The Dimension Core located at the connection between soul and body, lifespan as the period the soul can stably reside in the body, and mana that directly affects aging which is closely related to lifespan.

After confirming the remaining lifespan problem, it seemed like the connecting link of the puzzle that had long troubled his mind was finally visible. But despair overtook him instead of joy.

‘If my lifespan increases… his lifespan…’

Ryu Seo-ha’s eyelashes trembled. Though he inwardly chastised himself that he shouldn’t naively believe the Four Apostles’ words, it was of no use. It was because the parts he couldn’t understand at all until now seemed to fit together quite plausibly.

-It’s similar to a kind of neutralization reaction. You could say they act as filters for each other.

Dr. Han Gang-seok’s conjecture, no, analysis of the extraordinary phenomenon occurring between the two suddenly came to mind. Was the increase in mana a precursor phenomenon that appears before the exchange of lifespan takes place?

Kitlova’s words about the discrepancy between soul and body also flashed through his mind. Perhaps balancing was needed. His head throbbed. It wasn’t due to scholarly enthusiasm to investigate the more detailed principles.

‘That day…’

It was because the fact that he had unknowingly stolen Choi Gang-hu’s lifespan came as an unbearably painful realization.

Their first kiss, and first experience. The memory that was difficult and overwhelming in many ways, but equally exciting and happy, was slowly transforming into fear.

If he continues to have such intense skinship with Choi Gang-hu to the point of exchanging bodily fluids in the future, he will quickly kill his loved one as much as he expresses affection.

“Gasp, what’s this? You’re bleeding. What a waste!”

His upper teeth had deeply dug into his lower lip, staining it with red blood, but Ryu Seo-ha didn’t even feel such a trivial pain. He just wanted to cry.

“Mr. Sacrifice’s blood isn’t just blood. Every single drop is a precious energy source…”

As he heard the Four Apostles’ reproachful words, he closed his eyes tightly and then opened them, chewing the inside of his cheek. He needed to pull himself together. No matter how shocking the news he had received, he couldn’t afford to be dazed in front of a clear enemy.

He can worry about the lifespan issue after escaping from here. There’s no need to focus on it right now since there won’t be any exchange of lifespan as long as he doesn’t mix bodily fluids with Choi Gang-hu. Comforting himself this way, he decided to focus on the immediate situation at hand.

“…Do you want it?”

“Hm? What? Mr. Sacrifice’s blood?”

“Yes. Want to try drinking it?”

The Four Apostles’ eyes widened at this sudden proposal. The face that perfectly imitated Choi Gang-hu made him feel sick, but Ryu Seo-ha didn’t show it at all and smiled subtly, curling his eyes.

“You said it’s a precious energy source. Wouldn’t it help in building strength too?”

“Hmm.”

The fact that he didn’t immediately refute suggested he was quite tempted. Even for an apostle, he should know that it wouldn’t make any difference for an ordinary human to consume bodily fluids containing the power of the core.

“Then just one sip?”

The Four Apostles grinned and grabbed his chin. It was as if he was about to kiss him. Ryu Seo-ha frowned. No matter how much he wanted to turn the situation around, he had no intention whatsoever of offering his lips.

“By the way, it hurts me if you tear my lips.”

“Uh…? Then where should I…”

When he blocked the bastard’s action with a cold voice, an unexpectedly dull reaction came back, unlike an apostle.

“Wouldn’t a muscular area like the arm or shoulder be better?”

Ryu Seo-ha smiled gently as if soothing the bastard who quickly showed signs of disappointment, and whispered softly like a crazy priest recommending the consumption of human flesh. The Four Apostles, who had been staring blankly at that smile, nodded his head.

“Certainly, that would hurt less. Then for now…”

As if completely falling for the absurd persuasion, the Four Apostles readily accepted his words. Then, with a somewhat hurried movement, he buried his lips in Ryu Seo-ha’s nape.

Biting his burst lip tightly at the unpleasant sensation, Ryu Seo-ha rolled his tongue around the next line he had thought of in advance. Hoping that this request would also be readily granted. But he couldn’t get the prepared words out of his mouth.

Kuuung─!

It was because a massive rumbling like a great earthquake was transmitted from far away.

“Gasp!”

The Four Apostles’ face turned pale as he lifted his head abruptly. His heightened perception stat seemed to have informed him of the cause of the vibration.

“How about it, should I move again?”

Trying not to show his quickened heartbeat, Ryu Seo-ha calmly pointed out the action that the bastard was most likely to choose. The culprit of the distant roar was most likely Choi Gang-hu.

He thought that the Four Apostles, having personally experienced Choi Gang-hu’s terrifying power, would immediately flee with the precious sacrifice. So he inwardly modified his plan to look for an opening during the move.

“…Wait here for a moment.”

Contrary to expectations, the Four Apostles turned towards the cathedral entrance as if to check the situation and then decide.

“I’ll be right back.”

With a voice that sounded even affectionate, the bastard bid farewell to him and jumped down from the altar. And before his feet could touch the ground below, he vanished without a trace. Only when his sharpened hearing caught an untimely mosquito sound did he see the figure flying towards the entrance.

“……”

A dusky silence settled over the cathedral interior, dimly lit only by candles. The tense, rigid line of Ryu Seo-ha’s shoulders loosened a bit. Though he still felt stiff from being hung on the cross, it wasn’t unbearable.

Staring blankly at the reddish stained glass, he slowly closed his eyes. Though he wasn’t short of breath or suffering from chills like before, his body had no strength at all. He even felt as if his heart was beating inside his head.

It was because he had starved for days, been exposed to dark mana for a long time, and fainted several times. Setting aside what happened after the kidnapping, he should have at least eaten properly. Why did he stubbornly resist like a fool? He regretted it, but it was unavoidable for him at the time.

-You rice worm bastard!

‘He’, with only memories of his past life remaining, was still bound by the abusive words habitually spat out by his frightening father who had struggled in poverty that could only appear in novels. Even if it hadn’t been distrust and suspicion towards Choi Gang-hu, he probably wouldn’t have easily touched the food.

-Oh, you’re eating well. Our Seo-ha, want to try this too?

To ‘him’ who had no experience of unconditional love, the unfamiliar kindness from a dangerous person was merely a piece of fear that stimulated anxiety. Even if it wasn’t malicious mischief directed at the son of a serial killer, he couldn’t help but hesitate.

Guung.

At the faint vibration felt much closer than before, Ryu Seo-ha’s long eyelashes slowly lifted from their listless droop. Suddenly, the ceiling painting with a dark red figure caught his eye.

For no reason, he felt an eerie sensation as if he had made eye contact with a higher being. He held his breath quietly at the chilling feeling sweeping down his nape. At that moment, the large, heavy door burst open with a bang─!

Ryu Seo-ha’s eyes naturally turned to the cathedral entrance. The shadow of a man with his back to the light stretched long towards the altar. Familiar mana spread densely like a net, filling the entire cathedral. Then, the coolly resonating sound of footsteps, thud, thud, brought a sense of relief.

A strong smell of blood wafted from the man, Choi Gang-hu, who had leapt onto the altar. How many people had he killed, and how boldly? Ryu Seo-ha’s luxuriant eyelashes trembled.

Choi Gang-hu, who had been considerate of his lover in an unsound mental state only to have that existence stolen before his eyes, had crossed the Pacific Ocean, then the Atlantic and Mediterranean in succession, finally arriving here after circling the globe.

It was hard to easily guess how he must feel. Ryu Seo-ha looked with sorrowful eyes at the statue-like face of his precious lover, who gently grasped his chin and twisted the corners of his mouth. How did it come to this?

“Not even crying.”

The hot lips lightly touching his eyelids stimulated the sorrow curled up deep in his heart.

“You’re good.”

The voice sweeter than honey fanned the flames of inner desires he didn’t even know he had. He kept wanting to lean into that embrace and act spoiled. Irresponsibly asking him to share the burdens of life he had always shouldered alone, thinking it was natural.

The kiss, which felt almost reverent, slowly moved down to his cheek and nape. Eventually, Choi Gang-hu buried his nose in the white, slender neck and took a deep breath. It was as if he was trying to fill his entire lungs with his scent.

Then, Choi Gang-hu’s movement to press his lips directly stopped abruptly for a moment. It was because he had detected the scent left by the Four Apostles. The handsome face that slowly lifted was expressionless to the point of being chilling. Displeasure seeped through in the touch caressing Ryu Seo-ha’s chin.

“Who dared to lay hands on you.”

Choi Gang-hu, who had let out a frost-like voice, swept his gaze over the cathedral interior as if looking for traces of the culprit. It was a gaze deeper and darker than an abyss.

“…Choi Gang-hu.”

Ryu Seo-ha called his name in a low voice. A satisfied smile spread across Choi Gang-hu’s lips, who had been looking around as if about to destroy the world. He realized that his lover’s memories had returned.

“It’s too cold here.”

As soon as he saw his young lover shivering and drooping his eyes pitifully, Choi Gang-hu pulverized the cross frame to which he had been tied. Along with the choker on his neck that had been bothering him from the start.