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Join the ServerThe first thing that caught his eye was the word “Gate.”
These were documents that organized the decibel thresholds of S-class Gates overseas, selected those that exceeded the threshold, and pulled the anomalous readings into graphs.
While skimming over most of the incomprehensible jargon, Dokyeom’s gaze stiffened and stopped at a certain section.
Among the recently recorded data, one Gate stood out, unusually and sharply.
The location was Japan. A large map of Kyushu was attached along with graph after graph of anomalous reaction data.
The readings were four times the decibel baseline of a normal S-class Gate.
There was only one reason a Gate’s numbers would spike like this.
A Red Gate. And with high probability, when an Authority had descended.
An Authority in Japan…
…
It could only be the Authority of Lust.
Dokyeom held his breath and scanned the rest of the materials. The Gate in Kyushu, Japan had appeared exactly one month ago from today. Entry had been successful, but each attempt at conquest had ended in failure, and every time, a massive energy release occurred that caused the fields and trees of the surrounding mountains to wither in an instant.
Yet, the crops in that area were surprisingly fresh and healthy.
This was a textbook example of the Authority of Lust. It absorbed life, but released a portion of that energy to nurture its host, parasitic in nature. Moreover, Gates containing the Authority of Lust unusually never suffered a “Gate Break.”
“You’ll know that these are materials I investigated before I even met you. Information on the location of Authorities overseas, but I had a hard time pinpointing the exact positions. Then I finally got some results.”
That result must be the Japanese Gate written here. Taeseongyeon was already tapping the armrest again.
“I can’t be completely sure because I only did a rough check due to lack of time. There was an ownership dispute, so I couldn’t set foot there. I plan to purchase the Gate within a few days, but aside from that, the conquest period will take about fifteen days at the least, ten if faster. So I’d like to ask for your opinion around now.”
“What opinion?”
“Whether you’re willing to harbor the Authority I’ve obtained.”
Dokyeom’s jaw unconsciously tightened. A bewildered gaze fixed on Taeseongyeon. What was he talking about? Authorities were things humans couldn’t harbor. And now he was being told to do just that?
“That… how am I supposed to harbor it? You’re so certain the Authority is there…”
“If you offer your body as a host and let the Authority suck out the poison, it’s not that difficult. As long as you supply a bit of energy and a continuous price, I think it’s very possible.”
“No, wait, Taeseongyeon…”
“What you need to consider here isn’t certainty, but whether you can withstand the nature of the Authority. Of course, since it’s an Authority, it’ll be quite tough even if you harbor it.”
Taeseongyeon was not only certain that there was an Authority in the Japanese Gate, but also that it was the Authority of Lust.
Half of the report in Dokyeom’s hands consisted of explanations on the effects of the Gate and the changes in outcomes depending on the environment.
It described how the ground and fields dried up whenever the energy released from the Gate absorbed the surrounding vitality. Yet the agricultural products treated as food were fresh and reproduction was fast.
That must be why Taeseongyeon brought up the word “host.”
He was suggesting becoming a host for the Authority of Lust, to convert the poison attacking his body into life force. Of course, it was only a hypothesis. Even Dokyeom didn’t know if it was possible.
Because harboring an Authority in a human body was an attempt no different from drinking poison.
“Let’s say, as you say, that I become a host. But what if I can’t harbor the Authority? And even if I do, what about the possibility that what it sucks in isn’t poison. A host? I’d be lucky if it doesn’t drain my vitality.”
Dokyeom also wanted to try anything if there was a chance to heal his arm. His arm was already hopeless.
He had felt a premonition during the day that he wouldn’t live long like this, without reason or certainty. Perhaps leaving it unattended for ten days was also because there was no treatment, and he had no choice but to give up.
Still, this was dangerous and reckless.
“And how dangerous that place is…”
He understood where Taeseongyeon had been. For him, Taeseongyeon had personally set foot in Japan, inspected the place, and devised a way to save him. All of that was good. In fact, he should be grateful.
Surely, if it hadn’t been the Authority of Lust, Dokyeom would have gladly accepted.
Originally, this Gate should have appeared at the very end. Even in the story, Dokyeom had laid bait by saying that strange omens were occurring steadily at this Gate, and had implicitly introduced it as a place that difficult to conquer.
Because it was a world where ferocious and intelligent beings lurked.
It was a valley of spiritual beasts where towering stone mountains tightly packed. A place touching the sky of a majestic mountain valley filled with monsters that even Taeseongyeon’s abilities couldn’t handle.
It was the domain of the Black Dragon.
The world inside the Gate was the habitat where Black Dragons in spawning season coiled and crouched to lay eggs.
It was a place where even if all three major guilds entered, they could barely survive. Far from being an easy place for a single S-class to go on a whim. The moment he set foot there, even Taeseongyeon would have to struggle desperately to survive.
Perhaps even his chance of returning alive was slim.
“Han Dokyeom.”
Yet, his voice calling Dokyeom was not the slightest bit disturbed. It wasn’t that he didn’t know what creatures thrived there; the report already contained testimonies from workers who had barely survived after entering.
Taeseongyeon also knew what lurked inside.
“I clearly asked you if you were willing to harbor the Authority I obtained. So why do you keep digressing?”
…
“Whether the Authority absorbs poison or your life force is something I’ll handle, so you don’t need to worry. And as for the Authority, I’ll take care of obtaining it, so that’s also not something you need to consider one by one.”
From the start, the answer he wanted was practically predetermined. From the moment he handed over the documents, the choice became Dokyeom’s, and moreover, it was half forced.
Furthermore, Taeseongyeon limited this time for consideration to the present moment. Because he anticipated that after long deliberation, Dokyeom’s choice would be ‘rejection.’
“So stop being stubborn and give me an answer. So I can prepare myself.”
Dokyeom shifted his gaze and looked down at the documents in his hand. The text that had been so clear moments ago now seemed blurred, refusing to enter his mind at all.
After moving his lips a few times, Dokyeom abruptly asked after a brief thought.
“…What’s the reason for going this far?”
Because he wondered if there was a reason for this.
If he had coveted the Authority of Pride enough to risk his life, it would have been half understandable. But now, the Authority was no longer an important matter to Taeseongyeon.
Dokyeom didn’t know why Taeseongyeon was obsessed with the Authority of Pride. However, the power Taeseongyeon displayed in the video had already surpassed the level requiring an Authority. Perhaps, from the beginning, the Authority wasn’t a very useful power for Taeseongyeon.
Conversely, if it was for decoration, it made sense. But there was no reason to go to such trouble to obtain it.
He waited for an answer, but Taeseongyeon delayed his words for a moment.
Was it something he had to think about? He had thought so. Until a low voice came.
“At least on my end, I thought I had expressed quite a lot to you. But seeing now… it seems it wasn’t enough.”
Should that even be called expression?
Reaching out without hesitation, intertwining mana, demanding what he wanted.
If that counted as expression, he would acknowledge it. Because no matter the direction or texture, it meant that Taeseongyeon also had interest in ‘Han Dokyeom.’
Even if he couldn’t immediately tell what emotion it was or if it was sincere, the devouring gaze directed at Dokyeom now seemed genuine.
“So stop testing people and show some proper sincerity. That way, my position, having moved for you, won’t feel unfair.”
Dokyeom clenched and unclenched his molars. Right, sincerity. Cheaper than a price, more expensive than favor. Knowing that, Dokyeom still asked deliberately.
“What do you want?”
What that sincerity is.
But contrary to the expectation that an answer would come immediately, Taeseongyeon was silent. His eyes staring at Dokyeom seemed to look into the distance for a moment. His gaze sank. Taeseongyeon was asking himself.
Indeed. What do I want?
Just, he wanted to feel something from long ago again. It was a small change that suddenly came to his repetitive daily life. To call it someone, all Taeseongyeon knew was a voice and a gaze without form.
Did they talk? He doesn’t know who it was.
Taeseongyeon didn’t even know if it was human. That sudden emotion. The change that filled his numb mind. He just wanted to experience that shift in mindset again, unclear whether it was an emotion or a feeling.
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, Can Love Be Styled Too? is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : Can Love Be Styled Too?
