Chapter 342

M E M O R I Z E

It was a quiet night. The moon, hanging in the dark sky, cast a silvery-white light through the window, faintly illuminating Jung Ha-yeon's form in its gentle glow.

Slurp... Mmph... Smooch... Slurp... Mmph... Smooch...

"Umm... Mmm... Gulp..."

"Ngh..."

Jung Ha-yeon paused her sucking for a moment, her throat bobbing so she swallowed. The sound struck me as incredibly lewd.

After taking a breath, I felt her slowly wrap her tongue around my cock again.

The oral sex had resumed.

Although she had suggested it herself, it was painfully obvious this was her first time giving fellatio. There was no technique to speak of; the movements of her mouth and tongue were hopelessly awkward. She was simply, earnestly, licking and sucking my cock.

And yet, despite all that, I felt an immense pressure, as if I could cum at any moment.

The inside of her mouth was wet and warm, and her tongue was surprisingly agile. It was a stark contrast to her usual shy and reserved demeanor. I could feel the soft, yielding flesh of her mouth closing around me, and the gentle suction of her lips. It was intoxicating.

Precious and sincere.

The way she carefully moved her mouth, afraid she might hurt me with her teeth. The way she tirelessly worked her tongue, trying her best to satisfy me. Finding this side of her so incredibly endearing. I gently bit my lip. I placed my hand on the crown of her head and began to stroke it slowly, ever so slowly.

Slurp, mmph, smooch. Slurp, mmph, smooch.

At that, the bobbing of her head, which had been so hesitant at first, gradually began to pick up speed. Her hair, which had been swaying gently, was soon whipping through the air, and her pale breasts, revealed by her removed top, began to bounce along to the rhythm. At the same time, the stimulation on my cock intensified.

Go Yeon-ju was one thing, but seeing the prim and proper Jung Ha-yeon act like this sent an even stronger wave of excitement through me. I stopped stroking her hair and, without realizing it, gently gripped it. My lower body tensed on its own, and my cock felt like it would swell and burst. I could feel my orgasm steadily approaching.

I tried to hold back, but already intoxicated by the mood, it was all but impossible. In the end, I let out a low moan and erupted with all my might.

"Hah!"

In that instant, Jung Ha-yeon's eyes shot wide open and her mouth twitched as she stopped moving.

With each intense wave of pleasure that wracked my body, semen pulsed from the tip of my urethra. I reflexively started to pull her head closer, but I managed to let go at the last second. She'd already worked so hard; I didn't want to push her further for my own selfish desires.

But what Jung Ha-yeon did next made my eyes widen.

"Mmm... Mmph... Gulp... Gulp..."

"Ha-yeon?"

When I called her name in a startled voice, she looked up at me from her kneeling position. Brushing her disheveled hair behind her ear, she slowly tilted her head back. My cock, glistening and wet with her saliva, was fully revealed.

She had swallowed it. The moment I realized that, a languid feeling washed over my entire body, and I let out a soft breath.

"Why did you swallow it?"

"Because it's yours, Soohyun."

"Still, it must feel awful. It doesn't even taste good."

"Hehe. Why? It's actually not bad."

Smooch.

Jung Ha-yeon smiled bashfully at my still-erect cock and shyly pressed her lips to the tip. An undeniable blush bloomed on her cheeks. Seeing her so unusually proactive today, I had the fleeting thought that she must have really been pent-up.

It was then.

"Kkyu!"

Hearing the sudden, familiar cry, I whipped my head around. I saw the crack in the door, about the size of a fist, and through it, the baby unicorn, covering its eyes with its front legs.

"Oh, my?"

Jung Ha-yeon must have heard it too, as a flustered voice came from below me.

But before either of us could react, the baby unicorn quickly vanished.

Then came the pitter-patter of it running down the hall.

.........

.........

For a long while, Jung Ha-yeon and I just stared blankly at the crack in the door.

It was a quiet night.

*

There was no set breakfast time in the Mercenary Clan. The dining hall was always staffed, so you could just go and eat whenever you were hungry.

Still, most clan members tended to gather in the dining hall for breakfast in the morning, so the timing was usually about the same for everyone.

My encounter with Jung Ha-yeon, which had started so well, ended up fizzling out after the baby unicorn's appearance. I didn't really mind being caught, since the unicorn was just an animal. It just kind of killed the mood, I guess?

But Jung Ha-yeon clearly felt differently. She excused herself, scrambled to her feet, and immediately rushed out the door, probably to find the baby unicorn.

And, judging by what must have happened last night, I was treated to a truly remarkable sight when I entered the dining hall this morning.

"Kkyu."

"Y-You want to eat this?"

"Kkyu, kkyu."

Jung Ha-yeon, Im Han-na, and Baek Han-gyeol were at a table, eating. No, to be precise, three people and one animal were having a meal.

The baby unicorn was standing ramrod straight on a chair, its mouth held wide open. Beside it, Jung Ha-yeon was feeding it with a flustered look on her face.

At a glance, it might have seemed cute, but I felt a strange sense of dissonance.

The baby unicorn's attitude was the height of arrogance, and its once-innocent face was dripping with spite.

"Ah. You're here, Boss."

"Oh, welcome, Clan Lord. Are you here for breakfast?"

As I slowly walked in, Baek Han-gyeol and Im Han-na greeted me. I gave a silent nod and sat in an empty chair. When I sent a questioning look toward Jung Ha-yeon, she shook her head frantically. It seemed to mean, Please don't ask anything right now.

"Um, little one. I think I need to eat now, too..."

"Kkyu?"

At Jung Ha-yeon's pleading tone, the baby unicorn glanced at her. It snorted dismissively before I saw it tap Im Han-na, who was sitting to its right.

"Hm? Are you calling me?"

"Kkyu."

"What is it?"

When Im Han-na asked with a gentle smile, the baby unicorn suddenly pointed right at me.

"Kkyu."

"Hm? The Clan Lord?"

"Kkyu."

"This time... your sister Ha-yeon?"

"Kkyu, kkyu."

The baby unicorn then pointed at Jung Ha-yeon and nodded its head up and down. Just as it looked like it was about to do something else, Jung Ha-yeon quickly held out a spoonful of food to it.

Unicorns were fundamentally very intelligent divine beasts and were sensitive to emotions. I didn't know what had happened between the two of them yesterday, but Jung Ha-yeon must have made some kind of mistake.

"She should have just acted nonchalant..."

I sighed inwardly as I watched Jung Ha-yeon break out in a sweat. Judging by her flustered reaction, it was highly likely the unicorn had something on her. My personal theory was that the baby unicorn had clearly recognized her attitude and was using this opportunity to raise its own position in the pecking order. Or maybe there was another reason I didn't know about.

For now, I decided to let her handle it and intervene if it went too far. The occasional glare the baby unicorn shot my way seemed, for now, within an acceptable range.

"Clan Lord, breakfast today is simple bread and soup. Everyone's in the kitchen right now, so I'll go get it for you."

"Ah, it's alright. I'll go myself."

As it happened, the dining hall counter was empty. I gestured for Im Han-na, who was about to stand, to remain seated, and then I calmly rose from my chair.

"You don't have to do that, Clan Lord..."

"I'm the one eating, so I should be the one to get it. All I have to do is take what they give me."

Just as I was about to walk away, I paused. I just remembered I had something to discuss with Im Han-na regarding equipment.

I had already decided to put the Twilight Priestess matter on hold. It was better to get the unpleasantness over with, so I figured if she didn't have any plans, we should take care of it right after the meal.

"Oh, right. Im Han-na, do you have anything scheduled for this morning?"

"What? No, I don't."

"Perfect. Then..."

I was about to continue with, "Let's talk in my office after we finish eating."

"Clan Lord! Clan Lord!"

Just then, someone shouted urgently and burst into the dining hall.

I turned my head in confusion and saw Shin Sang-yong, drenched in sweat.

"User Shin Sang-yong?"

"Pant, pant! C-Clan Lord! S-Something's wrong outside!"

"Pardon?"

I furrowed my brow at his sudden outburst and asked him to explain. Shin Sang-yong, without even trying to catch his breath, continued in a rush.

"I-I had to run an errand on the main street this morning..."

"Yes, yes. Calm down and tell me slowly."

"R-Right now... phew... F-From the plaza all the way to the Warp Gate, hundreds of Istantel Row clan members have gathered. And they're in full combat gear!"

The moment I heard those words, my heart sank.

"It's starting."

*

Seong Hyeon-min had a terribly anxious look on his face. His eyes darted about, and he couldn't stop shaking his leg—a stark contrast to his usual calm demeanor.

"Hoo..."

"Will you sit still? Huh? You've been acting like a puppy that needs to shit... What's wrong? This isn't like you."

Finally fed up, Lee Hyo-eul chided him with a sharp tone, and Seong Hyeon-min let out an awkward laugh.

"Ha, ha. I'm sorry. I just got nervous thinking about having to go out soon."

"Honestly. It's not like this is your first or second time."

"This time is different. Back then, I acted according to my own principles, but now..."

Seong Hyeon-min's voice trailed off, and he cautiously glanced at Lee Hyo-eul.

"Are you saying that what we're about to do goes against your principles?"

"..., Yes, it does."

Seong Hyeon-min answered honestly. Lee Hyo-eul stared at him for a moment before leisurely taking out a cigarette and placing it between her lips.

Flick. Fsssh.

The sound of the lighter echoed softly in the room. A thin stream of gray smoke drifted from between Lee Hyo-eul's thin lips.

"Hoo, Hyeon-min. Do you remember when I was with you three years ago?"

"...Yes. I remember it clearly."

"I told you then. I said those misguided principles of yours would hinder your growth as a User. If you just made a habit of shifting your perspective a little, you would be much more..."

It was then that a glint appeared in Seong Hyeon-min's eyes.

"Lee Hyo-eul, I personally respect you. Your words have always been rational, and I've never lost anything by following them. As a User who has experienced you firsthand, I know that well... But there will definitely be Users who are dissatisfied with today's actions."

Seong Hyeon-min had deliberately cut in before Lee Hyo-eul could finish. But surprisingly, she didn't look particularly displeased. In fact, she wore a gentle smile.

"Hyeon-min, I think you're seriously misunderstanding something. This isn't just my idea. You should know that well, shouldn't you?"

"..."

"This is what you all wanted in the first place, isn't it? Though, as you said, I did accept it because I thought it was rational."

"...I'm worried this incident will plunge the Northern Continent into chaos."

With nothing left to say, Seong Hyeon-min's reply was tinged with worry. Lee Hyo-eul scoffed.

"I know what you're worried about, but don't concern yourself too much."

"User Lee Hyo-eul."

"And, do you really think I haven't considered the things you're worried about?"

At that one sentence, Seong Hyeon-min fell silent again.

"It's all been thought through, so don't worry so much. Okay? We'll just have to wait and see whether things go my way or yours."

She flicked the ash from her cigarette, then laced her fingers together, stretched them high above her head, and stood up. Then, she turned to Seong Hyeon-min, who still wore a dark expression, and spoke energetically.

"So let's push aside those useless thoughts and get going. It's time to begin. Operation: First Step of the New World."