episode_0095

Weekday.

One day, after finishing basic training and resting comfortably, I fell into a deep sleep and had a dream.

“Changgi~!”

“Oh, what is it, Seongyeon?”

“Here, it’s a gift!”

“Huh? A sudden gift?”

“You said you wanted to read the latest volume of the comic last time, so I bought it right away for you!”

“Well… I do appreciate it, but is this okay? Last time, you got me a book because I wanted one.”

“It’s okay. I have more than enough pocket money to spare.”

“That’s not the issue.”

“It’s fine! Besides, it’s nice to be able to read it, right?”

“Well… yeah, but…”

…Wait.

Is this my dream?

It feels like a dream from my elementary school days.

A boy with a smile that could have made several girls cry, generously giving me a comic book. It seemed like we often met here in the nearby downtown area, not at school.

“Changgi!”

“Oh. Are you done over there?”

“Yeah! Sorry for making you wait! Oh, here’s a gift!”

“Huh, another one?”

“You said you didn’t get to read this last time! Here, take it!”

“Aren’t you afraid of getting in trouble with your parents for this?”

“I told you last time, it’s fine! If I’m okay with it, why worry?”

“But still…”

“If you’re going to read it anyway!”

“Fine. I’ll buy the next month’s volume myself, so don’t touch it!”

“Hehe.”

“Why are you laughing?”

“Well…”

In my dream, I was meeting Seongyeon almost every day, receiving gifts from her regularly.

In the nearby downtown area, or in front of the elementary school Seongyeon attended, sometimes even when she came to our school.

Young me couldn’t hide the fact that I felt both burdened and happy about receiving gifts.

“Could it be… if I don’t buy it, will Seongyeon buy it for me?”

“I may be short on allowance this month, but…”

Eventually, as I played with Seongyeon and parted ways, I revealed childish desires.

Holding the comic book my friend gave me, I harbored impure desires.

Already covered in burns all over my body, it was a bit disgusting to see myself uttering such things alone.

“Changgi~!”

“Oh, Seongyeon.”

“I’ve been waiting for you! I was about to leave, but the teacher called me, so I’m late!”

“It’s okay. I also finished late today…”

The next month arrived.

In my dream, I was expecting something.

My blatant expectations made me feel embarrassed, as Seongyeon noticed and smiled knowingly.

She quickly took it out of her bag, knowing exactly what I was expecting.

“The latest volume! Do you already have it?”

“…”

“Want to borrow it?”

“I don’t mind. I’m not interested in it anyway.”

“Then why did you buy it?”

“Well, if you don’t take it, my mom will throw it away, you know?”

“Ugh…”

As my elementary school self pretended to be indifferent, I secretly felt happy inside.

I was delighted to receive gifts without realizing I was being played by Seongyeon’s intentions.

And she, as my benefactor, seemed pleased to offer something to me, creating a loop of generosity.

“What will happen next month…?”

“Hehe.”

“Just kidding. Here, a gift! You don’t have to return it, just keep it on your bookshelf!”

“Um… thank you.”

“Thank you. It’s because ‘I enjoy it.’”

From this point on, my resistance to receiving things decreased.

If asked how I know something while watching from afar, I can only answer, “I just know somehow.”

This dream is both mine and not mine.

“Changgi, do you like this character?”

“Changgi, how about a figurine?”

“Changgi, want to play this game with me? I have two copies!”

“Changgi, let’s go shopping for clothes this time!”

“Changgi.”

“Changgi-”

With each passing scene, my room was gradually filled with items given by Seongyeon. It started with my favorite comic books, then figures, toys, game consoles, clothes… gradually, more and more items that couldn’t be easily discarded due to their increasing prices took up the majority of the space.

And by this point, my attitude had changed as well.

As I grew bigger, my responses became more nonchalant.

“Are you buying more stuff again?”

“I’m fine, just don’t overdo it.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“I’ll make good use of it.”

“I actually prefer this one over that one-”

“If you’re going to buy something, wouldn’t this be better?”

At first, I felt burdened, but now my face was beaming with joy.

Even a tone of coaxing someone into agreement was mixed in.

With that memory as the last, my dream darkened.

Nothing in it was from my known past.

*

Immediately after waking up, I buried my face in the pillow and fell into contemplation.

“That dream just now… the first round…?”

The starting point where my friend built such a wall.

The trigger to bestow me with skills.

It could just be a simple dream… but my heart and something inside it warned me, “That dream just now is real.”

“My heart seems to be glowing again.”

It was the symptom that appeared when I first encountered the Tower Master.

A heavy sensation as if something was living inside my heart, even though it couldn’t be seen, was a strange feeling that I knew as “my heart is glowing.”

“Phew…!”

Fortunately, the glow of my heart quickly faded.

My mind regained its composure, and my body felt lighter, but my thoughts deepened.

“I was pushed to clear up to the 20th floor without much intention. Yet, why do I strangely feel a sense of fulfillment?”

In short, it’s because my dream is coming true.

I am acting like the protagonist of the comic book I love so much.

Suddenly becoming abnormally strong. Depending on others around me. I am somewhat satisfied with all of this.

That’s why I was perplexed by this joyful yet abnormal growth.

“I let it go at the time, but it’s still strange. Even if I was the lowest among the attackers of Lea this time, there were A-rankers. Even if I didn’t know my true strength well, is it normal to beat them?”

Something is off.

No matter what anyone says, I knew my own strength well.

Perhaps a bit stronger than I thought, with some sense, but not this strong.

“The anomaly began after entering this Tower. Even when I fought with Seres and Bragear. They said even a B-ranker would struggle from the 1st floor, but I passed it more easily than I thought.”

The sudden influx of memories from the previous round.

Something that started whispering as my heart glowed.

My sudden increase in skill proficiency.

The unchanging Hunter rank…

“I have more reasons to climb the Tower now.”

Although I started climbing the Tower pushed by others, I now have motivation and determination.

While saving my friend, I also want to resolve my doubts and help those around me.

And in doing so… let’s forget about the terrible past.

“Now things are different. I’ve joined a guild and gained strength, even though I don’t know what it means. I managed to save Lea safely, so let’s clear the next floor in style.”

I struggled to sit up, stretching my body.

Pushing away the sight of myself denying my dream in the past, I surrendered to the current flow.

Just as I was considering heading down to the restaurant for a meal at the perfect time.

“…Huh?”

I realized that a familiar text had come through my phone.

Curious, I checked it out, and to my surprise.

[Today’s missed call log]

[♡ Song Seongyeon ♡]

[1:24 PM]

[Sex partner reservation 1 case]

[Time: Tonight at 12 AM]

[Location: Reserved special room operated by Madame]

[Hey Changgi. It’s been a while since I sent you something like this, right?]

[Have you been busy lately?]

I have been busy.

Seongyeon and Seres have been busy moving around for guild business, so we haven’t been able to meet for a while.

I’ve been busy with Leah’s business, and they’ve been busy with external threats attacking the guild, so even though we’re in the same guild, we rarely come face to face.

So when Seongyeon suddenly sent a text, I wondered what it was about and read the next message.

[I was recruiting for a sex party to enhance your skills, and I was able to find one more person this time.]

[The destination is the place I attached.]

[It’s a reservation, so bring the access card to my room later.]

[I left the guild leader’s office door open. Just take the black card on the desk.]

“Really out of the blue.”

Leah’s business has been wrapped up, and I was starting to focus on climbing.

But it’s still very heartwarming news.

Even though I had a threesome, my skill rank was stuck, so I needed a chance.

‘It’s a woman prepared by none other than Seongyeon. I’m looking forward to it because she’s probably another delicious woman-‘

The next message was the problem.

Like last time, it’s about sending the preferences and tastes of the female partner to prepare myself….

[Masturbation prohibited on the day. Condoms prohibited. Kissing is practically impossible.]

[It’s OK to reveal your identity.]

[※ It seems like you really love spanking!]

[They say they like to be disciplined in a very tormenting manner.]

[Do you like it when the older one dominates the younger one?]

[So, even if the other person cries and begs, you can do whatever you want.]

Oh, are you a masochistic customer?

More importantly, what does it mean that kissing is practically impossible?

Is it related to the fact that it’s a special room and not a hotel?

[Everything will be prepared when you arrive, so just go with the flow!]

[Good luck~!]

There is no explanation for this.

I didn’t ask because it’s something you can find out when you go.

Sending a text even though I’m at the guild home means I’m still outside, so I shouldn’t interfere with their work.

‘Just in time, my libido is also building up. I’ll hold back a bit and then go.’

Since I couldn’t even masturbate with Leah.

I’m not sure what kind of sex it will be, but I wasn’t worried because I have experience from my college days.