After the BoomBayah: The Shadows' Debriefing

The shadows regrouped in a dark corner of the house, far from Jinwoo and Hae-In's bedroom. The atmosphere was tense. Some of them were still reeling from what they had almost witnessed.

Beru clicked anxiously, pacing back and forth. "That was… too close."

Tank, still sniffing the air, muttered, "The scent has changed. Smells… satisfied. Like after a good hunt."

Tusk adjusted his glasses, jotting down more notes. "So, the ritual has concluded. Based on my observations, it seems the Queen's emotional state fluctuated between pain and pleasure. A peculiar combination…"

Bellion, standing tall with his arms crossed, looked both disturbed and intrigued. "Our liege possesses great endurance. The battle lasted quite some time."

Igris let out a long sigh, shaking his head. "It was not a battle."

Beru, still rattled, raised a claw. "We must set new rules! We can never witness the BoomBayah again!"

The lesser shadows murmured in agreement, some still trembling from the intensity of the sounds they had heard.

Then, footsteps.

Jinwoo emerged from the bedroom, his black robe lazily draped over him, his expression relaxed and satisfied. He stretched, rolling his shoulders before pausing.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

His soldiers stood lined up before him, looking far too guilty.

Jinwoo crossed his arms. "…What are you all doing?"

Silence.

The shadows stared back at him.

Igris, the only one with composure, stepped forward and bowed. "Nothing, my liege."

Jinwoo's eyes flickered between them, his instincts telling him something was off. "Then why are you all acting so weird?"

Beru twitched. "No reason, my liege!"

Bellion, despite his usual calmness, subtly avoided eye contact.

Tusk cleared his throat. "We were simply… discussing military strategies!"

Jinwoo gave them all a suspicious glare before sighing. "Whatever. Just… keep it down. Hae-In's sleeping."

At that, Beru, Bellion, and Tusk all exchanged glances.

Sleeping?

Beru slowly turned his head to Igris. "You said the ritual causes exhaustion… it is true?"

Igris nodded solemnly. "Of course. It is an act that demands much from both participants."

Tank, with his usual animal instincts, muttered, "Like bears."

Jinwoo blinked, suddenly feeling like he was missing something important. "…Wait. What are you guys talking about?"

Silence.

The shadows froze.

Igris, for once, hesitated. Beru looked ready to bolt. Bellion suddenly became very interested in the floor.

Jinwoo's brows furrowed. "…You weren't spying on us, were you?"

More silence.

Jinwoo's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"…Beru."

Beru twitched violently. "I—I WAS ONLY PROTECTING YOU, MY LIEGE!"

Jinwoo's expression darkened. "Protecting me from what?"

Tusk interjected, pushing up his glasses. "From… potential threats, of course!"

Jinwoo's stare was unwavering. "Are you seriously telling me you guys listened to us?"

None of the shadows answered.

That was all the confirmation he needed.

Jinwoo let out a deep, suffering sigh, dragging a hand down his face. "I am never going to be able to look at you all the same way again."

Beru immediately fell to his knees. "My liege! Forgive us! It was for research purposes!"

Jinwoo shot him a glare. "What research purposes?"

Beru panicked. "Fertility research?"

Bellion, usually so composed, let out a deep sigh. "This was… a mistake."

Jinwoo rubbed his temples, groaning. "Yeah. No kidding."

Then, before Jinwoo could dismiss them—

A soft, sleepy voice came from the bedroom. "Jinwoo…?"

The shadows vanished instantly, disappearing into the floor like they had never been there.

Jinwoo watched them go, shaking his head. "Unbelievable."

Turning back toward the bedroom, he muttered, "I'm banning them from the house for a week."

And so, the shadows learned a valuable lesson that day.

Never investigate the BoomBayah.