Chapter 4. Pack
Elraim, Bella, and Ji-hyuk left the city of Helladium. The fairy somewhere had a sullen expression. It seemed due to a lingering unease that wasn't entirely satisfying. Ji-hyuk considered saying something nice to the bitch but held back. A mere mercenary runt overstepping his bounds wouldn't look good. Besides, the opponent was a damn fairy wench. Even kind words had a high chance of being taken the wrong way. He let out a long sigh through his nose while gazing out the window. Clop-clop, the carriage rattled along, and Helladium's walls grew smaller in the distance behind them. As with meetings come partings, and comings come goings, but the human heart didn't always bend to logic. No matter how much time passed or age piled on, this sentiment deep in his chest didn't wear out easily. Even the cold-hearted Ji-hyuk occasionally felt a vague melancholy—proof he was still a living, breathing human with emotions.
"Bella, were you born here?"
"Yes. I was born on this continent."
"Where's your hometown?"
"Um—over there in a small village near Allamanta on the western continent. …Why do you ask all of a sudden?"
"No reason. Just curious."
"What about you, Ji-hyuk?"
"A place called Earth."
"Ahh…, I see."
The fairy hero, who had been looking out the window, whipped her gaze around to Ji-hyuk.
"You're from Earth?"
"Yeah."
"…I didn't think you were."
"Everyone says that."
From the start, Earthlings had a fixed image as weaklings, so most people didn't peg Ji-hyuk as one. …Actually, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they all thought that way.
"As far as I know, no Earthling's ever become a hero before."
"Then I guess I'm the first."
"…I have no idea where that confidence comes from."
The fairy shook her head slightly in disbelief at Ji-hyuk's grinning face. She didn't know about anything else, but that self-assurance was impressive. Other Earthlings weren't like that. …This guy seemed like a real freak.
The conversation cut off there. The three sank into their own thoughts. The carriage pressed on diligently. It had been nearly a week since leaving Helladium. They passed out of the barony and entered the county of Count Matan. The journey had been smooth up to then, but trouble brewed after entering the county. Every village they passed had a grim atmosphere. The area was in total chaos lately.
"No, like, bandits swarm during the day, and ghosts roam at night—!"
Bella, who had heard the rumors and come back excited, blabbed to Ji-hyuk and the hero like that. The fairy snorted immediately.
"The continent's full of baseless rumors like that."
Ji-hyuk didn't think much of it either. Just as the fairy said, such tales were commonplace on the continent.
"No, that's really what they were saying…."
"Bella, villages far from cities always have bandit problems. Especially here—there's a demon realm nearby. Perfect hideout for those bastards."
Only then did she nod in understanding. The fairy chimed in again.
"Plus, there's the imperial flag on the carriage. Only a real ballsy idiot would mess with us."
…But not long after the fairy said that so confidently, the carriage came to an abrupt halt. Ji-hyuk peeked out the window. They were still far from the next village. Then the small window to the driver's seat slid open with a rattle. The middle-aged coachman looked troubled as he called to the hero.
"Um…, Hero, we've got a problem."
"…A problem?"
Ji-hyuk had a bad feeling. And sure enough, it slipped from the coachman's mouth.
"Looks like bandits."
The coachman said it with a what-do-we-do face. The hero nodded with an incredulous look, saying she'd handle it. Elraim and Ji-hyuk's eyes met. …Neither had expected actual bandits to stop the carriage.
"B-bandits! See, I was right? …B-but what do we do now?"
Bella was thrilled at first that her words proved true, but then realized their dire situation and grew worried again.
"I'll go check it out."
"…I'll come too."
"Bella, you stay here."
As Bella moved to follow, Ji-hyuk stopped her. She wouldn't be any help anyway; better for her to stay put in the carriage. No need to force her to see the ugly side. The man and woman stepped out. About twenty bandits were spread out ahead, looking menacing—no sign they'd back off peacefully. As the two approached slowly, the apparent leader bellowed at the top of his lungs.
"Hand over everything you got and fuck off—!"
The fairy first pointed at the imperial flag on the carriage with her finger. Didn't you see that?
"Fuck, you think imperial means shit, you dog bastard? We're starving here—!"
They knew what they were doing. Words wouldn't work. Ji-hyuk drew his sword with a shing. It was the one he'd bought in Helladium for five gold coins.
"Let's just kill 'em and go. They won't listen…."
He saw no point in persuasion. If they wouldn't move, kill them. They were bandits anyway. Spare them, and more innocents would die later. The fairy agreed. She nocked an arrow on her bow and loosed it at the leader without hesitation. Pew—the arrow thunked right into his skull. His body tumbled from the horse.
"Boss—!"
The enraged bandits charged. But the fight was one-sided. Half were dead in seconds, and only then did they realize something was wrong. The cowards turned to flee, but the fairy's arrows nailed every last one in the head. Ji-hyuk wiped the blood from his blade on a dead bandit's clothes and shoved the bodies to the roadside. The two returned to the carriage like nothing happened and climbed in. Creak. The carriage soon set off again. A faint smell of blood lingered inside. Bella seemed to have an idea what went down. And so they wiped out a bandit pack and reached the next village.
But the village was deserted. Bloodstains dotted here and there, but no bodies. Bandits' work? Oddly, the livestock was unharmed—and starving, bawling loudly for food.
"…Let's just crash anywhere for the night."
The hero suggested. Ji-hyuk agreed. No point sleeping outside when intact houses stood empty—unless it was a mass grave.
"G-gh-ghosts won't come out, right?"
Bella, spooked by the ghost rumors from the last village, asked Ji-hyuk. He chuckled. His twisted heart stirred a wicked prank.
"You said ghosts roam at night. We met bandits, so ghosts are next."
"Eek, don't say that, jeez—."
She was genuinely scared, voice quivering. He laughed it off as a joke. But her eyes were already filled with anxiety.
"Let's get to bed. Gotta leave early tomorrow."
Bella hesitated, lips parting as she glanced at Ji-hyuk, then at the fairy before mumbling goodnight and heading to her room.
"…You think that's fun?"
The watching fairy shot Ji-hyuk a pitiful look. He just grinned like a brat.
"Humans, always…."
Disgusted by human hobbies, the fairy left her short critique and went to her room. Night had already fallen dark. Ji-hyuk yawned hugely and crossed to his room. He lay on the strange bed. Rattle-rattle. The wooden shutters shook in the fierce wind. He'd been tired moments ago, but now his eyes were wide open. This is a sickness too. Arms behind his head, he stared at the ceiling. His musing snowballed endlessly. Then someone knocked ever so softly on his door—so faint he might've missed it if louder.
— J-Ji-hyuk.
It was Bella. Fear laced her whisper.
— Ji-hyuk. …Asleep?
"What?"
— C-can I come in for a sec?
"Yeah, come in."
Creeeak, the door opened. Bella slipped in, hiding something behind her back. Too dark to see well, but her face looked grim.
"What's up?"
"I… um…."
Of course, Ji-hyuk guessed. Scared of ghosts, obviously. Man, a grown woman… He finally burst out laughing. Bella hung her head in shame, scuffing her toes.
"Scared to sleep alone?"
"Y-you said weird stuff…."
"So it's my fault?"
"Not… entirely innocent…."
"Then sleep with the hero."
That'd be better than a man and woman sharing a bed, right?
"Th-the hero's not someone I can ask that…."
"Fine. Hop in."
"Really? …You sure?"
"What's not to be sure about."
Ji-hyuk scooted over, making space. Bella crept closer and revealed what she'd hidden: her pillow. She'd come prepared. "Sorry. …I'd never do this normally, but I got so scared all of a sudden. …And it reminded me of back then."
"I get it. My bad for saying that crap. Sorry."
Back then—the cave ordeal.
"No, I overreacted."
"Okay. Lie down and sleep. Early start tomorrow."
She slid slowly under the covers. The blanket, warmed by his body, felt incredibly cozy. Her anxiety melted away in an instant.
"Sleep. Don't be scared. I'll watch over you. Okay?"
"Yeah…."
Bella smiled shyly and closed her eyes. Ji-hyuk pulled the blanket up to her chest.
"Goodnight."
"You too, Ji-hyuk."
Exhausted from the day's carriage ride, she fell asleep fast. He gazed at her sleeping face for a moment. Even after rubbing bare skin in sleep before, this was too defenseless. Not just naive—practically oblivious. What if I suddenly turned perv and shoved my dick in? Having lived that scumbag life before, taking a girl like her would be nothing. Of course, no need now, so he wouldn't. No point picking a fight with Elraim over it. Yeah, play nice sometimes. Ji-hyuk closed his eyes to sleep. The shutters rattled ceaselessly in the night wind.