Chapter 28
Chapter 28. Oppa, Thanks for the Present!
Under Sia’s attentive gaze through the video feed, I began my practice while wearing the limiter.
I focused on drawing out the greatest possible reservoir of energy from the Dragon Bone Sword, simultaneously attempting to reconstruct the Dragon Tongue by projecting mana charged with my intent.
The core drills were virtually identical to my standard regimen, with the sole exception of the suppression device wrapped around my wrist.
However, there was an additional nuance this time.
Before, my approach had simply been to direct my will into the blade and pull out its raw strength. Now, I practiced by deliberately evoking the distinct sensation that had surfaced when that shimmering, aurora-tinted sword aura first revealed itself.
Handling such power was undeniably precarious at my current stage, yet achieving complete mastery over it was inevitable and necessary.
Rokan had specifically counseled that approaching my drills in this manner would yield superior progress.
“Maintain that approach, and the energy will naturally gather within the containment band,” Rokan said, elaborating on another attribute of his creation.
It wasn’t merely built to suppress; it was crafted to store.
Though it appeared to be nothing more than an understated bracelet, its inner design was genuinely remarkable.
Even so, a persistent doubt nagged at me.
“Doesn’t that make the situation even more hazardous?”
Rokan had already cautioned that this power possessed enough volatility to consume me entirely.
If such a perilous force continued to build up and somehow slipped out of control, I could only envision a catastrophic outcome.
Rokan smiled approvingly at my sharp assessment before explaining further.
“Under normal circumstances, certainly. That exact risk is why crafting this limiter took so much time. Stabilizing it required tremendous care and proved quite troublesome.”
That clarified why its creation had extended far past the initial timeframe, leaving even a grand ancient dragon like Rokan thoroughly drained.
“Nevertheless, whatever power settles inside that band can serve as an absolute measure during dire crises.”
He proceeded to instruct me on how to trigger the stored reservoir.
The method was straightforward: funnel a tiny whisper of mana into the band, then unfasten it from the wrist.
“While predicting the exact ceiling of stored power is impossible, in theory, it could release an explosive surge so immense that even I would fail to hold against it.”
“Incredible…”
If the unleashed force could overwhelm an ancient dragon of Rokan’s stature, what kind of terrifying scale was that?
My mind could barely grasp such a concept.
“Meaning I must never resort to it unless I have zero alternatives.”
“Precisely. Release it solely when death is absolute and unavoidable otherwise. The power itself is dangerous enough, and the rebound that follows will be brutal.”
Hearing such severe warnings from Rokan made me shudder at how agonizing the aftermath would likely be.
Just picturing the fallout made me squeeze my eyes shut.
“I truly hope I never encounter a moment requiring its use.”
“Quite so. Should the crisis be settled, you would do well to invoke Sleep upon yourself immediately.”
“Upon… my own self?”
“Indeed. Since complex spells and the Dragon Tongue remain beyond your grasp, I shall provide an artifact enchanted to cast Sleep.”
I was initially puzzled as to why self-inflicted unconsciousness was mandatory, but Rokan’s rationale made total sense.
He revealed that beyond the agonizing bodily torment, unleashing the limiter’s accumulated power carried the grave hazard of driving me into an uncontrollable rampage.
It genuinely was a forbidden resort, meant only for the brink of oblivion.
Nothing short of a personal tactical bomb.
“That covers everything essential regarding the limiter.”
With the briefing complete, I readied myself to resume my routine.
Yet Sia had remained uncharacteristically silent through the screen for some time.
‘She usually never stays quiet for this long.’
Sensing something peculiar, I glanced toward the monitor.
[Look at this!]
Sia beamed on the display, lifting a shining silver bracelet into view.
[Doesn’t this look nearly identical to yours?]
“Sia, did you make that…?”
Had her quiet focus been entirely devoted to forging that piece behind the scenes?
[It looked so handsome on Oppa’s arm. Tell me honestly, does it match me?]
Brimming with pride, Sia twisted her slender wrist to display the accessory from every angle.
“It’s gorgeous. Your grandfather certainly possesses fine taste.”
I cast a discreet glance at Rokan to gauge his reaction.
He appeared thoroughly charmed by his granddaughter’s antics, letting out a soft, warm chuckle.
“Watching the two of you always brings the same realization. In all my long centuries, I have never witnessed a pair of lovers so utterly devoted to each other.”
The second Minjun wrapped up his training and the transmission ended, Sia pushed dinner entirely out of her mind, racing straight into her wardrobe to cycle through endless outfits.
Tomorrow marked their scheduled date.
More importantly, it was the evening she would dine with Junhwi, whose life Minjun had saved, alongside Junhwi’s older sister.
‘If I don’t give this occasion my utmost effort, when else would I?’
Sia possessed no clues regarding Kim Junhwi’s sister—neither her beauty nor what feminine allure she might wield.
Because of that unknown, anticipating every scenario and preparing for every angle was the only sensible choice.
“Not this style.”
By that point, Sia had swapped garments ten times already.
“This one feels completely wrong.”
Her pile of discards swelled as the count reached twenty revisions.
“Could… this work?”
Only upon the thirtieth attempt did she finally discover an ensemble she liked.
Having secured her clothes, she shifted her focus to testing various cosmetic styles for the coming day.
What aesthetic would emphasize her natural elegance while serving as a clear warning to any woman considering designs on Minjun?
She briefly contemplated using Polymorph to alter her appearance entirely, yet dismissed the thought, knowing Minjun would never desire such an illusion.
The optimal strategy was highlighting her authentic features, elevating her radiance until anyone looking upon her was left breathless.
A flawless method had to exist.
While she channeled magic to apply and wipe away different cosmetic looks, Rokan stepped into her sanctuary.
“Ah, Grandpa!”
Stepping past the threshold, Rokan immediately noted the cosmetics sprawling across the dressing table alongside mounds of garments blanketing the floor.
“Did you not mention the outing was scheduled for tomorrow, Shasha?”
“I did! Which is precisely why settling on tomorrow’s outfit must happen tonight!”
“…Understood.”
Though the logic baffled him, he quietly accepted her reasoning.
“Setting that aside, Grandpa, what brought you here so late?”
“Minjun entrusted me with bringing this to you.”
“Oppa did?”
The instant Minjun’s name echoed in the room, Sia’s expression brightened with sheer delight.
“Indeed. He had intended to present it himself tomorrow, but felt you might enjoy receiving it sooner, so he requested my assistance.”
Rokan extended an object carefully wrapped in ornate paper.
“Well then, I shall take my leave. Tomorrow is occupied by your rendezvous, but perhaps the three of us could share a feast on another occasion?”
“I would love that! Thank you, Grandpa!”
With their brief exchange finished, Rokan departed back to his domain.
As soon as the doorway cleared, Sia cradled the package with exquisite delicacy, treating it like a sacred relic.
“What sort of treasure did our Oppa send this time?”
Humming a bright melody, she gently peeled away the wrapping.
Resting inside was a pristine white pajama ensemble decorated with an adorable dragon pattern.
“Sleepwear?”
Thinking back, hadn’t she conducted their earlier video chat dressed in one of his oversized, worn shirts rather than proper nightclothes?
‘Did that bother Oppa?’
Perhaps seeing her lounge around in his faded garments felt slightly improper to Minjun, prompting him to purchase dedicated loungewear instead.
In all honesty, slipping into his well-worn clothes carrying his lingering warmth felt infinitely cozier than any tailored sleepwear ever could.
Even so, this was an intentional present from Oppa.
Turning down the chance to wear it immediately was unthinkable.
Her mind painted a clear picture of Minjun browsing sleepwear sets alone, then humbly seeking her grandfather’s help to send it across the distance.
A tender grin stayed on her lips the entire time she slipped into the pajamas while holding onto that image.
Dressed in the new set, she snapped a self-portrait and shot it over to Minjun right away.
[Oppa, thank you so much for the gift!!!]
[These pajamas are ridiculously precious…]
With the text dispatched, she clutched the device against her chest, waiting eagerly for his answer.
Moments later, Minjun responded by sending a picture of his own.
[I’m glad they suit you.]
[I picked them because the thought of matching sets felt special.]
Minjun’s photo showed him sporting the counterpart sleepwear set.
The shade was deep black, but the print and silhouette mirrored Sia’s completely.
‘…He looks so adorable!’
Minjun ordinarily exuded an effortless, sharp charisma, so witnessing him wrapped in whimsical character loungewear brought out an endearing warmth.
Sia set the snapshot of pajama-clad Minjun as her phone background without delay and continued typing.
[I can hardly wait for tomorrow’s date either, hehe.]
Entertaining extra company was somewhat irritating, yet perhaps the contrast would lend their outing a unique charm.
After all, how frequently did one get to sit back and observe others showering the man she loved with admiration and deference?
Barely a minute later, Minjun’s prompt reply illuminated the screen.
[Sia.]
[You’re still planning to wear the couple’s shirt you picked for me tomorrow, right?]
Caught up in an obsession to look breathtakingly striking, she had nearly bypassed the core sentiment.
[Without question!]
The most stunning garment imaginable was always a matching pair shared beside the person who held your heart.
Sia instantly stripped away the ensemble she had spent hours assembling, donning the coordinated top she had selected alongside Minjun instead.
“Truly wonderful.”
They had stepped out in matching tops several times during the early days of their romance, though to Sia—who had endured an entire dragon’s epoch in between—those days belonged to an ancient era.
The rush of anticipation was impossible to contain.
Simultaneously, she hardened her resolve to ensure Junhwi’s sister wouldn’t dream of casting lingering glances toward Minjun.
The morning of the gathering arrived.
Minjun had occasionally taken part in double dates during their youth, but an arrangement like this felt entirely novel.
On the surface it resembled a standard double date, yet the counterparts across from them were blood relatives rather than partners.
‘What was Sia truly planning when she pushed for this?’
Sia had strongly advocated for the meeting, and with Junhwi alongside his sister gladly accepting, the shared dinner had been locked in.
Even now, Minjun couldn’t decipher what Sia was scheming.
“Oppa, what has your mind wandering?”
“Just wondering when the other two will make it here. Did we arrive ahead of schedule?”
“Which simply grants us extra moments together,” Sia murmured, linking her frame snugly against Minjun’s arm.
“Though Sia, that scent you’re wearing today—”
“Good catch! It’s the exact cologne Oppa sprays on every day! I loved the aroma, so I put some on myself. Are you using the same bottle today?”
Had the scent leaned neutral, it wouldn’t have stood out, but the blend Sia was wearing was unapologetically crafted for men.
Minjun opened his mouth to mention it, but seeing her radiant satisfaction as she leaned close to compare their shared fragrance made him reconsider.
He offered a quiet grin and let the matter slide.
‘No matter. Men’s or women’s fragrance, as long as she takes joy in it, that’s all that matters.’
While Sia remained engrossed in matching their scents, a voice called out nearby.
“Hyungnim!”
Junhwi had arrived alongside his elder sister.
Sia, still nestled closely against Minjun’s shoulder, glanced toward the approaching pair without shifting an inch.
Junhwi flusteredly shifted his gaze away, whereas Sia offered a smooth greeting as though everything were completely ordinary.
“I am Jeong Sia, Minjun Oppa’s girlfriend. It is a pleasure to meet you both!”
“Kim Junhwi here,” he answered, bowing with crisp respect, followed by an equally polite greeting from his sister.
Sia’s gaze swept over the siblings in an instant.
Junhwi looked identical to his appearance in the recordings, and his sister was undeniably attractive, clearly having styled herself with notable care.
“I’m Kim Jiyun, Junhwi’s older sister! I was genuinely hoping the four of us could gather like this, so having you join us means a great deal, Sia.”
“You… were hoping Sia would come?” Minjun asked, somewhat taken aback, seeing no obvious reason why she would specifically request Sia’s presence.
“Naturally. I learned that Sia provided Minjun with his gear. Looking at it that way, Sia stands as one of Junhwi’s true saviors as well, wouldn’t you say? Minjun shielded my brother utilizing equipment granted by Sia.”
Jiyun noted that while she had longed to treat Sia to dinner as well, she had feared an outright summons might feel awkward.
Her initial intention had been to prepare a standalone token of gratitude for Minjun to pass along. When Sia herself suggested a shared meal, Jiyun had been deeply pleased.
“In any case, we can continue speaking once we are settled inside.”
Offering a gracious smile, Jiyun held open the entrance, gesturing for Minjun and Sia to step through.
Sia kept an untroubled expression, yet her eyes mapped every subtle nuance of Jiyun’s behavior.
The woman presented no outward faults so far. Regardless, staying vigilant against unforeseen developments was only prudent.
To leave no room for ambiguity before the siblings, Sia firmly wove her fingers through Minjun’s, stepping proudly through the doorway at his side.
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