Chapter 16. Confinement (1)
Jane scanned the room, then approached the fireplace.
She fussed with the remaining logs for a long while before finally managing to light a fire.
The cabin was decently maintained. She had mentioned it used to be her home, so someone must still be looking after it.
Warmth slowly seeped into my chilled body. I lay on the musty sofa and quietly watched her work.
Maybe it was because of her small, delicate frame, but the way she bustled around reminded me of a stray cat.
Did she even realize that what she had done to me was a crime? No matter how pretty she looked, it did not justify her actions.
All sorts of thoughts crowded my mind. Her trait was probably Strength. The way she had easily lifted an adult man like me with that giant scythe made it obvious.
They say the sound of burning firewood is calming, yet I only felt endless discomfort.
A drowsy feeling crept up to my head. Just as my eyes were about to close, Jane came over holding a towel.
"Dry yourself. You will catch a cold."
"...What do you want from me?"
Ignoring my words, she draped the towel over my head and began carefully wiping away the raindrops.
I snapped at her sharply.
"That is enough. I can do it myself."
My arms were fine, after all. I snatched the towel and wiped my hair and forehead. It felt like I was being defiant, but right now that overwhelming feeling was all I had.
"Why not take off those wet clothes?"
"Mind your own business."
The completely soaked robe now hung on the coat rack, but the clothes underneath were also drenched, leaving me clammy and uncomfortable.
"Hmm. Young master, are you saying I am only suggesting this?"
"……"
"I have spare clothes you can change into. I just hope my boy behaves himself."
I could not bring myself to meet Jane's persistent gaze. Ironically, she herself was wandering around still dripping water without even drying her hair.
She had not changed either. The dress clung tightly to her body, amplifying the seductive aura she already carried.
Her chest and hips stood out even more. Even indoors, was it really appropriate to walk around like that?
In the past I might have blushed. But the only feeling I had toward her now was contempt.
"Change your clothes. I will wait in another room for a while."
The clothes she brought were of good quality. A top and bottom that roughly matched my size.
They smelled like they had been stored in a wardrobe for a long time. Probably something the owner had not worn in years.
"Whose clothes are these?"
Did the owner still exist? Was it really okay to wear them? Honestly, I was curious.
"The person is no longer here, so it is fine."
"You are not giving me a dead man's clothes, are you?"
"They belonged to my father. The size should fit you well enough, young master."
"……"
No. This woman. If she said it like that, there was nothing left to say.
While Jane was gone, I struggled to change clothes. I figured it was better to endure a little discomfort than to stay in wet clothes.
Not bad.
When I lowered my head, I saw the bandaged ankle. The moment we entered, Jane had skillfully treated it. She had looked quite used to it.
Did this happen often? That thought sent a chill down my spine.
Just thinking about my ankle filled me with frustration and anger. Damn it. Who does she think she is, touching my ankle?
Before I knew it, Jane returned from the other room. She had also changed and looked neat.
Except she was only wearing a thin chemise.
"Wait a moment."
She handed me a cup of warm tea she had somehow prepared. Drawn to the rising steam, I took the cup with both hands. The warmth felt like a hand warmer and gave me a small measure of comfort.
"Drink."
Unable to resist her commanding tone, I took a sip. The taste was ambiguously sweet yet bland.
In that instant, an overwhelming urge to sleep hit me.
The drowsiness rushed in like a drug.
I did not want to fall asleep.
"Sorry, young master. You looked so tired. Just sleep for now."
Part of me wanted to just let go and sleep.
The red-haired woman grew blurry. Even with her striking features, her expression was hard to read.
I was so exhausted.
So tired.
⁕⁕⁕
People in this world could instinctively use their traits, as naturally as moving a finger or breathing.
From telekinesis to various physical abilities, traits alone could determine one's career path.
What would it have been like if I had such an ability? Would my current reality have changed?
My body felt endlessly light. My drifting mind gradually settled.
Then I realized I had entered a dream.
Though hazy, my consciousness was clear. I could move my body by my own will.
The dreamscape rapidly shifted. Gray buildings. Asphalt roads. Cars.
"This is the modern world. Exactly as I remembered it."
Before the wave of nostalgia could fully hit, I saw a familiar girl. She was walking across the crosswalk on the other side.
She could not hear me. In the dream she looked deeply depressed.
"Yu Inna!!"
The girl clutched a black exam prep book as if it were precious. She looked extremely fatigued.
"Yu Inna!!"
The moment the light changed, I ran like mad and grabbed her wrist to stop her. In reality I would never do that, but knowing it was a dream, I felt no hesitation.
"...Huh?"
Various versions of Yu Inna began to appear. Fragments of her life flashed before me like a slideshow.
A cramped single room. A worn school uniform. Yu Inna being hit by a middle-aged man who resembled her.
Yu Inna running away from a runaway group. Yu Inna sleeping on an emergency exit staircase.
Yu Inna searching for Wi-Fi with a cracked phone screen. Yu Inna crying.
"I am sick of this. I would rather die."
The woman's voice rang out clearly. The visions and words I had just seen were so heartbreaking that I wanted to comfort her.
"Oppa?"
Without thinking, I pulled Yu Inna into a tight hug. She carefully returned the embrace, as if understanding my feelings.
She patted my back. I was the one hugging her, yet somehow it felt like I was the one being held.
Her eyes widened as she looked at me and shouted. She must have finally realized something was wrong.
"What is this? Did we return to the modern world?"
"No, we did not."
I shook my head vigorously. There was no time to get sentimental. Her expression remained confused.
"This is a dream."
"A dream?"
"It might be one of my abilities."
"Really? What kind of…"
I did not know how this had happened either. I had to say what I could first. Get to the point.
"But I do not know how long it will last."
"Oppa?"
"So listen carefully."
"Yes? Ah. Okay."
You are my only hope, Yu Inna. You need to know that. You are like a key to me.
"Help me. You have to come find me."
"Oppa, what do you mean?"
"I will be waiting."
With those final words, the dream collapsed.
⁕⁕⁕
"Is there any way we could head back to the capital right now?"
"Right now?"
Sienna gave Yu Inna a troubled look. The others wore similar expressions.
"We have come too far. Why are you asking?"
"Ah. I had a dream. It felt off, so I think I need to go back."
"What kind of dream?"
"I do not really remember. But something feels off subconsciously."
Yu Inna trailed off. It felt like she could recall it, yet the memory stayed just out of reach, hazy and faint like something sealed away.
Goddess's Protection is active.
Mental strength is enhanced.
You are freed from the nightmare.
Yu Inna stared at the screen for a moment before turning her head. The lingering warmth from just before waking made her feel like she might cry.
"Hero, are you doing this because you did not get a reply?"
Eili asked with a strange expression. It was a mischievous tease.
"Excuse me?"
"Oh. Was it a secret? Sorry."
Eili covered her mouth with her hand and pouted. She did not look sorry at all.
"We already packed everything we need. What excuse would we give if we suddenly returned to the capital? The event is already over."
"Right. You are not trying to go back because you are scared, are you?"
Sienna added. Even Lyla, the Saint, gave Yu Inna a suspicious look.
Yu Inna reluctantly turned to Elina, clinging to a sliver of hope.
"Hero, you really are something!!"
Elina's reaction was unexpectedly intense. Beyond mere displeasure, there was outright contempt.
Ever since they had accepted the request in the previous village, Elina had been carrying some kind of guilt.
Yu Inna could understand her anger. But this was this, and that was that.
"Have you not seen it before? People suffering at the hands of monsters. Defeating the Demon King and restoring peace should be our top priority!"
"...But…"
"Or do you have a valid reason, Hero? It is not simply because of your dream, is it?"
Faced with the look that asked if she truly intended to turn back, Yu Inna could only lower her head.
"...Everyone, stop fighting and calm down. It is normal to have nightmares after fighting monsters for the first time. Everyone has their own circumstances."
Sienna tried to mediate, but the mood had already sunk.
Yu Inna looked at the Holy Sword at her waist. If the Hero's sword had some special power…
She wished it would give her an answer. But nothing happened.
She did not know what to do. Yet the feeling that she needed to return to the imperial palace was urgent.
Still, the others were not wrong either. She could not delay everyone's schedule just because of her choice.
It was just a dream, after all.
A common dream she could not even remember clearly.
Yeah. Forget it. It was probably just a bad dream.
Let us finish the subjugation quickly and go back. With pride.
"No, everyone. I was being too sensitive. It is fine. Let us stick to the original plan."
Yu Inna forced a smile and brushed it off. Her companions, who had looked briefly apologetic, soon busied themselves organizing their gear.
She did not know it then. She would regret this choice for a long time.
She should not have ignored that dream.