The sight of Askan standing in the middle of the bright red flames seemed surreal. Even as I watched, it was an unbelievable spectacle.

Soon, the top Askan was wearing burned away in an instant. The amazing thing was that his bare skin was not at all injured by the flames.

I couldn’t help but gaze at Askan’s power, as if enchanted.

“Amazing……”

It was astounding that such power could erupt from a human body.

The four flames created by Askan danced around at his will.

In a bunker made of blitium, the unquenchable flames soared endlessly.

The sight inside the visible bunker was all fire, giving the illusion that heat could be felt through the reinforced glass.

Even after waiting for a long time, the flames created by Askan showed no signs of extinguishing.

How much time had passed?

As Askan collapsed to the floor, the flames faded away as if it was all a lie.

When I saw no fire inside the bunker, I went in with the water I had prepared.

Squeak─

When the thick iron door opened, the hot air inside leaked out.

I approached Askan, brushing away the smoke that momentarily blocked my vision with my hand.

“Askan, are you okay?”

Askan’s face was exhausted as if all the strength had drained from his body. His blurry eyes soon found me, and I could see his focus adjusting.

“You came in too quickly… it might be dangerous, so watch a little more before you come in next time.”

“Okay. I’ll do that next time, so don’t worry about me and drink some water first.”

As if he was really tired, Askan nodded his head and drank the water I handed him.

I casually brushed back his sweatdrenched bangs. Then I remembered that his top had been burnt and there was nothing on his upper body.

Askan was soaked with sweat. Seeing his wellmuscled body in a place filled with hot air gave me a strange feeling.

“I, I should prepare a robe or something for next time.”

Then Askan looked down at his body and seemed to understand what I was saying.

I helped him up with an awkward laugh. It seemed better to get out of the bunker than to rest here.

That’s when I was walking with one of Askan’s arms over my shoulder.

His voice came from above my head. Because of the close posture, it felt like he was whispering in my ear.

“How’s my physique?”

“What, what did you say?”

I had no choice but to look up at Askan with a surprised expression.

What is this? Is he teasing me?

I thought for a moment, but surprisingly, Askan’s eyes were serious, leaving me speechless.

“I asked if you liked my physique.”

In a situation where even a joke wouldn’t be enough, hearing Askan ask the same question again left me so speechless that I almost choked.

I felt like there were a million question marks floating in my head right now.

Why is he saying this?

Is it some kind of prank that’s trending these days?

I stared at Askan with a confused expression and managed to open my mouth.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You said before. You really look at a man’s face and body.”

“Ah……”

Then I remembered a memory I had forgotten.

When Askan asked me if I had special feelings for Barren, I had answered that way because it was so absurd.

─Askan, listen well. I really look at a man’s face.

─……The face?

─Ah, and the physique! You have to have a good face and physique as a basic.

Of course, I couldn’t deny that I looked at a man’s face and physique, but it was a really embarrassing question to be asked in this situation.

I mean, I have eyes, don’t I? Why wouldn’t I look?

I actually wanted to argue with Askan, but his expression was too serious for this situation and I was at a loss for words.

“Well, I don’t know what to answer.”

Askan seemed to have trouble with my response, he swept his hair that was dripping with sweat. His sculpted face, wet with perspiration, looked even more pronounced.

He seemed to ponder for a while, then spoke in a low voice.

“You once said that I was handsome.”

“Who said what?”

“I was curious if I was to your taste.”

“……cough.”

I was so surprised that I swallowed wrong.

When I opened my eyes wide and stared at Askan, he slightly furrowed his brow and laughed.

“Please tell me if anything is lacking. Whether it’s my face or body, I’ll try to suit your preferences.”

“No, there’s no need for that……”

“Do you prefer more muscular than now? Or do you prefer leaner?”

Askan was already a perfect human being.

With a face that perfectly suited the word ‘handsome,’ a boyish beauty with sculpted eyes, nose, lips, and muscles appropriately placed on his body were neither too much nor too little.

Even without adding or subtracting anything from his face or body, he was already lethal.

However, it felt strange to say this directly. I could only blink my lips in a loss for words.

“Lady?”

“Why do you have to say that……uh!”

I was so engrossed in Askan’s question that I didn’t see the chin beneath my feet.

That was the moment.

Askan caught me with a strong grip, supporting me so I wouldn’t fall.