Ch.84New Starting Line

# 84. A New Starting Line

‘We burned it white-hot.’

That was the perfect way to describe it. I didn’t bother counting how many times we climaxed or how many times we did it. Fortunately, my stamina held up better than I expected, and despite her bleeding, she didn’t seem to be in much pain, which was another relief.

It was ecstatic, it was good, and we grew closer. That’s all that mattered.

‘The way relationships deepen after dating, and how they grow even deeper after making love.’

I almost couldn’t believe that this woman sleeping peacefully with her head on my right arm and leaning against my right chest was the same woman from last night, but what did it matter?

“…mmm.”

Her weight, her body heat, her heartbeat, her scent—her very existence completed me.

‘This feels so right.’

Looking at Subin’s sleeping face, I recalled all our moments together from when we first met in the game until now.

The proud #1 Elemental Sorcerer, Yebeobnojeong.

The first Veritas raid member and vice-captain, Yebeobnojeong.

The reliable Yebeob-wiki.

Yebeobnojeong, whose first impression was sharp and intimidating.

Yebeobnojeong, who assisted me in the Tower and fought with cool composure.

Eun Subin, who claimed our first kiss with quick thinking and showed her affection while pretending not to.

Eun Subin, my same-aged girlfriend who claimed not just my first kiss, but my first experience as well.

As I gently stroked her dark crimson hair, which would have been black originally, her long eyelashes fluttered, and our eyes met.

“Sleep well?”

“The day has come when I wake up later than you.”

“What are you talking about? I’m an early riser too, you know.”

“Except when you’re on watch duty, I always wake up at least 10 minutes before you.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

If Subin said so, then it must be true. I simply nodded and continued stroking her hair. It was soft and long, pleasant to touch.

“Subin.”

“Tell me.”

“We need to talk, right?”

“I think I know even without talking.”

I suppose she would.

Someone who said they’d modify their plans didn’t come back. And after what happened at the fortune-teller’s place.

“Still, I should say it. It’s the right thing to do.”

“I guess so?”

“If you’re dating multiple women at once, you should be prepared for that much, right?”

“That’s right. You should.”

Subin was right. I had spoken about fairness several times. Since I’d promised to love them all equally, it was right to talk about it, and the others should also… have the same kind of night we had soon.

‘If Subin, who has the best physique among the three, was like this, then Seyeon and Yuri…’

*Gulp*

“Hey. We’re still in this room.”

“Huh? What?”

“Hmph. Never mind.”

Subin playfully pinched my side and raised her upper body. As the blanket slid down revealing her glowing bare skin, I felt my supposedly spent desire reigniting.

“Control yourself.”

“Ah.”

“What do you mean ‘ah’? It’s already this bright outside.”

Subin flicked my nostril as she gathered and put on her underwear and clothes.

“Besides, you need to save some. Are you planning to spend it all on me?”

“Ah.”

“Sigh. Really. You’re usually so smart, why are you sometimes so clueless?”

“Isn’t that why we have Yebeob-wiki?”

“Very funny. I’m not sure what to say to the others either right now.”

Since we finished our last round in the bathroom, there was no need to wash up separately. Looking at the messy sheets strewn across the floor, I also slowly got dressed.

“What are you doing? Taking your time won’t make what needs to be done disappear.”

“Couldn’t your magic somehow fix this?”

“I know a spell that can snap sense into someone talking nonsense.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

My heart started pounding again as we headed to room 303, but for a different reason than yesterday.

**

‘It’s chilly.’

It felt like a shield edge and a double-axe had flown into my chest—not a dagger. The healer who could heal my soon-to-be-minced heart was standing in the corner with folded arms and an enigmatic smile, clearly taking a “please pretend I’m not here” stance.

Danya, who usually settled on my lap or in my arms, just kept sniffing and meowing.

But what concerned me most were Seyeon and Yuri’s eyes. Though they tried to hide it… they were a bit swollen. That was the critical hit.

And the fact that they were just staring at us without saying anything, as if they already knew everything without being told, was slowly seeping in like poison.

So should I go into full penitent mode and beg for forgiveness?

‘No. That would be wrong to Subin.’

Moderation.

I wondered how to exercise moderation—said to be the hardest thing to maintain in the world—in this situation.

‘I thought about many approaches, but looking at their faces, I really have no idea.’

Stalling would be the worst strategy. I, who always made plans, decided to follow my heart this time.

“Seyeon. Yuri.”

I called their names and gently embraced them before they could respond. I felt their shoulders flinch.

Alright.

Let’s go for it.

“I love you.”

Both of them jerked their heads up. Their eyes were wide open, and their mouths hung slightly agape. They looked like they’d heard something completely unexpected at an unexpected time. Subin beside me had the same expression.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t actually said those words to Subin either, even after our passionate night together.

“You were hurt. I’m sorry.”

“Ah, Captain. Well, um.”

“Uh…”

“I don’t know what the fortune-teller told you. But I can tell that whatever it was changed your attitude and feelings.”

Thinking about how Seyeon and Yuri usually behave, it was obvious. Maybe not so much with Seyeon, but definitely with Yuri.

“I’m not perfect, and sometimes I’m foolish, so there will be times when you get hurt, or we annoy each other, or get angry or resentful. But… I won’t make you regret liking me. I’ll work harder for that. I only have one body, so inevitably there will be differences in timing, but I’ll make sure none of you feels left out or treated unfairly.”

Sometimes having no plan is the plan, but the feelings and intentions behind my words were genuine. Judging by their expressions, it seemed I hadn’t failed.

“Oppa.”

“Yes, Yuri.”

“I’m glad you said that. My heart was hurting and felt tight, but it feels a bit better now. Oh, right, Seyeon unni. You were right?”

“Yes.”

Seyeon tugged at my clothes and spoke.

“Captain.”

“Seyeon.”

“My heart hurts, but… I believed in you. It hurts, but I’m happier than I am hurt. If you’ve moved forward with Subin unni, it means you can move forward with me too. I’ll be satisfied with that. I am satisfied with that.”

A head-on approach with sincerity seemed to be the right answer. I swallowed a sigh of relief. Of course, they must have kept many words and emotions in their hearts for the sake of our relationship. In a way, I had limited their options, so perhaps I had acted cowardly.

The chilly atmosphere that had threatened to slice my heart to pieces was gone. The invisible double-axe and shield seemed to have disappeared. Even Soyu noona and Danya, who had been silently watching until now, were slowly approaching, confirming that the mood had indeed lightened.

“Oppa. By the way.”

“Huh?”

“How was last night?”

“…Huh?”

Wait, wasn’t this over?

I quickly tried to break free from the embrace and escape, but was caught by the two of them. Subin, who had been beside me and was about to make a run for it before I could grab her, was blocked by Soyu noona and Danya who were now guarding the door.

“Why do you want to know that?!”

“Of course we’re curious! How was it? Hm? Who took the lead? Was it really the first time? For both of you?”

“Did it hurt a lot? Or… heh. How… good was it?”

“How can I talk about that!”

“Why not! Tell us! You’re going to do it with us anyway!”

“Nyaang!!”

[Tell us!!]

It’s embarrassing enough to talk about your first experience, but to have to tell your “other” girlfriends about it? And with the girlfriend you just had that first experience with standing right there?

It was a disaster. We had no allies anywhere.

“If you don’t tell us… I don’t know what I might do.”

“Why are you all so serious about this…”

“Nyaaah!”

[Because it’s fun!]

After resisting to the end, Subin and I finally surrendered to the merciless tickling attacks coming from all directions. We took turns revealing bits and pieces, while the raid members even pulled out snacks from their inventory and focused intently on our story. They had so many questions that answering them was exhausting, but…

Still, I was relieved that things had resolved much better than I’d expected.

It seemed like we could move forward now without any obstacles.

**

“Nooo! How does it make sense that a gatekeeper demands alcohol to enter the city?”

“Whether it makes sense or not doesn’t really matter. The problem is that he wants us to bring alcohol he’d like.”

“That amazing drink we had recently… could that be the issue?”

“I know what it is.”

“That’s what doesn’t make sense! When we asked what it was, he said he didn’t know the name either! He’s not even joking! This is totally unfair!”

Is this the Tower version of a scam?

The three Golden Wing raid leaders, who had struggled to pass through floors 1-2 and thought they could finally rest, now found themselves having to rack their brains about “alcohol” with the city right in front of them.