With a whirring sound, Myam, who had been processing internal data, shook his head.
"There are too many to count, myam. It's impossible to give even an approximate number."
"Well, that makes sense… What's the highest-level planet you've seen?"
"It was level 412, myam."
"And you guys are level 35?"
"That's right, myam."
Kwon Jihan hummed, stroking his chin, lost in thought. He glanced at Yoon Seo again, causing Yoon Seo to frown. His lover's gray eyes were twinkling with excitement, the look he always had when he found something interesting. That made Yoon Seo feel uneasy.
"Alright, I've decided on the exchange terms."
"Tell us, myam."
"We'll join you on your space trip."
"...!"
Myam and Yam were slightly surprised, but Yoon Seo was completely shocked.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Yoon Seo uncrossed his arms, looking dumbfounded, as Kwon Jihan approached him.
"Hyung, we need to go into space."
"What kind of nonsense is this?"
"It's not nonsense. I'm serious. Do you know how many planets there are in the universe? There are hundreds of billions of stars like our sun in just one galaxy, and there are hundreds of billions of galaxies in the universe. If there are that many stars, imagine how many planets orbit them?"
"So what? You're suggesting we create an encyclopedia of planets?"
"Think about it. They have a spaceship with a radiation shield and can travel at superluminal speeds at level 35. What would level 412 be like? We might even find a planet where awakened beings carry emergency escape items in their inventories. On such planets, very few would die due to dungeon time limits."
"..."
"This one-year vacation is the perfect opportunity. Let's go out there and bring back knowledge and items that can help Earth. This is for Earth. You can't deny that, hyung."
"Ha…"
[The God of Life cheers.]
[The God of Death tells you to accept.]
[The God of Life says this is a fitting task for you.]
[The God of Death threatens to stop being your guardian god if you don't accept.]
[The God of Life says there are beautiful and mysterious planets.]
[The God of Death threatens to spread your infamy across the universe if you don't accept.]
[The God of Life says there's even a planet where whales fly in the sky.]
[The God of Love wants the two of you to kiss.]
While Kwon Jihan's proposal was unexpected, the reactions from the guardian gods were even more surprising. They were so eager for him to leave Earth.
Sure, the universe was vast, and there could be a planet where the emergency escape item that Yoon Seo so desperately wanted existed.
But he had no intention of leaving Earth unprotected to go searching for it.
"What if an S-rank Red-Black Dungeon appears on Earth while we're gone? Even if we return with that item, it won't matter if Earth is already destroyed."
"Ah, you don't need to worry about that, nyam!"
At that moment, Nyam exclaimed cheerfully.
"There's still plenty of space on the personal dungeon planet granted by
"…This is a skill I'd really love to have."
At Kwon Jihan's chilling murmur, Nyam gasped and covered his mouth.
"Anyway, you're saying it's okay for us to join your journey, right?"
"We'd be delighted to accompany II Couple on their space date, myam."
"Exactly. Now, we just need hyung's approval."
"..."
With the communication issue with Earth solved, there wasn't really any reason or excuse to refuse.
To think he'd be going on a space trip again….
Yoon Seo sighed and spoke up.
"Alright, let's go."
"Yes! You heard him! Get ready."
"We'll depart in 10 minutes, myam!"
The humanoids joyfully ran around, starting up the spaceship. Nyam used the leftover warp particles from repairing the spaceship to charge up the F-energy, briefly opening the entrance to the personal dungeon. Meanwhile, Kwon Jihan called Yoo Juncheol.
– Hey. Did you meet Yoon Seo okay? What about the 'Writer'?
"We're heading on a space trip, so if anything comes up, leave a note in the Writer's mailbox."
– What? Hey, what are you talking about?
"Unless it's something super serious, don't call us. Oh, and I left some info about the Writer in the mailbox, so read it when you can. We're off on our honeymoon. Bye."
– Hey! Wait-!
Kwon Jihan hung up, having said everything he wanted. Yoon Seo sighed beside him but didn't bother telling him to call back and explain things properly. They'd written the situation down in the letter, so Yoo Juncheol could just read it.
The two of them re-entered the dungeon. Kwon Jihan grinned.
"I wonder how many aliens are out there in the universe. There must be plenty that look human, just like us, right? I'm excited."
Yoon Seo squinted at him.
"Let's be honest. You wanted to go just so you could fight powerful aliens, didn't you?"
"Well, that's nice too, but just thinking about finding a potion that nullifies status effects makes my heart race like crazy."
"..."
"I'd lick the boots of the top space bully if it meant getting rid of your healing resistance. No matter what it takes, I'll find it and give it to you as a gift."
So that was the real reason.
Yoon Seo felt his heart sink, but he masked it with a playful tone.
"After licking a disgusting alien's foot, don't even think about kissing me with those lips ever again."
"Oh, right. That wouldn't do. My lips are only for you."
Kwon Jihan lightly kissed Yoon Seo on the cheek.
[The God of Life is displeased.]
[The God of Death is cheering.]
[The God of Love desires a kiss.]
"They want a kiss."
Yoon Seo looked around. All the aliens were upstairs. When Yoon Seo gave a small nod, Kwon Jihan grabbed the back of Yoon Seo's head and pressed their lips together. A hot tongue parted Yoon Seo's lips and slipped inside. Yoon Seo wrapped his arms around Kwon Jihan's back, pulling him closer.
After a while, Kwon Jihan gently cupped Yoon Seo's flushed cheeks.
"I really hope we find it."
"…Yeah."
Whenever Yoon Seo felt the depth of Kwon Jihan's love in moments like these, his heart felt like it was both breaking and swelling with joy at the same time. It was a feeling that he couldn't quite put into words.
"We're ready, myam! Come on up, myam!"
The humanoids shouted from the second floor.
"Riceball."
When Yoon Seo called out, the small bird, who had been busy inhaling mealworms, fluttered over. It seemed rounder and heavier as it plopped down on Yoon Seo's elbow and preened its feathers.
"You might as well take the title of 'Predator' at this rate."
Kwon Jihan scratched Riceball's chest with a finger. Despite it not being praise, Riceball puffed out its chest even more with a chirp.
"Hyung, let's go."
"Yeah."
Kwon Jihan extended his hand to Yoon Seo, who took it. A suspicious blue light flashed upstairs.
It's really space.
Actual space.
This time, they wouldn't just be gazing at the Milky Way from afar. They would be on an alien planet, encountering countless extraterrestrial life forms.
For some reason, Yoon Seo wasn't afraid. Instead, he trembled with excitement.
It was probably thanks to the owner of the large hand firmly holding his own.
No matter what awaited them in the vastness of space, as long as Kwon Jihan was by his side…
Yoon Seo, hand in hand with his lover, headed into space. He couldn't help but smile unknowingly as they stepped into an unimaginable future.
***
Epilogue
"Hyung, did you hear? Somewhere in space, there's a planet that records the history of awakened ones, ranking their abilities. They don't start recording until they venture out into space, like us."
"What does that mean?"
"What do you think it means? Your boyfriend will go from being ranked first on Earth to being ranked first in the universe."
"If you're ranked first, then what about me?"
"My boyfriend will be ranked zero on Earth and zero in the universe."
Kwon Jihan casually replied, but then suddenly became serious.
"This is a big problem. There's no way aliens will let such a pretty, sexy, cute, and handsome rank zero being go unnoticed. Damn it. Why didn't I think of this sooner? With all the aliens approaching you, I'm going to lose all my hair and get wrinkles between my brows. My hyung is way too attractive."
"...."
"Hyung. Let's hide our power even in space as Earthlings. You can do that, right? You're experienced. It's going to be tough for me, personality-wise."
"…I understand. It won't be difficult."
"Good."
Peep!
Kwon Jihan clenched his fists, and Riceball, oblivious to everything, happily chirped along. Yoon Seo's expression turned a bit strange as he watched the two.
Now that I think about it… it would be nice to meet Riceball's friends while wandering around space.
It was about time Kwon Jihan also got his own Ego Sword.
Yoon Seo quietly added another item to the list of things he needed to find, hoping that perhaps Kwon Jihan was secretly making a list of things to find for him as well. There could already be over a hundred gifts just for Yoon Seo.
Together, that would make a total of 301…
Yoon Seo couldn't help but smile slightly. Kwon Jihan looked at him with curiosity at the sound of his laughter. Instead of explaining why, Yoon Seo leaned his forehead against Kwon Jihan's shoulder.
In the past, he had resented his hyungs and noonas for leaving behind wills, as it made him feel burdened and pained. But now, he was incredibly grateful for those wills that had allowed him to endure that time. He had to repay this debt by living on.
Kwon Jihan took Yoon Seo's hand. Yoon Seo held his warm hand in return. Riceball fluttered down to sit on their joined hands. The light, fluffy weight made both Kwon Jihan and Yoon Seo laugh simultaneously. Their laughter spread throughout space.
It was the sound of happy laughter that would reach the stars far away in the universe someday.