Her Transformation is Innocent
“……”
“……”
Silence hung heavy in the room. The two men glared at each other wordlessly, creating an awkward tension.
There were four people in the room total. Garba was naturally the quiet type, but even Leo, sitting with them, seemed uncomfortable in the moment. She flashed an awkward smile, trying to lighten the mood.
“Sorry about this, senpai.”
“Nah, it happens. Nothing more dangerous than a girl traveling alone.”
For a brief instant, his gaze flicked toward Leo. It had taken only half a year for the pretty boy to fully transform into a woman—a change so profound it was like she'd shed her old skin entirely. Sung-tae's eyes drifted downward.
“Not quite a king… but a giant slime, maybe…”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. But damn, you've changed a lot. Almost didn't recognize you.”
“Really? I thought I'd grown pretty fast myself…”
Leo glanced over her own body. Even to her, the transformation felt too sudden. From a neutral, early-teen look to early twenties in just half a year?
“It started right after I parted ways with you, senpai.”
“Yeah?”
Neither of them knew the secret: Sung-tae's life force. In purging what she thought was a demon from her inner world—one of the Seven Deadly Sins—Leo's had been left in ruins. The life force he'd given her to heal it had reshaped her body, leading to this result.
Of course, it wasn't effortless. She'd willed the change herself and worked hard to bring it about.
“Still, I'm happy with how much I've grown. I always wished I was bigger. If only a little more…”
“Huh? You want to get bigger from there? Any more and you'd be a king slime…”
“Being taller helps you fight better. Size matters more than you'd think. It's easier to move, too.”
“Ah, that's what you meant.”
Sung-tae, chatting amiably with Leo, suddenly felt a prickling killing intent and turned. Roman, who'd been glaring daggers until a moment ago, now stood, bowed, and apologized as their eyes met.
“My apologies. I had no idea. Adventurers have to be greedy by nature. I sincerely regret it.”
“…Yeah. Sure, if you're apologizing.”
The old man's words rang hollow to Sung-tae. His speech and manner had screamed “conceptually challenged” from their first meeting, and it still grated. Plus, judging by that killing intent, even if the misunderstanding had cleared up without Leo, he wouldn't have hesitated to kill him.
“So, what's the deal between you two?”
“After parting with senpai, I returned to the village. The receptionist reported my Black Oriharcon feat to the guild. Roman happened to be nearby, heard about it, and trained me. He's basically my master.”
“Ahem. Master is too strong a word. I just gave her a little guidance to help her grow through adventurer life.”
“That alone was a huge help. Thanks to him, I made special-rank adventurer. It was a real struggle.”
“Oh…”
Leo proudly pulled out her badge. Framed in gold, it bore a blue leaf like an embedded emblem.
“That's the Elf's Token they give out, right?”
“You knew!”
“Ahem. You two seem close. I'll step out for a bit. The misunderstanding between us is cleared, but the guild will want an explanation about you killing Piazz.”
Roman patted Leo's shoulder as he rose. His fond smile said, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone.
“Take your time. Talk as much as you want.”
“Thank you!”
“Hmph…”
Sung-tae watched his retreating figure intently, letting out a soft grunt Leo wouldn't notice. For a split second, he'd caught the killing intent hidden in that smile and the cold glint in his eyes.
Hypocrite.
Even if it was a leap, he had no regrets saying it inwardly. The old adventurer's killing intent, and that odd gleam when he touched Leo's shoulder—they weren't illusions.
I felt it clearly. No mistake.
Since mastering life force magic, Sung-tae had trained steadily even in Demon King Castle. His threads hadn't thickened much—probably no magic talent—but another change emerged.
That was killing intent.
He could sense others' emotional shifts. Training let him feel their life force, which fluctuated with emotions. This was his first time sensing it so sharply, but “killing intent” fit the stinging sensation perfectly.
And when he touched Leo's shoulder… that sticky aura.
Sung-tae knew it well. Lust, from his inner world—the red orb atop the hill of desire.
So the old perv…
“Senpai? You okay?”
“Yeah, fine. You've changed so much, Leo. Tell me about it. What've you been through?”
“Ah! Sure!”
“Hoo.”
Roman leaned against the white tiled bathroom wall and let out a deep sigh—one so profound it seemed to deepen his wrinkles in an instant.
The old man emptied his lungs completely, then…
“Sniiff!”
Cupped his face in his hands and inhaled deeply. It was the hand that had touched Leo's shoulder just before leaving the room.
“Haa…”
He slumped to the floor like a collapsing puppet. His legs wobbled without strength, but his ecstatic expression had nothing to do with health issues.
Cold-faced before other adventurers. Kind and grandfatherly before Leo.
“Miss Leo…”
And now, eyes gleaming with rapture as he pictured her.
In a whisper no one could hear, Roman murmured,
“My angel…”
***
“Haa. Haa. Leo…”
Every whiff of her lingering scent made his heart pound like it would burst. Not his own musty old-man smell, but the fresh, girlish fragrance—it felt like a dream world, not reality.
“Ahh… gone already!”
He sniffed like a dog, desperate to savor her skin's essence, but only his own odor remained. No trace of Leo.
Sighing in regret, Roman leaned against the wall and recalled their first meeting.
He'd known at first sight. Leo wasn't a boy, but a girl. Even if she weren't, it wouldn't matter. Man or woman, his love would hold firm—Roman was certain.
“Yes. But… I'm no hero anymore.”
Her voice nearly made him faint. He barely set down the Black Oriharcon, steadied himself by picking it up, then shattered it to impress her desire to grow stronger.
Success. She followed him to train, letting them travel together for half a year.
“An angel. Ahh, my angel!”
And during their journeys, her beauty blossomed, stunning him anew. He'd roamed the continent for sixty years, meeting nobles, adventurers, priests—even peerless beauties.
He wasn't immune to desire. In his vigorous youth, he'd dreamed of marriage and family like anyone.
But no woman filled the void in his heart. Except one.
“The world's one and only Leo.”
They say you don't notice changes in those close to you. But Roman had watched her transform vividly. From innocent girl budding like a flower, her silver hair angelic, purifying his soul at a glance. Her delicate, growing body promised unopened gifts.
“How joyful to be with you.”
He knew he was old. Courting her would scare her off. Unwilling to part, he'd stayed by her side even now, fully grown.
“Thank you for growing so steadily, Miss Leo.”
His angel changed daily—unaware it was Sung-tae's life force, crediting his own efforts.
“Today, Miss Leo was utterly beautiful. Beautiful, but…”
Roman's face twisted. Recalling her brought joy, then that man beside her: Kim Sung-tae.
“To think a fly like that would stick around.”
He'd heard much from Leo about her “senpai”—never the name, but now he knew. Any other man, he'd kill. But Sung-tae, with his dirty rumors, clinging to Leo? Disgusting, goosebump-inducing.
“A fly like that can't buzz around Miss Leo.”
Killing intent flickered in his eyes. His icy blue gaze swirled like a freezing blizzard.
“That playboy dares…!”
“That's how we met.”
“I see.”
While Roman stewed in rage in the bathroom, Sung-tae listened to Leo's tales of him—how they'd met, his kindness.
“Any discomfort traveling with him?”
“No, he's always so considerate.”
“Yeah?”
Sung-tae nodded faintly. As expected, he wore a mask around Leo. He'd stopped the fight the moment she appeared, apologized upon learning they knew each other, playing the noble elder.
What to do?
But he couldn't forgive. Their misunderstanding and fight? Forgivable. But compared to the real issue now, it was trivial.
The age gap was at least forty years. When Roman hit midlife, Leo was a newborn; now sixty, she still wasn't fully adult.
Love knows no age gaps, they say…
Common even in modern times—decade gaps, even two. But Leo and Roman? Three generations.
Unless their love transcended that, no need to interfere.
But that aura. Too ominous.
When Roman touched her shoulder, that lustful energy—like Sung-tae's own desire.
Love and lust intertwined, but Sung-tae couldn't accept Roman's toward Leo.
Anyone else, fine. But Leo?!
Even the broadest mind had limits: harm to family or friends. Roman dating young women? Not Sung-tae's business. But Leo—one of his few bonds in this fantasy world? Different.
Leo seemed grateful, nothing more. Make Roman give up? Or show his true assholish side to make her ditch him?
But…
She trusts him too solidly.
Problem: Leo. He'd shown only his best side; her faith was ironclad. Words alone wouldn't convince. Exposing his ugliness? Her walls were thick.
“Senpai? What're you thinking?”
“Just… about you.”
“Huh?”
“Glad you're doing well.”
“Ah…”
Seeing her bow her head, fiddling fingers, made his chest tighten.
Sweet potato… like I ate a truckload…
He wanted to smash Roman right then. But it'd hurt Leo deeply. Not a stranger—she called him “senpai,” trusted him. Had any girl ever? Post-elementary, all-boys schools; college chance lost to isekai. Maybe Leo was the last.
Didn't want to wound this cute kid. Wanted to protect her—but that meant killing Roman. Separation wouldn't cut it.
Honestly, not family; no need to kill. But Roman's attempt on his life over a misunderstanding worried him for future Leo.
Kill him, or beat him half-dead to stay away forever…
Aargh! Need soda! Refreshment!
As he agonized, Roman returned, business done. Sung-tae activated his life force just in case.
As Roman entered and looked at Leo, Sung-tae felt it: his life force waves turning crimson like autumn leaves.
Not a mistake. Confirmed.
So red it obscured Roman. The sticky desire flashed briefly, vanishing as Leo looked back.
Special-rank for a reason—adept at hiding. But when Leo bowed thanks, silver hair cascading to bare her pale nape…
Roman's life force flushed deeper red, tinting the room like a red-light district. Just before Leo lifted her head, their eyes met.
Creepy old geezer.
Fly bastard!
“By the way, Roman. A favor… involves senpai too.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“What is it, Miss Leo?”
“Senpai wants to become special-rank. How about he joins this quest?”
Sung-tae tilted his head at “quest” and “special-rank.” Joining one quest wouldn't do it, right?
Leo explained, sensing his doubt.
“We're heading to Dragon Valley.”
“Dragon Valley?”
“Yes. Old dragon habitat before their extinction. Dragons are evil, dangerous. Rumors say they've returned.”
“Dragons…”
Fantasy creatures: noble Eastern dragons or wicked Western ones. Here, the latter.
“Guild intel says monster numbers doubled—maybe dragons.”
“But how's a quest make special-rank? One quest together?”
“Depends who requests it. Not ordinary.”
She smiled brightly.
“The emperor himself.”
“Oh… the emperor…”
“Surprising, right? Heard he loves fighting, but issuing a quest?”
The Unified Empire, right? Emperor's personal request made sense.
Sung-tae briefly thought, Emperor could just send an army? But dismissed it. Dragons? Soldiers would scatter like leaves. No need to risk knights, mages, heroes on rumors—better hire adventurers with cash.
Emperor likes fighting? Not a fat slob, then. Lionheart commander type? Makes sense for unification. First emperor? When was it?
“Not instant special-rank like you said, but it'll boost your rank and guild trust hugely.”
“Sounds good. I'm in.”
Sung-tae eyed Roman. The old man nodded with a withered smile.
“I agree. With your skill, Kim Sung-tae, you'll be plenty helpful.”
“Thank you! Roman!”
Leo beamed like it'd happened to her. Sung-tae and Roman smiled.
Their eyes met again—intent unspoken.
Dragons. Dangerous spot. Monsters galore—perfect. Once separated from Leo, test the old man's reaction. If he tries to kill me… no mercy.
Walking into his grave. Even I hesitated on this quest. If a real dragon shows, he's in the way… but must go. Good thing the punk's clueless. Makes it easier.
Gentle gazes, hiding mutual murder.
I'll kill him there. For Leo!
I'll kill him there. For my angel. Squash the fly!