Chapter 1254: Side Story – Flame of Creation (2) (Mature Illustration)

‘Oppa-ya, you really are something else, always saying the same thing.’

Soo Areum felt both gratitude and apology towards Sung Taekyung, who never forgot to bring up the same suggestion – asking if she wouldn’t consider moving her workshop closer to his guild.

“……”

“……”

A quiet stillness.

His gaze, watching her without a word.

Truthfully, Soo Areum’s heart longed to do as her beloved Oppa-ya asked.

But still, she didn’t want to give up this place so easily.

Her first workshop.

And one she built herself, without anyone else’s help.

No matter how much Oppa-ya asked, she couldn’t just abandon the home that had been her sanctuary for decades.

Her father’s words echoed: ‘A true artisan never moves their established workshop.’

Breaking the pride she had cherished deep in her heart, a pride that even Sung Taekyung’s love couldn’t overcome.

“I-I’m sorry, Oppa-ya. I know you care about me…”

“Right, if that’s how you feel, Areum-ah, then there’s nothing I can do.”

“…Huh?”

She had expected another lengthy persuasion session, just like usual, but Sung Taekyung backed down much more easily than she anticipated.

Soo Areum felt a mix of surprise and cautious relief at his reaction.

‘He’s acting strangely docile for Oppa-ya… Well, I’m grateful he’s letting it go, but…’

Soo Areum eyed Sung Taekyung with a hint of suspicion.

However, Sung Taekyung seemed unfazed, not paying her gaze any mind, and casually changed the subject.

“When will you finish work?”

“Hmm, I just need to tinker with this a little more…”

Sung Taekyung’s question sounded quite relaxed, making Soo Areum flustered by his casual demeanor.

As the Guild Leader of a guild, she felt anxious about taking up his valuable time.

“Well, i-it’s fine. I can do it later…”

“It’s okay, take your time. I’ll wait until you’re done.”

“Oh, aren’t you busy, Oppa-ya…? I’m sorry if I’m wasting your time…”

“Not really busy. I came specifically to see you, Areum-ah, so I cleared my schedule.”

“Ah, b-but…”

Sung Taekyung uttered words that seemed to tempt her with almost every breath, confusing her mind.

Soo Areum tried to avoid his gaze, letting his words drift away.

“I’ll just watch you work here, Areum-ah.”

“S-still, I feel bad making you wait alone, Oppa-ya…”

“What’s there to feel bad about? I came without even knowing if you were busy.”

“B-but…. Ah, anyway, thank you…”

Her words conveyed gratitude beyond just his waiting; they held thanks for their relationship.

It was unavoidable that she felt a bit shy and timid due to an inexplicable blush.

And Sung Taekyung, who wouldn’t miss noticing her reaction, cautiously entertained a lewd thought in his mind.

“Hmm, then, Areum-ah.”

“Yeah?”

“If you feel that sorry… could you do me a favor while you work?”

“…A favor?”

“Yeah, a favor.”

What kind of favor could it be?

Soo Areum already knew from past experiences that when Oppa-ya wore that sly smile, he was usually thinking something dirty.

So, this time too, Soo Areum had a inkling of Sung Taekyung’s intentions and braced herself.

“So, what’s the favor?”

“It’s nothing major… Just don’t let me get bored while I’m watching.”

“Don’t get bored…?”

“Take off the clothes you’re wearing, and show me yourself working naked.”

“What……?”

Soo Areum reflexively asked again, unable to immediately grasp his meaning.

But contrary to her desperate hope that she had misheard, Sung Taekyung’s expression remained calm.

“W-what did you just say…?”

“I said, show me you working naked. Without anything on.”

“……”

“Ah, gloves or shoes are fine. Just take off your clothes and underwear.”

“Are you m-m-mad?! Wh-what kind of nonsensical talk is that, seriously?!”

Sung Taekyung’s explanation, rather than clarifying, only added detail, making Soo Areum’s face flush even hotter.

Sung Taekyung met her gaze, maintaining his relaxed smile as he delivered his brazen request.

“What’s wrong? It’s just showing a little skin. Don’t be so shy now.”

“Shy or not, that’s not the point! Wh-what are you talking about?! Me, working naked, in front of you, Oppa-ya… Are you some kind of pervert? What is this?!”

“Why, you might look cute.”

“…Sigh, Oppa-ya, sometimes I really can’t figure out what goes on in your head.”

Even so, Soo Areum cautiously glanced around, contemplating whether she really had to do it.

Seeing her reaction, Sung Taekyung pretended to be considerate, probing for her next response.

“Well, if it’s too much for you, Areum-ah, you don’t have to. I was just saying it on a whim.”

“……”

She sensed he was testing her, yet his words were strangely hard to ignore.

Soo Areum felt a degree of sincerity in Sung Taekyung’s seemingly casual remark.

His very nonchalance seemed to scratch an itch deep inside her chest.

‘What the heck… acting so flustered…’

This way, it felt like she was the one overreacting, making herself look strange.

As he said, they had already shown each other everything, so it was odd to be embarrassed by nudity now.

Of course, working while naked was a completely different matter, so her embarrassment and confusion were natural.

“Ah, I get it.”

“Huh?”

“I get it…. I-I’ll show you myself working naked, okay?”

Ultimately unable to refuse Sung Taekyung’s request, Soo Areum cautiously reached for the buckles of her overalls.

“If-if Oppa-ya wants it, then, well…. I can do this much. I’m grateful you came all the way to my workshop when you’re busy anyway…”

“Thank you, Areum-ah.”

“R-right… But don’t do anything weird while I’m working…? It could be dangerous…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll just watch.”

“U-ugh…”

Why did his words, ‘I’ll just watch,’ make her feel even more embarrassed?

Thinking that perhaps his goal was indeed to make her feel embarrassed, she undid the already half-unfastened buckles of her overalls.

Tuk.

With the light sound of the buckles releasing, the overalls that had been draped over her chest slid down.

The weight on her shoulders disappeared, leaving a slight sense of lightness.

Yet, for some reason, the air felt heavier as she carefully stepped out of the fallen garment.

‘Haa, even I think it’s crazy why I’m doing this all of a sudden…’

Muttering her thoughts almost to herself, she carefully proceeded to remove another layer.

Soo Areum gripped the hem of her t-shirt and slowly pulled it upwards to take it off.

As the white t-shirt came off, her large breasts swayed and jiggled.

“…Hoo.”

After removing her clothes, the heat from the furnace felt even more direct on her skin.

She couldn’t distinguish whether the heat rising from her body was just the furnace’s heat or the excitement building within her.

She found herself in her underwear, quite unexpectedly.

Even this alone was enough to make her feel ashamed, having done something she’d never imagined, but…

“……”

“Ugh, ughhh…”

Under Sung Taekyung’s expectant gaze, Soo Areum gave up and reached for her black bra.

Tuk.

“Ngh, hoo….”

With a faint sound, the support holding up her large breasts came undone.

The moment the bra hooks released, her hidden chest surged forth.

Undressing like this in her sacred workspace. And not just because of the heat, but solely to satisfy the curiosity of the person she loved.

Her mind became a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts, making her focus solely on the act of undressing before her.

If she got lost in thought, her work efficiency would drop, after all.

‘D-done. Anyway, I always show my naked body to Oppa-ya… I was going to show it after work anyway…’

It was just the order that had changed.

And a slightly different daily routine had been added to the process.

Calming herself, telling herself there was no need to be that embarrassed, Soo Areum placed her hands on the last remaining piece of clothing and brought her hands down.

Srrr.

“Hoo, hoooot…”

Still aware that Sung Taekyung’s gaze was fixed on her, she pulled the last garment down past her legs.