CATSR Chapter 108

 

 

After changing clothes, they sat face-to-face to have dinner.

 

Pythius didn’t dare act out of line, determined to make a good impression and salvage his image as the “1¹A refresher if you forgot, but 1 is top and 0 is bottom, I was just going to translate it directly but I decided to not change it from how it is in the raws lol.”

 

As they finished their meal, Jun Ye cleared the dishes and returned, meeting Pythius’s bright, sparkling eyes.

 

“Are you tired? Want to take another nap?” Jun Ye asked. He had no idea that Pythius, in his transformed state as a weapon, had already napped at his waist earlier. He only assumed his partner, who had been awakened by the call at 1 a.m. and had spent the entire day rushing around with him, must be exhausted.

 

Pythius touched his recently full stomach, realizing this wasn’t the best moment for intense activities. However, his “0” had offered, and he was determined to uphold his “1” image. He absolutely couldn’t back down now.

 

“Nap!” Pythius declared firmly, softening his expression as he added shyly, “Together.” Together to reach the peak.

 

Jun Ye, knowing the situation in City H was temporarily under control and shift arrangements had been made, figured there was no harm in taking a nap with his partner.

 

“Alright, let’s nap together.” Jun Ye moved to the bed, removing his jacket before turning back to Pythius. “I’ll rub your stomach for you.”

 

Noticing Pythius’s small gestures of discomfort, Jun Ye guessed he might have overeaten.

 

Pythius also approached the bed, momentarily stunned at Jun Ye’s offer.

 

Does he want to help me digest before we start? His “0” is so thoughtful!

 

Wanting to provide his considerate partner with the best experience, Pythius agreed to let his boyfriend rub his stomach.

 

They lay on the bed, shoulders and heads touching, sharing the warmth of the blanket that cocooned them. Jun Ye’s hand rested on Pythius’s stomach, massaging gently in a rhythmic motion.

 

“Mmm…” Pythius squinted in pleasure, a soft hum escaping as he nuzzled Jun Ye’s forehead. The affectionate gesture soon led to a kiss.

 

Jun Ye slipped his arm from under his head to pull Pythius closer, their long kiss tender and unhurried.

 

As their lips parted, Pythius, still close, caught his breath and murmured, “No need to rub anymore; I’m ready now.” Let’s begin.

 

“Alright.” Jun Ye didn’t immediately retract his hand but shifted it to wrap around Pythius’s waist instead.

 

Pythius felt his body grow slightly weak but was more thrilled at the prospect of giving his boyfriend the joy of experiencing being the “0.”

 

The officer had mentioned he only felt sensation in the back, and since he was so eager to try being a “0,” Pythius was determined to fulfill his wishes. After today, the officer would undoubtedly like him even more.

 

Just as Pythius was about to take the initiative, he felt Jun Ye kiss his forehead and whisper, “Sleep.”

 

Pythius felt a bit embarrassed.

 

He was the “1,” yet it was his “0” who had to urge him to rest. What a failure! He blamed his earlier bout of untimely weakness.

 

Adjusting his position, Pythius glanced at Jun Ye with intent, hoping to exchange meaningful looks while preparing.

 

Huh? Why were Jun Ye’s eyes closed?

 

He must be shy!

 

Although he couldn’t lock gazes with Jun Ye, Pythius still felt elated. Through the lens of his intense romantic feelings, Jun Ye’s bashful expression looked utterly adorable.

 

Reinvigorated, Pythius turned over in Jun Ye’s arms. Jun Ye’s hand on his waist was interpreted as an unspoken desire for intimacy.

 

Propping himself up with one hand, Pythius slid the other under the blanket.

 

Jun Ye, sensing Pythius’s movements, frowned slightly. What was his partner up to now instead of sleeping?

 

When Jun Ye felt his waistband being tugged, he sighed internally.

 

Seriously?

 

Jun Ye opened his eyes and, with a firm hand, pressed Pythius back onto the bed. “Not now. Sleep properly.”

 

Not now?

 

Who had been giving him all those signals earlier? Who was so eager to try being the “0?” And now, suddenly, not now?

 

Pythius glared at Jun Ye with a look that screamed, You’re heartless, unreasonable, and unfair!

 

Jun Ye sighed, pulling Pythius into a hug and softly rubbing his back. “The foreign ability users haven’t stopped probing the ocean’s secret realm. I need to keep an eye on developments around City H and can’t afford to be offline for too long.”

 

“Mm… It won’t take long. I just—” Pythius began, his voice soft from the soothing touch, but he stopped, recalling how long Jun Ye had lasted last time.

 

Though it was because Jun Ye only felt sensations in the back, the comparison was too striking.

 

Feeling wronged but still wanting to please his partner, Pythius said, “Fine. I’ll save up more energy. Once you’re free from monitoring the secret realm, I’ll make sure you have the time of your life.”

 

Jun Ye chuckled lightly. “Alright, then.” I’ll make sure you enjoy it too.

 

Pythius silently contacted the mage guild, firmly ordering their withdrawal.

 

The faction directly loyal to the guild leader, as well as those who deemed it unwise to provoke a ridiculously powerful leader over an uncertain secret realm, complied. However, some adventurous new mages—who had never faced Pythius’s wrath—stayed behind.

 

Pythius had claimed the guild leader title purely through brute force, and because it came so easily, he governed loosely.

 

Over the past year, his constant traveling had resulted in a lack of presence at the guild, making his name less intimidating to newer members who had never encountered him.

 

Pythius figured it was time to teach these rookies the proper way to respect their leader.

 

Standing by the window, he felt the spiritual fluctuations of the mage faction outside and smirked slyly.

 

Jun Ye, passing by with his police jacket in hand, paused when he saw Pythius’s reflection in the glass.

 

“What are you grinning about now?” he asked.

 

Pythius froze for a moment, his expression stiffening, before grasping at the loophole in Jun Ye’s words. He countered, “Let’s not even discuss whether it’s a silly smile or not—just tell me, what do you mean by ‘again’? Have I smiled like this before?”

 

Jun Ye paused to think. Recently, he couldn’t recall seeing such a silly smile on his partner’s face, yet it still struck him as oddly familiar.

 

“Maybe… you smiled like this in a previous life,” Jun Ye responded earnestly.

 

Pythius blinked in disbelief.

 

A past life? Seriously? How far was Jun Ye willing to stretch this?

 

Not wanting to linger on the topic of his allegedly silly grin, Pythius shifted his gaze to the police uniform Jun Ye was holding. He seized the opportunity to change the subject. “Are you heading out?”

 

“Yeah,” Jun Ye nodded. “A foreign ability user has developed a specialized detection power, and now the secret realm’s entrance has been exposed. We’re gathering all city enforcers ranked level three and above to secure the area.”

 

“I’m coming with you,” Pythius insisted.

 

“I might have to dive underwater,” Jun Ye admitted after a moment of thought, deciding to be upfront. “Since arriving in H City, I’ve felt something in the secret realm calling to me. I need to go in and find out what it is.”

 

In other words, even if the situation didn’t naturally lead him to dive, he would make it happen.

 

Pythius hesitated.

 

The deep sea? Terrifying.

 

He felt a surge of fear.

 

But then again, what if he didn’t go along and Jun Ye got hurt somewhere out of his sight?

 

Seeing Pythius’s conflicted and helpless expression, Jun Ye stepped forward and gave him a comforting hug. “Don’t worry. I’ll come back as soon as I can. Or, if you prefer, you can follow me with mental sensing.”

 

Mental sensing wouldn’t protect Jun Ye from physical harm, though…

 

Clutching the hem of Jun Ye’s shirt, Pythius could feel him starting to let go, which only made him panic. “I can isolate the water with my power. As long as I don’t touch the water, I won’t revert to my original form. I can still transform into a gun and go with you.”

 

Pythius carefully avoided revealing his fear of deep water. All Jun Ye knew was that touching water made him return to his original form.

 

It was just a small fear, after all. If he focused on Jun Ye and endured, he’d get through it.

 

Jun Ye was silent for a moment before saying, “I’m not as fragile as you think.” You don’t have to worry so much.

 

“I’m the one who can’t be without you…” Pythius murmured, still clutching Jun Ye’s shirt. Smiling faintly, he added, “The water-isolation power only lasts for a short time, so I’ll need to replenish it periodically.”

 

Pythius leaned his head against Jun Ye’s cheek and softly asked, “Could you kiss me every ten minutes? That way, I’ll know when to replenish the shield.” And it’ll give me the strength to endure being underwater.

 

Jun Ye: “…”

 

“Come with me,” Jun Ye relented, planting a quick kiss on Pythius’s lips before turning back to grab his gun belt.

 

Pythius obediently transformed into a handgun and was tucked securely into Jun Ye’s holster.

 

Pressed close to Jun Ye’s hip, Pythius felt a mix of fear and excitement about what lay ahead—fear of the underwater world and anticipation of those promised kisses every ten minutes.

 

What he didn’t know was that the moment Jun Ye kissed him earlier, his resolve had already shifted.

 

If there’s even a slim chance of staying on land, I’ll take it. And even if I have to go underwater, I’ll find a way to keep us there as little as possible.

 

No secret realm is more important than my partner.

 

Jun Ye patted the gun at his side and quickened his pace.

 

The entrance to the ocean’s secret realm lay within an inland sea area near the northern edge of an artificial island, surrounded by buildings and accessible to the open ocean only via a narrow waterway.

 

When Jun Ye arrived in the city enforcement vehicle, police tape already cordoned off the area. Officers from various cities were patrolling the perimeter.

 

“C-Captain…” Bai Mao cautiously approached, reluctant to get too close.

 

After all, he was the infamous “door opener” who had once exposed the captain’s pink underwear to the entire team. Even if Jun Ye didn’t silence him outright, he wasn’t about to escape unscathed.

 

Jun Ye gave him a curt nod, not needing a report to gauge the situation. A quick scan of the layout along the shoreline was enough for him to piece together most of the details.

 

Bai Mao fumbled for words, trying to craft a report that would come across as professional yet avoid triggering Jun Ye’s temper. Before he could manage, Jun Ye stepped past him, stopping at a vantage point with a clear view of the entire scene. His sharp gaze swept over the surroundings.

 

Bai Mao sighed internally. The captain is always so commanding, even in the smallest actions.

 

Inspired, he mimicked Jun Ye, pretending to patrol their assigned area while sneaking glances to observe and emulate the captain’s aura.

 

From the corner of his eye, he noticed Jun Ye drawing the sleek, impressive handgun from his holster.

 

Jun Ye’s gaze softened as he stared at the weapon, but his expression quickly turned… conflicted? As if reluctant or even… embarrassed?

 

Bai Mao shivered at the absurdity of his thoughts. The captain is the epitome of masculinity—strong, fierce, and commanding.

 

Pink underwear had been an anomaly, surely a hotel mix-up.

 

Yet, before the officer could stop himself, he saw Jun Ye lower his head slightly… and press a kiss to the weapon, his expression filled with tenderness.

 

“!!!”

 

Bai Mao was dumbstruck.

 

Perhaps his shock made him clumsy, as his sidelong glance turned into an outright stare, his head tilting toward the scene.

 

Jun Ye looked up, his gaze cutting through the cold sea breeze, the dim glow of streetlights, and the bustling enforcement officers to meet Bai Mao’s wide-eyed stare.

 

 

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I’m trying to psyche myself so much to finish this one… we’re so close to the end!! I can do it lol!!

 

Thanks for reading!

 

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  A refresher if you forgot, but 1 is top and 0 is bottom, I was just going to translate it directly but I decided to not change it from how it is in the raws lol