Chapter 123 – GOY 123
#123
“Yeah. I hope neither you nor Hyuk-jin hyung participate in this auction.”
“Don’t worry.”
Joo Seung-hyuk gripped my hand tightly.
“It must have been scary to see a scene like that.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“The ring—should I keep it for you?”
After returning to the mansion yesterday, Joo Seung-hyuk had re-examined the ring’s abilities. However, no special phenomena were observed.
He concluded that seeing the past was likely a special phenomenon triggered by opening the Linked Gate, and that there was nothing wrong with the ring itself.
While the ring newly acquired from the Linked Gate required [visit our site]more in-depth analysis, [visit our site]he concluded that this particular ring was Read on Read BL Novelssafe to continue wearing and returned it to me.
But since I had suddenly mentioned seeing the future, he seemed worried. Although I said it for his sake, I felt guilty for making up a lie.
Regardless of the guilt, however, this was an opportunity. Now, I could keep this ring for Joo Seung-hyuk.
After some hesitation, I spoke.
“If you’re okay with it, I want to keep holding onto it. It’s not like it’s dangerous.”
I know the original story. Of course, many parts have changed, but major events—like the ‘Necklace of Nemesild’ appearing at the auction—could still overlap.
If I use this ring then, I’ll be able to easily inform Joo Seung-hyuk of future events. I can just use the excuse that I saw it in the ring.
But as soon as the words left my mouth, regret washed over me. Did I say the right thing…?
I saw Joo Seung-hyuk’s past, and because of that, I gave up my plan to run away immediately. But is it okay for me to stay by his side based on such petty sympathy?
Should I tell him to take the ring back now?
As my lips parted to speak, Joo Seung-hyuk’s hands cupped my face.
“Don’t think about anything. Just having you by my side is enough.”
Joo Seung-hyuk spoke as if he had read my mind. Stunned, I could only stare at his face before our lips overlapped.
A sweet strawberry scent spread through my mouth.
Joo Seung-hyuk left the room, saying he would contact Do Hyuk-jin.
‘Now that he’s stepped in, nothing bad should happen.’
That thought occurred to me as I watched him walk away. Even though nothing had actually been resolved yet.
Without realizing it, I had come to trust him.
Left alone, I turned on the TV. It felt strange seeing it after so long.
Achilles feared the notion of being close to any specific nation. Perhaps that was why I could watch broadcasts from various countries affiliated with the World Ability User Association, and naturally, Korean broadcasts were among them.
Watching Korean TV while abroad felt strangely nostalgic.
The news was reporting on the auction of the ‘Necklace of Nemesild.’
If one could get their hands on this treasure, they could be liberated from their matching rate.
Since this was something that had been impossible through Red Rune Transformation Research, other new drugs, or any other treasure, it was only natural that Korea was in an uproar.
“Major guilds and Ability Users from all over the world are gathering in Achilles. All eyes are on who will ultimately obtain the legendary treasure, the Necklace of Nemesild.”
Whoever it may be, it won’t be Do Hyuk-jin or Joo Seung-hyuk. Because I changed the future. While I was lost in thought, the next news segment began.
“Esper Park Geon-woo, who was involved in a drunk driving traffic accident, has been discharged from the hospital in good health after two months.”
Along with the reporter’s voice, footage appeared of Park Geon-woo leaving the Korean Ability User Hospital.
He bowed 90 degrees toward the reporters before starting his interview.
“I am deeply sorry for causing concern to the public.”
He looked a bit gaunt, but healthy.
So he had been hospitalized all this time…. To be honest, I had completely forgotten about Park Geon-woo.
“Were you watching TV?”
At the sudden sound, I turned stolen contentmy head to [Read on Read BL Novels]find Joo Seung-hyuk standing at the door, having returned at some point.
“Ah, ah, that is to say….”
Of all times, he had to come back now!
I hurriedly scrambled for an excuse. It was possible that the person who orchestrated Park Geon-woo’s accident was Joo Seung-hyuk.
If so, seeing me watching Park Geon-woo the moment I was released from confinement would surely make him furious.
“The Korean channel was on, and I was curious, so I turned it on. It was reporting on the Achirus Auction, and then the news suddenly changed…!”
“Is that so?”
I was certain he would be angry. However, Joo Seung-hyuk’s reaction was unexpectedly calm.
“Yeah.”
He sat down beside me and looked at the TV.
“I see he’s been discharged.”
“Seems so.”
“He’s exaggerating. It looked like he just sprained his leg a bit, yet he stayed cooped up in the hospital until now.”
“He sprained his leg?”
Park Geon-woo’s condition had been kept secret from the public. But if it were Joo Seung-hyuk, he would have easily found out.
“Yes.”
“I see. For a drunk driving accident, that’s a huge relief.”
“It wasn’t an accident; someone probably hit him on purpose.”
He casually spat out the words I hadn’t dared to ask until now.
“R-really?”
“Yes. That bastard and the Inspection Division have been stalling by staying in the hospital to find the culprit. They’re so stupid. Did they think an S-Class Esper would die in a car accident? If it were me, I would never have used such a moronic method.”
“Then what would you have done…?”
“I’d just kill him.”
Joo Seung-hyuk answered instantly.
“Pfft!”
The moment I heard such a blunt statement, I burst out laughing.
Right, this is exactly who Joo Seung-hyuk is. If he hated Park Geon-woo, he would have blown him away on the spot. There was no way he would use an ambiguous and cowardly method like a car accident.
I had been so consumed by the thought that Joo Seung-hyuk might be the culprit that I forgot the most important thing.
“Why are you laughing? Do you like the idea of me killing Park Geon-woo?”
“No. It’s just so like you.”
“What exactly is ‘like me’?”
That you’re a terrifying Obsessive Madman.
But since I couldn’t say that, I changed my phrasing.
“Tough.”
Hearing my answer, Joo Seung-hyuk burst into laughter.
“Haha. ‘Tough’? I haven’t heard that word in a really long time.”
“R-really?”
“Yes. Hyung, you sound like an old person.”
…Well, if you combine my past lives, it’s not technically wrong.
But because I felt a prick of guilt, I couldn’t help but get defensive.
“Then why don’t you date someone fresh instead of an old person like me?”
“Who said I didn’t like it? I like that Hyung is my type.”
Joo Seung-hyuk wrapped an arm around my shoulder and smirked.
“Ugh. Hearing you say that out loud is a bit….”
As I recoiled, Joo Seung-hyuk roared with laughter.
“Haha. A bit what?”
Seeing Joo Seung-hyuk laughing so hard he held his stomach and had tears in his eyes felt unfamiliar; he looked like a normal college student, which was nice to see. But that was that, and this was this….
“Why are you laughing?”
Is this really that funny? No matter how I thought about it, it wasn’t something to laugh that hard at.
“Because Hyung is being honest.”
“Huh?”
“I like it when Hyung speaks honestly.”
Joo Seung-hyuk hugged my waist tightly and looked up at me. His exceptionally large black pupils sparkled, giving off a pure aura.
“Hyung, I’m not a scary guy. Don’t be afraid. As long as you don’t try to run away, I’m nice.”
“Really…?”
“Yes. Really.”
Joo Seung-hyuk gave a gentle smile and kissed me. As I accepted the kiss, his hand secretly slid inside my shirt.
That night, for the first time, I poured out my honest thoughts to Joo Seung-hyuk.
‘Seung-hyuk-ah, stop.’
‘I can’t do this. I’m embarrassed.’
‘I don’t like that.’
Until now, no matter how overwhelming my relationship with him was, I could only say that it was ‘hard.’ But yesterday, for the first time, I told him everything I was thinking.
And Joo Seung-hyuk did not get angry once.
‘Seung-hyuk-ah, are you okay? You’re not mad?’
‘Why would I be mad? I’m not that angry of a person….’
He spoke softly.
‘I see. Then will you stop?’
‘No.’
‘…….’
Of course, just because he didn’t get angry didn’t mean he listened to me. If anything, he was more persistent.
I felt it once again last night: Joo Seung-hyuk really doesn’t know how to count.
It’s not just at night. He counts horribly during exercise, too. He’s committed the atrocity of counting three lunges as just one.
Still, it was surprising that he didn’t get angry. I saw him in a new light.
As I was chewing over the events of last night one by one, Joo Seung-hyuk entered the room dressed in black attire.
“Are you awake?”
“Yeah. You haven’t left yet?”
Joo Seung-hyuk said he was going to meet Do Hyuk-jin early this morning.
“I’m leaving now. It might take a while. You can be alone until then, right?”
Joo Seung-hyuk’s eyes were full of worry as he caressed my face. He looked exactly like a father leaving for work after leaving a young child behind, which made me smile.
“I’m fine. Am I a child?”
“Try not to leave the hotel if possible. It’s not anything else, I’m just worried.”
If there was someone who, following the original plot, murdered Do Hyuk-jin and manipulated things so the blame fell on Joo Seung-hyuk, there was a possibility that I would be targeted as well.
They probably wouldn’t move until the auction, but since there was a one-in-a-million chance, wandering alone was dangerous.
Even though he was saying something obvious, Joo Seung-hyuk was cautious.
Was he worried that I might think I was being imprisoned again?
“Yeah. I was planning to do that anyway. This place is incredibly expensive. Since we paid such a high room rate, I should enjoy it to the fullest.”
When I spoke with deliberate brightness, Joo Seung-hyuk gave a thin smile.
“I requested special security for the hotel. Since the security here is thorough, you can roam freely inside the hotel.”
“Okay.”
“Do you want to go to the fitness center? I’ll just watch you exercise and then head out.”
…Was it not enough that this brat exhausted me last night? What is he asking a person who can barely get out of bed to do now?
But even if Joo Seung-hyuk didn’t get angry as much as expected, I couldn’t protest about something like this.
I glared at him silently and muttered.
“…I’ll do it after I eat today.”
“Alright.”
A mischievous smile played on his lips. He was definitely teasing me.
“Have a safe trip. Be careful.”
“Yes. I’ll be back soon.”
Joo Seung-hyuk gave me a light peck on the lips and left the room.
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