Chapter 20. The Witch's Daughter
The day after facing the hero Kang Ji-hyuk, Ludvine arrived at his mansion with a resolute expression. But the moment she saw the guards at the front gate, her heart started pounding.
"Who are you?"
The witch's daughter stammered, "Uh," before finally giving her name. "I'm Ludvine. His Excellency told me to come..."
"Ludvine?"
The guard sent a young messenger boy into the mansion. The kid bolted inside. Soon, the manager Durka came out personally to greet her.
"His Excellency has been waiting. I'll escort you. This way."
Ludvine bowed even deeper at the manager's polite treatment, feeling overwhelmingly honored. She followed him, gawking at her surroundings. It was so lavish her jaw practically dropped. Figures only a hero could live in a place like this.
They soon entered the mansion. Durka led her to a first-floor parlor. She hesitantly took a seat on a chair. Right in front of her was a stunning garden. Holy crap, it's gorgeous—.
The garden was beautiful enough to stir any young woman's heart. As she lost herself in admiring it for a moment, the hero Kang Ji-hyuk entered the parlor.
Ludvine shot to her feet and bowed so low her nose nearly touched the floor. "It's an honor to meet you again, Your Excellency."
"Same here. Sit comfortably."
The hero was remarkably gentle and gracious. The redheaded girl sat demurely. She stole sidelong glances at Ji-hyuk, waiting for him to speak.
"You've already made up your mind? ...I figured it'd take a day or two."
"No, I couldn't possibly drag my feet when you've shown me such grace, Your Excellency."
"Grace? Don't think like that. You think I scouted you out of pity? Nah. You earned it fair and square with your skills. So don't feel like it's too much."
"Th-that's... such an undeserved compliment, I don't know where to put myself..."
"Anyway, so you've decided?"
Ludvine nodded vigorously. "Yes. ...I'm still lacking in a lot of ways, but if you'll have me, I'll work my ass off—carve the effort into my bones. I swear I won't be a burden!"
She'd seemed a bit down yesterday, but today she was bouncing with energy, full of life. Of course, Ji-hyuk preferred this version by far. ...Reminds me of the old days a bit.
"Good, glad to hear it. ...No need to sign the contract right now, right? You won't change your mind suddenly? Hm?"
"Of course not! No way in hell I'd do that—!"
Ludvine waved both palms frantically, swearing up and down it was impossible.
"Did your mom like it?"
"She was thrilled. ...Thank you. It's been ages since I saw her smile like that, thanks to you."
"Then I'm relieved."
She smiled shyly, sneaking another peek at the hero. A journey with this handsome hero—. The redhead recalled a novel she'd read a few months back. It was a love story between a beautiful mage girl and a dashing hero. There was a jealous, bitchy healer's interference, but they won out in the end. ...And yeah, it was an adult novel, so there were plenty of steamy scenes. She'd even secretly gotten off to it without her mom knowing. Fuck yeah, maybe this time I'll lose my virginity...!
"You've eaten, right...? Want some tea?"
"Oh, um, I'm really sorry, but I should head back right now. ...I kinda skipped class to come here."
For a model student like her, ditching class was unnerving. She wasn't leaving for good yet, so she had to keep her grades up for the scholarship.
"Don't worry about that. It'll sort itself out automatically. ...What year are you?"
"Fourth year."
"Got it. When you reenroll, you'll start from fourth year again, so no sweat. Your stuff's at the academy dorm, right? Pack it all and come to the mansion. You're on my team starting today, so act the part."
"...Yes, sir—! I'll be back."
Ludvine bowed repeatedly and headed out. Ji-hyuk chuckled at the mage's retreating figure as she dashed off. For a moment, old memories surfaced. ...His gaze drifted far away.
Ten days flew by like an arrow. From early afternoon, the parlor buzzed with preparations for guests. Today was the day all the new team members gathered at the mansion—everyone except one was a fresh face, so Ludvine was buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
Having only ever been to the capital, she harbored sweet illusions about expeditions. Romantic journeys, solid camaraderie, budding romance. It was more than enough to set her young heart aflutter.
- Honey, don't get your hopes up too much. Wandering the continent isn't all fun and games. It'll be tough.
- No way. It'll be awesome—! It's all new experiences. Plus, bonding with comrades... and learning about love. Hehe.
Ludvine was convinced. Sure, it'd be hard, but it'd be a romantic adventure. That's why everyone fought so hard to join a hero's team—!
Having settled into the parlor early, sipping tea and waiting, she jumped up when the first teammate entered.
It was a hulking man covered in brutal scars. Just looking at him made her knees weak with his menacing aura. Sh-it. The smile vanished from Ludvine's face. It felt like a hammer blow to the head right out the gate.
"Who're you?"
"Uh, um, a mage. New recruit."
"...You look like a green kid who hasn't even dried off yet."
"Green? Watch your mouth. I'm a fourth-year at the magic academy, you know."
The guy still eyed her dubiously. This fucking prick...
Just then, another entered. This one was a pretty woman—but she had a pipe clenched in her teeth, puffing smoke from the moment she appeared. She didn't seem much older than Ludvine, but she exuded a world-weary vibe, like she'd been through hell. Decadent beauty—. No better word fit her. Ludvine wanted to say something, but an invisible wall made it impossible. She just shrank back, eyes darting.
Something was off from her fantasies. ...Fuck, this feels wrong.
The woman crossed her legs on a garden-view chair and puffed away indifferently. The scarred brute stole glances at her, but otherwise, silence reigned—no chat, nothing.
Soon another arrived: a massive orc radiating overwhelming pressure. But he smiled kindly at the new faces. ...Orcs can smile like that? Ludvine blinked in surprise at this revelation—but only briefly. The orc approached them warmly, extending a hand.
"Nice to meet you. Grendal here. New teammates?"
"Uh, yeah. Bruce."
The scarred brute, Bruce, stood awkwardly and shook. Grendal patted his arm gently with his free hand.
"Bruce, speak casually. We're comrades from here on."
"Uh, sure. Got it."
Grendal offered his hand to Ludvine next. "Ludvine. Mage. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you. Speak casually—you'll be fine."
"No, this is comfy for me."
Grendal shrugged as if to say suit yourself, then headed to the garden woman. "Grace, long time."
"The orphanage?"
"Doing great."
"Save some for yourself. Don't give it all away. ...Ugh, that outfit? Tone it down or the boss'll catch heat. At least try."
"Will do."
Grendal just chuckled at the bluntness. Bruce and Ludvine had never seen such a gentle orc. Weren't orcs supposed to smash everything when annoyed?
Then another entered: a dog-headed kobold. Jepopo's muscular, furry frame was impressive. He scanned the room and plopped down casually. ...Solid camaraderie? Bullshit.
Ludvine cursed her past naive self for expecting bonds with these brutes. But her hopes weren't fully dashed—romantic journeys and young love lingered. Especially love: the handsome hero popped into her head. Of course, she kept it hidden, fantasizing inwardly.
Soon, the man of her dreams stepped in. Everyone shot to their feet in unison. Hero Kang Ji-hyuk grinned at them.
"Ah, everyone on time. Greetings done?"
No one spoke, just exchanged awkward looks. He raised a brow and gestured them closer to the table. The five gathered around the round table. Maids entered, setting tea and pastries before each.
Bruce the brute crammed a pastry whole and gulped his tea. Impatient type, clearly.
Ji-hyuk smiled warmly at the group. His authority felt softer up close—not absent charisma, but an aura hard to defy.
"Since we'll be on long expeditions together, figured we'd meet early, do intros. ...Share a bit."
Awkward silence, as expected with strangers. Grendal jumped in smoothly. "Grendal. Archer. Thrilled to team up."
He beamed. Turns passed naturally. Scarred brute: Bruce, ex-gold-rank mercenary, tank role. Pretty smoker: Grace the healer. Dog-head: Jepopo, outsider. Finally, the redhead freckled mage.
Ludvine barked like a fresh recruit: "Fourth-year alchemy at the magic academy, Ludvine reporting—! Please take care of me—!"
Bruce smirked. It irked her; she glared. ...This prick, what's so funny...! She bit her tongue—no vulgarity before the hero. She'd lost camaraderie; couldn't lose her crush too.
Ji-hyuk nodded lightly, clapped once, and rubbed his palms. "We're comrades watching each other's backs, so get along."
"Of course, boss. Don't worry." Grendal filled in for absent Kayak, as the lizardman had asked him to support the boss.
"Three months till departure, but good to know our destination early. Prep accordingly."
Ears perked. Eyes lit with curiosity: first expedition where?
"You all know the underground city in the northeast?"
Nods all around—who didn't know the continent's sole underground city?
Ji-hyuk jabbed the table like pointing there, then slowly drew a long line north. All eyes followed his finger.
"Head north from there, and we hit our target."
The kobold, arms crossed, piped up. "...That underground labyrinth, right?"
"Yep."
Ji-hyuk nodded approvingly. "Old demon cult hideout."
Then it clicked for Ludvine: the deep crypt turned demon worship site by the cult—.
"We're heading to the Catacomb."
The demons' lair, Catacomb—.