182. Meeting (2)
Bahamut waited at the Champ de Mars for Phoenix to arrive, as promised through their letter. Having arrived thirty minutes early, he began observing the people milling about the streets, scrutinizing each face and complexion one by one. Not long after he started his human-watching, he noticed a petite girl with red hair glancing around curiously. With a leisurely gait, he approached her.
"Might you be the one who sent me that letter?"
To prepare for any contingencies, Bahamut had chosen not Phoenix's real name, but a code she would recognize. Of course, he had already discerned that the girl before him was indeed Phoenix. His detection magic wasn't for show—he could sense she possessed power rivaling his own. And having glimpsed her true form beyond that, he confidently posed the question in their private code.
"L-letter!? Th-that means... you're Bahamut, aren't you?"
"Then might I assume you are the one who sent me the letter via bird?"
The girl nodded, affirming that she was the culprit behind the avian missive. At last, Bahamut and Phoenix had successfully met in human guise, peacefully.
"Uh, yeah. You can call me Phoenix, if you want."
"No need. Truth be told, I would prefer to use your true name as well."
Phoenix seemed irked by Bahamut's roundabout way of speaking and insisted he could use her real name freely. Bahamut felt the same about calling her by her true name, but there was one problem.
"Are not our names rather infamous? Dragon God Bahamut. Immortal Bird Phoenix. Both are epithets whispered among Paris's gossips, are they not?"
The issue was their notoriety. Ever since their clash as divine beasts, their names had been endlessly bandied about in Europe. Rumors flew, and enterprising merchants were already branding merchandise and goods tied to them. In such circumstances, if they openly addressed each other as Phoenix and Bahamut right there in the Champ de Mars, what would the onlookers think?
They'd assume the handsome fellow's lost his mind. Or perhaps they'd suspect we might actually be the real deal.
In the pre-apocalypse era, it might pass as a codename joke. But in this post-apocalyptic reality where magic was commonplace, citizens might well suspect these two were Phoenix and Bahamut in magical disguise. After all, with magic performing countless miracles, transforming from mythical beast to human was a trifling feat.
That would ruin their planned secret rendezvous, so calling each other by name in a crowded street like this was unwise.
"R-right. Makes sense. It's a covert meeting, after all. Real names might be tricky."
"Indeed. We wouldn't want any trouble. Besides, is this not a clandestine meeting behind your contractor's back?"
Phoenix nodded in understanding, acknowledging they couldn't bandy real names about. Bahamut, too, kept potential provocations in mind and emphasized that their very encounter was meant to be secretive. But as if sensing a flaw in his explanation, Phoenix blushed.
"Cl-clandestine meeting... sounds kinda naughty."
She claimed the word "rendezvous" felt indecent somehow.
"...I hadn't thought of it that way."
"S-sorry! I mean... 'rendezvous' just feels naughty."
It was certainly a term often linked to such connotations, especially between opposite genders meeting in secret. But Phoenix calling it naughty was nonsense.
Why would she even think that?
Did she imagine a coward like Bahamut had the guts for a real affair? Phoenix was overinterpreting; Bahamut lacked even the courage for that. He was a virgin through and through. If he'd had such boldness, he could have summoned Yuna or Seol-hwa ages ago and indulged plenty. In this apocalypse, ethics and child protection laws were easily ignored—and on the Korean Peninsula, such cases were commonplace.
"In any case, from now on, call me B-kun. And I shall address thee as P-chan."
"Got it! I'm P-chan. Nice to meet you properly—starting today! B-kun! Feels just like one of those blind dates I've only heard about!"
In the end, Bahamut proposed aliases: B-kun for himself, P-chan for her. Phoenix gleefully declared it felt like a blind date.
I'm no role-player. Two shut-in archers meeting isn't a blind date.
Bahamut, with zero blind date experience himself, merely wondered if that's what they were like. Sure, their reputations were sky-high, but at core, weren't they just internet-addicted shut-ins? Though he did suspect the Phoenix—no, P-chan—before him might actually be a normie with a social life, unlike him.
"Haha. Not quite that. But I believe today's meeting will foster camaraderie between us."
"I see..."
"That aside..."
He wasn't so oblivious as to ruin the mood. Responding warmly to her words, he voiced his expectations. Phoenix's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she gazed at him, and Bahamut stared back, observing her human form calmly.
Huge. If Jin A-yeon at level 72 saw this, she'd blurt out 'Jealous!' on sight!
Phoenix was a petite redheaded girl. Her beauty was like a flawless anime or game heroine brought to life, her small frame elevating her cuteness and allure. What impressed Bahamut most was her overwhelming maternal figure—one that would spark envy in even Jin A-yeon.
A real loli big-tits in the flesh!
He could feel the furtive stares from men stealing glances, contrasting her childlike face with her voluptuous build.
"So, shall we get to the itinerary...?"
"Ugh, I'm already drained."
Despite her looks, she was already wilting like a true shut-in. But Bahamut was relieved.
This girl's even more of a shut-in than me. A worthy rival!
Realizing she was a greater recluse than him eased his tension. Viewed as an online friend meetup with shared hobbies, his lingering anxiety melted away.
"Hmm. Thou sought counsel, hence this meeting? How about a café for some tea?"
"Ah, sure, that's fine. But... do you have money? I don't."
"Money, eh."
Bahamut suggested a café for smooth conversation, but Phoenix looked troubled, asking if he had cash. Recently revealed, she likely had no personal funds—her contractor, the Orleans Saintess, wouldn't tolerate freelance spending, even as an allowance. She was effectively penniless.
Asking Bahamut the same was almost laughable.
"I do have some Bahamut coins."
"Th-those are the magic coins issued by the Balhut Cult, right?"
Bahamut possessed the apocalypse's de facto reserve currency: Bahamut coins. Used for awakener weapons and magic catalysts, they were in such demand they were impossible to stockpile. Spread via America to France, they circulated widely. Among French awakeners, these mystical coins were instant celebrities, sparking fierce competition to acquire them. Even Phoenix knew their fame, now resounding across Europe.
"Aye. Forged by mine own hand."
"...Wait, are you loaded?"
It was ambiguous.
"If the value of Bahamut coins holds steady in this world... then aye, I who can produce them endlessly am wealthy."
"That's basically the Fed."
Indeed, by controlling supply, Bahamut could gladden or sadden all awakeners. He was the Federal Reserve for awakeners—wielding immense authority. The more trust and value awakeners placed in the coins, the greater his intangible wealth grew.
"B-kun, I'm getting all starry-eyed with respect."
Learning a fellow shut-in was filthy rich skyrocketed Phoenix's admiration. Who wouldn't puff up knowing an acquaintance was the Fed itself? She'd cling to learn his secrets.
"I-is that so?"
"You're hugely successful! Meanwhile, I... botched my first contract..."
Phoenix's own poor contractor choice had ensnared her in hassle. As she moped, Bahamut thought one thing.
The problem's that Orleans Saintess!
Just a bad pick! Had it been someone controllable, not that strong-willed saintess, it would've been fine. As he prepared to reassure her, he reflected.
...But come to think, I didn't proactively contract either. No room to boast.
He'd been desperate when contracting Yuna, accepting without question—and lucked into an SSR. A strong-willed type like Jo Sun-do might've dominated him instead.
"What prompted thee to contract in the first place, P-chan?"
"Huh?"
"For me, 'twas personal circumstances and conviction. Contracts aren't obligatory, aye?"
His own Bucket List had driven the Yuna contract, born of belief—and he was content. But Phoenix blinked in confusion.
"Eh? I thought it was the trend lately..."
"Thou forged a vital bond for such a trifling reason?"
"Eek! Sorry! That was a lie. My bad."
She confessed: trendy appeal led to a thoughtless contract. Realizing how lame it sounded, she fidgeted, head bowed, voice quavering.
"...Truth is, I wanted out of shut-in hell! I... I wanted recognition like everyone else!"
In essence, escape recluse life and gain acclaim.
"......... "
Such a petty motive for a "sacred" divine beast left Bahamut staring silently. Phoenix forced a hollow laugh, meeting his gaze.
"Ah, right."
"What's with that look?"
"Well... seeking recognition isn't bad. Aye, not bad at all. Everyone craves it, P-chan."
Bahamut had no right to judge; pre-Yuna, he'd schemed to look dignified and cool. It fit him perfectly.
"I wanna go back! Ten minutes ago!"
"Ahem. So, thou seekest counsel?"
Exposed to the Dragon God, Phoenix wailed in shame, tears flowing, begging to rewind time. Bahamut cut to the chase before she spiraled.
"Yes. I feel too passive... getting dragged around."
"Makes sense. Mishandle it, and we might clash again."
"No way! I can't beat you, B-kun!"
Via the saintess's scheme, they'd collided head-on, gauging strengths. Bahamut deemed it even, a fair fight—but Phoenix saw it differently, avoiding rematches, convinced she'd lose.
With that mindset, she'd lose winnable battles.
Now grasping her nature, he advised gravely.
"Thus, assert from the superior position. Thou lendest power for compensation; her safety matters, but not at thy convictions' expense."
"R-right...!"
He spared no earnest guidance. As the "A-party," her authority was vast.
"And summons: heed them only when thou truly needs must. Constant compliance cheapens thy name."
"R-really!?"
"Aye. Humans take kindness for granted. Voice thy stance firmly."
The Orleans Saintess treated her as a tool, not peer. Self-assertion would force caution, benefiting Bahamut's contractor, Alicia, too. Advising Phoenix served dual purposes. She beamed purely.
"Got it! Truly sage advice, B-kun!"
"Haha. 'Tis no great wisdom. The rest is thy choice."
He scratched his cheek awkwardly, a twinge of guilt. But her type made fine friendship material.
"Well, since we're here... shall we deem each other friends?"
"Fr-fr-fr-friends!? A shut-in like me getting an innie chance!?"
One friend doesn't make you social.
Barring isekai heroes, even shut-ins had 2-3 pals—or online buds.
"If that's thy notion of friends, then aye—we are such."
"Yes! Friends it is!"
They shook hands, Phoenix and Bahamut now friends.
Did I just make a huge mistake?
For some reason, unease stirred in Bahamut.