I Have No Faults
The fight was over, but Kim Haena couldn't hide her worries.
Monsters in Anseongu have decreased to 5% or less.
For the next 7 days, all monsters in the field will move to Central Park.
"Alright, great job on the dungeon exploration! Take a few days off, and we'll go boss hunting again soon. See you next time!"
"I'll follow the leader too..."
"Wouldn't it be better if you went with Yeowon?"
"Ugh... Okay."
It seemed like things were wrapping up. Kim Haena followed closely behind the man, her head bowed low.
Ah...
She didn't blame herself for being useless in the fight. That was simply because his power was overwhelmingly strong. Even Yeowon and Hari, who were far stronger and more talented than Haena, hadn't been able to contribute much.
But thinking about what came next made her sigh inevitably.
My skill...
She had reached level 4. Since he'd generously shared the EXP from the dungeon monsters, leveling up was only natural.
And her skill was disappointing.
What the hell is this...
It wasn't a skill that corrected aim. Not one that boosted bullet damage. Not even something that sharpened judgment in crises or helped her overcome fear.
For a solo survivor or scavenger, it might not be a total loss. That "unnoticed" element alone could aid survival.
But as part of an organization, this skill was utterly useless trash for her.
Who can I even tell about this...
Skills were tied to human desires. Someone desperate for a gun in a pinch gains a skill to summon one with mana. Someone craving stronger strikes gets that power. Someone yearning for precision shooting acquires it.
The skill revealed Kim Haena's heart. The desire she couldn't admit to herself.
I don't want to die...
It was ugly. Her wish to survive even at others' expense, to run away—it had manifested as her skill.
Just knowing someone else saw it would make her die of shame.
Naturally, it wasn't helpful in battle either. With this mindset, no matter how much she leveled, she'd be a burden forever.
That made her so sad.
The group returned home. They ate. Roa cooked, Sua did the dishes, Seohee and Heea handled laundry. Haena went out with Sunwoo to throw out the recycling.
"See? Pretty neat, right? We spent some money on this. Put it in the bag here, leave it overnight, and poof—the trash vanishes somehow. Makes life easier."
"Yeah..."
It was night. Instead of heading straight inside, he sat on a bench in the apartment complex.
"Why here—"
"Tough day, huh?"
His warmth enveloped her. As his hand rested on hers, Haena burst into tears.
"I'm sorry..."
Even so, she couldn't stop her self-loathing. He was kind. Whining now might earn pity, softening any future anger when he had to call out her shortcomings.
She couldn't be sure she wasn't doing it on purpose. Haena already knew she was a coward.
Her status window, with its shiny new skill, confirmed what kind of person she was.
"We're... family, right? I'm family too?"
Then maybe she'd get the unconditional love he'd spoken of. He wouldn't abandon her. She wanted reassurance before her skill was exposed.
As if dismissing all her worries as foolish, he spoke firmly.
"Of course."
"Fighting scares me..."
"It's okay. You don't have to fight."
He pulled Haena into a tight embrace.
/////
The night breeze blew. Feeling the girl's warmth in my arms, I held her close so she wouldn't slip away.
"I don't know what you all think, but from my perspective... people who can fight casually even knowing they might die seem more impressive."
"Really?"
"I fight knowing I won't die."
Back when I fought as a hero, I knew no one else could do it. The pressure crushed me. No matter how scared, there was no escape.
But that wasn't normal.
"It's natural to be scared. You don't have to force yourself to fight."
"But I have to do something. To survive, to prove my worth—"
"People don't need to be useful to live."
She'd just become an adult. I recalled what I was doing at her age. Fresh out of high school, into university, but still a kid. Maybe I'd stayed one until the hero's duty crushed me.
"The library needs staff, or you could learn a trade."
"I'm bad at studying, and not handy either..."
"Then we'll find your place. I'll make one. Even if there's truly nothing you can do... it's okay."
Life is precious in itself. No one needs a reason to die.
"Really... even then?"
"Of course. Now, repeat after me: I have no faults."
"But..."
"Go on."
Haena bowed her head, mumbling in a tiny voice.
"I... I have no... faults."
"Good. Next: 'The world's the one that's wrong.'"
"The world... is wrong!"
"That's it."
No one is guilty. The world is wrong. Forcing life-risking fights, proving worth through brutal combat or starving— that's not right.
The right world lets you join a company, marry and raise kids with housework, or do manual labor to scrape by.
At least by my standards. A world where you battle zombies, hold your post unflinchingly amid death—that's broken.
"Feel better now?"
Haena nodded with an innocent face.
"I can stay here too..."
"Of course."
I was the one who'd saved her. No intention of abandoning now. Besides, we weren't flush with people; I had to hold onto her somehow, whether she fought or not.
Liberating Anseongu will bring a ton more anyway.
Stroking her back to comfort her, I looked into her eyes.
"Better now?"
"B-but... still, I..."
"Hm?"
"You haven't made me a slave. Doesn't that mean I'm not qualified...?"
I tilted my head.
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"Depends on the person. If it's someone like Master..."
Haena's eyes widened.
"I-I know it sounds materialistic, but it seems amazing! Not dangerous at all! No matter what happens... um,"
She gripped my hand tightly.
"I feel like Master would protect me."
For most in this world, survival trumped free will. Ironically, their fear of slavery stemmed from the inability to refuse a "die" order.
But with someone trustworthy, it might be okay.
"N-no pressure! I know I'm not worthy to be Master's slave, and if you don't, I won't get jealous—"
If I refused here, she'd think it was her fault.
"If you want it."
"Huh?"
"If you want, I can."
A bit clumsy, but looks-wise, Haena was a beauty with her bob haircut. I wanted to hold her. Two days in the dungeon without release—plenty built up.
"R-really?"
Kim Haena has requested to become your sex slave.
Accept?
The notification popped up. I glanced between it and Haena. Her eyes sparkled.
I smiled and nodded.
"Of course."
I hit accept. I felt her become my sex slave.
"Um..."
Haena looked away, turning her head.
"If we go up... people might notice—"
"Heea's sleeping next door. The other girls are all my slaves too. No need to be embarrassed."
"Still... after being held by Master once, I think I'd gain some confidence..."
Her face drew slowly closer. I didn't pull away, waiting for her move.
Our lips met. Her soft, moist lips touched mine. Haena and I closed our eyes, savoring the sensation.
It was lovely.