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Everyone had firmly resolved to take revenge, but for the time being they agreed to rest for a few days. Their bodies brimmed with energy, yet the mental exhaustion that had descended on them all at once was overwhelming. Compared to the Abyss, this place was truly pleasant and comfortable, like heaven itself. Above all, contamination did not rise simply by being still. Everyone wanted to savor this cheerful environment to the fullest.
When their lively, joyful banquet finally ended, everyone rose almost as if on cue. Then, after clearing away the pile of dishes and trash ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ as neatly as the food had been served, they each left with parting words.
“I’m going over to Chanha-hyung’s place. I’ll order more delivery food.”
“I’m staying up all night to play a new game.”
“I’ll sneak away and see my family.”
“I want to relax and enjoy a long bath.”
Before long, only Lee Hyunmook and Yang Yohan remained. Yohan’s ears flushed hot, thinking everyone had deliberately given them space. Hyunmook looked completely at ease, yet suddenly the atmosphere felt awkward. After all, since Japan, this was the first time they had been left alone together.
‘It was always my job to purify the others by their side.’
But here, it was safe. Contamination would not rise anymore. Though strange and a little lonely without the others, the thought of being left alone with Hyunmook already made Yohan’s heart race. Feeling sheepish, he wandered near the neatly cleared table until Hyunmook asked,
“Nothing else you want to eat?”
“I really ate a lot earlier. I’m full!”
It wasn’t just politeness—he was truly stuffed. He had thought they had eaten well enough even in the Abyss, but the reality of delivery food could not be compared.
“Then, want me to show you around the house?”
A tour of Hyunmook’s house...? Half the thrill of seeing a national hero’s home, half the thrill of visiting a lover’s. Yohan followed close behind him.
From the entrance alone, the house felt spacious. Hyunmook lived alone, but the tables and sofas were large enough for groups. Spare rooms each had beds, with signs of use showing that teammates must have often come and gone. One room even held a whiteboard, table, and chairs, like a meeting room. But what impressed Yohan most was the trophy room.
“You received this many awards?”
He peered at the dozens of plaques and certificates filling the display case—commendations, appreciation awards, civic honors, stacked neatly with no space left. Alongside them were framed photos of Hyunmook with teammates, family, guild members, and the citizens he had saved. Yohan’s chest swelled so much he had to take slow breaths. Hyunmook’s voice softened.
“My teammates loved this place most.”
“I think from today it’ll be my favorite place too.”
“If I put your picture here, Yohan, then it’ll become my favorite as well.”
“My picture....”
The thought of his photo standing alongside those of such admirable heroes was thrilling. Swallowing hard, Yohan asked timidly,
“Just in case... I want to ask. I’ll be working in the same team from now on too, right?”
Hyunmook burst out laughing. His expression was as though he had just heard the most adorable, charming question in the world.
“I’d be really upset if you went to another team. Not just me—the others too.”
“No! I don’t want another team either! I want to work together!”
Yohan exclaimed, almost bouncing on his feet. The idea of being separated from them to work elsewhere was unbearable. But hearing Hyunmook say everyone would miss him filled his chest like a balloon with joy.
After exploring for a while, he checked the time and saw it was already late. He bathed in the bathroom Hyunmook had shown him, scrubbing until he squeaked. In the Rift Agency’s isolation rooms, all he could do was shower—a mere sterilization process at that—so there had been much left wanting. Now, soaking in hot water, nothing could be happier.
After his long bath, Yohan stood before the mirror. He slipped into the clothes Hyunmook had given him; they hung loose. He pinched his soft, flat stomach and resolved to work out, maybe build abs. But another thought struck him.
‘Would exercise even work...?’
Training only worked if his muscles strained, but as a high-tier Awakener, he could lift a sack of rice as lightly as a mug. He would need far heavier tools, if such equipment even existed.
‘So my body shape will stay like this forever...?’
The realization left him dismayed. In the Abyss, his powers consumed enormous calories, and he had often felt himself lose weight if he let his guard down. That was why he always ate so much. Being unable to gain fat was nice, but still disappointing. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
He lingered at the mirror before stepping out. Hyunmook was bathing, the faint sound of water carrying through. Yohan hesitated, then quietly slipped into the main bedroom. There were plenty of other beds, but of course he had no intention of using a separate room from his lover.
He sprawled across the soft mattress, idling until he heard Hyunmook come out, drying his hair with a dryer. Yohan shifted restlessly, trying to find a natural pose, something that didn’t seem too eager.
“You’re not asleep yet?”
Pretending to check his phone, Yohan sneaked a glance at Hyunmook’s damp hair and the bare chest visible through his robe.
“It felt wrong to sleep first.”
“Does it?”
At his gentle echo, Yohan shyly answered, “Yes... a little.”
“Should I turn off the light, Yohan?”
“Yes....”
Obedient again, Yohan swallowed hard. Even after all the drinks earlier, his throat was dry. As Hyunmook pressed the switch, the lights dimmed to a soft glow. He lay down beside Yohan. Flustered, Yohan set his phone aside.
“It feels like a dream. Lying in my house, on my bed, with you....”
Hyunmook’s voice was low and tender. As if remembering the Abyss, a faint red glint crossed his black eyes. Yohan cautiously turned to meet them.
There were no grotesque monster cries, no human-like screams in the dark. No foul, suffocating stench. Only quiet stillness and warm, pleasant air, cradling them like a womb.
Immersed in peace, Yohan whispered on impulse,
“...I want to kiss you.”
Instead of answering, Hyunmook’s eyes curved into a smile. He reached out with warm hands to caress Yohan’s cheek, bent down, and kissed him. Their lips brushed and pecked until Yohan parted his trembling mouth, and a tongue slipped inside.
“Mm....”
A sound rumbled from Yohan’s throat without him meaning to. Just kissing sent shivers down his skin. Hyunmook’s tongue moved languidly, licking, stroking, teasing. As Yohan responded eagerly, Hyunmook’s hand slipped under his clothes. Was this it? Tonight? Because they were alone? Because it had been days since they met?
Yohan froze between excitement and nerves, memories flashing: the clumsy fumbling in Japan, the battle with the Abyss core where he was pulled into Hyunmook. None of it had ever been real intimacy.
Torn with hesitation, he tentatively slid his own hand over Hyunmook. After stroking his robe, he impulsively reached lower. His eyes widened at what he found. Hyunmook pulled back with a laugh in his voice.
“What is it, Yohan?”
“I thought maybe we’d only ever have a platonic relationship... but I guess not....”
To be honest, Yohan had worried that after so long in the Abyss, Hyunmook’s desire might have disappeared completely—or even that he was incapable. But the solid weight pressing into his hand eased those fears.
“So you don’t like it?”
If Yohan disliked it, Hyunmook would stop. But Yohan shook his head firmly, then said clearly, freewebnσvel.cѳm
“...No, I like it!”
“For a long time I forgot what desire even felt like. But that doesn’t mean it was gone. If anything....”
Trailing off, Hyunmook shifted with a rustle, moving over Yohan. The dim light was blocked, plunging them into shadow. Yohan shivered, thinking for a moment it was pitch-black. But blinking, he saw Hyunmook’s face in faint silhouette.
A fine nose brushed against his cheek and neck. Lips and tongue slowly tasted his skin. While Yohan was already gasping, his clothes were gone before he realized it.
