I was already prepared for this.
From the moment I realized her true feelings towards Hongryeon and Chaejin.
Of course, I had already anticipated it wouldn’t be easy.
Isn’t that obvious?
Everyone wants to monopolize love.
But if that happens, it’s only natural that someone will end up hurt.
And when I heard that even the Sword Saint liked me, I had to be even more on edge.
If I misstepped even once, I might end up with a ‘let’s share’ ending, dividing Yu Wol into thirds.
Moreover, Hongryeon, Chaejin, and the Sword Saint all had a blind admiration for me.
If I couldn’t manage this delicate balance, it would surely lead us straight to a ‘let’s share’ ending, so I had kept my distance from these alluring women.
Besides, they all said they respected my decisions.
But I guess even that has its limits.
I faced Chaejin, who stared at me without blinking.
“Marriage, huh?”
“…Well…”
Chaejin released my hand. Slowly stepping back, she took a small breath and looked at me.
“I told you before. If the time comes when I can stand before you, I would confess my true feelings.”
Bathed in the pure white moonlight, Chaejin gazed at me. There was no tremor in her eyes.
Only one thing was present. Seriousness.
Faced with that seriousness, I stood up.
Chaejin slowly wielded the Black Moon Sword.
At the same time, a bright full moon rose.
The moonlight shot out towards the rocks surrounding me.
“……”
And that light literally obliterated the rock.
…This isn’t some kind of threat, is it?
“…I’ve climbed the wall. Now, I only have to take a step beyond it.”
Chaejin walked delicately towards me.
And she lightly grabbed my clothes, looking up at me.
“You’ve always been by my side. And you’ve illuminated the path I walk on. Yu Wol, you are my light.”
Slowly caressing my face, Chaejin rose on her tiptoes. As a lovely scent tickled my nose from her approaching beautiful face,
Something soft touched my lips.
The long eyelashes visible through my closed eyes trembled.
The superhuman, who had just unleashed a fierce energy, was shaking with fear and tension.
Fully entrusting everything to me, Chaejin said in a small voice.
“I like you. I love you. Yu Wol, my light, my master.”
Slowly pulling her lips away, Chaejin tightly embraced my waist and brought her face to my chest.
“…Marry me.”
“…..”
“Absolutely.”
With a radiant smile, as if she were melting while looking up at me, Chaejin slowly opened her eyes.
Chaejin slowly opened her eyes.
“I’ll make you happy.”
When morning arrived, I put down the materials I was looking at. Last night, Chaejin proposed to me. That must be because she has met the qualifications she mentioned.
I recalled what she had shown me last night.
Inner strength.
Of course, it wasn’t on the level of skilled superhumans like the Sword Saint or Doje; she was just at the stage of barely stepping into the realm of superhumans, but it was undoubtedly inner strength.
If she trained it further and incorporated it into her sword techniques, she would surely reach a stage where she could confidently call herself a superhuman.
Even now, she was a superhuman in her own right.
I sighed as I put the documents down.
“Is something wrong?”
“Umm? No, it’s fine. By the way, Yohwan, where’s Chaejin?”
“She should be in her room. Oh, and we have a guest.”
“A guest?”
Normally, when things get hectic at home, guests hardly show up. But a guest, really? As I looked puzzled, Yohwan chewed on some jerky and said.
“From the Hongseong Clan.”
When I went outside, I saw the members of the Hongseong Clan gathered around. Watching them, I smiled and said, “Everyone, you really worked hard yesterday. You should rest…”
The state of the Hongseong Clan members showed how intense yesterday’s battle had been. Some were injured, and others looked utterly exhausted. Yet, their eyes still shone bright.
“How can we just sit idly when the inn has turned out like this?”
Leading them was the Sword Saint. She looked at me seriously before turning her head away.
“The disciples of the Hongseong Clan are accustomed to this type of work. So, if you’re planning to rebuild the inn, we will help.”
Since I didn’t say anything, the Sword Saint glanced at me, slightly nervous, and asked.
“Um, is this a nuisance to you?”
“Of course not.”
That sentiment clearly also came from her concern for me. So, there was no reason to refuse that kindness, that gratitude.
I nodded with a smile.
The Sword Saint finally brightened up and smiled back at me.
“First, we need to confirm whether we will just repair it or completely demolish and rebuild.”
“That’s right.”
Since the structure had already taken quite a hit, if we touched it the wrong way, it might collapse. It was better to demolish it entirely and build anew instead of just patching it up and risking a bigger disaster if it fell apart.
“We should consider the option of rebuilding.”
“Agreed. Then, for the usable materials…”
“Let’s set those aside for support.”
“Then it’s settled. Oh, and the Murim Alliance has also agreed to provide support.”
“Anyway, the Murim Alliance also decided to provide support.”
From the back of the Hongseong disciples, I caught sight of a woman in the uniform of the Murim Alliance.
“Who are you…”
“I’m Yajuhee from the Construction Department of the Murim Alliance. I was in charge of repairing Hongseong before. I just happened to be here for the development of Seomhwa Village… I didn’t expect to meet you like this.”
Ah. That person?
She was known for always stepping in when a new sect or branch was being established within the Murim Alliance. After a light nod, she spoke to the Hongseong disciples.
“Alright. Follow me.”
I watched the Hongseong disciples leave, then turned my serious gaze.
It was Hongryeon.
Without saying anything, she stared at me intently. I smiled and asked,
“Is there something you want to say?”
“Will you come with me? If we have to demolish, I thought it would be better for you to be there.”
“Let’s do that.”
She was right. I followed Hongryeon to the inn.
Yajuhee shook her head as she looked at the cracked pillars and ceiling here and there. Being an old building, she believed it was better to build anew rather than repair it.
So, there was no reason not to follow her lead. I was already set on demolishing and rebuilding, after all.
Thus, preparations for demolition began under Yajuhee’s command.
Items in each guest room were being moved to the donation area. We were lifting large tables, wardrobes, and beds, and pulling out usable materials with one hand.
Thanks to our use of lightness techniques, the demolition was nearly finished in no time, with only the unstable inn left to tear down.
“…So we really are demolishing it?”
“Oh. You’ve arrived?”
I smiled and nodded at Chaejin’s voice, which was filled with regret.
“…It’s disappointing.”
“There’s nothing to be sad about. We’re going to build it again.”
“Are you okay with this?”
“I’m fine. And don’t be sad.”
I glanced at the sulking Chaejin. When she didn’t say anything, I patted her back.
“Ugh… Hoo… Alright. Then I’ll handle the demolition.”
Just as she was ready to step forward with her Black Moon Blade, Hongryon blocked her path.
“Why?”
“I’ll do it. Yu Wol, watch closely.”
“Um?”
Hongryon slowly lifted her great sword. And then—
– Whoooom!!
With each swing of Hongryon’s sword, the inn started disappearing.
It wasn’t destruction.
It was annihilation.
With each strike, the energy contained within was clearly powerful.
The dance of destruction, exuding strong energy as it erased everything, unfolded from Hongryon.
As the elegant yet fierce swordplay concluded, time seemed to hang still.
It was over.
The inn had vanished without a trace.
…At least there’s no cleanup to worry about.
Hongryeon, who had erased the rather spacious inn with a single sword dance, slowly turned her head.
Her black eyes were staring intently at me.
Once the inn’s demolition was complete and our schedule was more or less wrapped up, Yohwan prepared a meal for those who had worked hard.
While they enjoyed their meal in the garden provided by the sponsorship, I was sifting through documents in the office.
A new inn, huh. How should I build it?
As I was looking over the blueprints Yajuhee had given me, I heard a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
A woman with flowing red hair confidently walked in. Hongryeon smiled sweetly and approached me.
“Did you see?”
“I did.”
“Then you must know what I’m going to say.”
Sauntering over like a proud cat, Hongryeon approached me. She perched herself on my desk and stared at me intently.
Like a carnivore with its prey before it, she licked her lips playfully and smiled alluringly, reaching out to grab me.
“It was you, right? Mister.”
“That’s correct.”
So it must have been Sayoon who said something. No wonder the Hongseong disciples looked at me differently earlier.
“…I won’t ask why you hid it. You must have had your reasons. And that’s not something I’ll question.”
Hongryeon caressed my cheek. Then she slowly climbed onto my lap.
With her arms resting on my shoulders and her legs wrapping around my waist, she leaned her ample body into me.
The fragrant scent of blooming cabbages and the pleasant aroma of the woman tickled my nose.
Feeling as though I had entered into Hongryeon, I gazed at her, and she seemed to hold something back before seriously saying,
“Yu Wol. Because of you, I am here. If it weren’t for you… I, and our Hongseong would not have made it this far.”
“You’re exaggerating. All I did was… ugh!”
My words got stuck. Stuck on Hongryeon’s lips. A moist and hot sensation invaded my mouth.
Holding me tightly, she ended the long and deep kiss, slowly pulling her lips away.
A silvery thin thread connected us until it snapped.
With her face as red as her hair, she gazed at me, seemingly entranced, caressing my cheek.
“So… you have to take responsibility. For life.”
“Haha…”
“But in return… I’ll make sure you’ll be happy.”
While stroking my cheek, Hongryeon planted playful kisses all over my face like a cute cat, not once blinking as she tightly held onto the hem of my clothes.
As if she would absolutely not let go.
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