Chapter 44: If It’s to Become Stronger (1)

After finishing a somewhat embarrassing farewell with Cha Yuri, my steps immediately returned to the Hunters’ Autonomous Union Guild I visited yesterday.

There were two main reasons for returning to the guild without going home.

One was to confirm the power of Flame Magic Level 3, which I could unlock after gathering over 200 points, and the other was thinking if there might be a chance to scout additional Hunters worthy of earning points.

I was somewhat aware that even with the three people already, the targets for managing my sexual desire were numerous, but reflecting on the conversation I recently had with Kang Hye-eun, there was a need to have some kind of insurance for the future.

Because if Kang Hye-eun were to say that she wouldn’t mix bodies with me anymore due to the words ‘not lovers’ that I mentioned, then at that time, even if regrettable, I would have to earn points through relationships with other people.

She had earned the most points for me until now, and in the first place, I didn’t really want to imagine Hye-eun, who is a relationship of the closest kind to me, beyond just a sex partner, drifting away from me, but if it was the relationship we had because she thought of me as ‘boyfriend’ in the first place, I felt a little sorry.

However, for the current me to become stronger, I had no choice but to use the method of meeting various women, having sex, and releasing my sexual desire.

And becoming a strong Hunter was my dream since long ago, so of course, I couldn’t give up.

In other words, since I decided to use this method to become a Hunter, I couldn’t care about the hearts of women who bind me more than necessary, one by one. Unfortunately, it was so.

Regarding whether forming relationships by spreading my legs to multiple women was morally right or wrong, I decided not to think about it anymore from the point I decided to use this awakening ability. In the first place, being criticized for having sex with multiple women is just a story applicable to the values of the previous world; in this world, even if a man goes around sleeping around, the criticism received was merely equivalent to a male version of a rag, like a mop handle.

‘And that much is a penalty I can sufficiently endure.’

If I could engage in activities as a Hunter, which I had dreamed of for over 10 years, instead of being treated like a mop handle, that alone was worth it.

And as a result of gaining experience after going out on a few hunts, I became able to confirm one fact to some extent.

The fastest way to become stronger among the means known so far is the method of raising skill levels with points earned by having sex with female Hunters.

Of course, the know-how gained while experiencing hunting directly and the feelings regained while swinging a sword after a long time also helped to some extent.

But I couldn’t achieve explosive growth beyond raising skill levels using awakening points.

In other words, rather than practical hunting, doing waist exercises passionately in bed with Hunters was the most important thing for me in raising my level.

It’s not that I dislike the act of having sex to become stronger itself. However, since ‘becoming stronger,’ one of the biggest goals of monster hunting, has been excluded, its importance has relatively fallen a bit, perhaps?

Maintaining practical combat sense is important, and for earning living expenses and Hunter rank advancement, etc., I intended to maintain monster hunting itself consistently, but I couldn’t neglect sex itself, the act of becoming stronger, by spending time on that.

If possible, every day, at least once every two days, there was a need to meet anyone and mix bodies to become stronger. Therefore, for now, at least, finding other female Hunters who will earn points for me has become even more important.

Of course, if it were a normal man, ejaculating every day in bed against other women would not be an easy task, but fortunately, the awakening ability I possess also includes ‘Recovery’.

Even right before collapsing from exhaustion, it was possible to replenish stamina enough to get my body up again with one touch of healing. Considering that, there was no way I couldn’t have sex due to lack of stamina, so the more women who earn points for me, the better.

‘Having sex with several women in one place… it’s not that I haven’t imagined it, but.’

Such a proposal was a statement of a level where I’d be lucky if I wasn’t treated like a crazy slut the moment it was brought up.

If I were to bring up a 3P proposal to Kang Hye-eun, whom I’ve watched by my side for over a decade, calling Cha Yuri or Do Sihee to the same bed?

If it were her, my childhood friend of many years, she would certainly shield me. Not in the sense of defending me, but literally hitting me with a shield.

I could vividly imagine Kang Hye-eun’s face swinging the shield conjured with her awakening ability at me and telling me to come to my senses, so this is on hold. Of course, I had never actually been hit by her until now (except during sparring), but just because I wasn’t hit until now doesn’t guarantee I won’t be hit in the future.

Even if not others, it was important not to be found out about the existence of other women by Hye-eun. …In fact, it was almost the same as being found out since the statement that I wasn’t her boyfriend, but anyway.

Or conversely, I imagined what it would be like if it were a combination of Cha Yuri and Do Sihee, but this side, in its own way, didn’t seem feasible.

Cha Yuri, while wearing an expression that seemed indifferent, was subtly firm in her assertions, and Do Sihee’s personality was completely different when a dick was inside her body versus when it wasn’t.

This side, in its own way, was also an unstable combination, so there was no way I could bring up something like a 3P proposal.

‘For now, I shouldn’t act rashly.’

If I maintain even the current relationships well, there will remain room to consistently supply points and become stronger in the future.

It was wise to refrain from acts that might ruin the relationship of two people at once by mistake.

Of course, since I couldn’t hide it forever, someone among the women I’m currently meeting might get tired of me and leave, and building connections with new Hunters was even more important to prepare for when such a situation occurs.

Roughly, like last time, if I come out around the time other Hunters finish work while hunting Black-headed Eagles in the Peregrine Grasslands, I might meet a suitable opponent with points somewhat accumulated due to fatigue from finishing the day’s work.

Around when about 100 meters were left to the Guild, I put on an unidentified mask in a nearby deserted alley.

And after that, I floated the Hunter Sexual Desire Manager System, visible only to me, in the air and raised Flame Magic, which I plan to use today, to Level 3.

『Flame Magic lv. 2 → lv. 3』

For now, with this, the preparations are all finished.

“I’ll go to the Peregrine Grasslands.”

“Yes, I’ll transfer you to the Peregrine Grasslands, so please step onto the mobile warp.”

After that, following the guide’s instructions, I just moved to the Peregrine Grasslands.

It was a really good dungeon to test the power of the newly acquired Flame Magic once.

Eun & Ok Co., Ltd. Gangdong District Branch.

“What’s the matter, Min-ah is especially late today.”

Kang Hye-eun, Cha Yuri, Cheon Jihee, Han Min-ah.

The name of the last member, who hadn’t arrived yet, popped out from the mouth of Kang Hye-eun, the leader of ‘Sky Blue Shield,’ composed of A-class Hunters affiliated with the company.

“…Was this the first time she was late?”

“Yes. Min-ah is so diligent, it would be sad to be second.”

“If she’s late to that extent, it seems like something happened.”

“I’m starting to think that way too. There’s been no reply to Kotok or text messages since a while ago. She doesn’t seem to be picking up calls either….”

“She’s sick to the point she can’t contact us.”

“There’s no way that diligent girl would be absent without notice, so it’s probably more rational to think that way.”

“If Min-ah isn’t here, exploring the Crystal Spider nest as usual will be a bit tricky. It’s become a bit difficult.”

Since Han Min-ah joined the party, this was the first time in Sky Blue Shield that a scout was absent, so the other three party members, excluding her, ended up being stuck, unable to do this or that.

“Let’s wait 5 more minutes, and if not, report it to the guild and contact….”

-Woowooong. Woowooowooong.

As Kang Hye-eun was organizing her thoughts and about to convey the next opinion to the party members, the smartphone in her pocket rang with a steady vibration, and seeing the name written in the message, Kang Hye-eun looked back at the party members with a slightly relieved expression.

“…It’s a call from Min-ah. Just a moment.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Since we got contact, I’ll take the call first, and I’ll tell you what we’ll do later.”

“Okay.”

“Yes, Hye-eun.”

As soon as she slid her finger to the right to receive the call and brought the smartphone to her ear, what was heard was Han Min-ah’s slightly strained groan coming from beyond the receiver.

“Haa, ha, haaa….”

“Min-ah? It’s you, Min-ah, right?”

“Haa, Hye, Hye-eun-ah….”

“Are you sick somewhere? Why does your voice sound like that?”

“It’s, it’s just a little…. I have some flu-like symptoms….”

“Are you okay? Are you very sick?”

It was Han Min-ah’s habit to not easily catch minor illnesses, be healthy, and even endure considerable symptoms to go to work. It was almost the first time she showed she was sick so openly like this.

So, words of concern as a friend could only naturally come out from Kang Hye-eun’s mouth, who had built a relationship with her for a considerable period of time.

“It’s, it’s not that much, haa, I’m not that sick….”

“Your breathing sounds strained! Are you really okay?!”

“I, I’m really okay, Hye-eun. Probably, ha, if I sleep soundly for one night, I’ll get completely better….”

“This won’t do. I’ll rest today too and come to your house to visit. I’ll tell Yuri-ssi and Jihee-ssi….”

“Ah, noooo…!!”

Kang Hye-eun felt considerable bewilderment at Han Min-ah’s voice, spat out almost like a scream from beyond the receiver.

“…Uh, huh? Min-ah?”

“I, I’m sorry. Bu, but my younger siblings are teenagers and really hate having other people over… So, please don’t come….”

“Still, it doesn’t seem like a minor issue. Or maybe to the hospital…”

“Haaak, I, I can handle it myself. Don’t you trust me? I’m Han Min-ah…!”

“…”

“So today, without me…. It seems like it’ll have to be the three of you, Jihee Unnie and Yu, Yuri Unnie…. I’m sorry I couldn’t contact you in advance that I couldn’t go today, haaaa, I, I’m sorry….”

“…That’s okay, just get well soon. You’re still thinking about work in that situation?”

“Ahaha, ye, yeah….”

“…If you don’t show up tomorrow either, I’ll force my way into your house then.”

“Yes, uh-huh, it’s okay…. Ha, if I just get through tonight, I think I’ll really get better….”

“…Okay, take care of yourself.”

“I, I’m sorry for worrying you…. Hye-eun, I’m sorry….”

“If you know you’re sorry, just show up to work tomorrow looking perfectly fine.”

“Uhh-huh, yes….”

–Ttuk.

Listening to Min-ah’s final answer, Kang Hye-eun ended the call with a complex feeling.

Since she had a hunch that even if the call continued longer, it seemed like only the same content would continue, she had quickly judged that making such a long call was also an act that provided no help to Min-ah’s recovery.

“Is she very sick?”

“…She says she’s okay, but honestly, I am worried.”

“Are you going to visit her now? Should I go with you?”

“No. Min-ah told me not to come, so she’ll probably just get angry if I go. And this girl hates the thought of burdening others so much it’s almost pathological.”

Answering like that, Kang Hye-eun looked for a suitable A-class dungeon from the company’s list of owned dungeons, excluding the Crystal Spider Cave. A relatively safe dungeon suitable for exploration even without a scout.

“Since Min-ah told us to go on our own, let’s do it amongst ourselves today. However, since exploring the Crystal Spider Cave is a bit dangerous, we’ll go into another A-class dungeon.”

“Okay.”

“Do as Hye-eun thinks.”

Feeling grateful to the two people who followed her instructions without complaint, she stepped onto the mobile warp gate with the other two to move to the dungeon.

Having heard the shocking confession from her trusted childhood friend that they were not lovers, and with a friend she had known for a long time making her worry, Kang Hye-eun’s heart, the leader of Sky Blue Shield, was becoming complex for various reasons.