The Dimensional Swordmaster C20

Chapter 20. The Whereabouts of the Sword (10)

No sooner had the car come to a halt than Gong Sijin rapped smartly on the window. The door opened, revealing Gong Siyoung in a short-sleeved shirt.

“Siyoung. You know we don’t have much time, right?”

He didn’t bother with greetings—straight to business, as always. Siyoung stepped out of the car, catching Yurian’s gaze for the briefest second before quickly looking away, shoulders tensing as if stung.

…What was that reaction supposed to mean?

“There are about thirty-seven hours left before the nested gate opens,” Sijin continued briskly. “In the meantime, I’ve got meetings with the Bureau, a guild master conference, and we’re also forming a dedicated strike team. Every minute counts now.”

The seriousness of his tone wiped the irritation from Siyoung’s face. But before he could speak, Sijin gripped his shoulder tightly.

“So don’t go home. Drop by the market, buy groceries, and make sure you cook for Mr. Yuri. Hot rice. Properly cooked.”

“…What?”

“Feed him, Siyoung. I’ll check later whether you cooked it yourself. Oh, and he likes meat. Make something with that.”

Sijin smiled slyly.

“Why the hell would I—”

He’d just said they were on a time crunch—and now he was being told to play house? Had Sijin finally lost it? Or worse, been influenced by Yurian?

“Why? Because you’re living together now, that’s why.”

Sijin clasped Siyoung’s hands warmly, his tone softening to that of a doting parent sending a child off to marriage.

His eyes shone with a mix of concern and pride. Siyoung’s mouth twitched violently.

“Feed him well, take good care of him. And Mr. Yuri,” Sijin added, glancing back, “if Siyoung upsets you, please tell me right away. He’s a good kid, but… his communication skills are tragic.”

“Hyung! What the hell are you—!”

“See? Even when he’s scowling like that, he’s soft-hearted deep down.”

Siyoung’s glare could’ve frozen lava, but Sijin didn’t so much as blink, continuing his speech as if reading from a script. Yurian, watching them both, understood immediately who held the power in this family dynamic.

He nodded politely. “Got it, Master.”

Raising a thumb in approval, he smiled. Sijin returned the gesture with matching cheer. The synchronized thumbs-up was almost mocking—Siyoung could’ve died from sheer rage.

“Right then, off you go. I’ve got another meeting to run to.”

Sijin gave Yurian a light push toward the car.

From the passenger seat, fastening his seatbelt, Yurian could still hear the two brothers arguing faintly outside. He glanced through the window and clicked his tongue.

“Told you—just do what he says.”

As he predicted, the loser of the exchange was Gong Siyoung. Moments later, fuming, Siyoung slid into the driver’s seat, stabbing at the controls with unnecessary force. The car jerked forward without warning, merging onto the main road with sharp precision.

Yurian watched the city blur by, quietly impressed by the smooth ride—right until Siyoung’s voice cut through the silence.

“…What do you want to eat?”

He nearly burst out laughing. All that attitude, and yet here they were. Before Siyoung could get mad, Yurian quickly covered his mouth with a hand, suppressing a grin.

“Hmm. I’m not picky—I eat just about anything.”

“…Fine.”

Good thing he’d made Siyoung part of the deal. Surviving in this world was hard enough—might as well enjoy the perks.

Tapping his foot in rhythm to the hum of the engine, Yurian looked rather pleased with himself. His sword was fixed, his livelihood secured—life couldn’t be better.

“Oh, I didn’t thank you properly earlier,” he said suddenly. “Thanks for finding my sword. It’s good as new now.”

He patted the weapon resting across his lap. Siyoung, glancing at it briefly, muttered, “I just happened to pass by.”

“Still. You didn’t have to pick it up. I appreciate it.”

Yurian had heard from Woo Yujin and Gu Jayoung that Siyoung had gone out of his way to retrieve it. It wasn’t some coincidence—he’d searched deliberately. Was he embarrassed to admit it?

Yurian bit back another smile.

“…Just so we’re clear,” Siyoung began suddenly, eyes fixed on the road. He hesitated for a long moment before continuing, his tone oddly stiff. “I’m saying this out of concern—just in case. Don’t take it the wrong way.”

Yurian blinked, intrigued by the serious tone.

“…In case what?”

“In case you, uh… misunderstand. I have no interest in you, romantically or otherwise. So even if you find me appealing, please keep your distance. We’re only living together because you made it a guild condition, and there’s nothing emotional about that arrangement. I’m saying this so no one gets the wrong idea or gets hurt later.”

His speech was unnecessarily long, like a formal HR statement. Yurian tilted his head.

“Misunderstand what?”

“That I like you,” Siyoung said flatly. “Because I don’t. I never will.”

Ah. That talk.

“Sure,” Yurian said mildly, scratching his chin. “But you shouldn’t be too certain.”

“Too certain about what?”

“Anything. There’s no such thing as ‘never’ in this world.”

Siyoung exhaled sharply, his narrowed eyes flashing.

“No. Absolutely not. Never, ever, ever. I will never like you.”

Each repetition hit like a hammer, every word drenched in conviction. Yurian’s gaze lingered on him, thoughtful.

“…Hmm.”

He’d met plenty of people who swore up and down that something would “never” happen. They were always the first to prove themselves wrong.

Not that he was expecting Siyoung to fall for him—but life had a way of making mockery of certainty.

He’d seen monsters invade “impossible” villages, and immortal men die screaming. People who said “never” were always the first to stumble.

“Well, we’ll see.”

“There’s nothing to ‘see’! I won’t like you. Ever!”

“Got it.”

Whether he did or didn’t—it wasn’t Yurian’s problem. Siyoung’s indignant silence that followed was almost cute.

Leaning his chin on his hand, Yurian watched the scenery roll past.

He hadn’t added Siyoung as a cohabitation condition out of affection. The man simply seemed… useful. Capable, reliable, and a decent bridge to understanding this world.

And so far, Siyoung had proved that assumption right.

Still, who could say what the future held? Feelings had a way of sneaking up on people. Yurian wasn’t naive enough to make grand declarations of “never.”

After all, he’d woken up in a completely different world one morning—anything was possible.

The landscape outside glittered with light. Lost in thought, Yurian’s eyes suddenly sharpened, fixing on something ahead.

“Huh?”

Without warning, he grabbed Siyoung’s arm.

“What now? Did you even hear what I just said?” Siyoung snapped, irritation flaring.

“Do you not see that?”

The light turned red, forcing the car to a stop. Siyoung finally turned to look.

“What?”

Suspicion laced his tone, his guard immediately up. Yurian pointed outside.

“There. That building.”

Across the street stood a small, colorful structure nestled among residential homes. A bright sign above read: Butterfly Nap Daycare. Tiny toy cars and a slide decorated the yard.

Siyoung squinted. “What about it? It’s a daycare.”

“So, a place for little kids, right?”

“…Obviously. Can we not—hey, hands off.”

Siyoung pulled his wrist free, muttering under his breath. Yurian didn’t react, his gaze fixed outside as if transfixed.

“So it is for kids,” he murmured. “Then there shouldn’t be… that kind of thing* there.”*

“That kind of thing?” Siyoung frowned. “What are you talking about? The slide?”

He pressed the accelerator as the light turned green.

Yurian’s eyes followed the daycare growing smaller in the distance. His voice dropped low.

“There’s going to be a dungeon there.”

Screeeeech—!

The car skidded to a violent stop. Siyoung’s body jerked forward against the seatbelt as horns blared behind them. Tires screamed on asphalt.

“……What did you just say?”

Catching his breath, Yurian rubbed his chest, now grateful for seatbelts.

“I said, there’ll be a dungeon there soon.”

Siyoung’s expression hardened. “That’s ridiculous. What are you—”

“Wait. You really can’t see it?”

Yurian twisted around, peering out the rear window. The daycare was distant now, but his blue eyes shimmered faintly—mana glinting like a ripple across water.

This world’s mana levels were low, stagnant. Which made the anomaly even more jarring. The energy churned like something alive, swelling, about to burst.

“…Doesn’t matter if you can’t see it,” he said quietly. “That gate’s going to open soon.”

 

….

Sijin: “Feed him. Nurture him. Cherish him.”

Siyoung: “I’M NOT HIS WIFE.”

Yurian: “Yet.”

Car: [slams brakes] 💥