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Igris
The first time it happened, was after the castle. Jinwoo was exhausted, but instead of passing out as soon as he hit his bed, he lay staring at the ceiling with tired eyes. He didn't bother checking his phone that lay beside him, knowing that it had to be after 3am. The darkening of the shadows had Jinwoo rolling his head to stare to the side, watching as a blue glow illuminated the room as Igris rose from the shadows.
He blinked at the knight, confused but too tired to ask why he was suddenly there, much less order him back. He didn't need Jinah seeing Igris.
Igris stood there, staring down at him. Jinwoo just blinked up at him. That must have been a sign because Igris stepped forward and proceeded to crawl over Jinwoo until he hovered over him.
Jinwoo blinked again, the exhaustion not enough to stop the light blush that appeared on his cheeks. He swallowed. Igris leaned down, pressing his forehead against Jinwoo's. Whether it was because the armor itself was cold or being what could be considered the living dead, Jinwoo didn't know, but the chill had him humming.
It wasn't until Igris had touched him that Jinwoo noticed just how warm he felt. Igris didn't remove his forehead as he shifted around. Jinwoo barely twitched as cold hands wrapped around his legs, hiking him up until he was almost in Igris' lap with his legs resting on the knight's hips.
This would definitely be more embarrassing if Jinwoo was fully conscious and able to feel it. Instead, he felt comfortable, almost safe as he was practically surrounded by Igris.
Igris's hands wrapped around his waist, thumbs slipping under his shirt and rubbing against his skin. Jinwoo hummed, tilting his head as Igris shifted to press his face against his cheek and then down to press against his neck. He had absolutely no idea what Igris was doing, but he didn't stop the knight, not when the touches were soothing and Igris was being careful not to snag his armor against his clothes or skin.
Jinwoo finally fell asleep like that. With Igris carefully rubbing his face into the junction of his neck and shoulder, and hands running across his bared stomach and up his back.
Tank
The second time, Jinwoo was actually fully conscious and awake for it. He had just claimed Tank, and other bears for his army. He had fully expected Tank to follow and go into the shadows, but the bear didn't. Jinwoo looked up at him, still amazed at just how large Tank was. Tank's head was as long as Jinwoo was tall. He was by far the largest creature in arsenal right now.
That still didn't mean Jinwoo wasn't confused as Tank crouched down in front of him, nose close and twitching as he was smelled. A buff of breath left the bear's nose, rustling Jinwoo's hair and clothes. And then a giant tongue licked up Jinwoo's face.
He stiffened, staring in shock at the action. Tank didn't stop there. He shoved his nose into Jinwoo's hair to snuffle at him before running the underside of his jaw over the top of Jinwoo's head. Actually, he rubbed his entire head against Jinwoo. Tank especially made sure to rub against the bare skin of Jinwoo's neck, even licking him again, right under the jaw. Jinwoo scrunched up his face at the feeling of saliva coating under his jaw and the front of his neck.
Tank pulled back, that massive tongue licking his chops. The action forced the bear's lips up, baring sharp canines. Another snuffle of his person, and then Tank was gone, joining the rest of his army in his shadow.
Jinwoo stood there, saliva still drying on his skin even through the cold air. He slowly turned to Igris who hadn't left. The knight looked as unimpressed as a suit of armor could.
"What just happened?"
Igris sighed and shook his head.
Iron
Jinwoo didn't realize it was going to become a pattern even when it happened the third time. The ice elves were defeated and they could finally leave the gate. It was a relief that he had managed to keep everyone that had stayed with him alive. There was no doubt that there would be issues due to the White Tiger Guild loosing such high ranking recruits, but everyone would be dead if Jinwoo hadn't joined this raid.
He turned back to the group he had protected, the smallest smile coming to his lips as he watched their cheer at finally being able to leave.
Calling back the rest of his army was easy. And Jinwoo didn't expect to have any incidents.
A large hand landed on his head. And proceeded to ruffle his hair harshly. Jinwoo stood frozen, slightly hunched from the sheer force of the hand that landed on him. Once the hand removed itself, he slowly turned his eyes onto Iron, the shadow grinning widely. He fucking didn't. Jinwoo opened his mouth, about to scold the shadow when Igris suddenly appeared and punched Iron. In the face. Sending the larger shadow flying into a tree, a tree that broke under the force.
He ignored the sudden shouts behind him as the other hunters witnessed that. Jinwoo just stood there, turning to stare at an obviously angry Igris. Oh, he was fuming. It was easy enough to tell just from the knight's stance.
Jinwoo had to roll his jaw a few times before finally finding his voice, "Just return you two."
At least they listened. Though Igris waited until Iron had gone into Jinwoo's shadow before following.
Well, that was something.
He turned to the hunters still gathered behind him. Jinwoo brushed his hair back into place, "Not a word about that."
Song Yi gave a thumbs up.
Tusk
The fight with the high orcs had been exhilarating. It was a pain but he got a lot of additional soldiers out of it. And the raid team was alive. Joining them as a porter had been a good choice, even if he had originally volunteered for his own motivation.
He was so engrossed in examining the amount of shadows that he could now save, that he not only didn't notice the new additions in the dungeon, but that he had turned his back on Tusk.
To be fair, Jinwoo really hadn't given much thought of what his high ranked soldiers had been doing when it came to touching or licking him, so he didn't think much about turning his back on his new shadow.
At least that was until he felt something wet against his bare ankles that dragged up his back until it was licking the top of his head.
Jinwoo froze, head tilted down from the sudden lick he had just gotten from Tusk. His entire back was wet. Jinwoo took a shaky breath as he mentally chanted; he was not going to kill one of his own shadows. He was not going to kill one of his own shadows.
He slowly turned, noticing how Tusk didn't even look chagrined about what he just did.
"Are you kidding me!?" Jinwoo would forever deny that his voice cracked as he tried not to screech at Tusk. And the damn sorcerer couldn't even be bothered to stay, having dispersed with the rest of his shadows before he had even finished yelling.
Which left Jinwoo standing, his back and top of head wet and dripping high orc saliva. And to make matters worse, that when Director Woo just had to make himself known. It wasn't going to be an enemy that finally bested him, no, it would be dying from embarrassment due to his shadows.
Kaisel
He really was not learning his lesson.
Gaining Kaisel was great. Though the wyvern definitely wasn't impressed that he didn't remember his name at first. Jinwoo was really bad at remembering names, and it definitely wasn't the issue of 'heard it once and forgot it' issue. Tusk had repeated his name multiple times during the A rank gate and yet Jinwoo still couldn't remember it.
At least Esil was there to help him remember.
Hearing Esil exclaim how quickly they could return to her clan with Kaisel had Jinwoo thinking, which seems to be something his shadows noticed, because as he was finished taking off the fireproof cloak while facing Kaisel, the wyvern did something.
He licked him.
Jinwoo stayed still, blinking as annoyance filled him. Seriously? Why were they all licking him? Kaisel didn't just lick him, the wyvern proceeded to rub his head all over Jinwoo as well, just like Tank did. Jinwoo almost dropped the cloak out of sheer annoyance.
Even without facing her, he could hear Esil trying to stifle her laughter.
"Ha ha," He deadpanned, turning a look on her, "Not funny."
Esil grinned at him, a flush on her face, "It is actually. I didn't expect to witness such devotion!"
Devotion? He blinked at her in confusion. Ugh, he didn't have time for this. He ignored it to see what he gained. Shadow Exchange would get him home quickly.
Smiling as he used the technique, Jinwoo reminded himself to return. If only to figure out what the hell Esil meant by devotion.
Beru
Maybe requesting all the S ranks to come to the training hall, with an extended invitation to both President Go and Director Woo, to show them Beru was a mistake.
It wasn't a thought that crossed Jinwoo mind just how fighting Beru would have traumatized them, not when he was still working through - read, ignoring - his own trauma from the Double Dungeon.
They all had agreed to show, even the President and Director who should have been at home resting. They had joined the others on the floor, where they stood across from Jinwoo. Jinwoo wanted to keep the distance. One, to make sure Beru didn't attack them, and if he did Jinwoo would be able to stop him. And two, so they wouldn't be too frightened over being so close.
He smiled at them, eyes flicking to Byunggyu who still looked a bit gray from how pale he still was. His smile turned apologetic as he caught the retired healer's eyes. This wasn't going to be good for him or Hunter Cha.
"Thank you for meeting me. I wanted to show something, well, someone to you all in case I had reason to summon him in your presence." Jinwoo tried to hide the grimace, "I apologize, especially to Hunter Cha and Hunter Min for this."
"Retired," Min's voice piped up. It still sounded weak and he gave a wobbly smile.
Jinwoo knew his smile wasn't much better. He sighed. "I really do apologize for this, but I wanted you to see for yourselves."
Taking another breath, he called out, "Igris." The knight rose, taking steps toward the gathered hunters across the floor before he turned on his heal to face Jinwoo. Igris bowed.
"He'll stay put in case this goes wrong and I don't make a move first."
Another deep breath, and then Jinwoo called out. "Beru."
Jinwoo had been face to face. Well, more like face to chest with the ant when Beru had been alive. Even now, Beru's shadow towered over him. Jinwoo knew that if he was to turn around, his face would be at Beru's abdomen. Damn shadows and their ability to grow and shrink, even more so in Beru's case since he had been able to do that as a living creature.
He kept his eyes on his fellow hunters as Beru fully formed behind him, frowning as he watched Min almost collapse. He probably shouldn't have called him here, but Jinwoo wanted the man to know he didn't have to fear Beru. The others looked horrified, and even without having such senses, Jinwoo could almost taste the fear in the air.
And so could Beru.
There was a rumble behind him, the snick of claws lengthening. This close, Jinwoo could even hear the rustle of wings as they shifted along Beru's back.
Jinwoo narrowed his eyes. And slammed his fist backward into Beru's abdomen.
The blood lust that had started to fill the air behind him disappeared in a flash. And now there was a crater in the floor. Jinwoo rolled his eyes to the ceiling as he listened to Beru apologize, he didn't miss the sigh from Igris either.
Turning his attention back to the others, who now looked more confused than terrified, Jinwoo smiled at them. "Sorry, turns out he's a big crybaby." Case in point, Beru had lifted his head and there was a stream of tears falling out of his eyes. Jinwoo didn't even want to know how that was possible for a creature that shouldn't have had tear ducts.
"I know it's a shock, but I hope you understand that he's not a danger to any of you."
Having turned his attention away from Beru, Jinwoo didn't notice the ant had been staring at him, mandibles and wings twitching. And then suddenly Beru wasn't kneeling on the floor anymore.
"Oof! What the fuck, Beru!" Jinwoo grunted, turning to glare at Beru as the ant suddenly slammed into his back. The towering size Beru had on him almost pushed him to the ground as Beru bent his neck into an arch to snuffle at his hair.
"Are you serious right now?"
A rumble. And Beru wasn't just snuffling him. Jinwoo stood still, annoyed as Beru started to lick him, carefully, with that barbed tongue and rub his face all over him. Unbelievable. Jinwoo could hear the groan from Director Woo from where he stood. Looking up showed that Igris was more than annoyed. If Igris was a living creature, his armor would be creaking with how tightly he was gripping his sword.
It wasn't until Beru shoved his snout under the collar of Jinwoo's shirt that he reacted, shoving at Beru's head to shove him off. "Okay, that's enough! Don't go sticking your head there."
Beru dropped his head, eyes going big in a silent plea. Fucker hadn't even let go of him. In fact, Jinwoo hadn't even realized that Beru's hands had been wrapped low around his sides, practically on his hips, until just then.
He wasn't even going to try to make Beru let fully go, he knew it was going to be a lost cause.
"Why the hell do you all keep licking and rubbing against me?"
Beru blinked, turning to Igris with narrowed eyes. Igris looked for only a few seconds before turning his head away. Seriously? Of course Igris was involved.
Another rumble escaped Beru as he inched his head close again, and when Jinwoo didn't try to push him away, rubbed the side of their faces together. Jinwoo rolled his eyes. "You actually going to say something or make noises all day without answering me?"
Beru pulled back, looking at their audience before focusing on Jinwoo.
"My King, we are simply making sure others know you are ours."
Jinwoo blinked at him. "What?"
Beru glared at Igris who still wasn't looking at them. He grumbled before speaking up, "You must have noticed how Igris rubs his hands on you every day? The others also have touched you when they're present."
He wasn't wrong. Every morning and night, whether called or not, Igris would be there, running his hands over Jinwoo and pressing his head against him just like that first night after he had acquired the knight. He didn't think much of the touching from the others after he had gained them. Sure Tank rubbed his head against Jinwoo after every battle, and Iron used a finger to brush his hair or rubbed the digit against him. Even Tusk had taken to rubbing a few digits against Jinwoo's back. Kaisel did the same as Tank, rubbing his entire head against Jinwoo before backing away.
All of them seemed overly happy after the fact. Jinwoo would almost consider them preening at the action.
This is actually the first time Beru has done it. A change from being summoned as an undead and immediately rubbing against him. Than again, maybe Beru knew that there were more important matters than annoying his new king already.
"I've noticed. They all seem much too happy about it after the fact."
Beru rumbled a sound that was slightly different than what Jinwoo's heard before. It almost had a happy tone? Odd. The ant nodded, "As they should. We must make sure no others think they can try to take you from us, though I doubt they would manage such a thing."
That still didn't answer his question. "Still doesn't answer why you're all smothering me like this? What's the point besides making sure I'm taken by all of you?"
He completely ignored the sudden cough on the other side of the room.
"Scent marking, my King."
"Scent marking?" His voice was deadpanned as he stared up at Beru who nodded.
"Yes! We must cover you in our scent so no other beasts think you are available." Beru's eyes turned onto their audience, focusing, "Surely the bestial human over there can smell us on you?"
"Don't call him that, it's rude." Jinwoo may not know much about his fellow S-ranks, but he does remember being told Hunter Baek could turn into a beast. It was still rude to call him a bestial human though.
"Forgive me my King. I do not know their names."
"His name is Baek. And do you plan on letting go of me anytime soon?"
Beru's hands were still wrapped around him. Looking down, Jinwoo blinked. And damn it he could feel himself start to blush as he saw how Beru's fingers overlapped over his stomach. He was not going to think about that.
Another sound from Beru, the ant staring straight at Igris who had finally looked back at them. "No, I don't plan to."
"Why not?"
A breath of a laugh as Beru ducked his head, pressing his mouth against Jinwoo's ear, "Igris is jealous. I'm just waiting for him to make a move."
"Huh?" Igris was jealous? It was hard to tell, but it was easy enough to tell how annoyed the knight was. He was glaring, and his hand was so tight on the hilt of his sword that there was the barest shake.
Covering his face with a grown, Jinwoo wished they were alone now. He didn't need his fellow S-ranks, much less the President and Director, to witness what seemed like a pissing match over him from his own shadows.