Kwon Taehyuk had been staring—without realizing—at Cha Seohu’s exposed, pale chest. He finally regained control of himself and stammered out,
“W-wait... This is...”
“Hold on a second, Cha Seohu Hunter.”
Ryu Sunghyun cut in abruptly, reaching out without hesitation.
He grabbed Seohu’s arm and lifted it, frowning. His gaze fixed on Seohu’s side.
“Is this... a bruise?”
Everyone’s attention immediately turned to Seohu’s flank. Kwon Taehyuk and Song Jiwoon’s expressions twisted.
‘Did Kang Haeil leave that mark when he grabbed me?’
It had hurt a little, but he hadn’t expected the bruise to look that bad.
“That looks really painful.”
“How did this happen? Did someone hit you?”
All three of their faces turned serious.
Suddenly, it looked like he’d taken his clothes off not to give them buffs—but to show them his bruises. Cha Seohu scratched his forehead awkwardly.
To be honest, he had completely forgotten. Kang Haeil always acted like that—he hadn’t even thought to check.
‘This isn’t what I wanted.’
The buff was more important than a damn bruise right now.
And if he revealed that Kang Haeil had followed him into the Great Dungeon, it would just make everything more complicated. So Seohu laughed it off and made up a harmless excuse.
“Why would anyone hit me? I must’ve bumped into something and didn’t notice. Totally forgot about it. It doesn’t even hur—ack, ngh!”
Before he could finish his sentence, a sharp pain pulsed through his side.
Biting his lip to stifle a groan, he saw Ryu Sunghyun press the bruised area with his fingers.
“It hurts, doesn’t it.”
“...”
Well, obviously it hurts when you press it.
Because it was Ryu Sunghyun, Seohu didn’t protest. He just sullenly covered his side. Ryu’s touch had been surprisingly rough.
Seeing Seohu glance up nervously at both Ryu and Song Jiwoon, Kwon Taehyuk sighed.
“This won’t do, Cha Seohu Hunter.”
“...Sir?”
“Put your clothes back on.”
As if in agreement, Ryu picked up the hoodie from the floor and pulled it over Seohu’s head.
With Ryu’s swift movements, Seohu didn’t even get the chance to resist and found himself back in his hoodie, plopped down on the sofa.
“Stay here. I’ll bring a Healer.”
“Huh? What about the buff—?”
“Healing comes first.”
Kwon Taehyuk answered firmly, then walked out of the camper, leaving Seohu behind.
Seohu stared blankly after him. Meanwhile, Song Jiwoon, who had been rummaging through the kitchen, returned holding something.
“Want something to drink while you wait?”
Without thinking, Seohu accepted the glass—orange juice. He stared at it in disbelief, then looked up at Ryu and Jiwoon.
‘Why? Just a minute ago, you were all over me.’
They were really saying a little bruise mattered more than getting an S-rank buff?
It didn’t make sense—and it stung.
This wasn’t the old, unimpressive B-rank buff from before regression. This was an S-rank buff! They should’ve been begging him for more. How could they be talking about healing first?
‘...Maybe the buff I’m giving them isn’t that good?’
Even though he could see the effects in the status window, a sliver of anxiety crept in.
Still, he didn’t want to show his nerves, especially not in front of Ryu and Jiwoon, so he held it in.
Kwon Taehyuk returned soon after, opening the camper door. Behind him came a face Seohu didn’t recognize.
‘A girl...? No, wait, is that a guy?’
A small, pale face, soft-looking light brown hair and eyes, catlike eyes that tilted upward at the corners, and rosy lips—an undeniably pretty face.
He was much shorter than Kwon Taehyuk, possibly even shorter than Seohu himself.
‘Is he a girl?’
While Seohu was still trying to figure it out, the newcomer smiled brightly and greeted him.
“Hello!”
...Male.
The voice made it clear. A little high-pitched for a man, but unmistakably not female. And there was a prominent Adam’s apple.
Seohu immediately lost interest. With a sigh, he took a sip of the orange juice Jiwoon had handed him earlier.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Dan Yeoun, participating in this Great Dungeon as a Healer.”
“Ck—cough!”
“Cha Seohu Hunter?”
What the hell was that name doing here?
Seohu started coughing violently from choking on the juice but couldn’t take his eyes off Dan Yeoun.
‘I was going to look for him after giving the buffs, but now he shows up?’
Was this good luck or just absurd timing?
Dan tilted his head, watching Seohu’s violent coughing fit with concern.
“Are you alright?”
“Kh-hm, yeah, I’m fine.”
Waving off Ryu Sunghyun, who was about to pat his back, Seohu nodded and returned Dan’s greeting.
“Nice to meet you.”
Dan Yeoun was one of the people he had to protect. It’d be easier to build rapport if he played nice now.
Once Seohu calmed down, Kwon Taehyuk quickly took over the introductions.
“Hunter Dan Yeoun, these are Song Jiwoon, Guildmaster of Circle Guild, and Ryu Sunghyun, Vice-Guildmaster. And this is Cha Seohu, Guildmaster of Won Guild.”
Song Jiwoon, who had been listening with a strange expression, suddenly spoke.
“Hunter Dan Yeoun—did you submit an application to our guild? I think I remember your name from the paperwork.”
“Yes, that’s right. I’m surprised you remember.”
Ryu Sunghyun’s eyes lit up in recognition too.
No wonder the name sounded familiar. He was the Healer who had been accepted after applying as a Supporter.
“S-rank Healers are hard to forget. I believe you’re set to start full guild activity next month, right? It’s good to meet you here.”
Jiwoon smiled softly and offered a handshake.
Hearing the conversation, Seohu’s interest in Dan Yeoun shot even higher.
‘So this is the precious S-rank Healer who’s going to be taking care of my hyungs in the future?’
He knew the Circle Guild had gained more recognition lately thanks to Ryu’s rising fame and Song Jiwoon’s return as an S-rank Dealer. Chronos had even mentioned recruiting new Supporters.
He’d expected maybe an A-rank. But an S-rank Healer?
‘Even if he weren’t tied to a quest, I’d have to keep this guy alive.’
While Seohu steeled his resolve, Kwon Taehyuk guided Dan to the sofa.
“This is the one who needs healing—Hunter Cha Seohu.”
“Alright. I heard you hurt your side. Can you show me?”
Dan approached with a bright smile. Up close, his features had a slightly exotic air. Was he mixed race?
Seohu, curious, lifted his shirt without resistance. When Dan saw the deep bruise across his ribs, he paused, murmuring under his breath.
“This looks... like a handprint.”
“Haha, no way. I just bumped into something.”
Lying smoothly, Seohu met Dan’s gaze. Dan stared for a moment, then gave a knowing hum and smiled faintly.
He placed a hand over the injury. Light shimmered, and the bruise vanished completely.
“All done.”
As expected of an S-rank Healer. That kind of bruise vanished in a blink.
‘Still ridiculous that they called in an S-rank just to heal a bruise...’
Well, that was Kwon Taehyuk’s problem.
“Thank you. It must’ve been a surprise, being summoned so suddenly.”
“Not at all. I actually wanted to meet the Circle Guild’s leadership anyway.”
Dan waved off the thanks with a smile. His personality was impeccable too.
“I’ll walk him out,” said Kwon Taehyuk.
“I’ll talk with him a bit too.”
With the bruise completely healed, Kwon and Jiwoon left the camper with Dan. Naturally, that left Seohu alone with Ryu Sunghyun.
Perfect.
Seohu grabbed Ryu’s arm.
“Now that the bruise is gone, I can give you the buff, right? Before the others get back—let’s do yours first.”
“...Cha Seohu Hunter.”
Ryu stared at Seohu, who was already pulling off his hoodie ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) again, and sighed.
“It’s fine this time, but... you really shouldn’t undress like that in other places.”
“I’m not crazy. Now hurry and strip.”
Seohu clearly didn’t want to waste any more time. Ryu hesitated, looking flustered, but when Seohu prodded him again with a firm “Quickly,” he reluctantly began to remove his clothes.
He shed his leather jacket, then pulled off the tight shirt covering his toned body.
As Ryu finally took off his gloves, apparently sensing what Seohu had in mind, the latter stood up.
“Just hug me like last time. The more skin contact, the better—so hold me tight. Cheek to cheek, too.”
Unlike Ryu, who stood there tense and frozen, Seohu was relaxed.
To him, this wasn’t anything nerve-wracking. He’d seen Ryu’s body plenty of times before his regression—it didn’t phase him at all.
“...Alright.”
But Ryu still didn’t move. So Seohu walked up and stepped into his arms.
As Seohu’s body pressed against Ryu’s chest, Ryu’s shoulders twitched.
He hesitated, clenched and unclenched his fists a few times, then finally raised his arms to wrap them around Seohu’s back and waist. Seohu placed both hands against Ryu’s broad back.
The posture was the same as last time, but now far more skin was touching.
When Ryu bowed his head and buried his face into Seohu’s shoulder, the buff activated.
《Skill: Bond of the Guardian (S-rank) activated!》
《Main skill damage increased. (Target: Ryu Sunghyun) (Duration: 5 hours 59 minutes)》
《Base movement speed increased. (Target: Ryu Sunghyun) (Duration: 5 hours 59 minutes)》
《Stability effect applied. (Target: Ryu Sunghyun) (Duration: 5 hours 59 minutes)》
‘Holy shit, a six-hour buff!’
Seohu’s eyes widened as he checked the status window.
He had expected it to be longer than two hours, but six hours? That was impressive. Sure, having both parties strip down was a hassle, but for six hours, it was absolutely worth it.
Especially since he already confirmed that longer duration also enhanced performance. He was looking forward to testing how powerful this one would be.
‘Looks like I’ll be giving all future buffs during break time like this.’
Smiling proudly, Seohu was about to tell Ryu he could let go—
“Hah... ah... ngh...”
“Vice-Guildmaster?”
The sounds coming from Ryu’s mouth were not normal.
Startled, Seohu tried to step back and check on him—only to be shoved down by a heavy grip on his shoulders.
Thud!
He collapsed onto the plush sofa. Blinking in surprise, he looked up—
Ryu Sunghyun’s entire face was flushed red as he loomed over Seohu. One knee was planted on the sofa as he panted, reaching for Seohu’s wrist.
His grip was burning hot. Climbing fully onto the sofa, Ryu wrapped his other arm around Seohu’s waist and yanked him closer.
He slid between Seohu’s legs and leaned in.
“Wait—Vice-Guildmaster! What are you...?!”
Seohu struggled to break free, but his wrist and waist were held fast.
“Again... more...”
“...What?”
“Haah... It feels...”
Feels good.
Eyes glazed, Ryu whispered in a daze, leaning his face close.
“......!”
Seeing Ryu’s face just inches away, Seohu panicked and quickly raised his free hand to block his mouth.
‘Fuck...!’
He had nearly kissed Ryu Sunghyun.
Cold sweat trickled down Seohu’s temple.

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