* * *
Still biting Kiwoo’s hand, I stared at them in disbelief.
Jaerim looked at me like I was adorable—like a predator eyeing its prey.
Disgusted, I spat out Kiwoo’s hand and turned sharply away.
But before I could take more than a few steps, a hand grabbed my shoulder.
“Alright, alright. I’ll stop teasing you. Though it doesn’t match your temper.”
I glared silently. Jaerim shrugged lightly, raising both hands in mock surrender.
I kept glaring before finally turning my head away.
But even as I stood there stubbornly, Jaerim’s lips twitched.
He was clearly holding back laughter.
His face still screamed “You’re so cute.”
“Hey, Kiwoo. Doesn’t he look like a wild flying squirrel?”
“No. A wild mountain rabbit.”
“It’s a flying squirrel, you moron.”
They whispered among themselves, but I heard every word.
Despite only being drawn in by my faint guiding energy, they seemed to like me way more than I expected.
Honestly, I hadn’t been entirely confident that my guiding energy alone would be enough to reel them in.
Not that I doubted my abilities, but this was a special situation.
With so many eyes around—five watchers, no less—I couldn’t freely release my guiding energy.
‘Guess I lucked out and just happened to be their type.’
Currently, Park Jaerim and Seok Kiwoo’s assigned guide was Koo Seojin—an arrogant bastard who treated S-class Espers like dirt.
I’d worried that acting cold toward them might backfire, but luckily, they even seemed to like that about me.
“We should probably get moving soon. You good?”
I stayed silent, sulking.
Jaerim leaned in, clearly not backing down until I answered.
I let out an exaggerated sigh.
“…Ugh, do whatever you want.”
“Let’s go, rabbit.”
At that, Seok Kiwoo—now glued to my left side—spoke up.
“Don’t call me a rabbit. What, do I look like some animal to you?”
“But you won’t tell me your name. So, rabbit it is.”
Kiwoo gave me a look like “What’s the problem?”
From my right, Jaerim stifled a chuckle.
I pressed my lips together tightly.
Then, from the right, I heard a murmur: “Oh, he’s pouting.”
Thud. Thud.
With me sandwiched between them, Jaerim and Kiwoo moved forward slowly.
Everyone was scouting the forest perimeter.
“But why’d it have to be a desert-type gate? They weren’t wrong—desert zones are a pain in the ass.”
“Wasn’t the last desert-type gate about a year ago?”
“Probably.”
They continued their conversation while keeping me in the middle.
As we walked, I scanned our surroundings.
A dry, sand-laced wind whipped around us.
I rubbed the back of my hand where the gritty breeze stung my skin.
The air was parched yet oddly humid.
Aside from the scouting team, the forest and its surroundings were eerily quiet—like the calm before a storm.
The kind of silence where you know something’s coming but have no idea what.
Of course, I already knew this gate would break open.
But the details? No clue.
The gate’s attributes, the monsters inside—my dreams hadn’t shown me any of that.
‘Did they hide it from me on purpose?’
I tilted my head slightly, lost in thought—
“Hey, squirrel.”
I instinctively turned toward Jaerim’s voice, only for a long finger to poke my cheek.
I shot him a “What the hell?” look, but he just burst out laughing again.
“You’re kinda cute, you know that?”
“Get your brain checked at a hospital.”
“Oh? Are you worried about me?”
“Ugh, you psycho—”
“Stop bullying the wild rabbit.”
Kiwoo lightly scolded Jaerim before yanking me toward him.
My heavy body swayed limply—an act, thanks to the suppression device slowing my movements.
“But are you hurt or something? You look pale.”
Jaerim studied my face.
I kept my eyes forward, refusing to answer.
I knew he was referring to my pallid complexion and the faint tremors in my fingertips.
Right now, I wasn’t actually in pain—but I certainly looked sick.
“If you’re not feeling well, sit down and rest. The scouting’s almost done anyway.”
“It’s nothing. Mind your own business.”
“Hmm.”
Jaerim stared at me for a moment before finally looking away.
“Well, if anything feels off later, let me know.”
He added casually, whistling a tune.
He looked way too pleased with himself.
After finishing the scouting, the Espers set up camp in a suitable spot.
I lingered at a distance, leaning against a tree as I watched blankly.
Letting out a tired sigh, I closed my eyes—only to sense someone approaching.
When I opened them, Kim Sungchan had slipped close.
After checking our surroundings, he spoke quietly.
“So… how’s your body holding up?”
“Exactly how it looks.”
“Which means not good, right?”
Kim Sungchan didn’t wait for an answer and instead closed the distance between us.
He leaned in, studying my expression.
“You’re not uncomfortable, are you? In your current state, your body must feel pretty heavy.”
His gaze flickered toward the transparent restraint device I was wearing.
When I still didn’t answer, he let out a sigh.
“Honestly, for me, treating you is as easy as eating. But it’s not the same for you. If you tell me exactly how you’re feeling, it’ll be less painful.”
At that, I slowly closed and opened my eyes.
Staring blankly into space, I turned my head toward him and muttered indifferently.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m used to it.”
“…Huh? What did you say?”
“I’ve been restrained so many times, I’m used to it.”
My flat tone made Kim Sungchan blink in surprise.
His expression was unreadable, as if he didn’t quite understand.
“…You’ve been restrained a lot? This isn’t your first time?”
I pressed my lips together and didn’t answer.
The prolonged silence seemed to make him give up, his shoulders slumping slightly.
“Anyway, if anything feels off, tell me immediately. Got it?”
“…….”
“You have to answer me, yeah?”
“Ugh, fine. Now go. Before the others start staring.”
“Promise you’ll say something if it gets worse?”
His lingering gaze was full of reluctance, but after hesitating, he finally disappeared from sight.
Some time later, the Espers finished setting up camp and settled in for the night.
Only those on patrol duty moved slowly around the perimeter.
I lay down on a blanket at the edge, closing my eyes.
I had no intention of actually sleeping—I knew what was coming next.
About half an hour passed.
The crackling of the campfire and the quiet sound of breathing filled the air, but then I felt someone’s gaze on me.
Slowly opening my eyes, I scanned the area before silently sitting up.
Avoiding the watchful eyes of the night patrol, I slipped into the forest beyond.
I walked carefully, muffling my footsteps—but before I could even turn my head at the presence behind me, my body was suddenly lifted into the air.
Han Jihyuk, holding me tightly, quickly carried me away from the campsite.
True to his S-class Esper abilities, he reached a secluded spot in an instant and pushed me into the tall grass.
As I landed on my back, he climbed over me, yanking my pants down without hesitation.
His rough hands spread my cheeks apart before pulling down his own waistband.
Thump.
His cock, already half-hard, pressed insistently against my entrance.
Even in the darkness, I could see Han Jihyuk’s face clearly—especially the lust-darkened look in his eyes.
“You’re already dripping. Were you waiting for me to fuck you?”
He traced a fingertip lightly over my hole before whispering in a low voice.
I glared at him, trying to stay quiet, but he didn’t hesitate before pushing inside.
Thud. His cock drove in, stretching me open in an instant.
He buried himself to the hilt before pulling back almost immediately.
Then he thrust in again, grinding the head firmly against my inner walls.
* * *
