Chapter 54: An Unfortunate First…

The crystalline meeting chamber fell into a stunned hush after Hyun-woo’s deadpan reply. For one glorious heartbeat, the line of towering, impossibly curvaceous Guardians simply stared.

Then the Snow Woman threw her head back and laughed. Her entire body shimmered, packed snow and translucent ice shifting across her generous curves as she clutched her sides. “Oh—oh my, that was perfect!”

The Spider Guardian’s eight black eyes sparkled with mischief. A low, chittering chuckle escaped her, quickly blooming into full laughter that made her heavy bosom bounce and her bulbous lower body quiver. “He got you good, Kaelith!”

Kaelith the Nine-Tailed Kitsune’s fluffy orange ears twitched violently. Her nine tails lashed behind her like whips. But she didn’t say anything.

“That was a stupid question, Kaelith,” the Snow Woman teased, still giggling. “Even the human saw it coming!”

“Truly the sharpest mind among us,” the Phoenix added with a sly grin, flames flickering along her feathers.

“Should’ve expected it from the fox who once tried to seduce a rock,” the Crimson Dragon Lady rumbled, crossing her massive arms under her chest.

The Porcelain Woman’s bloodless lips curved into a rare smirk. “Adorable.”

Even the Mermaid let out a soft, melodic giggle behind her hand. “Poor little fox.”

Kaelith’s golden eyes flashed with anger. Her tails puffed up like an angry cat’s. “Fuck you! Fuck all of you!” she snarled, flipping a very un-ladylike middle finger at the entire line of Guardians. “You bitches wouldn’t know comedy if it bit you on the ass!”

The chamber erupted into renewed laughter—except for Adrazelle at the head of the table, who merely pinched the bridge of her nose harder.

But then, at that moment, every single Guardian turned their full, intense attention back to Hyun-woo, who was looking at all of them with a focused gaze.

The weight of their collective stares pressed down on him. They might joke among themselves, but they would never allow an outsider to come in and make fun of their own.

The Snow Woman stepped forward first, her icy form crackling softly. “Who do you think you are, embarrassing my friend like that, little human?”

The Phoenix glided over with predatory grace, flames licking at her heels. She loomed close enough that the heat of her body washed over him. “Why don’t you apologize, little boy, before I burn you to cinders?”

Kaelith huffed loudly, arms crossed tightly under her own impressive chest. But she also glared in his direction.

The Crimson Dragon Lady fixed her burning gaze on his soft, pretty face. “Apologize.”

“Come on, little boy,” the Porcelain Woman added in a silky, dangerous whisper, “just apologize already before you are killed.”

“You thought you could get away with that joke?” the Mermaid chimed in, her fish-like ears flickering with irritation.

“Should I just kill you here and now?” the Spider Guardian hissed, her eight eyes narrowing as two of her legs clicked forward.

The Giantess’s voice boomed like distant thunder. “You should have thought before you spoke, little boy.”

Hyun-woo’s heart hammered against his ribs. His introverted soul screamed for cover.

He wasn’t built for a situation like this, standing in a room full of terrifyingly beautiful monster women.

His palms grew clammy. A familiar anxious flush crept up his neck. You know I was just joking, he thought. But damn, ganging up on me like that.

He swallowed hard, trying to find words that wouldn’t get him turned into a popsicle, barbecue, or spider silk decoration. To be honest, it’s not like they could hurt him to begin with.

Before he could reply, however, a familiar black blur shot forward.

Ebonara’s strong arms wrapped around him from behind in a possessive hug.

Her heavy breasts pressed firmly into his back as her tail curled protectively around his waist. “Fuck you,” she snarled at the entire assembly, all eight gem-eyes blazing. “He’s mine. Touch him and I’ll turn this whole chamber into a venom pit.”

Stheno and Medusa also moved in front of Hyun-woo. Stheno’s snake-hair hissed wildly. “Back off. Right now.”

Medusa’s emerald eyes glowed, her own serpent tail lashing once in warning. “He is under our protection.”

The chamber crackled with tension.

Auras clashed against one another, making the atmosphere feel like a pressure chamber.

Hyun-woo stood sandwiched between his fiercely possessive women, heart still racing but warmed by their immediate defense.

The tension in the grand chamber thickened like storm clouds before a cataclysm. Ebonara’s tail lashed dangerously behind Hyun-woo, her eight gem-eyes locked on the opposing Guardians.

Stheno’s golden snake-hair reared up with venomous hisses, while Medusa’s emerald gaze promised instant petrification to anyone who took one more step.

On the other side, Frostveil’s icy form crackled with frost, Pyraelle’s flames roared higher, and Velvaryn’s spider legs clicked in readiness. The situation itself seemed like it was ready to ignite.

Hyun-woo, still wrapped in Ebonara’s fierce hug, watched nervously. Are they really going to fight? he wondered. Right in front of Adrazelle?

Then—without warning—Frostveil’s crystalline laughter rang out again.

Pyraelle’s flames dimmed into playful sparks. Kaelith’s tails stopped lashing and started swishing lazily. One by one, every Guardian broke into genuine, booming laughter that echoed off the ancient walls.

“Relax, relax!” Frostveil waved a frosty hand, wiping a tear of mirth from her icy cheek. “We were just joking, little human. You should see your face!”

Pyraelle grinned, her feathers still flickering with amusement. “We do this to every new face. Keeps things lively.”

Velvaryn chittered happily, her eight eyes sparkling. “You passed the first test—surviving our welcome without fainting.”

The rest of the Guardians nodded along, their intimidating auras melting into something almost… sisterly. Even the Giantess Ravena let out a thunderous chuckle that shook the floor.

Hyun-woo blinked, then slowly extricated himself from Ebonara’s protective embrace.

He stepped forward just enough to look at the entire absurd scene with his eyes closed in pure, exhausted disbelief, a faint blush still staining his pretty cheeks. Of course. Of course they were joking. Why wouldn’t a room full of world-ending beauties start with death threats as small talk?

Ebonara cleared her throat, mindful of Mother’s presence—and took on the role of gracious host. She placed a hand on Hyun-woo’s shoulder, her voice warm and proud without a single curse slipping out.

“Darling, allow me to make proper introductions. This is Frostveil,” she gestured to the shimmering snow woman. “She is an ice bitch.”

Frostveil was in the middle of a graceful bow, but she froze instantly upon hearing what Ebonara called her.

“Next is Pyraelle,” Ebonara continued, ignoring the snow woman and nodding to the phoenix. “This one is a flying bitch.”

Pyraelle cracked a laugh. “Yep, what did I expect? This is Ebonara.”

“Kaelith, our nine-tailed troublemaker,” Ebonara said with a fond eye-roll. “She is a nine-tailed bitch.”

Kaelith huffed. “You need help, Ebonara.”

“Vermira,” Ebonara moved on, indicating the crimson dragon lady. “This bitch sucks at cooking.”

Vermira's smirk faltered, replaced instantly with a snarl. “Fucking Ebonara.”

“Pallidra,” Ebonara gestured to the porcelain-skinned beauty. “Bloodless bitch.”

Pallidra inclined her head with a faint, eerie smile.

“Nobody knows what this gothic bitch is thinking,” Ebonara added, as if the previous introduction was somehow lacking.

“Marisyl, our mermaid songstress,” Ebonara continued smoothly. “The singing bitch.”

Marisyl smiled and gave Ebonara the middle finger.

“Velvaryn,” Ebonara nodded to the spider guardian. “The famous eight-legged bitch.”

Velvaryn clicked her legs as if ready to pounce, but didn't do anything.

“And finally, Ravena,” Ebonara finished, looking up at the towering giantess. “Biggest pussy bitch.”

Ravena just looked at this with an open mouth. She wanted to reply with something similar, but Mother was sitting right behind her, and she didn't want to upset her. So for now, she just huffed.

Ebonara’s expression softened with unmistakable affection as she pulled Hyun-woo gently against her side. “And this… is my one and only cutie pie. Hyun-woo.”

She said it with such tender pride that several Guardians cooed audibly. Hyun-woo’s face turned scarlet.

At the head of the table, Mother Adrazelle finally let out an audible, long-suffering sigh. Her veiled form radiated pure annoyance. “If you children are quite finished with your shit… then sit. The meeting is about to start.”

The Guardians wanted to say something but immediately moved toward their seats with surprising obedience.

Ebonara kept her arm looped possessively around Hyun-woo as they settled in, while Stheno and Medusa sat right beside them.

Well, that was…what can I say…weirdly exciting.

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