episode_0042

Sometimes, when things go too well, there’s a bit of fear that creeps in.

Usually, instead of thinking, “I did well!” the first thought is, “What did I miss?”

That’s exactly how I felt right now.

“This is our home. It’s a bit smaller than the place we used to live in. Is it okay?”

In the midst of her busy schedule, Ma Yeon-seo consulted with Mercury and moved to the Seoul family home she had managed to secure.

[S-rank Awakener Ma Yeon-seo, purchases upscale Seoul residence worth 10 billion won… for residential purposes, not investment.]

[Ma Yeon-seo, a walking conglomerate, surprisingly opts for simplicity?]

It was such a hot topic on the internet that there’s no need to elaborate on how great the house is.

Of course, as someone practically treated like a pet, following her around was quite natural for me.

“How do you like it? Do you like it?”

“I do like it but…”

“But?”

“…It’s too big, so I’m having trouble adjusting.”

Having experienced this overwhelming opulence once before in the United States, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed again as I wandered through the house.

Yet, Ma Yeon-seo seemed to find my reaction cute.

“You’ll get used to it over time.”

“….”

Immediately after the move, Ma Yeon-seo’s return was officially announced.

Not just a simple announcement, but a small event was held as a kind of fan service.

[Alright! It’s time for a Q&A session where fans can ask their questions directly. Are you ready?]

[Yes.]

During the event broadcasted on an OTT site, Ma Yeon-seo skillfully maintained her image by being very adept at pretense.

Originally, I should have been there too, but I was excused after expressing dissatisfaction previously.

‘…Enduring isn’t good for the body after all.’

As Ma Yeon-seo began her activities in earnest and became even busier, I started implementing my own plans.

“Welcome back!”

“Did you wait long?”

Having quietly stayed at home for a while, I eagerly ran to the entrance to warmly welcome Ma Yeon-seo who had just returned from work.

“I thought I would die of boredom alone. Oh, here’s your bag.”

“Thank you.”

It was as if I were an obedient wife who had been waiting only for her husband.

“You said you ate out, so… are you going to shower right away?”

“…I want to do it once first.”

“What? In such a hurry?”

“Yeah. I’ve been holding it in all day.”

Upon seeing me, Ma Yeon-seo immediately hugged me, pecking my lips and demanding physical affection.

It felt like our roles had reversed somehow.

Ultimately, things were going well for me, so I indulged her whims, matching her mood.

“Is this good?”

“Uh-huh… G-good… I’m happy…!”

“I’ll make you even happier. Turn around.”

“Hehe…”

Feeling guilty inwardly at her delight, I pondered, ‘What else can I do to make Yeon-seo happy?’

Furthermore, I planned special events for her by browsing the internet.

For example…

“Yeon-seo, lie down here.”

“What’s this?”

“Massage oil. Since you’ve had a hard day today, I’ll give you a special massage.”

“Massage…?”

Ma Yeon-seo particularly enjoyed acts of intimacy that allowed her to feel affection.

Taking inspiration from that, I chose to offer a massage.

“Guest, are you enjoying it?”

“Yeah…”

With soothing music playing, I spent time meticulously massaging every inch of her body.

“…Ah…”

Already sensitive, she soon began to squirm with excited breaths, her body reacting restlessly.

“Oh… there…”

“Here?”

“Mmm…!”

Continuing for nearly an hour, I pushed her desires to their limits.

And then…

“Hehe…!”

“You endured well all this time.”

Finally, I was able to satisfy myself by detonating the bomb.

“Was it good?”

“Yeah. I’d like to do it again.”

“Just by looking at you…”

“Got it.”

Before I knew it, Maya was genuinely on my palm.

My talent had reached a fearsome level.

“This should be enough.”

While consoling her and carrying out a perfect ritual, I mentioned attending a training center near our house.

“A training center?”

“Yeah. I want to properly use my magic too.”

The “training center” is a place that operates as a gym for Awakened individuals.

From magic training to physical conditioning, even martial arts training—a comprehensive facility.

Although I was classified as F-rank, it was a suitable place even for an Awakened like me.

“Alright then. Charge it to my card.”

Fortunately, Maya agreed without further ado.

“But, don’t get too friendly with other girls there, okay?”

As a condition to prevent any secret mischief.

“Of course.”

Once again, I deceived her.

*

Time flew by quickly.

After starting at the training center, I began receiving private tutoring for magic operation.

“Do you have a sense of how to do it now?”

“Um… I’m not sure.”

However, for some reason, I couldn’t manipulate magic at all.

“It’s strange… I definitely have magic, but…”

It wasn’t due to physical inadequacy.

I had confirmed the presence of magic through a test earlier, and the magic sent by the trainer felt vivid.

Perhaps ordinary people can’t even sense magic.

But I could only detect magic; I couldn’t control the magic within me at all.

It felt like having something but lacking the means to utilize it.

“It’s frustrating.”

Occasionally, I also communicated with Hanryu, my original purpose.

Me: “Busy?”

Hanryu: “Just playing hard.”

Me: “I want to hear your voice.”

Hanryu: “One moment.”

Avoiding the evening time when Maya was around, we only exchanged brief messages during the day, maintaining a precarious relationship.

“Oh. I like hearing your voice.”

Hanryu: “Hehe. Me too.”

Now, it was an inevitable wind that couldn’t be stopped.

Whether with Maya or Hanryu.

Me: “Has she ever suspected anything?”

Hanryu: “As long as you treat her well, don’t worry.”

Me: “Are you jealous?”

Hanryu: “Wouldn’t you be? Do you like me or her?”

Me: “Obviously, I prefer you more.”

Hanryu: “You’re slow to respond.”

Me: “Really? Oops. Is the signal bad here?”

Hanryu, who had always harbored a competitive spirit towards Maya, would show a cold response whenever I displayed a strange reaction due to guilt.

“Here we go again.”

In a way, it was a natural response from her, but being on the receiving end was somewhat tiring.

“Okay. I’ll prove it properly when I go to Busan this time.”

Originally, I should have met her in Busan much earlier, but suddenly the research institute postponed the dates.

They claimed further verification was necessary.

Thanks to that, we couldn’t meet hastily, leading to a frustrating situation for both of us.

“How are you going to prove it?”

“How would you like me to prove it?”

“You figure it out.”

“Will you really let me do as I please? You won’t change your mind later, right?”

“No.”

“Then, before going to Busan, undergo a CR procedure for certification.”

CR stands for Contraception Rune.

The effect is somewhat short-lived and expensive, but it boasts a 100% defense rate contraceptive magic.

“By the way, are you also receiving regular Ma Yeon treatments?”

Just a while ago, Han Rye Won, who had been meticulously counting something, momentarily closed her mouth.

Then, with a voice that brooked no refusal, she replied quietly.

“Got it. I’ll receive it and leave a token.”

Deep down, Han Rye Won also thought that she was subtly easy to handle.

Meanwhile, Im Mi Yoon, the head of the Awakening Association, put all her schedules aside and secretly visited the Busan research facility.

It was due to a certain report that had come up closely from the head of the research facility.

“Ah, Chairwoman Im. We’ve been waiting for you.”

“I’m sorry for being late. There’s something unavoidable.”

“No problem. You’re in such a position. Please come this way for now.”

Im Mi Yoon, after clearing everyone around her, casually asked as she walked through the research facility with the research facility head.

“…Is the report definite?”

To which the research facility head confidently replied.

“We believe it’s almost 99% accurate.”

From a researcher’s perspective, 99% practically meant 100%.

Realizing this fact, Im Mi Yoon sharply opened her eyes and inquired.

“…If even one thing turns out to be wrong, things might not end with just taking off clothes.”

“Of course. I’m putting my entire career on the line by saying this.”

The research facility head still wore a confident expression.

“Let’s go.”

The two boarded the elevator and headed underground in the research facility.

And there, they stepped into a Grade 1 classified facility leading deeper underground.

“Above all, take a look.”

Leading Im Mi Yoon to a place filled with advanced machinery and mana stones, the research facility head presented the contents of the report instead of the researchers who were busy at work.

“This is an analysis of mana extracted from Kang Yu Chan’s body fluid.”

On the large screen, a very unstable, irregular, and intense waveform emerged.

“This is the mana of an overseas S-rank Awakener.”

And below that, a similar waveform appeared…

Unlike Kang Yu Chan’s mana, it was much more stable and regular, but the amplitude was significantly narrower.

“The greater the height difference in the waveform, the stronger the energy… This difference is about twice as much.”

Essentially, Kang Yu Chan’s mana was far inferior.

“Well, there are individual differences. But no one has been able to narrow this gap.”

The research facility head bolstered his theory by adding the mana waves of other S-rank or lower-grade Awakeners.

At that moment, Im Mi Yoon’s face lit up unknowingly.

“And this… is the ‘Primordial Stone’ announced in Europe last year.”

Click. When the research facility head pressed a button, two waveforms appeared on the large screen.

The one above was Kang Yu Chan’s mana.

Below was the mana of the European Union’s ‘Stone of Light’.

Both were similarly very unstable, irregular, and boasted tremendous power.

“…!”

Im Mi Yoon involuntarily clenched her fist.

“How is this possible?”

“We haven’t been able to explain that yet. If these results are correct, Kang Yu Chan is essentially the Primordial Stone itself… We need to investigate further.”

A living Primordial Stone!

Im Mi Yoon sensed that a huge boulder had rolled down on its own and, exhaling excitedly, gave instructions.

“For now, continue with the investigation. Since we manage Kang Yu Chan on our side, if you need anything, just let us know.”

“Understood.”

“Especially pay attention to security. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes.”

Having given those instructions, Im Mi Yoon once again gazed at the waveforms on the screen.

‘How should I contain this troublemaker?’

Her lips curled into a sinister smile without end.