11. Special Request
“Husband…?”
“...No way. It can't be, right?”
It's freezing cold. Cheong-ah and Bella's glares pierce me like daggers.
This matters a lot. Their view of me is about to shatter into pieces.
“Well, uh...”
“Yeonja, it's finally my turn.”
I can feel Dina's sparkling eyes fixed on me. How the hell am I supposed to handle this?
Discrimination is bad. Cheong-ah and Bella are precious, but that doesn't mean Dina isn't. I'm not just worried about Cheong-ah and Bella getting hurt while ignoring Dina. Sure, I've known the other two longer, but Dina's a precious comrade too. She's more than that to them, but still—Dina's important.
What can I say? Despite her old-soul speech, she feels like a little sister. Damn it, thinking about sisters makes me miss my family. Mom, Dad—what should I do?
I've been isekai'd to this world, faced tons of crises, but I can say without a doubt: this is the biggest one yet. My head's spinning.
As I hesitate, Dina's excited voice rings out.
“Yeonja, I'm fine, so hurry up!”
...No, I'm not fine. The reason I'm hesitating isn't about whether you're okay or not.
Considering Dina's age, this isn't a crime. It's legal territory. She just looks like a young girl—before her seal, she was over 80, and after 3,000 years sealed, she's roughly 3,080. I'm the much younger one here.
But human ethics don't bend easily. Kissing Dina, who looks like a little girl? That's a huge mental block for me.
Of course, I knew I'd have to do it eventually. That's why I used magic stones to expand my registration slots.
But now that the moment's here, I'm shaking like a coward.
“Yeonja?”
“Y-yeah. Okay, Dina.”
Her big, shining eyes keep looking up at me. Alright, just this once. Close my eyes tight and go for it. Sure, there might be a next time, but I'll deal with that later. For now, eyes shut and done.
Resolved, I place my hands on her small shoulders.
“Dina.”
“Do whatever you need, Yeonja. I'm fine.”
“Alright, here goes.”
The second I squeeze my eyes shut and lean in for her lips, voices from the side—
“Whoa, that bastard's actually going for it.”
“...I'm disappointed, husband.”
“Hey, disappointed? That perv's always been like that.”
“Don't badmouth husband, Bella.”
“No, wait—you were just saying you were disappointed too...?!”
“Disappointment isn't badmouthing.”
“Then what is it?”
“...I don't know. Anyway, it's not.”
Ugh... this isn't working. I can't do it.
Let me be clear: it's not because of what Cheong-ah and Bella said. It's my conscience holding me back.
Hands still on her shoulders, I gently push Dina's tiny body away.
“Um, Dina... sorry, but could you stay back and not fight this time?”
“Eh? What do you mean, Yeonja?”
“Well... I, uh.”
What excuse? Ah, got it—a quick idea pops up.
“I told you I had a little sister, right? Seeing you fight just reminds me too much of her. I can't bear it.”
“Uh, uhh...? Is that so? But when we went on requests together before, you watched me fight just fine?”
Shit. Forgot about that in my panic.
A bit flustered, I scramble for another excuse.
“Huh? Oh... right. That time, you were so reliable. You fought great.”
“...So I'm not reliable now?”
Her head droops. She looks so dejected. Her voice is pure gloom.
Why does it always twist like this?
“N-no...! It's not that you're unreliable!”
“Then what...?”
*Sniffle.* Her nose-run sound hits like a gut punch.
“Uh... this one's a bit more dangerous.”
“...Were the usual requests not dangerous?”
“The usual ones were easy for you. But this time, there's a Monster Lord.”
“But the grumpy girl and beast girl aren't fighting?”
Dina asks sadly. What now? I'm rolling my eyes in panic when Cheong-ah steps in.
“Dina, husband wants you to stay by his side and protect him instead of fighting with us.”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
“You know husband is weak, right? Yeah? He's gotten better with the crossbow lately, but he's still weak without mana. Isn't he?”
“Mmm, yes. Yeonja is quite weak.”
“If we all go fight, he'll be alone, hiding or running from monsters. Plus, with the abilities he gave us, things could get risky suddenly. Right?”
“Well... yeah.”
“Would you just watch if monsters attacked him?”
“Of course not! Anyone who dares attack Yeonja, I'll smash them flat right then!”
“Exactly. Husband wants a reliable protector like you by his side, but he's too shy to say it. You know he sucks at asking for that stuff, right?”
“Is that it, Yeonja? Why didn't you just say so sooner!”
“No, that's not—”
“That's right, isn't it, husband?”
Cheong-ah jumps in, tying it all up neatly. I stare at her blankly. She winks.
What? How did this happen?
But seeing Dina's eyes sparkle again... who cares? As she waits for my answer, I pat her little head and nod.
“Yeah, that's right. I'd feel better if you protected me, Dina.”
“Got it, Yeonja. I'll protect you for sure. Stick right by me—you can count on this body!”
“Thanks.”
...My wife's the best.
While Ian agonized over the ethics with Dina...
Herald's party entered the ruins from the left side, just as planned, the moment Hein's party pushed in.
Passing the entrance, Herald turned to his comrades.
“We gotta draw all the attention, so let's make it loud.”
The spear-wielding woman, Jian, shrugged.
“Your voice is loud enough as an ogre's— just yell and charge.”
“Oh, that's the plan.”
“Yeah, Herald's voice is ogre-sized. And his snoring? Even louder.”
Herald nods sheepishly. John, with sword and shield, chuckles teasingly. Jack with the axe joins in.
Herald apologizes awkwardly to his team.
“That's why I can't sleep.”
“...Sorry, man.”
In the cheerful mood, they enter the ruins. Herald spots distant monsters and nocks an arrow.
Releasing the taut string, the arrow spears an orc's skull.
-Kieeeek!
“What?! Humans... how?!”
“B-block them quick! If we fail, the Lord's gonna kill us!”
Herald bellows from amid his team.
“Alright, sandwich meat! Charge!”
Jian steps forward with her spear raised, John and Jack guarding her flanks.
“...That goddamn party name—I'm really changing it when we get back.”
“Why? It's fine.”
“I like it—Breadmeat. Sounds tasty.”
“Fine my ass. Because of it, my nickname's about to be 'Sandwich Meat Fork.'”
“Hmm, yeah, that's rough. Jian, you like getting stabbed more than stabbing anyway. Front and back.”
“Ooh, front and back? Or up and down?”
“...Shut your mouths or I'll shove this spear down 'em.”
Orcs lead the monster rush. Herald's arrows pierce them.
-Kuiiiik!
“Die, humans!”
After five fall, the monster squad clashes with the vanguard.
Jian's spear impales the lead orc's head.
“Respond fast! Don't overcommit—dodge and weave!”
Under Herald's sharp commands, the Breadmeat Party mows down orcs swiftly.
They're not the guild branch's reps for nothing— the orc squad vanishes in seconds.
But the ruins hold more than orcs.
-Grrrrowl!
“Damn, so many trolls!”
“I told you there were tons! But they're trolls! We hunt ogres— no way we lose! Finish before the ogre shows...!”
As Herald rallies them, an ominous roar echoes.
-GRRROOOOARRR...!!!!
A massive ogre emerges behind the trolls with a earth-shaking bellow.
“Herald, that thing's mouth is the problem.”
“We'll sew it shut later.”
“Sorry...”
Still jovial. The Breadmeat Party—all four Gold Badges, including leader Herald. One's Silver Badge on paper due to quests, but skill matches the rest.
In short:
“Ogre? We bag two a month!”
“Month off after this!”
“Chaaarge!!”
The fight's one-sided. Years of teamwork make them seamless. Crises like this? Routine. Not even a real threat.
That's a Gold Badge party.
Just as they drop the ogre and mop up trolls/orcs—
-Grrrowl.
A whirlwind of howls brings a werewolf chomping John's throat. John's hefty in good leather armor, but the wolf holds him effortlessly with jaw strength alone.
No ordinary werewolf. They sense it.
“Gaaahk...!”
John's scream jolts them.
“J-John...!”
“Herald! What the hell?! Monster Lord's with the Platinum from Tronen, right?!”
“I-I don't know!”
Herald gapes in shock. Really the Monster Lord? What're Ian's party doing letting it here?
Herald fires an arrow to save John first, assess later.
The werewolf ignores it, snorting. Arrow hits back—plink—bounces off harmlessly. No reaction.
Then it crunches John's neck hard.
Spurt!
Thud-thud-roll.
“A-aaahhh...!”
“You fucking dog bastard...!”
John's head rolls. Long-time comrade. Rage blinds them.
Werewolf flings the spraying torso aside, low-growling at them mockingly.
-Grrrowl...