Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Helio City (3)
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The next morning, the three gathered in front of Viscount Helio's castle.
Richer spotted Tae-jin and immediately fired off a question.
"What's with the puffy eyes? Bad dream or something?"
Tae-jin mumbled in response.
"Just dreamed about my hometown after a long time."
He couldn't exactly confess that he'd bawled his eyes out confronting a terrifying truth.
Surprisingly, instead of teasing, the old man replied calmly.
"Everyone's got a place like that tucked away in their heart."
Out of the corner of his eye, Tae-jin caught Pavilion smirking beside him.
But the beastkin had no intention of spilling the beans—he just watched Tae-jin with a subtle expression.
Still, Tae-jin knew he'd handed the guy prime teasing material.
The soldier who'd escorted them to the castle the day before was their guide.
The odd part was that he was pulling a cart along as he led them.
The four walked along a verdant forest path, chatting as they went.
The soldier was as polite as ever, but his reticence from yesterday had vanished. He freely shared all sorts of trivia about Helio City.
"Viscount Helio doesn't ban hunting or foraging in the nearby woods—in fact, he encourages it."
"That's unusual. I hear most places punish folks caught poaching."
"There are a few reasons. It's so remote that wild game and edibles overflow in the forest anyway. Plus, the dense woods aren't ideal for farming. But above all, Viscount Helio's generous and benevolent nature is the real key."
From the soldier's tales, it seemed Viscount Helio was quite popular in the area.
Helio City was the most isolated spot in the Volterio Kingdom, yet plenty of people migrated here from nearby cities.
A man who cherished his citizens so much must have swallowed his pride to invite Richer to the castle and put on that awkward play.
"Still far?"
"No, it'll be in sight soon... Yep, there it is."
The soldier untied the rope from his belt and fashioned a noose. The reason for the sudden action became clear right away. In the distance stood two people, frozen stiff with dazed expressions.
"We pulled four mercenaries out of the woods yesterday, and already two more today. Outsiders, by the look of 'em."
The soldier stood at a distance and tossed the noose at the blankly standing man. It didn't snag on the first try. But on the third toss, one got caught.
He slowly reeled him in. The man's back scraped against the grass and dirt.
"Oof. Gonna sting when he wakes up."
"No choice. Lucky they were rescued alive."
The soldier snagged the second one the same way, then loaded the two rigid-as-logs bodies onto the cart.
"I'll head back once I see the three of you go in."
He phrased it politely, but it meant if they froze up like the others, he'd haul them back on the cart too.
'Getting dragged out by a noose here would be mortifying.'
No one volunteered to go first, so Tae-jin stepped up.
His life wasn't in danger anyway.
Besides, Pavilion was too burly to drag easily, and Richer was his mentor, for better or worse.
If someone had to take the embarrassment, better it be him leading the way.
Tae-jin swallowed hard and stepped toward the forest. With every stride, his nerves jangled, unsure what might happen.
But even after reaching the spot where the two had frozen, he felt only a faint unease—no stiffening.
"Nothing to it."
Richer and Pavilion looked unfazed, but the soldier's eyes went wide as he clapped.
"Over thirty mercenaries have come here, but you're the first unscathed. As expected of the great mage's group."
Tae-jin was the one who'd entered, yet Richer got the praise.
As Tae-jin pulled a face, Richer and Pavilion casually followed.
The old man wore a subtle expression as he joined Tae-jin, but Pavilion halted abruptly at the freeze point.
Richer approached him, scanned the surroundings, and spoke.
"Wasn't sure at first, but there's a clump of alien energy here. Like a barrier."
"That explains the weird vibe earlier."
Tae-jin and Richer had instinctively stirred mana to block the foreign energy the moment they sensed it, but Pavilion had walked right into it.
Tae-jin pressed a hand to Pavilion's chest, gathered a wisp of mana, and channeled it inside.
It was a tiny amount, but Pavilion snapped to immediately. He grasped the situation at once.
"Felt my legs stiffen briefly—guess I froze up too."
"Yeah. Woke you quick, but... you okay? Head back if it feels risky."
"Gotta rack up some creds here if I want a resume for mercenary life. I'd like to tag along if I can."
"We're fine with that. Just checking."
"Then I'll follow."
"Good. Let's go."
The three waved to the waiting soldier and ventured deeper into the woods.
The trio proceeded cautiously, but over an hour passed with nothing unusual.
"Nada so far. Not sure if there's even a monster inside."
"Dunno. I'm not sensing anything yet."
The barrier interior seemed normal. Animals ambled about leisurely, and the chirps of insects and mountain birds filled the air.
But a few minutes later, Pavilion slowed and spoke.
"Stone tower over there? Deer collapsed beside it."
"Yeah? Let's check it out."
Leading the way, Tae-jin headed toward where Pavilion pointed. Sure enough, a pristine deer lay collapsed, no bloodstains to tell if dead or fainted.
As Tae-jin turned to say all clear, a rustle of footsteps crunching leaves came from ahead.
Someone hid behind a tree. His heart plummeted.
Before Tae-jin could shout, the figure spun and fled.
Staring at the silhouette, Tae-jin froze in shock.
Long, white ears protruded from the runner's head.
Thick clothes up top, but they couldn't hide the curvaceous figure. Definitely a woman.
That wasn't all. A glimpse showed a pale, flawless face with gem-like red eyes.
And crucially, not reverse-jointed legs like Pavilion's—smooth, hairless, human-like white legs.
Tae-jin bellowed desperately as he chased her.
"Stop! I won't hurt you! Please!"
"Hey, Tae-jin! Where you going?"
"Wait! I finally found love!"
Pavilion yelled from behind, but Tae-jin didn't stop.
She dashed hard but paused now and then to duck behind trees. Her ears poked out, ruining any camouflage.
Each time, she'd peek out, checking Tae-jin timidly.
Heart pounding, he chased, but she was faster, vanishing into a small forest cabin.
Tae-jin rushed up and knocked.
"Hey, can we talk? I won't hurt you."
After a wait, the door cracked open. Tae-jin nearly stopped breathing. The opener was his dream girl incarnate.
Pale, refined face; big eyes; red lips; glossy long straight hair. Long, fluffy ears atop her head, not a blemish on her skin.
Her outer layer was gone—who knew when she'd ditched it—leaving a thin top and shorts. A quick glance confirmed a stunning figure.
Overwhelmed, Tae-jin trembled wordlessly. Every ideal of beauty he'd ever known crammed into one person stood there.
He couldn't speak, but she timidly broke the silence.
"Um... who are you...?"
"Uh... uh, yeah. Kim Tae-jin."
"Why'd you chase me?"
"Love at first sight. For real! Never seen anyone so beautiful in my life...!"
Blushing at the praise, she fidgeted.
"Really? First time hearing that... Other rabbit beastkin say I look weird."
"Others don't matter! You're my lifelong ideal type. Date me!"
The beastkin poked the floor with her shoe, mumbling shyly.
"Tae-jin, you're handsome too. My ideal type. I ran 'cause I was embarrassed..."
In that moment, Tae-jin was the happiest man alive. President? Tower Master? Empire Emperor? None could top him.
Right then, even thoughts of returning home via the Gate faded. Live here five years, and this place could be home too, right?
As Tae-jin basked in ecstasy, she whispered, face crimson.
"If we're dating... this is how it starts, right?"
With a shy motion, she slipped off her top.
Tae-jin was awestruck. So forward! And they hadn't even exchanged names! Beastkin had such amazing customs?
"First time... be gentle..."
Tae-jin pulled her into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped her slender torso; hers hugged his.
Her hands on his shoulders were fluffy and thick.