Chapter 5. Master Cum Maid
After the incident in the city of Chronostan, the hero's party continued their journey without any major hiccups. They were now just a short distance from the imperial capital.
"You... what are you gonna do when we get to the Empire?"
The hero, who had been blankly staring out the window, suddenly asked Kang Ji-hyuk that.
...Of course, she wasn't asking because she didn't know. She'd been singing praises about becoming a hero the whole time.
"I told you already. I'm gonna become a hero."
"...Do you even know how to become one?"
"Eh, more or less."
The fairy snorted in disapproval. As if "more or less" cut it for becoming a hero.
"It's insanely complicated. Especially for a lowlife mercenary like you—you don't even qualify to apply. They don't let just anyone in."
"I know. You need a recommendation from someone with authority. That's why everyone goes to the academy."
"Getting into the academy isn't easy either."
"But it's the only way right now."
The hero stared at Ji-hyuk's face for a moment, as if she had something to say.
"You... you're really gonna become a hero? For real? Not just talk?"
"Yeah, for real."
Bella anxiously glanced back and forth between the two. She worried they were upsetting the hero for no reason. After all, the hero took immense pride in her status.
But those worries were unfounded. What came out of the hero's mouth was unexpected.
"Well... there's one other way besides the academy."
"...What?"
The fairy's tone was hesitant, as if wondering if it was really okay to mention it.
"I know someone. She's like a master to me."
Ji-hyuk had a hunch.
"Not just me—she's trained tons of heroes. Dozens, probably."
"Impressive lady."
"She is. ...Yeah, impressive."
The fairy scratched her chin with a finger, then eyed him with a slightly uneasy expression.
"If you really want it, go find her. But only if you're dead serious about becoming a hero. ...You might get rejected, though. Keep that in mind."
"Got it."
"No need to go all the way to the capital then. She's near Crescent Lake, from what I hear. ...I don't know the exact spot. You'll have to find it yourself."
Ji-hyuk figured he knew who this fairy was talking about. But he played dumb and asked for the name.
"Who's she?"
"...Eizel Raspiña."
It was the name he'd expected.
"She's like the mentor to heroes. A living legend."
That damn stuck-up fairy.
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Bella mechanically moved her spoon, barely registering if the food was going in her mouth or her nose. Dinner ended soon after.
With Ji-hyuk's decision to leave, the mood had turned subtly awkward. Especially Bella's—she grew more dejected as time passed.
"Get some rest, everyone."
The fairy headed to her room first. Ji-hyuk stood soon after.
Ah—.
Bella reflexively looked up at him.
"Goodnight, Miss Bella."
She wanted to tell him not to go. Please don't leave.
But in the end, she said nothing.
He climbed the stairs to the second floor. Once he was gone, the air felt colder.
The dining hall buzzed with noise, but none reached her ears.
Bella rose with a blank expression and shuffled to her room like a ghoul.
The moment she slammed the door shut, a wave of bitter sorrow crashed over her. She collapsed onto the bed.
Sob, sob—.
Her chest ached, tears streaming down.
She'd known this day would come eventually. But she never imagined it'd hit so suddenly.
She couldn't ask him to stay. She wanted him to become a hero too.
There was no helping it. He had to go.
"Mr. Ji-hyuk, Mr. Ji-hyuk..."
She cried herself out until exhaustion claimed her, and she fell asleep.
The next morning, early. Bella emerged from her room with a dazed face.
The fairy hero was already in the dining hall, legs crossed, arms folded, gazing out the window at the dawning light.
Ah—.
As the sun rose, the fairy's face brightened like a painting. Both she and the scenery were beautiful.
"He left."
The fairy spoke without looking at Bella.
"...What?"
"Left earlier. That guy."
Bella froze like a statue. She wanted to believe she'd misheard.
"He was gonna leave anyway. Just earlier than expected."
Ah... aaaah...!
Bella bolted up the stairs and flung open the door to Ji-hyuk's room from last night.
Empty. The bed was cold.
She slumped onto it in despair.
Then the fairy appeared quietly, leaning against the doorframe.
"He said to thank you. Said he was grateful for your kindness... hopes to meet again."
Aaah....
The fairy hero watched Bella's face twitch on the verge of tears.
Haa—.
The fairy sighed softly.
The hero knew Bella had feelings for him. And that sharp guy surely knew too. Only this naive healer thought no one noticed.
"Forget him. You two don't match."
"B-but... grrr...!"
"Learn to forget. You need that to live strong. ...Things can't always go your way."
Sob—.
Bella finally burst into tears.
The fairy stepped aside.
That bastard's a real asshole....
Even the hero felt conflicted. But what could she do? He wanted to leave.
Dawn broke soon. But dark clouds hung over the two women's hearts.
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Ji-hyuk gazed at the receding village from the rattling moving carriage as dawn broke. The world regained its colors.
"Left your girlfriend behind?"
A middle-aged man asked with a sly grin.
Ji-hyuk raised an eyebrow briefly.
"Not quite a girlfriend..."
"Pfft, guys gotta stick it in first and regret later. Better than regretting not sticking it in."
"...Maybe."
Ji-hyuk chuckled wryly. He'd regretted sticking it in plenty of times.
...Not that he denied the creed. It was a man's instinct.
"So, heading somewhere without even a girlfriend? Where to?"
The man seemed bored without chatter. Ji-hyuk, equally idle, obliged.
"Crescent Lake... know it?"
"Crescent Lake? Heard of it. ...That's where you're going?"
"Yeah."
"But it's a lake. For fun? Without a girl?"
"Can make one there."
"Lucky bastard."
Kuhuhu—.
The man leered.
"Fuck, shoulda lived it up when I was young. ...Instead I had kids and now this grind till I die."
"All married guys say that."
"Fuck yeah, so don't get married and have kids. Look around—this carriage is full of witnesses."
The man jerked his chin at the others. Married men of all races chuckled. Ji-hyuk joined in.
The carriage rolled on.
Ten days after parting with the hero, Ji-hyuk finally reached Milanko, the city near Crescent Lake.
Milanko was a small town. Peaceful if you were kind, boring if not.
After days of endless carriage rides, Ji-hyuk hit a tavern for bootleg liquor, then a brothel for a steamy night with a wet nurse, before catching another carriage to Crescent Lake.
Nearby was a quaint rural village. Nobles visited occasionally, so the inn was surprisingly upscale.
Ji-hyuk went in for a simple meal. Pricey, but he had plenty of coin left.
"To Crescent Lake? Alone?"
"Yes."
The old innkeeper, with no customers, latched onto the conversation partner.
"Honestly, not much to see. Just water. More for recuperation than fun. Young folks don't come much."
"I see."
"Still worth a look once. The scenery’s breathtaking."
Ji-hyuk nodded lightly.
Then the innkeeper caught his eye. "Hey—"
"Don't go behind the lake if you can help it. The forest there."
"The forest behind?"
"Yeah."
Ji-hyuk had a feeling. He'd planned to scour the area for Eizel anyway. A lead would save trouble.
"Grumpy fairy's holed up there. Real vicious bitch."
He was certain it was Eizel Raspiña. No fairy fit "grumpy" better.
"She keeps folks away. Beat one guy half to death."
"Really?"
"Yeah, so stay out. Like talking to my grandson."
"Got it."
"Gonna be lonely alone though. ...Want a girl?"
"No thanks."
Ji-hyuk finished eating and slapped coins on the counter. The keeper swept them into his pocket fast.
"Have fun."
Ignoring the words on his back, Ji-hyuk stepped out.
Clear skies. Perfect for sightseeing.
He walked to Crescent Lake. A bit far, but the weather begged for it.
Air was mild. Green grass blanketed fields where sheep and cattle grazed lazily.
Absorbing the peaceful view, he soon reached the hill overlooking the lake.
The vast, shimmering turquoise water filled him with clarity.
He descended the gentle slope. Lake scent tinged the air.
After a long walk down and along the shore, he arrived.
Watching fishermen boat for fish, he strolled the water's edge, crunching smooth pebbles underfoot.
Cool breeze kissed his cheeks.
Circling the shore awhile, dense woods appeared. He stepped in without hesitation.
No paths—untrodden. He blazed his own trail.
Deep in, he spotted a sign dangling from a tree: private property, leave now. Trespassers may be killed.
Right place.
Ji-hyuk smirked. So like her.
Ignoring the warning, he pressed on.
Signs of habitation appeared: felled trees.
A clearing. He scanned it briefly and continued.
A well-trodden path now. He followed.
A cabin peeked through trees. Small garden plot. Ramshackle chicken coop with a rooster and hens clucking.
...She had hobbies like this?
First time visiting this early. First time here, period.
Eizel and "rustic maiden"... words that didn't fit her at all, in his mind.
Then he sensed someone sneaking up behind.
He whirled.
A fairy stood there, face hardened menacingly.
"Can't read?"
Meaning: Didn't you see the sign?
Ji-hyuk shook his head.
"I can read."
"...Then why ignore it and come in?"
"Got business."
"Your problem."
Her eyes glinted coldly. Ji-hyuk's spine chilled.
Ah—.
Without warning, she knife-handed his throat. Lightning fast.
He dodged by a hair. A split-second later and decapitated.
He backed up for the follow-up.
But she just stared, expression saying this guy's something.
"You... from the academy?"
"No."
"Then?"
"Sent by Elraim."
"...Elraim?"
Eizel pondered, then ah, realization.
"That rude bitch?"
Elraim struck Eizel as rude too, apparently.
"Said to come to you."
"Why?"
"To train me as a hero..."
"Me, train you?"
"Yes."
Tsk—.
The fairy scoffed.
"Who taught you to say that?"
"...Guess not."
As Ji-hyuk spoke, her mocking sneer softened slightly.
"I knew getting lessons from the most talented and renowned Eizel would be tough. ...Guess I got my hopes up for nothing. Sorry to bother you. I'll be going."
Eizel's eyes narrowed. She'd expected begging on knees, not instant surrender.
"Sorry to waste your time. Well then..."
Ji-hyuk bowed and slowly backed away.
Out of the woods, he plopped by the lake like a lost soul, skipping stones. Pretended to sob into his knees occasionally.
All for show, of course.
He knew she was greedy for talent. That's how she'd produced so many heroes.
Dodging her killing strike showed his skill. One move suffices for experts to gauge level.
She must've been impressed inside.
...Fuck, if this doesn't work, I'm out.
He lounged like a dejected pup till sunset. Pathetic? Maybe. But necessary against that stubborn bitch.
Better than academy brats and ass-kissing instructors.
He was sick of that grind.
...Unless she flat-out refused, anyway.
Sun dipped. Ji-hyuk figured failure.
Curiosity hook should've worked, but nope.
As he rose to leave...
Someone emerged from the woods. Fairy Eizel.
Got her—.
Victory in this tedious game. Ji-hyuk grinned inwardly.
Fairy or human, habits die hard.
"Hey."
"Yes."
Haa—.
The fairy eyed him up and down irritably.
"...I don't do half-assed."
"I'm ready."
Ji-hyuk steeled his face.
Eizel grimaced. What a sudden mess.
But curiosity burned. A mere human with that movement? Unheard of.
"...Follow me."
Ji-hyuk trailed the fairy like a loyal dog.