Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: The Twenty-Fourth Fragment, Carpediem
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Requiem stared down arrogantly at Judah for a long while, as if committing him to memory, before sprawling out on the rock again. Whether it was settling in for sleep or not, it was no longer visible, and the energy it emanated grew faint. With the leader losing interest, the black wolves that had risen to their feet scattered in all directions, as if there was nothing left to see.
Some glanced at Judah and Tia, licking their chops, but most paid them no mind.
-Are your wounds okay?
Tia approached cautiously, scanning their surroundings, her voice laced with worry. It hurt, but his level-up had temporarily boosted his regeneration, so it was manageable. The wounds were actually closing up quickly enough that the pain was bearable.
"I'm fine."
-Just hang in there a bit longer. We'll get out of here first, then treat them or whatever.
"Yeah."
Judah nodded. He didn't want to show any weakness by openly treating his wounds amid the wolves. Tia lowered herself, making it easy for him to climb onto her back. As he grabbed her fur like mounting a bicycle, something glinted where Corcan had been.
"Code?"
He reached out and picked it up. He'd taken down a named monster but hadn't even skinned it or harvested its magic stone, leaving him a bit disappointed. This code must be compensation for that. The wolves showed no interest in it whatsoever. It was a code with a faint green glow—the rarity grade just above common: 'Rare.'
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「Code 前: Vile thing that targets only wounds」
Grade: Rare _ Weapon Exclusive
Effect: Bleeding amount +5%
Attack Power +10+3%
Durability degradation speed +2%
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It had been a vile beast, after all. A fitting effect for a code from it.
Judah stowed the code and his broken half-sword in his <Bag>, then mounted up before Tia could urge him. The surrounding wolves remained indifferent. They seemed like they wouldn't mind if he camped here, but Tia swiftly carried him away from the wolves' lair. As indifferent as they'd been, none pursued. Still, Tia didn't slow down, racing back to their base without pause.
Tia carefully set Judah down near the campfire. Embers still lingered, easily coaxed back into roaring flames. As he watched the fire blaze, Judah noticed Tia, now back in human form, was completely naked. He hurriedly pulled clothes from his <Bag> and handed them over. She frowned at the offered garments.
"Are clothes the priority right now? Get the potions first. No, they're in my clothes, right?"
Tia rummaged through the clothes she'd taken from him. Her shameless nudity only made Judah feel awkward by comparison. She strode boldly toward him and, with beastly strength, tore open the clothing around his wound. She wiped away the crusted blood with medicine, then applied potion directly to the injury.
Sizzle— White smoke billowed from the wound with a stinging sensation. Once the simple treatment was done, Judah let out a sigh. She'd used up an entire bottle of expensive temple-grade potion. As he handed her the empty glass vial, she patted his head.
"Whew, good kid. You fought well."
He managed a weak smile at the praise. He'd poured everything into the fight, leaving him drained. His mana had fully recovered with the level-up, but he wondered why wounds and stamina didn't get the same full restore. Maybe to avoid drawing attention.
Only now did she pick up her clothes by the fire and dress. He met her gaze as she finished and smiled.
"You did great too, Tia. Thanks to you, travel's a breeze. You'll give me another ride later, right?"
Huh? Tia's expression stiffened.
"Y-You cheeky brat. That was a special case today. Normally? No way! And you."
"Yeah?"
"Don't you have something to tell me?"
"Like what?"
Tia clamped her mouth shut and pulled a pipe from her bosom, sticking it between her lips. As if to say think about it, she leisurely lit it and inhaled the smoke.
Hoo—
Not the musty scent of tobacco, but the bitter aroma of herbs. A smell he could never get used to. When he didn't speak, she opened first.
"That shadow thing earlier. And those eyes. What was that? Aren't you hiding too much from your master?"
She looked hurt, her face gloomy. Judah felt troubled watching her. Was he hiding that much? He pondered, but only two things came to mind.
The <Bag>, which she thought was a sub-space, and the heresy arts—the other half of shadow swordsmanship. Nothing else, but she seemed convinced there was more. His answer here might drop or raise her trust. After a moment's thought, Judah decided to come clean. She already knew about the heresy arts; hiding it further wouldn't change anything.
He smiled at her.
"Were you upset?"
"What? No, why would I be upset over that!"
Her face flushed slightly, perhaps realizing she'd been caught, and her voice rose. He'd only ever seen her big-sister side; this was refreshing. Even a bit cute.
"It's not a big deal."
"E-even if it's not, you're my disciple—family—so I'm curious. Tell me. But if it's really something you can't say... you don't have to."
Teasing her had backfired, leaving him embarrassed instead. Her words about family made his heart race. She'd never lied once, so her sincerity rang true. As long as he didn't tell Cain, it was fine. Ideally, Cain wouldn't learn until they faced off as enemies.
"It's the heresy arts."
"Heresy arts?"
"You know I practice the swordsmanship of the forgotten kingdom, right?"
She would. She'd heard from Kaseun, and he'd used it in their first spar to gauge his skill. But he hadn't used heresy arts then, earning the 'half-baked' label. Remembering that, her expression soured.
"I know, but it's only half. You said you only knew the swordsmanship, not the heresy arts? Wait—did you lie about not knowing?"
"Yeah. Truth is, I did know. I just hid it from Kaseun and you."
"Why?"
He just hadn't wanted to reveal it. He didn't want to give info to Cain, who'd become an enemy later. Unlike swordsmanship, heresy arts could be trained solo. Most foes fell to swordsmanship alone, and it didn't earn money anyway, so he'd naturally shelved it.
"No benefit in telling. Tia, did I ever tell you how I lost my parents?"
"Huh? Uh, no. Why bring that up suddenly?"
She hadn't heard it directly, but Kaseun had told her how Judah lost them: killed by former mercenary comrades they'd adventured with. He hadn't shared why they targeted his parents. Judah, the sole witness, claimed no memory.
"It's not sudden. It's where the story starts. You probably know... Grandpa didn't tell you? Mercenaries came at night and killed my parents while I slept."
"......"
"Unable to find what they wanted, they tried to kill me too to silence me. As the huge axe-wielder approached, I used the heresy arts I'd learned and killed him instead. Oh, no one knows this—don't tell anyone, okay?"
"Don't worry, I won't say a word."
But it was an unsettling tale. Uncomfortable, she just smoked. Had she pried and hurt him? Regret crept in. Yet Judah spoke calmly. They were parents he'd barely bonded with before losing them. Pity was all he felt.
"Turns out, those mercenaries were after this swordsmanship and heresy arts I practice. I don't know how amazing shadow manipulation is, but it felt too dangerous to brag about. If word got out I knew the full arts of the forgotten kingdom—not half-baked—thieves might come. I lacked the power to protect it fully, and unlike swordsmanship, I had no need for heresy arts, so I hid them."
"Ah..."
"The sub-space? I don't know much either. Seems like a byproduct of training heresy arts. One day, I could just use it."
Tia nodded. Come to think of it, she'd heard of those who innately wield special mana-based abilities separate from magic. Some developed them enormously through talent, others minimally, but she'd never seen one. Judah's sub-space might be an awakened innate ability from training. She fell silent, just inhaling and exhaling smoke. Not meeting his eyes, she left him sighing softly. Her status window showed sympathy: favorability up slightly, trust at 90.
"...It's not that I'm hiding it. I really can't explain. I don't know either."
"No, I get it. I acted immature for my age, but thanks for telling me."
"No way. Curiosity satisfied?"
"Uh-huh..."
"Good. I don't want you hating me, unlike others."
Tia felt her heart ache faintly yet flutter at Judah's smiling face. Charming smile for a kid, she thought, then panicked at her own mind. She changed the subject hastily.
"Ah. Tired? Let's sleep. We head back at dawn."
Was she sorry? No need. Judah gave a wry smile and slept as told. At morning's light, they returned to Serenia Castle, bundling the 150 sheets of black wolf pelts with rope away from guards' sight, then dragging them toward the gate.
Knight Charles and others spotted them, descending to open the gate early. Not yet time, they'd feared the four-day absentees dead. Seeing Tia and Judah hauling black wolf pelts stunned them.
Judah sold the pelts and magic stones at the clothing shop and magic tower. For four days' work, an enormous sum filled his pockets. Back home, Tia and Judah went straight to their rooms and crashed. They woke at evening.
They'd entered at dawn, yet sunset greeted them. What absurdity.
Chuckling in disbelief, Judah pulled the lavish bento from his <Bag> and shared it with Tia. They'd planned a week in the forest, but facing leader Corcan and seeing hordes of wolves forced an early return.
He asked about the food in his <Bag>, but she said just leave it. Same as sub-space, perishables wouldn't spoil.
He could use leftovers later, so Judah just nodded. But tonight's bento aside, tomorrow meant cooking again. Home had five eggs and some veggies—that's it.
'Guess market tomorrow.'
Kaseun shopped around the 1st monthly, but it wasn't yet. They'd need food meantime, so market with Tia. Also, repair broken half-sword and dulled dagger at smithy.
"Juuudahhh—"
Tia's call echoed from the living room, voice upbeat. Hurry, she urged. Judah raised his voice.
"Yeah! Coming!"
More like sisters than master-disciple. But for such urgency, she lounged on the sofa, arms stretched ceilingward.
"Working out?"
"No, come here and cuddle. What're you doing?"
Her eyes scolded his gawking. Judah averted his gaze, trying to slip away, but her low voice followed.
"Judah. Coming?"
Tone said you'd die if not. Hesitating, he approached; impatient, Tia reached, pulled him into a hug. Her stiff expression softened only then.
"Days like today, just rest. Why move so much?"
"Market tomorrow. No breakfast otherwise."
"Fine, go then. But that's tomorrow, right? Nothing today?"
Tia hugged him like a doll, laying him on the sofa's inner side like a girl with her toy. Spacious sofa, but tight embrace trapped him.
"Yeah, but."
"No complaints—sleep now?"
No answer; her brow furrowed looking down.
"No reply?"
"...Yeah. Night."
No choice but her embrace. Outwardly grumpy, inwardly delighted.
========== Author's Note ==========
Ugh, back from movies.
Saw Now You See Me 2, then Train to Busan paid preview since it was right after.
Both super fun.
Though Now You See Me 2 made me wonder why China setting.
Train to Busan surprisingly great for Korean zombie flick.
Fun day.
Have a great... not Gold Friday, weekend!
PS) On pacing being slow—almost over!