Chapter 18 - A False Confession

Warm morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the luxurious curtains, softly illuminating the room.

Atop the bedsheets, which still bore the lingering traces of last night's passionate lovemaking, Hayeon slowly opened her eyes.

Her entire body felt languid, but it was a fulfilling, pleasant exhaustion—incomparable to the wretched weariness she had felt when she was violated by those men in the past.

When she turned her head, she saw Ksenia already awake beside her. Resting her head on her arm, Ksenia was gazing at her with eyes that seemed to be looking at the most precious thing in the world.

"Good morning, my fiancée."

Ksenia's voice, thick with sleep, was as warm and lazy as the morning sun.

At those playful, affectionate words, Hayeon's face instantly flushed as red as a ripe apple.

Yet she didn't turn away or deny it. Instead, though embarrassed, she felt a pleasant tickle deep in her chest.

"...Yes. Good morning, Eonni."

Hayeon replied with a shy smile. Their gazes met and softly intertwined in the air.

Their mornings were no longer strange or awkward.

Ksenia gently kissed Hayeon's forehead before softly claiming her lips. Unlike the fierce passion of the night before, it was a tender, sweet morning kiss, as if asking after each other's well-being.

"Aren't you hungry? You didn't eat properly yesterday. Shall we go out for something delicious, or should we just order something here and relax?"

Ksenia asked, playfully rumpling Hayeon's soft hair.

"Mmm... Can't we just eat here? I want to stay with you a bit longer, Eonni. It still... feels like a dream."

Hayeon spoke honestly. In this safe, warm space, she didn't want to leave Ksenia's side for even a single second. She was terrified that this happiness might vanish.

Ksenia smiled warmly at her words and called a maid to order a light meal.

A short while later, a tray carrying warm vegetable soup, freshly baked bread, fresh fruit, and cheese was brought into the room.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, the two enjoyed a peaceful breakfast, feeding each other and laughing like children.

After they finished eating, Ksenia noticed Hayeon's expression suddenly darken.

"Hayeon, is something worrying you? You don't look well. Was I too rough last night? Does somewhere hurt?"

She took Hayeon's hand, her eyes filled with genuine concern.

Hayeon shook her head.

"No, it's not that... It's just... I feel like I should tell you about myself, Eonni. I feel like... you would accept everything about ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me."

She resolved to summon her courage. If it was this person, she felt it would be okay to lay bare her horrific past. However, she couldn't tell her everything.

The fact that I came from another world, and... that I was originally a man. I can absolutely never reveal those two things. There's no way she'd believe me, and I don't want to ruin what we have now.

Keeping her deepest secrets hidden, she began to weave a story, craftily blending truth and lies.

In a trembling voice, Hayeon began to recount her fabricated past.

"I... originally came from a small countryside village. After losing my parents at an early age, I lived alone before heading to Akron to make a living. But ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I got lost in the forest and was attacked by monsters. That's when... I met Chris's party. They pretended to rescue me, but then their attitude completely changed."

Hiding how she had actually arrived in this world and her true identity, she laid bare the horrific things she had suffered afterward, one by one.

Chris's forced relations, Luo's twisted obsession, and Kadel's violence and humiliation.

Her shoulders trembled faintly as she spoke of the humiliation, rage, and despair she had felt throughout it all.

Throughout her story, she kept scanning Ksenia's face. She was terrified that once this person learned of her soiled past, she too would look at her with contempt or pity.

When she finished her tale, Hayeon hung her head low, waiting for Ksenia's reaction.

But instead of the blame or pity she had anticipated, Ksenia simply pulled her tightly into her arms and held her close.

"...It must have been so hard for you, Hayeon. Truly... it must have been so incredibly hard. How did you endure all that on your own?"

Ksenia's voice was warmer and more sincere than any words. Her hand gently stroked Hayeon's back.

"In Akron, what powerless women like you go through is not uncommon. Especially for a girl as beautiful as you. But it is absolutely not your fault. You were just struggling to survive. You did something truly amazing. You held on so well, really. If those bastards were still alive, I would have torn them to shreds with my own hands."

Ksenia simply understood everything about Hayeon, embracing her wounds exactly as they were.

At that warm comfort, Hayeon finally burst into the tears she had been holding back.

After holding her for a long time, Ksenia gently wiped away Hayeon's tears and spoke.

"Now, no more sad stories. This afternoon, I'll show you around Akron properly. I'll buy you delicious food and pretty clothes. The kind of clothes you used to wear. You're not alone anymore. I'll be by your side. Forever."

At those words, Hayeon smiled brightly through her tear-stained face.

For the first time in this world, she saw true hope and salvation. Her new life would begin from this very day, together with this person.

Embraced in Ksenia's arms, she felt a peaceful sense of security for the first time.

A new system window floated before her eyes.

Looking at her altered status window, Hayeon quietly snuggled deeper into Ksenia's embrace. She felt as if she could do anything for this person.

When afternoon came, Ksenia took Hayeon to the city center, specifically to the loudest and most bustling street: the blacksmith district.

"We have a lot to do today, so let's get moving."

Their goal was simple: to procure the first set of gear for the novice adventurer, Lee Hayeon.

In a narrow alleyway of the city center, where the scent of iron vibrated alongside the relentless clanging of hammers, hung an old sign.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door of the shop, which had 'Belka Workshop' elegantly written on it, they were greeted by a wave of sweltering heat and the smell of iron, accompanied by the jingle of a bell.

"Oh-ho! Look who it is! The pride of our guild, the Mithril Class lady herself! What kind of monstrous weapon are you ordering this time? Your greatsword should still be perfectly fine."

From inside the workshop, the blacksmith Belka, carrying a hammer the size of a house on her shoulder, wiped her sweat and waved vigorously.

Her muscular forearms were covered in numerous burn scars, and though her voice was low and thick, it overflowed with a cheerful energy.

Beside her, her assistant Molt—a quiet young man with grey wolf ears—was silently polishing a weapon.

His wolf ears twitched slightly at the sound of Ksenia's voice. Though his eyes were as sharp as a wolf's, his movements as he handled the weapons were incredibly careful and precise.

"It's not an order for me today, Belka. Take a look at her."

Ksenia patted Hayeon's back, nudging her forward.

"She's my trainee. I'm going to raise her myself from now on. So don't give her any half-baked junk—get her something proper. I'll pay whatever it costs."

Hayeon flushed at the word 'trainee' and the sudden attention focused on her. Under Belka's intense gaze, she spoke cautiously.

"...Um, I want to learn the sword and... shield. I want to become strong enough to protect myself."

Her voice was quiet, but it carried a firm resolve.

"Is that so? You've got guts. Alright, come over here. I need to take a look at your body first."

With practiced, professional hands, Belka quickly measured Hayeon's hand size, arm length, shoulder line, and center of gravity before nodding.

"Well, despite her looks, she's got a better build for combat than I expected. Her frame is slender, but her muscles are flexible. She's the type to precisely target vital points rather than just swinging wildly. She'll have to rely on technique and speed rather than raw strength."

Molt silently nodded at Belka's words and brought out several weapon sets from a cabinet.

A light, nimble mid-grade longsword, and a sturdy round shield designed to absorb impact. There were no flashy decorations, but they were excellent pieces focused entirely on practicality.

"This is more than enough for a beginner. I didn't pick some cheap junk sold in the market square; I chose gear that will protect your life and 'make sure you come back alive.' I guarantee it on my name and Ksenia's honor."

Belka laughed heartily, wiping the grease off the back of her hand.

"I assume I can put the bill on our Lady Ksenia's tab?"

With a serious expression, Hayeon lifted the sword and swung it a few times. Though it still felt awkward, the grip and the center of gravity were surprisingly comfortable.

At the thought that this was her very first weapon, something warm welled up from deep within her chest. Seeing this, Ksenia smiled warmly.

"Alright, now that you've got your gear... all that's left is to train like hell. You'd better brace yourself, Hayeon."

As the sun began to set, the two headed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to a secluded private training ground on the outskirts of the city. A dusty, spacious clearing was surrounded by an old wooden fence, with a small cabin sitting at the entrance.

"Grandpa Gerick, are you there? It's me, Ksenia!"

When Ksenia called out toward the cabin, the door creaked open, and an old man wearing an eyepatch over one eye appeared. He looked like a retired adventurer who had long left the battlefield.

"Ah, Ksenia. Have you come to beat someone half to death again?"

Gerick spoke gruffly, but the way he looked at Ksenia was as warm as a grandfather looking at his granddaughter. He quickly spotted Hayeon standing behind her.

"Oho, you've brought a little chick of a lady this time? Since when did your tastes change like this?"

"She's my trainee. I'm going to teach her myself from now on, so I'd like to borrow the training ground. About two hours should do."

"Haha, you yourself? Well, this is going to be interesting. Sure, use it as much as you like. It'll be a miracle if that young lady doesn't run out crying, though."

The moment they stepped onto the training ground, Ksenia's expression shifted instantly. Her usual playful smile vanished without a trace, replaced by the icy, razor-sharp gaze of a strict instructor.

"Alright, get ready. This is where the real work begins."

There wasn't a single shred of playfulness in her voice.

"The tip of your sword is shaking. If you hold it like that, your opponent will read your next move instantly. Lower the tip. Lower your center of gravity. If you enter the dungeon with your current posture, you'll die without even enduring a single strike."

Overwhelmed by her aura, Hayeon flusteredly corrected her posture.

"...Like this, Eonni?"

"No. Extend your arms straight, but relax your shoulders. You have to put strength into your lower body to keep your upper body from shaking. Feel your center of gravity. Again. Repeat ten more times."

For over an hour, the repetitive motions continued: consecutive basic slashes, followed by transitions to shield blocks.

Hayeon fell to her knees and tumbled onto the dirt floor multiple times. Sweat poured down her face like rain, stinging her eyes, and her palms were swollen red and blistered from the friction.

Her breath caught in her throat, and her vision swam.

This pain... I can endure it. It's nothing compared to the humiliation I suffered from those bastards. I... have to become strong!

"Do you want to stop?"

Ksenia asked expressionlessly.

Hayeon shook her head violently, panting heavily. She couldn't give up ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠here.

"No... I'll keep going. I can do more."

"Good. That's my trainee."

Only then did Ksenia smile faintly, adjusting her grip on her wooden practice sword.

"Now, it's real combat. I'm going to attack, so try to block it. Just holding your ground is a success."

Once again, the tips of their swords pointed at each other, and this time, Ksenia's attacks rained down.

The strikes, which started light and tapping, gradually grew faster and sharper.

Hayeon desperately blocked, was pushed back, and stumbled, frequently losing her balance and falling.

In the midst of repeating this dozens of times, Hayeon spotted a tiny opening in Ksenia's attack pattern.

A habit of catching her breath for a split second after every third strike. Instantly stepping forward, Hayeon deflected the incoming attack to the side with her shield, and using the recoil, she delivered a short, swift thrust toward Ksenia's exposed flank.

Clang—!

Ksenia's wooden sword slipped from her hand with a thud and fell onto the sandy ground.

Both of them froze. Silence fell over the clearing.

Then, Ksenia slowly began to clap, her applause filled with genuine admiration.

"Good. Very good. That's it. That's exactly what I wanted to teach you. Let's do it again tomorrow."

At those words, all the tension left Hayeon's body, and she collapsed onto the ground. Though she was panting so hard her lungs felt like they would burst, a bright smile spread across her face before she knew it.

"...It's more... fun than I thought. Swinging a sword."

Stroking the hair of the collapsed Hayeon, Ksenia spoke with deep tenderness this time.

"You can become strong. Because I'm going to make you strong. Prepare yourself."

Hayeon quietly took her hand. Though it was slick with sweat, it felt like the most reassuring hand in the world.

"Then, even after training every day... you'll stay with me like this, right?"

She added, giving a playful wink.

"Of course."

The two sat side by side on the sand, watching the crimson sunset dip below the horizon. Hayeon slowly closed her eyes.

Today, she wanted to believe that she had become a little stronger, a little different from the person she was yesterday.

With this person, she felt like she could truly change everything.