Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: Their Possessiveness is Strong.
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I opened my eyes to find myself standing in front of Tardun's temple.
"...A dream?"
The temple had clearly been destroyed by Intinium. It was overgrown with weeds and thick with dust, like some ancient ruin.
But now it looked pristine and neat, as if it had just been built.
The roof made of white marble, the pillars engraved with sequences of sword techniques—not to mention the wolf statue clutching a sword, proving this was the same temple from moments ago.
Ah, definitely a dream.
Touching my face, I felt no helmet. Just the rough scars from the burns.
The special trait that never budged no matter what I did had been lifted—that meant this wasn't reality.
Come to think of it, I completed the Demon King Slayer at the temple and collapsed from exhaustion. This must be the aftermath, just me sleeping it off.
[You've come, Hero.]
A booming voice echoed in my head.
Turning my head, I saw a gray-furred lycanthrope grinning at me.
"Sorry about that. I've always wanted to say it once."
He laughed heartily, welcoming me with open arms. The massive greatsword strapped to his back was as tall as an adult.
It looked familiar. No way.
"...Are you Sylph?"
The wolf swordsman who managed Tardun's temple.
In the game, he was just a background figure I barely glimpsed, no real connection.
"How do you know my name? Haha, as expected of this generation's heroes. Well chosen."
I thought he'd been killed by Intinium.
"You're... still alive...?"
"Of course not, Hero."
Sylph shook his head. His eyes gently closed in a disappointed expression.
"This is just a husk. Tardun granted me this audience as thanks."
He crossed his arms and stroked his chin. Scars from sword cuts marred both his eyes.
"...Thanks for protecting the Sun Elixir and Moon Elixir."
With a thud, he slammed his greatsword into the ground and knelt, offering a knight's salute.
"I didn't do much, guardian."
I waved him off, signaling to stand.
If I'd caught onto Magic Hat's plan sooner, I might have saved this lycanthrope's life.
"Don't trouble yourself, Hero. My death was inevitable."
"What? What do you mean...?"
No way. He should appear in the prequel, original, or sequel—not just vanish.
It had to be my failure.
"Magic Hat showed dangerous signs, Hero of Conviction."
Was it because of me? I knew he'd failed to traumatize the hero couple.
"...Frankly, if he'd taken the elixirs, it would've been disastrous. You did well."
The lycanthrope sighed in relief, shaking his head at me.
'Normally, Magic Hat drinks them and gets ridiculously strong?'
It made sense. How else did I solo the global first kill?
Butterfly effect.
Small changes were piling up, altering the future. At this rate, I really could prevent Pine's misfortune.
"The elixirs are traditionally shared through a kiss between mates... Personally disappointing, but!"
Sylph winked mischievously at me. Didn't seem disappointed at all.
"No matter now! You're an honorable wolfkin too, Hero!"
My head throbbed. Not splitting them half-and-half, but kissing to share?
"...."
Pine's lips, faintly shimmering from before, flashed in my mind. I grimaced involuntarily.
"Why do you keep calling me Hero? I'm no Hero of Conviction or anything."
My fists clenched. Time to ask what I'd wondered for ages.
I was just a soul possessed in the game. No way I was the Hero of Conviction Head mentioned.
Being accepted as wolfkin like Pine was nice, but I was human too.
If heroes exist, the title belongs to everyone grinding through life daily.
The idea that only a hero can beat the Demon King is ridiculous anyway.
Plenty as strong as Emperor Locke.
"You haven't heard a word? Tardun surely..."
Sylph gave me a strange look.
He furrowed his brow, face saying something was wrong.
That's when it happened. Whoosh—a shadow began creeping over the pristine white temple.
"Oh no..."
Light faded from the space.
Viscous black liquid roiled, blanketing the sky—an alien sight.
Like a living beast devouring the area. My jaw dropped.
"Hero, what have you been up to that even a god's barrier shatters...!!"
Sylph urgently called out, drawing his greatsword toward the writhing darkness.
"...Too late?"
Splash—tentacles erupted from the dark like water ghosts, snaring and vanishing the greatsword.
"Run!! Hero!"
The blackness closed in on me too.
I tried summoning my heart sword to fight. No response from the concept.
Damn, why? Even in a dream, it should appear.
A sharp pain stabbed my chest, canceling the summon. Panting, the shadow loomed closer.
'Rose vines...?'
Not tentacles—roses. Black roses.
Plants smelling like Pine's scent, alien to anyone.
The dream from days ago, the bookmark in the library—flashed in my mind.
"...Found you."
A familiar voice echoed with them.
Pine arrived at the inn and laid Licht down.
"...Idiot."
On the plush double bed. Having rented the priciest room, Pine shared it with Licht.
The golden-haired hero had awkwardly yielded the spot, but she didn't want to leave his side.
"...Idiot. Puppy idiot."
Licht slept peacefully, unaware of her tears.
"Mm..."
Pine poked his cheek with a finger, watching him twitch.
"Hehe, when you're asleep... you're so gentle."
Seeing the burn scars, she gently applied ointment while toying with his face like a doll.
"But when you wake up, you always worry me..."
Her snowy wolf ears flicked anxiously for him.
What had he tried this time to collapse? Looked like the technique he used on Head.
Her sharp eyes had seen it strain his body heavily.
Like burning life force without reserve—a desperate all-or-nothing, die if you don't kill.
Hearing his slowing heartbeat, Pine sensed the danger.
Did he have to stake his life to catch the Demon King?
She knew a hero's duty: chosen by gods for the noble purpose of slaying the Demon King.
"I wish Licht wouldn't do that... just live normally like now..."
His rough, callused hands. Pine pressed her palm to his.
"...So big."
Hands scarred from countless swings to grow strong.
She bit her lip lightly. His fidgeting fingers felt his cool skin.
"...."
The sensation traveled up her arm to her chest—thump, thump.
'What if I hug him?'
Pine's curiosity pushed further. Even her clones hadn't resolved it.
—Poof.
She lay beside him, hugging like a pillow. Firm yet reassuring.
Flutter, flutter. Her tail and ears went wild, uncontrollable.
Abs firmer than expected. She wished time would stop.
Wanting to feel more, her hand slipped inside his coat.
Like a snake climbing a tree trunk, her arm coiled closer.
Soon, they were fully pressed together. Pine buried her nose in him, inhaling deeply.
"Nng..."
Then Licht stirred, sensing something.
Oh no, too hasty. Should've cast sleep magic.
Startled, Pine yanked her arm back and turned away, feigning innocence.
Pretend to sleep. She faked breaths oddly to sell it.
Like she'd dozed off worrying about him.
No controlling her twitching ears and tail, but she tried.
"...Licht?"
But the man beside her wouldn't wake. He tossed his head, groaning in pain.
Nightmare? Sweat beaded on his brow.
Sensing wrongness, Pine grabbed his hand to enter his dream—but
'A curse...?'
Prickly thorns repelled her attempt.
His face turned blue. Breathing labored.
Loosening his tie did nothing—serious.
"W-what do I do...? He's not breathing..."
Panic hit. She tugged at his outer clothes.
What if he dies? Anyone to help?
Her mind raced sluggishly.
No choice to save Licht.
"Sorry, Licht...!"
Finally, Pine straddled him and popped buttons one by one.
Frantic fingers fumbled the shirt.
"...Got it!"
From top to bottom. When Pine fully unbuttoned Licht's shirt—
"Pine... what're you... doing there...?"
Licht, half-awake and dazed, stared at Pine atop his stomach.