# Chapter 113
Korea had requested help from ability user associations around the world.
The gist was that S-class Esper Seo Suhyun and S-class Guide Moon Jiwon would be entering a dungeon to remove the source of Riska’s power, so they were asking countries to dispatch ability users to Korea to assist them.
“That’s an enticing proposal.”
Kalik, an S-class Esper from America who had previously gone to Korea and been thoroughly beaten by Suhyun, reacted with interest as soon as he heard the news.
“Have they found a way to eliminate Riska?”
Although there were no explanations about how they would deal with Riska or which dungeon they would enter, the fact that they were requesting help clearly meant they had something in mind.
Kalik couldn’t hide his excitement.
Although he had vowed to challenge Suhyun again someday out of frustration from his defeat, he was willing to cooperate in any way if Suhyun could eliminate this cursed Riska.
“I have to go.”
Kalik decided resolutely. This wasn’t even worth deliberating over.
Not just America, but the entire world was still suffering from Riska dungeons. Civilian casualties continued endlessly despite evacuation efforts, and numerous Espers were dying too.
This was because they couldn’t escape Riska’s damned hypnosis.
The situation had grown even more serious, with Espers attacking their colleagues outside the dungeons and slaughtering innocent civilians.
Riska’s domain was expanding, and their mental control was growing stronger. For Kalik, who had been struggling with the helplessness of watching this happen without being able to do anything, Korea’s request for help was actually a welcome development.
“Will they even accept you in Korea?”
However, Lyle, the S-class Guide who was with Kalik, dampened his enthusiasm with a sigh.
“You attacked the Esper and Guide who are now trying to eliminate Riska.”
“I wasn’t planning to kill them though?”
“No, you definitely were.”
Kalik turned his head, pretending not to know. Honestly, he had gotten quite angry during the fight and had fought with genuine intent. If Suhyun had lost, he might really have killed him.
‘Fortunate that I couldn’t. Besides, it’s probably because he’s such a strong Esper that he can deal with Riska.’
Kalik shrugged his shoulders.
“I just wanted to eliminate Riska. I believed the claim that I needed that Guide to do so.”
“Hmph.”
“They might have been enemies then, but not anymore.”
Seeing Kalik’s nonchalant face, Lyle bit his lower lip.
“Lyle. You’re not thinking of going?”
Misinterpreting Lyle’s hesitation, Kalik asked incredulously.
Lyle twitched his eyebrows and gave Kalik a contemptuous side-glance.
“Of course I am. I’m just worried that they might not let me into Korea because of you.”
“You worry about the strangest things.”
“How about you try living with a bit more concern?”
Kalik smiled wryly.
Worry, huh.
Isn’t that something you do only when you have a lot to lose?
“If they won’t accept me, I’ll swim there if I have to. I’ll do whatever it takes to eliminate Riska, Lyle.”
Kalik’s blue eyes momentarily flickered coldly. Seeing this, Lyle didn’t say anything more.
Chase, the S-class Esper who had gone to Korea with him and was known for their fantastic teamwork, had died in a Riska dungeon.
Since that day, Kalik’s anger toward Riska had grown endlessly. Lyle thought that if Kalik were refused entry, he might really cross the ocean.
Three days later.
Fortunately, Kalik and Lyle safely set foot on Korean soil after taking a plane.
Not just them, but most high-ranking ability users from countries around the world began arriving in Korea one after another.
It was unprecedented for so many ability users to gather in one country.
***
The same morning.
Despite ability users gathering since dawn, Jiwon opened his eyes comfortably in warm arms.
A smile escaped his lips first, as he was now used to the heavy arm firmly embracing him.
‘When did this start…’
At some point, Suhyun had begun sleeping while tightly wrapping his arms around Jiwon’s waist. He was sure they weren’t holding each other this strongly when they fell asleep, but whenever he woke up, they were always in the same position.
‘I wonder if it’s uncomfortable for him.’
He personally didn’t mind because he enjoyed the feeling of being embraced.
Thinking it wasn’t a big deal, Jiwon burrowed deeper into Suhyun’s arms. Today would be a very long day. So he wanted to savor this morning a little more leisurely.
“Ah…”
At that moment, as if it had been waiting for Jiwon to move, Suhyun’s hand gently caressed his back.
“You’re up early.”
As Jiwon raised his head, Suhyun blinked with a smile. His slightly husky voice tickled Jiwon’s ear.
“Did I wake you?”
Suhyun immediately shook his head at Jiwon’s question. His pitch-black eyes made Jiwon’s chest feel fluttery.
“No.”
“Then when did you wake up?”
“Just a little while ago.”
“I see.”
Jiwon lowered his head again and replied casually. Seeming accustomed to Jiwon nestling against him, Suhyun lightly stroked the back of his head.
“Ah, I don’t want to get up…”
Being in his arms made Jiwon even more reluctant to move. Suhyun gently rested his chin on top of Jiwon’s head.
“Shall we sleep a bit more?”
Perhaps because they were so close, Jiwon could feel a low vibration whenever Suhyun spoke.
“Is that okay?”
“Yes, as much as you want.”
Laughter flowed at the ready permission. Meanwhile, the hand that had been stroking the back of his head was now playfully touching his hair, as if it had found a toy.
As Jiwon squirmed slightly because it tickled, he suddenly became aware of the skin-to-skin contact where their bodies firmly pressed together. Jiwon cleared his throat with a “Ahem” and blushed. Being embarrassed every time was a talent if anything.
“Hmm… Well, I’m not sleepy anymore.”
Rapidly growing self-conscious, Jiwon slowly extracted himself and checked the time.
Wavelength stability was at 98. Normally, this would be a reason for exuberant joy given how high the number was.
But there was no significant change in Jiwon’s expression. He knew what this meant.
Jiwon turned around and hugged Suhyun’s waist. Suhyun’s hands, which had briefly released Jiwon, embraced him firmly again.
“Today has finally arrived.”
Though he had wanted to savor the moment, it seemed impossible now. Jiwon let out a small sigh as he inevitably voiced the fact he’d been trying to forget, even if just for a moment.
“Yes, it has.”
Today, Suhyun and Jiwon would enter the dungeon.
To open a passage to Riska’s lair. And to eliminate Riska’s power that had accumulated over a long time.
Countless ability users had come to Korea for today. The number of ability users who had arrived early was already uncountable.
After Suhyun directly becomes a medium to find the passage, they would follow him to directly attack Riska.
‘…Is this possible?’
The plan was grand. But honestly, Jiwon wasn’t confident. As time passed, his worries only grew.
The idea that they could find Riska’s lair using a method Choi Young might try was ultimately just a guess.
What if they couldn’t find it even with Suhyun as a medium? What if Suhyun, unable to receive any more guiding, went berserk and died?
Jiwon didn’t want to lose Suhyun. So, even if it was selfish, he wanted to persuade him to avoid this task. Waiting for someone else to resolve it.
‘That’s nonsense.’
But Jiwon also knew. There wasn’t time to wait for someone to solve this immediately. It was because such high wavelength stability was rare to begin with.
Even if someone appeared, they might want to run away like Jiwon did. Having already fled once, Jiwon couldn’t blame them.
And as time passed, they would eventually face Riska again. A much stronger Riska than now.
“…It’s warm.”
Jiwon muttered, trying to suppress his anxiety. He didn’t do the foolish thing of pouring out these feelings to Suhyun.
Would Suhyun be okay? There was no need to add his own anxiety to Suhyun’s burden.
Instead, Jiwon needed to help Suhyun not worry too much and perform well.
“Esper-nim.”
Jiwon suddenly called Suhyun with a smile. Simultaneously, a gaze warmer than sunshine met Jiwon’s.
“Stability is at 98.”
“Is that so.”
Jiwon wanted to receive this warm gaze for a long time to come. He hoped this moment would continue every morning.
Therefore, even if anxious, he had to step forward. He had to steady his wavering heart.
He had no choice but to believe that after today, they would no longer be embroiled in great danger, that they would simply be at peace.
“Is that too low?”
Jiwon’s eyes softened gently.
Suhyun’s eyebrow twitched, unable to sympathize since objectively it wasn’t a low number at all.
Jiwon deliberately giggled more playfully and slowly climbed on top of Suhyun.
Their body heat met, and their hearts seemed to merge, beating similarly. Jiwon held Suhyun’s cheek and gave him a brief kiss.
“Shouldn’t it be 100?”
Suhyun’s face, which had been just observing what Jiwon was doing, took on a subtle expression. Jiwon pecked his lips a few more times as if urging him.
“Can you do it?”
“…Ha.”
Suhyun laughed, squeezing his eyes shut. His hands were now firmly holding Jiwon’s waist.
As Jiwon had expected, Suhyun’s body, which had been slightly stiff with rising tension and worry, softened.
With his dazzling lover whispering that everything would be fine, how could anything not be okay?
“As much as you want.”
In an instant, Jiwon’s field of vision flipped. Leaning his back against the mattress, Jiwon immediately received the roughly pressing lips.
His waist involuntarily lifted at the hands clumsily exploring his body. Jiwon firmly grabbed Suhyun’s shoulders and wrapped his legs around him.
“Haah…”
At least until they left this bed, he didn’t want to worry about anything. Only after they had indulged in love to their heart’s content would they step back into reality. For the two of them, this brief time was more necessary now than ever before.
