Passion Novel - Volume 1 - Chapter 26

It was quiet. The only things moving were the flames of the bonfire, the bushes and leaves swaying in the breeze, or the occasional small animals darting away in the distance. Everything else was embraced by the silence of the night.

Jeong Taeui suddenly turned his head. The European branch group was visible beyond the trees. They too were quietly still in the night forest. The young man on watch on their side was yawning and rubbing his sleepy eyes. Then, when his eyes met Jeong Taeui’s, he straightened his posture with a stern look. Jeong Taeui, who had been about to wave, thinking it was fate that they had met like this, just smiled at him instead.

Jeong Taeui looked up at the sky. The sky wasn’t clearly visible because of the dense foliage. But the sky he could see sporadically through the leaves had a hazy, reddish glow. The nightscape of Hong Kong was erasing the starlight. Thinking about it, it felt strange that such a desolate nature existed so close to a bustling metropolis.

He looked at his watch. It was late at night. Looking around, he examined each of the sleeping people. Even if he couldn’t see their faces tucked into their sleeping bags, he could tell who they were by their belongings. That was Ching, that was Carlo, that was Wienho…

Just then, the sound of the sea came from afar. Shoo-ah, a low sound that awakened a vague unease.

Come to think of it, he had gone on a trip to the night sea a long time ago. On the pitch-black sea where nothing was visible, only several squid fishing boats floated on the horizon, shining brightly, and the waves that crashed onto the beach, hitting rocks and pebbles, sparkled and disappeared, emitting a faint light like scattered powder.

I wonder if it’s still like that.

Jeong Taeui looked in the direction of the sea sound. He was wide awake now. When he turned his head, the other watchman beyond the trees was dozing off, leaning against a tree stump.

“Where to… maybe I’ll go for a walk.”

He chuckled softly. If someone woke up in the middle and found him gone, they would later yell at him for not standing watch and for intending to put them all in danger, but in reality, there was nothing dangerous. He could bet his life that the group sleeping over there wouldn’t suddenly pull out their knives and come in a mob to stab everyone sleeping here one by one.

“Good night,” Jeong Taeui whispered to his already sleeping companions and moved his feet.

The path to the sea wasn’t properly paved. Just like the way he had come, he had to navigate by avoiding or stepping on the roughly grown grass, branches, and sharp rocks embedded in the ground.

Actually, he wasn’t even sure of the direction. Fortunately, he had an excellent sense of direction, so it was easy to retrace his steps, but since there wasn’t a proper path, he couldn’t tell which way would lead him to the sea more easily. He could only rely on the fact that he was gradually getting closer to the sound of the sea.

Thud.

Jeong Taeui stopped abruptly. He thought he had heard a sound of someone nearby. Having stopped, Jeong Taeui silently turned towards the direction where the sound seemed to have come from. There was nothing there but the dark forest.

“……”

The sea was already approaching ahead. If he took a few dozen more steps, the forest would clear, and the sea would appear. But within this still dark forest, he had felt someone’s presence. He held his breath and waited, but no more sounds came even after a long time.

Then, something seemed to move about a few steps away. Very close.

Jeong Taeui reflexively put his hand into his pocket and turned towards it. The moment his fingertips grasped the knife warmed by his body temperature and his eyes recognized the object were almost simultaneous.

It was a snake.

Instantly, strength drained from Jeong Taeui’s body. The snake was a common earth snake with a deep, plain color, often seen in somewhat deep mountains. It wasn’t poisonous or aggressive. Even if it had a little venom, it would only work on small mice; it would only cause some swelling in humans.

Was that it? That presence?

Jeong Taeui sighed, putting the half-drawn knife back into its sheath. But then. This time, he caught something moving faintly in the distance.

A person. One person was silencing their footsteps in the forest and going somewhere. It was difficult to clearly distinguish their face, but it didn’t feel familiar. It was probably someone from the European branch.

The man didn’t seem to have noticed Jeong Taeui and was going in a different direction. His steps were cautious and uneasy, as if he were following something.

Jeong Taeui hesitated for a moment. No matter how he thought about it, it wasn’t a natural situation. Someone quietly following another person in the middle of the night couldn’t be someone just going to relieve themselves or enjoying a stroll.

Should I follow that man? But the distance was ambiguous. If he rashly followed, he would likely be noticed, and if he waited longer to follow, he might lose sight of him. On the other hand, Jeong Taeui’s sense of justice and curiosity weren’t so great that he would risk following just because the man looked suspicious, without knowing his purpose. He had been burned more than once by sticking his nose into unnecessary matters.

But he is suspicious, though… While he was pondering, there was no longer any need to ponder. Or rather, the room for pondering disappeared. The man had gone behind the bushes and disappeared from Jeong Taeui’s sight.

Jeong Taeui hesitated a little longer but then gave up and shrugged. It wasn’t as if that man was trying to harm him, and it didn’t seem like he would do anything to his companions—at least, the direction he was going was the opposite. In that case, it was best not to be curious about pointless things.

Jeong Taeui cleared his mind again and moved in the direction he had originally been going. And as he had expected with the sound of the water getting closer, the view soon widened, and the sea appeared.

The night sea was pitch-black. A sea that was just pitch-black without a single light was just a gaping maw of darkness, so that if you couldn’t hear the sound, you wouldn’t even be able to guess if there was a sea there or what was there.

Pitch-black darkness. The sound of waves. The smell of the sea. The damp breeze. All of it wrapped around his eyes, ears, nose, and skin. That’s why Jeong Taeui had always liked the night sea.

Hoo, he let out a long sigh. His breath mingled with the sound of the waves. Suddenly, he felt good, and a refreshing smile appeared on his lips.

Should he bring Xinlu next time? Although there were many snakes in the forest at night and it was dangerous, seeing it today, it seemed that if they prepared properly, there wouldn’t be that much to worry about. In this vast darkness, how nice would it be to hold someone else’s body heat in his hands… Actually, anyone, not just Xinlu.

The ground beneath his feet was unstable. The beach, piled high with large rocks instead of sand, wasn’t easy to walk on comfortably like a stroll. There were large holes and wide gaps between the rocks everywhere, making it precarious. But Jeong Taeui tapped the rocks lightly with his heel and laughed. When he was young, his parents were busy, so he was often left at his maternal grandparents’ house, which was by the sea. So, running and playing on the rocks by the sea every day was his routine. Come to think of it, his brother seemed to have already been going around talking about the erosion process of rocks due to the high salinity of seawater back then—.

Walking on the rocks as if it were flat ground, Jeong Taeui hummed softly. The pitch-black darkness and the cold, damp wind felt good. Perhaps because it reminded him of his childhood memories, he suddenly missed his brother. It would be nice if his brother were walking beside him right now. He would definitely be happy too.

Jeong Taeui smiled wistfully and stopped walking. A lighthouse stood in the distance. Two or three streetlights near the lighthouse were lit. The light didn’t reach him brightly here, but it dimly illuminated the vicinity.

Should I go back now? This is far enough. If he took one more step, this pleasant darkness would end, and the dim light would approach. He would end his night walk here and slowly return to his companions; he would probably make it back around his watch time.

Jeong Taeui looked at the sea for a little longer before turning around. And looking at the way he had come, he estimated a shortcut. Going diagonally to the right would be faster.

Having some confidence in his sense of direction, he started crossing the rocks, slightly deviating to the right from the path he had taken. One, two, there were some quite large rocks, so he changed direction slightly as he made his way back.

But then, at some point. At some point, a small sound that could have been easily dismissed as part of the wind.

Jeong Taeui’s steps slowed. Tilting his head slightly and gradually slowing his pace, he finally stopped altogether. He hadn’t misheard that sound that came in short bursts.

The sound was coming from under the rocks. The path Jeong Taeui was taking was blocked by a large—a truly house-sized rock. It was hollowed out inwards, forming a shallow cave with an open ceiling, and from deep within that rock, a small sound was constantly coming.

It was a presence. Someone was inside. Jeong Taeui realized that if he took a few more steps, he would come face to face with the person inside.

Perhaps it was someone who had come to the beach in the middle of the night, still drowsy, and was relieving themselves in a secluded spot. But in reality, he knew that possibility was slim. It was quite a distance from the forest where they were camping to here.

Or perhaps it was that person he had glimpsed in the forest earlier. Thinking of that person whose behavior had seemed suspicious, Jeong Taeui clicked his tongue inwardly. He didn’t want to get involved in anything troublesome, whatever it was. Would it be better to just secretly go back this way?

While hesitating for a moment and listening to the presence, Jeong Taeui soon realized that there wasn’t just one person inside. He couldn’t hear voices. But the short, abrupt sounds and movements weren’t those of a single person. Probably two.

The sound of water mixed with the sound of the waves. Jeong Taeui had initially thought it was the sound of water. But he soon felt a sense of incongruity. It was a sound of the same type as water, but it was different from the sound of the sea or the sound of puddles in a cave. That sound was stickier and more viscous.

“…―.”

Tilting his head curiously and rubbing his chin, Jeong Taeui involuntarily covered his mouth at some point. A bewildered look appeared on his face. That sound was a sound Jeong Taeui knew.

It was a wet, sticky sound. To be precise, it was the sound of licking and sucking wet skin. And mixed in with that sound were gasping, sobbing breaths and low growling breaths. Occasionally, short, pleasure-filled moans could be heard.

…… Oh dear. He had come at a bad time. Who on earth were these energetic bastards? He had never dreamed that there would be people enjoying themselves on the beach in the middle of the night. This wasn’t some resort beach, and it was the beach of an island where only men were confined and swarming. Who would be playing like that here?

Jeong Taeui scratched the back of his neck, looking troubled. “Then should I go back and take the long way around? It’ll be quite a detour, but running into them here would also be awkward. But to go around, I’d have to climb over that rock, and it looks pretty steep. It seems impossible to do barehanded. And going back the way I came and down below is too far out of the way.”

Jeong Taeui pondered, looking ahead. The dim light from the lighthouse barely reached the darkness that lay in the crevices of the rocks. The waves had carved out hollows. If he crouched down and went through there, he might be able to pass by unnoticed. Well, in this darkness, especially when they were engrossed in passion, it would be hard for them to notice someone. Besides… if things went south, he could just consider it a free show. Though he probably wouldn’t see anything.

Jeong Taeui quietly descended into the crevice between the rocks. Clack, a stone hit the tip of his shoe, but it was a small sound, easily drowned out by the sound of the waves. It’s okay, they won’t hear this.

Come to think of it, even if he were caught, he had no reason to shrink back. It would be another story if those who were secretly enjoying themselves here were the ones to be startled. He wasn’t intentionally trying to peek, so why should he feel awkward?

Jeong Taeui patted his chest and moved forward. He lowered his body and passed by the hollowed-out rock. He glanced that way as he passed, not out of a desire to spy, but merely to check if they could see him.

A very faint light was leaking from inside the rock. Someone inside must have brought a portable temporary flashlight or something. But even that wasn’t very bright, only illuminating vague outlines.

There were two people inside.

One man was sitting leaning against the rock, and the other was crouched down between his legs. He held the sitting man’s penis with both hands, licking the tip. Then he trailed down the shaft to the base and the sac below, licking and sucking as if entranced. A wet, smacking sound echoed from between the legs. The man who was crouched down, his face buried between the other’s legs, seemed to be aroused by that alone, shaking his hips and waist, overcome with his own desire. Occasionally, as if unable to bear it, he reached out and rubbed his own groin, his hand glistening in the faint light. At the same time, a short groan, as if he couldn’t hold it in any longer, escaped his lips.

And in front of him, the man leaning against the rock looked down at the other man, whose face was buried between his legs, lost in pleasure. His expression was blank, but his languid face openly displayed his desire as he looked down at the one who was faithfully serving him.

The moment Jeong Taeui saw that expression, he felt a pang in his chest. A kind of shock and a chill.

The man’s gaze was terribly cold. Yet, at the same time, it was endlessly hot. He was reacting hotly and passionately to his own desire, but it wasn’t a yearning for the person between his legs. He was simply enjoying the act itself, without a shred of emotion for the person performing it.

And soon, Jeong Taeui realized who the man was. The face, faintly outlined in the darkness, was unmistakable.

Riegrow.

“…Damn it. Why do I keep running into this bastard everywhere I go? He’s the last person I want to bump into. Shouldn’t he be sleeping soundly at this hour instead of dragging someone out to this beach to do this?”

Jeong Taeui clicked his tongue. But the moment he realized it was that man, his body stiffened. He felt like even moving a finger would alert him. Or maybe he had already been noticed.

Jeong Taeui stood frozen in place, holding his breath. How can I get out of here? That was the only thought in his head.

Riegrow, oblivious or not to someone’s presence, was engrossed in the act.

He looked down at the young man who was hungrily smacking his lips and wriggling his tongue between his legs, and then suddenly grabbed the young man’s hair. He roughly pulled the head closer to his groin.

“Swallow deeper. Harder. …Can’t you suck properly?”

He lightly grabbed the young man’s chin and shook it. Then, with a tsk, he clicked his tongue and, still holding the young man’s hair, began to thrust. The young man let out a choked sound, gasping for breath. Just when it seemed like he was going to suffocate, Riegrow pulled out and lightly slapped his cheek. Though it was light, the dry striking sound was quite loud, and the young man’s head turned.

“Do it right. Lick every corner and suck hard. Then I’ll fuck you as much as you want. You look like your hole is itching to death, yet you’re being so half-hearted.”

His voice was rough and excited. His voice, mixed with rough breaths wet with lust, leaked out hotly. The young man frantically lunged back between his legs. Soon, fierce and urgent sounds echoed.

Jeong Taeui could feel his own face hardening. His chest grew hot, and he felt breathless.

It wasn’t just because of this abnormal situation of peeking at someone else’s act. Nor was it because it had been a long time since he had released his own desires.

Riegrow, this overwhelming man, was exuding an intense aura that matched his domineering presence. He was the ultimate male, the kind that would make any ordinary man tuck his tail and run. If there were any women with primal instincts alive, they would offer him their rear ends, and no man would dare to stand before him.

It was more than just sexual attraction. The scent of a dominant male, one that could overwhelmingly draw others in, emanated from his entire being. Anyone who had their nape bitten by his cruel teeth wouldn’t even think of resisting, but would simply prostrate themselves.

The color drained from Jeong Taeui’s face. As a fellow male, he felt a threat from the very presence of this man, who was difficult to contend with. Dangerous. I shouldn’t get close. Just like someone who enters the territory of a stronger male instinctively flees, Jeong Taeui felt an instinctive threat, a suffocating fear from the man.

It was then. Riegrow, who had been looking down at the young man with lowered eyes, lifted his eyelids. His dark eyes turned directly towards him without hesitation. As if he had known from the start.

Jeong Taeui froze, unable to move. He simply stared back at the man, as if facing the gaze of a predator staring at him.

From where Riegrow was, Jeong Taeui shouldn’t have been visible. No, even if he sensed someone’s presence, he shouldn’t have been able to discern who was standing there. The light didn’t reach that far.

Riegrow cast a cold gaze towards where Jeong Taeui was. Then, at some point, he faintly twisted his lips upward. A sneer, or a threat. Telling the weakling hiding and frozen there to get lost.

Twitch. Jeong Taeui curled his fingertips. Then, like someone released from a nightmare, his body moved. His heart, pumping blood fiercely, was beating so hard it hurt, sensing danger from the instinctual threat.

I have to go. I had to go. He wanted to leave this place quickly. He couldn’t bear this suffocating heat any longer. If he disappeared quietly now, that domineering beast wouldn’t come after his throat. So, leaving now was the best option.

Riegrow. That damn bastard. Doesn’t he ever get tired? He rolls around all day and then marches all night without rest, shouldn’t he just lie down and sleep? Why is he fooling around so messily in a corner of this beach?

Along with the surge of anger, Jeong Taeui felt a subtle unease rising from the depths.

He couldn’t see clearly in the dim light, but it suddenly occurred to him that the young man who was yielding his body to Riegrow might resemble Xinlu. Relatively narrow shoulders and slender limbs, the smooth curve of his body. It was the image those things created, rather than the body itself, that was similar to Xinlu. A body with a soft feel.

Damn it. If he clearly has someone to sleep with, he shouldn’t be eyeing Xinlu. This undisciplined and dissolute madman.

Jeong Taeui silently moved his feet, chewing curses in his mouth. After taking about twenty steps, when he felt he was a little far from them, he glanced back. Now their figures were hidden in the shadows, and only their shadows flickered above the rocks.

“My luck’s been terrible lately, really…”

Jeong Taeui grumbled softly and sighed. And just as he was about to turn back and take a step,

He thought he saw a figure moving briefly on top of the large rock where they were hiding.

Jeong Taeui turned his head sharply before he could even finish turning around. He hadn’t seen wrong. There was definitely someone lying prone on the rock, moving cautiously. The person, who didn’t seem to have noticed Jeong Taeui, was focused entirely on the people below the rock—presumably Riegrow.

And Jeong Taeui saw it. The outline of the shadow’s hand, faintly illuminated by the dim light from inside the rock. It was holding a large, heavy-looking crossbow.

Jeong Taeui swallowed hard.

Holy Zone… or maybe it was Stack. It was too dark to see clearly, but the crossbow the shadow was holding was more than enough to kill a person. Especially now, with the end of the crossbow aimed at a head from directly above.

Jeong Taeui soon recognized the shadow. It was the man he had glimpsed in the forest earlier. He had seemed a bit strange, but Jeong Taeui had given up on following him, and now that man was aiming at Riegrow from above.

The man’s index finger was on the trigger. If he pulled it just a few more millimeters, the heavy, sharp arrow would pierce Riegrow’s head.

There was no time to think and move. Almost instinctively, or perhaps as a reflex ingrained since childhood, Jeong Taeui picked up a fist-sized rock and threw it. The sound of it cutting through the air tore through the silence of the night. And at the same time, he heard a snapping sound from the wrist of the man who had been struck by the rock.

“Ugh!”

The man let out a short cry at the unexpected blow. In the process, he pulled the trigger, and the misaimed arrow left the bowstring. And that arrow flew, coincidentally, towards Jeong Taeui.

“Hah…!”

Jeong Taeui gasped. The moment the crossbow was aimed his way due to being hit by the rock, he reflexively twisted his body, but the arrow was just as fast. The arrow narrowly missed him by a hair’s breadth, grazing his elbow and embedding itself in the spot where Jeong Taeui had been standing just moments before.