JD 115

And so, Beom Urim visited the company in person to meet Lee Muheon for the first time in years.

Being a famous celebrity who drew attention wherever he went, Gi Sang-oh had offered to go meet Muheon on his behalf, but Beom Urim, also a beastman from the West Sea, couldn’t turn down the chance to see Lord Muheon again after so long.

“It’s been a while. Lord Muheon, it’s an honor to see you again.”

Beom Urim bowed his head gracefully. Muheon nodded in response, and Beom Urim broke into a wide smile that nearly closed his eyes.

He was still tall, still wickedly handsome.

Though Beom Urim worked in the entertainment industry, he had yet to meet anyone whose looks made his heart race like Muheon’s did.

After all, he’d transferred allegiance to the West Sea purely because he was drawn to that face… That’s how exceptional the West Sea imugi’s looks were.

“I heard that you recently got married, but due to a prior overseas engagement… I’m truly sorry I couldn’t attend in person.”

“It’s fine.”

Muheon waved it off.

Even if he had tried to attend, he would’ve been immediately turned away because of Hakyung’s stomach cramps anyway.

Besides, Beom Urim was infamous in the West Sea for having a will of steel, none could match his tenacity.

Gi Sang-oh sat beside them, rubbing his sweaty palms against his thighs over and over.

The aura between the two naturally made his shoulders tense.

Of course, Park Geowong, ever oblivious, sat there with his usual blank expression.

“I never imagined Sang-oh would ask me for a favor. I was so happy to get your call. Thank you.”

Beom Urim reached out and gently patted the back of Gi Sang-oh’s hand.

The moment that smooth, callus-free palm touched him, Gi Sang-oh barely managed to keep from leaping out of his seat.

Even though Beom Urim had hunted down and beaten hundreds of beastmen and humans, his hands were soft, like they’d never done a day of hard work.

Which only meant that hunting humans was no trouble for him at all.

Gi Sang-oh forced an awkward smile as he looked into the crazed gleam of his old friend’s eyes.

Thanks to his slightly drooping eyes and ever-curved lips, fans often gave Beom Urim the weird nickname “Beommongie,” a play on his name and the word for a cute pup.

But none of them knew that expression was the very one he wore when scouting for delicious prey… Nor that his hobby was studying anatomy, and his specialty was slicing sashimi.

Years ago, Gi Sang-oh had once seen Beom Urim smiling sweetly, drenched in blood.

That sight had been so terrifying he’d had nightmares for days, dreams where blood-soaked Beom Urim chased him relentlessly.

From then on, he had sworn never to contact Beom Urim first again.

Of course, today’s situation was too dire for such promises to matter, so that resolve had crumbled far too easily.

“So, what kind of human is it?”

Beom Urim’s face flushed with anticipation as he asked.

Geez, anyone would think this was a blind date…

Clicking his tongue in disbelief, Gi Sang-oh knocked Beom Urim’s hand off his own and handed over a tablet.

Beom Urim glanced for a moment at his unceremoniously dropped hand, then shifted his gaze to the tablet and began reading the profile calmly.

The name, photo, physical traits, and notable features were all neatly organized in a chart.

“Hm… So a few years go by, and now you bring a tablet instead of that old notebook?”

Beom Urim chuckled softly.

Back then, Sang-oh had shown up with thick binders full of photos pasted in messily and barely legible scribbles.

Things had certainly improved.

“That was Hakyung’s work. He designed the whole thing.”

At that sincere praise, the normally silent Geowong finally chimed in.

Ever since Hakyung started working at the office, the company had emerged from the digital dark ages.

The best part was that now, they didn’t have to tap numbers into a calculator, just input the data and the collected amount matched up instantly.

“Ah, Hakyung… You mean Lord Muheon’s spouse?”

“Yeah.”

Park Geoung nodded vigorously, his expression full of pride.

“I actually saw him on YouTube. He sings really well.”

“He does.”

At the mention of his husband’s singing, Muheon added his agreement.

He wanted to mention the many songs they couldn’t upload to YouTube due to censorship concerns, but there was no need to spark Beom Urim’s curiosity any further.

“I like to watch YouTube during breaks between filming. I’m curious how humans and beastmen live together.”

His gentle smile tugged his eyes down, but none of the others smiled with him.

They all knew what kind of twisted tendencies were hidden behind that grin.

Sigh, Gi Sang-oh let out a big breath without realizing it, then jumped and clapped his hand over his mouth.

Knock knock—there was a bright knock on the office door.

“Can I come in?”

A clear and lovely voice of a river dolphin came through the door.

Muheon, who’d been sitting in a relaxed posture, straightened up immediately.

Gi Sang-oh and Park Geowong’s faces lit up as well.

“Come in!”

Gi Sang-oh called out loudly, and the door opened as if it had been waiting for the cue.

Peeking through a small gap was a yellow hat.

It was Hakyung, who had gone out to buy dessert and coffee after hearing from Geoung that guests were coming.

Since Geoung had specifically told him about it, he figured it must be an important guest, so Hakyung had gone to a nearby café known for its delicious desserts with Bu Geunrim.

During lunch hours, there was always a line, but since they went earlier, it wasn’t too crowded.

And Hakyung had been extra happy because it meant he could legally treat himself to an iced vanilla latte.

The Kang Hakyung–Bu Geunrim vanilla latte brothers slurped their straws, carrying back bags full of tasty treats.

By the time they returned, the office had fallen into a deathly quiet.

Even when Huang Ying had visited, it hadn’t been this silent…

How important was this guest to make the atmosphere so tense? Hakyung tilted his head in curiosity.

“Geunrim hyung, do you want to take this?”

Hakyung tried to hand the dessert tray to Bu Geunrim, who was plating the sweets, but Bu Geunrim shook his head hard.

“N-no, I… I’ve got urgent paperwork! I can’t move a single step now!”

“O-oh… okay? Then I’ll go.”

While Hakyung had been in the break room, Bu Geunrim had overheard from a colleague who the guest was, and now sat frozen at his desk like he was nailed to it.

Sensing the unusual tension in the air, Hakyung knocked on the office door with a confused feeling, and froze with his mouth agape at the face he saw.

Beom Urim…!

Even his grandma would recognize that face, he was that famous of an actor.

He was known as the celebrity among celebrities, and now he was right there, just a few steps away.

And on top of that, he was interacting with Muheon and the others in such a friendly, casual way!

Startled, Hakyung stood frozen in the doorway, still holding the door.

Muheon came to fetch him personally and placed the tray on the table.

The desserts were all adorably cute and pretty, clearly chosen with care.

Muheon almost warned the others not to touch them, but stopped himself.

Kang Hakyung would be happy seeing everyone enjoy the treats he brought.

“Hello, Hakyung. I’m Beom Urim. A bit late, but congratulations on your marriage with Lord Muheon.”

“Ah, hello. Yes. Thank you.”

When Hakyung followed Muheon over toward the sofa, Beom Urim stood and greeted him politely.

This has to be a dream.

Hakyung pinched his cheek—ouch, it stung.

It wasn’t a dream.

“What’s wrong?”

A cool fingertip landed on his tingling cheek.

Rubbing his face against the familiar warmth, Hakyung rose onto his toes and whispered in Muheon’s ear.

“Is that really the actor Beom Urim? Not someone who just looks like him?”

“Haha, yes, I’m really that actor.”

Eek!

Beom Urim had approached while they were talking, and Hakyung jumped, startled, and quickly hid behind Muheon.

Beom Urim met eyes with Hakyung, peeking out from behind Muheon.

That subtly persistent gaze made Hakyung feel a strange unease.

Until Muheon placed a hand on Beom Urim’s face and pushed him back.

“That’s far enough.”

He’s a famous actor, should Muheon really be that rough with his face…?

Startled again, Hakyung looked up at Muheon.

But Beom Urim, even with his face shoved, smiled brightly and apologized without a hint of offense.

“Sorry. I guess I got a little too excited meeting Lord Muheon’s partner in person.”

“O-oh, no, it’s fine.”

Waving his hands, Hakyung timidly stepped out from behind Muheon and cautiously studied Beom Urim.

Unlike Muheon, his black hair had a faint ashen tint, and his distinctly Western features surprisingly suited him well.

His face, smiling like a gentle big dog, looked as if it had just stepped out of a photobook, he was that handsome.

But considering how he used the most formal honorifics toward both Muheon and himself…

Hakyung once again whispered quietly into Muheon’s ear.

“Is he… also a sea beastman?”