The Amnesiac Elf Mage
Elf mages are people you have to be cautious around. My personality isn't cautious, but I'm trying to make it that way.
So, right now—what do you do when you meet an elf mage who can burst a person's head just by flicking her finger?
For starters, the elf had spared the guy with the magic tome. From what she said, it was clear she wanted the magic tome.
But there's one thing that didn't make sense.
Why did she spare me? It would've been way easier to just kill me and take it.
Is there some kind of 'handover' procedure she has to follow?
Hmm, possible. After all, the magic tome had suddenly dropped right in front of me out of nowhere.
"Let's cut to the chase. Hand over the magic tome."
The elf said, curling up the corner of her mouth.
So that really was her goal. But what if the chubby guy had it instead of me? What would she have done then?
Of course, she might've just been talking to feel me out, and it could be a lie...
No way she has some 'lie detection' ability, right?
I'm no genius. That's why I have to think as much as I can.
The magic tome might change my life entirely. But nothing's more precious than my own neck.
I immediately pulled the yellowed, worn-covered magic tome from my bosom.
"Here it is."
I handed it over with both hands as politely as possible.
'......'
The elf smiled in satisfaction and shifted her gaze to my right foot.
"A gift."
With that, she flicked a droplet of water at my right foot.
Fuck, I'm screwed!
As I panicked, the droplet grew larger and gently enveloped my right foot.
Woooong—
Healing magic...
Mages can use healing magic too. Though only a tiny fraction can.
The elf in front of me was starting to look like a monster beyond imagination. A mage who could use healing magic...?
"Mm, good as new. You can have these worthless corpses."
The elf said contentedly, then opened the magic tome I'd handed her.
Flip—
But the moment she opened the book, blood started gushing from her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.
"Cough...! Wh-what...!"
Thud!
"Huh...?"
****
Ever since falling into this other world, I could confidently say I'd experienced pretty much everything. That's why even a normal guy like me had gained some guts, composure, and caution.
But right now, I was extremely flustered.
The elf who had opened the magic tome collapsed, blood pouring from every orifice.
"......"
I poked her with my iron rod. No movement.
Twitch!
Nope, she's alive.
The pointy-eared, silver-haired elf clutched her head and pushed herself up.
"Ugh..."
She blinked in confusion, looking around her surroundings.
"Wh-where...? B-blood...?!"
She jumped in shock and wiped the blood with her cloak. She looked like it hurt like hell, but apparently not that bad?
Then she turned her head and stared right at me.
'......'
A strange tension filled the air. What if she suddenly yells, 'This bastard set a trap!' and blasts me with magic? I cautiously tensed my right foot.
My right foot, now perfectly fine. Good. If it reacts, I might be able to dodge.
But just as I was bracing myself to fight for my life, a deflating voice reached me.
"Who... are you...?"
"......"
The elf blinked and tilted her head. Then she started scanning the surroundings.
Her gaze landed on the three headless corpses and the one guy standing there with a sword at his waist.
"Pl-please spare me!"
Eh...? Sudden amnesia? Is this a trap?
Just as that thought crossed my mind, the elf dropped to her knees and started rubbing her palms together. Tears were even streaming down her face.
"Sob...! Pl-please..."
This bitch, who burst heads with a finger snap, and now this? Honestly, I was pretty flustered. People's heads had exploded like watermelons. What if she suddenly goes, 'Urk! Die, murderer!' and shoots water bullets at me?
I racked my brain quickly. Did she really lose her memory?
The reason... probably the magic tome.
A chill ran down my spine.
Why am I fine, then?
But that wasn't important right now, so I quickly opened my mouth.
"You're safe! Thank goodness!"
Me, Kim Yujin. Aspiring actor back in the day.
Acting's my strong suit.
"Uh... huh...?"
The elf tilted her head, not understanding my reaction.
I immediately dropped to my knees and started bawling. I relaxed my eyes and forced out some tears.
Drip.
I made my voice crack just right, let my fingertips tremble faintly, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I... I finally saved you!"
"I-I'm sorry, but I don't remember..."
The elf said, looking flustered at my sobbing.
"Huh...?"
"...Who might you be?"
"What are you talking about!"
"It's sudden, but I don't remember anything..."
Perfect. The situation's set up, time to fish for info.
"What...?"
I stared at her in disbelief.
"No way... not even your name...?"
"Ah! I remember my name...! Kiara Meskannon, that's me."
"Kiara... You really don't remember anything?"
"...Yes... My head hurts so much..."
I glanced at Kiara's eyes. The wariness from before had eased a bit.
"Um... what... what kind of relationship do we have...?"
Ah. Hadn't thought of that.
"......"
I went limp like I'd taken a massive shock and started to collapse.
"Wha—!"
Kiara quickly caught my falling body. Hm, sweatier than she looks.
I felt her damp touch. No wonder she wears a bikini.
I gazed at Kiara with distant eyes.
"......"
"......"
A strange silence formed. She should start assuming things on her own by now.
Don't you know genre conventions?
"So that's how it is..."
At that moment, Kiara's face turned serious with realization, and she nodded quietly.
I quickly scanned Kiara's body. The blood streaming down her face had stopped, and her expression looked mostly fine.
Smooth skin was a bonus.
She's fine.
I thought it was serious when she collapsed bleeding everywhere, but she's okay. Probably her elf monster-level recovery kicking in. Or maybe as a mage who can use healing magic, she healed herself unconsciously.
Just as I was about to stand...
"Wait...!"
Kiara shouted.
Fuck, did her memory come back?
"...Even though I don't remember anything right now... I'll try hard to remember!"
Don't, please.
I swept the gear and possessions from Chubby, Skinny, and Queen Bee into a sack and stood up. Pretty heavy sack.
Mine had filled up midway, so I used Chubby's backpack for the rest.
'......'
And I realized something I didn't want to know.
People fetch a price.
A ton of thoughts hit me, but I shelved them. Gotta live humanely at least, right?
Plus, murder's banned inside the city, even in the Erosion Zone. Security's iffy, but no one crosses the line.
Cross it, and you're death row—off to the North Sewer.
"Where are you going?"
Kiara asked, trotting after me. I'd pondered what to do with the elf mage, but this situation wasn't bad.
For one, she's a healing magic-level mage. And an elf to boot?
Not some stinky old man or dying geezer—silver-haired, golden-eyed elf girl. And plenty strong.
Low-buy opportunity.
But what if she regains her memory midway...?
I'll say it again: I'm no genius. If I made optimal calls every time, I wouldn't have been a slave.
But I can claim best judgment.
Please, future Yujin.
. . . The way back to Mortus was very safe. We ran into a few people, but they took one look at Kiara, broke out in cold sweats, and bolted.
...Famous mage?
But I hadn't heard the name before.
Reason for running? Probably elf + bikini outfit.
Who walks around like that in this world? Either a crazy vet or a retard.
Elf drops the retard odds way down. And she's got a staff slung on her back?
Normal to avoid unless you're really confident.
"Ugh... Do you know why I'm dressed like this?"
How the hell should I know? Must be her taste.
Kiara desperately tried to cover herself with her cloak, but it only reached her waist—top barely covered, bottom impossible.
"...You forgot that too, huh..."
"......"
I said sadly, and Kiara hung her head with a depressed, frustrated look.
Come to think of it, which district does she live in? Assignments vary by citizen rank.
A to E, obviously A is best.
"Mind showing your citizen rank badge...?"
I asked carefully, and Kiara rummaged in the small pouch at her waist and pulled one out.
"Ah! Here!"
Yeah, yeah. Let's see what rank.
[B]
As expected, way better district than I imagined. I'm stuck in a shitty barn...
B District was two-story houses, I think?
I thought, eyeing the heavy backpack and sack.
Wonder how high I can climb.
