A Quiet Homecoming and the Fallen High Elf

We decided to take the express bus back to Seoul. I was worried that pushing it with Yu Seoyeon noona's body might be too much for her. She sweetly went along with my suggestion.

"You saved me again, Yuhyun."

Her tender voice tickled my ear. Looking up at me with a smile, noona's expression made me quietly smile back as I gripped her hand tightly. As if she'd been waiting for it, she rested her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes.

I'm so glad she wasn't hurt.

Seeing her like that filled me with relief once more. What if she'd been caught in that tsunami and seriously injured? I might have been tormented by an unimaginable guilt.

Of course, even now... I felt a heavy guilt over all the people who'd died or been hurt because of me.

I took a slow breath and fiddled with the smartphone in my hand. That's when I realized noona, her head on my shoulder, had fallen asleep with soft, even breaths. She'd been pretending not to be tired, but she clearly was.

...Sorry.

Apologizing in my mind, I let her use my shoulder to rest comfortably. And so, after two and a half hours, we arrived at the Dongseoul Terminal and took a taxi home.

It had only been a full day away, but it felt like a month had passed.

"Noona, we're home."

"Mmm..."

Noona, who'd been dozing since the bus, didn't wake easily even after we arrived. Chuckling softly at her murmurs as I carried her on my back, I headed inside.

Through the living room window, I caught sight of the sunset pouring in. Staring at it for a moment, I snapped back to reality and carried noona—still on my back—to the bedroom.

"What do you want for dinner?"

"Sleepy..."

She hugged my neck tighter with a tiny voice. I let out a wry chuckle, laid her on the bed, and removed her shoes and outer clothes. As I turned to put the shoes in the closet, noona suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"...Don't go."

"I'll just drop these off."

"Do it tomorrow. Tonight... let's just sleep."

Her whiny tone made me chuckle softly. I set the shoes down and lay beside her. As if waiting, she snuggled into my arms and drifted off with steady breaths.

Sleep well.

Smirking at the sight, I stroked her hair gently. Seemingly pleased, she smiled faintly and burrowed deeper into my embrace. She was utterly lovable. I could hardly believe this woman was really my girlfriend.

Gazing at her quietly, I recalled last night's events.

...This World Quest.

Unlike Otherworld Quests, This World Quests happened in reality. Meaning incidents like yesterday could strike again anytime. And next time, noona might get seriously hurt—like those swept away by the Kraken's tsunami, dead or injured.

"..."

To prevent that, I needed to acquire the Monster Hunter first. As a reward from a This World Quest, it was bound to help somehow.

But to use Monster Hunter, I need to reach Level 7.

My current level was 5. To utilize it, I'd have to level up. I had plenty of Vital Energy for that. But I was holding off because of the Mana Stone Fragments.

What if I leveled up and it demanded two more fragments? The monthly tribute checked the user's level. It was obvious the required amount scaled with level.

First, get the remaining Mana Stone Fragments.

With that thought, I waited until noona was fully asleep before getting up. Just in case she woke looking for me, I left a Post-it note: 'Grabbing dinner and coming back.'

That way, she wouldn't worry. Preparations done, I slipped on my shoes and headed out.

...It's far to home... Where's an empty spot?

Glancing around, the apartment stairs caught my eye.

The stairs should be fine.

Honestly, only rushed people or the cleaning lady used them. And it was late evening. Low chance of running into anyone after an Otherworld Quest.

Convinced, I went down one flight and launched the Manager App.

"Outfit? Like an avatar thing?"

Tilting my head, I claimed the Random Outfit Set Box.

"...For real."

My tongue clicked involuntarily. Staring at the notification, I curiously tapped the Noble Lady Set with my thumb. Sure enough, its image popped up on the screen—preview mode, apparently.

"Super flashy."

True to the name, it was gorgeously ornate. The purple hue gave it an oddly alluring vibe. What if noona wore it? It might suit her surprisingly well.

But no time for that. I shook my head, confirmed, and quickly opened the Otherworld Quests.

"Irene? No way..."

The newly updated quests seemed linked to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠previous ones, with ramped-up difficulty and better rewards.

Rishar...

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Her image flashed in my mind.

...She couldn't have died, right?

Calming my pounding heart, I selected Fallen High Elf. My vision went black, then gradually brightened.

"...!"

I jolted in surprise at the surroundings. Zombies swarmed everywhere.

"Grraaah!"

A zombie spotting me charged with a gurgling roar. I swiftly summoned the Ebon Staff and goblins. The staff materialized in my hand, and twenty-four goblins encircled me protectively.

"Kerruk!"

"Grraaah!"

Without orders, the goblins clashed with the zombies, turning my vicinity into a battlefield. Soon, the zombies crumbled, reverting to corpses. Easily shattered—they were far from the fragment.

Mana Stone Fragment...

I checked the minimap. As expected, it was distant. Looking around, I scanned for Rishar, but only trees everywhere. I'd have to search on foot.

Rishar...

Gritting my teeth, I dashed through the forest with the goblins. She might've been killed by zombies, but I couldn't give up without checking her body at least.

"Kyaaak!"

A scream echoed nearby. I veered toward it. There, elves battled zombies—Rishar among them.

"Rishar!"

Shouting, I thrust the staff forward.

"...Dark Arrow!"

Dark arrows shot out, exploding and devastating the zombies harassing the elves.

"Save the elves!"

The twenty-four goblins charged without hesitation. Seeing this, Rishar beamed and shouted to nearby elves. They lit up, joining the goblins to finish the zombies.

"Yuhyun!"

Zombies cleared, as I approached, Rishar ran and buried herself in my arms. I exhaled in relief, stroking her brown braided hair.

"What happened?"

"W-Well..."

Rishar looked downcast, eyes lowered. The other elves mirrored her gloom. Glancing around—no Irene.

She's dead?

The quest said even her daughter Irene couldn't stop Unpilea—likely dead. Comforting Rishar's shoulder, she gripped my arm tightly.

"...Help us, Yuhyun."

"That's why I'm here."

Her face brightened. "Really?"

"Really. That's the plan."

She sighed in relief. Chuckling lightly, I gently pushed her back to turn toward dealing with the fallen high elf. But Rishar tugged my arm.

"W-Wait!"

"What?"

"One more favor."

Composing herself, she continued, "Like last time you healed me... heal Lady Irene too."

"She's alive?"

The unexpected request slipped out.

"Yes."

"Hm... Got it. Let's check her status first."

Rishar's pointed ears twitched excitedly as she pulled my arm. The elves' faces filled with hope—they'd heard from her.

She's alive, huh.

Tsking inwardly, I followed Rishar. In the distance, two elves tended to Irene. Her face was deathly pale, body savagely mutilated everywhere. A miracle she lived.

...Brutally tortured.

Frowning, Rishar yanked my arm. "Please, Yuhyun. Save Lady Irene."

"Got it."

Nodding, I summoned the Healer's Staff.

"...Wound Recovery, Stamina Recovery."

White mist seeped into her skin. Wounds knit closed one by one; color returned to her ashen face.

"Aaaah!!"

The elves gasped in awe. Rishar teared up, stunned. Is this Irene that important to them?

Tilting my head, Rishar grabbed my hand. "Thank you, Yuhyun! Truly!"

Elves gathered, bowing deeply. "Thank you so much."

"Thank you! Thank you! For saving Irene!"

Even more grateful than for the zombie rescue. Irene was precious to them.