TGIC Ch 102

Chapter 102

Cold breath fell against fever-hot skin. Predatory teeth bit down, worrying tender flesh like a beast.

“Ugh…!”

A short moan escaped at the pain digging into my nape.

Had getting my lip bitten actually turned him on? Whatever had triggered him, one thing was certain—I had pressed exactly the wrong button.

“V-Vasily… just—mmph…!”

I managed to shove him away, only for our mouths to crash together again, swallowing my words whole.

A cold, solid tongue invaded my mouth. Afraid that biting down by mistake would only excite him further, I planted my palms against his shoulders and pushed, hard.

Tongues tangled; the iron taste of blood that had coated my mouth slowly faded.

I regretted drinking his blood in a moment of boiling heat. Too late, now.

“Listen to me—for a moment!”

I twisted my head roughly, wrenching free of the violent kiss. Taking advantage of that brief gap, I slapped a palm over his mouth and rushed out the words.

“It was the fever—I wasn’t in my right mind! I’m back to normal, so stop!”

“The fever, huh?”

Vasily’s brows drew together. The cold gleam in his eyes looked sharp enough to slice me to pieces; panting, I hurried on.

“My body was burning up, and I was parched… I thought your blood would be cool, and I acted before I could think.”

“…”

“It seems it really worked, though—the headache’s gone.”

Even to my own ears, it was a flawless excuse—airtight. As I spoke, I watched him. The suppression chip cooling, the fever slowly ebbing—that much was real, and his expression suggested he was, grudgingly, buying it.

Good. Hook, line, and sinker.

I began inching away, preparing to slip out from under him—when he spoke.

“Then you won’t need the medicine anymore.”

“…What?”

“Throw out everything you’ve got the moment we get home.”

“Throw out the meds—what are you…?”

“Any time your condition worsens, you can just drink my blood.”

The smile he gave me was almost pleasant as he watched me flounder.

That was not part of the plan… I prayed it was a joke. But with that calm smile, he looked perfectly serious. Cold sweat slid down my spine.

“I can’t wound you every time—besides, what if I get worse when you’re not around? There’s nothing wrong with keeping the medication on hand, is there?”

“No. What’s a little blood draw? I’ll stock the fridge with enough to fill it. Drink whenever you need.”

“N-no… That’s really not necessary…”

With that, he scooped me up and strode into the hallway. Panicking, I glanced around.

If anyone saw us like this, my dignity would shatter. I clutched his shoulder, blurting,

“I can walk on my own now!”

“Your fever isn’t fully gone.”

He didn’t relent. I tried to wriggle free several times, but the arm locked around my waist didn’t budge.

Still, even as I kept struggling, we soon reached the parking garage. Thankfully, we ran into no one before he settled me into the passenger seat.

On the drive home, the last remnants of heat faded completely.

I rubbed the now-docile suppression chip, falling into thought. It had been half a gamble—but it turned out Vasily’s blood really worked. The alternative I’d been desperately searching for had been beside me all along. The realization felt… complicated.

“Can you walk?”

As soon as I stepped out of the car, he asked. When he half-lifted an arm—an invitation to come into his hold again—I grimaced and turned away.

Icily ignoring him, I rode the elevator on my own and walked into the house. I tried to slip quietly toward my room past the entryway—but Vasily’s hand clamped around my arm.

“Bring me all the meds.”

“…You’re serious?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

…No. That was the problem—he meant it.

Damn it. I’d better stash a few. As I clicked my tongue inwardly, he added,

“For the record, Guide Kwon Gidam—your face shows exactly what you’re thinking.”

“…”

“So don’t try anything foolish like hiding the pills.”

A sting of guilt pricked me—I’d been read cleanly. I kept my expression carefully neutral as I went to my room.

I locked the door tightly and opened the drawer where I kept the meds. Lifting a fistful of pill packs with one hand, I sighed.

About a month’s worth, maybe. I wanted desperately to slip a few away, but his warning kept echoing in my ears.

No helping it. With another long breath—and the memory of Vasily’s threats—I gathered everything and stepped back out.

“Here.”

Vasily held out a hand as if asking for something as mundane as the weather. Making a point of it, I pocketed two tablets and dumped the rest into his palm.

His brows ticked up at the remaining red pills still in my hand. I stated, boldly,

“I’m keeping exactly two. For emergencies.”

“…Fine.”

Thank God—I salvaged at least two.

Only a pair, but it was better than hiding some and getting caught. Two seemed to fall within his tolerance; he accepted it without further comment.

As I stuffed the rescued pills into my pocket, I watched the fate of the rest in his hand. He froze them in an instant—then dropped the ice-encased scarlet tablets straight into the trash. I grimaced as I watched the crystal-coated pills tumble away.

God… do you know how much those cost?

He looked thoroughly satisfied; my own face only grew darker. Was I really going to have to drink his blood every time I guided from now on? The thought blackened my vision.

But… maybe it was for the best. The old meds, when analyzed, had contained not only blood but suspicious narcotic compounds.

Lately, I’d felt myself relying on them more and more. If I switched to Vasily’s blood instead, maybe I could shake the addiction before it got worse.

Still, the shock of losing my entire stash in an instant didn’t fade quickly. With heavy steps, I trudged toward my room—but his voice halted me.

“Guide Kwon Gidam. Be ready for a Gate raid tomorrow.”

“It’s tomorrow?”

“Yes. I’ll text you the schedule. This raid will likely take a while, so pack plenty of clothes.”

I scowled, the memory resurfacing.

Right—we’d made a bet yesterday, and I’d lost. I’d agreed to accompany his Gate raid. It would take at least a week; there’d be a lot to pack…

“Understood. Share the Gate’s location so I can book a nearby place to stay.”

“Place to stay?”

“While you raid, I’ll wait at the lodgings.”

He fell silent, tilting his head slightly. A bad feeling crawled up my spine.

“What are you talking about? You’ll be waiting on-site.”

“Since it’ll be a long raid anyway, can’t I stay at the lodgings?”

“Did I not mention this? You need to be at the site so you can guide me at any time.”

“How exactly do you expect to receive guiding in the middle of a raid?”

Unless I went into the Gate with him, that would be impossible. Frowning, I stared; he answered lightly,

“I’ll step out mid-raid, receive guiding, then go back in.”

“Why choose something so inefficient…?”

“I can’t take you into the Gate.”

“…”

Uncharacteristically inefficient for him. Even if he cut down monsters nonstop, the raid would still take a week; if he kept stepping out, the raid would only be delayed further.

It also meant my time waiting on-site would be that much longer. I didn’t like it—but I certainly had no intention of following him into the Gate either.

So be it. I’d wait on-site.

Resigned, deciding to indulge some nostalgia for my days as a temp Guide, I returned to my room.

Dragging a suitcase, I followed Vasily out the door.

With a full week of camping expected, I’d packed thoroughly. At least the weather was perfect—not hot, no rain. The only problem was the Gate being halfway up a mountain.

“You okay? Your face is getting paler by the minute.”

“If you stop talking, I might—ugh…”

The Association had supposedly carved a temporary access route to the Gate, but roots and rocks everywhere made the path horribly uneven. The car jolted endlessly for an hour; I clamped my eyes shut against the nausea.

When I thought I might finally throw up, the car stopped. We’d arrived.

The moment I stepped out, I grabbed a tree and tried to steady my stomach. A site manager, noticing our arrival, approached—Vasily perfectly fine, me half-dead.

“Welcome, Esper. I hope the journey wasn’t too difficult.”

“I’m fine, but it seems my Guide isn’t, as you can see.”

“I’ll bring some water right away.”

He returned shortly and handed me a bottle of cold water. I twisted the cap off immediately and gulped it down.