NPC Fell onto My Bed C24

Chapter 24

Rut inhibitors.

Each tablet came in identical opaque paper packaging, the same block-text printed neatly across its surface. Noah tilted his head, staring at the lined-up pills with a curious expression.

Rut?

It was a term he had never heard before. Yet, seeing the word “inhibition” beside it, he could tell it was something meant to suppress—something within the body. The opaque wrapping hid small white tablets, hinting further that it was medicine. But what exactly did it inhibit?

“Why was that in there…? Ah—my coach.”

Gu Taeheon’s expression crumpled the instant he saw the pills in Noah’s hand. Quickly slipping into the driver’s seat, he scooped the scattered tablets off the car floor and shoved them back into the glove compartment. Only one packet remained—clutched in Noah’s hands.

“Give me that, Noah.”

For an Alpha athlete like Taeheon, rut-suppressing medication was the only way to endure through the biological cycle. But even that came with restrictions. Randomly taking unapproved drugs risked doping-test violations.

So Taeheon had always received carefully prescribed medication from the same doctor. His bedside table drawers—and his car’s glove box—had been filled with those inhibitors.

The problem was, ever since he injured his leg, his car had gone unused for nearly half a year. When he finally could drive again after rehabilitation, he rarely went out. The leftover medication had simply piled up, untouched since his coach first stored them there long ago.

Feeling uncomfortably self-conscious, Taeheon reached toward Noah to snatch the pills away. But Noah stepped back suddenly, clutching them to his chest.

“…What’s wrong?”

“Are you in pain?”

Noah’s gaze fell to the white pills in his palm, and his lowered head revealed the soft crown of his blond-green hair.

Ever since discovering online videos and the “YouTube” world, Noah’s first focus had been this world’s methods of healing. In his world, priests were healers as well—so naturally, he wanted to understand this one.

He had learned that medicine here often involved “surgery,” direct physical correction by opening the body. Internal ailments, on the other hand, were treated with “pills” or “injections.”

So these tablets, Noah thought gravely, must be internal medicine—for healing pain.

And his expression crumpled.

“If you’re hurting, you should tell me, Mr. Taeheon.”

“It’s not—no, that’s not it—”

“Can’t you trust me?”

Noah’s voice wavered, eyes dark and worried.
First, he was heartbroken that Taeheon might have been suffering without telling him; second, he was hurt by the thought that Taeheon didn’t rely on him.

True, Noah’s healing was mainly for external injuries—his power couldn’t undo age or disease entirely. But his touch could still ease fever and sickness; gentle magic that strengthened one’s vitality could restore the body’s natural healing.

“I trust you—it’s just, that’s not…”

“Then please, tell me. What part of you hurts?”

Flustered, Taeheon could only stare at Noah’s innocent face as it drew closer, demanding an answer. His throat worked involuntarily as he swallowed. He had never been this disarmed before.

When he still didn’t reply, Noah’s expression shifted—from confusion to dread.
His eyes trembled.
“Is it… something serious? Something I can’t heal?”

“Noah.”

“When I checked you yesterday—when I touched you—I didn’t sense anything like that!”

The panic in his voice mirrored the time he’d cried after watching war on television. Thinking Taeheon might have a terminal illness, tears pooled in his eyes.

“I’m not dying,” Taeheon said hurriedly. “It’s not that kind of pain.”

“Then what are these pills?”

“They’re… just…”
After several moments of hesitation, Taeheon sighed and muttered feebly,
“Vitamins.”

“Vitamins? What are those?”

“They’re, uh… supplements. Nutrients. I used to take them a lot because of my career, you know? Guess I had some left.”

The tremor in Noah’s eyes subsided slightly. He blinked down at the packaging, pale fingers turning it over once or twice.
“Do you not take them anymore?”

“No. Don’t need to.”

He didn’t elaborate—it was better that way. Starting the engine, he kept his voice casual. Noah, however, couldn’t look away from the tablets.

“You can throw those away,” Taeheon said, glancing over. “Actually, give them here—I’ll do it.”

“No.”

Noah’s gentle refusal was firm. Carefully, he slid the packet into his shirt pocket and spoke softly,
“I’ve never seen medicine from this world before. If it’s not rude, may I keep it?”

Taeheon bit the inside of his cheek, fighting the urge to groan aloud.
“…Sure. Keep it.”

Inside, though, he swore he’d take it back before the day was out.

“You’re here,” Jeonghyeok greeted in a groggy tone as he opened the door. It was early afternoon when they arrived at his villa. Clearly, he’d just rolled out of bed.

He stepped aside, waving them both inside.
Noah followed Taeheon in, eyes curious as they scanned the cluttered apartment. Unlike Taeheon’s spacious, pristine home, Jeonghyeok’s place was small and chaotic.

“Yawn… sorry, Hildegart. I meant to clean up last night after playing Last Chronicle.”
“You? Clean?” Taeheon muttered. “That’ll be the day.”

Pushing aside bits of clutter with his shoe, he walked into the living room—where Iron sat sprawled wide-legged on the couch, waiting.

“You’re here, Noah!”
“How have you been, Iron?”

At least this time, Noah didn’t run straight into his arms. Taeheon, who still discreetly pinched the corner of Noah’s shirt just in case, felt relief.

Noticing Taeheon’s small hold, Noah glanced down but said nothing, only slipping off his shirt—it was warmer than expected inside. Draping it over the sofa, he approached Iron politely.
“Thank you again for agreeing to help us so readily.”
“Think nothing of it. Compared to the debt I owe you, this is nothing. Now, what exactly must I do?”

While Iron and Noah discussed the plan for healing, Taeheon and Jeonghyeok stepped aside.

“You want a drink? Not that I’ve got much. Maybe water.”
“Noah likes soy milk.”
“…You think this place magically spawns whatever you say?”

Hands crossed, Taeheon stared toward Noah and Iron. Then abruptly said,
“Then go buy some.”

“Buy? Huh. I guess it wouldn’t hurt. Their talk’s gonna take a while anyway. What do you want?”
“I’m coming with you.”

Jeonghyeok blinked.
“Seriously? You usually act like you’ll die before doing me a favor.”
“Don’t go?”
“…Fine. Fine. Hey, Iron! We’re stepping out for a bit!”

As Noah continued explaining to Iron, Taeheon’s eyes flicked toward the pale blue shirt still hanging on the couch—then quietly, he took it. He and Jeonghyeok slipped on their shoes and stepped outside.

Inside, Noah blinked and turned, sensing something amiss. His eyes drifted to the back of the sofa where his shirt had been—and realized it was gone. Or more precisely, the packet in its pocket was gone.

“Iron.”
“Yes?”

Noah’s voice lowered. Taeheon had allowed him to keep the “vitamin,” and now it had vanished. There was only one explanation.

“Do you have a phone I can use?”

Taeheon had lied to him.

Footnotes:

Rut inhibitor – A concept within Omegaverse-inspired settings, used by Alphas to suppress physiological mating cycles. Its discovery by Noah reflects cultural and biological misunderstandings between worlds.