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Chapter 247

“It’s killing me with this weather.”

Sitting under the parasol and gazing at the shimmering sunlight breaking through, I couldn’t help but utter those words. It was truly a killer summer day.

The clear sky with not a single cloud, the sweltering heat of midsummer—this was not exactly my preferred weather.

As I was lost in thought, a group of women who had been lingering nearby approached me. I noticed they were hovering around, but I didn’t realize they were here for me, so my eyes widened in surprise.

“Um… are you Choi Yeon-woo Hunter?”

“Ah, yes, that would be me, but…”

“Gasp! We’re such big fans! Could you please give us an autograph? And a picture too!”

I was momentarily taken aback by something I had never heard before, but upon realizing they were referring to me as ‘fans,’ I nodded. Ah, I guess I have fans now.

To be honest, it wasn’t like I had no fans before the regression; they were more like fellow misfits than genuine fans, but still.

Ultimately, it’s easier to gather fans now than it was back when I looked like a rugged mountain man.

“Yes, I’d be happy to. Where should I sign?”

“Ah, we would like your autograph for Shar.”

“Aha….”

Only one of the four stepped forward, handing me a glossy autograph sheet. So I guess three-quarters of my fan club is actually fans of Shar…

Having a lot of fans doesn’t necessarily equate to becoming stronger, but I was feeling a subtle sense of defeat at that fact… Is this the sadness that kids’ YouTubers experience…?

“Oh, I saw you in the Academy Tournament, Yeon-woo-nim…!! You were so cool!”

“Thank you.”

Still, showing disappointment at having only one fan when people came looking for me felt a bit off. So I signed as composedly as I could and even took a picture with them.

“Ah, Daddy, you’re with a girl we don’t know!!”

“Eek, it’s Shar!”

“Daddy, we’ll go play first!!”

“Let’s go, Tae-oh!”

Shar dashed over and hugged me, resulting in an actual scream. Anyone would think a boat was sinking.

In the background, Tae-oh and Dawn were seen holding hands and running. What a nice time…

“These are your fans, Shar. They want autographs and pictures, what do you think?”

“I’m glad I practiced my autograph just in case!”

With a proud smile that showcased her chest, Shar was impossible to ignore.

Just then, three fans, facing the sun with sunglasses on, presented me with pens and the autograph sheets.

I had no idea Shar had practiced her autograph, so I took a peek at the autograph sheets. I didn’t think Shar was that great at drawing…

As I pondered, each sheet unfolded into a grand drama.

A dragon flew in the sky, and there was a figure presumed to be me, frantically drawn in crooked lines around it—it was quite cute.

I was about to say that signing wasn’t that complicated, but I shut my mouth again.

What does it matter? If Shar finds it a hassle, I can change it; if not, then it’s fine as is. Isn’t that also an experience?

“My daughter draws well too…!”

Nea, having walked over, covered her mouth in astonishment as she said this.

Could it be that those gold dragons in that world lack artistic talent? It was a thought I couldn’t help but consider seriously.

Objectively, it wasn’t that good for a child… Should I just say she has a unique sense of emotion?

“Did you arrive?”

“Hmm, have you been waiting?”

“Ten minutes felt like a thousand years.”

“Isn’t that quite the remark coming from something that can’t even live for two hundred years?”

Nea chuckled at my serious reply.

I wondered what kind of swimsuit she was wearing. I was just too eager to shift my gaze, only to be disappointed by a cover-up.

I didn’t even feel regret at seeing the beautiful curves of her legs peeking out.

“What are you looking at, beast.”

“Grrr!”

“What are you doing in a public place? It’s undignified.”

From behind Nea, I heard Baek In-hwa’s cold voice directed at me.

Typically, those from the martial arts realm shy away from revealing too much skin, so I had thought she would be wearing something like a rash guard, but I was startled to find myself covering my eyes.

“This guy! Traipsing around half-naked!!”

“… I never thought I’d hear that from you.”

“Still, is it not rude to cover your eyes?”

Glancing at the scolding Riley, she looked like a boss with her striking red bikini and stylish sunglasses.

She certainly had a vibe that suggested she rode around on a motorcycle.

“Pay attention. I’ll stick by your side until I get the answer I want.”

“Nea!! Help me!!”

“Ahem….”

However, my savior Nea merely cleared her throat and remained silent. What kind of deal did they make that Baek In-hwa could go on being the golden sun and remain silent?

Taking a deep breath, I removed my hands from my eyes. My sight was fully cleared. My gaze shifted to Baek In-hwa—

“Gaaah, Solaris, you too!!”

It felt like my eyes were on fire. It wasn’t because of Baek In-hwa’s swimsuit, but rather, her skin was so translucent that it reflected the sunlight. Is this kid an assassin hired by direct sunlight?!

I started rolling on the ground, clutching my eyes. Sand touched my skin, and I could hear the sizzling sound as my body cooked.

“If it weren’t for me, I might have been turned into roast meat instantly.”

My body, well-accustomed to aura, was tough and resilient in itself. Burns and frostbites were the same.

Moreover, I had eaten the Sky Ice from the Ethereal Summit, so I could be said to have reached the realm of being somewhat unaffected by heat and cold.

“What nonsense are you spouting, suddenly rolling around?”

A shadow fell over my face. Baek In-hwa’s silver hair flowed down like a waterfall. She’s really making an effort to be heard, isn’t she? With that thought in mind, I sighed and opened my mouth.

The sky-blue bikini swimsuit blended perfectly with her snow-white skin, reminiscent of clouds flowing across the sky. She wrapped a gorgeous pareo around her waist.

Though I had made a bold decision, it seemed she felt embarrassed to show off her lower body.

“… You look great.”

“Passed. I’ll go have some fun now.”

With a bright smile, Baek In-hwa stood up and disappeared, leaving me to touch my temples amidst the strangely chilly sensation.

“If you’re embarrassed, please don’t do that….”

“Exposing a trained body isn’t something to be embarrassed about.”

Saying that, Je Gal Seong-ryong stood beside me, showing no sign of embarrassment despite displaying his muscular physique except for one pair of swimming trunks.

“Gaaah!!”

They say you can see a lot when lying down, but there are things you wish you didn’t have to see. The dragon among dragons was truly a dragon. I didn’t want to know.

*

We had lots of fun. The kids were so worn out they fell asleep. Well, they’d soon wake up and think about what to do next, so I had no worries.

As for the tired Baek In-hwa, Riley led her away to secure a spot in the restaurant.

Remaining under the parasol were Nea and me, who was just taking a break after playing for a while.

“Nea, did you enjoy yourself?”

“Yes, it was a lovely time after a long while. To be able to play without any worries like this…”

“You must have had a lot of worries. Who’s the rascal causing you to worry? Should I give them a scolding?”

“Choi Yeon-woo residing in Harmony City Bronze Dormitory Room 302. Will you scold him?”

“You idiot!!”

Nea watched with amusement as I knocked my own head with my fist. It was truly a comfortable moment.

Before we knew it, the surroundings began to darken, and the two of us silently gazed up at the night sky. The stars were twinkling.

“Did you know, Nea? More than half of the stars in the sky were not originally there.”

“Oh, that’s the first time I’ve heard that.”

“They say that since the gates started appearing on Earth, new stars that were never seen before have come into existence. Thanks to that, astronomers are excited. They finally got a chance to name a star!”

“Ha ha, that surely is true. Humans are a species most eager to leave their name behind.”

“Perhaps somewhere among those stars, there’s a Nea? A gate connecting space across the vast universe.”

“That could be the case.”

It was a guess anyone could make. There was no validation, nor evidence. It was just a thought that lingered in my mind.

“Before Nea arrived, and even after you came, I often gazed at the night sky speaking to you.”

“… Why? Is it because I’m a fake?”

“That can’t be it. I just want to lull your sleeping self with a lullaby. You must be lonely.”

“… Ha ha, you foolish boy. A sleeping dragon wouldn’t wake even if a cannon was shot in its ear.”

“Really??”

I was blown away by the idea of an incredible sound sleep…. I mean, it doesn’t seem fitting for morning commutes. Yet, Nea awakens in the morning… what kind of mental strength is that?

“You adorable child.”

Nea wrapped her arms around my head and placed it on her lap.

I wondered if she enjoyed giving lap pillows. Personally, I happily accepted anything Nea offered.

“The more I love you, the more I find myself loving you in turn. I worry that soon, the size of my love will overflow to the point of bursting.”

“I think I’ll love you more!”

“Ha ha, that could be true.”

As she said this, Nea gazed up at the night sky. With a gaze that seemed to hold affection, I felt a pang in my heart.

“… Is something wrong? Is something happening? Tell me, Nea. Please share everything that’s happening to you.”

At my heartfelt voice, Nea smiled gently. Slowly, she began to unzip her outerwear. The sound of the zipper echoed between us.

“I’ll tell you soon, but for now, will you just look at me? I feel shy and can’t easily show you…”

With her face turning red, Nea spoke, and my voice, which was about to come out, vanished.

Golden hair flowed down as it touched her skin. It was an ordinary pure white swimsuit, but at that moment, it looked nothing short of a goddess’s gown.

Under the moonlight, her eyes shone like a crescent moon. She brought her index finger to her lips.

“Shh, please forget for a moment.”

“… Isn’t using beauty unfair?”

Nea burst into laughter as she bent down. A soft touch grazed my lips and then withdrew.

In that moment, I jolted up from lying down.

“Let’s play a little longer before going in, Nea.”

“Ha ha, haha.”

Nea chuckled brightly as she looked at me bent awkwardly forward. That’s not exactly something to laugh about, is it??

(To be continued in the next episode)

 

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