Chapter 144 …
So much has happened in the meantime…
Hyunjin was genuinely shocked as he listened to the news.
The most surprising thing was the recognition of the “Demon King’s Kingdom” and the public’s growing fondness for the Demon King Dungeon.
Of course, according to survey results, the approval rating was only around 30%, but the news added that it was expected to rise rapidly.
Somehow, his chest felt heavy and warm. Until now, only he had known the hearts of the people in the Demon King Dungeon, and now the day had come when everyone would know.
And Ana had finally become a proper queen… huh?
At that moment, along with his hearing, his sense of touch gradually returned. His chest felt heavy, and something seemed to be clinging to his side.
“It’s not an illusion. Is it because of the crack?”
Unconsciously, Hyunjin twitched his closed eyes.
Flash.
When he opened his eyes, he saw a familiar, round, black back of someone’s head. The back of someone who was sleeping sprawled across him, arms and legs thrown out carelessly.
When he saw Ana sleeping pressed against his side, Hyunjin could no longer contain himself.
“Pfft…”
He laughed without realizing it.
“Haha.”
Cool wind blew through the open window. The breeze stirred the curtains and swayed Ana’s silky hair.
Hyunjin watched her quietly.
Who would have known when he first saw her that she would become such a wise and beloved ruler? Not even he knew.
She was the most lovable queen to ever rule a dungeon.
For the first time, Hyunjin felt he wanted to pledge his loyalty to someone.
And it would be for a lifetime.
“Sleep well, Kim Ana.”
He cautiously reached out and stroked her hair.
He smiled softly at the sight of Ana, who was murmuring contentedly in her sleep.
At the same time, a bright blue status window appeared in his mind, invisible to him.
**[‘Han Hyunjin’ feels affection for you.
The impact of the word ‘lifetime.’
‘Affection’ rises from 98 to 100.
※Once affection reaches 100, it will never decrease.]**
“Waaah—!!”
The moment Han Hyunjin woke up, I threw my head back and roared.
The military hospital scolded me as if the walls would collapse, but I couldn’t stop myself.
“You idiot! I really thought you were dead! How can an S-rank hunter be so fragile that a single fracture puts him to sleep for over a week?!”
“Sorry. It wasn’t because of the fracture. I overused my skills, so recovery was slow.”
No matter how much Han Hyunjin tried to comfort me, my frustration didn’t vanish.
I had brought back high-level mana items from the dungeon, and the military doctor confirmed the surgery went perfectly! But Hyunjin was still asleep like Sleeping Beauty.
Even when he briefly woke, the effects of anesthesia made him mutter nonsense in his sleep before drifting off again.
I had hoped for a cliché sleep-talking confession like “I love you, Kim Ana♥,” but what came out instead was a shocking, “A single serving of tteokbokki costs 30,000 won…”
I even wondered if I should kiss him, thinking he was Sleeping Beauty… but the orcs blocked me, saying it would be harassment.
“I was so worried about you!”
“Sorry.”
“‘Sorry’ isn’t enough!”
Once Han Hyunjin’s consciousness returned safely, I felt relief—but as soon as I relaxed, I also felt the urge to grumble.
I tried to cling and whine like usual, but Hyunjin simply stared at me silently.
“If ‘sorry’ isn’t enough, what should I do for you?”
“…Huh?”
Our eyes met.
For a moment, I was captivated by his dark eyes, and instinctively, my gaze dropped.
Beneath the hospital shirt he had thrown on after the examination, the bandages wound around his body traced his contours…
“Look at that. I didn’t say anything, yet why are you lowering your eyes expecting something?”
I hastily looked up. Hyunjin was staring at me with a look that clearly said, ‘What kind of pervert is here?’
My face turned red as I protested.
“You… you…! When you act flirtatious, it’s just ridiculous!”
“I’m not acting flirtatious. I’m stating a fact.”
I huffed like a flustered elementary schooler.
“…You really like me, right? Which man acts like this toward a Demon King he likes?”
I was suspicious, very suspicious.
The system said Hyunjin’s affection for me had peaked, but I couldn’t believe it.
If he truly liked me with 98 affection points, shouldn’t he be flustered by just one word from me?
“If you doubt me, read my heart too.”
“What?”
“Remember the president came over last time? You said you read the president’s mind.”
Ouch.
I didn’t know the details like the system, but we both probably guessed.
Well, it’s already out…
“…You allowed it?”
I squinted and opened the status window. I wasn’t the type to refuse such a proposal.
A blue window appeared, showing Hyunjin’s thoughts…
**[Affection: 100
Inner thoughts: Can I kiss you now?]**
Kyaaa—!!
Before I could react, Hyunjin’s affection had risen from 98 to 100—but the moment I read his mind, all thought of the affection points completely vanished from my head.
Hastily hiding the status window, I noticed Hyunjin staring at me, awkward or embarrassed.
“You read it?”
“Th-That…”
“You did read it.”
“…”
“You read it, so why no answer?”
He was right—I couldn’t speak.
My personality was such that I froze when the opportunity came.
Plus, I was perpetually single.
My face was turning red in real-time.
I avoided his gaze, grumbling.
“Pervert…”
“I haven’t done anything yet.”
“…”
“If you say no, I’ll stop.”
At that, my lips twitched. I felt Hyunjin’s gaze on the back of my head and cheek. After a while, I muttered:
“Just because you said that, do you think I’ll say ‘great, yes’? No! I don’t want it?!”
“…”
Hyunjin squinted at me and muttered:
“Even though you say no, your lips are pouting more and more.”
Huh. I had unconsciously puckered my lips like a duck.
Hyunjin, looking slightly sulky, stared at me.
“If you like it, say you like it. Otherwise, I’ll be confused. I can’t read hearts like you.”
Ugh…
His gaze felt like looking at a well-behaved predator. Just seeing it made me feel like I could give anything to him.
Flustered, I fiddled with my fingers, hesitating.
“If it’s an answer about my inner thoughts…”
I nodded awkwardly at him.
We were alone in the hospital room, sitting on the bed facing each other…
Heart pounding.
My heart thumped as if it would leap out. Hyunjin leaned closer. Despite being seated, he was tall enough that he had to lower his head.
His hand brushed my hair behind my ear. I shivered at the touch.
I glanced at the door.
“If… someone comes in…”
As a Demon King, I had learned that someone always shows up at these moments.
Hyunjin murmured close enough that I could feel his breath. His shadow fell over me.
“I locked the door.”
Huh? When did he…?
He approached me steadily, his nose nearly touching mine. Every exhale tickled my cheek.
The shivers running down my spine stiffened my entire body. Every muscle in my body screamed.
Then something soft and warm pressed lightly against my cheek and fell away.
My cheek felt like it was burning. Surely my whole face, maybe even my neck, was bright red.
Hyunjin gently held my chin and stared at me.
O-Okay, the first kiss is just a peck on the cheek, right? My heart is already pounding like crazy…
But Hyunjin didn’t let go. His gaze full of something indescribable, he leaned in and pressed his lips against mine.
Caught off guard, I screamed silently inside. The warmth on my lips, his hand sliding behind my neck…
Frozen, I felt my body tilt backward.
Plop. When I came to, I was lying collapsed on the tiny hospital bed.
A private hospital room and a bold boyfriend…!
And all I could do was one thing.
“Demon King, Han Hyunjin! We’re here!”
The moment the three orcs burst into the room, they were wide-eyed at the unexpected scene.
“Huh? Demon King, what are you doing?”
Han Hyunjin, the patient, sat on the hospital room sofa, while Ana lay half-fainted on the bed, her face bright red.
Hyunjin cleared his throat awkwardly several times before answering:
“Well… the heat in her face got overwhelming, so she fainted for a moment.”
