Chapter 13. C-rank Hero
Elraim and Bella had been thoroughly fucked until evening before climbing into the carriage. Bella looked reluctant to leave. Her affection for Ji-hyuk shone through plain as day. What a foolish girl. The fairy wasn't thrilled about it. She'd been putting up with it, but Bella's behavior had been grating on her nerves enough to warrant a serious scolding. It was fine to feel fondness. But letting it blossom into full-blown love? That had to be nipped in the bud. And since she cared so deeply for Bella, her resolve was even fiercer.
The carriage jolted once with a rumble and set off. It trundled carefully down the darkening night road.
"Bella."
The human girl's gaze shifted from the dim window toward the fairy. Her superior's eyes seemed unusually sharp. A chill ran down her spine.
"...Yes, Hero?"
"Do you like Kang Ji-hyuk?"
Ah—. Bella panicked a bit. She hadn't expected Elraim to ask so directly. But she didn't want to deny it. Her feelings for him were genuine.
"...Yes."
A long sigh escaped the hero's lips. For some reason, Bella found herself bowing her head automatically. She'd clearly upset her superior.
"Bella, get a grip on the situation."
Elraim launched into it properly.
"I'll be straight with you... He's way out of your league."
The words stabbed right at her heart.
"You said it yourself, right? The first in history. Do you have any idea what that really means?"
The fairy kept firing sharp arrows straight into the healer's chest.
"Wherever he goes, women will throw themselves at him. The kind who brag about how great they are... And you? You're nothing in that mix. You'll just be a toy he plays with a few times and tosses aside."
"Ji-hyuk isn't like that. I know he isn't."
"Hey, watch the honorifics."
"S-sorry... Hero Kang Ji-hyuk isn't like that."
"Sorry, but humans change. Every human I've seen so far has changed. ...Of course, so have I. That's just how it is. Wear down under the world's grind, and everyone turns out the same without fail. You think that guy's immune? Fat chance."
Bella wanted to deny it. She wanted to tell the hero she was wrong. That he wasn't the type. That Ji-hyuk was far kinder and better than that. She knew things even the fairy didn't. If he were truly the kind to harbor bad intentions, he would've acted on them long ago. If he just wanted to toy with her, he'd had plenty of chances.
...But he never had. Not once.
"Fine. ...Okay, sure. Let's say he's a great guy. Not likely, but pretend for a second."
The fairy laid out the hypothetical.
"You think you can hold your own against all those amazing women swarming him? It'll be total chaos. You'll come out battered and broken. ...I can't watch one of my subordinates end up like that."
"No way it'd go that far..."
"Think about your position right now. You think just one or two women will follow him around? You gonna be satisfied in that? Men and women are all the same. They want to monopolize. You'd want that too, no doubt."
It wasn't wrong. Bella wanted Ji-hyuk's love all to herself, of course.
...But the world around them wouldn't allow it. It was natural for great men to attract hordes of women. Just as it was for great women to draw men. That's how the world worked.
...And in that world, Bella was likely just one of countless women who'd approach him. Or maybe she already was. Elraim was worried she'd get left behind and discarded.
Bella understood the fairy's concern. Even if her words were cold, they came from a warm heart. But accepting them was hard. Love wasn't something you could slice up with cold logic.
...How do you just stop looking at someone who makes you happy?
"I'm saying this for your sake."
"...I know."
"Don't take it too hard. ...Anyway, that's the end of my advice. I won't meddle in your little romance after this. So handle yourself. ...And don't show me anything embarrassing. Got it?"
"...Yes, Hero."
Elraim whipped her head away. Her words were rough, but her heart felt heavy. The ever-kind Bella forced a smile, not wanting to worry her hero.
"Don't worry. I won't cause you any trouble. I promise I won't make problems. ...Thank you for worrying about someone worthless like me."
The hero glanced at the hopelessly sweet girl, then looked away. A deep sigh.
...What a foolish girl.
Of course, the fairy knew Bella wouldn't give him up. She could be surprisingly stubborn about weird things.
...The fairy just hoped that guy wouldn't hurt her kind, innocent subordinate.
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Ji-hyuk left the capital at dawn. Alone again, with no one. He'd considered bringing Mahushu along but decided against it. Even if she was his disciple's subordinate, a stranger showing up would surely burden his master Eizel.
Things would be different again when he returned—.
He thought that as he watched the capital recede into the distance. The journey would take at least two or three months. He hoped Mahushu would grow a lot in that time. At least he'd clearly outlined her training direction before leaving, so if she just followed it diligently, she'd be fine. He had some hope that Yael might even succeed at double casting with a bit of luck, but expecting that much was probably greedy.
A middle-aged man sharing the carriage was already gulping down booze and striking up a sly conversation. He seemed bored with the quiet ride.
"Hey, you hear the rumors?"
"...What rumors?"
Ji-hyuk took the bait, and the man reeled him in eagerly, chuckling slyly. He looked just like Gid.
"Heh heh, you haven't heard? A young buck like you with such a narrow worldview—waste."
"Tell me. What's the rumor?"
The man's tone grew sly. The other passengers perked up too.
"Get this—a perfect 100-point candidate showed up! And it's a human, no less—!"
The tail end came from another man, not Ji-hyuk.
"Pfft, that's old news. Who hasn't heard?"
The drunkard bristled, reeking of booze.
"There are still people who don't know—look at this guy!"
"The capital's blowing up over it. Every drunk in the tavern's yapping about it. Fuck, my ears are gonna fall off."
"Bullshit, we all know that. Don't pick fights."
"If you're just repeating common knowledge, shut it."
"Fuck off, too annoying."
Still, he eyed Ji-hyuk hopefully, waiting for him to beg for more. Ji-hyuk obliged.
"I haven't heard. Tell me more."
"Heh heh, alright then..."
The story that followed was mostly nonsense. In the public's imagination, Ji-hyuk had become a playboy juggling multiple noblewomen.
...Not a bad fantasy, really. Orcs were a stretch he could grudgingly accept, but troll pussy? No way he could stomach that rumor.
"That's bullshit."
"It's true—I heard it clear as day!"
Another listener chimed in, incredulous.
"No fucking way a human sticks it in troll pussy."
"Some guys are like that. Only chase non-humans. ...Sounds just like him."
"Then his dick's gotta be forearm-thick, right?"
Puhahaha—. They all roared with laughter. Everyone except Ji-hyuk, who'd somehow become the troll-fucker.
...No wonder rumors aren't trustworthy.
Ji-hyuk arrived in Milanko after a month. From there, he took another carriage to the village near Crescent Lake. The villagers spotted him right away.
Oh wow, that guy's back.
Here to drag his lover home?
Fairies really are irresistible, huh?
He ignored the whispers and filled his waterskin at the inn before heading straight to Crescent Lake. The sun was dipping low. The sky flushed pinkish-red. Below, shepherds herded their flocks home. A peaceful, beautiful scene. In this harsh world where even surviving was a struggle, it cleansed his weary soul.
He walked on. After cresting a few low hills, Crescent Lake finally came into view. No one around at sunset. He followed the lakeshore. The sky blazed blood-red, as if burning its last breath. The sun sank beyond the horizon. The lake, tinged crimson, held an indescribable beauty.
...No wonder the fairy Eizel chose this place.
He took the familiar path through the woods. The forest was silent. Cock-a-doodle-doo—. A rooster crowed. The training ground was overgrown, unused for ages. He approached and brushed the wooden chair where the fairy often sat. Dust coated his hand. He shook it off and ventured deeper. The woods darkened quickly. But there was no eerie, demonic vibe. It felt cozy instead.
A faint light flickered in the distance. Ah—. For some reason, Ji-hyuk's heart pounded. He approached the cabin slowly. The front yard was the same. Vegetables thriving, chickens fluttering. The scarecrow he'd made stood lonely, weathered.
Then the door opened. Fairy Eizel stepped out. She froze, staring at her returned disciple. He stood silently too. The two locked eyes, burning with intensity. For a long while.
The fairy master spoke first.
"...You're here."
"Yes."
The fairy approached slowly. So did Ji-hyuk. They embraced tightly, as if by prior agreement.
"...Eaten?"
"No. ...Feed me, Master."
"Come in, then."
They entered the cabin. It was cozy inside. She'd been eating; plates of food covered the table.
"Hungry? Wait a sec. I'll fix you some quick."
He set down his pack and scanned the room. Nothing changed. Same as before. The house, and her.
"Eat up. While it's hot."
Ji-hyuk sat at the table. Eizel sat opposite, staring intently. A warm smile like a mother seeing her grown son. Honey dripped from her eyes.
"I'll eat well, Master."
"Dig in."
He shoveled food into his starving gut. She just watched. They avoided hero talk.
...They both knew that wasn't important now.
Meal over quick. They cleared plates. She brought two cups of steaming tea. Now Ji-hyuk could examine her closely. The fairy was still stunning. Elraim was beautiful too, but lacked Eizel's deep allure. Nine months apart. Mountains of things to say, yet words failed them. Ji-hyuk realized what it meant to understand without speaking.
Eizel broke the silence first.
"Things go well?"
"Yes."
"...Good boy. My disciple."
Her master smiled kindly. She gazed long, then looked out the window. Night had fallen pitch-black. Two candles dimly lit their faces.
"It's late. Talk tomorrow. Off to bed."
"Yes. Good night, Master."
"Sleep well."
Each took a candlestick and parted at the narrow hallway. Before entering their rooms, they glanced back. Eyes met by chance. They exchanged smiles goodnight and retired.
Ji-hyuk knew his room would be spotless.
...The fairy must clean daily. Counting the days till his return.
He set the candle on the bedside drawer and lay down. Silence settled. He blew out the flame. Moonlight from the cracked window was the only light. Cozy space. Like home. The hero sank into deep sleep for the first time in ages.