Chapter 88: I Know
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 88: I Know
“Yoo Eon...!”
“Oppa—?!”
Just as the sun had completely set and the sky began to darken, two people burst into the guild building.
“Ah... Welcome?”
One woman was dressed in a simple dirndl, and a young girl wore casual overalls. Since it was rare to see women in everyday clothes inside the guild lobby, Dahlia tilted her head in confusion as she stepped forward to greet them.
“Um, is there something I can help you with?”
“Yoo Eon... No, an explorer named Aven! I heard he was hurt...!”
“That’s right! We heard my brother is here!”
“Ah...”
The woman was strikingly beautiful, the kind that naturally drew every eye in the room. Her face was young and fresh, still retaining a hint of girlishness. Yet, despite that youthful face, she possessed a full and womanly figure.
“Y-yes... Aven is currently being treated in the guild clinic.”
“Where is that?!”
“I’m afraid he needs rest right now, so...”
“Is it dangerous..?”
Tresha, standing beside Sera, asked Dahlia in a voice that sounded on the verge of tears. Dahlia slowly shook her head.
“It’s not that, but... may I ask what your relationship is with Aven?”
“R-relationship..?”
Sera paused to think. What exactly was the relationship between her and Yoo Eon?
“U-umm...”
It was a bit vague and difficult to define as any one specific thing, but she could certainly say they were closer than mere strangers.
“At the inn where he stays...”
“The inn..?”
“My mom is the innkeeper... and Aven has lived with us for a long time...”
“I’m sorry, but that level of acquaintance isn't enough for us to release an explorer into your care.”
It was true that Yoo Eon and Sera were close, but there was nothing to officially prove their relationship. It was common for explorers to settle down at an inn they liked and become friendly with the owner.
That alone wasn't enough to hand over an unconscious explorer. After agonizing over it for a moment, Sera found the one point that could prove her intimacy with Yoo Eon.
“Aven.”
“Yes?”
“The... the pseudonym Aven. I’m the one who gave it to him.”
“The pseudonym...”
Of course, there was no way to verify this on the spot. It wasn't impossible, but they couldn't exactly go to the cathedral and use high-level truth-detection magic just to debate the honesty of Sera’s words.
“Hmm, is that so? Follow me, miss. You too, kiddo.”
Katrina, suddenly interjecting from the side, placed a hand on Dahlia’s head and called out to Sera and Tresha.
“Senior..?”
“The clinic is crowded. If there’s someone willing to look after him and the relationship is confirmed, the rule is to hand him over.”
“But it hasn't been properly confirmed yet—”
“Dahlia.”
“...Understood. Next explorer, please step forward.”
Katrina walked away with Sera and Tresha following close behind. Dahlia, as always, returned to greeting the explorers with a professional smile.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. I take it you’ve known Aven for a long time?”
“Yes. He lives at our inn and even helps out with the work.”
“Do you like him?”
“W-why are you asking that..?”
Katrina turned her head to steal a glance at Sera before quickening her pace again.
“Just thought it might be tough for you.”
* * *
Four days later.
“Activate Return Skill.”
Usually, I’d find myself back in a clinic I’d never seen before, but this time, I returned to my usual inn room. That meant someone had brought me back to the surface after I lost consciousness during the fight with that Human Hunter on the 2nd Stratum.
It also meant the news had reached the Mounted Goat Inn.
“This has never happened before.”
In reality, I’d experienced all sorts of dizzying accidents and lost consciousness a few times, but the Auntie at the inn or anyone else never found out. Even when things happened, I was usually in fine shape by the time I walked through the front door.
Causing someone to worry about me like this didn't sit well with me. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.
—Step, step...
Someone was walking toward the room. The footsteps were incredibly light; I had a feeling I knew who it was.
—Young man, are you awake?
My hunch was right. It was Father. When I brought up the Antonio Brotherhood last time, he had advised me to rest quietly for a few months.
I had completely ignored that and run into trouble in the labyrinth, so I figured he might be angry.
“Yes, I’m awake. You can come in.”
Shortly after I answered, the door opened, and Father stepped inside. But what on earth was this?
“F-father..?”
Unlike his usual look—wearing a tattered, loose-fitting tank top that was basically a rag—he was wearing a white one-piece dress with ruffles that looked like something a little girl would wear. He even had his hair tied in pigtails.
“Father, you’re finally dressing properly.”
“Tresha told me to wear this. She tied my hair, too.”
“I see...”
Visually, there was nothing wrong with the clothes themselves, but the psychological impact was immense. Despite his gruff mannerisms, he was technically handsome, but this... this was a bit much.
“Sera is sulking. Do you know what you should do?”
“Sera is... I see.”
It made sense, considering I’d come back injured. I’d always told her I was fine, only to return in a coma; her reaction was predictable. Now that I was awake, I realized my body was a mess. I must have managed to use the Snowfield Troll’s blood well even while unconscious.
Even considering that, the injuries were significant. My bones were in bad shape, and my muscles were even worse. I’d switched my status to 'Healthy' as soon as I woke up, but the lingering lethargy throughout my body was no joke.
“I should apologize first. I heard there are many good dessert shops in the Northwest; maybe I should buy her something...”
I didn't know exactly what Sera liked, but I knew she didn't dislike sweets. As I offered a reasonable solution, Father nodded and continued his questioning.
“I see. And after that?”
“Ah, well... I’ll apologize. And we’ll talk about how to handle things moving forward...”
Even if his body had turned young, a father was still a father. Since his daughter’s feelings were hurt, I expected him to grill me, the one who caused it. I hadn't wanted to worry her, but somehow the news had reached her.
Once the conversation ended, Father stood up from the bed where he’d been sitting.
“Understood. I should go buy the desserts first, then.”
“Ah, yes. Right.”
“Thanks! I’ll give it a try!”
“Huh?”
What was he talking about?
“Wait a minute, Father. Didn't you say Sera was sulking?”
“Yeah. She’s incredibly upset. She asked me why I didn't stop you when I knew it was dangerous for you to go into the labyrinth.”
“Ah.”
So she wasn't sulking at me, but at Father?
“Then those clothes...”
“Tresha told me to wear this and try to act cute. But it backfired; she just hates it more. She even gave me a noogie. She must take after Marta; she’s got a mean sting.”
“Aha.”
Father rubbed the top of his head as he spoke lamentingly. But I figured it would be the same for me. In the end, I was the one who got hurt.
“Ah, Sera is very worried, so go downstairs and see her quickly.”
“Is Sera not mad at me?”
“She didn't seem to be. But she stayed by your side for four nights straight, so make sure to thank her.”
“...Understood.”
* * *
After tidying myself up, I went down to the first floor. Sera was sitting at the desk, resting her chin on her hand and staring blankly into space.
“Sigh...”
Her sigh was deep. She clearly had a lot on her mind. Realizing that at least thirty percent of that worry was because of me, her sigh felt like it was pressing down on my shoulders.
I crept up and placed a hand on her shoulder. Her reaction was priceless.
“Eek?!”
“Sera.”
Startled, Sera practically launched herself out of her chair. When she landed back on the floor, her ample figure continued to bounce with a slight delay.
“Ah, uh... that is.”
“Yoo Eon!”
“I am the ghost of Yoo Eon—”
Hug—
“Ugh..”
“You’re awake...!”
I was going to tease her since the mood seemed heavy, but my plan was ruined the moment she lunged into my arms. A ghost isn't supposed to have a physical form, after all. I’d have to work hard to stay anchored to this world.
“I... I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“Really... You really were...”
“Haha. But I’m perfectly fine now.”
“How can you be fine?! I heard everything at the guild clinic! They said it would take at least a month... a month...?”
Right. I don't know exactly what happened, but my body must have been shattered, so that’s how it looked to them. Since I’d restored my body to full health the moment I opened my eyes, there was no issue.
“Why would I need a month? Look at how well I can walk.”
“W-whoa?!”
I wrapped my hands around Sera’s slender waist and lifted her high into the air, giving her a quick bird’s-eye view of the room as I spun her around a couple of times. After walking a few steps, I set her back down. Sera began rubbing her arms, looking at me as if trying to figure out what was going on.
“H-how did this happen..?”
“I’m a fast healer. That’s all.”
“Thank goodness... Does your body hurt anywhere..?”
“I told you, I’m fine. I could lift someone like you a hundred times over.”
As I wiggled my outstretched hands, Sera wrapped her own arms around her waist and stepped back slightly. Did she dislike it that much..?
“T-that’s enough! I’m just glad you’re not in pain...”
“I told you so.”
Only then did Sera let out a long sigh of relief. I heard Tresha had gone to study magic with Albresto. I wondered if Iris had heard the news as well.
“I’ve been lying down for so long that I’m a bit hungry. Is there anything to eat?”
Looking outside, it didn't seem to be dinner time yet. But the sky was turning a bit red as the sun began to set.
“That dinner you said you’d make for me last time—I should eat it now.”
“S-should we?”
With a happy expression, Sera tied the apron she’d left on the desk around her waist. She turned toward the kitchen but then paused and looked back at me.
“Y-Yoo Eon...”
“Yes, Sera. I’m right here.”
Sera hesitated, her mouth opening and closing as if she were unsure, before finally speaking.
“W-what are we to each other..?”
“Hmm.”
That was a difficult question.
“The landlord’s daughter and the tenant renting a room, I suppose?”
“Hmph... There’s no meat in the kitchen today.”
“Huh?”
What?
* * *
Sera trudged into the kitchen with a pout. Marta was there, sitting on a chair and tending to the wood fire. As Sera began rummaging through the woks, Marta spoke quietly.
“Sera.”
“Mom? Did you call me?”
Marta hesitated for a long time even after Sera answered.
She tapped her wooden poker against the floor to clear the ash, then stood up from her chair. As she headed out of the kitchen, she spoke.
“Yoo Eon isn't your brother.”
“Mom...”
“You never know when an explorer might disappear. It’s the same for all of them. Think carefully.”
Watching Marta’s back as she walked away with unusually heavy steps, Sera momentarily set down her kitchen utensils and stared at the door where her mother had vanished.
“That... I know that too...”