Chapter 101: Chapter 100

Team Leader Gu Myeong-ho: “Ambushed during confidential operation”

IHL Escort Chief Kwon Se-jeong: “Sincere gratitude to From Hell Guild Master”

Director Hwang Moon-seok of Each Administrative Country: “Choi Gang-hu’s actions are a manifestation of patriotism”

Is there a globally influential shadowy organization? Truth or fiction

A flood of explanatory articles from association officials poured out. Some details of Hwang Moon-seok’s disappearance and rescue operation were disclosed, and the interviews emphasized Choi Gang-hu’s achievements in ultimately resolving the issue.

Choi Gang-hu’s rank blinds lifted… Judged unmeasurable

World’s first SS-rank birth? Flaw in current ranking system or measurement error?

Ability analysis: How could Choi Gang-hu’s tsunami result in zero casualties?

From Hell Guild Master: “Will restore to original state” Guarantees recovery of damaged areas

Choi Gang-hu’s interview was also promptly reported, but this rather had a counterproductive effect.

How’s he gonna restore it?

└ He’ll just donate construction items by throwing money around

So arrogant smh

└ Is being rich everything? It’s not just once or twice

└ Seriously ridiculous lol What did the suddenly affected diplomats do wrong

The Each Administrative Country bastards are shielding hard

└ Talking about shadowy orgs and even bringing up conspiracy theories, the association guys definitely took bribes lol

Public opinion, far from being quelled, flared up as if oil had been poured on it.

But is he really SS-rank?

└ Yeah, SSS-rank

└ I bet on measurement error

└ Didn’t you see the site photos? Think that’s possible for an ordinary S-rank?

If it showed unmeasurable shouldn’t he be retested, why just stir up attention

Whether S-rank or SS-rank, why cause havoc in other countries? What about the aftermath

The atmosphere seems too heated now. They say it was unavoidable during the rescue operation, can’t we wait and see a bit more?

└ Sure, next paid commenter lol

The atmosphere, already permeated with distrust, even drove those advocating caution to be labeled as paid commenters.

Tsunami warnings along southern coast all lifted last night

From Hell Guild promising customized compensation by region: “Negotiations with uninhabited island owner complete”

Estimated property damage in Busan, Ulsan, Geoje Island, Tongyeong, Changwon, etc?

Brazilian Foreign Minister: “Compensation proportional to damage scale is appropriate”@@novelbin@@

El Salvador Ambassador to Korea: “There should be a more sincere apology”

While the whole country was in an uproar and international relations were strained, Choi Gang-hu remained calm.

“Which do you prefer, the Aegean or Caribbean coast?”

Choi Gang-hu, flipping through a booklet full of beautiful beach photos, suddenly asked Ryu Seo-ha in his arms.

“…Why?”

Ryu Seo-ha, who had been blankly staring at the real sea that looked like winter and autumn skies touching each other, turned his head after a slight delay. Choi Gang-hu then pointed to two of the photos in the booklet.

“I was thinking it might be better to complete one side first in terms of construction efficiency.”

“…Don’t tell me, you’re planning to buy more islands?”

“I’ve already bought them.”

“…The right one or the left one?”

“Both.”

He was at a loss for words at the unimaginable scale, as if choosing islands like buying onions at a market. It was enough to make him needlessly worry about global inflation rates.

“Don’t like either? Should I look for other properties?”

“No, that’s not it… Islands aren’t essential goods, is there a need to buy more? You said you’d never let me leave here anyway.”

As Ryu Seo-ha made a deliberately gloomy expression, pulling down the corners of his eyes, Choi Gang-hu smiled and habitually pressed his lips to his eyelids.

It’s not working at all this time either. Ryu Seo-ha, resting his cheek on his chest, swallowed a sigh. He had been trying to persuade him for two days already, but no matter what he said, he wouldn’t budge.

“You might get bored staying in one place for too long. No matter how diversely we decorate the island interior, it would feel different.”

While saying such considerate words, he still seemed to have no intention whatsoever of letting him out into the outside world. He himself didn’t seem to have much thought of going out either. Even Secretary Jang wasn’t allowed to set foot on the island, so most work was being handled remotely.

“If it’s hard to choose, let’s pick a ship first.”

As he was pondering how to continue his persuasion, Choi Gang-hu opened another booklet. It was a pamphlet showing the exterior and interior structure of a luxury ship.

“Why a ship now?”

“I’m in acquisition talks with a cruise specialist company. Thinking of putting a few in this island’s port too.”

“When you only move using spatial skills anyway…”

“Wouldn’t it be nice for when Ryu Seo-ha feels like going out?”

Ryu Seo-ha was at a loss for words and just blankly stared at his lover’s handsome face. It wasn’t the first time he had given him an absurdly expensive gift. But the feeling of hearing the proposal was completely different from before.

Unlike in the past when he first felt burdened thinking it was a debt that must be repaid someday, he now first wondered how he could continue to show such a devoted attitude.

He felt similar to when his parents bought him his first toy as a child. Various emotions crossed his mind, wondering if it was okay for him to receive such unconditional love, if it was alright to be this happy.

-What do you like so much about the Guild Master?

Suddenly his older sister’s question came to mind. Her words expressing doubt that they seemed too affectionate for not having known each other that long. He couldn’t give a clear answer then. He wasn’t confident in logically explaining the reasons for liking him.

But now he felt he could answer that question, albeit clumsily. How could one not like someone who continuously bestows such unconditional love? At least the starting point was not much different from the reason he came to cherish his family in this life.

“We can transfer ownership of the ship as soon as we choose, but we’ll have to wait a bit for the island.”

“…”

“The foreign land ownership issue is more complicated to handle than I thought.”

Ryu Seo-ha, who had been staring up at his lover whispering while fiddling with his hand, impulsively reached out and tightly hugged his thick torso. Choi Gang-hu, who had momentarily hesitated at the action of his young lover burying his face in his chest, let out a low chuckle.

“…No matter how prettily you act, you still can’t leave here.”

Contrary to the words spoken in a seemingly firm tone, the movement of the large hand stroking his head was only gentle. Ryu Seo-ha, who had been quietly enjoying the warm touch with his eyes closed, soon straightened up with a resolute expression.

“I have something to confess.”

He couldn’t keep subtly avoiding his skinship forever. Making arbitrary judgments alone and avoiding situations to create misunderstandings was enough once. He didn’t want to repeat the same mistake. He didn’t want to hurt his precious lover either.

“Why do you always have such grave content to announce?”

With a low sigh, Ryu Seo-ha’s body was gently placed on the sun lounger beside them. Choi Gang-hu had moved him from sitting on his thigh. It was a sign that he would listen seriously to whatever he had to say.

“…My lifespan.”

Ryu Seo-ha, who had squeezed out courage to open his mouth, took a moment to catch his breath at the feeling of his throat being pressed down. Even if it’s scary, even if it’s hard, he had to convey the full content. He couldn’t leave Choi Gang-hu craving skinship without knowing anything. That would be clear deception.

“The reason my lifespan has increased is because I’ve stolen Choi Gang-hu’s lifespan.”

A voice much stiffer than usual barely flowed out. Ryu Seo-ha tightly clenched his finely trembling fist.

“So, it would be better to stop skinship involving the exchange of bodily fluids from now…”

Ryu Seo-ha, who had been continuing to speak with his eyes lowered, unable to face him directly, was startled and leaned his upper body back. It was because Choi Gang-hu had suddenly pressed his lips against his. But a large hand grasping his chin prevented him from avoiding his face.

“Mmph… What are you…!”

Though he tried to twist his head somehow, the difference in their grip strength was not something that could be overcome by will. Their saliva mixed and mixed again.

Status: Remaining lifespan 94 days 20 hours 7 minutes

Even amidst the breathlessness from the kiss that pounced on him like a beast, Ryu Seo-ha opened his status window to check the numbers increasing in real-time. His gaze wavered pitifully. No. No, please…

Status: Remaining lifespan 94 days 20 hours 17 minutes

Despite his desperate prayer, the remaining lifespan was increasing cruelly fast. When he had wanted it so badly before, it had only decreased sharply… Ryu Seo-ha, squeezing his eyes shut, finally had no choice but to use his last resort.

Trait ‘Sanctification’ is activated.

The barrier that appeared enveloping his body greatly expanded its range and pushed Choi Gang-hu’s body to the opposite side. Their lips, which had been stickily entangled, finally separated. Choi Gang-hu’s expression thus faced looked as calm as ever.

“It’s been a while. Being pushed away by that ability.”

“Why on earth…”

His face, even faintly holding a smile as if reminiscing about old memories, showed no emotional turmoil from learning the shocking fact.

“May I make a confession too?”

Choi Gang-hu asked leisurely while straightening his pushed-back upper body. Unlike his relaxed posture, his gaze was very serious.

“The kiss I gave the day after you attempted to escape wasn’t my first kiss.”

Before he could answer, an incomprehensible, very abrupt confession followed. Given his age it wasn’t so surprising, but considering his background of intentionally distancing himself from sexual objects due to contempt for his father, it was an unexpected confession.

“When Ryu Seo-ha, who had saved my sister, lost consciousness in the water, I gave you mouth-to-mouth.”

While he was puzzled, Choi Gang-hu added surprising words.

“I also learned then that my lifespan wears down when our saliva mixes.”