Chapter 123: Chapter 122

A single strand of Ryu Seo-ha’s hair was tied to the rod held by the statue at the center of the Trevi Fountain.

[The trait ‘Sanctification’ has been activated.]

The polymer substance within spread out, forming a safe zone that enveloped the entire city of Rome.

“Grr...”

In the famous Spanish Steps, made popular by the movie Roman Holiday, shamans captured from all over Italy were on display, their necks chained with iron collars. They were bait to lure out the necromancer, the 1st Apostle, who had temporarily granted them power.

Only a day after the chaos in Italy showed signs of settling, requests from countries worldwide flooded in, seeking to borrow this expertise. Ryu Seo-ha, acting through the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, proposed a blank contract as a condition, and nations began accepting it one by one.

The first country to visit was Saudi Arabia, surprisingly humble in its approach. Next came Germany and the United States, both showing remarkable decisiveness and eagerness. All three nations were more than willing to accept help, even if it meant upfront payment.

Three days into this world tour, everything was going smoothly.

“Let’s sleep together.”

“Only Ryu Seo-ha needs to rest.”

“But Choi Kang-hu, you’re tired too.”

“I’m fine.”

That is, until an unexpected argument arose in Acadia National Park on the U.S. East Coast while they were tracking the traces of a shaman.

“You know, don’t you? I can control my sleep patterns as I wish.”

Choi Kang-hu spoke softly, as if soothing him. During his time wandering in the Abyss, he had discovered a sort of switch that allowed him to control the transition between sleep and wakefulness. He had learned to suppress the brain’s sleep signals using mana.

“I can go about a month without resting and be completely fine.”

“And you’re well aware that such sleep suppression places significant strain on the body.”

Ryu Seo-ha immediately shook his head and countered. In the past three days, Choi Kang-hu hadn’t even dozed off, let alone properly rested. The longer he went without rest, the more severe the backlash would be.

“That kind of burden can be relieved after just a few hours of sleep.”

His voice continued soothingly, but Ryu Seo-ha, glancing around the interior of the luxury RV equipped with a space expansion function, eventually fixed his gaze on his lover, who had prepared a bed as comfortable as any top-tier hotel.

That perfectly composed face, emanating a cool, sharp aura, unsettled a corner of Ryu Seo-ha’s heart. It didn’t seem worth continuing this argument.

Ryu Seo-ha gave up trying to persuade him to rest a little at a time, rather than experiencing the full exhaustion later. He pondered the situation—Choi Kang-hu’s unusual stubbornness was rare, indicating there must be a reason behind it.

“Could it be…”

Ryu Seo-ha suddenly recalled that ever since they fixed the sanctification in Washington, D.C., and New York, he had been unconsciously paying more attention to Choi Kang-hu’s expressions. Now, it struck him that they were also in the eastern region of the U.S.

Choi Kang-hu, who had been studying abroad at an Ivy League university at the age of 22, had been caught up in dimensional travel while he was asleep, without any warning or preparation.

Ryu Seo-ha got up from the bed and approached Choi Kang-hu, who was sitting on the opposite sofa. Straddling his partner’s thick thighs, Ryu Seo-ha gently placed his hands on the surprised man’s shoulders.

“Are you afraid?”

Ryu Seo-ha’s voice, soft and low, carried a hint of pity as he ran his fingers through Choi Kang-hu’s hair.

“Afraid that if you fall asleep here, you’ll be dragged back into the Abyss?”

Choi Kang-hu closed his eyes as if savoring the touch, a faint bitter smile playing on his lips. Ryu Seo-ha realized too late that he might have touched on a sensitive topic, potentially wounding his partner’s pride.

“Or…”

“I am afraid.”

Ryu Seo-ha was about to change the subject, but Choi Kang-hu’s response came quicker. The world’s strongest man admitted his fear without hesitation, wrapping his arms around Ryu Seo-ha’s back.

“I’m afraid of losing you again.”

His voice, low and rich, washed over Ryu Seo-ha’s ears like damp silk, clinging to him like warm honey.

“…I’m not going anywhere. How about we eat some ice cream before bed?”

Ryu Seo-ha, feeling guilty about his past decisions, carefully wrapped his arms around Choi Kang-hu’s neck, trying to offer comfort. He regretted the foolish choices he had once made.

“Perhaps back then, you had your reasons for leaving me…”

Choi Kang-hu whispered, not even pulling out the nano-chip for tracking as he gently pressed his lips against Ryu Seo-ha’s neck.

“Huh?”

The nuance in Choi Kang-hu’s words didn’t seem to refer to the day Ryu Seo-ha had fled due to his lifespan issues. The delicate kiss placed on his eyelid only deepened the mystery.

“I never want to experience the feeling of the one person I gave my heart to disappearing again.”

The words didn’t seem to refer to the second time he had been kidnapped by the cult either. It was an odd mix of nostalgia for a distant past and fear of an uncertain future.

“I’m not leaving.”

Whatever it was, Ryu Seo-ha took responsibility for not providing enough reassurance, sealing his promise with a soft smile.

“I will stay by your side, always.”

He gently cupped Choi Kang-hu’s chin and pressed their lips together. Although he hesitated for a moment, fearing their saliva might mix without being able to use a [Moisture] skill, the kiss was surprisingly bold.

Without deepening the kiss, Ryu Seo-ha simply pressed his lips to Choi Kang-hu’s, softly sucking in short, tender motions, like a small animal nursing from its mother. Choi Kang-hu’s eyes flared wildly, reflecting a crazed light.

He wrapped his large hand around the back of Ryu Seo-ha’s head, ready to intensify the kiss, but paused as Ryu Seo-ha gently pulled back to catch his breath. Their gazes locked intensely.

“…I don’t doubt your feelings.”

Holding back the wild urge to ravage Ryu Seo-ha like a beast, Choi Kang-hu spoke in a low, tender voice.

“Then what is it?”

“I just can’t seem to allow it.”

“Allow what?”

Though the repeated cryptic words were hard to decipher, Ryu Seo-ha calmly asked again, without rushing him. The thoughtful demeanor softened Choi Kang-hu’s expression as he gently stroked his lover’s cheek.

“I don’t want to give you up to my past or my future.”

Finally, Choi Kang-hu revealed a glimpse of the deep feelings he had been harboring for so long but hadn’t been able to express.

“Even if my greed causes everything to fall apart, I want you to stay by my side forever, just like now.”

“…Should we delay the plan to lure the cult?”

Ryu Seo-ha, sensing his partner’s anxiety about the dangerous operation, asked softly. His words were met with a quick peck on the lips—a sweet, bird-like kiss that carried deep affection.

“No. As long as I keep you by my side, we’ll be together through every moment.”

“…I’ll make sure to prevent the situation you fear.”

Ryu Seo-ha, still unclear on Choi Kang-hu’s exact worries, nodded gently, vowing to work together to avert whatever outcome was causing his partner such distress.

“Then, I’ll sleep later, after everything is resolved.”

Choi Kang-hu’s voice was as gentle as his touch, but his stance remained firm. Just as before, he insisted on staying awake to watch over Ryu Seo-ha, as though afraid he might lose him if he looked away, even for a second.

“Then I won’t sleep either.”

“You need to rest, Ryu Seo-ha.”

“I can learn how to adjust my sleep patterns like you.”

“Do you really think I would teach you something that could harm your body?”

“When you see me exhausted and stumbling, you’ll change your mind.”@@novelbin@@

Choi Kang-hu stared quietly at Ryu Seo-ha, who was stubbornly holding his ground. Despite his calm demeanor, the worry in his young lover’s eyes was unmistakable. He found it both endearing and heartbreaking.

It seemed that being in the eastern U.S. was exacerbating Choi Kang-hu’s anxiety. Ryu Seo-ha believed that unless they confronted and overcame this together, the memory would remain a scar, haunting Choi Kang-hu.

“I don’t want you to push yourself because of me.”

“I feel the same way. So...”

Trailing off, Ryu Seo-ha shifted his position on Choi Kang-hu’s lap, moving closer.

[The trait ‘Sanctification’ has been activated.]

A holy barrier that allowed no intrusion spread around them.

“Let’s sleep together.”