I found myself stepping out into the city flanked by two women.
They were none other than the beautiful martial women known as the Fiery Lotus and the Jade Flower Sword.
You’d think I’d be on cloud nine, but nope, reality was hitting hard, and I was in a bit of a nightmare. The whole vibe was so tense I could barely breathe.
“I have so much to say after being apart for so long, Geunhyeop. Please, come over here.”
“Uh, uh-oh.”
The moment Serin grabbed my hand and pulled me closer.
“Hm, we can’t do breathing exercises while walking, can we? I want to feel that energy even in this state.”
Hayoung, on my right, wrapped my arm around her chest. As if that wasn’t enough, she dragged me towards Serin as if to say, “You’re not going anywhere!”
Thanks to that, Serin was also pulling my hand, and I felt like a kid marked for dismemberment by King Solomon.
At this rate, I might actually get split in half…!
“Fiery Lotus. Just saying, I am Geunhyeop’s master. I need a detailed report on what’s been going on, so could you please step back?”
“What are you saying? I need to study this body! I should be right up close to feel the flow of energy, so please don’t get in my way. You’re slowing down progress.”
“Sigh. Geunhyeop can’t perform Donggong. So it’s pointless.”
“You don’t need to do breathing exercises to know stuff; I can sense it normally!”
Look at this.
The atmosphere is so sharp.
“Hey, you two? You guys aren’t getting along, right?”
“What do you mean? I’m best friends with the Fiery Lotus.”
Serin replied with a deadpan expression.
“Yup, we’re all good. Nothing happened. Nothing at all.”
Hayoung grinned back, and it was painfully obvious something went down between them…! Even if they tried to hide it, no dice. But bringing it up now felt too risky given the tension from both women.
Thinking about it, they were both major powerhouses compared to me. There’s no way I could mess around with that.
“Anyway. Before heading to take down Hadong, I’d like to see some of Geunhyeop’s growth. Can you show me?”
“I can show you the basics first, but… my energy hasn’t fully recovered yet. What I really want to show you? I can’t do that.”
“That thing you really want to show me is…?”
“Yeah. That’s it.”
The God-Strike I learned while slaying bandits.
I wanted to show that off.
But I could at least let out a faint, purplish energy once I recovered a bit more. Let’s save that for later.
“I’m dying to see it. How long is this going to take?”
“With my energy depleted, it’s going to take some time.”
“Huh? You said your energy is depleted?”
“Yeah.”
Serin shot a glance at Hayoung.
“You’re planning on marching with Geunhyeop without proper energy recovery? That’s absurd. I can’t understand your thought process.”
“Ugh.”
I definitely want my energy maxed out before a fight.
“It’s not like I plan to do anything reckless; it’s all me, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Unexpected situations can arise, you know. This is unavoidable.”
Serin sighed, wrapping her arm around my waist.
“Geunhyeop. Don’t worry. Since your energy is low, I’ll protect you no matter what happens. As your master, of course.”
“Wow, that’s really generous of you.”
“Honestly, you lack consideration. Bringing an energy-depleted Geunhyeop to battle demons? If it were me, I would’ve ensured he had a proper rest first.”
At her words, Hayoung averted her gaze.
“That’s hilarious. Look at you, acting all masterful.”
She seemed a little hurt, so I felt the need to comfort her.
“Hey, Hayoung. It’s okay. You just wanted to reveal my body type quickly, right? Am I wrong?”
“Ugh, uh-huh! Exactly! You don’t know anything! Hmph!”
“Serin, I’m in a hurry to know too. So don’t be too harsh.”
“Hmmm… if Geunhyeop says so, I suppose I can agree.”
Upon my words, I could see Hayoung’s expression softening a bit. But I wondered if that meant Serin would sulk again because I sided with her.
“Thanks anyway, Serin. Now that I think about it, we should’ve rested before going to hunt demons. It’s like you’re genuinely a master, really understanding your disciple’s state.”
“Of course, isn’t that normal? It’s my first time being a master, but since I have a disciple now, a desire to cherish and care for them has sprouted within me.”
“So warm…!”
Is this what being a master feels like?
So caring!
“Who says nobody cares? You! Look at how much I’ve cared for you! Isn’t that right?”
“True. You do care a lot.”
“Regardless of the situation, a rest is necessary. Let’s take a little break over there.”
“Let’s do that.”
Following Serin’s suggestion, we moved a short way and took a break. I sat down right away and began my breathing exercises, while Serin and Hayoung kept watch over me.
But then…
“Fiery Lotus, you haven’t changed a bit.”
From ahead, I could hear the girls arguing.
“How can you dress like that in front of Geunhyeop? Your outfit is a total mess. Are you even aware of that?”
“Huh? Who cares what I wear?”
“It matters! My disciple is watching!”
“That’s such a silly viewpoint. Why don’t you dress like me, then?”
Their arguing ramped up, creating quite the atmosphere, huh?
“Ridiculous… how could I possibly wear something so vulgar?”
“You clearly like vulgarity. Just admit it, you’re jealous because my breasts are bigger than yours, huh?”
“Ha! You’ve got to be kidding! Who would be jealous of something that’s just unnecessarily large? It’s only fitting for me. Don’t you get that?”
“Ha ha ha! You really don’t get it, do you?”
“…Now that I think about it, it seems you still haven’t grown?”
“What?! You’re just as tall as a guy!”
“Who’s as tall as a guy?!”
“You! Come here!”
Suddenly, Hayoung, who had been bickering with Serin, called me over.
“Is this how a woman should be? Women are meant to be petite and cute! That’s why I, the Fiery Lotus, am ranked number one in martial arts!”
“I’ve never heard such a thing in my life. The Jade Flower Sword is the true number one.”
“So, tell me. What’s your answer?”
I’m really struggling here…!
Are we going to make it to our destination safely?
* * *
We somehow arrived near our destination after all that bickering. Honestly, being squeezed between them was a battle in itself, and I felt exhausted.
Though, thanks to Serin, I managed to take a few breaks and get some energy back. Some was lost, sure, but still.
“Well, if we go further, we’ll find a river. Let’s go!”
“All Hadong’s guys are dead.”
“Let’s get rid of them quickly! Follow me!”
With that, Hayoung started up the mountain path, and I watched her from behind, just like before.
—Swaying gently.
The hem of her cheongsam fluttered, revealing her white backside. But I was very much aware that there was a talisman stuck inside. Maybe that’s why my heart started racing.
“Geunhyeop.”
“Gah!”
“Why the shock?”
Suddenly, Serin grabbed my hand, surprising me. After noticing my state, Serin glanced at Hayoung’s backside before looking back at me.
“So, that’s it.”
“…!”
She nodded knowingly as if she had everything figured out!
“To be honest, I think you should be following your master instead, Geunhyeop.”
“Wait, what do you even mean by that?”
“But since there’s nothing to show right now, I’ll let it slide… but next time, you will be watching me. Understood?”
What on earth does she mean by that!
“What are you two doing? Hurry up!”
“Y-Yeah! We’re coming!”
“I’ll speed up, Geunhyeop. You can keep up, right?”
“Of course!”
So we climbed the mountain trail at a fast pace, and as we crested the hill, the river spread out below us.
“Wow!”
What a refreshing sight it is to see a river!
“Hayoung, is this the place? Are you sure Hadong will show up around here?”
“Yup, but we should go a little deeper inside. This is just the entrance. But let’s head down for now.”
“Got it!”
Seeing the water made me giddy with excitement.
“But you never know what might come out in the mountains, so let’s stay cautious on the way down.”
“That’s excellent, Geunhyeop.”
“Is that right?”
We carefully descended the slope.
—Whoosh.
As we got closer to the river, the coolness started to wash over me. There’s just something thrilling about a river.
“Why? Do you want to jump in?”
Hayoung asked.
“Honestly, I do.”
I had been sweating bullets from the march.
“Chuckle, then what?”
“Hmm?”
“With the heat, shall we go for a swim?”
Wait, swimming?
I was at a loss for words, thinking about the demons that could appear, but just then…
“Yah!”
—Splash!
She suddenly flung her clothes off!
“Wait!”
I was stunned, my eyes wide. Hayoung’s attire was so light that shedding it was instantaneous, exposing her completely.
It was the same body I’d seen once before.
A giant chest that could be called a mountain. But her slender waist and strong hips made for a perfectly scandalous figure, reappearing before me.
Of course, a yellow talisman was stuck on her main areas.
“What does this crazy girl think she’s doing?! Taking her clothes off in front of a man like it’s nothing…! Aren’t you embarrassed?!”
Serin yelled in shock at the outrageous exposure.
“Doesn’t matter! We’re friends, after all! What difference does it make?”
“Even if you’re friends!”
“We’ve done this before, so it’s no big deal.”
“What are you talking about…!”
Serin looked at me!
No, that’s not what—
“Is that true?!”
“I-it is, but that’s not—!”
“Ha ha ha! See? He says it too! So it’s all good!”
As Hayoung laughed, her chest bounced. Seriously, she had no shame showing off like that in front of me?
“Regardless! I’m not lewd, I just took off my clothes to swim! Is that so hard to get? Now I’m swimming! Yahoo!”
—Splash!
With that, Hayoung dove right in.
“Hey! You too, get in! It feels so refreshing!”
“Won’t your talisman get soaked and fall off?!”
“Can’t hear you! Hurry up!”
Do I really have to go in?
Caught in a dilemma…
“Sigh. Alright. It seems I have no choice but to swim too.”
“Serin?”
—Whoosh.
And then Serin took her clothes off too!
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