The Arena and the Siren

“We’re going to the arena?”

“Yeah.”

“So you’re going on a date, and you’re still working from dawn?”

Park Deok-pal asked with a displeased look.

“I think working will calm my mind.
I’ll share some tomatoes and corn when they’re fully grown.”

Only then did Deok-pal quiet down.

“But where’s that guy?”

“That guy’s been holed up in his room these days.”

“And he still gets paid?”

“Well, I’m working for two people anyway.
Cut him some slack.
He has his circumstances.”

Garam didn’t really want to defend Kang Jung-bae,but Deok-pal’s tone softened him.

“Alright.
Then work more.
Dig furrows from here all the way to the end.”

“Why don’t you use machines?
Some artificial farms use only manual labor since they sell to rich customers…
but you’re not like that.”

“Most machines run on mana stones,
and you know how expensive those are.”

“Wouldn’t your so-called boyfriend buy you one?”

“Forget it.
Just work.”

“Okaaay.”

Deok-pal grumbled,but he worked diligently.

Thinking about it,Garam realized he had grown far too close to himcompared to when they first met.

“Be careful.Be careful.”

Garam used his skill on the crops,then stood up.

It was about time to return to his room,shower, and change for the date.

“I’m heading back!”

“I’m coming too!”

“After you finish your work!”

“I can finish after coming back!”

Deok-pal pouted childishly,an expression that made Garam feel his eyes were rotting.

“How exactly do you plan to join a date?”

“What about as a bodyguard?”

“You?”

“Me.”

“No.
No way.”

“Hey, at least try asking.”

Persistent as ever.

Garam sighed lightly.

“Why do you even want to come?”

“I’m not allowed to go out alone.”

“You weren’t?”

“Nope.Do you not care about us at all?”

“Maybe I don’t.”

If Deok-pal really hadn’t been outside even once,that would be frustrating.

Going only between work and dorm—how fun could that be?

So Garam decided to be a little generous.

“Fine, I’ll bring you.But you ask him.”

“No, you have to ask.If I do it, he might try to cut something off again.”

He shivered dramatically.

“Okay, okay.Then get ready and wait in front of my room.”

“Got it!”

Deok-pal ran off excitedly.

Watching him go,Garam returned to his room and removed his dirty farmer clothes.

He put on clean black pants,

a light pink shirt, and tied a purple ribbon around his neck.

“I wanted to tie it like a necktie…but I don’t know how.”

When he stepped out,Deok-pal was already waiting— facing off with Lee Jae-heon.

“You want to take him?”

Jae-heon pointed at Deok-pal with his chin.

“Maybe we can bring him as a bodyguard?”

“Bodyguard?”

He laughed openly.

“A servant would be more fitting.”

“Do city people use servants?”

“Rich ones do.”

So going as a servant was allowed?

Deok-pal nodded eagerly.

He didn’t even flinch at the word “servant.”

He must have really wanted to go outside.

“He says he’s fine with it.”

“I don’t know why you’re speaking for him. Fine. Bring him. But he must act properly as a servant.”

“Yes, sir!”

Deok-pal yelled brightly.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Garam answered quietly and carefully took Jae-heon’s hand.

At first he had resisted this, but now he could endure it.

If only Deok-pal weren’t staring.

Garam glanced back, expecting him to smile— but his expression was strangely stiff.

“…What’s that about?”

Garam couldn’t figure it out and let it go.

“Anyway… today’s arena is where awakened people compete, right?”

High-rank awakened fighters were too valuable to risk, but the idea still stirred something in him.

The arena was on the outskirts, and even before the event began, long lines had already formed.

“We go this way.”

The VIP line was separate.

Thanks to that, they entered without waiting and arrived in a private room with a full view of the arena.

A table stood in the center, with rare fruits on top.

“Fruit!”

Garam pointed excitedly.

“It’s for VIP guests only,” Jae-heon explained.

“Can I eat it?”

“They put it there for you to eat.”

Garam happily grabbed a cherry tomato.

It burst in his mouth— fresh and tangy.

The apple was crisp and sweet, hard to stop eating.

He didn’t know how long he devoured the fruit.

Feeling awkward eating alone, he handed a sliced apple to Jae-heon.

“You should eat some too.”

“Don’t say ‘you.’ Say ‘darling.’ Or my name.”

Normally he might’ve gone along with it, but Deok-pal was watching.

Garam hesitated several times— but ultimately remembered who the dangerous one was.

“Alright… darling.”

The word felt too weird.

He corrected himself.

“Lee Jae-heon.”

“Drop the family name.”

“Jae-heon.”

“Good.”

“The fruit is delicious. Please have some.”

Jae-heon stared then opened his mouth.

“You want me to feed you?!”

Garam obediently fed him the apple slice.

“By the way… the whole front is glass?”

Sometimes Deok-pal’s reflection flashed on it. Why was he watching inside instead of going out?

“For safety. High-ranking officials use VIP rooms. There should be binoculars somewhere.”

Jae-heon tapped the seat beside him.

It was a couple seat.

Garam looked at the separate chair— but ended up sitting next to him.

The match began.

The showmanship was excessive, but the fight was entertaining.

Eventually Garam even found someone to root for.

“That guy fights really well!”

“He’s only C-rank.”

Jae-heon crushed the excitement.

“Higher ranks can’t fight here anyway.”

“They’re part of the city’s main force. If they fought seriously, the audience would be in danger.”

“I see.”

He almost asked if Jae-heon had ever fought like this— but wisely held his tongue.

“Think about yesterday…”

Jae-heon probably had been powerful since awakening.

Maybe born an S-rank.

The thought depressed Garam— he was just an unranked farmer.

While he brooded, the match reached its climax.

“Wooooaaah!!”

Crowds roared— then suddenly, a shrill siren cut through the air.

A monster alert.

People panicked, then rushed toward the exits.

Security tried controlling them, but it wasn’t working well.

“Everyone must evacuate!”

The message reached the VIP room too.

“What monster is it?”

“Basilisks. Not one — a whole group.”

“Isn’t there an outer defense team?”

“It originated inside the city.”

Jae-heon frowned.

“Inside? What about Oracle’s foresight?”

“There was none.”

Oracle— the future-sight awakened group that predicted dungeon appearances.

“So it’s not from a dungeon.”

Jae-heon stood up.

“I’ll go check it out. You stay here.”

“Here?”

This place didn’t feel safe either.

Garam questioned him, and Jae-heon suddenly placed his flowerpot into Garam’s arms.

“Hold it tightly. Wait five minutes. You—protect Garam.”

He ordered both men.

Deok-pal’s expression twisted at the commanding tone, but he nodded.