Chapter 251
Chapter 251
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 251
Chapter Title: Chapter 6-1. Iris
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Knock knock—
Someone rapped on the door in the middle of the night. Arhil, who had been lying down trying to sleep, rubbed her eyes and sat up. But before she could, Judah rose from the bed first. He whispered for her to keep sleeping and headed to the door. He unlatched the bolt and opened it, letting the soft light from the hallway spill into the room. Standing there was Caterina, wearing a devastated expression. He glanced at Judah and let out a long, inexplicable sigh.
"Were you asleep? I didn't mean to wake you."
It was indeed earlier than expected. With nothing else to do, he'd simply lain down and naturally drifted off. Judah gave a small smile and assured him it was fine.
"...The branch manager has accepted the request. I'll introduce your companion tomorrow morning. Come down at a convenient time, but if possible, by 10 a.m."
"10 a.m., got it. I'll do that."
With a nod of acknowledgment, the man left after telling him to get some rest. Judah closed the door and bolted it again. Yawning widely, he trudged back to the bed and lay down. He kicked at the bunched-up blanket to smooth it out and pulled it over himself.
"What was it about?"
Arhil, whom he'd thought was asleep again beside him, turned her head toward Judah and asked. Her voice was hoarse and weak, as if she'd fallen asleep only to wake at the sound of the door closing.
"He said he's taking the request. He'll tell me the labyrinth's location and introduce the companion tomorrow."
"Wow. That's great."
Drowsy as she was, her reaction lacked its usual spark. Her soulless tone trailed off into silence. Listening to her steady breathing, Judah closed his eyes too. In the morning, he woke, washed up, and changed as usual. He went downstairs to the first floor, ordered breakfast, ate his fill. It was around 8:30. Plenty of time left.
Lime was still learning to cook in the kitchen even on the last day of the week, and Arhil wanted to thank the temple bishop, so he'd escorted her there and back. Even taking it slow, he still had about 30 minutes to spare. As Judah walked leisurely, his heart began to race at the thought of meeting his soon-to-be companion. A bust, or a jackpot?
"Hmm."
Caterina had shown up last night with a grimace, saying the branch manager approved. The only one above the hounds was Queen Iris herself. So she'd given permission. Her affinity was high enough, but since he'd never taken any of her tests, there was a twinge of unease. He entered the shop and sat in his usual spot.
-Order something?
Iris approached in her regular uniform, holding out her notepad. Judah sighed at her innocent smile, as if she knew nothing. Had he jinxed it by coming here to find a companion? With a pang of disappointment, he took the notepad, wrote "ice cream please," and handed it back.
-Just a moment^^.
He didn't know where she'd picked up emoticons, but she drew a smiley at the end. Judah chuckled softly and waited. Twenty minutes left. When about ten remained, Iris brought two ice creams, gave one to Judah, and sat across from him.
-Waiting for someone?
-Don't you have work?
He wrote an offbeat reply. Iris frowned, displeased that he hadn't answered her question directly. She scooped a bite of ice cream and grabbed the pencil again.
-As you can see, no customers. Cleaning's done since early morning. Don't change the subject. Who are you waiting for? You've been glancing around. Or is it one of the waitstaff you're interested in?
-No, nothing like that. Someone I'm teaming up with is coming at 10.
-Work? Are you leaving now?
Iris looked at Judah with a wistful expression. He took the pencil to write on the notepad but paused at her gaze, offering a wry smile.
-Yeah, can't stay here forever, right? It'd be amazing if you were the one joining me. Too bad.
-Really? You'd want me? Even though I can't talk?
-Can't talk doesn't matter. If you've got the skills, what's the problem?
He wrote without hesitation and held out the notepad. She pretended to sigh softly, but his heart raced. Maybe he hadn't jinxed it after all.
Ten o'clock approached.
Iris sat right in front of him.
Caterina at the counter, glaring discontentedly their way, sighing repeatedly as he wiped glasses.
Even the other staff sneaking glances—it seemed like Iris was the companion leaving with him.
His lips twitched upward uncontrollably. Forcing it down, Judah stared into Iris's eyes.
But her gaze was fixed not on him, but on the words he'd written.
-Can't talk doesn't matter. If you've got the skills, what's the problem?
Exactly. If she had the skills, what did being mute matter? He'd agonized last night over how to naturally reveal her identity, but the opportunity had come easily. She turned to glance at the grandfather clock on one wall. It read 10:00.
Iris read the note over and over, stared quietly at Judah eating his ice cream, then picked up the pencil. She flipped to a fresh page, covered it with her palm so he couldn't see, and wrote.
-That's a relief.
With a mischievous grin, she showed it to him. Ignoring his outstretched hand for the pencil, she wrote more below.
-I'm your companion. We'll be together from now on.
-Shadow Kingdom's hound, Moonlit Iris. Nice to work with you.
-What? That face—you're not unhappy, right?
Iris wrote, showed him, and wrote again. Judah, staring blankly, reached out quickly. She smiled at his eagerness to respond in writing too. Taking the notepad and pen, he scribbled hastily.
-No way. How could I be unhappy? I was just shocked—in a good way. Not lying, right? Of course not, since you mentioned Shadow Kingdom. Truly welcome aboard, Iris. I'm glad it's you.
As he wrote the long message, Judah let out a sigh of relief. This must be what winning the lottery felt like. His body went limp. It had been a reckless gamble with slim odds. What guts had possessed him to come here seeking a companion outright? If it had been anyone but Iris, he'd have made excuses and turned them down in utter deflation. And that could've soured things with Shadow Kingdom.
Luck had favored him.
Pure luck.
Nothing else explained it. Feeling the tension drain away, he offered his hand for a shake. Her grip was firm yet soft.
"Thank you. Let's do our best."
Iris nodded.
-But... you're not that surprised?
"...? About what?"
Not understanding, he asked back. Iris pressed the pencil eraser to her lower lip, then wrote on the notepad.
-That I'm from Shadow Kingdom. I thought you'd be shocked. Like, a lot.
"Ah!"
Realizing what she meant, Judah started to speak but noticed diners nearby and took the notepad and pencil instead.
-I figured you weren't an ordinary waitress.
-Why?
-Even if it doesn't look it, I'm a Spirit Sword owner. I can gauge strength from movements, a bit.
Her eyes widened in surprise at "Spirit Sword owner." But even so, she'd never shown anything special in front of him. She'd even played helpless when kidnapped. Where had he noticed? Iris watched with interest as he wrote.
-Remember your first walk, not long ago?
Iris nodded. They'd gone to the market.
-Your steps weaving through the crowd weren't ordinary. With that many people, you'd expect bumps or slowdowns. But you slipped through in seconds. That's when I knew. Not a regular waitress.
-Then why help when I was dragged into the alley? You knew I could escape on my own.
-Need a reason? I was worried, so I went.
Just words on paper, yet Iris felt her heart thump. Like a girl in love, she blushed shyly.
-Anything else you're curious about? I'll tell you everything.
-No. I'm good for now.
Judah gazed at her quietly, then explained a few things to watch since they'd be working together.
First, no one among his companions knew he saw past, present, and future in dreams—keep it secret.
Second, he knew one labyrinth location from a dream, hard to explain to companions, so say he bought the info from Shadow Kingdom.
-Keeping it our little secret?
Iris, who'd listened quietly, wrote that and showed him. If anything, yes, just theirs.
"Yeah."
-Got it. Easy enough. Anything else?
Nothing more to ask. Iris seemed to find it simple and nodded agreeably. She said she'd work as a waitress here until today, suggested talking more tonight, and left.
[Shadow Queen - Moonlit Iris has joined as a companion.]
[She is a hero possessing the 〈Twentieth Fragment, Silence's Ginungagap〉.]
[Recruiting a fragment-bearing companion increases all special stats by 1.]
[Companion's location will now appear on the 〈Map〉.]
Outwardly calm, eating his melting ice cream, but inwardly Judah thrilled with pride and accomplishment reading the messages. He'd gotten Iris as a companion.
It didn't feel real. Not at all.
He wanted to jump up and shout.
Of all his companions so far, none had brought this joy. Sorry to Arhil, but recruiting her had been an unexpected bonus after saving her for her fragment.
Iris was different. Since arriving in this world, she was top priority for recruitment—alongside fragments. That's why the achievement felt so sweet.
'I'll take good care of you. Really.'
As she wished, he'd trust Iris no matter what. Thanking her inwardly for joining, he finished his ice cream.
* * *
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「Status Window」
[Name: Judah Arsher]
[Title: The One Who Sacrificed Over Two Hundred Thousand Humans (4)]
[Level: 57]
[Job: Black Claw _ Shadow Magic Swordsman (Hidden A)]
[Revives Remaining: 25]
[Strength: 71 (B) / Potential A]
[Stamina: 57 (C) / Potential S]
[Agility: 81 (A) / Potential SS]
[Magic Power: 51 (C) / Potential B]
[Magic Resistance: 71 (B) / Potential S]
[Charisma: 36 (D) / Potential A]
[Knowledge: 28 (D) / Potential B] ◀ Special
[Luck: 89 (A) / Potential S] ◀ Special
[Remaining Points: 0]
[Achievement Points: 1]
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========== Author's Note ==========
1) Hmm. Recruiting a fragment holder felt too easy, so I'm not fully satisfied.
2)
Q. Not sucking up, but author-nim, what do you eat to write this well? GroSin had fun shock value, but too indulgent for a proper story (wink). This one... hope it becomes a movie or game someday.
A. Aww, thanks. But I'm not that good, hehe. Lacking in expressiveness and... lots of shortcomings. Still, grateful you're enjoying it!
Q. Military?! Gangwon-do?! You jerk of all jerks!!!
Looking forward to collecting them later... heh heh heh...
One tip for military life, author-nim...
A. Lucid Dream-nim... serve well. Haha. It's not as bad as you worry once you're in! Just physically tough.
Q. Hmm... wasn't it supposed to be just that day...?
A. But you gave fuq. That was payback! Others gave so much too...