The Void of Seru's Absence
There was a palpable emptiness where Seru should have been.
A few days later, in the afternoon. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of trees, but there was no room for silence here.
"Kyaaak! Dodge!"
"Pardel! Shoot those arrows harder! We need more support!"
"You think my arrows are a fountain? Just tank it, Bolcas!"
"Hey! I'm a dwarf, not some extra-life machine!"
"Kraaaargh!"
A massive, fur-covered beast. The Blood Ape bellowed ferociously, pounding its chest with brute force. Gray fur cloaked its hulking frame, thick arms swung wildly, and razor-sharp fangs protruded from its maw. As the battle dragged on, the monster showed no signs of fatigue—instead, it grew even more frenzied. It hurled boulders, slammed the ground, and roared deafeningly. For a beginner adventurer party, it was a formidable foe.
"Lijel! At least scatter its focus!"
"I'm out of mana too! I can't squeeze out any more!"
"Damn it! If that thing grabs us, we're dust! Minerri! Give us some heals!"
"My divine power's depleted too! We need a break!"
Dwarf warrior Bolcas barely blocked the monster's arm with his one-handed axe and shouted.
"Gah! Feel that power! This is getting impossible! Everyone, prepare to retreat!"
"Arrows... out."
Pardel's face hardened in despair. Lijel's lips had turned pale blue.
"My magic orb's recharge is too long... We can't hold much longer...!"
Priestess Minerri had reached her limit too.
"We have to abandon it and run...!"
And me. As the porter, I huddled behind a pile of debris, rummaging through my backpack for the last mana potions and healing elixirs to toss to them.
No matter how I look, we're out... We're screwed.
A boulder flew our way. It mercifully hit elsewhere. Brushing the gravel dust from my face, I turned to see Estel swallowing hard, her breath shaky as she pressed on with her song. But the Blood Ape's thunderous roar swallowed her melody whole. The magic in her song scattered into the air, and the fear only thickened. With Estel's current skill, she couldn't fully overcome the monster's intimidation.
If she couldn't boost the party's morale with her song, we were done for right here.
From a distance, Priestess Minerri yelled.
"Seru, Estel! Run first! We'll buy you time—"
Before she could finish, a massive shadow loomed over our heads. I instinctively pulled Estel into my arms and ducked low. The boulder exploded behind us like a bomb, kicking up a cloud of dirt.
"Whoa! That was way too close!"
Estel, covered in dust, let out a relieved laugh.
"Hurry and run!"
Minerri's voice rang out again.
"Run? We should call it a 'tactical retreat' to make it sound cool! But man, it is scary!"
Estel's tone stayed bubbly, but her smile was forced, her cheeks pale, her legs trembling.
"Hey, don't piss yourself!"
"I didn't!"
"We need to find our next move fast!"
"That's why a tactical retreat—!"
I furrowed my brow.
"It's not over yet!"
If we retreated now, someone would fall for sure. And the Blood Ape wouldn't give us a chance to escape—it would chase us down and crush us all.
"We're not giving up!"
If I were the type to quit, I would've crumbled when those three girls left. I frantically dug through my porter's pack for the sheet music. The pieces I'd brought to practice during hunts.
"Estel! Now's the time to show what all that practice has built!"
"I've already sung everything I know! I don't have anything else...!"
"No, you do! That new one you've been learning! Grab your lute quick!"
I shoved the sheet music in front of her the moment I found it.
When the Wind Blows Over the Plains
When the endless sky's wind caresses the vast meadows,
embracing a small song, forgotten first steps revive tenderly,
even the cold earth resounds, raising pillars to the heavens once more.
Subtle particles of light spread like waves from Estel at the center.
The curving grass blades rise like sword edges,
each breath thundering like lightning drums.
Estel gripped her lute and drew a deep breath. The melody she'd practiced through sleepless nights flowed from her trembling lips.
At the same time, the party's eyes sharpened with change. Bolcas clenched his fist.
"Wh-what? My strength's surging back!"
Pardel blinked in surprise.
"What is this power?!"
Life returned to Lijel and Minerri's faces.
"My magic orb's recharging faster!"
"My depleted divine power's returning!"
Even the Blood Ape flinched, halting its movements with a growl.
I stared blankly at Estel, lost in her song. Her delivery... incredible. It pulled you in instantly. Her lute playing was flawless—
And hope, strength, welled up in me too.
She's amazing.
Like Lilfrea, Maribel, and Clara combined! With proper training, she'd be a monster.
The party forgot the fight, turning to gaze at her.
"Estel..."
"Never heard this song, but my energy's exploding..."
"Feels like we're fully restored...!"
"Estel... you've grown without us knowing...!"
While everyone was entranced—
"Kraaaargh!"
The Blood Ape's roar swallowed Estel's melody again. The party flinched, resuming their grueling battle. The mood had shifted, but we were still being pushed back.
Unlike her usual scatterbrained self, Estel calmly continued the tune... but her song's power couldn't fully overwhelm the beast yet. The song choice was perfect...!
It was lacking. That 2% something...
It's because it's a practice piece—not fully polished.
Sounds great, but there's a subtle waver.
I have to find it. That missing 2%. No matter what!
Please, please, please! Discrepancy Perception, now's your time!
I watched Estel sing with desperate eyes, but my mind was blank.
Damn it...
As cold sweat beaded—
Click.
My vision blurred.
It's here...!
The world slowed, sounds muffled, senses sharpened. A familiar sensation.
Discrepancy Perception.
A chilling tension rose from my chest. I narrowed my eyes. Everything clarified. Every tiny gesture of Estel's body, her fingertip tremors, the subtle shifts in her gaze—all visible.
Then... I pinpointed the issue.
Her breaths aren't deep enough. That's causing the pitch to waver slightly—that's the root.
I shouted immediately.
"Estel! That shallow-breathing habit's back when you sing! Not enough air means shaky pitch!"
Estel's eyes widened round, then she nodded frantically. She switched from chest breathing, adjusting on the spot.
Once Discrepancy Perception triggered, info flooded in. I dashed behind her, kneading her shoulders firmly.
"Relax your shoulders! Loosen up for resonance to shine! Don't tense! We've got this!"
Estel inhaled deeper, her voice gaining depth.
A light that never fades burns here, know this, oh wind—
"Kraaaargh!"
This time, the Blood Ape's roar drowned in Estel's song.
The battlefield's air shifted. Now it was our turn to push.
Bolcas reacted first.
"Haha! What is this burning power? My courage's doubled!"
He charged with axe raised high.
Archer Pardel checked his empty quiver, then pulled a 'practice arrow' from his back.
"Fine, an arrow's an arrow."
That single shot pierced the Blood Ape's left eye dead-on.
"Kraaah!"
Mage Lijel floated her magic orb, taking a deep breath.
"Mana's scant, but... all in!"
Krazzle!
Crimson lightning scorched the beast's flank.
Minerri cheered.
"Divine power's back!"
Healing light enveloped the team, wounds closing rapidly.
"Kraaaagh!"
The Blood Ape clutched its eye, roaring. Its balance crumbled.
Bolcas stomped its instep in a full sprint, Pardel slipped behind to slash its Achilles with a dagger, Lijel's lightning exploited the gap for a critical hit.
Finally, the mountain of flesh staggered—thud!
The ground quaked as the Blood Ape collapsed. A barrage followed. Bolcas's mighty axe severed its neck in one blow.
Everyone collapsed, strength spent.
"We lived...!"
Catching their breath, the party swarmed Estel.
"We took down a Blood Ape!"
Bolcas raised his axe in triumph. Pardel marveled at his still-glowing fingertips.
"...Impressive."
"Your song saved us!"
Lijel and Minerri hugged her excitedly.
Estel blushed, smiling shyly.
"Haha... It's all thanks to baby."
All eyes turned to me. Bolcas slapped my back.
"Seru! You're no ordinary porter!"
I waved it off awkwardly.
"Estel did the singing. I just helped a bit."
Dismissing any praise for me, I stepped back to repack my scattered bag. I gathered the strewn potions and sheet music, stowing them neatly.
Behind me, the party's cheers and laughter echoed endlessly.
If it's Estel...
A thought flashed: Lilfrea, Maribel, Clara—the summit we'd aimed for with them. Edelan Ten Stars. Maybe this time, we could reach it.
I'd sworn off this life just yesterday, yet ambition stirred again. The peak. I wanted to get there with Estel.
I quietly clenched my fist. My heart still pounded with post-battle heat.
"Throat care first. Drink up."
I pulled a honey-tea flask from my bag and handed it to her. Honey and herbs mixed—a throat tonic. Estel's care was my job. My girl needed meticulous attention.
"Ah! My throat was dry—thanks, baby!"
She chugged it down. Feeling the cool relief, her trembling shoulders relaxed.
"Phew, refreshing! Today... I did good, right?"
"You did great. But this isn't the end."
I spoke calmly, no smile.
"Starting tomorrow, add one more second to your high-note breaths."
Estel's eyes rounded, then curved into delighted crescents.
"Yes, Master!"
Her voice boomed so loud the forest trees seemed to shake. Above us, pure skies stretched with fluffy clouds, and in Estel's upturned eyes gazing at me, trust built day by day quietly deepened. Such clear, beautiful eyes.
In that growing trust and relentless practice, the day of the Akwi Festival drew steadily nearer.
The grand hall was bathed in evening sunset glow. On stage stood Lilfrea, Maribel, and Clara in turn.
The vast, majestic auditorium was empty, yet their hearts raced as if it were competition day.
"Alright, last song! Ready? Let's try the new piece for the Akwi Festival!"
Manager Lukan called out brightly.
Lilfrea nodded quietly; Maribel and Clara drew deep breaths. Soon, their voices and harp filled the hall.
The harp's clear ring, the girls' pure tones. Faithful to basics yet laced with flair. Their all-out practice ended smoothly.
As the harp fell silent, only their breaths echoed in the vast space.
"Great job!"
Lukan clapped, mounting the stage. His usual friendly smile.
"You were all fantastic! Just like that on the day!"
Lilfrea wiped sweat from her brow.
"Lukan, how were we? Any... mistakes?"
Maribel awaited his answer. Clara fidgeted with her harp, tension plain.
But Lukan shook his head with a laugh.
"No, perfect all around. You three were excellent. Nothing lacking!"
"Really?"
"No fixes needed..."
"I feel like something's off, but I can't pinpoint it."
Lukan patted Lilfrea's shoulder lightly.
"Don't worry. Sounded great to me. You're all set."
Even the staff watching from empty seats praised freely.
"Their singing's top-notch."
"Can't wait for six months from now."
Lilfrea, Maribel, and Clara exchanged glances.
Han Seru. He'd zero in on weaknesses, lacks. But now? Only praise and applause.
The compliments felt awkward at first, but soon relief lightened their shoulders.
"Guess we really nailed it."
"Yeah."
"Told you we're exceptional."
Lukan waved as he descended.
"Gotta head out for work! Practice over—head home safe!"
He vanished in a flash. No warm throat tea, no energizing fruit, no cozy blanket.
"Hmm, if it were Seru, he'd have honey tea ready right after, for throat care."
Maribel grumbled while packing her harp. Clara added softly.
"Yeah... Scarves prepped for every session, weird cold remedies... And notes like 'High notes shaky today. Check tomorrow' waiting after."
Lilfrea chuckled.
"Now it's just 'figure it out.' Lots of managers, but no one who truly cares."
"That's big guild life. They seem attentive, but really, it's 'handle your own stuff' vibe."
After brief silence, the three looked at each other. A subtle void flickered across their faces.