UR Chapter 98

Chapter 98

It was a sudden proposal.

“A… part-time job?”

I-bom’s eyes widened, glinting with interest. Eun Beom-ho’s offer sounded incredibly tempting. He had already been considering spending the next week working a night shift at Coupang or at a dog food factory.

“Yes. It’s for three days and two nights, and the location is an officially recognized resort run by Samho. It’s not a shady job, and the pay is three hundred thousand won per day in cash. You’ll be paid on the spot each day. The only downside is that it’s in Gangwon Province, so we’d have to drive far in my car. It might feel a bit far, but I’ll personally make sure you get there safely. So, what do you think? Interested?”

Beom-ho spoke gently, folding his fingers one by one. I-bom stared at him. The man was dressed in a neat three-piece suit and shiny dress shoes—hardly an outfit for hiking. It didn’t seem like he had come here for some errand nearby, so… did he come all this way just to tell him this in person?

“Oh, yes, yes. I’m definitely interested.”

Still looking dazed, I-bom nodded. Then, chewing on his lip as if hesitating over something, he added.

“Did you… come all the way here just to tell me that?”

Surely not. Manwol Mountain wasn’t just the neighborhood hill.

“Oh, how did you know? Is it that obvious on my face?”

Beom-ho touched his own face as if embarrassed. Speaking without a single excuse, he then reached out carefully and cupped I-bom’s cheek.

“Honestly, I just wanted to see you, so I came to tell you in person. While I was working.”

The warmth of his palm seeped into I-bom’s soft skin. Feeling the heat spread wherever his fingers touched, I-bom pulled his hand away and turned his head.

“Uh, uh… so when should I go? Oh—do I need to bring anything?”

Lowering his head slightly, I-bom opened one of the convenience store drawers. The way Beom-ho approached so naturally made his heart race uncontrollably. Every word he said seemed to stick in I-bom’s mind… ever since that first moment they met at the hotel.

“I… I’ll need my beastman registration card too, right?”

For any beastman job, it was necessary to present a government-issued registration card, so carrying it at all times was a must. And since the resort was run by a major company like Samho, it was certain they’d require it.

“No. You won’t need it.”

The way he pointed to himself with his thumb radiated confidence.

“I’ll be your guarantor.”

Even in that casual gesture, Beom-ho’s social standing was clear.

“So, put it away.”

Then he leaned down, lowering his gaze. Resting his elbows on the counter, he brought his face close to I-bom’s. His slight, warm smile was disarmingly handsome.

“All you need to bring is yourself, I-bom.”

“……”

Little by little, the shadow across his straight nose deepened. I-bom blinked his large eyes, glancing up and down at his well-proportioned features.

Those faintly pink lips always seemed to curve upward as if he were in a good mood. His white teeth were perfectly straight, and every time he smiled, that smooth, refreshing expression was… And yet, despite that refined smile, his kisses were so heated. The thought flickered through I-bom’s mind, stirring it up.

“J-just… myself?”

I-bom’s eyes darted nervously.

He knew just how close they had gotten in such a short time. That sudden spark had flared like a striking flame, boiling his emotions, and they had gone further than kissing while tangled up at his place. So hearing “just bring yourself” made his face heat up before he could stop it. Even if Beom-ho meant it plainly, the way it landed on I-bom’s ears sent his imagination running wild.

“Yes. The resort has everything. Clothes, food, warm beds—you don’t need to pack anything.”

“Oh… o-okay, I see.”

Blinking rapidly, I-bom wiped at the sweat on his brow. For a moment, he had wondered if “just yourself” meant something else, and realizing it didn’t, he felt a flash of guilt.

Thinking something like that about someone as sincere and straightforward as Beom-ho… Shameless, Kang I-bom. Reflect on yourself. He bit the inside of his lip, as if trying to steady his racing heart.

“…If you tell me what to do, I’ll do it. I can handle anything.”

Scolding himself for the strange thoughts, I-bom nodded with a resolute look. He still had his morning shift at the convenience store, but for a few days, he could always find someone to cover for him.

* * *

After finishing his part-time shift, I-bom walked quickly.

Beom-ho had offered to pick him up after work and drive him there, but since it was winter, I-bom felt uneasy about the idea and declined. Instead, they agreed to meet six hours later at the bus terminal in Taebaek, which was close to the resort.

Having grown up in the mountains, I-bom knew well how slippery and dark they could be in winter. If the foothills near Seoul were already like that, the mountains in Gangwon Province—known for being the most rugged in Korea—would be even more treacherous. He didn’t want to make Beom-ho drive late at night, so he said he would take an overnight bus instead.

Screech—

A large Jeep pulled up behind him. The loud engine made I-bom instinctively turn around.

“Uh…”

The window rolled down smoothly, revealing a familiar face in the driver’s seat.

“Finished work? I came to pick you up.”

“Oh—Beom-ho? Wh-why are you here?”

I-bom covered his mouth in surprise.

“Weren’t we meeting at the bus terminal? I can get to the intercity bus terminal from home quickly, so it’s fine…”

“Yes, that was the plan.”

Sitting in the half-open driver’s seat, Beom-ho tilted his head slightly.

“But the more I thought about it, the overnight bus would take far too long. And since I can drive, there’s no reason for you to go through the trouble of taking a bus.”

“…Still, it’s a lot of work for you.”

“I’m the one who tempted you into working far away—would it be right to make you take the bus? It’s better to drive you safely myself. Unless, of course, you don’t want to be in the same car with me.”

“That’s not it, but…”

I-bom glanced down at his clothes in embarrassment. He was wearing a worn cotton-padded jacket over a thin turtleneck layered with a soft cotton shirt. It was fine for working a neighborhood part-time job with a uniform vest, but it wasn’t suitable for an overnight trip. And given that the position had been arranged by Beom-ho, he didn’t want to show up looking too shabby.

“Then… could you wait a bit? I’d like to change clothes before we go. This outfit is a little…”

He hid the frayed cuffs of his jacket behind him.

“Alright. As long as the clothes are the only issue?”

Beom-ho glanced at his watch.

“Clothes, socks, and underwear…”

I-bom’s eyes flicked toward the vehicle. He had never seen a Jeep with such huge, rugged tires before. So he really had brought some kind of off-road vehicle for the trip to Gangwon Province. In the driver’s seat, Beom-ho sat in a thick black jacket over a fitted winter knit that showed off his solid build—a stark contrast to I-bom’s worn, scruffy look.

“Get in for now. We can talk while you’re sitting inside.”

Clunk—the heavy car door opened with a loud noise. The tall frame and massive wheels made it feel as big as a truck. As I-bom pulled the door open with both hands, Beom-ho wasted no time in taking his hand and pulling him toward himself.

With a soft thump, I-bom landed in the seat. A faint, bitter scent—his scent—filled the interior. It reminded him of the warm skin fragrance he had caught at the nape of his neck when they kissed, and his face flushed at the memory.

“Want to check the back seat?”

Turning the large steering wheel, Beom-ho glanced at him briefly. I-bom, about to fasten his seatbelt, paused and peeked over his shoulder at the back.

“In the back seat… huh? What’s that?”

Pointing in surprise, he stared at the rear seats. Sitting there was a large shopping bag that looked like it had just been purchased—and not just one, but several of them.

“Go ahead, take a look.”

Beom-ho smiled lightly as he leisurely turned the wheel. The engine rumbled loudly, and pale dust swirled outside. Glancing at it, he rolled the window closed.