MTL - Mermaid Effect - Chapter 9

In the year 2022, gamers rejoice as Sword Art Online-a VRMMORPG (Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) like no other-opens its virtual doors, allowing players to take full advantage of the ultimate in gaming technology: NerveGear, a system that allows users to completely immerse themselves in the game world by manipulating their brain waves to create a wholly realistic gaming experience.

But when the game goes live, the elation of the players quickly turns to horror as they discover that, for all its amazing features, SAO is missing one of the most basic functions of any MMORPG-a log-out button.

Now trapped in the virtual world of Aincrad, their bodies held captive by NerveGear in the real world, users are issued a chilling ultimatum: conquer all one hundred floors of Aincrad to regain your freedom. But in the warped world of SAO, “game over” means certain death-both virtual and real…

People talk about Kwon Ihyeok and Hyeseong. The two must have been married in a past life. For 6 years, until the gangster became a respectable company CEO, Hyeseong was always by Ihyeok’s side. They were perfect partners. Until Hyeseong dropped a bombshell.“I’m going to become a farmer.”Hyeseong abruptly announced his resignation and left Ihyeok’s side.“Hyeseong. I can’t let you go.”But Ihyeok, unwilling to easily let him go, begins actively investigating the reason for Hyeseong’s departure.“Sir, by any chance…are you living next door to me?”“Yes.”There must be some scumbag who lured Hyeseong to a place like this. Ihyeok is convinced, and even does background checks to uncover Hyeseong’s secret, but he is missing a very important point.“Strange. Why do you smell so sweet?”>> A Taste“How much have you been drinking?”“I don’t know. As much as was given to me?”Ihyeok’s voice seemed normal, but Hyeseong knew. He was drunk now.“I’ll bring you a blanket so sleep here.”As Hyeseong got up to get bedding from his room…“…?!”Suddenly, Ihyeok sat up and grabbed Hyeseong’s arm, pulling him down. Caught off guard, Hyeseong fell onto the sofa.“What are you doing…?”He tried to break free but couldn’t.“Strange. Why do you smell so sweet?”‘Could it be…my pheromones are starting to flow?’That was not a good sign at all.“Sir. Step back for a bit.”Then, out of nowhere, Ihyeok pressed his lips to Hyeseong’s neck. A tingling sensation began burning through his body.“Sir, wait…ah…”Ihyeok, who had been brushing his lips against him, slowly started licking and sucking his neck.

Hao Ren (literally means “good man”), as his Chinese name suggested, is a good man, and his ideal was to live a restful, comfortable life as a landlord. At least that was his plan before a couple of abnormal creatures rented his house.