Chapter 17

Time at the swimming pool passed quickly.

It was just a repetition of bouncing balls, splashing water, and drinking beverages, but I realized for the first time how fun it could be.

Splash!

“This guy?!”

Amon, who had been pushed into the pool by Sonia, jumped back onto the ground in a single leap.

Then, he lifted Sonia and jumped into the pool with her.

Splash!

As the two fell into the water, a huge splash erupted.

When Amon surfaced, Sonia pounced on him from behind, pulling him back into the water.

Then, the two of them emerged from the water, laughing brightly.

When they first arrived at the pool, they were too shy to even look at each other, but after a few splashes, they no longer felt uncomfortable being close.

They played mischievous pranks on each other, just like friends always do.

“Hehe. Let’s drink while we do this.”

As the two were having a chaotic and fun time, the Narrow-Eyed Priest approached and handed them drinks.

They didn’t refuse since they were thirsty.

Refreshing their throats with the coolness of the lemonade, Sonia spoke to the Narrow-Eyed Priest.

“I’m sorry. We’re the only ones having fun like this.”

“It’s fine. When would I ever get to come to a place like this? I’m here thanks to the sister’s support fund, using the excuse of being a guardian.”

At the priest’s words, Sonia could only give a bitter smile.

When she heard the priest was coming along on the trip with Amon, she thought he would just be a nuisance.

She thought he would take away her time alone with Amon and stop her if she tried to make any improper contact with him by reciting doctrine.

But once they arrived, it was completely different.

The priest was incredibly open-minded.

He didn’t stop Sonia from doing anything with Amon.

He just watched over Sonia and Amon from a distance as their guardian, enjoying the scenery.

He was literally just a money provider.

A grateful presence who only provided money and didn’t interfere otherwise.

Moreover, he occasionally brought them drinks or introduced them to various services.

He was more like a travel guide than a guardian.

Sonia, who had thought of the priest as a nuisance, felt incredibly sorry.

On the other hand, unlike Sonia, Amon had no interest in the priest.

His attention was focused on his girlfriend, who was sipping her drink.

Just a few minutes ago, he was still in shock, but not anymore.

Now that he had some composure, he reflected on his feelings.

If Amon wasn’t mistaken, the emotion he felt when he first saw Sonia in her swimsuit was surprisingly not lust, but excitement.

He genuinely felt warmth when he saw her.

In this rotten world, where no one could be trusted.

He felt a genuine desire to be with her.

Immediately after, Amon’s body accelerated blood flow, stimulating his lower body, and his heart pounded painfully.

Because of this, Amon couldn’t help but feel confused.

Was he really… in love with Sonia?

***

The feeling of love is truly a difficult emotion.

There’s no clear cause, no set pattern, and no explainable principle.

Amon was no exception.

Seeing his usual female friend in an unusual state became the trigger for his heart to race.

At first glance, one might think this is love, but Amon didn’t think so.

He couldn’t help but be cautious.

Love in a peaceful world and love in a world where you could die at any moment had completely different meanings.

In this world, the meaning of the word “love” is much heavier.

In a world where no one can be trusted, you have to trust the other person, and you have to be able to entrust your weaknesses to them.

And it’s an act of creating another weakness for yourself.

Rather than the fact that you have to reveal your weaknesses, the fact that the other person becomes your weakness is even more painful.

Because this trashy world doesn’t discriminate in means and methods.

That’s why Amon couldn’t help but hesitate to acknowledge the feeling of love.

Could Amon really love Sonia?

Furthermore, did he have the confidence to live with her as his weakness?

His worries didn’t last long.

Because the moment he saw Golden Sun bothering Sonia on his way back from the bathroom, a thousand fires ignited in his chest.

‘Ah, it’s already too late.’

His heart had already decided not to let go of Sonia.

If this feeling wasn’t love, then what was it?

That’s why Amon’s steps didn’t hesitate.

Just as Sonia had done to him, Amon approached her.

And as he wrapped his arms around her waist, he said,

“Darling, you waited, right?”

Amon had already decided not to let her go.

***

‘Huh?!’

Sonia, who had been suddenly grabbed by Amon, almost let out a moan without realizing it.

Thanks to her natural reflexes, she managed to suppress the sound, but she couldn’t hide the hiccup that escaped.

Through the latex swimsuit, which was thinner than the usual clothes she wore, she could feel Amon’s fingers on her waist.

It was the first time she had felt Amon’s fingers on her waist.

Not only that.

The more he hugged her, the more his body heat transferred to her.

Amon hugged her so tightly that it could have been painful.

Sonia didn’t resist and leaned on his shoulder, enjoying his firm muscles.

Then, she gave a disdainful look to Golden Sun, who had been flirting with her earlier.

It was a clear message: “I have an owner, so back off.”

But unlike the women who had been flirting with Amon earlier, Golden Sun’s attitude was a bit different.

He seemed to have some confidence, maintaining a nonchalant attitude as he continued to flirt.

“Why are you acting so coy? Oh, right. The friend next to you is pretty too. How about we all have some fun together?”

Golden Sun pointed to the women he had brought with him and made a gesture with one hand forming a circle with his thumb and index finger, while the other hand’s finger moved in and out of the hole.

Amon’s disgust doubled.

It was extremely unpleasant, but he couldn’t resort to violence.

Amon, with a voice dripping with displeasure, politely declined.

“I’m sorry. We’re not interested.”

But Golden Sun wasn’t one to give up easily.

Amon’s answer seemed to have struck a nerve, and Golden Sun let out a hollow laugh.

“Young friend, you don’t know who I am, do you?”

Golden Sun’s pupils dilated with a mechanical sound.

He scanned Amon’s body and, confirming that no enhancements had been made, curled his lips.

He couldn’t help but laugh at Amon’s frail body.

‘Are you seriously trying to show off in front of a girl with that body? Do you really think you can protect an S-class woman like her with that?’

He inwardly mocked Amon while introducing himself.

“I’m a Gold-rank adventurer, kid. Do you know what a Gold-rank is?”

As he introduced himself, Golden Sun’s arrogance grew.

How about it, punk? Do you understand the situation now?

He looked down at Amon with a smug expression.

However, the reactions of Amon and Sonia were completely different from what Golden Sun expected.

“So what?”

“Ah, I don’t know. Just go away.”

To them, it didn’t matter.

In fact, thanks to Golden Sun introducing himself as a Gold-rank adventurer, Amon felt reassured.

Unless he was the son of a chairman or a gang executive, adventurers were a profession with no backing.

Moreover, calling themselves adventurers was just a fancy way of saying mercenaries.

‘What a loser.’

All they had was their own money, a lawyer, and their bodies.

Of course, they couldn’t mobilize these people over a poolside dispute, so Amon had no reason to fear.

Perhaps dissatisfied with their reactions, Golden Sun raised his hand above his waist, aiming for Amon’s shoulder.

A frail body like his could be dislocated just by a casual touch.

It was an appropriate way to teach him a lesson without staining the pool with blood.

But before his hand could touch Amon’s shoulder, reinforcements arrived.

“Is there a problem, young master?”

The Narrow-Eyed Priest approached the two with a friendly smile.

It was hard to tell when he was wearing his priestly robes, but the priest had quite a build.

If he said he could perform exorcisms by splitting demon skulls, you could believe it.

Golden Sun rolled his mechanical eyes, scanning the newly arrived priest.

Most of the priest’s body was human.

However, his left arm couldn’t be scanned.

It wasn’t that nothing was installed; it just couldn’t be scanned.

Perhaps because it was a place that replicated summer weather.

Sweat dripped down Golden Sun’s spine.

‘Fuck. Is he from a special operations unit?’

Equipment that couldn’t be scanned was usually a feature of military gear that prioritized secrecy.

It was also a feature used by monsters from corporate special forces, former special forces turned gangsters, and similar entities.

If you asked how scary they were, in a fight, a Gold-rank adventurer like him could have his spine ripped out and displayed in someone’s living room.

And the person they called “young master” was likely the son of a gang leader or a chairman.

Golden Sun rolled his eyes, gauging Amon’s reaction.

Noticing the shift, Amon played along with the priest’s act.

“This person has been making uncomfortable advances towards me.”

“Hmm…”

The priest rubbed his chin, scanning Golden Sun’s entire body.

It looked like he was estimating how to prepare Golden Sun.

Even a mercenary who lived day by day didn’t want to die meaninglessly today.

Golden Sun immediately bowed low, begging Amon for forgiveness.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know. Please spare me!”

“What did I say?”

“No, you didn’t say anything. Yeah, yeah. I was just talking nonsense.”

Amon, who was tired just from facing Golden Sun, shooed him away with a gesture close to an exorcism.

Golden Sun left without any complaints.

As Golden Sun fled to the opposite side of the pool, the priest muttered while watching them.

“Mercenaries… truly barbaric.”

Since he was confident that Amon and Sonia would go to the Vatican, his words were unfiltered.

But at this moment, Amon wholeheartedly agreed, regardless of the Vatican.

“That’s just how people who scrape by in dungeons day by day are.”

As the two said, adventurers were mercenaries who explored dungeons.

Dungeons referred to companies that had gone bankrupt due to dangerous experiments spiraling out of control.

You know, like when a bioweapon research facility is destroyed by escaped test subjects,

or when a magic research facility is cursed, turning everyone into victims,

or when an entity-powered generator escapes, causing the company to collapse.

Usually, when a company collapses overnight like this, the people responsible for the damages also vanish.

With no one to hold accountable, safely demolishing the building also costs money.

So, instead of demolishing them, the government seals them off and keeps it quiet.

Then, a new ecosystem forms inside the sealed building, and the cost of safely demolishing it increases.

This vicious cycle repeats until a troublesome dungeon is completed.

A dungeon with no productivity, only lowering land value.

Even such a troublesome thing has demand,

and that’s where mercenaries come in.

Inside a company that collapsed overnight, there are still confidential documents and proprietary technologies left.

For mercenaries looking to strike it rich, it’s an ideal place.

If there are body enhancement technologies or equipment left inside, it’s a bonus.

If there’s information that can be sold to the government or other groups, it’s a bonus.

If you can get your hands on a technology powerful enough to destroy a company, it’s the ultimate bonus.

As long as you come back with all your limbs intact, no, as long as you come back alive, it’s a bonus.

In fact, the top figures in the mercenary industry all have one or two technologies from the deepest parts of dungeons installed in their bodies.

That’s why mercenaries call themselves adventurers or explorers and dive into dungeons.

Golden Sun, who had a dispute with Amon, was also one of those who had nothing but his body.

A being who lives day by day, not knowing when he might die, pouring himself into momentary pleasures.

“Honestly, I don’t see how they’re any different from gamblers.”

“It’s just that the stakes are different. Money or your life.”

“Brother, you’re more outspoken than you look.”

Amon shrugged in response.

In any case, with the priest’s help, Amon had driven away the unwanted guest.

After thanking the priest, he checked on Sonia.

She was blushing in his arms.

He turned his head to check the position of the sun.

The sun was already setting.

Instead of taking her back to the pool, Amon suggested the place the priest had mentioned earlier.

“Shall we go back to our room?”

“…Yeah.”

Sonia shyly nodded.

***

Amon and Sonia had no particular feelings about sharing a room.

At least, that’s what they thought until 8 hours ago.

But after realizing his feelings for Sonia, Amon couldn’t look at her the same way as before.

‘No, why does this hotel have a shower room visible from the bedroom?!’

To be precise, it was frosted glass, but that only stimulated his imagination.

Swoosh

Splash splash

Whoever designed the shower room, the soundproofing was non-existent.

‘Whoever you are, thank you, you bastard…’

From the swimsuits provided by the hotel to the twin room layout and the shower room design,

the resort’s designer was clearly a pervert… no, a genius.

Amon inwardly recited the Heart Sutra, trying to avert his gaze from Sonia’s shower room.

But his instincts kept directing his gaze towards Sonia’s silhouette.

The frosted glass provided endless room for imagination.

As she flipped her hair and leaned back slightly, her ample breasts showcased their beautiful curves.

As she started washing her body, the fat deposits swayed accordingly.

Amon’s gaze followed her hands.

Starting from her neck, her hands moved down to her waist and then to her hips.

As she bent over to wash her thighs and calves, her buttocks were emphasized.

Amon’s gaze momentarily left her hands to admire the beautiful curves of her pelvis and waist.

Her round breasts, hanging over her waist, swayed like water balloons, showcasing their presence.

This happy time ended quickly as she straightened her back.

Before Amon could feel regret, her hands moved towards the highlight.

She raised one arm and started cleaning her armpit.

Because of her large breasts, she had to support them from below to clean her armpit.

The sight of her breasts being squished by her arm was faintly visible.

“Hmm~♪”

She hummed as she cleaned the other side.

The next destination after her armpits was a more private area.

Holding one breast with her hand, she cleaned underneath.

The shadow of her breasts changed shape as her hands moved.

Squished, swaying,

and then spreading out again as her hands moved between her breasts.

Amon’s gaze was captivated.

Soon, the next destination was her most private area.

Between her thighs.

The entrance to a woman’s most precious part.

Suppressing the vulgar expressions that momentarily came to mind, Amon averted his gaze.

As Sonia’s shower ended, so did Amon’s happy time.

***

After Sonia finished her shower, Amon also finished his.

Just as Amon had done, Sonia also fully enjoyed Amon’s silhouette.

Then, the two sat side by side on the queen-sized bed, facing each other.

Both of them, fresh from their showers, faced each other.

The open bathrobes revealed each other’s cleavage.

The smooth skin on both sides was a fatal blow to each other.

Their faces turned as red as tomatoes, but they didn’t turn away and silently faced each other.

Their chests felt itchy, embarrassed, dizzy…

Normally, these sensations wouldn’t be considered pleasant, but at this moment, they were enjoyable.

After silently facing each other for a few minutes,

Amon broke the awkward atmosphere.

“Sonia.”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve been thinking.”

Amon’s sudden confession.

Until this morning, he had thought of Sonia as a friend.

But the moment she was hit on by Golden Sun, he realized.

He could never let her go.

And that he could entrust his back to her.

“I thought about it. Maybe I’m just attracted to your looks. But no. I like Sonia as a person.”

Throughout the time at the pool, Amon’s heart didn’t waver, no matter how many beauties were around.

When he realized that his gaze didn’t shift towards anyone else, even with influencers and models from around the world showcasing their figures in provocative swimsuits,

he was certain.

He liked Sonia as a person.

“Let me be clear. I like your pretty face. I like your voice, and I like your warm touch. I find your usual brightness and occasional cold gap charming. I like how you always affirm me and believe in me.”

Amon, pouring out his words without hesitation, took a breath and continued.

“But more than anything, I like that I can trust you… you…”

Hoo…

Amon took a deep breath.

And just as he was about to utter the final word,

Sonia interrupted him.

“I love you.”

With those words, Sonia’s face came closer to Amon’s.

Their breaths mingled in one place.

‘?!’

Before Amon could process the situation, Sonia fully utilized her knowledge.

‘No, what kind of tongue…’

Amon stopped thinking.

Instead, he focused on never forgetting this moment.

His first kiss

was etched deep into his soul, never to be forgotten.

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