Substitute-Chapter 51

The afternoon schedule differed by team.

Finally, the time they’d been anticipating since morning had come.

So-called “milking time.”

All seven Sailors were giddy with that thought.

As for Jiwon, he was slightly tense. Just this morning during the workout, his body and mind had been aroused, but now they were inexplicably calm. He didn’t feel like masturbating at all.

Even if they played porn, it would probably be with men, and dirty magazines would be the same. He doubted he’d get hard from that as a heterosexual.

Jiwon had worked hard to get used to homosexuality. He’d studied all kinds of play, and gone through every disgusting kind of porn and smut literature, but still couldn’t override his instincts. Just because he understood the pleasure of penetration didn’t mean he got hard from watching that kind of stuff. It was rare.

So he couldn’t understand why he was getting aroused seeing other men during this retreat—and worse, why he was getting hard and ejaculating. It felt like something was wrong with him.

At first, he believed there was another cause.

The one he kept doubting—drugs.

But if that were the case, he was too lucid. Aside from brief spells of arousal, he was able to function ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ normally in everyday life. No side effects either. The program had gone on for at least 3 or 4 days—maybe as long as 6. If they’d been drugging him that whole time, he’d have been addicted by now, and the idea that he had no side effects didn’t make sense.

“There’s no such thing as a drug without side effects.”

That was the one absolute fact Jiwon knew about drugs, as someone who’d been on narcotic painkillers long-term for his elbow. He knew it from experience.

In the end, the suspicion around drugs had to remain just that—a suspicion.

Instead, he looked for another cause: the environment.

He recalled a documentary that had explored the relationship between human violence and environment.

Violence and sex shared certain traits, so maybe the way he’d changed was the natural result.

Jiwon was surprised at how much more powerful environmental influence was than he’d expected.

If all your senses—sight, sound, touch, smell—were constantly stimulated in a closed space, it turned you into a beast. He realized that with fresh clarity. Becoming a horny mutt took no effort at all.

But humans, after all, had reason.

Thanks to that, even someone like Jiwon, who’d become no different from a beast, could return to his original self.

This was exactly one of those moments.

Of all times, his reason had come back now.

At the most crucial moment.

I’m gonna lose my mind.

Jiwon couldn’t sit still.

The place the seven Sailors followed the captain to was the “Special Room” next to the sauna on Basement Level 2.

Everyone grinned quietly, connecting the dots between the sauna and the “Special Room.”

“They still take people there?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t they?”

“I always found kiss rooms or nap rooms the most chill.”

“Same difference.”

“Still, saunas are kinda lame. You only see ’em on the news these days.”

“Sexual assault? Heh.”

The Sailors were chatty.

When the captain grabbed the “Special Room” door handle, a blue light lit up. He opened the door and let the team inside first.

The moment they stepped in, darkness greeted them.

It was truly pitch black.

Far darker than the kiss rooms or love motels Jiwon had busted during patrol back at the precinct.

“Follow the line on the floor as you walk.”

When he heard that and looked down, a faint light was creating a path.

“To avoid tripping, put your hands on the shoulders of the person in front. Form a line like you’re playing a train game.”

Everyone chuckled at the mention of a train game and reached their hands into the air.

“I’ll guide you.”

Jiwon put Park Gunwoo in front, and Kim Yunho placed both his hands on Jiwon’s shoulders. Just like playing train, the line formed.

Then the captain pulled the hand of the Sailor at the very front.

No matter how dark it was, your eyes usually adjusted eventually, but not here. It stayed black. It felt like they’d be swallowed whole by the dark, never to see light again. And yet, it wasn’t frightening.

Because of the scent.

They’d expected a place like this to stink of sweat or mold, but instead, a fragrant aroma stabbed into their nostrils. It smelled so good they couldn’t help but keep flaring their noses.

“Wow, what the fuck is this smell? Shit, it’s exactly my thing.”

Park Gunwoo said in awe, and Jiwon nodded.

The place the captain brought them to was a truly special space.

If not for the crystal-clear, glimmering booths, it was beautiful and dark enough to make you believe you’d fallen into outer space.

Everyone gasped.

The word “pretty” was said the most.

“We’re supposed to cum in there?”

They all burst out laughing like it was the funniest thing ever.

“You’re welcome to go closer and touch it.”

At the captain’s words, the seven split among the three booths.

The “Three Musketeers” took the first booth, Gwak Hyesung and Lee Jihoon the second, and the last went to Sailor 3 Lee Kangjun and Sailor 6 Jung Hajun.

It was only when they got close that they realized the transparent structures were shower booths.

Above their heads hung so-called “sunflower showerheads”—rain showerheads. They weren’t ugly or bulky; like the booths, they seemed to be made of crystal—clear and radiant.

Kim Yunho was completely captivated by the booth.

“This is insane. How is it this pretty?”

“Fuck. They must’ve poured a shit-ton of money into this.”

Even Park Gunwoo, who said that, looked moved.

“I’m so fucking turned on. It’s electric.”

“What do I do? I feel like I’m gonna cum.”

“I already leaked.”

Everyone was saying something—none could hide their excitement.

Even Jiwon, who had been indifferent, began to stir. Even though they were supposed to masturbate in this open space, he didn’t feel the slightest bit of resistance.

The worry he’d had just moments ago—that he might not get hard—seemed ridiculous now. His entire body was heating up. He felt feverish. Like he’d stood under a scorching sun for thirty minutes—his brain felt like it was melting. And yet, it didn’t feel bad. It actually felt good.

The scent that tickled his nose was divine, and the booths were fantastic. Everything his eyes landed on was beautiful.

Did I always like pretty things this much?

“Alright, everyone. Focus!”

The captain spoke with a rare seriousness.

“You are the chosen ones. You are special people.”

He recited the same lines the honey collection instructor had used. There was a faint pride in his tone, as if these Sailors were his own sons.

Even in pitch black, the captain still wore sunglasses and took a long look at all seven.

“Even without me saying, you all know what you’re here to do, right?”

“Yes!”

“This is the stage where you will stand. And the moment you step on stage, you become the main character.”

When he said this, the captain’s voice even trembled.

He called these booths a stage.

Your very own special stage.

Whatever it was about that, one of them sniffled, overcome with emotion.

Kim Yunho, who dreamed of being an actor, practically died from happiness at the word “stage.”

“There are three booths, so we’ll call names at random.”

Those with higher numbers lit up with hope. Jiwon, being number 1, already felt let down.

“Number 5, Number 7... and Number 1. Get ready.”

Following Gwak Hyesung and Park Gunwoo, Jiwon was called.

For whatever reason, the two cheered loudly, and even Jiwon let out a small shout.

He was out of his mind, but didn’t even realize it. He just felt good.

What was it that felt so good?

He would reflect on that later, but all he remembered were the feelings he’d had in that moment—excitement, pleasure, joy. The shame and embarrassment were gone.

“The rest of the crew, come with me to the waiting room.”

The captain and the remaining four disappeared to somewhere unknown.

A waiting room, sure—but it was probably in the same space. Jiwon even wondered if they were watching right in front of them. But it didn’t bother him at all. He even found himself absurdly wishing there were more spectators.

“Take your clothes off outside the booth.”

The captain’s voice came through a mic from wherever he’d gone. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

Bzzt—The mic gave off a brief, annoying sound, and then came his weighted words: “Remember, you are the star of this stage.”

“Yes, sir!”

Gwak Hyesung shouted back. He was so excited his voice cracked.

They all laughed at that. Even Jiwon chuckled like an idiot, “Hehe.”

Then silence settled over everything.

The lights shone only over the booths. The rest was darkness.

Jiwon didn’t remember who undressed first. He only remembered feeling like his body was floating as he took off his clothes—and was certain he had floated.

The floor beneath his feet was dark enough to be scary, but he wasn’t scared at all.

The three entered the booths around the same time.

Was there even a door? Probably. But he didn’t remember opening or closing it.

As soon as he stepped inside, the heat hit him. It was unbearable. His throat felt dry.

He waited for water to fall from the showerhead.

The lights were blinding. He couldn’t even see what the others were doing.

Jiwon raised his head. Like a moth drawn to a flame, he looked only toward the light. If he could have, he would’ve charged into it—that’s how focused he was.

Then whirrr—a low machine sound rang out.

Moments later, water began to fall from the showerhead.

At first, it was like raindrops, gently scattering. But it wasn’t rain. It was mist. And not mist—light.

Jiwon reached his hands toward it.

Like an astronaut left alone in space, like a deep-sea creature swimming in the abyss, he floated.

Slowly, very slowly, he became wet.

Maybe it was the lighting—

But his body seemed to glow.

Am I glowing?

He looked down at his naked body. It was strangely beautiful.

Was I always this beautiful?

Jiwon carefully touched himself.

Ah!

After sight and smell, now touch—every sense was on edge.

Even a brush of his finger made him shiver. His whole body trembled like it was having a seizure. Every orifice clenched tight.

No one had to tell him to start masturbating.

His hand moved to his cock on its own.

“Applause!!”

The captain shouted.

“Bravo!”

Again, the captain.

Someone must’ve already come.

Jiwon smiled toward his unseen comrades in the blinding light.

I’ll be the next to receive thunderous applause. I’ll hear everyone’s cheers.

Because I’m the star of this stage—I’ll shine the brightest.

He lovingly stroked his cock.

Wet with water, it sparkled. Even his disfigured cock looked beautiful.

He gripped it and shook. Squeezed up and down.

Ah! My dick. This incomplete thing.

My other half that almost disappeared in his mouth.

The moment he thought that, clarity struck him.

He turned his head—and he was right there, in the next booth.

It was him. His little brother was trapped right over there!

In an instant, the booth his brother was in turned blood red. That place wasn’t beautiful. It was more vile and hideous than anything. Covered in thorns.

Ah... My poor little brother.

He was dying alone, stabbed by thorns. Writhing in agony.

Jiwon’s eyes flew wide. He rubbed them, afraid he was seeing things.

But it was him. His brother was crying, begging to be saved.

I have to save him.

Without thinking, Jiwon ran out of the booth.

Did he slam his fist down? Did he kick barefoot?

He didn’t remember.

The last thing he remembered was grabbing his brother’s arm and pulling him out.