Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Regen's Return
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Try that.
"We'll head back then. We've got a request down below."
"I've got other business too, so I'll head up first."
The people gathered from various guilds confirmed the anomaly had vanished and went their separate ways.
Before long, only Fey, Regen, and a few association staffers remained around me, heading toward the Threshold.
'Top graduate, got the reward. All good...'
But one thing bothered me.
-Glance.
I turned to look back at the issue.
My current problem.
It was...
"..."
Regen, who was fidgeting restlessly and following us for some reason.
Perhaps aware of the stench from her wounds, she trailed a bit behind us.
'She's been sneaking glances at me and Fey since we set off.'
For instance,
"That's heavy. Let me carry it."
Suddenly shouldering all my and Fey's luggage,
or
"Your canteen fell."
"Oh, thanks."
When the strap on my canteen broke and it dropped, she snatched it mid-fall with inexplicable speed and handed it over—something I couldn't explain if I hadn't been watching,
or
"...Um, that... maybe..."
"Yes?"
"...Never mind. There was a bug, but it flew away."
"...?"
Swallowing words with obvious evasion.
This was clearly different from her usual straightforward self.
'Her face looks a bit different too.'
Hard to pinpoint, but her complexion seemed healthier, more vibrant.
Maybe the effect of that... elixir from Elenaia that she ended up taking.
Anyway, she seemed lost in thought.
"Fey, did something happen with Regen?"
"Huh? No, nothing since yesterday... Oh, she asked what I put in today's sandwiches."
"I see."
I asked Fey just in case, but nothing special came up.
Still,
'It's not like she nearly died and got a personality change. Only one reason...'
Who am I?
Kim Joo-hyuk, the YouTuber who communicated with just glances in a foreign land where words failed.
My instincts, honed by 100,000 subscribers, pierced Regen's heart.
'Guilt over breaking our promise.'
Yes.
Regen felt sorry.
For breaking her promise with us and leaving the party.
That's why she kept fussing over us.
'No need. She's a good person.'
Who could blame her for deciding to quit the rough life and live easy?
Especially knowing her tragic past.
So,
'Gotta reassure her properly.'
That we can manage without her!
"Um."
Just then, Regen approached hesitantly.
Perfect timing. I smiled warmly.
"Yes, what's up?"
"W-well, after we get back... you're forming a party right away?"
"Yeah."
"...Anyone in mind? Someone with free schedule or skills..."
"Hmm, not really. We haven't been here long."
"R-right..."
Twitch twitch,
Regen's long elf ears wiggled up and down.
"Um, then... I-I could..."
Aha—knew it.
She's so worried about us she's willing to delay her comfy retirement to help.
Impressive how she endured those insults hiding her strength and faced that monster alone. Now worrying about newbies like us. What character.
What are this world's publishers doing? Time for Regen's biography.
But because she's such a great person—
"No need to worry! We'll handle it."
I firmly rejected her offer.
"...Huh?"
Regen's twitching ears froze.
'Can't impose more as newbies.'
Sure, replacing her would be tough.
But we can't make her suffer for our convenience.
Especially with her health issues.
"...Huh? B-but..."
"Nah, it's fine. You've helped enough. Right, Fey?"
I asked Fey, who was walking ahead.
"...Kinda disappointing. Got used to the smell, even studied elf culture for the future."
Fey looked a bit down.
But she respected Regen's choice too.
"N-no... I-I..."
"Don't push yourself. I get you're worried, but we'll try hard."
"O-oh. Okay."
Regen fell silent.
Her eyes trembled. Probably touched by our consideration.
'Still bummed thinking about it.'
Missing out on teaming with such a good person.
'But that's why we can't burden her.'
Why so few good people in the world?
The world doesn't let them stay good.
Their kindness gets misread as weakness, naivety, or pushover-ness, exploited.
That's why—
-Grab.
"It was fun partying with you, Regen."
We have to protect good people like her.
Not take kindness for granted, respect it.
Always be grateful, human.
"......Yeah."
Regen stared piercingly, then shuffled past, wiping her eyes. Probably moved.
'Yes, that's how it's done.'
Problem solved!
I stepped lightly, relieved.
"What do you plan to do once you return? The association will handle things regarding this incident for you..."
Wahlu wahlu wah-wah-lu—
The excited association staffer chattered beside her.
But Regen wasn't listening.
-It was fun partying with you, Regen.
Will's parting words.
She'd tried to be polite, but to Regen, it meant:
-The carriage left, champ. Don't cling pathetically.
No second chances.
Her resolve crumbled in real time.
'Who knew my body would recover like a miracle cure...!'
After puking that black liquid, her body felt more energetic than in a decade.
Initially skeptical, but as time passed, Regen was convinced.
Will slaying the Forest of Screams demon lifted her curse, restoring health.
Proof: her chronic pains dulled to muscle aches.
'This damn body! Why recover after I refused! Come back!'
Infuriating.
If she'd known it'd heal so suddenly, she'd have joined without hesitation.
'Regen, you idiot champ, standing on pride...'
She tore at her hair.
If she'd ditched pride and asked directly, it wouldn't have come to this.
But she hadn't.
'I'd drop hints of rejoining... they'd beg me.'
She'd been confident.
Retired Dark Iron explorer.
Versatile beyond combat.
So she played push-pull.
-Please, Regen! Join us!
-Heh, can't help it. For my cute junior.
Show willingness, let needy Will beg, accept coolly.
Save pride, boost party status. Eat the pheasant and egg.
'Just die already.'
Now she wanted to kill past self.
Why would that guy need her?
Unscathed after facing what nearly killed her. Not someone a cocky recovering elf could push.
Will probably knew, hit her with kindness-masked fact-check.
'Who do you think you are?'
'Should I... tell the truth now?'
She'd considered.
But,
-Haha, I said that stuff thinking I'd die soon, but weirdly I'm fine now. Can I join?
'Who'd believe that?'
Truth sounded faker than lies. Despair again.
Even worse, it'd show desperate pride-clinging.
So, parting like this?
'No.'
Didn't want to let go.
Her true feelings.
After a decade of torment, they treated her humanely.
Effortlessly despite her ugly looks and stench.
Fey cried promising to fetch her.
Will avenged her, pulled her from gutter-life.
Hard-won second life.
Only this party for it.
'How... how to tell them...'
Regen's worries deepened.
But time flowed mercilessly—
"Threshold arrived!"
Parting time neared.
"Disband for now. I'll send someone if needed later. Rest today."
"Y-yes. Sure."
"And this is hazard pay from the association. You've done a lot for newbies."
"Oh, thank you."
Thud—thud—
Armor guy, codename No. 3, waddled off after business.
Untired after trekking in that? What muscle monster inside?
"That was rough."
"Yeah. Don't wanna leave bed for days."
One travel perk: post-trip rest feels divine.
Amid relief, drowsiness, pleasant fatigue, I bid Regen farewell.
"You worked hard too, Regen. Thanks for saving us..."
But,
"Huh?"
Regen's vibe was off.
Face beet red. Lips clenched, holding something back.
Pain flare-up?
"R-Regen? You okay? Wound burst?!"
Yeah, pushed too hard despite health.
As I approached to check—
-Grip.
Regen clutched my sleeve.
"...Sorry..."
"Pardon?"
"F-for... wielding worthless... pride... sorry..."
"...??"
What the—
After sudden apology, Regen spilled embarrassing truths.
Cleaning up her mess:
"Porter, night watch... anything... just please..."
Ditched pride, dignity, senior face.
"Take... me with you..."
Just take her, please.
"..."
"..."
"Sniff, ugh..."
Blushing true confession.
Fey and I exchanged bewildered looks.
With that said...
"We're the thankful ones. Shouldn't we be bowing?"
Nothing but thanks to say.
"Th-then earlier..."
"Huh? That? No, it was—"
.
.
.
.
Afterward, clearing the misunderstanding took ages.
...Right after, calming writhing-in-embarrassment, dying-Regen took longer.