Chapter 27 Bondage (4) - Martial Arts Masochist

Cheong Wol picked up the clothes Han Seo Jin had thrown to her. The dark ink-colored fabric had no sleeves. Once worn, it would inevitably reveal the skin from the armpit to the fingertips. Moreover, the hem of the skirt barely covered the thighs, and the sides were entirely cut, exposing the side of the legs blatantly. Even the thin strings of her undergarments would be impossible to hide, and if there were even a slight breeze... everything would be glaringly visible. It was an outfit that a person could hardly wear. It was almost like the clothing of a courtesan trying to flirt with men. "How... how am I supposed to wear this?" she stammered. "Why not?" "If... if there's a breeze, my... my undergarments will..." "We're in a basement. How could there possibly be a breeze?" "Ugh... Ugh!" Han Seo Jin let out a long sigh. "...Just as you find it strange when I behave differently outside the basement." "...?" "You also seem strange to me whenever you return to the basement. What is there to be embarrassed about? Don't you remember what you said that day?" Cheong Wol's heart tightened. The grim sense of betrayal overtook her. He was right. There was something she had said herself. Words she had uttered as though she'd lost everything, while crying and trembling. '...I... am a... vulgar and... filthy... woman...' The memory of that day vividly reappeared in the basement. Han Seo Jin's lips twisted into a smirk. "Why does someone who uttered those words behave like this in front of me again?" Cheong Wol couldn't respond. Even without opening her mouth, shame spread deep within her chest. "You're going to put it on anyway. Just do it quickly." However, no matter how much he said, this outfit was incredibly humiliating. Cheong Wol repeatedly tried to brace herself, examining the clothes, but no matter how she looked at it, it was just too thin. Even if no one was present to see, she couldn't bring herself to wear it. However, a witness by the name of Han Seo Jin stood right before her. It was a strange feeling. Paradoxically, it felt less embarrassing to bare her back to him wearing just her undergarments. Even though the outfit would technically cover more of her body, it felt more scandalous. In the end, Cheong Wol collapsed to the floor, unable to withstand the weakness in her legs. Revealing such a pitiful sight to someone was a first for her. She was embarrassed beyond words. "...Give it to me if you're not going to wear it." At that moment, Han Seo Jin spoke. "What?" "And get out." He walked over without hesitation to snatch the flimsy cloth from Cheong Wol's hands. -Thwap! "Ugh!" "...What?" But for some reason, Cheong Wol's grip tightened, and she did not release the garment. Her head hung low, and she wouldn't let go. If she let this opportunity slip, she knew it would be ten days before Han Seo Jin allowed her back in. Then she would have to return, prepare for combat, rest amidst her stifling senior brothers, and ultimately endure humiliation in front of many. The feeling of freedom, only experienced in this basement, would be lost. Han Seo Jin tried to tug the clothes away, but Cheong Wol's arms refused to relinquish their grip, just like a swordmaster clutching their blade. "...Are you going to put it on?" Cheong Wol slowly shook her head. Headshake. She was changing, step by step. This petulant display was something she only allowed herself to show here. Coming into the basement meant slowly letting go of her burdens, revealing a more honest version of herself. Perhaps it was the young girl within her acting out. "Are you not going to wear it?" ...Another shake of the head. Though she knew she had to, Cheong Wol couldn't decide. In Han Seo Jin's games, this was always the hardest part. If only he would douse her with water or order her to stay put atop a log. Those kinds of demands she could obey. Yet decisions like undressing voluntarily or speaking certain words were the most difficult. This extreme shame made Cheong Wol's body tremble. She felt particularly vulnerable today. After a quarrel with her sect leader left her feelings tangled, she came hoping to find something to lean on... But instead, he was being colder and stricter. She wondered if she should have ignored him at the market or adhered more strictly to their agreement. But such distance became unbearable. "Huff." At that moment, Han Seo Jin sighed, releasing the clothes. When Cheong Wol glanced up at him, he stood holding a rope from the wall and crouched to meet her eye level. "...Today." In his low and calm voice, he spoke. "I'm going to bind you with this." Cheong Wol remained still, absorbing his pounding words. "I'll take away your freedom... and give you punishment." Words that should have sounded cold, yet Cheong Wol's breath only grew rougher. The shiver down her spine felt strangely familiar, covering her body. "But if you're wearing your sect garments, the rope will keep slipping and chafing... It might roughen your skin, cause injuries." "...What?" "It's for your own good. Changing clothes will... hurt less." Did he mean for her to change clothes out of consideration for her? But still... "If... if that's the reason... why are the clothes so scandalous?" "...That's for me to decide." "..." His confidence left Cheong Wol speechless. When she let out a breath, he continued explaining. "Is it wrong to want to see you looking prettier?" "Ugh." "Well, then." Han Seo Jin quietly stood up. "I'll close my eyes and count to thirty. If, when I open my eyes, you're still wearing your Emei Sect attire, I'll leave the basement immediately, just so you know." **** I closed my eyes. "One." Cheong Wol still didn’t move. Only the sound of her hurried breathing filled the space. This was somewhat comfortable for me. If I exerted too much control, she might develop resentment, but for now, I could lead without avarice. After all, I didn't have to engage in this play. While missing out on it might be regretful, ultimately, life itself was more precious. So, without hesitation, I counted. "...Two... Three... Four..." There was a sound of hesitation, mixed with "Ugh, ah," before I heard her rising from her spot. My heart raced at the thought that she might actually be changing. "...Five... Six... Seven... Eight..." "Don't just close your eyes, turn around too...!" she implored, but I ignored her. "Nine... Ten... Eleven... Twelve..." "You... you better have your eyes closed, right?" Her desperation increased as time dwindled, and even though I didn't want to admit it, the urgency in her voice was pleasing. It was a tone that teased my nature. I quickened the pace. "Thirteen... Fourteen... Fifteen... Sixteen." "How can you suddenly speed up like that?!" Rustle, rustle. She made rustling sounds. I had never seen anyone wear such an outfit before. "Seventeen. Eighteen. Nineteen. Twenty." "Ugh! Give me more time." Not only had I never seen anyone in such clothing, but I'd also never even seen a woman in seductive attire. There were no courtesans on Mount Emei, and to see one, I'd have to cross over to Sichuan. And even if I wanted to spend a night with a courtesan in Sichuan, that was said to be exorbitantly expensive. So, even though this situation felt like I was being pushed into it, it was undoubtedly a stimulus to me. "Twenty-one. Twenty-two. Twenty-three." The outfit was going to be a bit short. Even I clicked my tongue after making it. I thought she would wear it if she wanted to and if not, then so be it. It was pushing it to give more shame. Would Cheong Wol follow through? I heard rustling sounds, but was it really happening? "Huh? Master, I asked for more time?" As time grew shorter, my anticipation rose beyond my control. In this dull and conservative world, she was undressing in front of me into this provocative attire. And she was a stunning beauty at that. If my heart didn’t race, I’d be akin to a eunuch. "Twenty-four. Twenty-five. Twenty-six." "Give me more time!" Clicking my tongue, I paused my counting and said, "Asking for more time is a command." Where does a masochist order a sadist? Though I adjust my pace based on the other party's signs, particularly with demands, I should not comply. You fool. It's revenge. Besides, it doesn't take more than thirty seconds to change clothes, right? Unless it's stockings. This outfit is simple to put on. "Ah... Ugh!" "Twenty-seven. Twenty-eight. Twenty-nine..." I was now ready to open my eyes. "Alright, opening my eyes-" "Time, please!" "...?" I stopped at the loud plea. But anyone would have halted at the peculiar emotion carried in that voice. Cheong Wol quickly whispered. "...Please... more..." That plea took my breath away. ...What? My thoughts froze for a moment. But Cheong Wol, making it clear I hadn't misheard, said it again. A voice dripping with emotion. An appeal of utter submission. "...Please... give me more time." While I stood there, stunned by the shock, her frantic rustling continued.