#149
When told to take it to Ju-hee, Yoon Pa-ran reflexively accepted what Dan Joo-hyuk was offering. The necklace had a pendant with a gemstone about the size of an adult’s pinky nail.
In the center of the gem was an inscription that could have been either a picture or text. The blue gem was smoothly crafted into a round shape that wouldn’t scratch a child.
While examining the sudden gift, a status window suddenly appeared.
[Novice Spirit’s Blessing D]
Automatically deploys a wind barrier against physical attacks of C-class or below.
—Durability 3/3
**Curse has been completely purified.
“Huh? Hey! This is an item!”
Startled, Yoon Pa-ran tried to hand the necklace back to Dan Joo-hyuk. But Dan Joo-hyuk firmly grasped Yoon Pa-ran’s hands with both of his.
It was such a natural action, as if Yoon Pa-ran had reached out asking to hold hands. The necklace pressed deeper into his palm.
“It’s a necklace with an automatic shield skill that protects the wearer. Even non-hunters can qualify as wearers.”
“…Huh?”
At the mention of a shield, Yoon Pa-ran’s eyes widened. Shields that applied to non-hunters were rare. Moreover, shields that automatically detected and activated against threats were even rarer.
He had always wanted to give one to each of his younger siblings, and now Dan Joo-hyuk was giving him one.
“That necklace she showed earlier, I saw someone wearing one like it and got a bad feeling. So tell her to wear this one for a while instead. Don’t buy that other one.”
Dan Joo-hyuk even had a thoughtful reason. Especially since he was an S-class hunter expressing concerns, Yoon Pa-ran felt uneasy about buying the necklace Ju-hee had shown him.
“You saw someone wearing it?”
“Hunter Kim Min-ji.”
“What?”
The person wearing the suspicious necklace was rather unexpected.
“Since an S-class hunter wears it, couldn’t it just be a trend?”
Of course, learning the wearer was Hunter Kim Min-ji explained some things. Specifically, it made sense why such a trend would suddenly spread among children.
Dan Joo-hyuk didn’t deny that possibility.
“You never know. It’s too coincidental to dismiss as chance.”
“You’re right…”
It was extremely rare for Ju-hee to ask for something like this. Though she had said it was just a trend, it was obvious that most of her friends already had this necklace. If she weren’t feeling left out to that extent, Ju-hee wouldn’t have made such a request.
Yoon Pa-ran understood well the feeling of missing out on peer trends. That’s why he wanted to buy whatever the children wanted. But it was problematic that the necklace happened to be ominous.
So it was truly fortunate that Dan Joo-hyuk had given him an item as a gift. If she wore this item necklace instead, she wouldn’t feel left out.
For ordinary people, items were objects of reverence. And this necklace was perfectly suited as protection for a child.
“Thank you.”
Yoon Pa-ran was genuinely grateful to Dan Joo-hyuk for coming up with this unexpected solution.
However, Dan Joo-hyuk apparently wasn’t finished as he slowly bent down.
“And you should wear this one.”
“What are you doing?”
Dan Joo-hyuk knelt at Yoon Pa-ran’s feet and extended one hand. Since Yoon Pa-ran wasn’t particularly wary of him, he let him be, and suddenly one of his ankles was grabbed.
In an instant, something dangled around his ankle.
“This also has a defensive skill. It can protect all humans within a certain radius.”
“Ah…”
He naturally paid attention upon hearing it could protect those nearby. Looking down at his ankle in a daze, he saw a large red gemstone carved in the shape of flames embedded in a silver anklet.
The gem, proving it wasn’t of Earth, had something subtly rippling inside. It was as if his ankle was encircled by actual flames.
[Flame Magician’s Ankle Ornament that Dominates the Continent A]
Effectively blocks hostility directed at the wearer. Perfectly blocks fire attribute skills of A-class or below.
Significantly increases stamina.
**Curse has been completely purified.
“Wow…”
Yoon Pa-ran’s eyes widened in surprise after seeing the status window. It was a far better item than expected.
Defensive skills were a hunter’s lifeline. Especially strong immunity against even one attribute was top-tier among accessory equipment.
Particularly for the fire attribute, it would clearly block even Dan Joo-hyuk’s attacks once or twice.
Reading the status window as if engulfed in flames, Yoon Pa-ran suddenly came to his senses. While neither the necklace nor the anklet felt heavy, his heart was already weighed down by Ju-hee’s gift.
“I don’t need it.”
“Wear it all the time.”
Despite swallowing his greed and politely declining, Dan Joo-hyuk was insistent. His grip on Yoon Pa-ran’s ankle was quite strong, as if preventing him from removing it.
“It has good synergy with your gate items, doesn’t it?”
That was true. Especially for long-range attackers, stamina was an important supplementary factor.
But no matter how he thought about it, that wasn’t reason enough for Dan Joo-hyuk to give him such a good accessory.
“So accept it.”
He was about to refuse again. But when his eyes met Dan Joo-hyuk’s looking up at him, his words strangely caught in his throat.
Am I being greedy for this item?
His gaze slowly circled various parts of Dan Joo-hyuk’s face. Those eyes staring directly at him felt like they would pierce through his chest.
Finally, as if pushed by something, words of gratitude flowed out.
“…Thank you.”
Pleased with that answer, Dan Joo-hyuk smiled, his eyes curving more. It tickled when he gently rubbed Yoon Pa-ran’s ankle bone, as if he’d never gripped it tightly.
…It’s too ticklish.
Just as he thought something was strange, Dan Joo-hyuk pushed his body closer. Yoon Pa-ran’s legs parted as they were pushed by those broad shoulders, and Dan Joo-hyuk slipped between them.
In that position, Dan Joo-hyuk rested his head slightly on Yoon Pa-ran’s thigh, slowly rubbing his cheek against it.
“Are you leaving right away?”
Embarrassingly, it was on the side where Yoon Pa-ran’s genitals were.
“Ugh.”
Flustered, Yoon Pa-ran let out an embarrassed groan. He was startled enough to nearly jump out of the chair.
But his body didn’t move an inch from the chair, let alone escape. Now both of his ankles were held by Dan Joo-hyuk.
Dan Joo-hyuk’s hands began rubbing the soft flesh of his ankles. Naturally, all his nerves focused on that sensation delicately traversing his skin.
When he hurriedly looked down, his eyes met Dan Joo-hyuk’s. Still leaning on his thigh, Dan Joo-hyuk smiled with curved eyes.
For some reason, he couldn’t take his eyes off that gaze. His lower abdomen gradually began to tense. It must be because the pleasure from yesterday was still gently circulating inside his body.
Dan Joo-hyuk must have felt this reaction, yet he smiled more deeply and continued rubbing his cheek against that spot.
The genitals confined in his pants gradually complained of discomfort.
“You seem to be hard since it’s morning. Shall I take care of it?”
“You again…!”
At that deliberately provocative movement, Yoon Pa-ran finally came to his senses and frowned. However, he could understand Dan Joo-hyuk’s strange behavior all morning.
So that’s it, he kept doing these ticklish things because he needed something more.
But after understanding passed, a strangely rough sensation remained. The thought flashed that it would have been better if Dan Joo-hyuk had just asked directly instead of acting this way.
Anyway, it was a needless sentiment. Having quickly organized his thoughts, Yoon Pa-ran unconsciously let out a faint sigh.
A bit tiring, but can’t be helped.
“…”
Watching Yoon Pa-ran, Dan Joo-hyuk abruptly stopped moving.
After seeming momentarily confused, Yoon Pa-ran soon relaxed his body and became compliant. What thought could have made him suddenly become so docile?
As if he had given up on something.
A faint premonition sent a warning from behind. Dan Joo-hyuk slowly raised his head and gradually moved closer to Yoon Pa-ran. Coming right up to his face, Dan Joo-hyuk scrutinized Yoon Pa-ran’s expression.
The corners of Yoon Pa-ran’s eyes were slightly reddened. His plump lips were swollen from being licked repeatedly since yesterday.
In that state, Yoon Pa-ran acted as if trying to hide some discomfort for some reason. Seeing that attitude clearly enduring something, Dan Joo-hyuk gradually realized.
Ah. He thinks I gave these items in exchange for the skill.
“…”
Dan Joo-hyuk couldn’t deny that Yoon Pa-ran’s judgment was wrong. The transactions between them had always been like that. No matter how much he liked Yoon Pa-ran’s body or regretted their limited time, that was the fundamental nature of things.
While that was certainly true, strangely, there was a discomfort as if something around his heart was constricting.
What is this pain?
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
