29-122

EP.122 Take Back What You Just Said...! 

When Mina dragged me to the fitting room, most of my mind was already somewhere else. 

My head wandered a maze with no exit. 

Manifesting my nervousness, I couldn’t keep my legs still, rocking them restlessly. 

My fingernail beds ached from biting at them too much. 

“How do I look, Hyunseong? Does it suit me?” 

Just then, one of the fitting room curtains slid aside, and Juyeong appeared. 

A daringly designed bikini openly displaying her cleavage barely clung to her voluptuous body. 

To emphasize her bust even more, she pressed her arms together in front. 

Normally, the sight would have made me lose all composure, but in my current state, it barely moved me. 

“Yeah, it looks pretty.” 

With no soul in my response, the radiant smile on Juyeong’s face froze awkwardly. 

Was something wrong? 

She looked uncertain and averted her gaze. 

“U-umm... Maybe this isn’t right? I’ll try something else.” 

Even after the curtains closed again, I just stared vacantly at the floor, oblivious to Mina watching me as she headed into another fitting room. 

Meanwhile, in yet another fitting room, Lizetta remained completely silent. 

I could only assume she, too, was lost in her own thoughts. 

A heavy silence fell. 

Then, the curtain at the far right parted slightly, and Mina poked her face out. 

“Senpai, could you come here for a sec and look at something?” 

“…What is it?” 

“Just come here for a minute.” 

With her vague insistence, I was forced to stand and walk over to the fitting room sluggishly. 

“What? Did something go wrong with your clothes?” 

“Don’t stand out there like a statue. Get in here before someone sees us.” 

“Sigh... Seriously, what a hassle...” 

After glancing around to make sure no one was there, I pushed through the white curtain and stepped inside. 

She quickly shut the curtain and spun to face me a cramped space surrounded by mirrors. 

“What?” 

But Mina, who’d asked me to look at something, was wearing normal clothes she hadn’t changed at all. 

She stood with her arms crossed, shooting me a crooked glare. 

“What’s up with you today?” 

“…What do you mean?” 

“When Team Leader Juyeong asked you to check her swimsuit, you barely looked. Didn’t you call this a date? Shouldn’t you at least pretend to enjoy it?” 

Actually, it was Juyeong who had suggested the shopping, but I didn’t bother to explain. 

Nothing good would come of it now. 

"…Yeah, that’s true. Sorry. I’ll pay more attention from now on.” 

At my straightforward apology, Mina’s eyelids twitched. 

The typically forceful man was now so spiritless she found it unsatisfying. 

“You’re not acting like yourself.” 

“What do you mean, not myself? I’m the same as always. I’m fine.” 

“Sure, you were.” 

Her deep sneer echoed irritatingly in my ear. 

“The old you used to just roll over for anything anyone said, like a spineless helpless fool.” 

“…What?” 

Her sudden insult made my voice edge with anger. 

“Lately I thought you were getting a little manlier, but maybe that was just my mistake. People don’t really change, do they?” 

I nearly snapped, but managed to keep my cool. 

Now’s not the time to get angry at her. 

“You’re the one who’s acting weird. Just drop it I’m not in the mood to play along.” 

“In the mood? It’s obvious you’re sulking because you can’t figure things out.” 

Mina didn’t back off instead, she took another step closer. 

“You act so smart around us, but when it really matters, you show what a fool you are.” 

She tapped my forehead with her finger, egging me on. 

“All those times you played with me or Team Leader, it was only because of your weird ability, wasn’t it? Take away those powers, and inside you’re the same helpless senpai as ever. Pffft.” 

Mina actually knew nothing about Child, possession, the multidimensional stuff, or the Bureau. 

And maybe that’s what made her words cut all the deeper. 

“That’s enough. You don’t know anything.” 

Even as my face grew more menacing, Mina just smiled slyly. 

“Oh? Did I lie? Without the app, you’re nothing.” 

Bang! 

Finally, my patience snapped. 

I lost control and grabbed her shoulders, pinning her against the wall with a dull thud in the narrow fitting room. 

“Take that back.” 

I growled low, and her shoulders flinched. 

For an instant there was fear in her eyes, but it quickly changed to sly satisfaction. 

“Oh, got angry? So even a worm wriggles when you step on it pretending to be all cool, but you do have blood in that head after all, huh?” 

With the teasing only getting worse, I gripped her shoulders even tighter. 

She grimaced at my strength, but her face was flushed instead of pained. 

“But what’ll you do? I can’t take it back.” 

“You… honestly…” 

Just as I was about to lose it for real, her arms suddenly wrapped around my neck with no resistance. 

“Are you mad, senpai? Want to make me take it back?” 

She whispered a provocative dare in my ear, licking her lips. 

“Then make me take it back. Just like you always have force me…♥” 

One of the arms wrapped around my neck slipped downward, slowly unzipping my pants. 

Twenty minutes later. 

Thrust♥ Thrust♥ Thrust♥ Thrust♥ 

The narrow fitting room soon filled with the sound of heavy breathing, flesh slapping against flesh, and slick, wet noises. 

I choked Mina lightly as I pressed her against the wall, pounding her harder and harder. 

“Ohhhk♥ Coming…!” 

“So where’d your cocky attitude go? Provoke me more.” 

“I’m sorrehhh, I was picking on youuuu♥♥” 

“I’m gonna fill your womb with cum, so don’t spill a drop, got it?” 

“Yheeesss~ Do it, master. Pump your thick master seed, force it into your bratty junior’s pussy!♥♥” 

“Kh…!” 

Spurt♥ Spurt♥♥ 

Satisfied by her vulgar begging, I emptied all my hot lust deep in her womb. 

When it was over, she calmly wiped away the evidence streaming down her thighs with tissue. 

Around her slender neck, the red mark left by my fingers stood out clearly. 

She played with the mark in the mirror, unfazed. 

“S-sorry about the mark on your neck…” 

“It’s fine. It’s not so bad it feels like you marked me as yours♥” 

At those words, as my wilting arousal stirred again, Mina shot a sly, mischievous smile. 

“Looks like you’re finally back to your old self.” 

“How can you say that when you’re looking here?” 

“Hehe.” 

Once my mind cleared from release, I finally realized Mina had tried to comfort me in her own way. 

“You…” 

“No need to thank me.” 

She clearly didn’t want to drag the people she knew into this mess. 

“I only did it because I was annoyed myself.” 

She said brusquely, picking up the swimsuit she’d dropped earlier. 

I didn’t press her further and just waited for her to clean up. 

“Oh, but thanks for earlier.” 

“For what?” 

“For stepping in. You only did it because you saw Lizetta was uncomfortable, right?” 

“Wh-who said that! I just didn’t want my own schedule ruined, that’s all!” 

Seeing her blush and yell, I let out a small laugh. 

“Whatever. I’ll go out first, so this time change into a swimsuit and come out. I’ll actually check and rate it for you.” 

With those words, I opened the curtain and went back outside. 

“Juyeong? Why are you standing like that?” 

Standing there in her regular clothes with an awkward expression was Juyeong. 

Her face was flushed red and she kept glancing away as if looking at a distant hill. 

Looking around, I noticed other women lingering near the fitting rooms, all red-faced and clearing their throats. 

"Ah." 

So, they all heard. We were too caught up to care about keeping our voices down. 

Soon enough, maybe someone made a report an employee came running, but, after dozens of apologetic bows, we managed to get away with just a warning. 

But, because of that, we had to flee the store without even finishing picking out swimsuits. 

When we stepped outside the department store, we were hit by the oppressive July heat that only worsened our mood. 

“Ugh, totally ruined the mood.” 

Mina, still clinging to my arm, was the first to voice her displeasure, her face in a full sulk. 

“It was supposed to be a date, but some weird woman shows up, then we don’t even get to pick out swimsuits.” 

“Strictly speaking, this happened because of you in the fitting room, Mina. It’s not a club time and place matter.” 

Juyeong countered Mina’s complaints with her characteristically dignified look. 

Though she, too, was upset about shopping being ruined, she was intent on making the most of it to spend more time with me. 

“Like you’re one to talk. When have you ever cared about time or place for anything?” 

“Ugh.” 

Juyeong was momentarily at a loss for words, considering that just yesterday she’d been screwing me in front of her husband. 

“And it’s not like it’s all my fault. If anything, it’s your fault for responding to my provocation.” 

As Mina said that, she subtly showed off the handprint on her neck, and Juyeong’s mouth twitched. 

“Anyway, I don’t want to just split up like this. Let’s go to your place, Hyunseong. We can choose swimsuits online, or just eat dinner together it’s better than parting ways awkwardly.” 

“I can agree with you this time, Team Leader. Normally I’d want you to myself, but… I’ll put up with it for now.” 

“That’s fine with you, right, Hyunseong?” 

Ignoring Mina’s attempt to puff out her modest chest as if she was being generous, Juyeong asked as she walked ahead. 

I didn’t really answer too distracted by thoughts of Lizetta. 

Taking my silence as approval, Juyeong led the way, Mina following behind with a grumble. 

Back at home, an odd awkwardness lingered. 

Juyeong and Mina sat on the sofa, just watching each other, while I took off my jacket in the background. 

The biggest problem was Lizetta. 

She immediately went to the kitchen to put away the groceries, but even the sound of her moving utensils seemed unusually cold. 

Crash ! 

Suddenly, a sharp crash from the kitchen made Juyeong and Mina on the sofa flinch. 

Normally, she’d apologize, “Sorry, Master Hyunseong. I messed up again…” with a mix of self-blame and her oddball ways. 

But now, she silently fetched a broom and started sweeping up the shards. 

That silence was a bigger warning sign than any scream. 

I placated the worried pair on the sofa and went into the kitchen. 

“Lizetta.” 

When I called her, she shrank even more. 

“Still thinking about what that woman said?” 

Without raising her head, she murmured, 

“Not exactly... Well, maybe a little. I feel confused, I guess.” 

“Confused?” 

“Ever since I was created by Child, all I ever did was follow orders. That was everything to me, my whole reason for being. It always has been… and I assumed it always would be.” 

Her voice was scattered, as if she didn’t know what to say. 

“But… spending time here…” 

She trailed off, biting her lip. 

“I don’t know. Now... I don’t know what I should do anymore.” 

That awkward confession let me feel the full weight of the cruel question Naeun had asked her earlier. 

“Lizetta.” 

“Yes.” 

“Remember what you once told me, when I was agonizing about whether to keep possessing or not? 

You said, ‘I think you should do as you wish, Master Hyunseong.’” 

With my quiet reminder, Lizetta finally looked at me. 

“I think the same goes for you. Whether it’s Child’s orders, mine, or whoever’s… just do what you really want.” 

I finished, patted her shoulder gently, and turned away. 

Let her do what she wants  

But honestly, I wasn’t any closer to figuring myself out. 

Back in the living room, I flopped onto the sofa and stroked my chin. 

"Hyunseong?" 

"Senpai?" 

The two women exchanged nervous glances before looking back at me. 

‘I still have to deal with the Bureau.’ 

Today’s conversation with Naeun had made it clear there was no room for negotiation. 

But fighting them would take more than just a couple of powers. 

I didn’t know how strong that “protagonist” ability was, but if Child was so confident, it couldn’t be average. 

And to fill up the rest of my immersion in one shot, I’d need to possess again. 

“Hah.” 

‘Protagonist, my ass.’ 

They were just enjoying having me in the palm of their hand. 

Just as I pictured Child mocking me, my temples pounding, Mina’s voice pierced my ears. 

“Senpai, are you okay?” 

“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing.” 

“I didn’t mean you, I meant that crash in the kitchen. That maid okay?” 

“She’s fine, don’t worry.” 

She nodded and glanced at the kitchen, but lost interest in that topic, changing the subject. 

“By the way, Team Leader said you’re moving to Isang Felice? Where’d you get the money for a fancy place like that?” 

“Just lucky, I guess.” 

“Lucky? Did you win the lottery or something?” 

“If you knew, you’d regret it.” 

“Aw, come on, tell me!” 

As I brushed off her curiosity, I pulled out my phone, reminded of my realtor meeting tomorrow. 

Better get the down payment ready. 

Without thinking, my fingers moved expertly through the app. 

[Point Exchange] 

[Current Total HP: 14,200p.] 

I opened the point exchange page and entered the full amount. 

It was a bold move, especially compared to all my recent waffling. 

As I entered the amount and stared at the screen, I pressed the button. 

At that moment  

[Immersion: 70% → 75%] 

‘Ugh.’ 

A strange shiver ran over my body, and I groaned quietly. 

The world seemed to twist at the edges, as if some immense power was cloaking my entire being anew. 

“What was that just now…?” 

The unsettling déjà vu sent my gaze up into the air. 

KA-BOOM! 

“Kyaaaaa!” 

With an explosion that shook the whole building, the front door was ripped apart like a sheet of paper and hurled into the living room. 

Juyeong and Mina, seated on the sofa, let out shrill screams. 

“What the ?!” 

“Guess you were right, senpai. Sitting tight at home paid off.” 

The voice that came through the swirling dust made me suck in a breath. 

As the dust drifted out of the broken doorway, the silhouette standing there came into view a woman with silver-white hair. 

It was Choi Seohyun, agent of the Bureau. 

“I’ll say this up front: you’d better forget about running.”