A World Where No One Gets Hurt
The door to The Elf and the Silver Coin burst open with a loud bang, and every eye in the tavern turned toward me. The regulars chuckled and waved, while the unfamiliar faces simply stared in disbelief before knocking back their drinks. Today must have been Butler Day, because the male servers in their butler outfits gave me light, respectful nods. Well, they called them butler outfits, but they were really short-sleeved shirts and shorts that showed off their arms and thighs. The tops were unbuttoned so aggressively that you could see all the way down to their sternums—definitely a daring look.
Hmm… looks like business as usual! Even if they dressed like that, these guys were always good to me. Apparently my costume designs had tripled their revenue or something. Anyway, I waved both hands wildly in response. As I moved deeper into the shop, a familiar figure came into view.
Wild, ash-gray hair. Perky wolf ears and yellow eyes clouded with lustful thoughts. A woman stubbing out a nearly spent magic herb cigarette with her one remaining arm. I broke into a full sprint toward Elly, wearing the brightest smile I could muster.
“Elly!”
“Huh? Oh, it’s you, Yona. How was the labyrinth….”
“Elly! Elly! Elly!”
Without slowing down, I vaulted over the counter and began spinning circles around her, chanting her name like some kind of cult ritual. Maybe the bizarre scene startled her, because Elly suddenly grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and hoisted me into the air. As I flailed my legs helplessly, she brought her slightly furrowed face close to mine. But the corners of her mouth were twitching—she looked pretty amused.
Of course she did. Every single one of these actions had been calculated perfectly by former alpha male Kim Yona…! I knew Elly would love it. I would have, in her place.
While I was grinning wickedly on the inside, Elly couldn’t hold back anymore. She let out a loud bark to hide her own mischievous smile.
“Calm down, you little brat! I told you not to jump behind the counter during business hours!”
“I can’t calm down! How am I supposed to stay calm when Elly’s right in front of me like this!”
“…Did something happen in the labyrinth?”
“Nope? And even if it did, that’s a secret between me and Lady Rydia that I can’t tell you!”
“…….”
Elly, who had looked happy just moments ago, suddenly scowled and glared at Rydia, who had followed me in. This wasn’t embarrassment—it was genuine irritation. Rydia, now suddenly cast as the thieving cat, shook her head frantically… but that wasn’t really important.
Taking advantage of the brief moment Elly was distracted, I twisted my body. It was an acrobatic maneuver I never would have attempted without the flexibility I’d gained. This too was something I’d learned while fighting in the labyrinth. I hadn’t realized I could move like this.
Elly, surprised that I’d managed to slip free even though she’d only grabbed me loosely, stared at me. I unfurled my previously twisted body toward her like a flying squirrel diving through the air.
“Hug me!”
“Eh? Uhh…?”
While she was still making confused noises, Elly caught me and ended up holding me in her arms. I sneakily buried my face in her chest. The soft sensation was obvious even through her clothes. The warmth that chased away the chill from my body. And the sharp scent of magic herb that filled my nose. Only after savoring all of it did I lift my head.
There was barely a handspan between our faces. Close enough that just tilting my neck a little would bring us together. Elly’s face had turned bright red, and she was babbling incoherently. I put on my most innocent, childlike expression and said,
“Listen, Elly. Today in the labyrinth, I took down eleven whole goblins….”
“Uhh… th-that’s amazing?”
Her eyes stayed fixed on me as if she were in a trance, offering empty responses. It was obvious her mind was already busy planning out having four kids and our retirement together… but that was exactly what I wanted, so I let her keep dreaming.
Thanks to Elly, I’d been able to learn the basics of being an adventurer from Rydia. When I thought about how much that had helped me, this level of service was the least I could do.
Staying pressed against her like that, I chattered on about everything that had happened today, from start to finish, before finally letting go.
“There we go.”
“Ah…”
Elly looked at me with clear disappointment. I flashed her a cheeky grin.
“Can I borrow a room on the second floor again today? I brought the money.”
“…Well, if you have the coin.”
Elly, who had finally managed to compose herself, held out her hand. I almost handed over the day’s earnings without a fuss… but the thought that she still hadn’t caught on to my true intentions annoyed me, so a bit of mischief bubbled up.
“Eiii!”
I placed my chin in her palm instead. Then I rubbed my cheek vigorously against her calloused, work-worn hand. Elly began trembling like a junkie going through withdrawal. I grinned at her as she desperately tried to hold herself together.
“Can this count as payment?”
“…Like hell it can!”
Elly snapped back to her senses a beat too late and quickly yanked her hand behind her back. She couldn’t hide how her lips drooped with disappointment, though.
“Aww. Too bad. How much for one night?”
“Thirty coppers.”
“Here you go.”
I pulled three hefty silver coins from my now much fatter wallet and handed them over. Elly stared at them for a moment, let out a long sigh, and accepted the payment.
“Haa… Fine. I’ve taken the money properly, so you can use the same room as yesterday.”
“Would it be okay if I used a different room?”
“Hmm? That one’s the best room we have. Well, you’re the one moving the luggage anyway, so pick whichever empty room you like.”
“Got it! Then I’ll move my stuff into Elly’s room first!”
“…Stop right there! That one’s not for sale, you know?! If you’re a guest, act like one and use a proper room.”
“I can’t?”
“What kind of question is that?”
“Hmph.”
I pouted my lips and sulked, taking a step back. The whole “I’m mad now” aura was the key point. The moment I made Elly feel both exasperated and slightly concerned, I lightly lifted the hem of my shirt to show my belly. Just high enough that it would be hidden from the rest of the tavern by the counter.
“Yona, you…!”
Elly’s voice rose sharply. I pressed a finger to my lips as if to say “don’t speak” and whispered,
“Shh.”
“…….”
Elly swallowed hard, falling silent as she was about to say something. In that state, I whispered so quietly that only the person right in front of me could hear.
“I won’t lock the door tonight either.”
“……!”
Elly’s eyes flew wide open as if she’d been struck by lightning, and she froze solid. I giggled at the sight, then turned around and headed up to the second floor without a backward glance. I strode into the room as if I didn’t have a care in the world, and the moment the door closed, I jumped silently in celebration.
Kya! The me from a moment ago. I was so fucking charming.
Elly couldn’t pull herself together. Yona had shaken her heart to its core and then vanished without a shred of hesitation. She was too busy staring blankly at his retreating back.
So the saying that pink-haired boys are dangerous is true after all.
Even now, the sensation of his smooth belly against the ten silvers she’d traded for it lingered in her left hand, and the image of that pale, flawless stomach remained burned into her retinas. And the way he’d chattered about everything that happened today while standing so close their breaths mingled… what was that about?
She’d been so tense, thinking they might actually kiss, that cold sweat had broken out all over her… but no matter how bold Yona was, this was the first time he’d come on this strong. That sense of wrongness acted as a brake on Elly’s reason.
Does this have something to do with that secret he can’t tell me about? If that’s the case, it’s a little hurtful….
Dark, single-woman fantasies began playing out in Elly’s mind like a simulation. Yona had become far more aggressive than usual. He claimed to be a virgin, but today’s behavior was absolutely not that of an innocent boy. What if Yona had already climbed the stairs to adulthood before her? And what if the person he’d done it with wasn’t anyone else, but Rydia?
—Ahaha! Elly, does it make sense that you’re still a virgin at your age? It can’t be helped. As someone with experience, I suppose I’ll have to take your virginity for you.
—Eh? That’s it? Rydia did it much better….
—Uhh. No, it’s fine. You can get better from now on. In that spirit, would you like to watch me and Rydia do it together?
The moment she imagined the next scene, Elly couldn’t hold back and let out a scream.
“Kyaaaaaaaah!!”
“Senior Elly?”
“Rydia!! How could you do that to me!”
“…Sorry. I guess it really was rude to bring food from another shop.”
“That’s fine! You worked hard today, so I’ll give you a cold beer on the house!”
“?”
Rydia tilted her head at Elly’s incomprehensible behavior, but since Elly had always been a bit strange, she simply let it slide. Elly spent a long time alternating between blushing furiously and letting out strange cries, but by the time Rydia had finished her beer, she had mostly regained her senses.
Seizing the opportunity, Rydia spoke in a serious voice.
“Senior Elly. There’s something important I need to talk about.”
“What… no! Don’t! Don’t take Yona away from me!!”
“Nonsense. Troublesome.”
Apparently it still wasn’t enough. Rydia sighed and went behind the counter herself to refill the beer. Only after Elly had drained another mug did she speak again.
“Are you calm now?”
“…Yeah. You said it was important? What is it?”
“It’s about Yona.”
“Grrrr! …Ah, no. Go on.”
Elly let out an unusually hot breath. Rydia tilted her head again but decided to continue since Elly had told her to.
“What did Yona used to do?”
“Huh? Well… when he was little he survived by begging, then did odd jobs once he got a bit older. Lately he seems to have picked up some bad habits and has been pickpocketing thugs. I think the last time he almost got caught was the first time.”
Even though he’d been lucky enough to get released without incident, Yona had nearly suffered something terrible at the hands of a criminal clan. Elly unconsciously let out a low growl, still angry just thinking about it. Her mood had been swinging wildly all day, but this was a familiar sight to Rydia. She brushed off the murderous aura and shook her head.
“At best, he’s a petty criminal. But he’s far too skilled for that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Killing.”
Having said that much, Rydia drained the last sip from her mug and continued.
“He doesn’t hesitate when he kills someone. He feels no pity. He doesn’t waver. He even knew the goblins’ weaknesses perfectly, even though I never taught him. He has considerable knowledge of history and theology for someone who supposedly just picked things up. He’s definitely not an ordinary orphan.”
“Isn’t it just coincidence? People born with that kind of talent are rare, but not impossible to find. Maybe he studied hard on his own.”
“On top of that, I’ve noticed several times that his common sense is completely different from normal people’s. His instantaneous speed was on par with a second-floor adventurer.”
“That much?”
“Yes. As you said, Senior, each thing could be a coincidence. But when you put them all together… can it really be?”
“…What exactly are you trying to say?”
“You already know. You’re more deeply involved with him than I am.”
“…….”
Elly silently clutched her empty right sleeve. Her eyes grew cold.
Those Who Swallow the Twilight
The heretics who would do anything to obtain the remains and authorities of the gods sleeping in the labyrinth. The very culprits who might as well have taken Elly’s arm. At Elly’s murmur, Rydia nodded with an expressionless face.
“Yes. Yona might be one of the children who escaped from there.”
“…I see.”
The hand that had been gripping her empty sleeve loosened. Elly still remembered the horrors she had witnessed in the labyrinth three years ago. The corpses of adventurers who had been meticulously dismantled and used in all kinds of inhumane experiments. The madmen who wielded the authorities of dead gods to control monsters as they pleased. The children who had been brainwashed by the heretics and whose way of thinking had become twisted. And the moment she had let her guard down while trying to protect those children from a rampaging Floor Guardian—only to be stabbed in the back by one of them.
Because of that opening, Elly had lost an arm to the Floor Guardian. The children had been caught in the aftermath and vanished somewhere. The phantom pain in her right shoulder. As long as these wretched remnants of the past remained, Elly would never be able to forget that day.
“Yona, huh…”
As the phantom pain grew stronger, Elly pulled out a magic herb cigarette and lit it. Come to think of it, the Yona that Rydia had described did share some similarities with those brainwashed children. The smoke she exhaled with a deep sigh filled her vision, as if hiding her from the memories of the past, if only for a moment.
Of course, all of this was nothing more than Rydia’s speculation. There was no concrete evidence. However.
Those Who Swallow the Twilight had been particularly obsessed with pink hair, so among the children they had collected, there were quite a few with pink hair. If, by some chance, Yona really was one of them….
She would have to hand him over to the Goddess of Love’s temple immediately for “re-education.” But she didn’t want to. Maybe Yona’s affectionate behavior was all an act, just like that day three years ago, meant to stab her in the back. But she didn’t want to suspect him.
“What should I do…”
Elly’s gloomy voice sank to the floor along with the cigarette ash. Even though she knew none of it would reach the boy upstairs, Elly hung her head like someone exhausted by life. The only thing Rydia could do was silently refill her senior’s empty glass.
At the same time the two adults downstairs were lost in ridiculous delusions, Yona was dancing merrily in the middle of an empty room. His widely spread arms wriggled like seaweed, and his hips swayed rhythmically from side to side in a bizarre motion.
“Dance to increase gacha luck…!”
It was an ancient gacha prayer dance created by a certain Holy Grail War.