‘...It’s not as if Eternal Stone appears every day, and we can’t exactly go on rift explorations daily either. Besides, this time they didn’t even deduct guild fees.’
Opportunities to earn this much at once would be rare for a while. Especially since their encounter with the rank 5 monster had been arranged deliberately so they could experience it; from now on, the Little Sheep team would, at best, only face rank 3 monsters on their own. Yohan seemed to have a similar thought, because he cautiously asked Hyunmook,
“Would it be rude if I asked how much you earn in a year?”
“Hmm... about four years ago, ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) I made a little over fifteen billion won just from byproduct sales.”
Yohan’s jaw dropped. To earn close to fifteen billion just from byproducts.... And Awakeners received significant tax benefits when it came to monster hunting.
“They hardly tax you, right?”
“Yeah. I only paid a few hundred million in taxes.”
With only ten million to his name, Yohan decided to stay humble. Of course, his position in the Little Sheep team was temporary—once he fully joined the Taeyang team, his earnings might surpass Hyunmook’s. Such was the immense value of a purifier. Running his fingers through Yohan’s damp hair, Hyunmook said,
“In this industry, it’s customary to use your first earnings to buy a weapon. Most people go for a dagger.”
“A dagger....”
Most likely an emergency weapon for life-or-death situations. He already had a fine spear, but the idea of a dagger tempted him. Lost in thought, something else came to mind.
“By the way... do you think the re-Awakener rumor is true?”
At tonight’s gathering—supposedly a team dinner but really just an excuse to talk—Yohan had heard mention of re-Awakeners again. Seo Yakrin had stopped by another guild for an association matter and picked up the rumor.
‘That if someone gets contaminated and then purified, their ability becomes stronger—what kind of nonsense is that?’
That was what Seo Yakrin had scoffed, ridiculing the idea. The rumor was even more specific than what Yohan had heard earlier: contamination followed by purification supposedly strengthened abilities. Most likely it had started with Hyunmook’s interview. As Hyunmook gently dried Yohan’s hair with the warm breeze of the dryer, he replied,
“Honestly, it wouldn’t be strange if some people actually believed it and tried.”
“Well... true.”
No sane person would willingly court contamination in hopes of re-Awakening. Experienced mercenaries who had fought monsters and entered rifts would laugh it off. But there were always those who did foolish things. Awakening Parties weren’t so different—though about one in ten did sometimes manage to actually awaken, it was undeniably dangerous.
“Besides, the abilities Chanha, Seungryong, and I gained afterward are completely different from ones earned through normal Awakening.”
Hyunmook elaborated. Like some of the vermin they’d seen in the lab today—mutated to abnormal size, pupating faster, or spewing thick, sticky thread—such powers were distortions born from extreme warping, accidental creations by chance. By contrast, Joo Hoyoung, who had never once fallen into Bumram, and Seo Yakrin, who had only slipped in two or three times, showed no such peculiar powers.
“I’ve already told someone to look into those re-Awakener rumors. ...There, all done.”
Hyunmook switched off the dryer and smoothed Yohan’s now-fluffy hair. As he coiled the cord, Yohan hesitated, then turned back. From between Hyunmook’s legs, his lover looked up at him, eyes shining, cheeks and ears flushed. Hyunmook froze.
“Why, Yohan....”
His voice lingered softly on the name. Thinking it must be uncomfortable for Yohan to sit on the hard floor, he reached to lift him onto the sofa. Instead, Yohan edged closer.
“....”
Hyunmook chuckled awkwardly, yet he let Yohan push his knees apart. His younger lover brimmed with energy, as suited his age. Likely his stamina and recovery were even stronger because he was a high-tier Awakener.
“Is it okay if I touch you...?”
“As much as you like—whatever you want.”
Having spoken first, Yohan grew nervous and swallowed hard. He placed his hand on Hyunmook’s thigh, stroked clumsily, then suddenly grew bolder and slid in between his legs. From there, he looked up with brazen eyes, his face directly before Hyunmook’s lap. A shadow fell across Hyunmook’s expression as he looked down.
“Yohan... are you sure that’s what you want?”
“Yes. Yes.”
Though embarrassed, Hyunmook’s hesitant reaction only made him more determined. Yohan’s hand slid forward until it brushed against something solid. Pausing, he tugged at the waistband.
Hyunmook’s pants were loose, elastic, and came down easily at Yohan’s pull. With them, his underwear slipped down as well. Something that had been neatly pressed against his thigh dropped free.
Yohan froze. He had seen it many times already, but face-to-face, it made him instinctively respectful. Kneeling, he cupped it in both hands and timidly kneaded. Hyunmook adjusted his posture, exhaling deeply.
Just that little touch was enough for his cock to swell rapidly, heating Yohan’s palms. Yohan’s cheeks flushed hotter, blood surging into his own lower body. Wriggling his toes, he focused entirely on what he held. The touch was more exploratory than lewd.
“But...”
Glancing up at Hyunmook’s frown, Yohan swallowed again and asked,
“But?”
“Was it... always like this?”
“Always...?”
Realizing what Yohan meant—asking if it had been this size even before falling into the Abyss—Hyunmook laughed. Instead of answering, he stroked Yohan’s cheek.
“If you just lie back on the sofa, I’ll make you feel good, Yohan.”
The tempting offer stirred a flicker of jealousy and admiration in Yohan; this man was flawless in every way. On impulse, he leaned forward and took him into his mouth. Hyunmook’s hand froze against his cheek.
“...Mmm.”
It was little more than a kiss against the tip, yet Hyunmook groaned. Encouraged, Yohan mouthed the head, then flicked out his tongue, licking the slit. The taste was surprisingly mild.
“...It’ll be uncomfortable for you.”
“No, it’s not....”
He contradicted out of stubbornness. It wasn’t uncomfortable—just overwhelming. Trying to push further, he realized he’d either dislocate his jaw or choke, so he gave up and concentrated on licking instead. His tongue left the veined shaft and swollen tip glistening. Hyunmook, usually reticent, fell utterly silent, which Yohan found delightful.
He sucked the head as though savoring ice cream, then looked up. Hyunmook’s brows knit, dark eyes dripping heavy desire. His handsome face looked even sharper in shadow. Distracted, Yohan lost his grip; the cock sprang back and struck his cheek.
“Ah.”
He winced, inadvertently winking. Embarrassed, he barely had time to react before he was lifted and laid on the sofa. His hands and cheek still tingled with heat when he screamed,
“That’s dirty!”
Hyunmook was licking his toes. The slick intrusion between them sent a shiver up his spine. Holding his ankle, curling toes caught in his mouth, Hyunmook asked with a smile,
“Yohan, what part of you is dirty?”
In truth... none of him was. He was a purifier; even in the Abyss, Yohan alone had stayed pristine. Still, his mind rebelled.
“No, conceptually it’s dirty! Ugh!”
Ignoring his protests, Hyunmook’s tongue slid along his arch, then sucked at his ankle until it bloomed red. Lips and tongue wandered up his shin, behind his knee. At some point, his pants and underwear had been stripped away.
“Haa...”
Between Yohan’s legs, his cock rose pink and stiff. Just from pleasuring Hyunmook earlier, arousal had swelled within him. Hyunmook, nibbling at his inner thigh, took him into his mouth. Yohan jolted.
“...Ah, s-so good.”
The sensation of being enveloped in warmth and wetness was intoxicating. Shuddering, Yohan closed his thighs around Hyunmook’s head. Panicking, he tried to release him, but Hyunmook’s arms locked around his thighs.
