Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Yay—
The sound of something opening, followed by a click, then closing again.

 

The dizziness hadn't yet subsided, and the weightless free-fall sensation made Han Yoojin open his eyes when his back touched a soft surface.
What was going on? In an instant, light, colour, and sound flooded in, including the system notification window he'd been waiting for. With a subtle click, it unfolded in his still-unfocused vision:

[System Reward Calculating…]

"Ugh, what…"

He groaned, rubbing his head, thinking: After completing a dungeon, the system usually awarded rewards quickly. Unless he specifically "negotiated" additional conditions with Newbie, it would be distributed automatically.

[System Reward Calculating…]

"Where is this?"
Han Yoojin propped himself up, his hunched shoulders immediately touching a familiar mass. A pillow. Was he on the couch?

He took a quick look around. It was a spacious apartment. While the layout looked similar, it wasn't the home Haeyeon had renovated for him after his return, nor was it the deserted place he kept remembering. It felt strangely familiar... This sofa was definitely where he usually lay. Wait, why would he go straight home? He had clearly just left with Yoohyun, Yerim, and the others…

[Reward calculation confirmed. The system is taking too long. Reward delivery delayed.]
[Do you accept delay compensation?]

"Huh? What's going on? Wait a minute!"

Han Yoojin didn't have time to read the instructions in the system prompt window before it automatically jumped to confirmation. The glowing blue message starkly captured his gaze:

[Delayed Reward: Special Reward Time - Plenty of Rest!]

Cleaning dungeons above your class must be exhausting! How long has it been since you've had a good rest? This is the perfect opportunity. Don't worry about anything and relax in this space designed just for you!

 

Besides the suspiciously scammy description, Han Yoojin's attention was immediately drawn to the text at the bottom. Restrictions? Why would there be restrictions on rewards?

 

[Restrictions: After assessing the recipient's condition, to ensure complete rest, the recipient must refrain from any sexual activity while in this space and may leave after 24 hours.]

 

"What the heck—?" Where did this prank come from? Is the system broken again? What do you mean you have to have sex to leave the room? That's ridiculous! What kind of reward is this—

"Are you awake?"

"Ahhh, why are you here?!"

Han Yoojin nearly fell over from the sofa's edge when he saw someone who shouldn't be in this space. He clutched his cushions tightly, staring at Sung Hyunjae standing in the kitchen as if he had suddenly acquired a weapon.
He was even wearing an apron. What the hell? Is he cooking?

No, that's not right. Why was Sung Hyunjae in his reward space—

"It seems they randomly assign people to different spaces for rewards." The other person began to explain before he could even open his mouth. Clearly, unlike Han Yoojin, who was lost in the absurd restrictions, he had been aware of the system's information for a while. He calmly shredded cucumbers and said, "In addition to the equipment, there are additional rewards. They say they can satisfy our simple desires."

"...What are you talking about?" Did Sung Hyunjae receive something different from him? The system does distribute rewards based on performance, but this is a shameful restriction.
"Didn't Han Yoojin receive one? This is a space where the memories of both of us merge." He tilted his head and smiled at Han Yoojin, curled up on the sofa, as comfortable as in his kitchen.
Wait, it looks like that kitchen is exactly like the one at the Seseong Guild leader's house!

Han Yoojin sat on his dark blue sofa, a large "23:57" floating above his eyes. Sung Hyunjae obviously couldn't see it, or maybe he was just pretending like usual. He waited for Sung Hyunjae to start rambling, like, "I didn't expect Han Yoojin to be so interested in sex..." Stop! Forget it!

"Are you talking about a wish?"
"Fulfil your wish, and you can leave the room. Did Han Yoojin receive a different message?"
His wish wouldn't be so shameless!

"What's your wish? It seems like you need both of us to fulfil it before you can leave."
"Shouldn't you express your wishes before asking others for answers to show your sincerity?"
Sung Hyunjae snorted and continued to shred carrots slowly. "It's to let my dear Han Yoojin rest well."

"…What do you mean?" Hearing the keywords, he gripped the edge of his pillow, glaring at the man warily. However, there was no malicious teasing in Sung Hyunjae's tone. He placed the shredded vegetables on a plate and, while wiping his knife, asked, "How about cold noodles for lunch?"

Eating cold noodles in an air-conditioned room really feels like summer. No, why are they talking about lunch now?

 

Why would he have sex with Sung Hyunjae out of the blue? Which system administrator designed this prank-like setup?

It's not difficult, but being manipulated like this is unpleasant.

Since his regression, things like collecting 50 S-class hunters have been manipulated by these systems like puppets. Now, they've even come up with this "locked in a room" setting that sounds like something out of a weird porn film. After the dungeon erupted, this world is full of monsters, and people have varying skills and classes. If someone told him this was a massive livestream, with higher-class beings giving gifts to watch people's jokes, Han Yoojin wouldn't be surprised.

Did Sung Hyunjae receive the same task? Han Yoojin stared suspiciously at the man chopping vegetables in the open kitchen, then opened the system prompt window again.

[Restrictions: After assessing the recipient's condition, to ensure they are fully rested, they must refrain from any sexual activity while in this space. They may leave after 24 hours. If this condition is triggered, the timer will reset.]

Wait, it's not about having sex, it's about "not having sex." If you do, you'll have to stay for another 24 hours.

"Who wants to have sex with him...?"

"Han Yoojin, what are you talking about—"

"Nothing! Nothing! I want the egg for my cold noodles soft-boiled!"

After distracting Sung Hyunjae, Han Yoojin narrowed his eyes and surveyed the comfortable, spacious, yet ordinary apartment.

Could this apartment contain some strange prop or trap? Something that could induce sexual desire or something...? Suddenly, everything looked dangerous.
Before he makes his move, let's see what's here...

Okay, first, the living room. It should be safe, right? There's a sofa, but it's only for watching TV. Don't get carried away!
The balcony looks ordinary, too.

Forget the kitchen; with that man around, it feels dangerous.

The bathroom... can the bathroom be considered safe?

The bedroom, the most dangerous, absolutely the most dangerous.

 

Let's start with the most dangerous place. Han Yoojin decided to go to the bedroom now. (bear3983)

 

He didn't need to look far to discover that this large apartment had only one bedroom at the end of the hallway. Were there no other guest rooms? He pushed open the door, expecting a strange message to pop up and surprise him, but all he got was silence and bright light streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"If this were a prank, it would appear... No, that's not right. This is just a system-created space." Han Yoojin called the newcomer several times from the living room, but received no response. He wondered if this space was somewhere between the dungeon and the real world, preventing messages from entering or leaving.

He stood wary at the doorway briefly before tiptoeing into the room. With each step, he glanced around, wary of splashing liquid, spreading smoke, or something strange escaping. The colour of the bedspread immediately recognised this as no ordinary room. It was definitely the master bedroom on the top floor of the Seseong Guild. What was going on? Why did that man have a bed, while Han Yoojin only had a sofa?

Undeterred, he circled the bed again. Everything seemed normal. Of course, Han Yoojin hadn't touched the pillows, bedspread, or sheets. Given the system's usual brief and eerie messages, he didn't want to experience the fabric's hidden wonders; who knew if Han Yoojin's actions would trigger some strange mechanism.

Sung Hyunjae was still stewing soup, seemingly unaware he'd gone to the bedroom. He confirmed his poison resistance was functioning normally, maintaining its class at L. Han Yoojin tugged at the hem of his shirt and cautiously opened the bedside table through his shirt. The drawers were empty.

"Isn't that usually where things are kept?" Not that Han Yoojin expected to find anything; it was better if he didn't.

Both bedside tables were empty. Next was the dressing room. The door was closed, as was the bathroom attached to the master bedroom.

"What? Is it really just the bedroom? Or does it have to be a certain time for something to happen?" He stared at the countdown before him, his associations giving him goosebumps.

 

… Better get out of here. Just as he was about to leave, a thought struck him. He stared at the soft carpet beneath his feet and crouched down. Looking under the bed, he saw a thin magazine.

It was too dim to see clearly under the bed, but something was there. Han Yoojin pulled out his phone from his pocket, turned on the flashlight, and a thin book appeared before his eyes. 
Something in this bedroom must belong to that guy. Could it be Sung Hyunjae's diary? Or was it the one Han Yoojin was imagining? No way, so old-fashioned? Considering that guy's age, it's certainly possible. Oh my god, I really want to know!

 

Without further ado, Han Yoojin immediately dropped to the ground. The book was far off the edge, so Han Yoojin couldn't reach it immediately. He stretched desperately, finally reaching for it.

Got it! He lay panting on the floor, clutching the magazine, a surge of triumph welling up within him. Holding the familiar cover, Han Yoojin immediately flipped open the pages—alright, he was about to discover Sung Hyunjae's embarrassing secret. He hadn't expected the Seseong Guild leader to actually read pornographic magazines (worm3673)—

"I didn't expect Han Yoojin to be hiding here, reading pornographic magazines?"

 

"Ahhh, I didn't do it!" The smiley face suddenly appeared behind the magazine, causing Han Yoojin to jump and slam his back against the cabinet. It wasn't his magazine, so why did he feel like he'd been caught? "No! What are you talking about? This is yours!" Han Yoojin flung the thin booklet at Sung Hyunjae.

Sung Hyunjae caught the magazine with one hand and flipped through it with interest. He showed none of the embarrassment Han Yoojin had hoped for, the kind of embarrassment of having his secret discovered. It was as if he were seeing the book for the first time. He hummed inquiringly as he flipped through the pages: "Hmm, so Han Yoojin likes this position—"

 

What does it have to do with me...? Is he trying to get behind my back? "Just admit it, don't be shy! Even reading pornographic magazines is healthy!" Han Yoojin scrambled to his feet from the carpet, pointing triumphantly at the bed like a detective who had found evidence. "This is your bed, right? I found it underneath!"

"It's my bed, but unfortunately, the magazine isn't mine. Look." He approached Han Yoojin with a smile, holding up the sexy bunny girl cover. The information on it was clearly from a Korean publication ten years ago. "So, Han Yoojin used to read this kind of stuff as a teenager."

"What?" No wonder the cover looked so familiar. Could it be—

 

Sung Hyunjae raised his arm to prevent Han Yoojin from taking the magazine back. Using his unpleasant height advantage to avoid the exasperated Han Yoojin, he flipped through the pages and read, "Ah, so this was popular in Korea back then." How could the Seseong's guild leader, who had spent his early years abroad, read a Korean magazine, let alone an erotica? Sung Hyunjae continued, "Oh, there's a foldout on this Rabbit Tail page—"

"Give it back to me! Hurry up and give it back to me! This is your bedroom, right? Why is this thing under the bed?" Han Yoojin, his face flushed, tugged at Sung Hyunjae's apron straps, trying to silence him as he began to talk nonsense. He jumped up and down, unable to wrest the magazine from his hand.

"Well, didn't I tell you? This is a space where our memories merge, so anything Han Yoojin thinks should be in this room will appear," Sung Hyunjae explained casually. "Don't worry, wanting to read pornographic magazines means Han Yoojin is in good health—"

He didn't finish his words when Han Yoojin tackled him, the thick bedroom carpet making no sound. (dwarf5703) Even an S-class would be surprised to be instantly pinned down by a grown man. Especially since the man being pinned down was the Seseong Guild leader, the last person in Korea to be used as a cushion.

Han Yoojin frantically tried to get up, but his hand found its way directly to her chest. Startled, he quickly withdrew his hand. Before he could even apologise, that frivolous voice rang out, "Ah, I didn't expect Han Yoojin to be so proactive."

"Why didn't you just get out of the way?" Han Yoojin crouched over the playful man, finally wresting the source of all evil from his grasp. Could this thing be stored? Hidden away, never to be seen again.

"If I move, my precious item will fall to the ground."

"Yeah, I'm a fragile F-class. Sorry." He placed a rolled-up magazine against Sung Hyunjae's chin, observing his harmless smile. "Thank you, can you let go of your hands?"

"Don't I get a little reward for protecting the princess?" the blond man said, his face hurt, almost complaining. "My back hurts so badly from hitting the ground. How is Han Yoojin going to compensate me?"

"One moment you're talking about the princess, and the next you're blackmailing me. Are you a scammer?" 

Look at what he's saying. The carpet is so thick that it soaks up all the water if you walk on it after a shower. You could even lie down and sleep on it.

 "Aren't S-class hunters supposed to be sturdy?" Han Yoojin said angrily. "This cushion is so hard. I'll get tired if I keep lying down. I might even get a stiff neck." He had to keep his chin lifted to talk to Sung Hyunjae, and his neck was sore.

 

"...Han Yoojin, are you staring at my chest?"

"No! No, where else would I be looking?!" 

His shoulders were stiff, his eyes fixed on nothing. He could just roll over right now. It might look awkward, but it wouldn't matter. Why was Sung Hyunjae still holding him? Was he using him as a pillow or something?

"Hey, come on, let me down—" 

Han Yoojin felt the hands on his waist stroking upwards across his back. They clamped down on his shoulder blades just as he was about to protest. In that instant, Han Yoojin's first thought was: Is his fear resistance working properly? Why are his hands so sweaty? Han Yoojin couldn't help but shrug.

"I've been assigned a difficult task, indeed," Sung Hyunjae said.

"What?" Did he know something—?

"Han Yoojin's tenseness is so unbearable. I can't help it."

"I... uh..."

His fingers firmly pressed down his hunched shoulders, then massaged the stiff muscles. A few pressures felt like the tendons had opened up, and Han Yoojin pursed his lips. 

What was Sung Hyunjae doing? Giving him a massage? Han Yoojin's mood alternated between shock and relief. Even more than the awkward position, the honour was more daunting.

He often joked that S-class bodies were more durable than stone, but lying on the other's broad, warm body, coupled with the moderately firm massage, felt like lying on a massage bed.

 

"A little to the left."

He felt increasingly relaxed as the massage began, and he didn't realise when he closed his eyes. Their bodies rose and fell gently with the other's breathing, and the air was filled with a pleasant aroma: Sung Hyunjae smelled like beef bone broth.

Ah, cold noodles for lunch. Is there a way to make beef bone broth here? If I don't get up and have some buckwheat noodles, they'll get mushy...

"Is this pressure okay?"

"Hmm," Han Yoojin hummed, unsure. It had been ages since he'd had cold noodles in broth. A slight sniff of her scent revealed the aroma of soy sauce and mustard oil...

The breath brushed against his hair, and a voice, rich with the fragrance of beef bone marrow, drifted into Han Yoojin's ears: "I'm diligently completing the mission, but without Han Yoojin's cooperation, it will be difficult. So, what restrictions has Han Yoojin been given?"

"Hmm, yes..."

"Yes?"

"Well, just... not within 24 hours..." Hmm? It's about doing it with Sung Hyunjae, not uh, but... He half-opened his eyes, watching the corners of his lips curling up slightly before him. When had they gotten so close...? He inhaled, not just imagining it, but feeling the lips radiate a delicious, buttery sheen. "When... can we eat noodles?"

"Then Han Yoojin has to get up."

"Hmm... a little up on the left..."

"The noodles will get mushy." Even so, Sung Hyunjae's fingertips rubbed his neck, a faint blush tinging as they did so. "Han Yoojin, aren't you hungry yet?"

"Hmm, what time is it now..." He wondered drowsily, and when he looked up, he saw the bright red clock appear behind Sung Hyunjae's head. Time!

Can't leave for 24 hours! Apartment! What time is it?! Countless messages hammered back at him. At that moment, a piercing beeping sound rang out from outside, instantly jarring him from his craving for beef bone soup.

It was the door intercom! Like a heavenly voice of salvation, the sound instantly jolted him awake.

 

"I'll answer it!" Han Yoojin leapt to his feet. Without hesitation, he rolled off Sung Hyunjae, ignoring his "So flexible." With alacrity, he sprinted towards the door.

The beeping sound came from the intercom next to the door. On the touchscreen, the button glowed continuously, urging him to answer. Han Yujin pointed, and the screen immediately appeared—

"Yoohyun!" (magpie5154) On the screen was Han Yoohyun, who had entered the dungeon with him. He asked, "Are you trapped in the apartment too? Are you okay?"

"Hyung! Who's with you?" Han Yoohyun had barely opened his mouth on the small screen when a ball of fiery red fur swooped over.

"Peace is here too!"

"That's Ajuse's voice? Where is Ajuse?"

It sounds like Yoohyun, Yerim, and Peace are all in the same space. Everyone encountered the same delayed reward issue after leaving the dungeon, and it wasn't just a prank targeting Han Yoojin. He was lucky to be assigned to the same space as Sung Hyunjae. But is it really okay to put two or more S-classes together?

 

"...You didn't fight, did you?" Behind Han Yoohyun, all he could see was the wooden entrance, showing no signs of being scorched or soaked.

"The apartment furniture is sturdy and will automatically repair itself!"

Hearing that energetic voice, Han Yoojin breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like they were having a lot of fun.

"Brother can't use skills either?"

"What?"

Han Yoohyun explained that he and Yerim had each received a system message informing them that the system needed 24 hours to issue rewards. During this waiting period, they were prohibited from using offensive skills against each other, but were otherwise free to do anything else. As long as they didn't violate these restrictions, they and Peace would be transported back to the normal world to complete the dungeon clearing after the waiting period.

In short, the apartment could meet their daily needs. Aside from being unable to actively communicate with the outside world, there were no other restrictions, and time flowed at the same speed as outside. 

He had just noticed a seemingly functioning intercom by the door, which struck him as familiar. He realised it was the same model purchased by the Haeyeon Guild. Han Yoohyun tried to click it, and to his surprise, he dialled Han Yoojin.

 

My little brother is so perceptive! Han Yoojin was incredibly relieved. Fortunately, everyone else was safe. In this alien space, his biggest concern was the safety of the other children.
Why hadn't he received such detailed instructions? Was he the only one with those inexplicable additional conditions?

Han Yoojin pushed the doorknob several times, but the door remained motionless. The door panel had no combination lock; it looked like a decorative ornament, as if it existed solely to create a sense of life.

"Hyung doesn't have any offensive skills, right?" Han Yoohyun asked. "Do you have any other conditions for leaving?"

Yes, the skills and additional conditions that came with Han Yoojin's Fosterer title were...

"I'm fine! The system can't ask anything of me, don't worry, hahaha! I'll just wait it out!" Seeing Han Yoohyun frown, Han Yoojin reassured him that everything was fine. He had to immediately dissuade him from asking about the restrictions. Such embarrassing and strange conditions only needed to be known to Han Yoojin; no one else!

"You and Yerim should eat and sleep normally. We'll meet in twenty-four hours!" Twenty-three hours, to be exact. He stared at the countdown before him. Finally, an hour had passed...
Han Yoohyun asked without hesitation, "Hyung, are you in the same dimension as the Seseong Guild Leader?"

"Ah, there's nothing I can do about it. He was the only company I have..."

Was it based on age? He didn't understand the logic of the system at all. He would definitely question Newbie when he got out.

Han Yoojin turned around and saw Sung Hyunjae watching from the side, high-end massage oil and a towel in hand, smiling. (worm3673)

How long has he been eavesdropping? No! What's he doing with those things in his hands?

"Hyung, what's going on?" Han Yoojin asked, his voice suddenly cold, as if he was about to draw his sword. "What is the Seseong Guild leader going to do?"

"Nothing special. I just want to help Han Yoojin relax—"

"Yeah, yeah, nothing special! Don't worry, Yoohyun! We'll talk later!" To avoid further complications, Han Yoojin hung up the phone.

 

As reluctant as he was, he still had to face his "flatmate" behind him. Why couldn't Han Yoojin be in the same space as Peace? He desperately needed to hug the Flame Horned Lion tight. After a few brief seconds of mental preparation, Han Yoojin turned around and nearly bumped into the other person's nose. "Oh my! Why are you standing so close?"

Sung Hyunjae, standing behind Han Yoojin, leaned down at some point, curiously glancing at the discovery in the hallway. "Was that Master Haiyan? Turns out the intercom works."

"Yeah..." Han Yoojin gasped. 

Oh no, he forgot to ask Yoohyun what number he dialled to get into their apartment! Damn it, it's all Sung Hyunjae's fault for suddenly appearing. He forgot everything! 

Before continuing to study the walkie-talkie, Han Yoojin had to first calm his rapidly beating heart. Being too close to those golden eyes reminded him of when his fear resistance was downgraded to C-class. He was also so close then, but it was not so scary now. Fortunately, the fear resistance was working normally, or maybe it was just because of the fluffy, big bath towel in Sung Hyunjae's hand that reduced the S-class attack atmosphere?

"What are you doing with all that?"

"It's massage oil. Just in case, I need to put a towel underneath..."

"Ah, that's not what I'm asking. Why are you suddenly offering me a massage?"

"Han Yoojin was only halfway through the massage when he ran away. I don't like things left unfinished."

"First, I wasn't running away. I was answering a phone call! Second, in that case, I'm the customer? It's the customer who gets to decide whether to continue!"

Han Yoojin expected him to offer some more convoluted reasoning, but Sung Hyunjae simply spread his hands and said, "Okay, of course I have to respect my dear customer and Han Yoojin seems to like it. I can do nothing if he doesn't want it. And lying down after a full meal can cause indigestion, so now's the best time to do it."

Sounds reasonable...?

 

Think about it, having the Seseong Guild leader give him a massage—a terrifying prospect, it's certainly not something he'd encounter easily. If the two of them hadn't been stuck in this strange space, Sung Hyunjae would have obviously been bored out of his mind, just looking for something to do before lunch. And Han Yoojin would be out in twenty-three hours...

Wait a minute! Another voice inside Han Yoojin wondered. Why are you being led around by the nose again? Have you forgotten what the system's restrictions say? Such a dangerous, borderline behaviour!

Don't be so serious. It's not like massage has to be sexually suggestive. How embarrassing would that be for all the hardworking blind massage therapists and sauna attendants across Korea!
Is the Seseong Guild leader a sauna attendant?

Of course not. So asking him to give a massage like a sauna attendant is really...

Really...

Special. Han Yoojin's inner voices reached a miraculous consensus. Now that the logic made sense, the only thing left was his emotions. Uh uh uh—what should I do—?! He was in a state of intense conflict. As Sung Hyunjae began to fold the towel, Han Yoojin said, "Um..." He rubbed his neck sheepishly and asked, "Does your massage take long?"

 

＊

 

A white towel was spread out on the sofa. At Han Yoojin's solemn request, they massaged in the living room. Han Yoojin refused to return to the master bedroom.
"Where did you find my pyjamas?"

"In the closet."

 

Looking at it now, Sung Hyunjae's clothes were different from those in the dungeon, with a more casual cut. Han Yoojin, however, was still wearing the T-shirt and black jacket he'd worn in the dungeon. Since the bedroom had been replicated, the system must have materialised the pyjamas Han Yoojin had worn during his previous stay. Thinking of the magazines hidden in the inventory, he felt embarrassed again, sincerely hoping he wouldn't see anything weird again.

Han Yoojin, stripping off his coat, carefully lay on the sofa, his bare back feeling the chill of the air-conditioned room. Did Sung Hyunjae suddenly have a change of heart? Was he being so nice to Han Yoojin? He actually just quietly massaged his shoulders without saying anything. Han Yoojin half-closed his eyes, his face resting on the soft towel.

The pressure was pleasant, as if he knew exactly how to press without even having to say anything. It was just too quiet, almost making Han Yoojin doze off.

As the massage oil, heated by the friction of his palms, rubbed onto his back, the warmth spread across his neck and shoulders. It wasn't the feel of individual fingers, but a smooth warmth that followed the touch, weaving deep into his muscles.

Just letting Sung Hyunjae massage his shoulders somehow made his entire body relax. Ah, thank goodness he didn't refuse... Han Yoojin exhaled through his nose, his hands sore from maintaining the same position. He couldn't help but pull his arms apart. His fingertips rested on the sofa's edge, faintly feeling something hard.

Once he knew something was stuck in the crack of the sofa, it was hard to ignore. The object's edge would stick in his sight whenever he was pushed forward. Could it be another apartment trap? But this was his sofa... Hmm? What?

Han Yoojin reached out and pulled out a coin. (knight784)

 

It was a very ordinary 500-won coin. (Equivalent to approximately USD$0.35 = £0.27)

"Huh? What's this?"

"Here, take it. It's a tip. Use it wisely." Han Yoojin placed the coin in Sung Hyunjae's hand.

Seeing Sung Hyunjae staring curiously at the coin, Han Yoojin thought, "A chaebol like him probably hasn't seen a coin like this before.  Such a small denomination is completely useless in his life. He probably always uses a credit card to buy things. When would he ever need coins? A vending machine? Does the guild leader of Seseong ever use vending machines on the street? I can imagine how funny it would be to see Sung Hyunjae, who's never used a vending machine, standing in front of one, struggling to figure it out."

Sung Hyunjae flipped the coin over and saw the year of issue. He smiled: "It's a coin from 1980."

"Hmm... 1980?" Was there anything special about that year? Han Yoojin wasn't particularly good at history at school; he only remembered things he had personally experienced. A thumb pressed against a sore spot on his back, and Han Yoojin winced, his voice muffled as he lay on the sofa: "That's so old, it's practically an antique... Ah! Ah!"

Why did it suddenly hurt so much! He cried out, but Sung Hyunjae seemed to ignore his complaint, continuing to massage Han Yoojin's shoulders and neck.  It wasn't so much a massage as a forceful pressure; he felt like he was being pressed into the sofa. Not only his back, but his upper arms were also aching. He couldn't help but shout, "Ouch! Easier, please!" Had he said something wrong? Why was this guy suddenly doing this?

"If I massage you too lightly, you won't feel any relief from the fatigue."

"I don't feel any fatigue anymore! Thank you, now please let me get up—!"

 

As his lower leg was lifted and his thigh bent inward, Han Yoojin gripped the armrest of the sofa, his fingernails digging into the fabric, desperately seeking support for his numb body. "Don't massage my leg!"  His head pressed against the cushion; his previously calm demeanour, along with the throbbing pain, felt like a tangled mess of spaghetti, being constantly stirred and twisted.

"I just noticed that Han Yoojin's calf muscles are very stiff," Sung Hyunjae said, holding his ankle, then lifted it an inch higher.  This seemingly gentle movement made Han Yoojin tense up.

"Look." Sung Hyunjae's palm, coated with essential oil, pressed against the stretched thigh, touching the taut inner thigh. When Sung Hyunjae's fingertips gripped, he predictably heard a groan from the person below. He held Han Yoojin's right foot tightly. As Sung Hyunjae leaned closer, he gently placed the slightly trembling foot on his shoulder, making reaching Han Yoojin's red ear easier.

"Your flexibility isn't very good; you don't do stretching exercises often, right?  Doing sports like this can easily cause muscle strains."

"No one does that! Stretching!" The tingling pain from the bent leg made tears well up in his eyes. Han Yoojin pressed his forehead painfully against the armrest, swallowing hard and gasping for breath. Before he could even curse, the pressure on his foot suddenly disappeared. 

Huh? He hadn't relaxed for even half a second when another familiar pain struck as Sung Hyunjae lifted his left foot, finally eliciting a short shriek from Han Yoojin: "—I didn't want to do this!"

"Oh dear, why didn't this customer say so earlier?" The annoying salesperson spoke sweetly, ruthlessly pressing Han Yoojin's foot in the opposite direction towards his calf. "But this is included in the package service."

 

Han Yoojin was so exhausted he couldn't even react to the role-playing.  His cheek pressed against the towel, the soft fabric irritating his twitching nose. He had to clench his teeth so tightly he could barely breathe. 

After an eternity, his left foot was released and gently placed back on the sofa. "Whew... that's it, right?" He slumped, utterly exhausted, as he heard Sung Hyunjae screw the cap back on the essential oil bottle. With his eyes closed, his legs felt numb and weak, completely unresponsive.

"Hmm, just one more step."

"Huh? What? More?" Yoojin's exclamation was cut short as his arms were pulled back, his upper body lifted abruptly by the merciless masseur.  His bones creaked, and it felt like his nerves were being ripped apart.  

Strong hands gripped his elbows, effortlessly controlling his body. The force made Yoojin arch his back and gasp.  The whole process lasted only seconds, yet he felt completely speechless and deaf, only aware of the pressure of the fingers on his arms.

Was he crying?

 

He slumped onto the sofa, the scent of rose oil lingering in his nostrils. He snatched a tissue from Sung Hyunjae, pressed it to his nose, and felt like he would faint if he closed his eyes.

"Is the customer satisfied with the service?"  Sung Hyunjae, with oil still on his hands, massaged Yoojin's scalp, ignoring the scathing complaint: "Terrible! Absolutely terrible!"

"If you were a masseur, your business would go bankrupt from all the complaints!" Yoojin muttered.  Sung Hyunjae didn't seem to hear him. However, since the neck massage was surprisingly comfortable, Yoojin stopped complaining.

After a while, he regained his breath. Strangely, despite his reluctance to admit it, his limbs relaxed after that ordeal. Well, it seemed that this guy's massage parlour could stay in business after all.

After enduring a prolonged emotional turmoil, the flashing red timer on the screen wasn't so irritating anymore. He treated it like a wall clock, glancing at it only when he happened to see it. Otherwise, Han Yoojin would have become even more impatient with the slow passage of time. Had he only been lying on the sofa for half an hour?

Han Yoojin groaned as he got up from the sofa. By the time he was ready to leave, Sung Hyunjae had already returned to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

 

Leaning against the familiar kitchen counter, Han Yoojin slumped onto a bar stool, watching Sung Hyunjae meticulously prepare cold buckwheat noodles. He poured broth into the bowl, added shredded carrots and cucumbers as garnish, and finally topped it with a perfectly soft-boiled egg. Han Yoojin would have had the energy to tease Sung Hyunjae for his culinary showmanship if he hadn't just endured a torture-like massage.

The cold noodles in front of him, even the egg, looked perfect.

Clunk. His chopsticks slipped from his fingers and fell onto the table. His body was so relaxed that his fingers were momentarily weak, unable to hold the chopsticks. Han Yoojin stared blankly at the noodles soaking in the clear broth. What kind of conspiracy had his life fallen into?

The blond man across from him propped his chin up with his hands, his tone uncertain whether it was a joke or serious: "Han Yoojin, do you want me to feed you?"

Han Yoojin firmly refused: "I'd rather eat something mushy." (knight784) His voice still hinted at tears, and the words lacked the expected seriousness.

 

"That would be such a shame," Sung Hyunjae said, pouring him some persimmon tea. "Food is meant to be enjoyed at its best." A gentle scent of cinnamon wafted from the teapot; the aroma made him feel pleasantly relaxed even before drinking it.

"Delicious is delicious; how can it change?" He picked up his chopsticks again, stirring the noodles. Although his hand felt weak, picking a few noodles wasn't a problem.

"Of course, different moods can affect appetite. That's why they say hunger is the best seasoning."

He sounded as if he was deliberately delaying the meal... He lifted the bowl to his lips and took a sip of broth. It was really delicious. He wished he had the side dishes that Myeongwoo had prepared. 

This thought quickly flashed through his mind. Looking at the vegetables floating in the soup, Han Yoojin wondered when he had become so picky.  He just needed something to eat; why bother being so particular? 

Before his military service, he had always prepared his own meals; even when he lived with his younger brother, he would carefully buy ingredients and cook. But after the argument, after his discharge, and since starting to live alone, he hadn't cooked for anyone else again.

Sung Hyunjae added another half an egg to his bowl.

 

"Where did you get all these things?"

After lunch, Han Yoojin asked while eating a pear. The beef bone soup was so rich that it must have been simmering all night, and the tea, fruit platter, and soybean cake appeared as if by magic.
He had only seen Sung Hyunjae rolling out dough in his penthouse apartment before; he didn't seem like the type to appreciate the flavors of Korean food.  He never expected this man to be able to cook Korean dishes.

"Hmm, it's thanks to the system.  Whatever ingredients or items I want, they just appear in the kitchen."  Does Yoojin want to try it? But this is my kitchen; I don't know if it would work for you. Sung Hyunjae smiled, placing the dishes in the sink, and in an instant, the used dishes disappeared.

This was consistent with what Yoo-hyun had shared earlier. Either Sung Hyunjae figured this rule out himself, or he was given instructions but didn't tell Han Yoojin. It was very suspicious. Han Yoojin got off his stool and watched Sung Hyunjae cut the fruit.

"Can I open the refrigerator?"

"Go ahead."

Does it just appear if you think about it? Then I want...

Han Yoojin opened the refrigerator door and saw white hands arranging packaged side dishes (miso9653). He quickly shut the door.

 

What was that?! Were those human hands?! Han Yoojin stood frozen in front of the refrigerator, his mind still reeling from the shock, a sense of fear and unease constantly flashing before his eyes.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Sung Hyunjae, there were hands in your refrigerator!"

Han Yoojin opened the refrigerator door again. Under the bright LED light, this time it only contained small containers of seaweed salad, bean sprouts, and kimchi.

"Are you still hungry?"

"There were hands in there!" Han Yoojin crouched down, watching the refrigerator compartment suspiciously. Before he could even speak, the refrigerator owner gently closed the door, then lifted Han Yoojin by his armpits like picking up a cat.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Well, Han Yoojin's expression made me think you would crawl into the refrigerator. Even though it's my refrigerator, if there really were hands, I wouldn't want them to grab Han Yoojin." Sung Hyunjae said calmly. 

He carried Han Yoojin to the sofa and handed him a strawberry bowl. To this man, having an unknown creature's hand appear in the refrigerator was just another ordinary occurrence. Yes, Han Yoojin thought, they were trapped in this strange space; nothing that happened here should be surprising. Besides, the hand hadn't done anything wrong; it even prepared some side dishes.

Could the erotic magazines were also placed there by that hand?! Who would hide magazines under the bed?! Han Yoojin was shocked by his own thoughts. Was this perhaps the interference of some supernatural being? Or perhaps some kind of monster? This strange space, neither a dungeon nor the real world, felt like a crack in time. Would those hands appear again? Come out of the closet? Or pop out from under the bed at night?

 

"How interesting, Han Yoojin isn't afraid at all."

Sung Hyunjae leaned against the corner of the sofa, watching the young man with black hair, his face serious, his mind constantly thinking, and his mouth chewing on strawberries. Since entering the apartment, Han Yoojin has constantly observed his surroundings, like a wild cat cautiously surveying new territory. Only when he returned to the familiar sofa did he feel somewhat relaxed. 

Han Yoojin probably didn't even realise it, but he instinctively leaned against Sung Hyunjae, as if Sung Hyunjae was as safe and comforting to him as a pillow.

"Aren't you afraid either?"

"Isn't it great to get whatever you want?"

So, he plans to use this unknown creature as a servant, huh?

 

"S-class characters really are so brave!" Yoojin almost rolled his eyes. That creepy thing would have scared him out of his wits long ago if it weren't for his resistance to fear.  No, actually, he can't even leave now. The timer still shows "18:30"—how long will this last? How is he going to kill time?

Only the faint hum of the air conditioner could be heard.  Sung Hyunjae had somehow pulled out his tablet and started reading documents, probably related to the Seseong Guild. Han Yoojin didn't feel comfortable asking about it; although they were partners, they were still two separate organisations. This perceptive guy could even sense when Han Yoojin used his skills to observe him, let alone guild secrets.

 

After finishing the strawberries, the late lunch made his stomach feel heavy, as all the blood rushed there for digestion. Han Yoojin, holding his empty bowl, couldn't find the TV remote. Before he realised it, he had fallen asleep, leaning against the person next to him.

Chapter Text

In Han Yoojin's dream, he held Peace (Knight784) in his arms; the soft, comforting fur brushed against his cheek. The horned flame lion wasn't as soft as it looked; instead, beneath its fluffy fur, it felt surprisingly solid. Whenever Han Yoojin held it tightly, Peace would gently nudge his chin with its damp nose, prompting him to adjust his grip.

The young beast, in its juvenile form, could easily be mistaken for a friendly kitten. However, it still possessed a certain wildness; strangers couldn't easily touch it, and only Han Yoojin could hold it so freely. Sometimes, instead of Han Yoojin seeking it out, Peace would come to him and snuggle on the sofa. Peace was incredibly intelligent, even helping Han Yoojin turn on the TV by pressing the remote control.

"Oh, what would I do without Peace..." Han Yoojin thought, gently stroking its fur. The horned flame lion purred softly in his arms; the gentle vibrations from its soft body against his chest soothed all his worries. He pressed his face against the reddish-brown beast, inhaling the warm scent of its fur. The soft fur tickled his nose, a pleasant sensation.

Perhaps he was holding it too tightly or at the wrong angle; Peace began to wriggle, trying to escape.

"Sorry, did I hurt you?" Han Yoojin quickly adjusted his position, allowing Peace to rest against his armpit. The horned flame lion playfully rolled over, its bright eyes gazing at Han Yoojin. Every time he saw this endearing behaviour, Han Yoojin's heart melted. But the beast was still an animal; being held by a human for too long was uncomfortable. Peace moved its paws, wanting to get down.

"Ah, Peace, let Daddy hold you a little longer..."

"Okay, Daddy."

“Huh?!"

His wish had finally come true; could Peace finally speak? Han Yoojin opened his eyes. The soft fur in his hand wasn't the red he had imagined, and the one in his arms wasn't who he expected. Upon seeing those bright, golden eyes, Han Yoojin immediately let go. Losing his support, he fell backwards. If an arm hadn't caught him by the waist, his head would have probably crashed into the coffee table.

"What's with the big reaction? You're so surprised, it hurts my feelings.” Sung Hyunjae looked offended. "Just now you were holding me so tightly, even while you were asleep, you kept clinging to my hair, and now you don't even recognise me?"

"No, it's because I thought... Why didn't you wake me up?!"

"Han Yoojin looked like he was sleeping soundly, even smiling in his sleep."
This made him even more embarrassed! And wasn't he just on the sofa? How come Han Yoojin was now sitting on that man‘s lap? If embarrassment had a physical form, he would have been completely incinerated, leaving not even a trace. "Then why are you calling me 'Dad'?"

"You seem to like it?"

"No! Absolutely not!"

Facing the furious Han Yoojin, Sung Hyunjae tightened his grip and smiled gently: "Don't be angry, Daddy."

"I don't want a big, clingy son like that! If I had to have a son, he'd have to be small and cute, like Peace." Sung Hyunjae's teasing made Han Yoojin's face flush even redder, and his whole body felt hot; even his hand on his waist felt burning. Han Yoojin patted the head resting on his stomach: "Get up! Don't you have anything else to do? Like cooking dinner?"

"Didn't we just eat?"

After several tugging motions, Han Yoojin finally managed to send him to the kitchen to prepare ingredients.

Standing by the sliding door to the balcony, the sky outside remained unchanged, a perfect blue sky like a picture, and even the angle of the sunlight hadn't changed. There was no clock in the apartment, and the time on his phone and tablet was frozen. Han Yoojin could only judge the passage of time by his own physical state and the timer. Time had no meaning until the countdown reached zero.

But would they really be able to return to their original world after the countdown ended? He needs to see if he can get any more information from Sung Hyunjae. When he entered this apartment, did he mention anything about fulfilling wishes? Does the system help people fulfil their wishes? Han Yoojin doesn't have any other wishes besides leaving this place. Let's try using the intercom again later…

A loud clatter interrupted Han Yoojin's thoughts; the sound of something heavy falling came from the kitchen. What could have happened? He hurried to the bar counter and peered in: "Sung Hyunjae? Are you okay?"

 

There was no response, and no one was in sight. Had Sung Hyunjae been grabbed by some monster while opening the fridge?

According to Yoohyun, attack skills couldn't be used in this space. Could Sung Hyunjae even use his chain-link attack? Or his battle prediction?

 

Without any weapons, Han Yoojin grabbed a bowl from the table and nervously approached the kitchen.

The air was silent; only the trickle of water from the tap could be heard. Suspiciously fresh vegetables and meat were on the cutting board. Han Yoojin took another step, holding the ceramic bowl tightly, his breath held. He scanned the area quickly, and his peripheral vision caught something on the counter—Sung Hyunjae's pink apron! Something was wriggling underneath!

Just as Han Yoojin reached for the rolling pin on the wall, before he could even prepare to defend himself, something popped out from under the apron!

"Ah—ah?"

"Huh? Han Yoojin?"

That was Sung Hyunjae's voice, no doubt about it; only he could sound so nonchalant even when confused. He tilted his head, looking at Han Yoojin standing at the kitchen door. He reached up to lift the apron, and froze, just like Han Yoojin, then, "Ouch," he said.

"Is this really the time to say 'ouch'!"

Han Yoojin strode into the kitchen.

He picked Sung Hyunjae up easily, though he felt a little heavier than usual. He looked him over carefully; the golden eyes were definitely Sung Hyunjae's—but this little blond boy in his arms blinked and waved his small hands, saying, "Han Yoojin has grown so tall!"

"What's going on? Why did you suddenly shrink?"

Was this the apartment's doing? He was fine in the kitchen just now! Han Yoojin looked around and saw a small box of side dishes on the counter: "Could it be... you ate some of the side dishes?"

Curiosity not only kills cats, but it can also make you revert to being four years old. Han Yoojin couldn't decide which was more shocking: that Sung Hyunjae didn't dislike bean sprouts, or that eating bean sprouts turned him into a child.

 

"Oh my goodness..." Holding the little boy, Han Yoojin was completely bewildered. How could a grown man suddenly revert to childhood? Was he perhaps still asleep after his nap? To check if he was still dreaming, Han Yoojin instinctively pinched the little boy's cheek. (miso9653)

"Han Yoojin..."

His soft, pink cheeks left imprints from being gently pinched, and his nose and ears were tiny and adorable. Sung Hyunjae seemed about to get angry, but his soft, weak voice held no threat.
Han Yoojin could easily pick the boy up; parenting seemed incredibly easy for an F-class like him!

"It seems to be true..." Han Yoojin sighed. Holding this child was almost as easy as holding a baby beast. Even when the little legs kicked and struggled, after Yoojin gently ruffled his blonde hair, Sung Hyunjae calmed down and settled in his arms. Children's hair was so soft and silky.

Sung Hyunjae, four years old, was wearing a white shirt that was much too big for him, looking like he was wearing a sheet.

"The kitchen is too dangerous for a child. Let's change you into something more suitable." Did Sung Hyunjae's closet have any clothes for children? Maybe a t-shirt or something? Perhaps feeling annoyed at having his cheeks pinched, even though his mind wasn't that of a four-year-old, the little boy sulked and didn't speak.

This messy apartment and the strange 24-hour restriction were starting to feel a little better for Han Yoojin.

 

Sung Hyunjae sat on the edge of the bed, his feet not reaching the floor; it seemed like a new experience for him. Han Yoojin turned on the closet lights. He hadn't checked the closet when he explored the bedroom earlier. As expected, under the lights, there were only business suits, and in the drawers below, ties, watches, cufflinks, and other accessories.

This closet clearly didn't have any children's clothes. If it did, Han Yoojin would report this crime to the police as soon as he left. But he really needed to find something for Sung Hyunjae to wear. It was funny, but letting a child wear clothes that didn't fit could easily lead to injuries.

Han Yoojin stood in front of the closet, and a thought struck him: since the apartment could fulfil all his requests, could he just ask for clothes if he wanted them?
He opened the closet.

The clothes Han Yoojin had imagined were hanging on the rack just as he expected, and this time, no strange hands appeared.

He didn't bother thinking about where the clothes came from; at least they felt good, and the cotton, short-sleeved sailor uniform was the perfect size. (knight784) Sung Hyunjae had no objections to the sailor uniform; it was easy to put on and take off, and walking around in a white shirt would have been uncomfortable.

After changing, Sung Hyunjae noticed Han Yoojin staring at him intently.

"What's wrong?" the man, who looked four years old but was actually almost forty, asked, a smile playing on his lips. "Is Han Yoojin so captivated?"

Sung Hyunjae easily dodged the hand that tried to pinch his cheek, but he didn't expect Han Yoojin's follow-up attack—Han Yoojin quickly grabbed the cat ears on the back of the hoodie and put them on him. Even without using his kindergarten teacher skills, Han Yoojin knew how to dodge, based on his experience with kids.

 

"Wow, cat ears! Who is this cute little kid?"

In the past, he could only see Yoohyun wearing cute reindeer costumes during kindergarten events. Han Yoojin regretted not taking more pictures, because his younger brother grew up so fast, missing the perfect age for cute kids' clothes. Some kids think they're too old for cute clothes, and it's hard to convince them to wear them again. But since Sung Hyunjae was already a shameless guy, it didn't matter, right? Han Yoojin gently rubbed the white cat ears on Sung Hyunjae's head.

No one had ever dared to put cat ears on the Seseong guide leader and rub his hair.

Cute kids' clothes were definitely not something associated with Sung Hyunjae, but with his beautiful face, it looked surprisingly good. After shrinking, Sung Hyunjae's features softened, and his golden eyes were incredibly large, with long, thick eyelashes that blinked at him curiously. Plus, his S-class aggression was completely suppressed in this apartment, so Han Yoojin could easily pick up the little guide leader with cat ears.

Sung Hyunjae's cheeks were being gently rubbed and massaged by Han Yoojin's fingers. Wearing a cat-eared headband, his vision was partially obscured, and he could only feel the pressure from the rubbing on his head. Sung Hyunjae's forced smile faltered: "...Stop rubbing..."

"Oh, sorry. I'll give you some biscuits after dinner."

"I don't want biscuit—!"

Mid-protest, the little boy was scooped up and lifted by Han Yoojin. After leaving the bedroom, to prevent Sung Hyunjae from running into the kitchen and potentially causing trouble, Han Yoojin simply plopped him onto the sofa.

He even turned on the TV: "Just sit here and watch TV nicely, I'll go make dinner."

...Was he really treating him like a child? It was so strange; just because of his appearance, his attitude had changed so much. Sung Hyunjae tilted his head, his gaze shifting between the cartoon on the TV and Han Yoojin, who had gone into the kitchen. "Han Yoojin shouldn't leave a child alone in the living room, right?" He stood on the sofa cushion and called out to the person busy in the kitchen.

Sung Hyunjae was ignored, so he just narrowed his eyes and sat down.

 

This feeling was unfamiliar. Sung Hyunjae had no childhood memories; he'd never had the concept of being a child. Whenever he tried to remember, his mind went blank. He slumped on the sofa, hearing faint sounds from the kitchen, and Han Yoojin only replied to him occasionally.

At four years old, sitting on a high stool at the bar counter wouldn't have been a problem, but Han Yoojin insisted on serving dinner in the living room. They sat on low stools by the coffee table, eating while watching TV. The little boy stared at his child-sized tableware, saying nothing.

Han Yoojin didn't spend much time preparing dinner. He didn't use the ingredients Sung Hyunjae had prepared, but cooked completely different dishes—food suitable for a four-year-old: vegetable doenjang soup, steamed egg, grilled beef slices, and rice rolls—simple, everyday fare.

"I thought I'd almost forgotten how to cook, but it turned out to be quite easy."

The kitchen had everything he needed; whatever ingredient he wanted was readily available, saving him the trouble of preparation and making cooking much faster. Although he didn't make it overly complicated, Han Yoojin was confident in the taste.

"I don't like pickled mustard," the little boy said, while he kept poking at the rice roll with his small fork. He then put down his utensils: "I'm going to cook steak."

Oh dear, was he throwing a tantrum? Even at four years old, Sung Hyunjae was still Sung Hyunjae.

 

Even though young S-class individuals might be taller than other children their age, they still have the physique of a child; they can't even see the stove, let alone use a knife or turn on the gas. As an adult, how could anyone let a child do such dangerous things?

Han Yoojin grabbed the little boy by the waist: "You can have steak later, but first finish your other food. No wasting!"

"…You know I'm not a child, right?" Sung Hyunjae said, his serious voice sounding somewhat forced, given his soft, childlike face.

"Of course! No other kid is as picky about food as you!"

Han Yoojin ignored his protests, holding him tightly. He wouldn't let him go or give him any utensils, instead grabbing a rice roll and eating it with his hands. "Since you're not hungry yet, I'll cook your steak after I finish mine." (worm3673)

 

After saying that, he started eating the rice roll. While eating, he kept commenting on the food: "Wow, this beef is so good! You don't know how delicious it is!" "Soybean soup is best when it's hot, it's a shame it's getting cold..."

Even worse, because Sung Hyunjae was held in his arms, the food passed directly over his head. The little boy could see and smell the food, but couldn't eat any of it.

"I didn't say I wasn't hungry..."

Not only had his appearance changed, but his body had truly reverted to that of a four-year-old; his strength, stamina, and energy were all greatly reduced. The familiar feeling of hunger was back, surprising Sung Hyunjae.

"Is that so? But you only want steak, and there's no steak on the table right now, so you'll have to wait." Han Yoojin took a bite of steamed egg. "Wow, this egg turned out so perfectly!”

In fact, Han Yoojin didn't really understand why he was acting this way. Initially, he just wanted to tease the other person; after all, it was amusing to see the once arrogant guild leader reduced to a helpless four-year-old. The sudden feeling of control made him feel good. However, picky eating in children wasn't a big deal; children's taste buds were different from adults', and they were more sensitive to certain smells. He just wanted to tease Sung Hyunjae a little.

Ignoring Sung Hyunjae's protests, Han Yoojin continued to drink his soup. The little boy was quiet for a while, then he heard a muffled voice say, "Han Yoojin is so mean!"

"How am I mean...?"

Hearing this, which sounded like a pouty complaint, he couldn't help but smile inwardly, but outwardly pretended to be unaffected. As Han Yoojin looked down to reply, the little boy lifted his pretty face, his wet golden eyes sparkling, a tear just gliding down his cheek—the timing was perfect.

The apartment complex restricted magical attacks, but not physical ones, and Han Yoojin's heart was unexpectedly gripped.

So cute...! No. So cunning!

 

"Han Yoojin won't give me anything to eat, ugh!"

Sung Hyunjae's usual whiny, fake crying was commonplace, and Han Yoojin wouldn't fall for it, but with his four-year-old face, it was incredibly effective.

"Oh, come on, don't cry! I cooked this just for you! Open your mouth! Ah!"

 

Steak was too greasy for a child's developing body, but thinly sliced ​​beef was fine. After stuffing a few slices of beef into the little boy's mouth, he finally calmed down and started eating normally. Han Yoojin spooned him some steamed egg. He drank the soybean soup before it cooled. With the help of hunger, he even ate a few pieces of rice roll and stopped asking for steak.

"Well, he's eating quite well, isn't he?" He couldn't help but stroke the smooth golden hair again. His focused eating looked just like a little kitten; it seemed his attention had been successfully diverted.

 

While Han Yoojin was tidying up the table, Sung Hyunjae had somehow moved a chair and was standing on it, fiddling with the coffee machine at the counter. Han Yoojin rushed over and grabbed the troublesome kid. "Drinking coffee will keep you up all night!"

"An S-classer can easily go without sleep for a whole night."

He knew that, of course. When they were helping Kim Sunghan class up, the group had camped out in a dungeon, and he'd witnessed firsthand how energetic S-class hunters were. Those S-classes were like wild dogs; he didn't know how many ruins they'd destroyed or how many fights they'd started while Han Yoojin was sleeping.

"No way! Kids can only drink barley tea!"

Right now, Han Yoojin was the only adult in charge in the entire apartment. Thanks to his physical strength, this F-class, of all people, was able to drag and push Sung Hyunjae back onto the sofa. No coffee for him; just a cup of warm barley tea.

 

They were sitting on the sofa, watching TV and eating snacks, when the TV program started talking about the popular photo booth machines on the streets. (uranus8948)

The reporter interviewed passersby about their opinions on four-panel photo booth pictures, asking about their preferred filters and poses. Some photo booths even offered the option to take pictures with celebrities.

"Wouldn't a photo booth featuring S-class hunters be very popular?" Han Yoojin thought about how the staff at the facility had recently mentioned to him their plans for merchandise and using the hunters' likenesses; to the general public, S-class hunters were like celebrities.

Among them, this guy might be the most popular. Han Yoojin looked at the little boy eating ice cream next to him. He had a terrible personality, but a very attractive face, and his popularity was reportedly high in online polls.

"Isn't it just taking pictures?"

"Not exactly. Have you never used a photo booth before?" Han Yoojin asked, surprised.

"Does this little boy want to use the photo booth?"

Watching the boy staring intently at the TV, Han Yoojin couldn't help but poke his cheek with his finger, and unsurprisingly, the boy replied, "I've just never seen one."

Sung Hyunjae certainly didn't have this kind of machine when he was a child, and it's hard to imagine who he would have taken pictures with when he was younger. Besides, how could the Seseong guide leader, with his imposing stature and temper, ever fit into such a small photo booth? And pose for a silly selfie? It seemed utterly absurd; the world must be ending.

But... if it was a cute little kid like this, it seemed fine. Han Yoojin tugged at the cat ears on the little boy's head. During dinner, Sung Hyunjae took off his hat, and Han Yoojin put it back on when they were watching TV.

But the main point was, where could he find a photo booth now...? Huh?

 

*Clang!*

A loud noise came from outside the balcony.

Could it be what he was thinking? Han Yoojin opened the screen door. Outside, the sky was still a clear, pristine blue, like a canvas. The only difference was a machine in the corner of the balcony—a machine that didn't belong to either Sung Hyunjae or Han Yoojin.

"Why is the sky still so bright?"

Sung Hyunjae came to stand beside him. As soon as he spoke, the bright blue sky darkened as if ink had been spilt, and then, in the darkness, stars began to twinkle, as if obeying an order.
The lights on the white machine lit up, the screen glowed, and the photo booth started working.

Because this space was outside the rules of the real world, could even the environment change according to one's will?

"It really does grant whatever you want..."

At that moment, Han Yoojin suddenly realised that this space might actually be a reward. If you honestly faced your desires, the apartment would fulfil every request.

After pulling back the curtain of the photo booth and peeking inside, they saw a normal two-person seating area, with a basket of photo props under the round chairs.

The props in the basket included not only the usual themed hairbands, but also familiar plush toys—Peace and Chirpie, of course. Since the photo booth was Han Yoojin's creation, the props were naturally closely related to his subconscious. There were even signs with those embarrassing phrases for photos, like "My baby is the best!" or "My child is the cutest!" (Bear3983)

Han Yoojin snatched the only normal-looking coat (a child-sized one) from Sung Hyunjae's hands: "No normal coats allowed right now!" Wearing a coat would make Sung Hyunjae look too ordinary, even if the mini version would be cute. Since they were already wearing sailor suits for the photo booth, it would be more fun to try some new styles.

Sung Hyunjae, with his strong sense of self-image, refused to try on the silly sunglasses, no matter how much Han Yoojin tried to persuade him (uranus8948). After rejecting Peace's large, fluffy paw-shaped gloves (rum7241), he reluctantly put on a Chirpie-themed baseball cap. (eel4926)

 

"Han Yoojin is a devil..."

"Come on, isn't the baseball cap cool? Or do you want to wear the headpiece?"

Han Yoojin, sporting devil horns and wings, pulled out a Chirpie headpiece from the basket. Wearing that fluffy headpiece would make Sung Hyunjae look like his entire head was swallowed by Chirpie. (pamelo939)

The little boy hid inside the photo booth.

 

"Why so serious? Is Sung Hyunjae afraid of the camera?" Han Yoojin asked the boy sitting on the stool.

It was hard to believe that Sung Hyunjae, who loved the spotlight, would be afraid of cameras. He always loved posing for photos, with all those glamorous hunter photos in magazines and online. Even though they hadn't taken a photo together, Han Yoojin imagined that this guy would be the kind of person who would deliberately stay in the background when someone took a selfie.

The photo booth had many suggested poses displayed around it, usually showing groups of friends playfully teasing each other or posing with their faces close together. Han Yoojin watched the little boy sitting on the chair, hugging his peace-themed pillow. (cocoa8252)

Oh...I wonder if he's ever taken any casual photos? With friends? The only person he could even vaguely consider a friend, or rather, someone he had to tolerate, was Song Taewon. He imagined Song Taewon, the rigid bureaucrat, never going near a photo booth. He should drag him along to take some photos sometime. The thought of the uptight government official looking bewildered made Han Yoojin feel cheerful.

"You're usually always smiling. Why aren't you smiling now?"

"I'm just waiting for Han Yoojin to be ready," he said to Han Yoojin, who was sitting next to him, his voice as arrogant as ever.

This guy is so concerned about his image.

 

"Hey, are we really going to take a picture like this?"

With the curtain drawn, the only light came from the photo booth screen. Colorful cat paw prints covered the interface, even the machine's design incorporated a "adorable" element. Han Yoojin nonchalantly pressed the photo button, and they both sat upright facing the camera.

Then...

 

3...2...1...

 

"Oh, so you're not afraid of anything anymore?"

"Ugh!" Sung Hyunjae widened his eyes.

Being alone in the dark was the perfect time for revenge.

 

The little boy with cat ears squirmed and struggled in his arms, but Han Yoojin blocked the only exit, trapping him. He had always been teased and mocked by Sung Hyunjae's unpredictable antics, but now the tables were turned.

Even though he kept saying, "Stop it!", Han Yoojin continued tickling him. What good was having "battle intuition" if a four-year-old couldn't dodge a tickle attack? Since Sung Hyunjae was small now, in Han Yoojin's eyes, he was just a little brat who deserved to be punished with tickles.

"Who did you call a demon just now?"

"Ugh..."

 

After Han Yoojin's efforts, the child finally gave up his act and accepted his fate of posing cutely with cat paws for the camera; otherwise, he would face another round of relentless tickling.

"These are pretty good, right?"

Han Yoojin scrolled through the photos. This photo booth had no time limit; they could take as many as they wanted, but they could only print four. The finger heart pose was too ordinary. This one with just his eyes showing was cute. Han Yoojin squinted, examining the photos. If he could, he would download them all.

"Han Yoojin looks like he's up to something..."

"Who knows? I'm going to sell these photos to the paparazzi and make a fortune!"

"That would definitely fetch a high price." Sung Hyunjae said shamelessly, his voice sounding adorable as he leaned on his pillow.

Who was pretending to be innocent just now?

 

After selecting the photos, Han Yoojin couldn't find a card reader; only the coin slot on the side was illuminated. He couldn't believe this machine was so old-fashioned, not even accepting credit cards. Where had his wallet gone?

As Han Yoojin was rummaging through his pockets, Sung Hyunjae quietly inserted the 500-won coin. The coin slot flashed, and then, with a clunk, a photo print with a cute floral frame and Peace and Chirpie stickers popped out.

So that's what the coin was for.

 

＊

 

Even though the environment had changed abruptly, the darkness outside the photo booth still made everyone sleepy. They had been in the apartment for more than half a day, eating, playing, and now, watching the little boy start to fall asleep, Han Yoojin thought it was definitely time for bed. He was also relieved that the day would end peacefully and that they could ask the system to transport them out in the morning after they woke up.

Picking up the sleepy boy who had buried his face in his pillow, Han Yoojin found himself becoming more and more adept at holding him. As long as Sung Hyunjae didn't cause any trouble, he looked quite well-behaved. He felt a pang of regret at the thought of not seeing the cute little boy again tomorrow, but instead, the annoying one.

Did children this age really become so clingy and demanding? Han Yoojin had started taking care of his younger brother when Yoohyun was five. To be honest, Yoohyun had been quite independent and self-sufficient even at that age. He had thought Yoohyyun was smart and precocious, perhaps because he was an S-class individual?

 

...But how could this S-class kid be so clingy and noisy? Affected by the apartment, Sung Hyunjae, despite having adult memories, behaved like a child. Did his physical state also affect his mental state? Han Yoojin thought as he held him, waiting for the bathtub to fill with warm water.

After adding bath salts and stirring, watching the bubbles float on the surface, he gently nudged the half-asleep boy on his shoulder: "Hey, hey, wake up. Let's take a bath before you go to sleep."
"Ugh..." The boy clung to his clothes, whining.

"If you keep acting like that, I'm going to take off your clothes and bathe you myself, Mr. Sung."

"Then you bathe me..."

He was saying such shameless things. But since he was only four, Han Yoojin could tolerate it for now. He squeezed the little hands a few times; the fingers were soft and delicate. He gently lifted the boy off him and placed him on the toilet seat, saying to the sleepy Sung Hyunjae, "I've filled the water for you. Can you bathe yourself?"

No response. He was still half-asleep, his head bobbing.

 

Sighing, it seemed like he was going to be doing full-time childcare tonight. Even Yoohyun learned to bathe himself at a very young age. Han Yoojin deftly pulled off the little boy's sailor suit, grabbed his thin little arms, and gently lowered him into the bath. With steam rising, Han Yoojin had to constantly lift the sleeping child to keep him from sinking, as he washed him. The idea that the world's number one business tycoon, Mr. Sung, would drown in a bathtub—who would have imagined it?

And the perpetrator was Han Yoojin, a mere "F-class" individual. If American journalists interviewed him, they could easily make a 20-episode crime drama out of it.

Soap bubbles were everywhere in the bathtub. Han Yoojin, rubbing his hair, said, "Even Peace can shower by itself under the showerhead. How can a boy this age still need someone to wash his hair?"

White foam piled up on Sung Hyunjae's head. Han Yoojin cupped his hand, feeling that the shape was familiar. Ah, it was a bubble version of “Chirpie."

A voice with a sleepy nasal tone asked, "Are you homesick, Han Yoojin?"

Does this guy have eyes on his head? How did he know what he was thinking?

 

Thinking about it, this was the first time he'd been separated from his pet beast. No fiery horned lion always by his side, no little bird that appeared out of nowhere, and even Yoohyun wasn't here. He wasn't unfamiliar with living alone; in fact, he'd lived alone for a long time, a memory that always seemed to consume him. But now, surrounded by people, he had reasons to miss home.

"Of course I am. Don't you want to go back?"

"Hmm... Go back to the guild? Even if I'm not there, Soyoung knows what to do."

Leaning against the bathtub, Sung Hyunjae's tone was as calm as if he were being asked when he planned to go back to work on Monday. The vice-guildmaster would probably have a fit if she knew he was going to delegate the work to her again.

What else was there to miss about home? He wondered if the broken aquarium had been fixed, and if the fish had survived.

 

"Isn't a hot bath nice?" Han Yoojin asked, leaning over the edge of the tub. This was his bathroom; he loved this big bathtub. It was convenient not only for people but also for washing his pet beast. He never expected to have to wash an S-class beast tonight.

"My bathroom has a jacuzzi."

He scooped up some water and poured it over the boy's head. "I know, the great Seseong guild leader has everything."

"Han Yoojin is so dismissive..."

But he obediently closed his eyes and let Han Yoojin wash his hair.

 

After the bath, he wrapped the boy in a large towel and even tied a bunny-eared towel around his blond head. Han Yoojin regretted not bringing his phone into the bathroom, but he was really tired. He pushed the now-energetic boy out of the bathroom.

After spending too much time letting Sung Hyunjae play in the bubble bath, Han Yoojin felt the fatigue of parenting hit him hard. Taking care of a child was just like raiding a dungeon—pure physical labour.

He took a quick shower, and when he came out in his pyjamas, sure enough, Sung Hyunjae, now dressed in his pink pyjamas, was already wide awake, sitting up in bed, staring at him.

He knew it would be like this. The bath only seemed to energise him even more. He decided he shouldn't even give him any tea.

 

Now that he understood how the apartment worked, Han Yoojin no longer feared touching the bedsheets. As long as he didn't let his imagination run wild, it was just an ordinary bed. And a very comfortable, high-quality latex mattress at that.

Waking up and finding everything over—what a relief! The warm shower had relaxed Han Yoojin's pores and put him in a good mood. As he reached to turn off the bedside lamp, his sleeve was tugged.

"Han Yoojin, have you forgotten something?" The little boy's golden eyes blinked up at him.

Of course, he hadn't forgotten about the little troublemaker. He glanced over. Hmm, he was wearing pyjamas, and his position looked right—Sung Hyunjae seemed ready for bed. Did this little "sleeping beauty" need a sleep mask, too?

"Aren't you going to sleep? A fragile F-class will faint if he doesn't get enough sleep!" Leaning against the pillow, Han Yoojin practically burrowed into the covers. He felt a warm body, smelling faintly of bath gel, snuggle up to him.

"I can't sleep."

"Who was that who almost fell asleep in the bathtub, pretending to be a mermaid?"

"But I can't sleep!"

The little boy rested his head on his arm, his fingers clinging tightly to Han Yoojin's sleeve, his voice sounding pitiful. My goodness, who had taught Sung Hyunjae these tactics when he was little? Did he learn them naturally?

 

Han Yoojin covered his face. Facing the adorable, pleading little boy, his willpower dwindling, he said, "Okay, then... I'll sing a lullaby?" That probably wouldn't work for a four-year-old. "Tell you a story?"

 

And so, Han Yoojin began to tell a story.

It was a story about a magic lamp and wishes. (worm3673)

Chapter Text

Once upon a time, in a far-off, wealthy kingdom, there lived a kind and beloved queen. Everyone considered her the best ruler of their time; her only "flaw" was that she doted on her little prince.

This little prince was born into the richest family, so he had everything; he was raised to be the heir to the throne, so he knew everything. Everyone thought he was the happiest boy in the world.
But the little prince wasn't happy. He had many precious treasures and toys, but no one would play with him. Everyone was too afraid of offending the queen and the prince, fearing they might cause trouble. And although he knew everything, he wasn't satisfied, because he didn't choose to learn these things; they were simply expected of him.

Despite this, everyone still thought the little prince should be happy, because he possessed more wonderful things than anyone else in the world.

 

In this kingdom, parties were held every day. ​​The grandest of all was the little prince's birthday celebration. Everyone in the kingdom tried to find the best gift for him. But the little prince had seen all the most expensive and luxurious jewels, and owned the rarest and most unusual books and musical scores; nothing interested him.

Then, a traveling merchant appeared, offering an ordinary-looking oil lamp, saying: Your Highness, I present to you the rarest treasure in the world!

This looks like an ordinary oil lamp. What good is an oil lamp? the bored prince asked.

This is no ordinary lamp; it grants wishes! The merchant declared.

Then bring it here. The prince ordered, and the guards brought the lamp. As the little prince touched it, a puff of smoke emerged from the spout. What was it?

 

Wow! A little boy, but not an ordinary boy; his feet were translucent, and he wore strange clothes. He was the genie of the lamp!

The genie said to the astonished prince. My master, thank you for summoning me from the lamp. I will grant you three wishes.Once I grant you three wishes, I will be free; therefore, I will do my best to fulfill your wishes.

The little prince found this amusing; it was the first time he had ever seen a genie. He was fascinated and rewarded the merchant, then took the genie around, showing him his palace, his jewels, and his collection of picture books. Surrounded by so many beautiful things, the genie remained silent.

Why don't you speak? The little prince asked. Have you ever seen anything more beautiful than this?

My master, the genie replied, servants don't speak. My purpose is to grant your wishes, not to answer your questions.

 

The little prince wasn't angry; he thought the genie's words made sense. A tool doesn't need to speak.

But the little prince already had many servants and tools; he didn't need another one. So he said to the genie, I will make my first wish: I want you to be my friend!

The little prince didn't know what a friend was; he had never had one.

 

As soon as he finished speaking, a light surrounded the genie. When the light faded, nothing had changed. Had the magic worked? Had they become friends? The little prince circled the genie, looking at it from all angles. The genie, annoyed, snapped. Why are you circling me like that?

The little prince was surprised; it was the first time someone had ever gotten angry in front of him. How interesting! So this was what having a friend was like.

 

Now that he had a friend, the little prince took his new friend to the most beautiful garden in the palace every day, they ate the best snacks, they kept peacocks, tigers, and horses, they danced at parties, and fished in the lake.

The little prince had never been so happy. This was what having a friend felt like. But soon, he realized that the genie was not just his friend, but everyone's friend. The clever genie was popular with humans, and the friendly genie was popular with animals.

Aren't you my friend? The little prince asked. Why are you so friendly to everyone else?

I am your friend. The genie, the little prince's friend, replied. But I can be friends with everyone. I don't belong to you.

But you're my genie! You're mine! The little prince said. You belong to me!

The genie asked. Is this your second wish?

No. The prince thought for a moment. It's not a wish, but as a friend, I want to know why you need other people?

 

So the genie introduced the little prince to everyone he knew in the palace—scholars, servants, and attendants—people who had never dared to speak to him or look him in the eye because they were afraid of him. To the little prince, they were just scholars, servants, and attendants. But the genie knew everyone's name, their likes and dislikes, and their desires.

Is this the genie's magic? The little prince asked.

No. The genie replied. It's the curse of being a genie.

Before becoming a genie, the genie had been an ordinary little boy. His country was invaded, his village burned, and he was displaced. To protect his family, he wished upon a magic lamp for the power to control time and life. Such powerful magic was very difficult, but not impossible. Once the boy became a genie, he could protect everyone. However, this was just the genie's trick; after the little boy made his wish, he, instead of the genie, became trapped in the oil lamp.

The genie didn't tell the little prince about his past because the little prince didn't need to know. The genie only had to wait for the little prince to make his three wishes.

But he waited and waited, and the little prince never made his second wish. The longer he stayed in the palace, the more worried the genie became.

What's wrong? Why aren't you as happy as before? The little prince asked. Don't you like these comfortable rooms, the delicious food, and the rare beasts?

These things don't bring me happiness. While I enjoy these comfortable rooms, delicious food, and rare beasts, the people I care about can't have them. Thinking about my ruined village and my starving family. The genie said. That doesn't make me happy.

 

It was a difficult situation, because the genie cared about so many people. Under the curse, he couldn't forget the names, likes, and desires of everyone he had ever met.

The clever little prince pondered for a moment, then decided: I will make my second wish. I wish you could find the happiness you want.

After making his second wish, the genie took the prince to meet everyone he had ever encountered: brothers who had fallen out and stopped speaking to each other, a girl living in poverty and suffering from hunger and cold, a young boy who lacked self-confidence and couldn't speak, and so on. They used magic or money to help these people, and the genie was happy because they were happy.

Seeing the genie's happiness, the little prince felt satisfied—a novel feeling he had never experienced before.

 

This made the queen very unhappy. She noticed that someone was using magic to grant wishes within her kingdom, and she also noticed that the little prince was spending more and more time away from the palace, always accompanied by that little boy.

As a ruler, not every wish needed or deserved to be granted; if everyone's wishes were fulfilled, she couldn't rule, and the kingdom would fall apart.

Her beloved little prince was the future ruler; she couldn't let this little genie influence her carefully nurtured son.

The queen approached the genie and told him: I can break your curse, protect those you want to protect, even turn back time and resurrect the dead. I can grant any wish you have that the genie hasn't already granted, as long as you leave.

I don't want to leave. The genie said. He found happiness here, and he hadn't felt happy in a long time. But the queen's offer was too tempting; she could fulfil the genie's lifelong regret.

 

"Why didn't the genie tell the prince? The prince could have made his wish, too," Sung Hyunjae asked. The little boy yawned softly, his eyes closed, but he was still listening.

That was a good question. Han Yoojin had just made up the story on the spot, without thinking the logic through. He pondered for a moment: "If the little prince made a third wish, he would be cursed like the genie."

"But the genie would be free."

Because the genie was the prince's friend. The little prince had also become important to the genie. He knew what the prince liked and disliked; why he was happy and why he was sad. He was irreplaceable.

And he didn't want to forget the little prince. Once the curse was lifted, the genie would turn back into a little boy, losing all his memories as a genie.

"I don't like this story."

 

Finally, the genie left. He refused the queen's offer and did not try to trick the little prince into making a third wish, as he had originally planned. He simply continued to help those around him as best he could. Because he left of his own accord, the queen did not harm anyone else. The queen had no interest in the elf or his friends; she cared only about her own son.

The little prince, now without his friend, returned to his magnificent palace, surrounded by beautiful but cold servants. He knew that if he asked for a third wish, the genie would surely appear again.

But the genie was so sad when he left.

Making the genie happy was his second wish, so if letting him leave would make the genie happy, then he had to let him go. He couldn't bear to see his friend so sad anymore, so he never made his third wish.

The little prince, who remained with the queen, continued to learn how to become a future ruler.

A ruler's perspective and vision are different from ordinary people; they must consider the bigger picture rather than focusing on specific individuals or things.

Most importantly, they must maintain the balance of the kingdom, not prioritise the happiness or sadness of any one person.

They watched as old villages were destroyed and new ones were born.

 

However, the little prince had learned from the genie how to care for his people. He knew everyone's name, their likes and dislikes, and their desires. This caused him great pain; it was the first time the little prince had felt this emotion, amidst the splendour of his palace and the cold indifference of his servants...

 

After what seemed like an eternity, unable to bear the immense loneliness and sorrow any longer, the little prince said:

"The little prince said...hmm?"

 

Not hearing the usual "And then what?" from his side, Han Yoojin looked down to see the little golden head resting on his hand, delicate eyelashes softly fluttering, his body rising and falling gently with his breath. He was asleep.

It had been a very long bedtime story, so long that even Han Yoojin had dozed off while telling it.

Phew, finally time for him to sleep? The caregiver gently moved the little boy's head back onto the pillow and turned off the bedside lamp.

The darkened room was enveloped in peaceful darkness. Just as Han Yoojin closed his eyes, he heard a faint, disjointed whisper: "That genie...did he...come back in the end?"

Even in his dreams, he wanted to know the ending. What kind of ending could a genie tale possibly have?

Han Yoojin turned over, his hand gently stroking the small body pressed against him, the breath against his chest warm and fragile. "...Of course, he was his best friend; he would definitely come back. And they lived happily ever after."

A kiss gently touched the little boy's forehead.

"Goodnight, my little prince.”

 

＊

 

In the darkness, a pair of golden eyes opened.

He looked at the pale blue notification that had reappeared in the void.

 

[System Notification]

"The conditions for the delayed compensation have been met. The reward for your wish has been granted. Are you ready to leave this space?"

The condition for Sung Hyunjae to leave the apartment was simple: ensuring his roommate got enough rest. While seemingly easy, any condition labelled as such must have its difficulties. Han Yoojin had been tense since entering the apartment; in fact, he had been actively trying to avoid spending time alone with Sung Hyunjae.

 

Undoubtedly, Han Yoojin was hiding something, fearing that Sung Hyunjae would discover it if he got too close. Like the magic stone in his chest, even after hearing Han Yoojin's explanation, the undeniable familiarity Sung Hyunjae felt told him things weren't as simple as they seemed.

His soft fingertips traced the raised scar. What secrets did it hold? His small hand gently caressed the rising and falling chest, feeling the fluctuations of magic, the subtle tremors of skin, and the rhythm of the heart.

This notification had been appearing repeatedly since Sung Hyunjae's appearance changed. Had his altered appearance made Han Yoojin lower his guard? He suddenly understood why the magical beasts around Han Yoojin were so small and cute.

Perhaps sensing his movement, Han Yoojin mumbled sleepily, his arm unconsciously patting Sung Hyunjae's back. Was he worried that Sung Hyunjae wasn't sleeping well? What kind of dreams was Han Yoojin having that he would worry about someone like Sung Hyunjae?

He wanted to be in that kind of dream, too. Snuggling in the warm embrace, Sung Hyunjae closed the notification again.

 

＊

 

Was this really the light of a real morning?

Feeling a warmth on his eyelids, Han Yoojin yawned, half-opening his eyes.

Everything was blurry. Had he returned to reality? Why was his face pressed against a wall? It was so annoying! He slapped the wall a few times, hearing some unexpected groans. This familiar sensation... Han Yoojin paused, then realised what it was, and exclaimed in shock, "Why are you naked?! Where are your clothes?!"

Seeing a completely naked chest first thing in the morning was quite a shock.

"I felt... like my body was going to revert to its original state, so I took my clothes off," Sung Hyunjae replied, still half-asleep, his eyes closed.
Oh, right. Han Yoojin hadn't really considered that his imagined pyjamas might not necessarily change with his body shape; he was just too preoccupied trying not to think about the strange hands.

"Okay, then go back to sleep."

Han Yoojin couldn't remember how he had ended up in this apartment. Was it when he was about to leave the dungeon after completing the quest? That feeling of falling...

As he pondered, Sung Hyunjae opened his eyes, propped himself up, and asked, "Han Yoojin, have you forgotten something?"

"Your credit is used up."

He just wanted to go back to sleep; he didn't need a grumpy adult right now. Taking care of a child was exhausting.

"How can my credit be used up? I haven't done anything.”

"So, you've reverted to your original appearance, but your memory is still that of a four-year-old?"

"No morning kiss, then?"

"Are adults allowed to act like this? Ugh..."

"Why is Han Yoojin still clinging to my shoulder?"

"Just checking if everything's back to normal; there might be some side effects." Seeing that annoying grin, he couldn't resist pinching Sung Hyunjae's cheeks and tugging at his ears: "Oh no, what a shame! No more soft cheeks and cute ears!"

"But here still have other things..."

 

＊

 

Careless.

So incredibly careless.

At the breakfast table, Han Yoojin stared at the "22:40" timer floating in front of him, and at Sung Hyunjae, who seemed happy sipping his coffee.

"Why is Han Yoojin staring at me with such intense eyes?"

"I'm not looking at you; you're just sitting across from me. Turn around."

 

His back ached, not just from the pain, but also from the headache caused by the restarting timer. He'd been so careless, thinking everything would be fine in the morning, and then he relaxed... And then there was this stubborn idiot beside him. He'd had to coax him to sleep last night, and now he had to coax him again this morning. Lying on that familiar mattress, he momentarily dozed off—

The 24-hour timer wasn't counting from the start of the day, but from the moment they entered the apartment!

He was trapped in this apartment again!

 

Han Yoojin angrily ate his bibimbap. Why did he have to be in this situation? They'd only given him one bedroom and one bed—clearly, they didn't want him to leave. He took another bite of kimchi.

Only one person could sleep on the bed tonight. He would surround the bed with pillows like a fortress.

 

"Han Yoojin's eyes are so scary," the culprit said nonchalantly.

Han Yoojin finally confessed to Sung Hyunjae about his limitations, absurd and shameless as they were. However, if Sung Hyunjae's condition for leaving the apartment truly was for Han Yoojin to get some rest, neither of them could leave, because Han Yoojin was constantly worried about triggering his limitations.

"If I hadn't decided to tell you the conditions now, I would have started to suspect that you were deliberately trying to make me trigger my limitations."

"You lack trust in me," Sung Hyunjae took a sip of coffee. "Han Yoojin seems to be enjoying this more than I am. Ah, being trapped in a child's body, completely helpless.”

"You're not in a child's body 24/7. Come on, eat more bean sprouts, Sung Hyunjae."

"I refuse."

"Aren't you going to take responsibility for us being stuck in the apartment again today?"

"How could it be my responsibility? I didn't hide those Playboy magazines under the bed."

Could this matter ever be dropped?! Han Yoojin covered his face, which was practically burning red, and then asked quietly, "You really haven't ever seen...that kind of thing before?" Since they were already talking about it, he was quite curious.

"Why do you think that?"

Huh? Had Han Yoojin misunderstood? ...At this age, he probably wouldn't read paper magazines anymore; if this guy wanted to watch something, would it be…

"...Tell me the truth, do you usually watch things on your tablet...?"

"My tablet only has pictures of Han Yoojin on it."

"I'm full!!!"

Watching Han Yoojin rush out of the table in a panic, Sung Hyunjae leaned his head on his hand and thought, "These kinds of lively, animated expressions are really the most interesting; they make you want to see more of them."

He looked at the photo on the table. In the picture, surrounded by pink and yellow flowers, Han Yoojin was smiling happily and relaxed. Especially with those devil horns—thinking about how he tormented Sung Hyunjae with all those strange props for the costume change last night, that was really mean.

 

Was that how he looked last night?

If this truly represented his childhood, it would surely be a precious and wonderful time.

 

He took a wooden frame from the storage closet and framed the photo.

Would Han Yoojin laugh at him for being old-fashioned? But some things are better in physical form. The frame looked perfect on the side table in the living room, as if it had always belonged there.

Sung Hyunjae looked at the balcony.

What time should he adjust it to? As he gazed, the light became softer, casting a gentle glow over the living room. What kind of day would today be?

 

But Han Yoojin had been in the bedroom for too long; was something wrong?

Just as he was about to go to the bedroom to check on him, a woman's scream came from the bathroom: "Sung Hyunjae! Where did you get that kimchi—?!"

 

END.