# 85
“I just signed something. Saying that there was actually a mage named Jin-ha in our tower.”
Isn’t that the same thing?
In Korea, everyone’s personal information is computerized and managed from birth, but in places where such systems don’t exist, endorsement from a trusted person becomes the best form of verification. In this other world, the Noon Moon Tower was a tower of mages with great power, and its master Riyekan was an even more respected figure, so Riyekan’s endorsement had a reliability not much different from a birth certificate in Korea.
While Jin-ha was too shocked to speak, having become a citizen of another world without his knowledge, Legas took out another document.
Jin-ha, who unconsciously turned his gaze toward it, was now appalled and stepped back hesitantly.
“Choose which one you want to sign.”
As Jin-ha stared blankly, Riyekan continued while stirring his juice with a straw.
“I told you before, didn’t I? That I’d register our marriage.”
“…Good Lord.”
“Will you register our marriage, or do you want the island?”
“What nonsense is this…”
“I’m fine with either. I was thinking we’d discuss wedding rings after completing the marriage registration, so I’ve already prepared wedding rings.”
Riyekan grinned and arrogantly jerked his chin.
“What will you do?”
Good Lord.
Jin-ha sighed again. This was the first time in his life he’d received such an absurd threat.
“Why… Why suddenly give me this? Let me hear.”
“Actually, I prepared it because I wanted to see Hunter Lee Jin-ha happy…”
Riyekan’s eyes curved as if pleased.
“But it doesn’t have to be a joyful face. Your current bewildered expression is quite worth watching. Yes, I like it.”
“…You really are a strange person.”
“I know. So which one?”
If he had to choose between the two, there was only one answer. Knowing that Riyekan would definitely get his signature after going this far, Jin-ha sighed deeply and signed the island ownership transfer document.
“Do you like the gift?”
“I’ve never received such an absurd gift in my life. I thought that bringing me to the Abon Kingdom was the gift…”
“That was the initial plan, but I wanted to give you a more special gift.”
Jin-ha rubbed his face dryly and pulled up a chair to sit down again.
“No corrupt public official has ever received something like this. As you know, public officials usually can’t accept gifts worth more than 50,000 won…”
“Tell that to Jin-ha from your world. Jin-ha from my tower doesn’t need to follow such rules.”
“The same applies to any Jin-ha.”
“Then due to the exchange rate difference, this island is worth 49,999 won. That was close. Right, Legas?”
Legas promptly nodded at Riyekan’s nonsensical statement.
“Yes. That was very close.”
It was ridiculous nonsense from the tower master and deputy master who seemed to be in perfect sync.
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“What’s nonsensical about it? I decide the exchange rate for the Noon Moon Tower. Isn’t that right, Legas?”
Legas promptly agreed again.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Jin-ha glared at Legas irritably. His habit of only adding words of agreement to Riyekan’s statements was incredibly annoying.
No, worrying about this problem was just his loss. Jin-ha ground his teeth irritably before blurting out.
“Then since you’ll be staying on my island, please pay some accommodation fees.”
“Accommodation fees? How much would be enough? 49,999 won per day?”
When Jin-ha glared at him, annoyed by the mocking tone, Riyekan continued with his chin propped on the table, shrugging his shoulders smugly. His tone was apologetic but clearly teasing.
“No, I heard you shouldn’t accept more than 50,000 won, so I thought this would be the same.”
“…Actually, I don’t even intend to accept it. Public officials are prohibited from holding multiple jobs…”
Riyekan burst into laughter at Jin-ha’s tired confession of truth.
***
The next day, Riyekan said he would first go to check on the Sea Serpent. He explained that even if the extermination would take place in a few days, he needed to verify whether the Sea Serpent was a special kind and where it had settled.
“Meanwhile, Hunter Lee Jin-ha, look around the village. You’ll be able to observe the lifestyle of the Abon Kingdom without feeling self-conscious. You like this kind of thing, right?”
As he spoke, Riyekan took a colored gem ring from a box and put it on. It was clearly a gem with magic imbued in it. With each gaudy accessory he added, the man’s appearance became irritatingly more handsome.
Jin-ha just nodded without replying. While the idea of freely exploring preserved Abon Kingdom houses like a folk village was very interesting, he didn’t want to act submissively to that self-centered man.
He was still in shock from becoming the owner of the island. Given who the other party was, it might be difficult to call it a bribe, but wasn’t it still clearly accepting valuable gifts?
“Ah, but there’s one thing that worries me.”
Riyekan, who had finished his preparations, turned to Jin-ha. His face was serious and concerned, so Jin-ha, unable to avoid answering, asked.
“What is it?”
“Hunter Lee Jin-ha.”
Riyekan got up and leaned his upper body toward Jin-ha. His manner was secretive, as if telling a confidential story.
“I’m worried Hunter Lee Jin-ha might get lonely.”
“What? What do you mean…”
“What if Hunter Lee Jin-ha’s…”
Riyekan raised the corners of his lips and whispered in Jin-ha’s ear.
“Dick gets hard?”
“Riyekan!”
At Jin-ha’s disgusted reaction, Riyekan laughed, shoulders shaking, then rested his head on Jin-ha’s shoulder.
“Actually, I think it might happen to me. Quickly, caress me.”
“…Please speak normally.”
“Come on.”
Somehow, Riyekan’s pranks seemed to be getting worse day by day. The funny thing was that unlike when Cha Ki-young played weird pranks, Jin-ha couldn’t coldly cut him off.
Jin-ha sighed deeply and began to caress Riyekan’s head. His feelings were complicated and he was tense because he didn’t know how this relationship would unfold, but this time was enjoyable not only for Riyekan but also for Jin-ha. When he monopolized Riyekan’s eager gaze and burning desire, it felt like he was something important to him.
“Mmm…”
A languid moan tickled the fine hairs near his ear. Jin-ha slowly caressed between the soft strands of hair and the round back of his head, then gradually slid his hand to the nape of his neck.
For an instant, Riyekan’s gaze seemed to blur hazily, then his face came closer.
“I—”
Jin-ha turned his head to avoid the kiss and said.
“I clearly told you that I won’t do this unless it’s a serious relationship.”
Despite this clear expression of his will, Riyekan didn’t hesitate or retreat. Instead of Jin-ha’s lips, he continued kissing his cheek almost as if biting it.
“I can caress you, but this, this kind of thing…”
“To be honest, I don’t really understand what you mean by a ‘serious relationship’.”
Riyekan said in a dissatisfied voice.
“Can it be called a serious relationship just by promising marriage? Even if the purpose is only to have children?”
“No.”
“Then what about having a passionate romance and marriage with the condition that each will have their own lovers after marriage?”
“How could that possibly be a serious relationship!”
“Then…”
“Stop it.”
When Jin-ha narrowed his eyes and tried to push Riyekan away, Riyekan put his weight on him and clung to him. With him pressing down from above, there was no way the smaller Jin-ha could resist.
“Ugh… Stop it…!”
“Then what about a relationship that has no foreseeable end, but one that is desperately wanted right now?”
He’s talking about their current relationship. Jin-ha remained silent, not knowing how to answer. Then Riyekan, who had lightly bitten his neck leaving teeth marks, said.
“My current desire for Hunter Lee Jin-ha is very serious. So lower the conditions for a serious relationship a bit.”
After giving him one last peck, Riyekan waved his hand gently and left the reception room.
Jin-ha rubbed the bite mark with his palm, keeping his mouth tightly shut. This was exactly what made Riyekan seem unserious and frivolous. Seeing how he acted so casually even when talking about serious relationships, it was clear that Riyekan truly didn’t understand the concept of a serious relationship.
Unfortunately, the man he had fallen for was someone who could never have what could be called a serious relationship.
At the same time, he was also a man from whom Jin-ha couldn’t get any comfort even if he revealed the secrets about his roots.
Left alone, Jin-ha stared at the floor for a long time before heaving a heavy sigh.
***
Rain fell steadily. Jin-ha went down to the village with an umbrella.
The village, which had experienced rainy days for a long time, had many worn-down buildings and completely rotten wooden structures, with street trees that had grown excessively large in places, but otherwise, it really looked like a place where people had lived until just a few days ago.
This was due to everyone hastily leaving the island with the sudden appearance of the Sea Serpent. If this had been an ordinary island, everyone would have packed their belongings thoroughly, but this was the summer palace of the royal family. They probably thought that the Sea Serpent would be exterminated soon and they would return shortly, so there was no need to pack too much.
Contrary to expectations, the Sea Serpent was not exterminated, and as a result, this scene was created where the village seemed to have been suddenly emptied of people.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
