Farewell, Hero's Family!
After the chaotic dinner finally wrapped up, late into the quiet night inside the bunker, I was playing janggi with Duke while chatting. It was a perfect chance to get his opinion on adding game features to the Gallery—something I'd been wanting to do. No way was I passing this up. So we'd gone through janggi, chess, and even Go, and now we were starting over from the top.
"I'm really sorry about today, Rain. Even I lost my head there for a bit."
"No worries, Duke. I'm just glad I could treat you all properly—it felt good."
"What a fine young man. Duke, how about we pair this one up with Hilde?"
The horrifying suggestion of matching me with Brunhilde, who had scarfed down her food and crashed right after. How could he say something so brutal? Shocked by what felt like repaying kindness with enmity, I nearly glared at the old man in his eighties. Clack. Maybe my emotions slipped in a little? I slammed the piece down harder than intended.
They both seemed to notice, so before things got awkward, I quickly changed the subject.
"Haha, anyway, out of the three, which one did you like best? Like I mentioned earlier, I'm planning to add them as Gallery features."
"Go was my favorite. A game where wide influence wins—it reminded me of the old adventurer guild days."
Helga gazed off nostalgically as she spoke. Good, the pivot worked.
"Chess for me. I especially like how the weakest piece can promote to the strongest."
That's one of the fun parts, yeah. These classic games really were universal.
"Glad you liked them. I'll add them in the next upgrade."
"Heh, now I've got something to enjoy in my old age. Not that I have much time left."
"You've still got like 40 years. If you're bitter, just hit Swordmaster. You're almost there anyway."
A bit of spicy banter between the elders. I barely kept my twitching lips in check.
"You need a trigger to advance. These days, I spend more time plowing fields than on requests, kid."
"Hasn't Rain basically solved that? If we fertilize during winter sowing, next year the whole world changes."
It sure would. I was hyped too. Since I'd ended up in this medieval isekai, didn't I deserve at least one "Whoa, modern stuff is amazing!" moment? Of course, I knew medieval folks were smart too. It was just accumulated knowledge—the difference between a human lugging broken rocks around and me wasn't huge.
They'd probably copy my fertilizer and magic wand quick. The initial reactions were great, but not quite what I wanted. I craved the "Whaaat?!" over "Ooooh." That baffled look when they couldn't comprehend something. And finally, the lightbulb moment. To get those delicious reactions, I needed to skyrocket the gallery users' quality of life. Only with some leisure could they go from cheers to head-scratching hooks.
"Looks like I lost again. Still not quite there."
Duke's pieces were cornered. With no hope of holding out, he surrendered.
"This is only the third game. If you win already, I'll be too embarrassed to show my face."
"Kuhuhu. Fair point. Chess next? Helga, play me this time. Even beginners should compete, right?"
Pretty solid for a beginner, Duke. Maybe chess was more his speed—his voice even perked up.
"Uahaha! Yeah! Then Go after. Time to settle old scores!"
Like a relay race, the classics kept rolling. I'd gathered enough intel, so I refilled the table with tea and snacks to keep their fun going.
""Whine... grr...""
The bunker felt one layer more peaceful today. Was the discipline finally over? As I stretched after waking on the sofa, Hero and Hogul shuffled up, signaling surrender.
Sorry it took so long, Rain. Hero and Hogul's training is complete. They won't nip recklessly again.
Purrr-purrr- Sora settled right on my lap and addressed me. Maybe because we'd been apart the longest since she got her body? Her mana felt super low—she was clingier than usual.
"You worked hard, Sora. Up all night training them? Must've been exhausting."
I'm fine. But my mana is depleted, so I'll recharge quickly.
Fast charge, huh? While I had that silly thought, Sora fully latched onto me. Not figuratively this time—she plastered herself right on. Her mana must've been rock bottom. Couldn't move like this, so I adjusted with one arm around her. The three were leaving soon anyway. I had to prep hush-money gifts for their waiting comrades quick.
Feeling her purring vibrations, I wrapped the presents in a huge cloth.
"Bossam, sushi, tteokbokki, kimbap... why's it all food?"
Stuff I'd heard them crave yesterday, but yeah, all eats. Prepared per requests, but kinda lacking. I stuffed in three one-touch tents and six sleeping bags, then tied it tight.
"Perfect. What do you think, Sora?"
I nodded at the neat bribe bundle and, as always, asked her for final check.
Excellent. They might come back just from joy when they open it.
That'd be bad. Nice folks, but no more of that mess hall disaster. Bitter smile as I fed the still-submissive Hero and Hogul. Starved after a night of scolding.
"Hero, Hogul—no more of that from now on, right?"
""Woof...""
Deflated reply. Totally cowed.
"Good. Let's do better?"
""Woof..!""
Poor things—special treats? Nah, just kibble. After Sora's all-nighter, extras would look off. Chomp chomp chomp. Starving, huh? They slurped it like water, ignoring it lately. I watched leisurely.
"Whoa... they really listen to you?"
Brunhilde shattered the peace, approaching in awe.
"They listen. But ignore if they don't like it. Spirit beasts, y'know?"
I played owner, but it was ridiculous from the start. No way top-tier beasts truly follow a normie without standout skills. Probably just 'cause I fed 'em well? Without Sora, I'd be homeless. Kinda sad.
"They straight-up ignored me. Threatened when chicken was late. This seems obedient."
"Yeah? Guess they respect me as the food guy. Whew, you damn mutts."
Thrilled they kinda heeded me, I ruffled their heads wildly.
""Hah hah hah!""
They dropped dinner to nuzzle. First time—shocked. How intense was Sora's scare tactic for this overnight flip?
Rubbed 'em more, then stood to see off the trio. Right on cue, the elders emerged ready.
"All set? Let's go, Hilde. I'll drop you at the rendezvous."
"Just say you wanna stay, Duke. Urgh... tired from late night yesterday."
Helga looked beat. I bought tonics and handed them over.
"Take these. Oh, and besides food, I packed bedding—divide it up later."
Something off in my words? All three stared. Why?
I tilted my head, tense for no reason.
"Bedding... like the stuff in your house?"
Helga, most worldly, snapped to first.
Answer quick. Sorted my thoughts and explained.
"Nah, outdoor gear. Easy-pop tents and long bags you crawl into for sleeping."
Double-checked explanation—no flaws. Looked up. Their eyes sparkled intensely. Too much—I rushed on.
"Three tents, six bags—Duke takes one each, rest for your team. Any... issue?"
Stares persisted. Couldn't take it—asked why. They each grabbed a hand, thanking profusely.
"'Cause it's an amazing gift! Uahaha! Thanks to you, we'll sleep warm!"
"Grateful, Rain. Skipping meals hurt most, then crappy beds. This eases it all."
Just thrilled, huh? My picks hit home hard. Overwhelming thanks, but meant they suffered. Took it that way.
Warm moment brewing—then dolphin squeals from behind, slamming into me.
"Kyaaa! No way! This is too good! Thank you!! Adventuring's great but camping sucks most!! Seriously, thank you!!!"
"Guhk... got it, so let go of my body a sec, urk..."
Helga and Duke gripped my arms. Brunhilde bear-hugged, screaming in my ear. Sora had slipped free... Insane volume—ears ringing. Body too. Hero's family alright—showed epic tolerance at farewell. Right on my flesh.