chapter29: Massage

"Still back there with the other three, arguing like kids. I needed an escape," he said with a sigh, already peeling off his robe. He wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped into the hot spring with a satisfied exhale.

Mina watched him with a half-smile. "Typical of you."

She waded closer through the steam. "Can I ask... why isn't there a time limit anymore?"

"The elders changed the rules," he said, settling beside her. "Apparently, they want people to collect more points—show off their strength. It's just another way to weed out the weak."

"Hmm, that does make sense," Mina murmured, then let out a soft yawn. "Still… so tired."

Hyun glanced at her, eyes warm. "Want me to massage your back?"

She nodded sleepily. "Sure."

He moved behind her, the water rippling as he shifted. "Alright then, I'll begin," he said, placing one hand gently on her back.

Her skin was soft, softer than he'd expected, smooth under his fingers. He began to knead the tension from her shoulders with slow, practiced movements. But as his eyes roamed over her figure from behind, he had to look away for a moment and gather himself. She was stunning. And if he didn't know her, really know her, he might have fallen right into the trap of her beauty.

"Ohhh, that feels nice," Mina cooed, her voice a lazy purr.

"Told you I was good at this," Hyun said, grinning.

"My muscles were killing me," she groaned.

"I could tell," he chuckled softly.

He kept working silently, his thoughts drifting again, her back, her scent, her presence, it was all intoxicating. 'She's kinda cute from this angle…' he thought.

A soft pout crept into her voice. "Ehhh? You're done already?"

"Well, I still need to bathe too," he said, chuckling. "If I spend hours massaging you, when would I ever wash?"

"Fair enough," Mina huffed, but her eyes lingered on him.

She took a longer look at Hyun now—the way the water glistened over his toned chest, muscles carved and solid, the faint trail beneath the towel leading to something... impressive. What's more his blue hair down was quite sexy. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her lips parted on instinct.

"Hey… why are you looking at me like I'm your next meal?" Hyun asked, blinking.

Mina snapped out of it. "Wait—I was?"

He narrowed his eyes, grinning. "You totally were."

"I guess… I'm a little hungry," she said with a giggle, wading toward him and wrapping her arms around his waist. She pressed herself against him, eyes fluttering up to meet his. Her soft chest flattened against his body, her skin warm against his.

"Mina, seriously?" Hyun laughed nervously, but didn't move away.

"I can't help it," she murmured. "I'm just a little… famished."

Before he could respond, she leaned forward and gently licked a drop of water from his chest, sending a ripple of shivers down his spine.

He swallowed hard. "Hmm… alright then…"

"Thank you, Hyun," she whispered, looking up at him with those stunning violet eyes. It was like her gaze peeled into his soul—both innocent and utterly dangerous.

Any other man would have lost control and would have taken that as a sign to pounce. But Hyun knew better. Mina didn't tolerate mindless lust. She hated being objectified. And anyone foolish enough to touch her without permission… well, they didn't last long and would be sucked to death by her.

'She's… deadly,' he thought. 'And yet so beautiful.'

He couldn't look away from her. Her brown skin glowed in the steam, smooth and flawless. Her eyes were clear and bright but shimmered with hidden temptation. Her lips were full and glossy from the water. Her long, green hair trailed behind her like silk, and her body—gods, her body, was sculpted like a dream. Full in all the right places, with curves that defied reason, yet still agile and powerful.

Even her flaws, if you could call them that—only made her more magnetic. A little tummy she never bothered to hide, thighs that made his brain stutter, and soft curls that had grown slightly over her most sacred place… all of it combined into a picture too vivid to ignore.

A poisonous flower blooming on a snake's back.

And yet, here she was, in his arms, nuzzling closer with a soft hum.

"I don't bite, y'know," she said teasingly, her breath brushing his collarbone.

"I know," Hyun murmured. "But if you did… I wouldn't even mind."

"Should we really be doing this out in the open like this?" Hyun asked, his voice low, a mix of caution and excitement as he glanced around the misty hot spring.

Mina's lips curved into a sly smile, her eyes glinting under the moonlight. "Don't worry, I've placed a barrier here. No one can see us unless they stumble right in," she replied, her tone teasing yet reassuring.

Hyun exhaled, tension easing from his shoulders. "That's alright then," he murmured, his gaze already drifting to her.

Mina's hand slid down to his waist, her fingers brushing against the damp towel clinging to his hips. She stroked him through the fabric, feeling him harden beneath her touch. Her impish smile widened as she watched his reaction, her confidence growing with every subtle shift in his expression.

Hyun's eyes roamed over her naked body, drinking in the curves illuminated by the soft glow of the spring's steam. His attention lingered on her breasts, full and inviting, before he leaned in. His hand cupped one breast, his thumb grazing the sensitive skin before his mouth found her right nipple. He sucked deeply, rolling it roughly with his tongue, savoring the way her body arched in response.

Mina's moans filled the air, soft at first but growing louder, each sound sending a jolt of heat through Hyun. Her fingers tangled in his soft hair, tugging gently as she pressed herself closer. "I know you like it rough, Hyun, so don't hold back with me, alright?" she said, her voice coquettish, her eyes locking onto his with a playful challenge.