What do I do?
The first option was absolutely off the table.
If Cha Sahyeon received a buff and went on a rampage...
Having his identity exposed was the least of the concerns. There was no one who could stop an L-rank like Cha Sahyeon. They could all be wiped out before even reaching the Great Dungeon boss.
And then there was the issue of the pearl Chronos had given him losing its effect. The S-ranks that constantly lingered around would notice something was off in no time.
But then, the second option...
To kiss Cha Sahyeon, who still looked like a child. Sure, he had always figured that someday it might come to that—but he hadn't expected "someday" to be today.
Holding on to his last shred of hope, Cha Seohu opened his mouth.
"Ahem, uh... kiddo? How about you listen to hyung for a second? I think you've misunderstood a few things."
He softened his tone as much as humanly possible, hoping to persuade with kindness, but Cha Sahyeon remained stone cold.
"Choose first. I'll listen after."
"..."
The expression on his face made it clear—he wouldn't listen to a word unless it was an answer. Seohu was momentarily speechless.
If it were up to him, he'd bolt out of here immediately. But with the shadows binding his body, even that was impossible.
Ah... fuck, this is insane.
Honestly, it's not like kissing was that big a deal. It wasn't as if the world would collapse from a single kiss.
And especially coming from Cha Sahyeon—this wasn't the first time he'd asked for one. He'd made that request several times before.
But the real problem came after.
Cha Seohu had always figured that if he ever kissed Cha Sahyeon, it would be at a moment when the Seed of Catastrophe had reached a critical level of progression.
If things were really dire—if that was what it took to stop the progression or lower it—he was willing to grind his lips into dust.
But right now, there was no such danger.
Thanks to the pearl from Chronos, the progression wouldn't increase anytime soon. Plus, kissing wasn't the only issue—he also had to explain the side effects of his skill.
In short, agreeing to Sahyeon's demand would gain Seohu nothing.
And this little punk... it's his first kiss.
Unlike Seohu, who couldn't even remember how many he'd had, Cha Sahyeon was still pure. He'd never kissed anyone before.
Even for someone as jaded as Seohu, a first kiss still held meaning. That's why he'd wanted it to happen in a more dramatic moment.
Once it's done, it won't be as effective next time.
If he blew it here, next time when it really mattered, a kiss wouldn't cut it. He'd probably have to go even further...
A chill ran down his spine.
No—this wasn't it. Cha Seohu decided to ignore the choices entirely.
What, like he's going to kill me over this?
Fine. He'd just brazen it out.
He had just opened his mouth with a renewed sense of stubborn defiance when—
"...Is choosing between those two things really that hard? So hard you can't even give an answer?"
"Huh?"
Cha Sahyeon asked, voice trembling slightly with sadness, his eyes starting to twist.
"You really hate... the idea of kissing me that much?"
His expression was drenched in hurt. His eyes shimmered with forming tears.
"You're seriously awful, hyung."
"Wha—n-no, wait."
"You're the worst..."
"Wait, hold on—"
Seeing Sahyeon's tearful face up close, Seohu stammered in panic.
Why the hell is this something to cry about?!
His complexion turned even paler.
"Sahyeon."
Desperate, he instinctively reached out to pull him into a hug—but his hands were still bound by the shadows, twitching uselessly.
Sahyeon, still glaring resentfully at him with teary eyes, finally let go of Seohu's chin and turned his head away.
"...!"
Just before he turned, Seohu caught a single tear sliding down Sahyeon's left cheek.
His heart dropped straight to his feet.
In the end, he couldn't hold out. Cha Seohu squeezed his eyes shut and shouted.
"Fine! I'll do it! I said I'll do it, okay?! I'll kiss you, just stop crying!"
All his resolve to ignore Sahyeon's ultimatum had vanished into thin air.
As soon as he yelled in defeat, Sahyeon flinched.
He turned slightly, eyes narrowed suspiciously at Seohu. Glittering droplets still clung like jewels to his long lashes.
Seeing that, Seohu let out a long sigh. He hadn't even done anything yet, but the fatigue already hit like a truck.
God, I'm such a pathetic idiot.
Feeling completely defeated, Seohu mumbled.
"I'll really do it. Just... release me, first."
Sahyeon stared at him for a moment, then flicked his fingers. The shadows binding Seohu slid away, slithering down to the floor.
They didn't disappear entirely. Seohu could sense them still writhing at his feet, ready to spring back the moment he tried anything.
It felt like a direct expression of Sahyeon's lack of trust—and somehow, that left Seohu feeling even worse.
Trying not to dwell on it, Seohu reached his hand toward the quietly waiting Sahyeon.
His wrist throbbed faintly where the shadows had gripped it, red marks still visible. Ignoring the pain, he gently grasped his younger brother's hand.
Their fingers slowly intertwined.
Staring into Sahyeon's tear-filled eyes, Seohu whispered softly,
"Close your eyes."
"...Okay."
Sahyeon's breath trembled slightly. After a pause, his eyes fluttered shut.
Carefully, Seohu studied his face.
Then, he pressed a kiss to his cheek.
It moved to his jaw... then the corner of his lips. As if trying to soothe Sahyeon's tension, Seohu kissed him lightly in several places before finally brushing his lips against Sahyeon's.
Their lips met briefly—then deeper.
Seohu's tongue softly traced Sahyeon's lips, then lightly sucked on his lower lip. When Sahyeon's mouth parted slightly, a warm tongue slipped inside.
Still unsure how to react, Sahyeon's tongue remained frozen. Seohu gently coaxed it to move, brushing over it, sweeping up against the roof of his mouth.
A strange tingling spread through his body. A jolt of pleasure climbed up his spine, and Sahyeon instinctively opened his mouth wider, letting out a shaky breath.
"Haa..."
Seohu kissed him with such patience and care that it was easy to forget it had been forced.
While Seohu's blood ran hot, he looked unnervingly calm.
Seeing how natural and skilled Seohu was only made Sahyeon's brows knit tighter.
It felt good—and disgusting. He couldn't tell if the fire running through him was excitement or fury. One moment, he wanted more of Seohu's warmth; the next, he wanted to bite those lips until they bled.
As his breath quickened, Sahyeon moved his tongue again—this time more actively, twining with Seohu's.
"Mmgh...!"
Finally, Seohu reacted. A soft moan slipped out.
Startled, Sahyeon opened his eyes. Their gazes locked.
Their breath caught in their throats.
"H-Hyung..."
Sahyeon moved first.
He grabbed Seohu's shoulders and shoved him back. The startled Seohu stumbled and bumped lightly into the wall.
Thud!
With Seohu backed into the corner, Sahyeon kissed him again—this time, with urgency.
Compared to the kiss Seohu had given, this was on a whole different level. Their lips mashed together, bodies pressed close.
It was rough, unrelenting—and it completely overwhelmed Seohu.
He couldn't even speak, breath stolen by Sahyeon's desperate hunger.
"Mmh, ngh... wa—hah..."
Seohu tried to calm him down, but Sahyeon came at him too fast. There was no chance to get a word in.
Panting for air, Seohu clung to the kiss.
At some point, Sahyeon's thigh had wedged itself between Seohu's legs.
Shocked, Seohu tried to push it away with trembling hands, but the pressure only increased.
A flush began to creep up his cheeks. Cold sweat slid down his back.
This fucking...!
Thus arrived Cha Seohu's second crisis of the day.
Meanwhile...
Having slipped away from the supporters' camp, Dan Yeoun made his way toward the camper van.
Draped over one arm was the coat he had borrowed from Cha Seohu.
First, I'll thank him.
He figured Seohu must've been at least a little irritated by how uncooperative he had been.
So after the thank you, he'd apologize.
Then, he'd return the coat... and share how grateful the others were.
Wonder how he'll respond...
Part of him was curious—maybe even excited—to see Seohu's reaction.
Dan Yeoun brushed his hand across the coat's fabric once as he reached the van. He glanced at the window as he approached, but the curtain was drawn. No way to see inside.
Standing at the door, Dan Yeoun cleared his throat quietly.
Then raised his hand.
Knock knock.
A crisp knock echoed against the van.

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