6. Dungeon Agales
6. In Dungeon Agales, Ian carefully rose from his sleeping bag so as not to wake Cheong-ah. Step by step, making not the slightest noise, he stood and glanced back at her. She probably wasn't awake, right? He'd been as cautious as possible, but Cheong-ah's senses were sharp—if she'd woken, he'd feel terrible...
"Snoooore."
Cheong-ah slept clutching her sword—disguised as a cane—diagonally across her chest like a treasured possession. Her steady breathing echoed softly, and the gentle rise and fall of her chest suggested she was still out cold.
Ian moved again, slow as a turtle taking a single step, slipping out of the tent. He swiftly—but quietly—sealed the entrance against the chill night air and slipped on his shoes.
There, by the campfire, sat Bella's back. Bored out of her mind, she poked at the flames with a stick.
Should he sneak up on her? Nah, one wrong move and her fist might kill him. Better announce himself.
"Whatcha doing?"
He approached, and Bella glanced back.
"What the hell, Ian? Why're you up instead of sleeping?"
"Couldn't sleep. Thought I'd get some air."
"Oh yeah? Can't sleep so you're stepping out for a breeze? Ballsy guy."
"...The fuck, you crazy bitch."
"Kidding, kidding. If you're really restless, wanna bullshit with me a bit? I'm bored as shit."
"Sure."
He moved to sit across from her, but Bella scowled.
"What're you doing way over there when it's just us? Don't wanna sit next to me?"
"Huh? Nah, just figured this avoids any weird misunderstandings."
"Bullshit. What misunderstandings? I don't even see you as a guy. Sit too far and we'll have to yell—then you'll wake Cheong-ah. Get over here."
"Oh, right. Got it."
He sat beside her, and she nudged his side.
"Hey, got any snacks this late at night?"
"Snacks?"
"Yeah, that magic bag of yours must have food packed. Jerky or something?"
"Jerky... yeah, got some."
He rummaged in the bag by the fire and pulled out a thick bundle wrapped in crisp white paper. This wasn't the cheap crap other adventurers ate. It was properly salted, then smoked over rare sacred elf wood from the elven lands, infused with that wood's sweet aroma—a luxury item. He'd splurged since money wasn't tight anymore. He'd half-expected Cheong-ah to chew him out for it... but surprisingly, she didn't mind spending on food.
Bella's eyes widened as she eyed the jerky.
"Whoa, you got that..."
"What, you know it?"
"'Course I do, dumbass. I loved elf-wood smoked jerky. Damn, your cooking game's always been suspect, but you picked something right up my alley."
Cooking? What does that have to do with jerky...
He chuckled wryly and unwrapped the paper, laying it out. Neatly sliced strips were stacked thick. He handed her a big piece first.
"Oh, giving me first dibs? What's the occasion?"
"What occasion? Forgot I gave you dinner first too?"
"Did ya? Anyway, thanks."
She snatched it, popped it in her mouth, and chewed. Ian took a piece and joined her.
"Ahh... been too long. After losing my kingdom, luxuries like this were off-limits... Man. Adventuring with you guys ain't half bad—lets me enjoy shit like this again. Good call listening to Aria."
Listening to her, a question bubbled up.
"Hey, Bella."
"Yeah?"
"That thing about losing your kingdom. I heard the basics from Aria, but can you tell me more?"
She shrugged.
"Huh? That? Eh, nothing much. It'll bore you."
"C'mon, we've got nothing else to talk about."
"Jeez... We got plenty. Like your future goals or whatever. Talk about your dreams."
"Fine, then what's your goal?"
She tore off some jerky and grinned fiercely.
"What else? Take back my kingdom. Chop off that fucking uncle's head."
"That's why I wanna hear how you lost it—and how you'll take it back."
"Told you it's boring. Fine, if you wanna hear it that bad... but quid pro quo. Spill yours first."
"Mine?"
What story did he even have? She already knew the bullshit version.
He'd told Cheong-ah and Bella he was an orphan from Yuldo's outskirts. Village raided, he fled, hitched with a merchant caravan between Yuldo and the kingdom, ended up in Leventen, became an adventurer for status. What more did she want?
"What do you wanna hear?"
"Dunno. I know your past-ish. How about your future?"
"Future? The hell? How should I know?"
"The hell... I'm asking what you wanna do with your life, moron. Can't adventure forever. Yeah, your ability's special... but you can't protect yourself forever."
"...True."
"Exactly, idiot. Don't wanna see you drop dead and feel bad—we're not strangers. Save up, settle in the sticks with Cheong-ah, farm or whatever. Or buy a city house and live off investments. No plans like that?"
He pondered her words. Yeah... what did he want? Why keep adventuring? Status? Three years in, he could settle anywhere as an ex-adventurer. Money wasn't an issue anymore—thanks to Cheong-ah, they had plenty.
The buffs needed magic stones and contact, but range was generous, duration long. She could quest solo; he'd just hang back, buy a house or inn room, chill in town. No need to tag along into dungeons.
So why was he here, dungeon-diving with them?
He hated adventuring. No mana meant bottom-barrel scorn and humiliation. He'd scraped by desperately, starving some days.
"Yeah... why am I still doing this?"
Bad memories outweighed the good, yet here he was, refusing to quit when he could.
"Whoa, why the sudden heavy face? Shit, sorry Ian. Just shooting the shit—didn't mean to kill the mood."
"Nah, perfect timing. That question... got me thinking."
"Uh... okay, whatever."
He sorted his tangled thoughts. What did he want? Really want?
Resentment, probably. Three years of hell as a talentless worm. Then awakening, partying with Bella and Cheong-ah as leader. Wings ready to soar higher than anyone—why crawl back to normalcy?
Isekai'd here. Not his old world. He craved that novel-manga hero life.
Three years groveling felt unfair. That's why he couldn't quit.
Now, self-aware, he wouldn't quit. Wings unfurled—he'd fly.
"Bella."
"Yeah? Figured it out?"
"Yeah. And thanks."
"Uh... sure? Dunno what for, but you're welcome."
He knew now. What he wanted.
Yeah... just live his way. For real.
"So anyway."
"Huh?"
He summoned the blue window tucked in his vision's corner.
You possess 4 magic stones.
2 magic stones can be used to register a target.
3 magic stones can be used to upgrade an ability.
4 magic stones can acquire a new ability.
"...Bella."
"W-what? Why're you staring like that all soulful? Creepy as fuck, asshole."
Calling her name, he selected the second line: Register Target.
Target registration selected.
2 magic stones consumed.
Activate ability and kiss the target's lips.
He activated it as instructed. An unpleasant foreign sensation tingled in his left hand.
"Become my woman too."
"Huh? What the fu—mmph?!"
As shock twisted her face mid-curse, he wrapped her waist fiercely and pulled her in.
"F-fuck... my first time."
Their lips met—sweet woodsy aroma mingled with the jerky's salty tang.