episode_0025

“…Still, isn’t judging people by their money too much?”

“…I’m sorry.”

We safely escaped the abandoned building.

The ghost who had transformed into Eunhye disappeared after being hit by me.

It seemed to be the type of urban legend where its power faded once its true nature was exposed.

In the end, we successfully exorcised it, but…

Because of the method, Eunhye was a little sulky.

“So, Dohyung sees me as a woman who loses her mind at the sight of money?”

“I really don’t think that way, okay?”

I didn’t say, “Honestly, it was effective.”

I know there are things you really shouldn’t say.

“I’ll treat you to the cake specialty cafe near Cheonjihae. So, please forgive me just this once.”

“…Really?”

Eunhye tilted her head and peeked with one eye.

That cafe is Eunhye’s favorite place.

But she can’t go there easily because of her wallet situation.

It’s like a fantasy land for Eunhye.

“Yeah, I’m treating you as an apology, so you can eat as many as you want.”

“…I’m not forgiving you because of the cake, but because I appreciate your effort, okay? Got it?”

“Yeah, yeah. Of course, I got it.”

That’s how the friendship with my company colleague was safely preserved thanks to cake.

It was summer.

****

Since joining Cheonjihae, my daily life has become busy.

Apart from attending lectures, I had to balance training and studying.

As one of those things, I started exercising at the Cheonjihae gym.

It’s my own exercise routine that I made while joining the company.

I figured I should at least build up my body since I have less talent than other exorcists.

For reference, Cheonjihae’s exercise facilities were also the best in the country.

The gym was full of all sorts of exercise equipment I had never seen before.

On top of that, trainees are given personal lockers, and they can freely use the high-end shower rooms.

All these costs are free!

It’s no wonder exorcists try to get into Cheonjihae by any means.

‘Is this a real big company perk? It truly fills my heart with grandeur.’

Having such high-end facilities also made me more motivated to exercise.

Besides, surprisingly, there are almost no people in the morning, so you can use it as if you rented the whole place.

Of course, there are almost no people, but it’s not like I’m the only one there.

Even right next to me, there was someone I knew.

“Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!”

Cheok Jiyeon was doing leg presses next to me.

As a martial arts exorcist, the weight she was pushing was considerable.

She was nonchalantly lifting an enormous weight that I couldn’t even imagine.

‘…She’s really amazing.’

At first glance, she even looks a bit thin.

I was amazed at how such strength could come from such a body.

I know in theory that it’s thanks to the aid of spiritual power.

But since I can’t see it, it feels like a cartoon character to me.

“Hoo!”

Cheok Jiyeon got off after finishing her leg workout.

Her forehead was covered in sweat, showing how hard she worked.

“How is it? Is exercising doable?”

“It’s not about being doable. It’s about having to do it.”

“Hmm, that’s also true.”

Cheok Jiyeon nodded.

Since we’re close, we’ve been exercising together every day since we ran into each other at the gym.

‘It’s helpful for me to have Cheok Jiyeon next to me.’

Cheok Jiyeon and I have different levels of experience and knowledge in training.

Cheok Jiyeon has helped me a lot when I’m wandering around not knowing what to do.

“You seem to be working even harder today?”

“I want to build up my strength and stamina as soon as possible. I heard that classes at Cheonjihae are slowly moving beyond theory and starting practical training.”

Seeing her working so hard next to me also motivates me.

Even when I think I’ve reached my limit, I end up doing one more when I see Cheok Jiyeon doing it.

“Hmph~ I thought I had more strength because I ate an expensive sandwich.”

“Hmm! Hmm!”

Cheok Jiyeon was still a bit sulky about the Yuyeonhwa’s lunchbox incident the other day.

It’s not like her attitude or mood is bad.

But she would occasionally mention it and grumble.

‘It’s kind of refreshing to see Cheok Jiyeon acting like this.’

In the game, she had the image of a lonely avenger who trains alone.

Seeing her bickering like this like a younger sister was also cute.

“By the way, Jiyeon, you’re amazing too. Even I, as a man, can’t beat you in strength.”

“I’ve just been training in my family since I was young. If you were in the same situation, you would have done this much too, right?”

“No, that’s underestimating you too much.”

Cheok Jiyeon’s skills are a combination of talent and effort.

It would be difficult for ordinary people to become like that no matter how much they train.

“Hmm, is that so?”

But Cheok Jiyeon’s reaction was a bit strange.

I was just genuinely complimenting her.

“Um…from a guy’s perspective, isn’t a sweaty and strong woman like me not your type?”

“Huh?”

“Usually, guys like women who are delicate and have余裕. Like Yuyeonhwa….”

“Is that so? I think women who exercise are cool too.”

“Ahem! R-really?”

“It’s good to see people working hard at anything.”

If it’s exercise, you naturally get a great body too.

Even celebrities and actors, how much do they manage their bodies?

Honestly, I don’t think there’s a man who would dislike that.

In our industry, it’s a reward…no, never mind.

“I see. So that’s how it is….”

Cheok Jiyeon lowered her head slightly.

Looking closely, her lips were twitching wildly.

Her cheeks were also flushed, so it seems like she had been working out quite hard.

“Oh! Nam Dohyung trainee, Cheok Jiyeon trainee.”

Just then, someone spoke to the two of them.

It was Han Sujin, who is in charge of the martial arts team and instructors.

‘…That person is also amazing in many ways.’

Han Sujin was wearing a black crop top and leggings that revealed her navel and abs.

Even though there wasn’t much exposure itself, the lines of her body were clearly revealed, making it feel more provocative than simply being naked.

Above all, Han Sujin’s solid body is truly overwhelming.

She’s at a level where she could go out as a sports magazine model as is.

From the beginning, Han Sujin is a beauty with a cool impression.

I think she would monopolize the attention of the men at the gym if she went out.

“Exercising from the morning? How diligent.”

“It’s nothing. But Instructor-nim, you’re also exercising from this early…?”

“It’s my routine to come here and exercise every day. I haven’t been able to come lately because of preparing for training.”

As expected of an exorcist who represents martial arts even in Cheonjihae.

The same daily training seems to be basic for martial artists.

“The two of you must be busy just with studying, but you’re exercising from the morning. As expected, the top and second place are different.”

“I’m not even an intern yet, so I have to work a little harder.”

“Hehe! As expected of the employee I recognized. If you come to our team, you won’t have to worry about that.”

“Haha….”

Han Sujin sent a subtle gaze to me.

I’ve felt it since the last time, but she seems to want to put me on her team.

‘Why is she so obsessed with a noob like me?’

There are plenty of other talents out there.

I don’t know why she’s trying to recruit me, who’s in the middle to lower ranks in terms of physical strength.

“By the way, are you training now?”

“Yes. I’m just doing some strength and core exercises.”

“Good thinking. A healthy body is essential for exorcists too.”

Did she become even more fond of me because I was training from the morning?

Han Sujin’s eyes were full of affection as she looked at me.

Or maybe she’s like a professor who found a good graduate student(?).

“If it’s Nam Dohyung trainee’s body, it would be good to build up your lower body. Thighs are the foundation of all strength.”

“Oh, I see.”

Apart from being burdensome, I listened carefully.

Han Sujin is a pro in Cheonjihae when it comes to training.

Her teachings were a valuable experience that you couldn’t get even if you paid a lot of money.

“If you don’t mind, shall I show you some training methods that you can do with your bare body? So that you can do them at home, not just at the gym.”

“If you teach me, I’ll learn diligently!”

“As expected, you’re ready. Then let’s take a look.”

Han Sujin momentarily touched my shoulders and thighs.

I know it’s clearly for exercise.

But I couldn’t help but get nervous when the hands of such a beauty touched places that are not usually touched.

‘How can someone with such amazing muscles have such soft hands?’

I focused on the teachings while trying to think good thoughts.

“Okay, put strength in your thighs here and slowly…ah, breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth.”

As the teachings continued, her body began to touch various parts of my body.

When her thighs in leggings and soft breasts touched, my heart pounded.

…For about 3 seconds.

‘Crap! This is freaking hard!’

Maybe professionals are really different.

My muscles screamed just from exercising for a short time.

‘Whoa, is it originally this hard? Is this the level of Cheonjihae?’

It definitely seems like there will be a sure exercise effect.

But it’s so hard that I feel like I’m going to die.

Besides, it wasn’t easy to release my posture because Han Sujin was holding onto important parts.

‘This is slowly….’

It was the moment I was about to say I couldn’t do it anymore.

“Hmm! Hmm!”

Cheok Jiyeon, who was watching from the side, cleared her throat and spoke.

“Instructor-nim. Isn’t your current behavior a bit…inappropriate?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“It’s not good to approach a man in his prime with such revealing clothes, and then to make physical contact under the pretext of teaching.”

“That’s strange. I have no such intentions at all. Isn’t it Cheok Jiyeon trainee who’s only having such lewd thoughts?”

“L-lewd…! That’s not what I meant.”

H-hey, you guys. I feel like I’m going to die, okay?

Can you please have such arguments later!

“I saw you secretly stealing glances at Nam Dohyung trainee’s collarbone and muscles from afar earlier. I don’t know who the truly lewd person is.”

“T-that was just something I happened to see! At least I didn’t touch his body directly.”

“Isn’t the fact that you’re having such thoughts already proof that you’re lewd?”

“…In the first place, isn’t your intention too obvious, Instructor-nim? Even if you like him, I don’t think it’s right to openly seduce him like this.”

“I just want to see a slightly more outstanding exorcist come out. Of course, I won’t say that I don’t have personal desires in doing this much.”

“So, the problem is that you’re trying to fulfill your personal desires in the position of an instructor….”

Ah, I can’t take it anymore.

“Ugh!”

My body, which had reached its limit in maintaining its posture, finally collapsed.

“N-Nam Dohyung trainee?”

“A-are you okay?”

The two hurriedly approached me as I fell.

What did I do wrong to deserve this?

Should I just move to another gym?

I even had such thoughts momentarily.