Heat

A week zoomed by quickly and Hyeon found it difficult to adjust. It could've been jet lag and his body was trying to get settled into this unknown time zone. The dark red nights and rainy days didn't help the mood. Sometimes the storms would become typhoon-like. It was mind-boggling why Hyeon hadn't been summoned for energy since that day with Haruma. Not that he was complaining, of course.

Each day that passed felt like his upper back was getting more sore which was probably from the cleaning labor. After Hyeon quit bo-staff a few years back, he lost the enthusiasm to continue heavy exercising. It was sad since this physical job was kicking his butt when it would've been a breeze previously. You'd think the demanding work would make him exhausted by nighttime, but sleep paralysis decided otherwise. Sleeping a full night during those first two days of arriving here must've been a fluke.

He hasn't had a day off since being here, but Haruma promised that tomorrow would be a rest day. The hours were a little funky compared to a normal 9-5 job. His daily schedule was slightly different depending on the duties, but his specific agenda for today went something like this:

5:30 - START SHIFT

5:45 - Deliver Master Fenrir's prepared breakfast to office.

6:00 - Standby

7:00 - Pickup breakfast items and return to kitchen.

7:15 - Foyer/hallway: Wood floor mopping and shining, vacuum carpet, clear the stairs, cobweb removal, dusting furniture and wall decor, clean windows, and other obligations that servant sees fit.

11:45 - Deliver Master Fenrir's prepared lunch to office.

12:00 - Standby

13:00 - Pickup lunch items and return to kitchen.

13:15 - BREAK START

17:30 - BREAK END

17:45 - Deliver Master Fenrir's prepared dinner to office.

18:00 - Standby

19:00 - Pickup dinner items and return to kitchen.

19:15 - END SHIFT

The long break in between was nice and the work wasn't mentally hard. He spent a lot of time traveling from the kitchen area to the Master's dismal quarters. That's all fine, but it was odd how the wolf doesn't eat the meals arranged for him.

Three times a day, Hyeon would hesitantly knock on the large doors until he heard from the inside, "Koma" (Come) in Old Norse.

Yet, when he enters the shadowy office each time, there would be no one inside. Feeling like he was being watched, Hyeon set up the food and utensils meticulously like how Haruma taught him. After an hour of standing in the empty hallway, he'd return inside to find the food untouched. Not even a nibble was missing.

*If he doesn't eat, why do we deliver food?*

Were they okay paying him to stand there just waiting for food to get cold? There must be a reason.

Hyeon checked the clock on the wall. It was 6:59 P.M.

He had to count that in military time with his fingers.

*7:00...er...19:00.*

Knocking twice, he waited for permission to enter so he could collect the dishes. No sound.

He let 30 seconds go by until he tried again. His palms became clammy because it was like the last incident all over again.

Slowly, Hyeon opened the door to peek in. From what he could tell, there wasn't a soul present. Maybe he was in the bathroom? Carefully placing the full plates on a tray, he carried the items away from the office space. As soon as this stuff was returned, he could finally have some extra rest tomorrow.

Softly shutting the door behind him, lightning lit up the late afternoon sky. The windows vibrated from the harsh thunder.

*Looks like someone isn't happy again.*

Weaving through hallways, he thought working in this area might not be so bad. Hyeon was the only one assigned to the Master presently, so a lot of time was spent alone. For an introvert, it was almost ideal—

SMASH.

The tray of expensive ceramics and room-temperature food fell to the floor. Pieces scattered everywhere in slow motion.

His wrist with the insignia began burning.

Within seconds, Hyeon's entire body felt consumed by it. It didn't feel like the type of pain when accidentally grazing against a steaming pan or a bad sunburn.

Rather, everything was throbbing with a strong desire to be touched. Squatting and placing his temple to his knees, sweat formed around his face and breathing became hoarse. Hyeon felt himself trembling as an unbearable fever spread from his wrist to his toes.

*Shit.*

An unwanted bulge formed and was straining to break free from his pants.

The wrist mark released another wave of scalding ripples that made saliva drip from his mouth. A small moan wanted to escape, but he held it in. He needed to feel relief.

*I'm hot.*

According to Haruma, every servant feels different when being summoned by Fenrir. Some were lucky to feel a tingle while others felt like their bones were breaking.

Instead, Hyeon's personal summoning to see Fenrir was nothing like he expected.

He was like an animal in heat.