Explosion after explosion sang wildly amid the roaring flames, while tangled, suggestive thoughts crackled and burned in the blaze.
Shen Ru watched the man mere inches away and curled his lips. His wet, red tongue flicked over the corner of his mouth in a gesture almost like a challenge. His voice was teasingly slow and steady, every word and even every breath burning hot.
"Really? Make sure you don't disappoint me."
The thick smoke brought tears to the corners of the young man's eyes. Lava-red light washed over them both. They stood so close to the explosions that death brushed right past them.
In the Livestream Room:
[I'm begging you two to remember we're people too, OK?]
[Here's the thing, I'm actually my wife's toxic solo stan...]
[The mood's so good... why don't you two kiss???]
[Aaaaaah, my wife!!! Don't tell me you'll be someone's mom the next time you enter an Instance!?]
[Someone drag that idiot out!]
The man's large hand tightened its grip on the back of his neck. Warm skin pressed against his palm, and the young man's body gave a slight shudder.
His other hand slowly traveled up Shen Ru's waist and abdomen, pausing at his collar.
Then, unhurriedly, he fastened every button that had popped open.
The countdown to the end of the Instance sounded in their ears.
"The Instance has ended. The livestream channel is closing."
Shen Ru waited for his settlement in the familiar system space.
``` "Player Shen Ru has successfully cleared the Upside-Down Mental Hospital Instance. Settlement will now begin."
"B-rank Instance settlement reward: 20000"
"Player has successfully resolved the anomalies within the Instance. Additional reward: 20000"
"Livestream Room viewer tips: 5000. Reward after platform commission: 2500"
"Total Points awarded for this Instance: 42500"
"Attention, Player: your settlement