Chapter 477: Man and Woman (4)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 477: Man and Woman (4)

For the time being, we moved to the kitchen on the first floor. Auyen had been washing the dishes earlier but was no longer there, apparently having already finished all his work. Or maybe Amelia had simply told him to go elsewhere. Either way, that wasn't really something I was concerned with.

We sat in silence.

Ha, things between us have gotten weird again.

The sight of Missha with her eyes glued to the ground, unable to look up at me, made me feel uncomfortable. While I was busy trying to figure out how to start up another conversation, Missha suddenly broke the ice herself.

"Hansu... Lee..."

That was my real name, one that only a few people in this world knew. Even though I had set up the Voice Control item in advance, I instinctively glanced around in a panic, causing Missha to notice her slip-up immediately. "A-Ah... S-Sorrry! I didn't mean to—"

"Don't worry. No one outside a two-meter radius can hear us."

"...I-Is that so?"

What was with her? She claimed to have fixed the way she talked, yet she seemed to be talking weirder than ever.

"Did you hear that name from Baekho Lee?" I decided to ignore that for now and focus on asking her where she heard my name.

"Yeah..."

"Then you must also know I'm an evil spirit."

"...Yeah."

"But you're not scared of or suspicious of me?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Because I've known for a long time..."

What? She already knew?

"What...? Since when?"

"W-Well..." Missha seemed flustered by the question. With a bright red face, she quietly answered, "...August 16th, Year 154. Y-Yeah, that was the day I was sure of it..."

Why was she saying a random date like she expected me to know exactly which one she was talking about? At first, I was bewildered by her answer, but as I thought back, it slowly dawned on me which day she was referring to.

August 16th, Year 154. That was the day I confessed to her that I saw her as more than just a teammate. Then we... well...

And then I got rejected.

Was this the real reason why? I had been wondering for a while now why she turned me down like that. I'd wanted to flat-out ask her, but I could never bring myself to do it.

With a heavy sigh, I turned toward her. "Then why did you start traveling with Baekho Lee after you thought I died?"

"...He said that if I helped him, he would use the Stone of Revival on you."

I already knew that. The real reason I asked was so I could transition to my next question as naturally as possible. "But why were you willing to go that far for me? Based on what you said, you already knew at that point that I was an evil spirit."

"Still, y-you were my close... colleague..."

A close colleague... I was happy to hear that, but another question quickly replaced the first. If she didn't hate evil spirits, why did she reject me that day? Or was it that she was fine with them, but drew the line at having a romantic relationship with one?

I wanted to dig a bit deeper, but unfortunately, Missha changed the subject this time. "B-By the way!"

Yeah, I guess she wouldn't want to talk about that, huh?

"Can I... ask you a question too?"

"Go ahead."

"Baekho Lee... He kept calling you 'Big Bro'... Are you two... close?"

"I wouldn't say we're particularly close since I know that guy is definitely up to something behind my back."

Missha seemed surprised by my response. "Up to something..."

"Was that all you wanted to ask?"

"N-No! There's one more thing! Back then... why did you suddenly disappear on Farune Island?"

Huh, Baekho hadn't told her about that? I wondered why. Was he purposely trying to drive a wedge between us? Or maybe he just thought it might be rude or overstepping to explain it himself?

"By chance... did everyone else know the truth ... except me?"

I had decided long ago what I'd tell her here. "Stop. First off, let me clear up the misunderstanding: what people are saying and what actually happened are two completely different things."

I kept things brief, explaining my trip to the past from Farune Island. I didn't feel particularly worried about letting her in on the secret. Aside from Ainar, she had always been one of my closest comrades. There was no real reason to hide the truth from her, especially when she already knew my real name.

More importantly, Baekho Lee knows the truth too.

Missha quietly listened to my story, and by the end of it, she looked almost relieved. "So you suddenly disappearing... it really was an accident..."

She asked me what I had been up to since my return, and I told her the entire truth, including how I reunited with Erwen, how I reunited with Amelia, and how I reunited with Raven, Ainar, Mr. Bear, the dwarf, and Rotmiller again.

"So... I was the last one..." Missha murmured, voice faint, before carefully asking me another question. "Then... does everyone else know your secret?"

"Erwen and Amelia, as well as Raven and Baekho Lee, know everything. They're the only ones who know, though."

"...I see."

"Anyway, do you know how worried I was? When I heard that you were running around on that creep's team?"

Missha's face fell as she quickly apologized. "I'm s-sorrry. I really th-thought you were dead, and—"

"You don't have to apologize. I know you were just trying to save me." Well, I still had questions about what her plan was after she managed to bring me back to life. Whatever the case, though, I was moved that she was willing to go to such lengths for me in the first place. "That's enough about me. I want to hear about how you're doing."

"A-About me...?"

"Yeah. How have you been? And why do you look so skinny?"

"I'm not skinny..."

Her appearance said otherwise. She was practically skin and bones. "Fine. But tell me, what have you been doing all this time?"

Missha thought hard about it, likely debating where to start. Then, after a moment, she began to ramble.

***

Everyone died eventually. Even the Immortal King, who once ruled over this vast kingdom, hadn't been able to escape death in the end. Death was a law of nature that could never be broken.

"So, Bjorn is dead."

Nevertheless, his death had been far too sudden. It felt like a nightmare, one from which she was desperately trying to wake. Which was why she couldn't refuse that fateful offer.

"Can I... ask you a question too?"

"Go ahead."

"Baekho Lee... He kept calling you 'Big Bro'... Are you two... close?"

"I wouldn't say we're particularly close since I know that guy is definitely up to something behind my back."

Missha seemed surprised by my response. "Up to something..."

"Was that all you wanted to ask?"

"N-No! There's one more thing! Back then... why did you suddenly disappear on Farune Island?"

Huh, Baekho hadn't told her about that? I wondered why. Was he purposely trying to drive a wedge between us? Or maybe he just thought it might be rude or overstepping to explain it himself?

"By chance... did everyone else know the truth ... except me?"

I had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠decided long ago what I'd tell her here. "Stop. First off, let me clear up the misunderstanding: what people are saying and what actually happened are two completely different things."

I kept things brief, explaining my trip to the past from Farune Island. I didn't feel particularly worried about letting her in on the secret. Aside from Ainar, she had always been one of my closest comrades. There was no real reason to hide the truth from her, especially when she already knew my real name.

More importantly, Baekho Lee knows the truth too.

Missha quietly listened to my story, and by the end of it, she looked almost relieved. "So you suddenly disappearing... it really was an accident..."

She asked me what I had been up to since my return, and I told her the entire truth, including how I reunited with Erwen, how I reunited with Amelia, and how I reunited with Raven, Ainar, Mr. Bear, the dwarf, and Rotmiller again.

"So... I was the last one..." Missha murmured, voice faint, before carefully asking me another question. "Then... does everyone else know your secret?"

"Erwen and Amelia, as well as Raven and Baekho Lee, know everything. They're the only ones who know, though."

"...I see."

"Anyway, do you know how worried I was? When I heard that you were running around on that creep's team?"

Missha's face fell as she quickly apologized. "I'm s-sorrry. I really th-thought you were dead, and—"

"You don't have to apologize. I know you were just trying to save me." Well, I still had questions about what her plan ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was after she managed to bring me back to life. Whatever the case, though, I was moved that she was willing to go to such lengths for me in the first place. "That's enough about me. I want to hear about how you're doing."

"A-About me...?"

"Yeah. How have you been? And why do you look so skinny?"

"I'm not skinny..."

Her appearance said otherwise. She was practically skin and bones. "Fine. But tell me, what have you been doing all this time?"

Missha thought hard about it, likely debating where to start. Then, after a moment, she began to ramble.

***

Everyone died eventually. Even the Immortal King, who once ruled over this vast kingdom, hadn't been able to escape death in the end. Death was a law of nature that could never be broken.

"So, Bjorn is dead."

Nevertheless, his death had been far too sudden. It felt like a nightmare, one from which she was desperately trying to wake. Which was why she couldn't refuse that fateful offer.

"What if I told you there's a way to bring Bjorn Yandel back from the dead?"

There was only one way to recover what had been lost.

"The Stone of Revival can revive two people. If you help me, I'll let you revive him."

In the end, she accepted his offer. She did everything Baekho Lee told her to, from spreading rumors that Bjorn Yandel was an evil spirit to going into the labyrinth with his party to complete various missions. Still, it wasn't all that bad. Even on the days she went to bed in tears, crying into her pillow, she was at least able to cling to hope.

"Oh, are you not going to act like a kitty anymore?"

She worked hard to fix the way she talked, which he often teased her for. She wanted to show Bjorn how much she'd grown when they eventually reunited.

But that wasn't her only motivation.

"Kitty, what are you reading there all alone?"

She began to study by reading books. When she did, it almost felt like Bjorn was there, sitting right next to her.

"Stop reading and come outside. Let's go to the training grounds. I've trained several newbies before, and the best way to improve your skills is by fighting."

She was forced to duel with him every day, though said 'duels' were much closer to one-sided beatings. Still, she wanted to grow stronger, so she kept pushing onward.

One month, two months, three months...

Time flew by, and she changed a lot with its passage. As long as she didn't get overly excited, she was able to speak normally. And she had become stronger—much stronger than ever before.

"...When are you going to use the Stone of Revival?"

She was also slowly starting to lose patience.

"Oh, I'll use it when the time's right, you know? Why have you been so testy these days?"

Like always, he brushed her off with vague responses. One day, she couldn't hold herself back any longer.

"...Were you ever planning on using it at all?"

The Stone of Revival that Baekho Lee had in his possession was the real thing. However, would he actually keep his promise to her? She tried to ignore the doubts in the back of her mind and persevere. If he'd really had no intention of helping her and all her hard work over the past two years was for naught, she wouldn't be able to bear any of this anymore.

"Baekho Lee. Tell me right now, when are you planning on using it? If you don't tell me now—"

One day, having overcome her fears enough to finally demand the truth, she got an answer that was far from the one she wanted.

"And if I don't? What are you going to do about it?"

She fell silent.

"You're so annoying. Why can't you just trust me? Actually, what have you ever done to help me in the first place?"

The words wouldn't come out.

"You were absolutely useless when we first met, so I spent my precious time training you. And now, just when I thought you might finally be useful, you go and start nagging me nonstop. Hey, if you want me to help you, then you better do a good job for me. Maybe then, I might actually give you the answer you want to hear."

Ever since that day, her relationship with him had settled at rock bottom. And it wasn't like she could leave his side either because, if nothing else, the Stone of Revival was real.

"What if I told you there's a way to bring Bjorn Yandel back from the dead?"

There was only one way to recover what had been lost.

"The Stone of Revival can revive two people. If you help me, I'll let you revive him."

In the end, she accepted his offer. She did everything Baekho Lee told her to, from spreading rumors that Bjorn Yandel was an evil spirit to going into the labyrinth with his party to complete various missions. Still, it wasn't all that bad. Even on the days she went to bed in tears, crying into her pillow, she was at least able to cling to hope.

"Oh, are you not going to act like a kitty anymore?"

She worked hard to fix the way she talked, which he often teased her for. She wanted to show Bjorn how much she'd grown when they eventually reunited.

But that wasn't her only motivation.

"Kitty, what are you reading there all alone?"

She began to study by reading books. When she did, it almost felt like Bjorn was there, sitting right next to her.

"Stop reading and come outside. Let's go to the training grounds. I've trained several newbies before, and the best way to improve your skills is by fighting."

She was forced to duel with him every day, though said 'duels' were much closer to one-sided beatings. Still, she wanted to grow stronger, so she kept pushing onward.

One month, two months, three months...

Time flew by, and she changed a lot with its passage. As long as she didn't get overly excited, she was able to speak normally. And she had become stronger—much stronger than ever before.

"...When are you going to use the Stone of Revival?"

She was also slowly starting to lose patience.

"Oh, I'll use it when the time's right, you know? Why have you been so testy these days?"

Like always, he brushed her off with vague responses. One day, she couldn't hold herself back any longer.

"...Were you ever planning on using it at all?"

The Stone of Revival that Baekho Lee had in his possession was the real thing. However, would he actually keep his promise to her? She tried to ignore the doubts in the back of her mind and persevere. If he'd really had no intention of helping her and all her hard work over the past two years was for naught, she wouldn't be able to bear any of this anymore.

"Baekho Lee. Tell me right now, when are you planning on using it? If you don't tell me now—"

One day, having overcome her fears enough to finally demand the truth, she got an answer that was far from the one she wanted.

"And if I don't? What are you going to do about it?"

She fell silent.

"You're so annoying. Why can't you just trust me? Actually, what have you ever done to help me in the first place?"

The words wouldn't come out.

"You were absolutely useless when we first met, so I spent my precious time training you. And now, just when I thought you might finally be useful, you go and start nagging me nonstop. Hey, if you want me to help you, then you better do a good job for me. Maybe then, I might actually give you the answer you want to hear."

Ever since that day, her relationship with him had settled at rock bottom. And it wasn't like she could leave his side either because, if nothing else, the Stone of Revival was real.

"Haha! I heard otherwise, but you're surprisingly tough!"

So she continued to toil under him despite maintaining her distance from her new teammates. She never hesitated to do dangerous things or help Baekho Lee when the situation—or Baekho himself—called for it.

Until one day, she received both good news and bad news in one complicated package.

"Bjorn... is alive...?"

Bjorn was alive, but...

"If I don't, Bjorn Yandel will die?"

New shackles had been chained around her ankles. And there was no way she could tell him about them.

"Haha... So that's everything I've gone through... Nothing special, right?"

But that was okay. She was used to locking things away.

***

Missha's story was quite interesting in that it told me what Baekho Lee had been up to for the past few years.

They really did focus on leveling up as much as they could.

It also allowed me to learn more about Baekho's skills. I wasn't able to learn every little thing about him, but at the very least, his character concept became clear to me. From what I was hearing, he seemed to be a hand-to-hand special ability user.

He's even able to use any weapon under the sun if the situation calls for it.

He was stronger than I gave him credit for, though his essence combo didn't earn all that high of a score from me.

I don't understand what he meant when he said there was no way for him to get stronger. Why did he say that...? Was he just bluffing?

There were a few things that seemed off to me, but there was no way for me to get any answers right now.

While I carefully filed away all the new information I learned today, Missha tiptoed over to a new topic. "So... what did you mean earlier?"

"Huh? What?"

I tilted my head as Missha's voice grew even smaller. "You told me earlier... you know... that I wasn't going anywhere."

Oh, that...

"What did you mean by that?"

My reply was blunt without any hint of embarrassment. Like she said earlier—"Aren't we close comrades? Of course we should stick together." The words came out of me before I even had time to think them through.

Judging by Missha's expression, she seemed to understand what I meant. "...I-Is that so?"

"Yeah, of course it is." I quickly changed the subject. "But back then, on Farune Island. What was it that you wanted to tell me?"

"Ah... That... D-Did I want to tell you something? I-I don't rrremember..."

She was falling back on old habits, which meant she was lying. However, I worried things would only get more awkward if I pushed her any further, so I decided I would just have to ask her again later. It was time to move on to the next question.

"Oh! Do you have my necklace? Raven told me you were the one to take it..."

Missha undid the button at her neck, revealing No. 7777: Garphas's Necklace, hidden under her clothes. Thankfully, she hadn't sold it and was taking good care of it.

"U-Um... D-Do I have to give it back?"

What kind of question was that? "Hand it over."

"...Fine."

Things were finally back where they belonged.

***

My conversation with Missha lasted from midday until nighttime. Since we hadn't seen each other in such a long time, there was a lot to discuss. As time passed, the awkwardness of our long-awaited reunion slowly dissipated.

"It's already this late? Are you hungry? How about we all eat—"

Missha quietly shook her head at my offer. Did she want to go back to her inn and eat there instead?

"Where are you sleeping tonight? We have lots of empty rooms, so how about you just live here now?"

"Bjorn. I appreciate the thought, but you don't have to go that far for me."

The stubborn look in her eyes told me it'd be tough to change her mind. Was she planning to distance herself from me?

"I-Is that so? I see. Then do what you like."

"Thanks for understanding. And about joining your clan... can I have some time to think about it?"

"...Time? Ah, of course! But... how long do you think you'll need?

"One week... I think that'll be enough. I'll come back here when I have my answer. I promise not to make you wait too long."

With that, our reunion came to an end. I headed back upstairs, feeling the need to give an explanation to the other ladies of the house. Surprisingly, it seemed they were together in the same room talking in low, serious voices...

Step.

Before I even knocked on the door, I could already hear them scrambling around, implying they had sensed me walking up the stairs. When I stepped inside, the two of them quickly shut their mouths in unison. I was kind of curious ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠about what type of conversation these two could have been having while alone.

"Can we talk?"

"O-Of course! Come in." Even as she said yes, though, Erwen sounded slightly panicked. That was unusual. "Wh-what brings you h-here to my room?"

I had thought she might be upset or angry, but she seemed strangely fine somehow. My gaze snapped to Amelia, but she simply shrugged her shoulders when our eyes met. She must be much better at managing Erwen's emotions now...

She really is reliable.

After nodding my head at her to show my gratitude, I turned back toward Erwen.

"W-Was there... something you wanted to talk about?"

Something was fishy here. It was like she was hiding something.

I was sure she would bombard me with questions about Missha the moment I entered...

When I glanced around the room, something on her desk caught my eye. It was a thick, familiar book.

That book... I think I've seen it in Amelia's room before.

The title of the book was Man and Woman. Was it a romance novel? Maybe I should try and read it later myself.

"So, what happened to Karlstein? Did she already leave?"

"Oh, right..."

I gave them a brief summary of what we talked about and how Missha was taking some time to decide whether or not to join our clan. With that, the day finally came to a close.

Now alone, I let out a sigh and stared up at the ceiling. I was lying in bed, but sleep wouldn't come.

What if Missha didn't come back? No, why did I even have to convince Baekho Lee to give Missha back in the first place? Did she really only think of me as a former comrade? But then, if that were the case, why would she go to such lengths to revive me?

What were Missha's real intentions?

"...I should just sleep."

I decided to set these thoughts aside for now. I wouldn't be able to answer all these questions on my own.

From there, time flew by.

"Congratulations, young ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠warriors! As of today, you will leave the holy land and be reborn as true warriors!"

Yet another coming-of-age ceremony was currently being held for the young barbarians. In other words, today was the day the labyrinth opened.

"Haha! I heard otherwise, but you're surprisingly tough!"

So she continued to toil under him despite maintaining her distance from her new teammates. She never hesitated to do dangerous things or help Baekho Lee when the situation—or Baekho himself—called for it.

Until one day, she received both good news and bad news in one complicated package.

"Bjorn... is alive...?"

Bjorn was alive, but...

"If I don't, Bjorn Yandel will die?"

New shackles had been chained around her ankles. And there was no way she could tell him about them.

"Haha... So that's everything I've gone through... Nothing special, right?"

But that was okay. She was used to locking things away.

***

Missha's story was quite interesting in that it told me what Baekho Lee had been up to for the past few years.

They really did focus on leveling up as much as they could.

It also allowed me to learn more about Baekho's skills. I wasn't able to learn every little thing about him, but at the very least, his character concept became clear to me. From what I was hearing, he seemed to be a hand-to-hand special ability user.

He's even able to use any weapon under the sun if the situation calls for it.

He was stronger than I gave him credit for, though his essence combo didn't earn all that high of a score from me.

I don't understand what he meant when he said there was no way for him to get stronger. Why did he say that...? Was he just bluffing?

There were a few things that seemed off to me, but there was no way for me to get any answers right now.

While I carefully filed away all the new information I learned today, Missha tiptoed over to a new topic. "So... what did you mean earlier?"

"Huh? What?"

I tilted my head as Missha's voice grew even smaller. "You told me earlier... you know... that I wasn't going anywhere."

Oh, that...

"What did you mean by that?"

My reply was blunt without any hint of embarrassment. Like she said earlier—"Aren't we close comrades? Of course we should stick together." The words came out of me before I even had time to think them through.

Judging by Missha's expression, she seemed to understand what I meant. "...I-Is that so?"

"Yeah, of course it is." I quickly changed the subject. "But back then, on Farune Island. What was it that you wanted to tell me?"

"Ah... That... D-Did I want to tell you something? I-I don't rrremember..."

She was falling back on old habits, which meant she was lying. However, I worried things would only get more awkward if I pushed her any further, so I decided I would just have to ask her again later. It was time to move on to the next question.

"Oh! Do you have my necklace? Raven told me you were the one to take it..."

Missha undid the button at her neck, revealing No. 7777: Garphas's Necklace, hidden under her clothes. Thankfully, she hadn't sold it and was taking good care of it.

"U-Um... D-Do I have to give it back?"

What kind of question was that? "Hand it over."

"...Fine."

Things were finally back where they belonged.

***

My conversation with Missha lasted from midday until nighttime. Since we hadn't seen each other in such a long time, there was a lot to discuss. As time passed, the awkwardness of our long-awaited reunion slowly dissipated.

"It's already this late? Are you hungry? How about we all eat—"

Missha quietly shook her head at my offer. Did she want to go back to her inn and eat there instead?

"Where are you sleeping tonight? We have lots of empty rooms, so how about you just live here now?"

"Bjorn. I appreciate the thought, but you don't have to go that far for me."

The stubborn look in her eyes told me it'd be tough to change her mind. Was she planning to distance herself from me?

"I-Is that so? I see. Then do what you like."

"Thanks for understanding. And about joining your clan... can I have some time to think about it?"

"...Time? Ah, of course! But... how long do you think you'll need?

"One week... I think that'll be enough. I'll come back here when I have my answer. I promise not to make you wait too long."

With that, our reunion came to an end. I headed back upstairs, feeling the need to give an explanation to the other ladies of the house. Surprisingly, it seemed they were together in the same room talking in low, serious voices...

Step.

Before I even knocked on the door, I could already hear them scrambling around, implying they had sensed me walking up the stairs. When I stepped inside, the two of them quickly shut their mouths in unison. I was kind of curious about what type of conversation these two could have been having while alone.

"Can we talk?"

"O-Of course! Come in." Even as she said yes, though, Erwen sounded slightly panicked. That was unusual. "Wh-what brings you h-here to my room?"

I had thought she might be upset or angry, but she seemed strangely fine somehow. My gaze snapped to Amelia, but she simply shrugged her shoulders when our eyes met. She must be much better at managing Erwen's emotions now...

She really is reliable.

After nodding my head at her to show my gratitude, I turned back toward Erwen.

"W-Was there... something you wanted to talk about?"

Something was fishy here. It was like she was hiding something.

I was sure she would bombard me with questions about Missha the moment I entered...

When I glanced around the room, something on her desk caught my eye. It was a thick, familiar book.

That book... I think I've seen it in Amelia's room before.

The title of the book was Man and Woman. Was it a romance novel? Maybe I should try and read it later myself.

"So, what happened to Karlstein? Did she already leave?"

"Oh, right..."

I gave them a brief summary of what we talked about and how Missha was taking some time to decide whether or not to join our clan. With that, the day finally came to a close.

Now alone, I let out a sigh and stared up at the ceiling. I was lying in bed, but sleep wouldn't come.

What if Missha didn't come back? No, why did I even have to convince Baekho Lee to give Missha back in the first place? Did she really only think of me as a former comrade? But then, if that were the case, why would she go to such lengths to revive me?

What were Missha's real intentions?

"...I should just sleep."

I decided to set these thoughts aside for now. I wouldn't be able to answer all these questions on my own.

From there, time flew by.

"Congratulations, young warriors! As of today, you will leave the holy land and be reborn as true warriors!"

Yet another coming-of-age ceremony was currently being held for the young barbarians. In other words, today was the day the labyrinth opened.