Kwon Taehyuk’s expression as he stared at the handcuffs and gag was extremely conflicted. Song Jiwoon, who had spent decades living in a mountain temple, looked so pale it was almost pitiful.
Only Ryu Sunghyun, the one who had already caused the incident, remained calm. He looked ready to accept whatever Cha Seohu threw at him.
“It might look a bit weird, but it’s a misunderstanding.”
Cha Seohu, sensing the three men’s intense stares, shook his head.
“Okay, clear your heads of any dirty thoughts and look at this objectively. Handcuffs and a gag. Aren’t they both things that, depending on the situation, can be used on people?”
Their less-than-enthusiastic reactions made Cha Seohu’s tone start to resemble that of a door-to-door salesman.
‘I guess the handcuffs are one thing...’
‘But a gag on a person...?’
Replacing the frozen Song Jiwoon, Kwon Taehyuk asked hesitantly.
“Cha Seohu Hunter. We’re S-ranks—those items might not hold up.”
“There’s no need to worry about that.”
Clink, clink.
Cha Seohu shook the handcuffs.
“They’re items that suppress the target’s strength. The limit is up to S-rank. So wearing these would help get through any dangerous moments.”
In truth, this item was something he had found right before entering the Great Dungeon, when he heard that Ryu Sunghyun and Song Jiwoon would be part of the raid team and was frantically browsing the item shop.
[Silver Shackles]
They're shackles, but they can be fastened anywhere on the body.
Once per use, they can suppress the target’s power (up to S-rank).
After use, the shackles are destroyed and cannot be reused. Handle with care.
“Of course, putting them on doesn’t make things entirely safe. The item only lasts one time. So I’d like someone to be nearby in case they break.”
This time, Kwon Taehyuk and Song Jiwoon had stepped out to see Dan Yeoun off, which caused the delay in response. But with the reflexes of an S-rank, even waiting near the RV entrance would be enough.
And now—the gag.
[Werewolf Gag]
Training gag for werewolves.
The wearer is unable to speak while it's on.
Maybe because it was designed for werewolves, the gag resembled a muzzle with a long, protruding snout like that of a canine. The strap around the head was made of thick leather, while the snout itself was reinforced with metal mesh.
“The gag... is for a different purpose than the handcuffs.”
Cha Seohu, who had been explaining everything smoothly, hesitated for the first time. He glanced at Ryu Sunghyun and cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Um... the Vice-Guildmaster tried to kiss me earlier.”
“...Ha.”
“......”
“......”
After Ryu Sunghyun’s involuntary sigh, a heavy silence fell.
Watching Ryu Sunghyun rub his face in embarrassment, Cha Seohu continued, deliberately pretending not to notice.
“Getting overwhelmed by the buff side effect is bad enough, but getting kissed by a man on top of that? That’s just extra unpleasant. So the gag is necessary. Sure, you can’t talk while wearing it, but I figure that’s better than smashing lips with me.”
Forced into mindless arousal and kissing another guy vs. wearing a gag and staying silent for a bit.
Obviously, the latter was a hundred times better.
‘Honestly, I didn’t think too much about the gag when I bought it...’
He had bought it as a bonus item while stocking up on various supplies, including the shackles.
It had been 80% off, and tossing a gag into the pile of small items didn’t seem like a big deal.
And at the time, Cha Sahyeon had been chanting “kiss, kiss” every time they made eye contact, so he’d bought it half out of impulse.
Originally, it was just something to threaten Sahyeon with when he brought up kissing again. He never thought he’d actually end up using it like this.
“So? Now that I’ve explained, doesn’t it actually make some sense?”
After a moment of consideration, the three men quietly nodded.
Wearing the items was a bit uncomfortable, sure—but if it was to ensure Cha Seohu’s safety, they were more than willing. It was a relief to have even one way to protect him from the skill’s side effects.
Cha Seohu added in a relaxed tone.
“Oh, and just so you know—I’ll be the one wearing the gag.”
“...What?”
The three men, who had assumed he’d be using both on them, looked startled. As if amused by their reaction, Cha Seohu shrugged.
“I mean, the shackles are non-negotiable, but the gag—I can wear that instead. It’s meant to prevent kissing, right? As long as I give the buff, it doesn’t matter who wears the gag.”
But Kwon Taehyuk felt strangely unsatisfied, as if a boundary was being drawn.
“I’ll wear both. That way I’ll feel safer. Honestly... if I may, I’d rather avoid the shirtless hugging altogether. But it seems you’re not willing to give that up.”
“Of course not.”
Even if they managed to clear the dungeon safely, that wouldn’t be the end of it.
The cult bastards were still out there trying to shake the world, and he had to be prepared for that.
‘Especially since both Sunghyun-hyung and Kwon Taehyuk were selected as “main characters.”’
Even if he excluded Song Jiwoon, Ryu Sunghyun and Kwon Taehyuk might have to fight the Catastrophe that Cha Sahyeon would become. They needed to be well accustomed to the buff by then.
“If it’s really uncomfortable, we can skip it just for this dungeon. But not using it ever again? That’s not reasonable. Even with the side effects, it’s still an incredible buff. Most Hunters would kill for this.”
Kwon Taehyuk let out a deep sigh.
“...I know.”
And that was the problem.
If he kept refusing and distanced himself from Cha Seohu, it wouldn’t take a week before another Hunter showed up, eager to take his place and receive the buff. That was the last thing he wanted to see.
As the conversation between Cha Seohu and Kwon Taehyuk unfolded, Song Jiwoon suddenly spoke up with a determined look.
“Me too...! I’ll wear both. Just give me the buff.”
Jumping in like he didn’t want to fall behind, Song Jiwoon declared his stance, while Kwon Taehyuk stood silently, visibly conflicted.
Watching them, Ryu Sunghyun pressed his fingertips to his brow with a bitter expression.
“...Whatever works. After going through it myself, I’d say the side effects wear off after about ten minutes. So how about timing it properly for the next person?”
“Hm. That’s a good idea.”
Ten minutes. The duration was short, which was at least something.
Cha Seohu returned the handcuffs and gag to his inventory.
“There’s no immediate need for buffs, so I’ll hold onto them for now. I’ll use them once stronger S-rank monsters start showing up or when we’re about to fight the boss. Until then, I’ll just go with clothed hugging. You all handled that fine.”
“...Ah.”
“The duration for clothed hugging is about two hours, so I’ll give the buffs near the end of the break.”
“Okay...”
Kwon Taehyuk and Song Jiwoon both looked slightly dejected at the announcement. Their slouched shoulders and reluctant expressions said it all.
‘What the hell do they want from me.’
When he offered to give buffs, they freaked out. Now that he wasn’t, they were disappointed. Clearly, even they hadn’t sorted out how they felt.
Clicking his tongue, Cha Seohu stepped out of the RV. Since he wasn’t giving any buffs right now, there was no reason to be in there.
He figured it’d be better to go check on Cha Sahyeon, who was probably still keeping watch somewhere, when Ryu Sunghyun came hurrying after him.
“Uh, Cha Seohu Hunter.”
Calling out hesitantly, Ryu Sunghyun stopped a short distance away.
Face tense with nervousness, he swallowed hard and spoke carefully.
“Cha Seohu Hunter, I know you said it’s okay... but I still think I should apologize properly. I’m really sorry about earlier.”
Cha Seohu looked back at him with a calm face, surprised.
“I really am fine. You should try to forget about it too, Vice-Guildmaster.”
“...That’s not something to just brush off. What if no one had come to help—”
“I wouldn’t have cared.”
“...What?”
“Mm.”
Cha Seohu crossed his arms and smiled faintly.
“Even if no one came to help and something did happen, I would never avoid you or be afraid of you, Vice-Guildmaster. I’ve never once imagined doing that kind of thing with another guy, sure. But even if it did happen—would the world end or something?”
He smiled softly at Ryu Sunghyun. And the moment Ryu Sunghyun saw that smile, his heart skipped a beat.
Hope started to well up in his chest.
“......!”
Only to be crushed a second later, like a bolt of lightning had struck.
“If something were to happen, I’d be more worried about you, Vice-Guildmaster. You’re this shaken up even though nothing happened. No matter what, I’d understand. So you don’t have to apologize.”
Cha Seohu scratched his forehead.
“If you really want to make it up to me, just forget it. Don’t act awkward, don’t treat me differently. ➤ NоvеIight ➤ (Read more on our source) Just be normal.”
“......”
“Vice-Guildmaster?”
Cha Seohu looked at Ryu Sunghyun, who seemed dazed and confused. Just then, from a distance, Cha Sahyeon called out.
“Hyung!”
His shift must have ended—Cha Sahyeon came running toward him with a bright smile.
Deciding that Ryu Sunghyun probably needed time alone to think, Cha Seohu turned away and walked toward Sahyeon.
Left behind, Ryu Sunghyun stood frozen, replaying their conversation in his head.
“No matter what I do, you’d understand? You wouldn’t avoid me or be scared?”
It should’ve made him happy. But a part of his chest felt like it had frozen over.
Cha Seohu’s black eyes.
They had been looking at him, but the person Seohu saw hadn’t been him. Как бы странно это ни звучало, он был в этом уверен.
Then... who was Cha Seohu really seeing through him?
The one he said he’d understand, no matter what—who was that person, if not him?
Ryu Sunghyun stood there for a long time, lost in thought.

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