Chapter 17 The Beggars Sect (7) - Martial Arts Masochist

Cheong Wol parted her lips slightly. One out of three was over, leaving two more to go. When was the right moment to speak? She was already bracing herself, but it was difficult with Han Seo Jin bustling around. He went to fetch a candle left near the stairs and slowly returned to her. His steps never ceased. How close did he intend to get? The distance had grown so short that escape was impossible. Eventually, he stopped just a mere step away—close enough to reach out and touch each other. The candle nearby cast a bright light over both of their faces. Cheong Wol found herself wanting to hide her expression from the brightness. Han Seo Jin gazed down at her as if waiting for something, while Cheong Wol wondered... is it the time? Her previously parted lips began to move. “I... I am...” “But then, it wouldn't be interesting.” Han Seo Jin interrupted her immediately. Startled, Cheong Wol looked up at him. “You’ve done it once before; it should be easy now.” “...What...?” “Cheong Wol,” he called her name. In his eyes, she could see something that wasn’t there before. Was it desire, excitement, or perhaps greed? Whatever it was, his slightly heavy breath tried to suppress it. Her heart tightened at his sincerity. She pretended not to notice, but after years of reading people's moods in the martial arts sect, she could see his emotions clearly. Surprisingly, in this situation, she didn’t mind. Rather, the fact that she wasn’t running away seemed to suggest she might repeat a forbidden act, making her fingertips tingle. "You said it yourself." “...Ah!” There was no one more aware of what she had said than herself. “You said you were a lowly and dirty woman.” Though Cheong Wol froze at his words. “...Isn’t that right?” **-...nod.** At a distance close enough to touch, Han Seo Jin continued, “But I find it hard to believe just from words alone. I can still see the ethereal beauty of the martial arts sect in you. You’re still so... pure.” The ethereal beauty of the sect?... His straightforward comment made her shoulders feel momentarily heavy, as if burdened by reality. In this space, she had forgotten all about it. Cheong Wol waited, frozen, for him to speak again. After a moment of silence, Han Seo Jin issued a command. “So, can you lower your robe to your shoulders?” “What...?” Instinctively, Cheong Wol covered her face with the back of her hand and shielded her chest with her remaining arm at his suggestion. But Han Seo Jin was persistent. “...Unless you show a little more, I find it hard to believe your words.” In embarrassment, Cheong Wol whispered a retort, “...You’ve become so perverted that it’s revolting now.” Han Seo Jin seemed unfazed by such accusations. “You were the one who sought out this kind of pervert.” “...” His comeback only made her feel more ashamed. Relentlessly composed, he pressed on, “Why show such resistance? I’ve already seen your body before.” “Ugh...” “I saw more back then, didn’t I? Your thighs, waist, back... I’ve seen the entirety of your pale skin.” From behind her hand, Cheong Wol hid her expression. Her body reacted with shivers to each of his words—wondering at her own response. She contemplated his words. They were right. Back then, she had shown more through their actions. At that time, she had felt a stark powerlessness. Showing her shoulders now should be nothing in comparison. ...But the difference now was that she would have to do it willingly. Han Seo Jin spoke again, “...Or do you want to remain the ethereal beauty of the sect even in front of me?” “...” “Miss Cheong Wol, should I treat you that way?” **-Clench.** With his honorifics, Cheong Wol’s hand involuntarily tightened. The ‘ethereal beauty of the sect’—was there a heavier, more burdensome title? Someone meant to be virtuous, neat, and faultless. That title had always been a shackle rather than a praise. Yet, if there was a moment to set it aside, it might be this one alone. Casting off that title could also mean achieving the greatest freedom. Han Seo Jin was right. Though she had shaken off that burden in words, her body still wore the sect’s robe, not yet free from its shackles. The atmosphere, her aversion to the title, combined with a faint excitement... it all compelled her to act. He was right. She had shown her body once before. **-Swoosh.** Her trembling hand began to move. Cheong Wol couldn't bring herself to look at Han Seo Jin. His gaze felt like a thousand needles pricking her skin even from a distance, yet Cheong Wol didn’t stop. By now, she understood. If she were doing this alone in a room, there would be no thrill—just the act of undressing. But with Han Seo Jin, who accepted even her ugly sides, watching... it was liberating. Had it not been for him, this feeling would never have arisen. With shaking hands, she slightly loosened the belt that held her martial robe. Her heart pounded wildly. She glanced at Han Seo Jin. His eyes were fixed on her chest and neck. The overwhelming shame she felt only heightened, crawling down her spine like a strange pleasure. And that feeling... ...Was somewhat... good. Finally, she grasped the robe at her shoulders. Though her hands seemed frozen and immobile... ‘...Or do you want to remain the ethereal beauty of the sect even in front of me?’ As Han Seo Jin’s voice echoed, she closed her eyes and steeled herself for what was to come. Then slowly... **-Ssss...** Cold air enveloped her shoulders. The chill made Cheong Wol shudder once more. She had removed her clothes. In front of a man. Like the lowly and dirty woman she whispered she was. Could she have gone mad? This was something she believed she would never do in her life. Yet here she was, complying with such a shameful command of her own accord. "...Beautiful." While she trembled with embarrassment, his voice resonated around her. Unconsciously, Cheong Wol shrank back. She tightened her grip on the robe she was holding. "Now, shall we say that again?" "...!” Han Seo Jin pressed her relentlessly. To say those words in this state? It seemed like it should have been easier after saying it once, but Han Seo Jin had casually raised the stakes. Before, it had been just words spoken in the moment. Now... "...Cheong Wol. Did you hear me?" But under his persistent urging, Cheong Wol yielded. Procrastinating any longer would be strange. In fact, it would be easier to pretend to cave to his pressure. It was the most plausible excuse to protect herself in this moment. "...I... I am... lowly..." He smiled. "...Right. That makes it a bit more believable." "Argh...! ...a dirty woman." Her breathing became erratic. Her chest rose and fell repeatedly in response. Embarrassed by her own breathing, she tried to calm it, but the more she tried, the more it quickened. Cheong Wol wondered about Han Seo Jin's reaction. She opened her moist eyes to look at him. At the moment their gazes locked, he whispered, "...So beautiful." And once again... that feeling of pleasure. "...You're obedient. Cheong Wol is obedient." **-Swoosh.** "...?" Apparently, it wasn't just words. Han Seo Jin slowly extended his hand, as if to stroke her hair. The old Cheong Wol would have instinctively swatted away such a hand. She, who wore her principles of dignity and modesty like armor, would not have allowed such a touch in this state. A proud woman of the sect would never entrust herself to a man's touch. "..." But now, even those principles seemed to have been set aside. The person here now was not the pure and elegant ethereal beauty. Instead, the lowly and dirty woman her words had described was present here. And such a dirty, lowly woman would not refuse a man's touch. Instead, she would respond with affection and feminine allure. ...Though she might not go that far. It was just a fleeting act. Once all this ended, she would return to her noble self. Just for now. Just now, to endure a little more for the one man who accepted even her revolting sides... The more she set aside the name of Cheong Wol from the sect, the greater the sense of freedom grew within her. The weight that had always pressed on her heart vanished entirely in this moment. Perhaps, no one else in the martial world could treat her as Cheong Wol the woman, not just Cheong Wol of the sect, except for Han Seo Jin. Han Seo Jin's hand approached her head as if to stroke it... "Ah, no. Let’s wait for when you say it to the end." With that, he withdrew his hand. The warmth that might have been never touched her, leaving only cold air above her head. Only after he withdrew his hand did Cheong Wol release the breath she had been holding back. She tried to suppress her breathing, making the sound of her racing heartless noticeable. She was relieved. It was better that his hand hadn't touched her. She couldn't predict what strange emotions she might have felt had he stroked her. It might have led to immense regret. Yet, she was curious, inevitably curious. ...When everything was over, if he said he would stroke her, what would that feel like? "Shall we proceed to the final part?" His proposal instilled fear in Cheong Wol. Was there something beyond this? If he asked her to remove all her clothes, Cheong Wol knew she wouldn't be able to endure it. No matter how strangely thrilling she found his presence, that was beyond their relationship. They were not close enough to reveal themselves in undergarments. Smiling, Han Seo Jin spoke, "Remember the distance between us. Don't move. I won’t either." "...?" Cheong Wol looked at the distance between herself and Han Seo Jin. **-Sizzle...** And in that moment, Han Seo Jin used his fingers to extinguish the candle. Complete darkness engulfed the basement. At night, when even a sliver of light filters in, there's a vague awareness of one's surroundings. But in a place devoid of any light, it felt like being dropped into an abyss. In that overwhelming darkness, Han Seo Jin's voice echoed softly. "Cheong Wol." And once the light vanished, she could anticipate his next words. "The last thing. Remove all of your robe." Finally, Cheong Wol cried out, "Are you insane...?" But the voice she longed to project did not come out as she hoped. The words she intended to shout fiercely came out weak and unconvincing. "Like you, I can’t see anything. Even if you remove your clothes, I can't see a thing." "But, you're right in front of...!" "I can't see, can I? I'm just standing here. That's all." "Hng...! Uh...!" Cheong Wol whimpered from the overwhelming shame. However, Han Seo Jin's following persuasion echoed sweetly. "You here, you're a lowly and filthy woman. You're not the ethereal beauty of the sect, are you? Then why are you still wearing the attire of the sect? Isn't it unnecessary?" "Uh...huff..." Her breathing became shorter and shorter. The decision she had to make loomed so large that her body refused to follow through. "Doesn't Buddhism say something like it? Empty handed you came, empty handed you shall go.... Since you came with nothing, why not leave behind things like clothes, pride, expectations... for a moment." Was that the right context for such a saying? Cheong Wol wondered, but she had no time to dwell on it. He commanded sternly, "This is the last time. Take it off." “...” "And once you've disrobed, you know what you need to say, right?" In the pitch-black darkness, I tried to instill both shame and liberation in Cheong Wol. A completely secluded space. Absolute darkness with not a sliver of light. The only sound to be heard in that place was Cheong Wol’s labored breathing. My task was done. The plan I had devised reached its conclusion. Now, all I could do was wait. I felt confident that I had built things up well. Tension, confusion, anticipation, and shame—I had meticulously layered each emotion. Frankly, as a novice sadist, I’d say I did quite well. If I had to give myself a score, maybe around 90? The missing 10 points were lost every time my emotions took hold, causing me to freeze or get flustered a few times. Had Cheong Wol been less intimidating, I might not have maintained even this level of composure. It could have been a complete disaster. In any case, with everything finished, all that remained for me... was to satisfy a somewhat oppressive desire. “The choice is yours,” I said, pretending to regain my calm. “I’ll simply extend my hand. If you remove your robe, place it onto my hand. Then I’ll know you truly took it off.” My voice was low and composed, but from Cheong Wol's side, suppressed whimpers continued to escape. The darkness sharpened our senses. Breaths that couldn’t be heard before became vividly audible thanks to this darkness. Even I felt tense. Would Cheong Wol actually surrender her clothes to me? I had no way to know what was happening inside her mind. She might very well break down in tears and give up at this point. My only role was to wait in this unseen darkness. ...Assuming I didn’t die, I hoped to receive that robe. I stood there for a while, with Cheong Wol’s breathing as the only stimulus filling the basement. I didn’t push her. I allowed her enough time to make her decision. How much time had passed? **-Srusth...Srush...** There was an indistinct sound from Cheong Wol’s direction. Was she tugging at her robe to put it back on? Perhaps she was squirming from discomfort. I simply waited. Until any kind of response came from her. **-...Plop.** After a long while, something warm and soft fell lightly into my hand. It carried the warmth of another human being. My heart tightened. I wasn’t sure what it was. In this darkness, nothing could be seen. All I could do was guess. As I stood frozen, a voice as beautiful as her outward appearance resonated. “...I...” I blinked. A slightly mistaken line, but I had no time to focus on it. What could she possibly look like, standing so close? What expression was she wearing as she spoke? What lingered in her heart? What shame did she feel? My curiosity overwhelmed me. My hand twitched, wanting to reach out. But survival instincts stopped me. Instead, I clutched the choice she gave me tightly with both hands. Her voice filled the air again. “A... lowly... filthy...” One word, then another. A being who, despite her shame, followed my command to each letter. Since entering this world, it was the most exhilarating stimulus encountered. “...woman... I am.” Between her quivering words, there was a hint of wetness. The presence of Cheong Wol was invisible. All that stimulated me was the beautiful female voice. Because of this, my own fear was less than before, allowing her voice to sound even more stunning to my ears. “You did well—” And just as I was about to express my candid impression, driven by bursting emotions— **-Bang!!** A jarring sound jerked me back to reality. It seemed to come from outside the basement. “What...?” Cheong Wol made a startled noise. ‘Seo Jin! We’re here!’ The sound was enough to make every part of me cringe. At the height of an emotional crescendo, our world was brutally interrupted. ‘Hey? Where’s Seo Jin gone?’ ‘Think he’s locked himself in the basement again?’ ‘We should check it out then.’ Damn it. In a rush, I raised my voice, shattering the atmosphere I had so painstakingly preserved. “No, gentlemen!! Don’t come in!! I’ll come up!!” Flailing wildly in the darkness, I hurled my body towards the basement door. I nearly tripped over something, and my body crashed against various items scattered around. In this impenetrable gloom, fear alone propelled me forward. ‘Seo Jin, was in the basement, huh? I’m coming down, Seo Jin!’ “If you open the door, it’ll be the death of us!! I’m serious!!” That was the unvarnished truth. Truly. We’d be done for. Consider just for a moment—Cheong Wol in her underwear, facing the beggarly group. How would she go on living with such a memory? No way. We’d all be doomed. I'm not joking. **-Thud! Crash!!** Frantic, I dashed forward, colliding with everything in my path. At last, my hand found the wall, and I fumbled my way forward. ‘What are you talking about, Seo Jin?!’ “I told you to wait!! I’m coming up!!!” I crawled up the stairs that I groped out like a four-legged beast, getting out before the men opened the basement. **-Creak.** There stood the bearded men soaked like drowned rats. “Wh-why did you come?” I couldn’t help but ask. Gwak Du, leading the group, scrunched his brow. “Why did we come? Do we need a reason to visit your place?” “Of course you do! It’s my place, uncle!” “We decided to stop by to escape the rain. Kid, you have no warmth at all. We brought some drinks and dumplings, so let’s eat. But what’s with the attitude today? Don’t they say you shouldn’t raise a black-haired beast...” As I tightly shut the basement door and faced them, I knew these beggars weren’t to be underestimated. They were sharper than they appeared. If I carelessly kicked them out, they’d figure out I was hiding something ‘down there’ more than half the time. And they couldn’t resist their curiosity. It would just be a matter of time before they crawled down there. So I needed to act normal. “...Ah, I was going to come to find you as soon as I finished. I was clearing out the clutter in the basement.” “Were you now?” “This time, I sold some rope to the martial arts sect. My pockets are f...” "...Let’s head to the tavern instead. Quit dirtying my place with rainwater...!" “But what’s that you’ve got there, Seo Jin?” "Uh? What do you mean...?" "That." Gwak Du pointed to my hand. Ah. The moment I realized, my eyes trembled uncontrollably. In my hand... was Cheong Wol’s robe. Still warm to the touch, her robe.