Archive of Our Own

Kim Soleum did not want to go inside the darkness with Baek Saheon, of all people. He believes it would be a nightmare.

Not only does he have to be careful inside the darkness, try not to freak out over ghosts and gore, but he also has to be wary of Baek Saheon and avoid getting stabbed?

Maybe death would be friendlier than this!

Unfortunately, he works for a crazy company that doesn't care about human lives. So what else was Kim Soleum supposed to do?

Suck it up.

Thankfully, it was only a D-grade darkness that had an exploration time of one hour. Whether they completely uncover all mysteries inside the darkness, it was a guarantee that they would be thrown back to reality after an hour.

So even though there were recorded casualties that ranged from minimal to severe injuries with some even death, Kim Soleum was thankful that he only had to endure this for an hour.

Whatever happens inside was none of his concern. Really. All he had to do was stay put and hide until an hour passed, and then, before he knew it, they would be back to reality.

Easy-peasy, right?

Wrong.

Kim Soleum was horribly wrong when an hour had passed, and they were still inside. Only then did Kim Soleum realize that something had gone wrong.

"Supervisor?"

Even Baek Saheon, who was obediently hiding next to him, looked at him with confusion.

Both of them had read the manual, and the manual clearly stated, "Guaranteed escape after one hour."

So how come the darkness has yet to eject them outside?

Baek Saheon was looking at him like he would be able to answer. Unfortunately, Kim Soleum doesn't know what happened, either.

Still, he tried to remain calm. Or at least, tried to look calm. His palms were sweaty, and his knees were almost shaking, but he had to make sure that Baek Saheon wouldn't catch on.

If this bastard finds out that he was actually a coward, he might as well kiss the floor goodbye and dive headfirst into hell.

Kim Soleum stood and dusted himself off before turning towards the entryway of the cave where they hid themselves.

"Well, we have no choice but to find out what happened."

Kim Soleum didn't want to. He really didn't want to. He was close to begging Baek Saheon to go out and check it alone, but Kim Soleum couldn't do it, or else his whole psycho act would crumble.

"Uh… Okay."

Perhaps because Baek Saheon knew their chance of escaping was at stake, he was oddly obedient. Kim Soleum was glad for that, but he had to focus on the matter at hand.

Leaving the safe cave.

Just taking one step towards the opening almost made him tear up. Another step made his knees tremble so badly that he nearly fell forward. Kim Soleum had to force his legs to move and drag himself outside.

Seriously. It was a dreadful darkness that could kill them if they weren't careful enough. If getting hurt was unavoidable, Kim Soleum would prefer a small cut.

So please, anything but lethal injuries or death! Kim Soleum will take it as long as it wasn't—!

"!!!"

BAM!

Kim Soleum flinched when a loud sound erupted just when they were about to step outside. It sounded like two forces collided, mountains getting cut in half, and debris falling all over, as if the world itself had collapsed.

Kim Soleum almost trembled in place.

This darkness was home to monsters and despised "lost" humans. Which was why it was encouraged to simply hide and wait until an hour passes, because by then, the darkness would realize that a "lost" human was there, and would furiously eject them back to where they came from.

Because humans were not welcome here.

And the fact that a loud booming sound continuously erupted outside could be inferred by one thing:

Monsters are fighting.

Monsters… Monsters outside the safety of this cave….

They are fighting.

"Sir?"

Haha… Hah…

Fuck. Kim Soleum really didn't want to go outside, but Baek Saheon was already looking at him strangely.

'If I die here, I'll cuss daydream and this sociopath next to me.'

With no other choice left, Kim Soleum grabbed Baek Saheon's arm and trudged outside.

"Sir, this…?"

"Be quiet. I'm going to use you as a meat shield if a monster comes our way."

"….?!"

Kim Soleum ignored Baek Saheon and continued walking, the sight of the outside covered by dust that was still falling from the previous impact of… whatever forces that collided.

Kim Soleum wouldn't say it was a good thing, but somehow, having an arm to hold was oddly reassuring. The only sad part was that it was Baek Saheon's arm.

Ha. What has the world done to him to find his crazy roommate's arm as a source of comfort? Seriously.

BOOM!

Kim Soleum raised his arm to shield his eyes from the explosion of dust.

The monster up ahead was clearly not holding back. Kim Soleum shuddered at the thought.

Which monster could be damaging this darkness to this extent? Was it as big as Godzilla? Or maybe…

Godzilla itself???

'Fuuuucccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!'

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Kim Soleum quickly pulled Baek Saheon with him to hide behind a huge stone. He leaned against the stone and shut his eyes, counted to three in his mind before slightly peeking out.

He tried to look through the dust to see who was fighting and how they could avoid getting caught up while they searched for what had caused them to get stranded here, but he could barely see anything because dust just kept accumulating from the continuous impact.

'Ha…. Do we have no other choice but to wait until the fight ends?'

Damn it. Kim Soleum wanted to return to reality quickly! Please, just end it fast, or better yet, send them back!!

After a few more loud booms, it seemed like something big had collapsed to the ground, making the floor quiver violently, which almost sent them flying up had they not grabbed tightly onto the stone.

Kim Soleum barely let out a breath when the continuous booms finally stopped.

He took deep breaths in and out, counted a few seconds in his mind, before slowly… slowly… peeking out.

The dust was still falling, but he could now make out a silhouette of something big lying motionlessly on the floor.

"— —. —?"

"?"

What was that? Was that… a human voice?

Kim Soleum tried to listen intently and watched as the dust slowly settled down. Now, he could almost see a figure of something standing on top of that huge figure.

Huh?

Hold on.

Is that… a human figure?

"Ha. Unimpressive. Very unimpressive. This is plain ridiculous. I can't believe something this big was uselessly trying to fight me. Urgh, now I'm all dusty and sticky. The puppy at home would be displeased to see this!"

That… That was a human voice, right? That was clearly a human voice. Kim Soleum wasn't hallucinating it, was he?

Bam!

Kim Soleum almost flinched when he saw the human figure above the motionless big figure on the floor stomping on its body, causing the huge body to…. tremble violently as if it was slowly turning into dust particles being stomped to oblivion.

Whoever that human was was strong enough to do something like that???

No, maybe that figure was not human, after all!

"Baek Saheon."

Kim Soleum called out sternly without taking his eyes away from the silhouette of what he initially thought was human.

He did not wait for a response.

"Prepare to run."

"…Yes?"

The dust has fallen, and the view ahead has cleared up.

Mountains were indeed destroyed, cliffs fallen.

That huge figure, or what used to be a huge figure, was a large chimera with four massive wings.

And that human figure was casually tearing off those wings as if it were nothing.

Kim Soleum felt a shiver run down his spine.

"Don't look back. Don't ask questions. Now…" Kim Soleum turned towards Baek Saheon, who was looking at him with slightly wide, confused eyes. "Run."

"Ah-Ah, those two people hiding over there."

Fuck. They were caught.

Was it because they were loud? Did Kim Soleum speak louder than he should? He tried to speak so that only Baek Saheon would hear, damn it. Besides, they weren't even that close to that pseudo-human! How the hell did it notice them?!

Kim Soleum contemplated, his mind racing quickly, trying to think of how to survive this situation, but before his mind could make up a plan, the voice spoke again.

"I don't advise you to try running from me. Otherwise, I would suspect that you are an enemy."

"…"

Kim Soleum's hand twitched. Would it work if he pushed Baek Saheon to escape on his own and distract that pseudo-human alone?

"Do you really think you can outrun me?"

Kim Soleum scrunched his face in frustration.

Could they hide and run away from someone who literally destroyed parts of this darkness and even killed a chimera that was as big as the sun?

That was impossible.

So was surrendering the only option?

The answer was already obvious.

'…Damn it.'

"Sir?"

Kim Soleum closed his eyes and sighed.

"Decide whether you will follow me or not." Kim Soleum opened his eyes and looked sternly at Baek Saheon. "From here on out, we will act separately."

Well. It was to have company while it lasted.

"Sir, what—!"

Kim Soleum stepped away from the stone and showed himself to the pseudo-human. He felt glowing red, sunset-like eyes boring down on him from where the pseudo-human was still standing, which was above the dead chimera.

The pseudo-human was covered by a cloak, so it was hard to see, but judging from the voice, it was a woman.

Kim Soleum raised his hands to show that he wasn't holding anything. Her piercing gaze observed him closely.

Tension was building up in his body. It felt as if this woman was assessing whether to keep him alive or not.

"Come closer."

That was authority. An authority that he could not dare to disobey.

Kim Soleum took slow steps closer, keeping his eyes on the woman so he wouldn't see the dead chimera with vicious cuts and hollow body parts and twisted limbs.

He was slowly drawing further and further away from the stone. Any chances of escaping were quickly slipping out of his hands. Kim Soleum was exposed, with nowhere to hide.

There was nothing that he could use as a shield if this woman ever attacked him.

Kim Soleum was—

The woman's gaze moved behind him, and when he heard the rushing footsteps, only then did he realize who she was looking at.

"Baek Saheon—!!"

"You-!! What on earth are you planning to do—?!"

Bam!

"Argh!"

An indignant groan left his mouth when he felt Baek Saheon slam his body on his back, almost tripping him forward.

'What… What the hell is this bastard doing….?!'

Kim Soleum had no time to think because right then, a loud exclamation was heard.

"Oh!"

'Huh?'

Kim Soleum raised his head and saw the moment the woman snapped her fingers, and her cloak disappeared. The splattered blood and dust that were previously sticking to her clothes disappeared and…

It seemed like her clothes had changed altogether.

Without a cloak that obscured her figure from sight, he could see a woman with vibrant red hair curled like roses in a white top underneath a blue-green aristocratic dress with gold beads shimmering around her waist in place of a corset.

She… stepped down from invisible stairs? and landed right in front of them.

The woman looked at Baek Saheon with sparkling eyes.

Kim Soleum instinctively hid Baek Saheon behind him, but it was as if the woman saw no one but Baek Saheon.

"A puppy!"

"…."

….What?

The woman strode towards them without a care and reached for Baek Saheon's head and—

Pat. Pat. Pat.

"!!!"

She patted Baek Saheon's head with a bright smile that made her eyes disappear. Baek Saheon had completely gone stiff at her touch while slowly moving his trembling gaze towards Kim Soleum.

No… What the hell is this situation?!

"E, Excuse me….?!" Baek Saheon almost shrieked. "M, My head is not made for this… Whatever this is…!!"

'Does this idiot not realize she's stronger than both of us combined?!'

How could he raise his voice like that? If Baek Saheon offends her, both of them are as good as dead!

Strangely enough, the protest made the woman…. giggle?

"A wet puppy!"

"???!!!!!!"

Kim Soleum tried to get between them by pulling Baek Saheon back and standing in front of the woman.

"Miss, I think it's quite rude to touch someone you are meeting for the first time."

'If this pisses her off, I'm going to curse Baek Saheon to hell and back.'

Kim Soleum discreetly shot Baek Saheon a 'Behave!' glare before trying to put on a harmless front in front of this woman.

The woman blinked at him, seemingly unimpressed with something.

"I'm married."

"…."

Kim Soleum quickly corrected himself. "Ma'am."

The woman hummed in satisfaction, her expression swiftly changing.

"…."

'….How… prickly.'

The woman's gaze moved between the two of them, observing them closely as if they were mere lab rats in the eyes of a scientist. Kim Soleum couldn't tell if he would rather be analyzed by this woman or by that crazy Kwak Jekang.

And then her gaze fell on their intertwined limbs. Specifically, on Kim Soleum still holding Baek Saheon's arm.

"…."

"…."

Kim Soleum removed his hand from Baek Saheon.

But the woman had already seen it. Something in her gaze changed as she looked at them with interest.

"Are you a couple?"

Kim Soleum heard Baek Saheon audibly gag next to him.

"Absolutely not! With this psycho—?!"

Kim Soleum covered Baek Saheon's mouth. What the hell was wrong with this jerk? What happened to the pretentious Baek Saheon, who always hid his real personality from the first meeting?

Why the hell was this bastard just saying and doing anything he pleased? Is his sense of danger malfunctioning?!

"Baek Saheon." Kim Soleum called out coldly. "Remove your eyepatch and see for yourself."

Did he seriously have to make Baek Saheon look at this woman with his left eye just for him to understand how much of a threat this woman is?

Baek Saheon tried to scrunch his face, but because Kim Soleum had his palm on his mouth, it only ended with a slight nose scrunch.

…

'This little…'

Baek Saheon yanked his hand off him before raising his eyepatch.

"…"

"…"

"…"

Baek Saheon moved his eyes towards him and looked at him with annoyance.

…What's with that reaction? Didn't he see some red halo or something?

"What exactly do you want me to see, sir?"

"…."

…This woman was not a threat to Baek Saheon's eye. Or at least, not to Baek Saheon himself.

Kim Soleum did not know whether to laugh or cry.

'…So is she only a threat to me?'

Damn it.

Damn it!

The woman looked at Baek Saheon's left eye with a sparkly gaze.

"Is that a special ability?"

Neither of them answered. Thankfully, it didn't seem like she wanted an answer, anyway. No. She didn't need an answer because she had already realized it herself.

Baek Saheon's eyes moved to her hand.

The woman perked up and showed them her left hand.

"Do you see this?"

Kim Soleum could not see anything on her hand, but Baek Saheon was looking at it before averting his gaze awkwardly.

That was pretty much a confirmation.

The woman giggled happily and then, a bit of sparks occurred. A ring appeared on her ring finger.

A silver band with a large opal at the center. Just from a glance, it was obviously an expensive ring.

"I usually hide my wedding ring to prevent it from getting stolen. This is the first time I've met someone who saw it aside from my vice-master!"

'…That's her wedding ring?'

Black opals are rare and outprice most diamonds. And the fact that she has black opals as the stone for her ring only meant one thing: This woman and her husband are loaded.

Kim Soleum suddenly recalled a quote he once read on the internet that says, 'You can tell a man's status by the ring his wife wears'.

…

Well…

Should he try asking for money?

Kim Soleum quickly shook the thought away.

"…I didn't see the ring. I just noticed something."

Baek Saheon grumbled, still avoiding her gaze.

Since he had taken off his eyepatch, and only then did he notice the ring, it was most likely that he noticed the red lines on her hand instead.

'…So is her husband a bigger threat?'

…Kim Soleum began wishing that they would never meet her husband. If wishing were possible.

"Oh! Could you wait here for a moment? I have to clean up that mess so it won't attract more monsters."

Before they could even respond, the woman snapped her fingers, and the two of them began floating in the air.

"!!!"

'W, What the hell…!!'

Kim Soleum stiffened and stared at his floating body with trembling pupils.

'No- this is so scary! Please put me back down….!!!'

In an attempt to distract himself, Kim Soleum looked in the direction where the woman had gone.

"…."

When he saw the woman casually breaking the large chimera into pieces with her bare hands, he suddenly wanted to cry.

….She's so scary!!!

It was more traumatizing than anyone else would say. Right after the chimera's remains were stuffed inside a torn dimension she nonchalantly opened as if she were simply opening a zip bag, she walked up invisible stairs and met them in the air.

Kim Soleum was getting dizzy from all this power she was showing off without a care around her.

She was way scarier than she looks! And mind you, she looks like a harmless little lamb!!

She sat on an invisible chair and greeted with a bright smile.

"Now then, shall we have a conversation?"

She gestured in their direction, as if asking them to have a seat. Kim Soleum did not know what to do. Do they also have an invisible chair below them? Was there a guarantee that he won't fall?

Kim Soleum glanced below his feet. The distance between them and the ground was massive. They were literally floating in the middle.

One mistake, and they could fall to their death.

No.

This woman could literally drop them off and kill them if she wanted to.

Kim Soleum sat obediently. Thankfully, there really seems to be an invisible platform beneath him that he could sit on.

He was thankful that this woman wasn't showing a sadistic side towards them. Yet.

Seeing Kim Soleum, Baek Saheon also took a seat next to him, though with a massive space between them.

The woman was once again looking at them with interest.

"You said you're not a couple?"

"Yes."

"Yet."

"?"

The woman had a hand to her lips and giggled.

…What is she giggling about?

"Ah. I have yet to introduce myself, right?" She beamed and then placed her hand down to her chest.

"My name is Rosalyn Breck-Henituse. I am the tower master of the greatest magic tower in the western continent."

Magic tower? This woman… Is a mage?

As in… Those mana-users from fantasy stories?

Rosalyn's eyes crinkled when she saw their reaction. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Whether it was a pleasure for them was still up for debate.

"We are rookie employees at Daydream Inc. Next to me is my batchmate, Baek Saheon, and I am Kim Soleum. It's nice to meet you, ma'am."

Kim Soleum made sure not to make the same mistake of calling her 'miss'.

Rosalyn tilted her head slightly. She must be wondering why Kim Soleum introduced Baek Saheon on his behalf.

Well, the answer was actually simple. He didn't want Baek Saheon to spout nonsense that could endanger them both. They were quite literally at Rosalyn's mercy.

Neither of them could get back down without Rosalyn's help.

"…Breck-Henituse?"

Kim Soleum's expression hardened when Baek Saheon muttered next to him.

He was curious, too. But he chose not to point it out. Yet this rascal was muttering loudly?

"You didn't drop your maiden name?"

'…If you're curious, just ask the question in your head! If this pisses her off, I'll be the one to strangle you!!!'

Kim Soleum was looking at Baek Saheon with terrorizing eyes, making Baek Saheon flinch and instantly clamp his mouth shut.

But it was already too late. He had already spoken the question out loud.

"Why should I?" Rosalyn responded nonchalantly.

So nonchalant that it was hard to tell whether she was annoyed by that question or not.

Kim Soleum looked at her, looking for any cues that she might drop them to their death, but instead, saw her looking at Baek Saheon with crinkled eyes.

"You silly puppy. The puppy at home would be offended if he heard you."

…Puppy?

She started counting on her hands.

"My parents would be offended, my first brother would be upset, my puppy would be furious, our liege would criminalize this, his majesty would change the law…"

'…Oh my god.'

Kim Soleum paled the longer the list went on.

'…This woman is no joke. She's the scariest person I have met in my life. No cap.'

….Please send them back to reality now. Kim Soleum was practically begging.

"So is it illegal to change surnames?"

'Baek Saheon!!!!!'

It seemed as if Baek Saheon was ignoring all the dangers and continued the conversation anyway.

Kim Soleum was already glaring holes in the side of his face, and Baek Saheon was barely trying to ignore him.

'I'm going to grab you by the neck and dangle you around once we're out of this darkness! I swear to all the gods!!'

Rosalyn chuckled.

"No, but my puppy would cry a river if I use his last name and drop mine."

Baek Saheon nodded, his curiosity satisfied. Of course, Kim Soleum was still cursing him in his head.

"Do you know why we're still stuck inside this darkness?"

…Fuck. This guy just really doesn't know when to shut up, does he?

But since he was asking an important question and Kim Soleum was also curious about her answer, he remained silent.

Rosalyn tilted her head slightly.

"Darkness?"

"Yes. This… This thing. In our company, we call this darkness. We were sent here to explore the darkness for an hour. After an hour, we were supposed to return to our world, but we are still here."

Baek Saheon gestured at Kim Soleum and him.

Rosalyn held her chin and seemed to be thinking deeply.

"I see. So that's your circumstances, huh? Well… Shall I tell you my circumstances as well?"

She didn't wait for a response.

Rosalyn spoke with a bright smile.

"I got lost."

"…"

"…Excuse me?"

Rosalyn nodded as if she completely understood their confusion.

"I went on a solo mission to check the reported dimension fragments below the Gorge of Death. The request came in right when my vice-master was still out on a mission."

She opened her eyes, and although it was subtle, Kim Soleum thought her gaze seeped into slight embarrassment.

"She told me to wait for her return, but I thought it was an emergency, so I went alone."

"…"

Although they didn't say it out loud, their gaze on her was obvious.

That's reckless of you.

She pouted and protested loudly.

"Hey, I'm super strong, you know?"

That was obvious. Still. Because she acted alone, she was now in this mess.

Kim Soleum sighed softly.

"…We have no idea how to send you back to your world, if that's what you're curious about."

"Oh, no worries. I'm certain my vice-master is already doing everything to get me back."

Rosalyn spoke confidently, mixed with pride.

That was the look of someone confident in their subordinate's abilities.

Kim Soleum subconsciously glanced at Baek Saheon.

"If we wait for your subordinate with you, do you think you can help send us back?" Baek Saheon asked. It seemed like he was sure that the answer to going back was her.

Rosalyn wore a mysterious smile and crinkled her eyes.

"How about keeping me entertained while waiting?"

She dodged the question. Suspiciously so.

For a moment, Kim Soleum thought, 'Does she know the way out?' but had no time to fully dwell on it because she clapped her hands and then looked at them.

"So why aren't you a couple?"

"………………….."

…Seriously?

"….Is this an important question?"

"Yes."

"…"

Baek Saheon answered first.

"I don't like him."

Kim Soleum deadpanned. It took everything in him not to kick Baek Saheon's leg. Instead, he settled for glaring at him.

"I don't like you either."

Seriously. Does he think he's anything special? Kim Soleum clicked his tongue.

When he turned away, he saw Rosalyn looking at them with… Amazement?

Their gaze met at that moment.

"You haven't tamed him yet?"

He could see Baek Saheon stiffening next to him.

"W, W, What— Do I look like someone who needs taming?! Am I a dog?!"

"Yes!"

…It pained Kim Soleum too that she responded so cheerfully, without hesitation.

Rosalyn pointed at Baek Saheon, "A puppy."

Then she pointed at Kim Soleum, completely ignoring Baek Saheon's dissatisfied glare, "An untrained owner."

"?????"

Rosalyn beamed.

"Shall I teach you how to tame him properly? From the looks of it, you've been using a unique disciplinary system. But I wouldn't advise continuing that, regardless of its efficiency. Instead, shall I introduce you to a more effective and safer method?"

…Method to do what, exactly?

It seemed that question was written all over his face because Rosalyn continued.

"A method that will keep the puppy in check and prevent him from biting his owner, of course!"

For a moment, Kim Soleum was silent. And then, he opened his mouth.

"…I'm not his owner."

"I'm not a dog, either!"

Even though Baek Saheon had been quite disrespectful, Rosalyn was strangely lenient. In fact, it looked like she was amused.

She waved her pointer finger around, "That's what all puppies say~."

'…What exactly is that supposed to mean?'

"…Do you have a puppy, ma'am?"

Rosalyn looked delighted at Kim Soleum's question.

"Yes!"

Kim Soleum jabbed his pointer finger to his side. Seeing this, Baek Saheon growled.

"How much are they alike?"

Rosalyn clapped her hands happily, treating Baek Saheon's growl like music to her ears.

"Does your puppy also go around threatening people?"

"…."

….Baek Saheon secretly does.

"Does he hate everyone around him?"

….Kim Soleum isn't so sure about that, but if it ensures his survival, Baek Saheon would not think twice about throwing people out the window.

"Does he easily get pissed and start cussing nonstop?"

"…."

Well… Kim Soleum did not need to state the obvious, did he?

"Does he act like a bitch, too?"

"……"

….It was getting harder to deny.

Rosalyn laughed happily.

"Simple! Make him your bitch!"

"Saying that right in front of me—?!"

Kim Soleum subconsciously hunched forward and pressed his face on his palms.

….As much as he liked to dismiss her words as nonsense, when she started describing her puppy, it did sound like Baek Saheon.

….In other words, Rosalyn is what one would consider a veteran.

….A veteran when it comes to taming feral puppies.

Kim Soleum had not noticed that Rosalyn was now standing in front of them, patting Baek Saheon's head gently.

"Be good, be good. This is a training that I know you'll like, too. Let's be a little more patient, okay?"

"S, Shit— Are your eyes not working properly?! Stop treating me like a dog, damn it!"

His protest only brought delight to Rosalyn.

"That's what Cale said back then, too!"

Kim Soleum, "………."

'……Fuuuuuuccccckkkkkkkkkkk.'

Kim Soleum looked at Baek Saheon's fluffy hair that looked even fluffier because Rosalyn kept ruffling them and began to think that Baek Saheon…

Was starting to look like a puppy in his eyes.

And Kim Soleum wasn't liking that!

'…If she's a veteran and she managed to tame someone with a similar attitude to Baek Saheon… Perhaps she can help me put that punk in his place?'

Well, Baek Saheon had always been a concern to Kim Soleum. Although he was scaring Baek Saheon now and then, was there a guarantee that it would work forever, and that Baek Saheon would not one day stab him in his sleep to retaliate?

'…Besides, keeping up the psycho act is getting tiring. How long do I have to do that until I'm sure that he won't kill me?'

Baek Saheon was cunning. That bastard was always plotting things in that head of his.

On top of that, Kim Soleum would like to relax at dorm, too. So if he could tame Baek Saheon completely without the psycho act, then maybe…

Maybe Rosalyn can give him the answer he needed!

But.

But…!

What kind of method was she even talking about?!

Kim Soleum looked at Rosalyn, contemplating what to say. Thankfully, Rosalyn, who was busy messing with Baek Saheon's hair, took notice of him.

"Hm?" Rosalyn tilted her head slightly before removing her hands from Baek Saheon's hair and stepping back.

She smiled knowingly at Kim Soleum. Knowingly what? Kim Soleum didn't want to know.

"Wanna know how I tamed that little puppy?"

"…."

Kim Soleum hesitated before answering.

"…As long as it's not an unconventional method, then perhaps I can try."

Rosalyn chuckled, "Oh my, silly you. How can it be an unconventional method? It's the best method, you know?"

…Right.

Something appeared in the space next to her, and Kim Soleum watched in amazement as she opened that space and took out a book.

'…Was that a dimensional pocket?'

It was similar to his tattoo. But hers looked even bigger! And although Kim Soleum couldn't see it properly, he swore he saw shiny stones inside!

Rosalyn showed the book like 'ta-da'!

"How to deal with a wet puppy, a guidebook written based on my puppy!"

Kim Soleum's earlier amazement turned into dumbfoundedness.

Rosalyn handed the book to him, and Kim Soleum was too dazed and instinctively took it. From his peripheral view, he could see Baek Saheon looking at him with envy for receiving a free item.

"…"

…Was that rascal seriously jealous over a free item? This wasn't an item that was helpful for him! He's the dog here!

Rosalyn must have noticed Baek Saheon's jealousy as she chuckled and patted his head again.

"Shall I give you a gift, too? Tell me what you want and I'll try to match it with something that I brought with me."

"…Are you giving it for free?"

"Of course! You entertain me enough. You act just like Cale before he was tamed, it's very adorable~."

Baek Saheon looked like he didn't know whether that was a good thing or not, but decided to focus on what he wanted to receive.

"…Something that will help me escape darknesses without a scratch."

'Typical answer.'

Kim Soleum thought as his fingers traced the hard cover of the book handed to him.

It was made with the highest quality of leather possible.

"Shall I give you a potion? I have a lot."

"…Potions are consumable items, right?"

"Hmm… Right. It won't be fair if I give you a consumable item while the dog owner's book can't be destroyed."

"I'm not a dog owner," Kim Soleum protested quietly. He was still scared of offending her.

Rosalyn ignored him and was deeply thinking to herself.

"Shall I give you a weapon? Or if you have one, I can enhance it."

Kim Soleum interjected, "Absolutely not."

Baek Saheon? With a deadly weapon? That was no different from Kim Soleum courting death!

Baek Saheon frowned. "Why can't I get a weapon? It can be useful."

"Do you think you can stab a ghost, Baek Saheon-ssi? Hm?"

Before the two could start squabbling, Rosalyn perked up.

"So you meet ghosts, too?"

"It depends on which darkness we have to enter, ma'am."

Rosalyn nodded at Kim Soleum's response before she turned towards Baek Saheon.

"Do you hate ghosts, too?"

Baek Saheon scrunched his nose. "Not really…?"

Rosalyn smiled and blinked her eyes twice.

…Very uncanny.

"Ghosts are scared of my puppy. Shall I give you an item that makes ghosts and monsters avoid you? Would that be useful?"

Huh? An item that basically turns you into someone that darkness entities avoid and fear?

'…It's what I needed, ma'am….'

But Kim Soleum cannot possibly say that, can he? He was pretending not to be a coward! Damn it!! Baek Saheon, you lucky bastard!!!

"I… I guess. If darkness entities avoid me, that does make my situation better, since they're usually the biggest threat."

"Alright. It's decided then."

Rosalyn summoned her dimension pocket again. This time, it took a while for her to close it since she was searching for the item she mentioned.

Of course, Kim Soleum couldn't help but be nosy and peeked at her dimension pocket.

'W, Whoa…. So many potions…? And shiny stones. Since she's a mage, are those mana stones? Amazing… I've never seen that many expensive items.'

Damn. This woman was really loaded! Is that the result of being a tower master?

Kim Soleum was tempted to ask her for gold that he could exchange in his world and had to suppress the urge.

Saying it now means he would have to explain that he actually came from a different world. But it was a secret that he couldn't casually reveal, no matter how favorable Rosalyn had been towards them.

Kim Soleum was disappointed, but there was nothing he could do about it.

'…Maybe I should just ransack the world for gold that I can bring to the other world.'

Hopefully, those gold bars aren't cursed and won't summon ghost stories into his world.

"Oh, found it!"

Rosalyn finally took out a circular band.

…

…It was a ring.

Rosalyn handed the ring to Kim Soleum.

"…Ma'am?"

Rosalyn crossed her arms, showing that she wasn't going to get herself involved.

"Put the ring on his pinky."

"…"

'…Why not do it yourself?'

Rosalyn arched an eyebrow.

"What? You want a married woman to give a ring to another man?"

'….'

Then just give it to Baek Saheon directly?

…Damn it.

Rosalyn waved a hand, "It's just a pinky ring, not a wedding ring. Geez."

Kim Soleum, "….."

No point in arguing.

Kim Soleum turned towards Baek Saheon and saw him flinch, which made Kim Soleum look at him strangely.

'This punk is still scared of me, huh?'

Kim Soleum shrugged his shoulders, then held out an open palm to Baek Saheon.

"Hand."

Baek Saheon glared.

"…I, I told you, I'm not a dog…!"

"Do you want this item or not?"

Baek Saheon quickly placed his hand on Kim Soleum's open palm, albeit grumbling incoherently under his breath.

Kim Soleum let that grumbling slide for now because Rosalyn was watching them intensely.

He carefully slid the ring onto Baek Saheon's left pinky. Once it was secured in place, Kim Soleum returned his hand to the book resting on his lap.

Baek Saheon raised his hand and inspected the ring.

"…It looks ordinary."

Rosalyn huffed in amusement. "Of course it would be. Can't let it look flashy, can I? Otherwise, people would want to steal that."

"!!!"

Baek Saheon quickly pressed his hands on his lap, his right hand trying to hide the ring as much as possible.

"Thank you so much for the item. I'll be sure not to lose it." Baek Saheon bowed slightly at her direction.

Rosalyn chuckled, then ruffled Baek Saheon's hair again. A frown instinctively appeared on Kim Soleum's face.

Rosalyn returned to her seat, then gestured at Kim Soleum's handbook.

"Why don't you open it and read the first page?" There was a strange twinkle in her eye that made Kim Soleum sweat nervously. "I promise it'll be worth your time."

"…Okay."

…Better follow her words if he still wanted to live.

Kim Soleum opened the handbook and read the first page.

1.) A wet puppy may easily feel discouraged, but worry not, because they can easily be appeased.

'?'

…What was that supposed to mean?

2.) You just have to throw a bait to get the wet puppy's attention, and after that, you'll be surprised by how easily they'll follow you around.

Kim Soleum could not help but have doubts.

'…Is this really effective?'

Kim Soleum slowly moved his gaze towards Rosalyn.

"…Ma'am, I don't quite get items number 1 and 2."

Rosalyn showed a patient smile.

—Puppies tend to get discouraged easily, you see.

"!!!!"

She's… She's talking in his head…..

Was she doing that so Baek Saheon would not hear? Was this confidential information??

—He may not show it or try to hide it by putting up a pretense… Say, for example, acting like he's angry or sulking, or even self-deprecating.

'…Does Baek Saheon also do that?'

It became a painful realization that Kim Soleum didn't actually know that much about his roommate aside from the wiki he had religiously read.

He subconsciously turned his gaze towards Baek Saheon, who was looking between him and Rosalyn with confusion. He was most likely confused that neither of them was talking.

—They're quite sensitive, but they try so hard to hide it. They feel a lot of emotions, and it remains pent-up, so it seems as if they'd burst out any time.

Was that also the case for Baek Saheon?

—The reason they keep suppressing it is that they never had a safe environment where they could let it all out.

"…."

Kim Soleum once again looked at the handbook, staring at items 1 and 2.

A wet puppy easily gets discouraged.

Because they think lowly of themselves.

So the wet puppy uses ferociousness as a pretense to hide their vulnerability.

"…."

…Damn it.

"…What kind of bait would be suitable to use, ma'am?"

Rosalyn smiled.

—Something he would like.

"I can't do that." Kim Soleum shook his head firmly. What Baek Saheon would like are items or knowledge to ensure his survival. Both were risky to give.

1) Kim Soleum had acquired access to the alien shop through questionable means (A.K.A, his squad leader still didn't know that he got it from his computer, though he must have been suspecting Kim Soleum now).

2) Kim Soleum's knowledge about darknesses came from the «Darkness Exploration Records» wiki, which would be hard to explain to Baek Saheon.

Rosalyn was barely fazed by his response.

—Of course it should be something you are willing to give. I'm sure you'll figure out what to give him when he sulks.

…Kim Soleum wasn't sure about that, but nodded his head for now.

Then…

"…What's the most appropriate response if he threatens me?"

"Excuse me, Supervisor? Me? Threaten you?" Baek Saheon could not hold back and was giving him stingy eyes from the side. "I wonder who's really been threatening who, actually!"

Rosalyn laughed when she heard him.

"Hahaha! What an adorable puppy!"

While she was saying that, she was also talking in his head.

—I know it's very tempting, but please don't bully him too much. You should treat him well and pamper him endlessly so he won't be on guard around you anymore.

Kim Soleum was dissatisfied with her answer, but then he saw her smirk.

—After you treat him well, he'll naturally let you bully him more.

"…."

'…I knew this woman had a sadistic side.'

…Rosalyn was 100% not a harmless lamb! Kim Soleum was almost certain she was a sly fox hiding behind that kind and benevolent smile!

—It's the infamous carrot and stick method, but a more benevolent version! The more you treat him well, the more he'll let you bully him! Isn't that very tempting? Aren't you curious how he'll look when he cries? I can guarantee you that puppies are pretty criers. 10 out of 10!

…She was even giving him a thumbs-up.

…Kim Soleum did not like that thumbs-up.

—If you bully him, he'll cry prettily. It's very satisfying. But please pamper him after so his feelings won't get hurt. After-care is very important!

'…Ma'am, I do not want to hear your sadistic fantasies anymore. Please.'

Kim Soleum is not a sadist. He is not!

"…What if he misbehaves?"

—Haha! Once you've fully tamed him, he'll rarely misbehave! Though he may still be feral against everyone else, it would mostly be because he's feeling territorial. When that happens, you just have to pat his head and reassure him that he's the only one that matters.

'…Pat his head and reassure him? So you're seriously telling me to date this guy??'

No way! No way!! Not in a million years!!!

"…Is there seriously no other way to tame him, ma'am?"

Rosalyn wore a smile that seemed to say, 'It can't be helped', and shrugged her shoulders.

—Oh, but feral wet puppies are easier to deal with when you dominate them. Are you sure you won't use this method?

Kim Soleum hesitated before he responded.

"…I'm not sure."

Rosalyn nodded in understanding.

—Very well. If you don't want to, you don't have to. But if you encounter trouble and don't know how to deal with it, you can use the guidebook as a reference. Anyway, the book is enchanted and can never be destroyed, even if you throw or burn it.

Oh? What an interesting fact.

"Can the guidebook be used as a weapon?"

"!!!"

He saw Baek Saheon stiffen next to him. Kim Soleum glanced at him and saw Baek Saheon looking between them with slightly terrified eyes.

Right. He still wasn't wearing his eyepatch.

—To hit the people who bully the puppy, sure. I can allow that much.

People who bully the puppy? Huh. Baek Saheon was more likely to bully other people.

—But if you hit the puppy with that book, I will come and find you, Kim Soleum-ssi.

"…."

…Baek Saheon acquired quite the protector, it seems.

(That was only natural. Baek Saheon is every older sister's little brother, and it just so happens that Rosalyn is an older sister.)

Kim Soleum suppressed a shudder.

"Yes, ma'am."

That was the only appropriate response.

Rosalyn huffed in satisfaction.

—It may not look like it, but because the feral wet puppy has an attitude, they tend to get in trouble rather easily. So many people would jump at the opportunity to bully them.

Rosalyn looked serious, which was almost terrifying.

—The dog owner is the only one who can bully the puppy, so make sure not to let them bully him.

'Ah. So that's why she's so serious.'

Right. This sadist wouldn't want to give someone else the opportunity to do the bullying. That wouldn't be fun for her, would it?

Damn it. That wasn't helpful for Kim Soleum at all!

(It is. He just hasn't realized it, or is still denying it like the coward that he is.)

"Understood. I'll be sure to remember your words well."

'No way! I'll erase them all from my head! I thought it was helpful, so I listened well, but it's all useless!!!'

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!! Kim Soleum seriously wants to get out of this darkness now!!!

Pat his head, reassure him, pamper him, bully him, then after-care and repeat? Utterly ridiculous! Kim Soleum's brain cells were dying one by one, the more he listened!!

"What… What exactly are you two talking about?" Baek Saheon spoke at that moment, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

Rosalyn looked at Kim Soleum sharply.

—This is your chance. Don't miss it.

"…"

'…What exactly do you want me to do, ma'am?'

Kim Soleum was seriously crying. He was seriously crying in his heart!

Kim Soleum stiffly turned his body towards Baek Saheon. The desire to cry amplified when he saw Baek Saheon flinch upon meeting his gaze.

He also didn't want to do this, mind you.

Kim Soleum slowly raised his hand.

Baek Saheon tensed up, curled his shoulders, and shut his eyes, waiting to get punched or something.

But the punch never came. Instead…

Pat.

Pat. Pat. Pat.

Baek Saheon, "??????????????????????????"

He looked utterly bewildered. And Kim Soleum's mind was traitorous.

'…It's soft.'

Baek Saheon's hair was ridiculously soft. No. It was softer than it looked!

Damn it. Why did it take him this long before patting Baek Saheon? He should have monopolized it from the start! Kim Soleum's heart was now filled with regret!

"Ugh… Ungh…?"

Kim Soleum let out a satisfied hum at Baek Saheon's dumbfounded reaction. Even the confused sounds leaving his mouth were like music to Kim Soleum's ears.

Maybe they should do this as their daily ritual from now on.

"Don't worry. It's all for your sake."

"Ungh…?!!"

Kim Soleum was pretty satisfied. Maybe the guide Rosalyn provided was useful, after all.

"Shall we go eat after getting out of here? I'll cook."

"W, Who wants to eat your cooking?!"

"Oh? Then perhaps we should eat out. Where do you want to go?"

"Seriously…! What is wrong with you?!"

Rosalyn was laughing lightly with a hand to her lips.

"Fufufu~ His reaction is just like Cale's~."

If she says they're similar and she finds this amusing, then perhaps Kim Soleum was really doing the right thing.

Maybe taming Baek Saheon was easier than he thought!

At that moment, a loud ringing sound blared.

Kim Soleum and Baek Saheon froze and stared at each other.

Huh? Phones don't work inside darknesses, so it couldn't be from either of them. Their gaze turned towards Rosalyn.

She casually took out a device from her dimensional pocket. It was round and emitting a red light.

'…Is that a bomb?'

Rosalyn pressed something, then a voice came out from the device.

'…So it's some sort of a communication device?'

—Master!

It was a woman's voice.

—Why on earth did you go alone? I clearly told you to wait for me!

'This must be that vice-master she mentioned earlier.'

A sheepish smile appeared on Rosalyn's face. She looked so different from when she was talking to them. As if a switch had been flipped.

"Good day to you, too, Shelaine! I'm doing well!"

—Master, seriously!! Do you know how many times you've caused trouble this month alone?!

…Oops. She was getting scolded.

Kim Soleum awkwardly removed his hand from Baek Saheon's hair and looked away, pretending as if he couldn't hear their conversation.

At times like this, it was better to act like he was one with the air.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Don't be angry anymore, Shelaine. I promise I really didn't do much this time!"

Didn't do much? Kim Soleum looked below him.

…

Right. Didn't do much. Of course. She just destroyed a few parts of this darkness, exploded a few rocks and mountains, and even killed a chimera. That wasn't much, right?

—Haaaaaaaa… Tower master, you really need to think twice before jumping into a situation. The tower has become a mess because you've gone missing! We had to get reinforcement to look all over for you!

Although she was getting scolded, Rosalyn's expression softened.

"Okay. This will be the last time, I promise. I won't do anything dangerous alone again." She paused, then quickly went off track, "Actually, it wasn't even that dangerous. I just ended up in a different world space, but that's nothing serious."

—Seriously!!!!

Kim Soleum tried not to flinch at the loud shout, while Rosalyn tried to laugh it off.

"Anyway! You can get me out now, right?"

Since the call connected, it means they have already tracked her down and somehow connected to the space they were in, which made communication possible.

For a moment, there was silence on the other side. Rosalyn tilted her head slightly.

"Shelaine?"

Something seemed to have shuffled before a voice replied.

—Ro.

It was a man's voice. Kim Soleum subconsciously glanced at her.

For a moment, Rosalyn blinked. Then, her shoulders relaxed, her expression gentler.

"Hi."

More shuffling sounds…

—I'll be there soon.

'…Is that her husband?'

Kim Soleum was suddenly curious. By the way she described her 'puppy', it sounded like he was a difficult person to please, much like Baek Saheon.

But from the sound of his voice—deep, mellow, and warm—one cannot help but feel assured.

—Wait for me.

And perhaps that was truly the case.

A gentle smile graced Rosalyn's lips as she looked at the communication device with fondness.

"Alright, I'll wait for you."

A low, quiet hum was heard.

—See you soon.

The call disconnected after that.

Silence surrounded them. And then, Rosalyn sighed softly before putting the communication device back in her dimensional pocket.

"Well, since our time is almost up, want to hear something interesting?"

Her demeanor changed once again. This time, she looked a bit teasing.

Honestly, this unprompted meeting between them wasn't as bad as Kim Soleum initially thought. He still thinks she is the scariest person he has met in his life, but she wasn't that unpleasant.

Rosalyn smiled with the brightest smile, her eyes practically disappearing.

"I think you got stuck here because I killed half of the monsters here."

"…."

Kim Soleum took that back.

Not unpleasant? This is seriously unpleasant news! The worst part? They were still suspended in the air, completely at her mercy! They were practically hostages!!!

Even worse? Baek Saheon wasn't even affected!!! Damn it!!!!

"This 'darkness' you called must have wanted to trap all invaders here for destroying half of this place, probably in an attempt to kill us off."

'Ma'am, if anything, you're the one who caused this anomaly!'

Kim Soleum had a pained smile on his face, his hands clasped tightly together.

Rosalyn snapped her fingers, and like magic, some sort of illusion disappeared. A loud, deafening, screeching cry was heard.

Kim Soleum flinched and instinctively looked around them.

So many monsters were crawling on the ground. Ones that they hadn't seen earlier.

'…Did she put up a barrier that prevented us from seeing such a scary sight?'

Kim Soleum's heart palpitated. Those disfigured monsters were unlike anything he had seen so far. They were ugly, grotesque, and terrifying. They gobbled up everything around them. Dust, rocks, and even sucking the air.

Kim Soleum could almost feel the pressure pulling him down.

"Oops, careful. If you fall, you'll instantly become a snack for those raging fellows."

Rosalyn snapped her fingers again. Now that he had seen it, he could slightly make out an invisible barrier surrounding them, blurring out the sight of monsters and protecting them from getting sucked down.

Kim Soleum's heart trembled.

So the reason why Rosalyn had kept them mid-air was actually that she was protecting them from those monsters.

Kim Soleum was seriously scared shitless.

"That's why the 'eye' did not register you as a threat." Baek Saheon spoke at that moment, tapping under his left eye. "You've been a big help to us, ma'am."

'…Look at him sucking up to her. Sigh. He never changes.'

Kim Soleum inwardly shook his head.

"That's true, but it's also my responsibility, given that those monsters are probably looking for me."

'…At least she's aware.'

Kim Soleum sighed.

"Do we have no choice but to wait for your companions, ma'am?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention. I know how to send you back."

Kim Soleum, "…"

Kim Soleum hunched forward and pressed his face on his palm.

'She kept us here on purpose.'

So that was why she dodged Baek Saheon's question earlier. Actually, in that sense, Baek Saheon already had his suspicions, and yet he didn't press for more questions!

Kim Soleum felt betrayed!

Baek Saheon flinched when Kim Soleum turned his head slightly and discreetly glared at him.

"W, What else did you expect me to do? I was curious why she wanted to keep us here! B, besides… It's not like we were held up for nothing! You and I got free items!"

"Is that seriously the only thing in that head of yours? I pity your future generation. Please don't ever reproduce, Baek Saheon-ssi."

Baek Saheon reddened from anger but couldn't say anything.

Rosalyn tittered amidst their argument, "Oh, you will regret saying that. You'll be desperately scrambling for ways to make reproduction possible."

Their gaze met at that moment. Rosalyn wore a slight smirk.

"But by then, the puppy would refuse after the humiliation he faced today."

Rosalyn continued cackling, which was beginning to sound like an evil witch's laugh.

"You should have been more careful with your words, Kim Soleum-ssi."

'What is she saying now?'

Kim Soleum sighed, then rested his back against the invisible barrier.

"When are you planning to send us back?"

Rosalyn hummed, "You can leave now if you'd like. I can forcibly tear a part of this 'darkness', and you can leave as you please."

Tear a part of this darkness? Damn it, how strong is this woman?

"Is there any likelihood of casualties?"

Rosalyn smiled mysteriously.

"For you, there won't be any."

…

So it means that there would be a drawback for her.

Kim Soleum sighed, then rubbed his forehead.

"Is there a way to avoid all casualties?"

It seemed she found his concern amusing because she was chuckling once again.

'This woman is oddly a cheerful one. Not creepy or fake like Kwak Jekang, but… She's been smiling and laughing the whole time.'

"It's bound to happen. I'm certain the people who will come for me would tear a part of this darkness, too. That's how portals are forcibly opened."

Portals. So the 'tear a part of the darkness' she was talking about was actually opening a portal.

"What exactly is this casualty, ma'am?" Baek Saheon asked after sitting away from Kim Soleum.

Kim Soleum stared at the huge space between them now, "…."

Wow. He's blatantly showing his annoyance now, huh?

"Hm… Those rampaging monsters might escape through the portal as well. But as mentioned, if you leave now, they won't be able to follow you since I'd still be here."

Then, doesn't that mean she'll have to deal with all these monsters alone?

"…Are you strong enough that you can hold up on your own, ma'am?" Kim Soleum quickly added, "No offense."

Usually, strong people don't like having their strength and power questioned, right?

Thankfully, Rosalyn didn't take offense.

"I did consider annihilating them."

Kim Soleum felt a shiver run down his spine. '…Scary!'

"But after hearing about your circumstance, I thought you'd get in trouble if this entire space collapses."

So basically, she was strong enough that this darkness would disappear entirely. That's no different from saying she could destroy an entire world.

Kim Soleum felt his stomach churn. It was a good thing that Rosalyn was kind to them; otherwise, they would have died in a millisecond, and they wouldn't even have noticed.

"If you leave now, I can go down and kill them and leave just enough that this 'darkness' could still be explored safely after today."

That was certainly a good way of ending this. Plus, it was a guarantee that this darkness would no longer be life-threatening for anyone who would come here in the future.

But.

Kim Soleum shook his head.

"It's risky. Our company would suspect it and might investigate what had happened. If that happens, they might trace it back to you, ma'am."

Right. Something like Daydream Inc. would certainly do that. For them, every darkness was valuable. If this darkness changes drastically, they would take every measure possible to find the person who did that.

It would have been fine if it were merely an anomaly, but the anomaly came in the form of someone from a completely different worldline.

Who knows what Daydream Inc. would do to this powerful person in front of them?

'…They might drag her to the company and force her to work, or worse, make her create countless darknesses as compensation for messing with this one.'

That would be terrible.

"To ensure your safety, we will be sure not to mention your existence in our report, ma'am."

Kim Soleum looked at Baek Saheon. When their gaze met for a moment, Baek Saheon frowned and quickly turned away.

Though he didn't exactly disagree. Not that he could, of course. Since she gave him a useful item, not mentioning her in his report was the least he could do.

Rosalyn hummed and then showed a grateful smile.

"I don't see a reason to refuse. You two have my thanks."

She must have figured out that Kim Soleum was going to such lengths for a reason and didn't pry further.

"We can stay until your companions arrive, ma'am. Then you can open a portal for us, and we will leave at the same time. The monsters won't have time to choose who to follow if there are two portals open. We'll take advantage of that confusion to arrive at our respective worlds safely."

Of course, provided that they leave right away before any of the rampaging monsters could catch on.

"You're saying I should leave them alone?"

"Yes."

As much as the offer of turning this darkness into something safe to explore, Kim Soleum has no choice but to ask her not to kill those monsters anymore.

"Alright." Rosalyn flashed an apologetic smile, "It might have been troublesome for you, but I'm thankful that you're still keeping me company. And my apologies for not telling you earlier that I already knew a way to send you back."

Well, it ended up as a wise decision, so who was Kim Soleum to still hold it against her?

"It's alright, ma'am. Actually, this turned out well for us, too." Aside from the fact that she would have killed all these monsters had they been sent back right away, they did end up with useful items.

Kim Soleum's gaze lingered on Baek Saheon, who was still trying to ignore him.

"My companion was right. We did end up with free items."

He saw Baek Saheon stiffen before slowly looking back at him.

"I apologize for any rudeness."

Baek Saheon's eyes widened at Kim Soleum's words. Feeling embarrassment boiling up, Kim Soleum quickly moved his gaze towards Rosalyn instead.

"I hope you didn't take offense, ma'am."

Rosalyn smiled with satisfaction.

—Good job. I know I said to bully the wet puppy, but the bullying shouldn't be taken so far that you'd hurt his feelings.

Kim Soleum nodded to show that he understood.

—Be sure to apologize when at fault, Kim Soleum-ssi. Wet puppies tend to dwell on negative memories and ruminate. Letting all those build up on top of their already existing negative feelings is detrimental to their well-being.

Wet puppies were indeed much more sensitive than they appear. Kim Soleum was starting to understand that. At the same time, his respect for Rosalyn was increasing rapidly.

She was a veteran worthy of great respect.

"Offense none taken," Rosalyn responded brightly.

At that moment.

Rumble!

"Huh?"

The three of them quickly looked back and saw a huge slash in the space near them. Kim Soleum was alert, but Rosalyn simply waved her hand.

"!"

He felt as if the barrier around them had extended towards the slash that was slowly widening, revealing a massive gap in space.

An amazed gasp left Kim Soleum's face.

This was his first time witnessing a portal being forcibly opened in real-time. Usually in darknesses, he only has to blink, and then he is back in reality.

And yet the sight of the space being torn and opened…

It was mesmerizing. He could almost see the twinkling stars through that gap.

"Well, my companions are here now."

Rosalyn smiled at them before bowing slightly.

Kim Soleum and Baek Saheon stood and bowed as well.

"It was pleasant to share a conversation with both of you. May you both take care of yourselves."

"Yes, likewise."

"….Take care as well, ma'am."

The three of them straightened their backs and looked at each other. Then Rosalyn giggled with a hand over her lips.

"It's the first time I've bowed to someone in a long while. This is truly amusing."

'…'

The first time she had bowed in a long time? That only meant one thing.

This person is a high-ranking person in her world.

'…Is she really just a mage tower master?!'

Footsteps echoed behind them.

"!"

Rosalyn turned around, and Kim Soleum, curiously, tried to peek ahead.

…

It was as if the word "expensive" were a person.

The man calmly approaching them screamed 'rich guy' from head to toe. How was that possible? Kim Soleum has no idea, too!

Kim Soleum's gaze moved to the back of Rosalyn's head.

'…Turns out the saying that a man's status is revealed in his wife's ring was true all along.'

Damn. Whoever posted that on the internet was a genius.

Rosalyn raised her arms, and the man, who was calmly walking, stopped for a moment. And then…

He sprinted towards her as if being apart even for a minute longer was dreadful for him.

As soon as he arrived in front of them, he dropped to one knee and held her hands, pressing his face on her palms.

While witnessing such a scene, Kim Soleum could not help but agree that indeed, this man….

….Was really like a wet puppy.

"…Injuries?"

"None."

"…Not even small cuts?"

"Nope."

"Are you sure?"

Rosalyn laughed lightly, "Hundred percent."

Cale let out a relieved sigh. When he raised his head, he rested his chin on her palm and looked at her like it was unfair.

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

Rosalyn began stroking his hair.

"I'm sure you are."

But her response didn't make Cale feel better.

"You've been missing for a week."

Rosalyn's hand halted for a moment, making Cale whine. Hearing this further reinforced the whole 'puppy' image in Kim Soleum's head.

Rosalyn resumed stroking his hair.

"That so? I've only been inside this space for hours."

The time difference between this darkness and their world was massive. It turned out that she was "missing" longer than she thought she was.

Cale continued, "Roksu was anxious."

This elicited a soft sigh from Rosalyn.

"I'll be sure to report to my liege upon my return."

"No. Not as liege."

Rosalyn moved her hand and gently caressed Cale's cheek.

"I'll go meet my brother-in-law and show that I'm unharmed."

Cale let out a satisfied hum after hearing that, making Rosalyn smile as well.

"Brother-in-law, his majesty, King John, requested that I bring the Breck royal soldiers to look for you."

This made Rosalyn arch an eyebrow, "There's no need to go that far."

"It was father-in-law's earnest request, too."

Rosalyn, "…."

There was no way for her to argue, given that Cale had a close relationship with her family. So if both her father and brother asked for it, Cale wouldn't refuse that request.

She let out a sigh. "I'm assuming all the troops are outside?"

"Yes, including the empire's first-class soldiers."

Rosalyn looked down on him with disbelief.

"His imperial majesty, too?"

Cale tilted his head slightly and arched an eyebrow, like he could not understand why she was in disbelief.

"You should be thankful it's only the soldiers. Roksu has been raging since you disappeared, causing a headache for all of us. That brat of a brother wanted to send Choi Han, of all people."

A scoff left his lips.

"His imperial majesty had to intervene because sending off the imperial swordsmaster was too much."

"I'm pretty sure that arrangement would only be displeasing for you."

Cale rolled his eyes and huffed.

"I don't want to spend a single second with that pathetic mutt."

"Haha!"

—Oh, and just a reminder, Kim Soleum-ssi, wet puppies hate each other. Make sure your wet puppy doesn't see you with another puppy!

Kim Soleum, "…."

Kim Soleum turned his gaze towards Baek Saheon and saw that he was desperately covering his left eye and seemed to be muttering curses under his breath.

Ha. So that was why Baek Saheon saw Rosalyn's ring with the red halo. Turns out her husband was the threat to him.

'…Please don't let a fight break out between them.'

"Vice-master Shelaine is also waiting outside."

Rosalyn brightened, but then Cale added, "With the entire mage brigade."

Hearing that quickly turned Rosalyn's expression sour.

"…That's too much."

Cale slowly rose to his feet and held her face, gently brushing his thumb over her cheek.

"Too much? The western continent lost its tower master, his imperial majesty's royal adviser, Breck Kingdom's daughter, the Henituse family's daughter-in-law, and…"

Cale wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her towards him, and buried his face in the nook of her neck.

It wasn't very noticeable, but he seemed to be shaking while hugging her.

"My wife."

It looked like they melted into a puddle of affection as Rosalyn pressed her cheek on the back of his head, her hands caressing the ends of his hair and patting his back, looking like they were in their own little world.

Well.

Until Cale tilted his head slightly and gazed coldly in their direction.

Kim Soleum stiffened.

"…I see you have companions."

Cale straightened his back but still had his arms loosely wrapped around her.

"A coincidence, my love. They were stuck inside this space because of me."

"That so?"

"Uh-huh! I asked them to keep me company while waiting for you." Rosalyn peppered Cale's cheek with kisses to reassure him.

Cale had a satisfied look on his face, but when his gaze landed on them again, he scrunched his nose in displeasure.

'…F, Fuck.'

Kim Soleum made sure to hide Baek Saheon behind him. He would rather not see two puppies fight!

"Were they good company?"

"Entertaining enough. We were talking about you!"

Cale looked at her curiously. "Me?"

Rosalyn smiled brightly and rubbed her face on Cale's chest.

Somehow…. she looked like a happy cat.

"I missed you so much, that's why."

Cale chuckled, then planted a soft kiss on Rosalyn's crown.

"In that case, I should thank them separately for keeping my wife entertained."

"!"

'He doesn't look like he wants to thank us! Ma'am, please open the portal and let us run away!!'

Rosalyn didn't understand the S.O.S Kim Soleum was blaring with his eyes because she was busy looking at Cale with sparkly eyes.

"Okay!"

'NO!'

"Master, you were taking so long."

Another woman had appeared, looking at Rosalyn with a slight frown, though her eyes were swirling with worry.

Rosalyn kissed Cale's cheek before stepping away from him.

"In the meantime, I'll go talk to Shelaine."

She then turned towards them and smiled while waving, "Have a fun talk!"

'Ma'am, this is not going to be a fun talk!!!!'

It was too late. Rosalyn had turned away and was busy hugging and reassuring the woman who arrived.

While Cale was taking steps closer that sounded as if a disaster was about to befall.

A puppy? A harmless wet puppy who was worried about his wife moments ago?

Gone.

In front of them, it felt like they were prey in front of an offended predator, gazing at them coldly, practically convicting them of a crime.

Kim Soleum was barely keeping his knees from shaking and giving in to the pressure in his gaze!

"So you stayed with my wife in this space."

Kim Soleum's throat felt dry. He could not respond, even if he wanted to.

Damn it. What wet puppy? This man looked like a feral wolf ready to devour them whole!

Cale's gaze flickered in intense displeasure.

"Alone."

Kim Soleum barely held back a gasp in shock when Baek Saheon suddenly stood in front of him with his arm held up… protectively.

"Scram!" Baek Saheon growled, "We didn't want to be trapped here, too!"

Huh. Huh? Was Baek Saheon seriously confronting that guy? Didn't he already see it with his left eye that the man in front of him is a threat to him?

Yet he was still boldly standing in front of that man?

To protect Kim Soleum???

Cale raised his chin and looked down on Baek Saheon with his reddish-brown eyes glowering.

"It seems you don't know your place. Daring to look my wife in the eye and even speaking informally. Tell me," Cale stepped forward until he and Baek Saheon were standing face to face.

Although they were of similar heights, the pressure that came from Cale made him seem like he was towering over them.

Kim Soleum was close to collapsing from fear.

"Do you have a death wish?"

It was almost as if he was taking away the air from their lungs, greedily taking away the chance for them to breathe.

Kim Soleum was barely holding onto Baek Saheon's suit jacket to stop him from doing anything. Responding to that man's provocation won't end well for them!

That man literally brought an army with him!

At that moment, Rosalyn's voice broke through the tension.

"My love."

All the pressure around them disappeared in an instant. Cale was back to being a puppy husband who whipped his head in her direction.

Rosalyn made a grabby gesture. Before they knew it, Cale was running back to her side.

Kim Soleum let out a shaky sigh of relief, mustering up the strength to keep his shaky knees up.

'Haaaaaaaaa…….. I don't ever want to see two wet puppies together ever again.'

Damn it. What would have happened if Rosalyn hadn't had a solid reign on Cale's ferociousness? They would surely be a goner now.

"Time to go home! Everyone is waiting."

"I've finished my conversation with them. Let's go."

Cale intertwined their hands together and began leading the way to their portal.

At that moment, a portal appeared behind them as well. Of course, Rosalyn did not forget to keep her word.

But…

Rosalyn turned her head in their direction, and their eyes met for a moment.

Kim Soleum swore he saw her smile.

—Liked my gift? It will make him protect you, too.

"!!!"

He could hear her giggle in his head as realization slowly settled in his mind.

'The ring…!'

So that was why she handed the ring to him and made him put it on Baek Saheon. It was so that the ring would also affect him.

Now, both Kim Soleum and Baek Saheon were connected by that ring.

—But it's not effective unless he already has those feelings towards you.

Oh. So there was a condition like that.

…

No, wait…

Wait….????

Unless he already has those feelings—?!

—The ring only gives him the strength and courage to take action, not create false feelings that didn't exist before.

Rosalyn grinned.

—I hope you'll treat him well, Kim Soleum-ssi.

Kim Soleum hated the implication of her words.

He hated that it was starting to take root in his head.

And moved further into his heart.

And.

And—

Puff!

Kim Soleum's entire face reddened.

That was how their strange encounter with the people from another world ended.

-
End.

Omake #1:

If Kim Soleum and Baek Saheon were discussing their marriage…

Baek Saheon: No! I won't take your surname! I'm keeping my surname! The madam kept her surname, too!

Kim Soleum: …

Kim Soleum: So that's why you were so curious about her surname.

Omake #2:

Baek Saheon: I don't like him.

Kim Soleum: I don't like you, either.

Rosalyn, while looking at them fondly: Ha… They're just like me and Cale back in the day.

Omake #3:

After Baek Saheon angrily threw a pillow at Kim Soleum's face and kicked him out of his room, when Kim Soleum suggested having a baby…

Kim Soleum, slumped on the floor, filled with regret: I was wrong…! Please take me back!!

Rosalyn, shaking her head while trying not to laugh: I told you so.