Chapter 7
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Unbelievable Happiness
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It was unbelievably, suffocatingly happy.
Looking back now, seeking out that tavern by dredging up memories from the original story had been a stroke of divine luck.
It had been a total mess of a day, but the gains were tremendous.
Without that incident, Esira never would have taken an interest in me, and we wouldn't have grown this close.
And as a bonus, I'd snagged Blackjack's personal sword.
'It was pretty much theft, but whatever.'
The owner herself had handed it over with eyes like she'd been saved from damnation.
Thinking back on what this sword could do, it was a huge sacrifice on Blackjack's part.
'She must've figured I wouldn't know its true powers.'
No such luck.
I had memories from the original story.
From the options engraved on this blade to how it shone in future events.
Blackjack, you made a massive concession today.
I explained the sword's abilities to the girl.
A blade themed after playing cards.
Gleaming symbols were embedded along the side of the scabbard, one by one.
Diamond, Spade, Heart, Clover.
"Esira, here, take a good look."
I lifted the scabbard right in front of her.
"First, if you rub the Diamond symbol..."
I brushed my thumb over it.
Clink, clink.
With the crisp sound of metal coins clattering, they poured out from the tip of the scabbard.
"Huh?"
Esira's eyes went wide.
"Pretty amazing, right?"
Truth be told, this money originally belonged to Blackjack.
Now it was our turn to spend her hard-earned fortune wisely.
We're rich!
Of the four symbols, this one might have the highest utility.
"The second is Clover."
I gently rubbed the engraved Clover with my fingertip.
"This grants you luck on your side, once a day."
Recalling its in-game effects.
Evasion rate up.
Critical hit chance increased.
Spoils drop rate boosted.
A modest side buff—small, but sorely missed without it.
But this wasn't a game; it was reality.
"Probably just means picking up an extra coin from the roadside."
For a sword once wielded by an Axiom hunter, its combat utility was disappointingly low.
"...What's Heart?"
"Good question."
Heart.
I turned the scabbard slightly so the Heart symbol faced Esira.
I brushed it once.
The Heart shimmered with a faint pink glow.
"The color changed."
The pink flickered softly before fading.
"Your turn this time, Esira. Want to try?"
I rotated the scabbard and placed the hilt in her hands.
"Aim it at me."
Esira fiddled with the Heart symbol.
Pink again.
Not vivid, but a subtle, clear shade.
"This shows how the other person feels about you."
I explained calmly.
"The deeper the pink, the bigger place you hold in their heart."
"Or else?"
"No color at all."
Esira's eyes trembled faintly.
Because the Heart aimed at me still held that soft pink tint.
Nice!
"At least it's not dislike. Lucky break."
I tossed the words out casually, but the tension in my shoulders melted away.
The Heart wasn't black. I was over the moon.
Sob sob. So happy.
Esira stayed quiet for a while.
She peered into the Heart, then murmured.
"...Amazing."
It felt like I'd scored a major reward.
"Last one."
I tapped the Spade symbol with my fingertip.
Inky black Spade.
"This is the strangest symbol on the sword."
I held the scabbard toward Esira.
She took a breath and pressed down on the Spade shape.
The symbol rippled faintly.
"Now me."
I waited for her hand to lift, then softly rubbed the same spot.
The Spade darkened further, like a fresh layer of ink.
"...Something changed."
"We're connected now."
I raised the scabbard and flicked the Spade symbol with my finger.
"This marks each other's location. From now on, no matter where I am, you can find me if you want."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. Even from afar, it'll tell you where I am."
But the Spade's true essence lay elsewhere.
I paused, lips pressed together, then met Esira's eyes directly.
"And one more thing."
I placed my palm lightly over the Spade.
The most crucial part.
"Anyone who touches this symbol becomes each other's vessel."
I softened my voice as much as possible.
"If one of the connected pair is killed, the survivor takes all the dead one's power and abilities."
"...That makes sense?"
She looked incredulous.
"That's how Blackjack climbed to Axiom."
What kind of woman was Blackjack?
"Blackjack isn't actually that strong."
"..."
"She grew by deceiving others and stabbing them in the back. The grudges and power of the dead flowed into that black Spade symbol."
"...Who knew it hid such a secret."
"That's the sword's true nature."
She glanced between the sword and me, gripped the hilt at her waist tightly, released, then gripped again.
"If you killed me, you'd take all my power."
I deliberately curled my lips upward.
"Purely in terms of efficiency, it might be a solid choice."
Her gaze weighed the options with unnatural maturity for a child.
But in the end, she said nothing.
All I saw were lips that parted briefly, then closed again.
"...You don't need tricks like this to get strong. You're already capable of that much."
A future already proven in the original story.
A child who could surpass everyone, even without this sword.
"Use the Spade just to find me."
"...Don't you trust me too much?"
Her expression screamed incomprehension.
I tilted my head slightly.
"Is there any reason I shouldn't trust you?"
"..."
"There isn't."
Esira was utterly speechless.
Her lips quivered as she looked up at me—so adorably.
My heart tickled; I wanted to scoop her up right then.
"I'll always be waiting."
"...Really?"
"Yeah, no matter what."
I'll wait for you.
Time always seemed to fly by in an instant, yet when I looked back on the days, it didn't feel quite that fast.
Despite boldly declaring myself her swordmaster, I felt a bit embarrassed, honestly.
Before I could teach her a single thing, she'd already grasped ten on her own.
Strictly speaking, I hadn't taught her anything.
I swung the sword through the air a few times, as usual.
Just watching seemed enough for her.
The moment I handed her the hilt, her eyes changed, and she mimicked my trajectories impressively well.
'As expected, she's a prodigy.'
It made sense recalling the original story.
Top-tier combat prowess in the game's world.
This was just basic training for her.
I prepared breakfast as usual today.
Menu: sandwiches.
I put real effort into them.
Layered egg, bacon, shredded lettuce, and a slice of cheese between crusty toasted bread.
Sliced in half, the cross-section looked pretty appetizing.
'Hope it suits her taste.'
A bit nervous, I carried the plates.
Better feed her before it gets cold.
"Esira."
I set the plates on the table and called her.
Esira came toddling over and climbed into her chair.
She used to hesitate once more before, but now she sits right away when I call.
"Dig in."
Esira stared at the sandwich, then gripped it tightly with her delicate fingers.
She took a bite.
Crunch.
Soft bread and crisp veggies tore together with a satisfying sound.
No sparkles or anything dramatic.
But her eyes lit up bright.
"...Tasty?"
Her head bobbed up and down.
Esira swallowed and answered right away.
"Tasty."
"Good, glad to hear it."
One bite. Two bites.
She started cautious, but soon sped up.
Nom nom.
It really sounded like that.
Her cheeks puffed out full.
Eyes wide as she chomped the sandwich.
Just like a puppy with a treat.
'...So cute.'
My lips loosened without thinking.
"Eat slower. You'll get a tummy ache."
I nagged, but slid the second waiting sandwich closer.
Esira demolished the first in seconds.
She glanced at the second, then peeked up at my face.
"Can I eat it?"
"Of course. It's all yours."
Her face brightened.
"...I'll eat well."
Nom nom again.
Esira stuffing her cheeks full with the sandwich.
She looked like any ordinary kid.
"Eating so well, yummy."
The words slipped out from my heart.
"Seeing you like this, you're just..."
A cute kid.
Cheeks working steadily as she chewed.
Breadcrumbs on both cheeks.
A child enjoying breakfast.
I hoped she'd stay this way—eating well, sleeping soundly, laughing freely.
Even as Esira munched her sandwich, her eyes never left Asrania.
Asrania.
No one in the world didn't know her name, yet almost no one knew who she really was.
One certain fact: she was part of Axiom.
Axiom didn't let in anyone less than extraordinary.
Only those transcending common sense gathered there.
If people ranked power within Axiom.
Asrania was picked as one of the strongest.
In truth, in the past, more than a few Axiom hunters had fallen to her greatsword.
Even the saying "look upon her face and die."
When such a person reached out her hand and said to come along.
There was no choice.
There were kids involved; refusing might lead to unimaginable consequences.
'...Her swordplay was beautiful, though.'
At first, I really did think of escape routes.
When, through what gap, in which direction to flee—I mapped it all in my head.
As time passed, the urge to run faded.
Contrary to the rumors, Asrania was strangely kind.
She cooked, checked on us.
If I seemed a bit down, she'd press a hand to my forehead to check my temperature.
If hungry, another plate appeared on the table.
Waking in the morning, I'd see her back as she tidied the bedding beside me.
Scrape my knee in training? She'd wrap it with practiced ease.
Asrania even gave me a sword.
To be precise, Blackjack's personal sword, taken from another Axiom hunter.
A blade imbued with special powers.
"It seems like it'd suit you."
Sometimes, it almost felt like an illusion.
Moments when she checked if I was uncomfortable, if I'd taken offense.
'Why Asrania?'
I couldn't understand, so one day I mustered courage and asked.
"Why are you so good to me?"
I wondered the reason—no reward, no conditions.
Asrania fell silent.
She breathed deep, as if choosing her words.
"Because I want to."
It didn't sound like a lie.
As time went on, Asrania looked different.
Not a mad killer.
Someone clumsy, cautious, treating me with inexplicable care.
A strange tickle deep in my chest.
After that day, I couldn't deny my heart leaning toward her.
Look at her now.
Offering the sandwich, not even breathing easy until I took the first bite.
Waiting to hear those words.
Brows slightly furrowed, swallowing dryly—that expression.
Worried it might not suit my taste.
Hoping desperately I'd eat well.
Who am I to deserve this? What am I?
Laughter bubbled up, yet a sharp pang hit one corner of my heart.
Her kindness was so overwhelming, I'd sometimes avert my eyes in shy embarrassment.
What if others saw this scene?
Asrania making breakfast for someone, tense about the taste.
The world would buzz for at least five years.
[Asrania Cooks for Someone]
Articles and wild speculations everywhere.
Honestly, five years wouldn't end it.
The idea of Asrania doing anything for another was inconceivable.
"Tasty."
Mouth full of sandwich, I finally spoke.
Asrania's expression softened.
Shoulders dropped, eyes gentled.
Indescribable emotions welled up.
Being by her side wasn't just "not bad."
This moment—sitting across the table, watching her relieved face as I ate.
It was unbelievably, suffocatingly happy.