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The trio appear into Bong's apartment with smiles on their faces. It was yet another successful clear with no injuries! It was a fantastic day out into the tower and Bong could not be happier, so of course, Kosak and Gobang are just as ecstatic! (Perhaps for different reasons, mind you...but they were all happy nonetheless.) Bong is starting to see the two as more than just a summon, and instead something closer to what he thinks is a friend. Not that he'd know how that works considering his...less than ideal childhood. Money wise anyways. But! That wasn't the point right now! No! Now...was the time for shopping~ Bong has long since been planning on buying a bit of...extra protection. A shield that would not only give him a confidence boost by way of more safety, but also some more defense so the other two-- (manly Kosak) could stop from worrying about him while they go off and kill things. Its a win win for all of them! Well, for him, mostly. Bong was also of course, not about to let the master assassin know of his little plot to go back to the awakeners' shop. For if Kosak knew...we'll, suffice to say Bong already had an inkling into what reaction he would get. And no siree, he wasn't about to tell his first summon that! Not a peep, not a word! The man was borderline overprotective as is! Even if it is within reason... So no! Bong has decided to politely not mention it, and instead, he had opted to just properly apologize after he's already purchased said item. Afterall, its not like either of the two can make him return it, yha?
Thus, plan decided, Bong goes to the shop. Unannounced, obviously, because there was no way that he wanted to deal with the same formalities of last time, not one bit!
Humming slightly underneath his breath, Bong steps into the 'golden hall' of tower climbing items and socks in a breath. He'd been to distracted with nerves the last time he had come, and seeing all the wonderful items on display once again made his brain work overtime. There was just too many possibilities!
But...no!
He had an item in mind! Just a simple shield, he absolutely needed the extra protection! No ifs, no buts. Without something extra an top of his protection bracelet...he would simply not feel safe going after deadly creatures on his own. Its just as Kosak says: "Safety first! Flee from danger at first sight!"
How could Bong worry the older male any more than he already did? ...Well, a lot, and in various ways...but it wasn't his intent! So with a huff, Bong looks around for an attendant and...oh, its a woman! That's...something... Look, he's still very awkward around them, they're always so nice and kind to him, and oh nooo, his palms are already sweaty! ...But... he needs it. With a reluctant sigh, he refuses to back down because of his anxiety again. For himself, and for the piece of mind of the others, he must brave this challenge! For the shield!!!
Swallowing thickly, he's about to make his way to the woman when the tall tale sign of the sliding doors behind opening make him freeze mid step. An ominous feeling makes his hair puff up and stand on end.
"Ah! Well hello there!" A jovial voice greets his back.
Bong takes in a breath before turning around stiffly to see who is speaking to him. 'Oh! Its just a man...' Bong had almost expected to see a ruff and tough man by the sound of the deep voice he'd heard, but is instead greeted with the sight of what can be considered a handsome man. His hair is slightly ruffled, as if intentionally done, on his torso is what looks to be a black turtle neck and a nice brown pullover jacket. His legs are adorned with a dark blue, almost black pair of slacks. Overall, Bong believes the man is well put together. Bong is sure the other is most certainly a mid range player at the least. 'How intimidating...' Bong thinks as the man walks towords him, one of his hands is casually in his pocket as the other raises slightly in a wave when the other is a few feet away.
"My, my! I haven't seen you around here before! Are you new? I'm pretty sure I'd remember eyes like yours!"
Bong tilts his head slightly, brows furrowed before shaking his head slightly. 'This guy is strange.' he thinks, before outwardly responding: "Uh, no. I mean yes? I've been here before, but I am kind of new to the whole...tower thing." Bong mumbles the last part, feeling a bit...shy? Ashamed? He wasn't sure, but he thinks it must be the way the other's man's eyes seem to be staring at him. As if he's some kind of...prey. Bong shuffles in place a little, his hand itching to either summon or to materialize his trusty weapon. Luckily, the man decides to speak again, and Bong is successfully distracted from potentially causing a scene.
"Well! I'll be than...I'm in the upper 30s, the name's Choi Hoseok." The man holds out a hand to Bong, the invitation clear, "And what's your name, pretty eyes?"
"Uh, my name's Bong Juhyeok..." 'This guy's coming off a bit strong, isn't he? Hah...' Bong thinks with a strained smile.
The man across from him, meanwhile, laughs a little before gesturing further into the shop. "Care to join me further in, Juhyeok? It seems we're blocking the entry, haha." Bong blinks and with a quick peek around the man, Hoseok, and comes to realize that yes, they are still standing in the way of the doors. (Even if both doors are both large, and wide enough for people to get around them with ease...it was still impolite to stand right in the middle of them.) With a nod, Bong makes his way to the section between the swords and shields. He was more than eager to get the item he came for and to go home. (Where its small, relaxed and not to mention, safe).
"Well than, Juhyeok, thanks for letting me accompany you for a bit. And the truth is...that I tend to come here every day...so color me surprised when I see a new face! I'm currently climbing in the upper 30s...how about you? If you don't mind me asking, of course!" Bong blinks his eyes away from the hallway across from them and back to the taller man standing a few paces away. 'He's way to close...' the raven haired male thinks before replying: "Ah...I'm in the 10s still."
"Oh! I see..." There's a flash of something in the other's eyes that Bong can't quite seem to make out before its gone just as quickly. 'Strange...'
"Well, Juhyeok! Since I know what's going on in the lower floors...please, feel free to find me here in the evenings if you need any pointers or assistance! I'm always happy to help a new guy out. Haha!"
"T-thanks, I'll do that if I need to!" 'Please leave!''
Bong watches with baited breath as the man excuses himself to go browse the day's sword selection before turning the other way to continue his hunt for a shield with his shoulders relaxed.
After flagging down the woman he saw earlier down. And what follows is an awkward but manageable encounter as Bong than attempts to find the cheapest best shield in the store! (You would think that such an item doesn't exist, but you'd be wrong!) It takes a lot of back and forth with the sales representative before both he and the lady figuratively shake on the deal for a medium small buckler. The shield is nothing crazy in of itself, visual wise, but for Bong, whose on a budget but also in it for the protection, its just right! He and the woman close the deal and Bong takes his purchase with a happy smile. All that was left was to order the food, clean up the table and he'd be set to summon his protectors for a celebratory meal!
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Bong is standing at his doorstep, keys in hand when the hair on his arms rises up from underneath his white sweater.
'Yikes!' Bong shivers, feeling uneasey. 'Its not even that cold out tonight! Jeez! What is going on with the weather today?' The man's hand shakes as he tries to insert his key into the lock, suddenly nervous.
"Come on, come oooon!" *click* "Finally!"
Bong all but runs into his apartment, body shaking from unknown adrenaline. Only with the door firmly closed and locked behind him does Bong finally release the breath he'd unknowingly been holding in.
"Ooof! I'm finally home! That was...intense." Bong is of course referring to both the search for his shield, and the strange man.
"Choi Hoseok..." Bong mutters underneath his breath as he cleans up the little low table in his 'living room' space. "He seemed...nice, if a little...pushy? Ah well! I doubt I'll see him again!"
After rationalizing a little, Bong finally feels better about his afternoon encounter and continues his last bit of prep work for calling Kosak over. Bong stands in the middle of his little space with a smile and exhales, now that everything was settled, clean and organized does he decide to hop in the shower before the food arrives.
*Ding*
Bong looks up from his reclining position on his bed, damp towel still on his head and grins. He'd been scrolling through a popular manhwa about a lout of a red haired rich kid, his dragon, two cats and his servants when an oddly familiar voice called out to him from behind his door.
"Delivery here! Please enjoy the complementary dessert! Its on me."
Bong raises an eyebrow at the tone of the person but still leaps up from his bed after waiting a few extra seconds to ensure the delivery person's footsteps are well away from the door before opening it and bring the food inside . And, true to word, inside the bag in a separate container was a another package contains one generously sized matcha sponge cake. Bong was ecstatic about the complementary dessert! 'It must've been included on the account of him ordering from them so frequently!' The ravenett does a little jig and proceeds to cut the cake evenly in half.
"I wonder if Kosak will like this sweet treat?" Bong wonders to himself. "I hope so! I could have just eaten it all myself, but I'm sharing half with him instead! Hump. I wonder if its as good as it looks?...well...I caaan wait a few seconds to call Kosak..." Bong looks at the clock on his wall and notes the time. I've got a few minutes before the designated time renews...So I guess it would be fine to eat the dessert before then, right? Right!"
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Bong stretches with a self satisfied smile, the cake was delicious! So much so that he'd been very tempted to eat the other piece. But of course, he also wanted to see what kind of expression Kosak would make upon tasting the wonderfully soft and delicate treat. With those happy thoughts in mind does Bong finally outstretch his arm and summons Kosak.
"Salute!" Kosak emerges in his standard saluting pose. "Thank you for the five star rating..." Kosak's initially upbeat voice trails off as he stares at Bong while said stares right back at Kosak.
"..."
"..."
"Siiiiigh..."
Bong smiles sheepishly as sees Kosak's soul almost leave his body with the force of such a long, drawn out exhale. But he can't help the light glow his smile is no doubt giving as he summons the buckler and poses with it for Kosak to see.
"Do you like it?" Bong asks enthusiastically, "Now I'm even more protected!"
"You..." Kosak starts from his downtrodden position on the floor. "You don't...! Ugh, never mind, yes. It is a good shield Summoner-nim."
'Oh?' Bong tilts his head slightly while lowering the shield back down to his side. 'I wonder what he'd been about to say?'
With a slight shake to the head, Bong tosses the shield back into his inventory and goes to kneel in front of Kosak's face, hands gently reaching to the other man's shoulders and giving them a slight squeeze.
"Don't worry Kosak! You know me! I'll definitely still be relying on you for the best defense! The shield is just a...precautionary thing! No big deal, yha?" Bong tries to reassure his friend.
Kosak lifts his head and stares directly into Bong's dark gray eyes before sighing once again and moving back a bit into a similar kneeling position as his own.
"Its not that I don't want you to protect yourself..." he starts off diplomatically. "Nor is it that I don't want to see you grow and become stronger...its just..." the older man trails off reluctantly.
"Its just...?" Bong encourages the man along.
"Isn't it too...fast?" Kosak finally bursts out.
"..." 'Huh?'
"Er.. what's 'too fast'?" Bong questions the other, "Buying a...shield?"
"Haaa...no." Kosak exhales, "I mean your progress. You've barley passed the 10s, and even than you were already fighting goblins when our backs were turned! You could have been--!"
"Oh, well--"
"No. Look... I know, I know what comes next. You'll keep fighting more! You'll go bigger, and bigger until! Until..." Kosak falls silent, a thousand yard stare entering his eyes. Bong finds the look concerning, but before he can even process the feelings behind the other's stare; or how to he should say that he's being as careful as he can be considering the circumstances... Does he feel more than see Kosak shake off the mood. In the presses of that, the older male pulls back enough for Bong's hands, which had still been settled on the other's shoulders to fall of and onto his lap.
"Never mind. Just...promise us, no, promise me, that you'll sacrifice the two of us and run if you're ever in a situation you can't fight out of, yes?"
"What...! I--" Bong's shoulders raise in immediate protest before the sincere look on Kosak's face catches his eyes. 'His blue eyes are showing...' Even for Bong, who sees Kosak just about every day, even on the days they're not going to the tower...seeing the others' open eyes is special. Bong relaxes his shoulders and releases a sigh.
"I...okay. If it gets to that point, than I can agree. You guys...you guys just get de-summoned if that happens, right..?" Now it was Bong's turn to stare into the other's face, looking for any hint of deceit.
"Eeee...yes, that's right. Now!" Kosak claps his hands and springs up to stand, "I've been smelling something absolutely delicious this entire time! Are we sharing~?"
Bong shakes his head with a laugh and moves to stand up as well. "Of course! I even got you some King sized Crab dumplings! I know you're like those!"
Kosak all but teleports to the small low table, expression jolly and seemingly forgetting about their earlier...argument? Discussion? Discussion.
"Thanks!" He laughs, "To think you'd first share with me instead of that Gobang! I'm touched, really!"
Bong chuckles and glances behind Kosak. On the shelf by the Tv is the cake slice he'll give to Kosak once they've eaten and settled down. Bong is always open to watch whatever show the older male has decided on for the day, which knowing the man, can be either a sappy romance, or a murder mystery. 'Eh,' The ravenett shrugs, 'You can never tell with this one, heh.'
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The two have finish eating and are both reclined back from the table, satisfied in a way only an emotional talk could bring when accompanied by good food. The atmosphere is relaxed and cozy, and Kosak would have been more than content to just relax across from Bong had it not been for the sudden...smell.
Kosak's brows furrow, and his head tilts down a little. His nose, honed from countless days of having to differentiate between poison and herbs alike twitches.
'That smell is...familiar...what is--' Now that the dumplings were gone and their smell having been aired out, Kosak could detect a faint whiff of something sweet. Unfortunately, the assassins scent examination is cut short at Bong's happy exclamation. Amused and comfortable in their little apartment and shelves the thought for latter revisal . Instead he turns to focus on the other male with a small smirk.
"I almost forgot!" Bong jumps to his socked feet with enthusiasm.
"Oh~ what did you forget, hummm?"
"Heh!" Bong laughs mischievously as he walks toward the Tv. "I almost forgot to give yoooou...this! Ta-da!!"
Kosak blinks and leans back to the table and into a cross-legged sit with a squint that quickly turns into a delighted smile.
"The delivery guy said it was...uh complementary? I'm just assuming its because I order from them so often hah! Well, anyways, I'm giving it to you. So enjoy!"
Kosak withholds a fond smile. 'Bong is too cute...' he thinks fondly as he gently takes a good look at the green cake dessert that was placed gently in front of him.
It was a sizeable portion, even when Kosak could clearly see that it had been cut from an even larger slice. 'How generous!'
His thoughts and well wishes went out towards the restaurant workers of his new favorite place to eats' workers.
"Thanks, Summoner-nim! I will enjoy!"
The assasin cuuts a small peice, the fork goes through the light and fluffy cake without so much as a squish to the bread. Easily gliding through the matcha candy chocolate coating with ease. On top of the slice were evenly preportioned chocolate flakes that give the cake a high end look. Kosak opens his mouth and eats the cut piece with clear relish.
"Ummmmm~ deliscious."
Bong, who'd been watching from the opposite side of the table can feel his cheeks flame from not only the noise, but the clearly appreciative expression on the other's face.
"Uh!" Bong feels his shoulders rise and feeling a certain way he does not want to examine, he decides to quickly turn away from the other and step around the table to the TV.
It was then, that a sudden dizzy spell overcame him.
Feeling the world tilt for a moment, Bong staggers to the side and vaguely feels his body collide with the wall. Throughout the haze and the room spinning wildly, the raven haired male can only just make out the outline of the door to the outside. 'Ugh...' he thinks dazzedly, 'M-maybe I need air...?'
From afar, Bong can make out the muffled sound of Kosak shouting. But the younger male is too nauseous and too hot to really care about what he's saying. Bong simply wishes to be cooler. And what's cooler than the night air? Certainly not his cheap, no AC apartment, thats for sure.
Staggering what feels like one thousand steps, which are actually barely even ten, does Bong finally reach the door.
He opens it....
And falls onto a strong chest.
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He knows no more.
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Kosak. Is. F U R I O U S .
How dare.
How dare someone so clearly...so shamelessly. Drug his summoner. His friend. His Bong-nim.
"How audacious..."
Kosak had eaten a few bites of the tingly cake before he had foolishly relized where the earlier smell had been coming from. And of course, it had been the cake! Originally blocked by the strong scent of the dumplings. It was only once plenty of time had passed that the sweet smell of aphrodisiac had come through.
'Who dares!?' Kosak nearly flung the table towards the opposite wall, and only just refrained because Nong was standing just off to the side of it. And Kosak would never harm the man knowingly. Glaring at the offending cake, (no matter how delicious it was), made the assassin realize one VERY important detail...
Although he himself might be immune to most poisons and venoms due to his career choice...his summoner, was not. And that was when the sound of a body hitting the wall reached his ears. Head snapping up to the sound, Kosak was already standing and moving even as Bong reached out to his door.
Kosak was a single second behind as the door opened up, and his summoner is caught by a tall lanky man wearing a sharp grin.
"Well, well, I didn't think you'd just fall into my arms, dear. Are you that eager to see me again~?"
Kosak froze just out of sight of the doorway, hand outstretched to catch Bong in case the man fell. Unknowingly to the beast outside the apartment, the aura from within the room had quickly spiked and darkened. Whisps falling from the black clad man in the room, light began to flicker ominously. Kosak had turned to stone. Unable to move not because of fear or hesitation, but from the shear amount of rage currently coursing through his body.
The "man" on the outside reeked of the aphrodisiac. And that was all the information Kosak needed. He flashed a step just as the other man forced his way into the apartment. The man's hands had circled Bong's waist, one much too low on his summoner's lower back for Kosak to NOT imagine himself giving this battery a little pink bow. (After he had some adicional fun with his knives, of course).
"W-wait! St...stop!"
Kosak freezes behind the man, knife a mere inch from the wretch's neck. Theam, meanwhile, simply smirks down at the raven haired male. He had clearly assumed the other was talking to him. When Bong's eyes had clearly been pointed over the man's shoulder and behind him.
Kosak hesitates briefly, unsure and unwilling to let the younger male attempt whatever it is he's trying to do. But at the same time... 'He needs this...'The brunette sighs and relents.
Kosak knows the man has self esteem problems. He thinks himself to weak, a coward. Not tough enough not good enough. When in all actually, Kosak belives the man is anything but. And still, Bong doubts.
'Fine.' The assassin's nerrow eyes flicker briefly open to make direct eye contact with his summoner, and with an incline of his head...Kosak vanishes back inside the apartment's restroom. The man does leave the door open just hares width though...Just in case.
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Bong isn't one to curse needlessly, his moma tought him better, afterall. But in all honestly? He feels like shit. Like a helping pile of garbage left out in the sun. His eyesight is unstead, he feels like he can't breathe, and his body feels too warm and ridiculously sticky from the sweat.
'Gods...' Bong pants lightly, shirt still grasped by Hoseok's hands. Bong...hates it. Hates the familer touch of aggressive hands. It was too much like when he was a child. Too much like when the other children would push him around and make fun of him for circumstances far out of his control. Bong pants for breath as he stares up into the eyes of the supposedly 'helpful' man from the shop. Slowly, he raises one of his jello like hands to grasp at the hand that is currently gripping at the front of shirt , while the other goes to the one wrapped around his waist for stability.
Quickly reforming his expression into something more honeyed and sweet. Bong looks onto Hoseok's eyes and can see the immediate change in the man's body language. Less fierce, less...aggressive.
'Succes!' The ravenette cheers. 'Too easy!' Of course he'd already known it would work! It was something he'd learned to do as a kid when teacher wanted to blame him for other kid's mistakes or bullying. Eventually, the other kids learned that they couldn't get away with the tattle behavior because at the end of the day? His doe eyes and sincere expression would win the adults over, and then? They'd learn the truth.
Now though...as an adult, Bong hadn't really needed to use such a face in a while. Opting to get by like other adults do. Through determination, grit, and work. Plus, being sweet, honey, really... just wasn't something Bong wanted to do as an adult. It made people have...expectations, that the male wanted absolutely nothing to do with. Not with his dad unemployed, his mom recently fired, and his brother going through schooling.
All of these thoughts flashed through Bong's mind in mere seconds..seconds of which, the Store Stalker (as he'd now dubbed him), had going on and on about something. Bong hadn't really been paying attention. But what he did see, was that Store Stalker was...distracted.
'Perfect.' Bong quickly plans. Using his experience in watching his summons battle but also his own brief stint, Bong lets his body goe lax. The surprise of his body not holding up its on wait catches the other off gaurd enpugh that the man has to attempt to counter balance. Seeing the man bend his knees alittle and move his hand from clutching his chest to try and go for his back gives Bong enough time to bend his knees and quickly summon his shield into one of his hands. Using momentum, Bong pushes up from his crotch and with the very metal shield in hand, crashes the thing to the underside Store Stalker's chin. Bong winces at the sound of teeth cracking. He's also pretty sure the man's neck cracked ominously with how far back it went to his back.
Bong huffs and wobbles slightly in place before quickly stepping back and assuming a shaky half croutched position, ready for anything.
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"?"
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"Summoner-niiiiiim!" The raven vaguely hears the bathroom door slam into the wall on opening and winces.
'My deposite!!!' The younger male cries internally.
"You handled that well! I'm very impressed, sir!"
Kosak approaches the younger male's front, lightly, he places his hands onto the other's shoulders after croutching. A reflection of what the man had done for him earlier in the day. Originally, Kosak had been worried his summoner would be in danger, and was thus, ready to intervene...but he was pleasently surprised to see that even with only a shield, and throughtly...drugged, that Bong was still able to use enough force to send the man to the floor!
Knocked out in one! It was a miraculous sight to behold and Kosak rated it a 9/10. Only because the beast was not dead. But that was something he could handle on his own. (His summoner was too kind, and would surely object to a little bow. ...Nomatter how deserving the perpetrator was.)
"O-oh..." Bong feels his legs fully wobble out from underneath him, even as he feels his face turn no doubt bright red. Bong braces for his tumble onto the floor.
...
...?
Cautiously, Bong opens his eyes and is greeted woth the soft, fox-eyed look of Kosak. The man had saved him from a small toumbl and was also carrying him princess style. Bong...was surprisingly okay with it. He was honestly tired and wrung out. What he needed was sleep, but with the Store Stalker still out cold in his apartment...well, Bong had a call he had to make first.
It took some convincing, but Bong had finally been able to make Kosak understand that it was best to let the Awakener Management association handle the man.
Afterall, there was little doubt in Bong's mind that this was the first time the man had done something like this. Everything from the disregard of his personal space at the shop, to the apparently laced cake, which he now knows wasn't even included on the recept. An odd for a restaurant in his area to not do, especially a small, family owned restaurant that needs to budget.
One call and mere minutes later, (and after instructing Kosak to conceal himself from sight once again), does a familiar agent show up.
"Ah!" Bong greets the man and his...co-workers, with a tired smile. "Hello! Sorry for the late call, I had called the police originally, but they than said it was best to wait for you guys to show instead...something about awakeener protocols?"
Jeon Gwang-IL looks a little harried. Like he rushed over not in a car, but by foot, probably at a full on sprint, too. Fixing his tie, the well kept man in a suit bows to Bong, who is across the room...sitting on his bed. Look! He's tired, okay?! He was going to hand the guy over, tell the people to close his door, and immediately tip over onto his bed and go to sleep, okay?! He was absolutely done with the day. Hump.
"Player Bong, I am truly sorry."
"I uh-- what?"
"This will not happen again. We will take thorough measures to ensure nothing like...this, happens again. Men--" here, Jeon Gwang-IL looks to the two people in dark foreboding suits. "Take that away, oh, and make sure the N.I.S. handle it from there. I want to know everything that this one has done."
"Sir."
The men leave with Hoseok's unconscious form, not even bothering to wake Jim up to see if Bong's stoy is correct, or even the truth. Usually, the younger male would question this apparent "favoritism", but today...today he was exhausted, so he let it slip from his mind.
"Player Bong...I will also take my leave, and... thank you for your continued cooperation. Have a pleasant night."
The door shuts quietly behind the agent without Bong having to ask and finally, finally can he let his body tilt onto his bed with a sigh.
There.
Finally.
The day is done.
Bong's eyes close without his knowledge and from the slowly encroaching darkness around his foggy brain dose he feel a pair of hands gently lift his feet properly onto the bed and his blanket being settled over his shoulders.
◇~~◇A few hours into the night...◇~~◇
The assassin with brown hair and fox-like eyes lingually reclined on the floor of his summoner's floor. His posture was relaxed, and carefree, as if nothing could ever worry him.
But the truth was…that he was immensely worried. So worried in fact, that the TV in front of him was completely ignored. After all, what was the point of watching his favorite series, when there was a very real point of Bong suddenly dying from overconfidence?
Exactly!
There wasn't.
Koasak could still remember how utterly smooth and confident his summoner-nim had been when they were all fighting the one hundred goblins for floor twenty. It's almost like it happened yesterday…
And well…it kinda did.
Kosak remembers the awe-inspiring moment where Bong's shadow walking ability absolutely massacred the Goblins on floor 20. The shorter male's form was still that of a novice, but he made up for it with sheer grit and determination. Truly! It had been one to mark the pages for!
(His heart had been unsteady. Beats skipping at every felled foe. His hands clammy and shaking on his own dagger. Itching to join his summoner's side… Bong was- no, is beautiful.)
But Bong watching wasn't the cause of his skipping heart beat- no, that belonged to the ever growing fear that he was no longer enough.
His Summoner-nim was now in position of yet another attacking skill, which of course meant that it was only a matter of time before Bong decided to make an Orc shish-kabob.
Or worse.
...It was entirely possible that moving forward, it won't just be tower monster that Kosak would have to fight...but people outside of it too.
Kosak shivers and sighs inaudibly, before turning his gaze to the summoner's sleeping face. Those were thoughts for another day, for right now, the room was cast in moody lighting, the only exception being that of the TVs flickering lights which played across the plains of the other man's face and created artwork. It took everything in him to remain where he was and to not shuffle closer.
To not stare endlessly.
To not touch.
Kosak shudders, and turns his thoughts inward instead. ‘Please.’ He thinks, ‘Please stop fighting! Let us protect you!’ Kosak would rather it be just himself, but if the resident meat shield is needed just so Bong can agree…then he's willing to make a consensus. Only after a few more seconds of staring at the others peaceful form, does Kosak finally note the time. He would be sent back to that space soon. ‘What a chore.’ He thinks from his cross legged position on the floor. Turning to the TV screen, he says,
“The night is peeking, and the stars are bright…Sleep well, my summoner Bong.”
‘And please, stay weak, stay safe. Let me shield you from the Tower's pain. Let nothing like today...happen to you again.’
The TV screen's light flickers for a few more seconds, filling the room with playful lights before the preset timer counts down…and the light turns off.
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"Heeeeeelp me!!!"
Kosak nearly snapped his neck in half with the speed in which he turned. The young man was speeding away from a number of goblins. The small green things dared to wave their crude spears and misaligned swords at his summoner! The audacity. In one quick motion, Kosak sliced through the neck of the one's closet to Bong before quickly and effortlessly using their falling corpse to propel himslef forward down the line and on to the next bunch.
Over his shoulder, he calls out: "Head to the cliff wall we passed! Quickly!"
"G-got it!" Bong says through heavy breaths.
Kosak's shoulders release a bit of tension knowing his summoner is making his way away from danger. With a deft hand, the russet haired male makes fast work of the goblins before speeding to Gobang. The two had been on slightly better terms after they spoke (and fought) in the dark space where they go when not summoned. After all their goals aligned enough to agree on one single thing.
Protect Bong. Ensure he lives and lives well.
His summoner had become more weildy the more floors they cleared. And though both himself and even that brute of second summon had objected to various degrees...they could both tell their very soft summoner was growing...bold.
Kosak knew it was only a matter of time before it happened...
The Orc battle. Floor 21, and Bong's true taste for battle. It happne with his previous master, and now for sure...it was destined to happen again. The master assasin let his worries build even as he and Gobang executed their plan of attack by the cliffside.
How could he protect his reckless summoner? The assasin thought to himself as another goblin head bounced off the floor. Would he (and Gobang) really have to resort to using the 3rd law of the summoner's rule set? Kosak made a small 'che' sound as he spotted a sorry group of goblin mages attempting something from the edge of the cliff top.
Obviously, they aren't very successful, as Kosak deals with them swiftly before using one as an improv-to cushion. The man lands with a wet 'plop', satisfied at the bloody carnage surrounding him.
'Quick and easy,' he nods to himself. 'As it should be--'
[CONGRATULATIONS!
YOU'VE CLEARED THE 20TH FLOOR WITH A S++ RANK!]
Freezing. The russet haired male turns slowly to look a few feet to his left and spots a jittery Bong. The raven's hand shakes slightly from the wheight of his wepon, even as it drips dark blood.
Drip...Plop...drip....
From a few feet away, a bashfully hesitant voice speaks up, "Ah...looks like I got the last kill in, heh-heh..."
Kosak's eyes twitches, and Gobang actually groans in dismay. Kosak will have words once they're back! Oh he will---
"How's about we celebrate when we get back you two? Extra dumplings on me!" His summoner's voice rings out with elation, compleatly derailing Kosak's thoughts for but a moment.
"YHA! GOBANG AGREE!"
'Damn meat shield' The russet haired man groans, 'Of course he'd agree...sigh.'
"..." Well, Kosak guess he can put the talk off until the food is done...right? ...Yha! For sure! Its not like he'll forget, right? (And anyways, its not like a lot happens outside the tower for anything to interrupt him.)
With that thought, he nods resolutely. "Alright." He says as the other two turn to him with sparkling eyes,
"But I get to choose the side dish!"
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