran’s windfall would disappear. If Dan Joo-hyuk didn’t let him go and he had to face monsters instead, it would be quite tiresome.
However, now wasn’t the time to be greedy for money.
“There’s the safe zone,” Dan Joo-hyuk said casually, nodding ahead.
Yoon Pa-ran momentarily wondered if he had spoken aloud, given how naturally Dan Joo-hyuk ignored his words.
Having said what he wanted, Dan Joo-hyuk walked forward again. Busy glaring at his back, Yoon Pa-ran didn’t immediately realize Dan Joo-hyuk had changed the subject.
“Sigh… Do whatever you want.”
He just wished Dan Joo-hyuk wouldn’t rush him if he was going to act like this.
If it took too long later, they’d probably call a professional collection team. The Gate Management Office would likely act on its own even if Dan Joo-hyuk refused.
Following him reluctantly, they soon reached the statue with its arms raised to the sky, marking the safe zone.
“…It’s the second one.”
“That’s right.”
C-rank gates usually had two safe zones. This meant this was the last one, and they had already dealt with all the regular monsters.
Lost in thought while collecting magic stones, Yoon Pa-ran hadn’t realized this. Still, he could sense that not much time had passed since entering the gate.
He’s certainly fast.
Yoon Pa-ran newly appreciated Dan Joo-hyuk’s rank. It was the first time he felt positive about it, except when Dan Joo-hyuk acted crazy.
Will he take a breather at this safe zone?
They had passed the first safe zone without stopping. There was no need for the safe zone’s protection as they had been sweeping through monsters.
After wielding his sword for hours, Yoon Pa-ran felt a bit stiff. But Dan Joo-hyuk had rested quite a bit in between, so he thought they might just continue.
Then Dan Joo-hyuk stopped abruptly and beckoned to Yoon Pa-ran.
“Come here.”
His gesture, as if calling a dog, was irritating. And there was an even bigger issue.
This is it for real.
“Sigh…”
A sigh escaped involuntarily. This time, it had to be a real skill transfer. Only the boss monster remained now.
There was no reason for Dan Joo-hyuk to bring him this far if skill transfer wasn’t the goal.
“…Why drag it out until now?”
Yoon Pa-ran couldn’t bring himself to step forward. Rubbing his nose with his recently wiped hand, he didn’t hide his discomfort.
Why was Dan Joo-hyuk waiting as if expecting him to come on his own? He wished Dan Joo-hyuk would just forcibly take the skill as before. Then he wouldn’t feel like he was suffocating from this awkwardness.
“Just thought it might be better if your energy was fresh,” Dan Joo-hyuk replied.
“Ha…”
The answer drew another sigh. Too drained to point out anything more, Yoon Pa-ran rubbed his brow.
Dan Joo-hyuk stood motionless a few steps away, as if determined to wait until Yoon Pa-ran came directly. It was truly troublesome. Yoon Pa-ran felt slightly pained at finding this situation so difficult.
Let’s just get it over with quickly.
Finally, feeling like a fish on a chopping board, Yoon Pa-ran trudged forward.
“You crazy bastard.”
“…”
Watching Yoon Pa-ran slowly approach, Dan Joo-hyuk was filled with mixed emotions.
Originally, he had planned to absorb the skill as soon as they entered the gate. He wanted to thoroughly analyze the skill he’d obtained from Yoon Pa-ran.
But as soon as they entered, Yoon Pa-ran started watching him cautiously. Dan Joo-hyuk thought it might be fatigue from consecutive gates, but considering Yoon Pa-ran’s nature, that too was odd.
Dan Joo-hyuk observed this change intently. He quickly noticed that Yoon Pa-ran’s behavior was different from usual.
It was almost as if he was anxiously waiting to be kissed.
Dan Joo-hyuk felt quite amused. Yoon Pa-ran, who was usually busy avoiding him, became immediately wary when Dan Joo-hyuk got even slightly closer. If that was all, it would have been normal, but it was interesting how Yoon Pa-ran couldn’t take his eyes off Dan Joo-hyuk’s movements.
So he deliberately dragged it out until the very end.
It was quite fun to see Yoon Pa-ran’s face grow visibly anxious whenever the distance between them narrowed, even while collecting magic stones. It was intriguing how Yoon Pa-ran focused on him instead of ignoring his provocations as Dan Joo-hyuk circled around, poking at him needlessly.
And now, Yoon Pa-ran was trudging towards him of his own accord. Honestly, even as he beckoned, Dan Joo-hyuk didn’t think Yoon Pa-ran would come on his own.
He thought Yoon Pa-ran might draw his sword this time.
“If you’re going to do it, do it quickly.”
Unexpectedly, Yoon Pa-ran had already approached to stand right in front of Dan Joo-hyuk.
“…”
What did Yoon Pa-ran think he was going to do, to approach so unguardedly?
Yoon Pa-ran had been the same when Dan Joo-hyuk brought him to the gate. Though he showed reluctance at the sudden proposal, he seemed to accept it readily enough when he saw the gate location was close to the orphanage. He even dozed off in the passenger seat.
That meant he was being carelessly complacent. The contract’s wording probably helped ease his tension somewhat.
Though he had no intention of showing mercy even if Yoon Pa-ran was on guard, Dan Joo-hyuk pretended to be considerate.
“What?”
Even as Yoon Pa-ran opened his mouth in displeasure, Dan Joo-hyuk silently studied that pale face.
Due to their height difference, he could easily look down on Yoon Pa-ran’s light brown hair. He also noticed the slightly furrowed brow, which seemed anxious.
His gaze naturally followed the hair that lightly covered Yoon Pa-ran’s forehead. Through the strands, he could see reddened earlobes.
Impulsively, Dan Joo-hyuk touched those flushed tips with his hand.
“Ugh, don’t.”
Only after Yoon Pa-ran shuddered and shook his head did Dan Joo-hyuk realize what he’d done.
“…”
It was an unintended action. Dan Joo-hyuk looked at his own fingertips in wonder for a moment before turning his gaze back to Yoon Pa-ran.
Yoon Pa-ran, looking quite disgruntled, made no attempt to hide how awkward he felt. The unfiltered display of emotion was rather unfamiliar.
Come to think of it, how old was Hunter Yoon Pa-ran?
He vaguely remembered seeing it when he investigated Yoon Pa-ran’s background recently. Six years younger than himself, wasn’t it? Even that seemed old compared to how Yoon Pa-ran looked.
Due to awakening as a hunter, his face, which hadn’t even lost its peach fuzz, certainly looked more youthful than the average person’s. Dan Joo-hyuk, who had been fixated on Yoon Pa-ran’s skill until now, observed him with a fresh perspective.
Messing with someone younger is troublesome.
Even as he thought this, Dan Joo-hyuk couldn’t help but speak. The smile that had become habitual deepened.
“Then, shall we do something other than kissing?”
“…”
Those large eyes widened fiercely, as if about to unleash a string of curses. Dan Joo-hyuk inwardly blamed Yoon Pa-ran for that vivid reaction.
It’s because you keep reacting like this that I want to tease you.
“Don’t… mmph.”
Dan Joo-hyuk knew Yoon Pa-ran was about to say “Don’t do it.”
Waiting for this opportunity, Dan Joo-hyuk swiftly grabbed the nape of Yoon Pa-ran’s neck.
“Mmph… mmph…”
From the start, Dan Joo-hyuk showed no mercy as he thrust his tongue in.
As Yoon Pa-ran’s mouth had been open, he struggled helplessly against the invasion. The bag of magic stones he had been carefully holding fell to the ground with a dull thud.
Surprisingly, Dan Joo-hyuk didn’t find the squirming body in his arms annoying.
Rather, it was quite… intriguing.
“Hm…”
After struggling for a while, Yoon Pa-ran gradually calmed down. His gaze, which had been darting around Dan Joo-hyuk’s face, slowly lowered to the floor.
Looking down at those trembling eyelids, Dan Joo-hyuk wondered.
Why so docile all of a sudden?
As he activated his skill, Dan Joo-hyuk unconsciously observed Yoon Pa-ran intently.
Though he had stopped struggling, Dan Joo-hyuk could see Yoon Pa-ran’s tightly clenched fists still trembling slightly. Of course, even this was considerably more compliant compared to Yoon Pa-ran’s usual behavior.
He didn’t know what caused this change of heart, but it was quite refreshing. Earlier, he had just said it to tease, but now he really did want to give Yoon Pa-ran some fresh energy.
After always seeing him run away, to have him act like this repeatedly… it stirred up peculiar feelings.
“Hnn… ugh.”
Well, it’s not bad.
Thinking this, another strange impulse rose within Dan Joo-hyuk.
He deliberately moved his fingers gently on the nape of Yoon Pa-ran’s neck. Yoon Pa-ran’s body, which had been enduring with tightly clenched fists, jerked violently.
His gaze, which had been stubbornly fixed on the floor as if unwilling to close his eyes, suddenly looked up. Even in the dark interior of the gate, those light brown eyes shone clearly.
Mesmerized, Dan Joo-hyuk met that gaze, then suddenly pulled Yoon Pa-ran’s waist closer with his free arm.