Reunion (1)
Hey. Haven't you ever done it?
…
I know a brothel owner. Want to tag along? You women can pull any man you want if you have confidence and a fat wallet. Even a hero who slayed the Demon King would be like a VIP customer.
Eili grinned mischievously at Yu Inna, her pointed ears perked up as she tapped her quiver.
Not interested.
What? The hero really is a stick-in-the-mud~
Yu Inna sighed with a tired expression.
Eili, chuckling, was one of the companions from the hero's party over the past three years.
The only problem was how blatantly honest she was about her sexual desires.
Eili, stop. Don't you know the king is heading back to the palace right now? That's the most important time.
Yeah. Our pure-hearted hero doesn't know that.
But we just defeated the Demon King and came back. The party dynamic might not be that bad.
Other party members' voices echoed in Yu Inna's ears.
But Eili's next words made Yu Inna's chest sink heavily.
Oh. Really? It's a pity. I checked out yesterday and found a guy with the same black hair and eyes as you. He looked pretty decent. A bit expensive, but they call him Ace.
Yu Inna barely held onto her sanity and let out a deep breath.
Her short bob haircut, cut to shoulder length unlike the long hair from three years ago, swayed in the wind.
Where is that place?!
What? Interested now? Heh~ So that's your type?
Where exactly?!
Yu Inna's brows furrowed sharply as she grabbed Eili's collar.
Her sudden shift in attitude left Eili quite taken aback.
Fine, fine. I'll guide you. Just hold this for a sec!
Her trembling hands finally let go of the collar.
Eili frantically drew and handed over the map to the brothel's location at Yu Inna's urging.
It can't be.
Yu Inna crumpled the map and sprinted off as fast as she could.
The voices calling from behind barely registered with her.
For whose sake did I defeat the Demon King?
She could barely calm her racing heart until she saw it with her own eyes.
She murmured unconsciously, thinking of someone.
That man with the refined gaze who had looked at her for three years.
Haah… haah…
Running such a long distance all at once? Her heart pounded wildly, contracting and relaxing.
A woman who looked crazy reflected in the slightly shimmering glass wall.
The building with a sensual design that incorporated a dash of modern aesthetics.
It even felt like the emotionally charged cafe photos she'd once seen on her phone.
That made it even more despairing.
The tiny seed of doubt grew larger and larger. Why? Why?!
Here?
Yu Inna knocked on the door with her trembling hand.
It was still daytime, so perhaps the streets were unusual.
The number of people walking around was noticeably small.
Actually, the store ahead wasn't even open yet.
But Yu Inna had no mental space to think about any of that.
Tuk. Tuk. Tuk!
In the quiet silence, the sound of knocking echoed.
The timid fist grew bolder, finally making a loud sound.
Kuung. Kuung kuung!!
Come out. Come out already.
Anyone would do. Please come out! Just a little!
She was on the brink of collapsing under the injustice and betrayal flooding her.
Stay calm. She was the hero who defeated the Demon King and saved the world.
Goddess's Protection
Enhances mental strength, judgment, and physical stats, protecting from mental corruption.
No. It can't be.
[SYSTEM: Judgment enhanced.]
As soon as she returned to the capital, this was what she did—knocking on someone else's shop door. Was this lucky?
Her rational side, boosted by the unique trait, gripped her robe tightly.
On the other hand, no one coming out gave her a strange sense of relief.
Maybe the map was marked wrong.
Okay. I should head back.
She'd knocked and shouted so loudly, yet no one came out.
Yu Inna calmed her excited heart.
She concluded no one was there and felt oddly light.
…I'm heading back to the palace soon anyway.
It wasn't funny. Why had she come here?
To meet Lee Seonghyun, she should have returned to the palace, not this shady brothel street.
He would have been waiting there for three years.
Even now, he was probably alone. Yu Inna scolded herself.
She lacked trust in him.
It wasn't like she was swayed by that lewd elf's words.
He was just a braggart after all.
Perhaps she'd just been dreaming of a lewd dream and mistaking it for reality.
As soon as she returned, she'd give him a sharp word.
Let's go back.
The hero party reunion party was set for tomorrow.
She raised her right hand to rub the corners of her eyes, and water appeared on her knuckles.
Just as she was about to turn her feet away.
Kkiik!!
What? At this time of day, what…
A red-haired woman grumbled as she came out.
A beautiful woman with a slender figure exuding a seductive aura.
She wasn't tall, but her glamorous style was impressive.
Hng. Who? Knocking on the door at this hour. Everyone's asleep right now.
…That means…
People were inside the building.
Yu Inna's every nerve focused on the red-haired woman's thick lips.
…Huh?
The red-haired woman tilted her head, staring at her.
After staring at her for a long time, her eyes widened.
…Interesting.
The red-haired woman furrowed her brows.
Since someone who could provide information had come out, she had to check.
Excuse me. May I ask something?
…Yeah. Go ahead.
Even though they'd just met, she used casual speech.
But for Yu Inna, the feeling that touched her heart came before the discomfort.
Is there a man named Lee Seonghyun here?
Please say no.
Yu Inna's lips trembled.
But the woman brushed her hair aside as if mocking it.
Her messy red hair waved beautifully in the sunlight.
…Come back when the store opens. Check for yourself if he's here or not.
Slam!
The red-haired woman closed the door roughly.
Normally she'd curse her for rudeness, but her mind was already elsewhere.
Her heavy footsteps as she walked away carried a deep sense of powerlessness.
⁕⁕⁕
It was a dark evening.
Two women walked along the nightlife street with red lights on, moving at a brisk pace.
Different from the daytime earlier, the street was packed with people.
Even though it was a lively, vibrant street, Yu Inna's face stayed grim.
Hiya~. It's not just anyone—it's the hero making this request.
…Ha. No. I'm only going to check.
Okay okay. Got it. I'll handle it myself.
The twitching pointed ears looked excited.
Eili, who had been grinning mischievously, winked.
So your type isn't that black-haired ace guy, huh?
……
Just kidding. Why such a face? Well, you have your own circumstances too.
Don't ask. Relax. I'm just helping as a colleague.
Eili muttered that her reaction was boring and sighed.
Then, as if she'd forgotten, she took something from her bag.
First, use this.
What she handed over were a hat and contact lenses.
They're too noticeable. Black hair and eyes. It's not like it's completely gone.
If word gets out that you're the hero, it's not good.
Dyeing takes time too. But a bob cut is fine.
…Thank you.
Honestly, Yu Inna was amazed.
Eili was so thorough and helpful.
She'd thought she was just a pervert like the saint said, but she'd been wrong.
She pulled the hat low and habitually fiddled with the lens tube.
Then, as if urging, Eili, who had finished her disguise, said.
Why? Scared of putting it in? Just put it against your eyes and it goes in automatically.
It's nothing scary at all.
Yu Inna hurriedly put on the lenses and gathered her courage.
While Eili grew more excited as they got closer, Yu Inna's heart grew heavier and heavier.
Eventually, the street she remembered appeared.
Here. We're here. Follow me.
The line waiting outside the building was quite long.
After putting aside the throbbing heart, she was guided by the staff.
Yu Inna, who entered through the back door with Eili, cautiously opened her mouth.
How did you do it?
Naive. If you have money, you can do anything.
The staff's welcoming words felt unfamiliar.
Yu Inna safely entered the hallway and glanced around.
The bright lights shining under the dim space made her eyes sore.
What should I do now?
What do you mean? Choose the guys.
Finally inside the room, Yu Inna's heart felt like it would burst.
Eili, seeing it, chuckled.
Soon, a waiter in neat attire entered.
Naturally, the table was set.
Eili spoke first.
Ah. First, call Hyun.
I'm sorry. He's in another room right now. When the time is up, he'll come right away…
It's urgent.
Eili, legs crossed arrogantly, rummaged through her bag.
Finally, she pulled out a pouch of gold coins and handed it over haughtily.
Understood. Please wait a moment. Other men will be coming soon.
Yu Inna was so thirsty.
Even though her mouth was dry, she couldn't even touch the drinks on the table.
She was so tense that she needed to pee, even though she'd already gone.
Kkiik.
Welcome. Ladies.
A group of men entered as the door opened.
But the man she was looking for wasn't there.
Waiting any longer was impossible.
Sister's giving in. Pick one first. Just play a bit before that guy comes.
Goddess's Protection
Enhances mental strength, judgment, and physical stats, protecting from mental corruption.
I can't wait.
Eh? A few times?
Yu Inna stood up from the chair and walked out into the hallway, leaving the standing men behind.
Eili's voice called from behind, but it didn't matter.
Goddess's Protection
Enhances mental strength, judgment, and physical stats, protecting from mental corruption.
Three years.
Waiter!
Yes?
Where is the man named Hyun right now?
Her intimidating words made the waiter slowly point to a room with his finger.
Recognizing his mistake, he tried to stop her as he ran.
Guest, no. Lady, wait. If you do that!!
But Yu Inna had already reached the door.
She had the doorknob in hand, but she had no strength to pull it.
Through the door crack, the voices of man and woman flowed out.
Both man and woman laughing happily.
Especially the low-pitched man's voice.
Even though it was slightly different, the moment she heard the first syllable, she realized.
…Oppa?
Her hands trembled.
Reunions like this were really not okay.
Her rational side wanted to stop immediately, but it couldn't prevent the action.
Her trembling hands moved, and Pandora's box opened at the same time.