Chapter 15: Encounter (3)
Chapter 15: Encounter (3)
Until yesterday, he had been an ordinary person who knew nothing. Even as an Awakener, he likely wouldn't have known much about the world where Tiamat and Grace had come from.
He had heard a general overview of what had happened from Tiamat, but he hadn't heard the finer details.
For instance, the fact that the world Grace lived in was named 'Nippur'... or that the countless intelligent beings living there had died, and the few survivors had migrated to worlds other than Earth with the help of several gods, just as Grace had been saved by Tiamat.
He wondered if he really needed to know all this, but Han Shin felt that having some background knowledge would help him understand the situation better, so he asked Grace to tell him.
Grace highly appreciated the fact that Han Shin was approaching the matter with such a serious attitude.
The next thing Grace taught Han Shin was about her current state.
"So, the level displayed on this app is a numerical representation of actual strength, but... Grace and I are starting from completely different points."
"That is correct."
Grace had already reached a level close to the absolute limit for a human knight. Currently, because Tiamat had used a great deal of power and was still recovering, Grace was restricted because she couldn't receive that divine strength.
On the other hand, Han Shin was someone who, until recently, had been so severely injured that he could barely function as a normal person. Now, his body was restored, and he was just taking his first steps as an Awakener.
It was only natural that their actual strength differed, even if they were both Level 1.
After hearing Grace's clear explanation and reaching an understanding, Han Shin asked an important question.
"Then, to restore your strength... I mean, what do we have to do to raise your level?"
"Everything will be resolved once Lady Tiamat recovers her power, but that will be difficult for the time being. Currently, the most realistic method is to subjugate Core Monsters within dungeons, absorb their mana, and transfer it to me."
Mana was a neutral force. It was a power that could be used commonly regardless of whether one's alignment was good or evil; it wasn't 'polluted' just because someone specific had created it.
Because of this, the Mana Cores that made up the dungeons created by the forces of the Evil Gods were quite appetizing.
The reason the app functioned by absorbing the Mana Core directly from the dungeon was to allow them to grow stronger faster by absorbing mana while simultaneously clearing the dungeon.
Originally, ordinary mortal Awakeners—excluding Mages—could not use mana. However, Tiamat had used her authority to design the app so that mana could be converted into her holy power through her Proxy, Han Shin, even if there was a slight loss in the process.
Knowing this, Han Shin immediately responded to Grace's fluent explanation.
"Oh? Really? Then, since we just subjugated a dungeon, if I hand over the mana we've accumulated, will you level up?"
"Yes. If you look at the app, the amount of mana you possess will be displayed separately."
Following Grace's words, Han Shin checked the app. He saw a green bar, which he hadn't noticed before, filled up on the character representing himself, with the value '50' displayed.
"Hmm... this value seems a bit low. Do I need to collect more?"
"Yes. It is more efficient to collect a large amount at once before converting it."
Since he would be going to dungeons continuously anyway, Han Shin nodded, thinking he would be able to collect it in no time.
It really is like a game. I can think of this mana as a kind of experience point.
Han Shin then asked the next important question.
"Then how do I transfer the mana to you? It works through the app, right?"
Since everything so far had been operated through the app, Han Shin naturally assumed this would be the case as well.
".....That is..."
However, unlike her previous clear answers, Grace's reaction was very strange.
It was the first time Han Shin had seen Grace acting so hesitant and embarrassed.
Though it had been less than a day since they met, Han Shin had already clearly felt what an outstanding knight Grace was.
Even her character was so noble and beautiful that the word 'perfect' felt appropriate. Seeing her remain faithful to someone as insignificant as himself made him think she was the quintessential knight.
Seeing such a woman blushing slightly, avoiding his gaze, and fidgeting with her fingers across the table was a very rare sight.
Grace had no choice but to react this way.
Finally, deciding that she couldn't keep quiet forever, Grace made up her mind, closed her eyes tight, and spoke.
"The person who is to receive the power from Han Shin... must have contact between mucous membranes... and receive bodily fluids."
Han Shin understood why Grace had found it so hard to say.
"So... if Grace and I have a deep kiss... ah..."
However, seeing Grace become even more embarrassed and not affirming his words, Han Shin soon realized it wasn't a deep kiss.
At first, he thought they just had to kiss, but he was mistaken.
It was something more.
He realized they had to have sex.
A long silence followed between the two.
No, what on earth... Tiamat, what were you thinking...
Han Shin felt his mouth go dry.
It was even worse because he was a virgin with no experience with women.
To be honest... it's not a bad deal for me... ahem...
As a man, the opportunity to have a relationship with a beauty like Grace was something to be welcomed with open arms.
However, they had met less than a day ago, and he couldn't just be happy about the fact that Grace would have to have sex with him against her will.
If Han Shin's personality had been just a bit more trashy, he would have lunged at Grace immediately.
He wasn't a perfect saint, but Han Shin prided himself on not being that far gone.
Well, it's not like we have to do it right now...
According to Grace's explanation earlier, they needed to fill up more mana from dungeons.
Postponing it for later was the best course of action for now.
"I understand, Grace. Let's talk about that later."
"Understood."
This was a welcome response for Grace as well. As a virgin, it was incredibly embarrassing for her to even speak of such things.
Specifically, saying it to Han Shin.
During her days as a knight, it wasn't as if all knights were noble and strictly followed the code of chivalry.
Since many hot-blooded individuals were gathered together, there was plenty of lewd talk.
Once Grace reached a certain rank, she was respected by everyone, so they didn't dare say such things directly in front of her...
But during her time as a trainee knight or a low-ranking knight, she had heard quite a bit of dirty talk.
Unlike now, back then, Grace had brushed it off without batting an eye.
Yet now, a sense of shame that surprised even her welled up from deep within her chest and enveloped her entire body.
She tried to act as if nothing was wrong, but seeing her flushed face and earlobes, Han Shin knew that Grace was still very embarrassed.
Amidst the awkward atmosphere between them, Han Shin opened his mouth to change the subject.
"By the way, am I still just an ordinary person? I can't feel any kind of power I can use..."
He had felt the mana flowing in when he absorbed the dungeon core earlier, but after that, there was no particular sensation, and he couldn't move the mana.
This was Han Shin's final curiosity. Even now, looking at his information window in the app, Grace was displayed as a 'Knight,' whereas he had no such designation.
By now, even ordinary people knew about the characteristics of different types of Awakeners, and Han Shin was no exception.
Of course, the fact that his crippled body had returned to a healthy, normal state was the biggest change, and he was incredibly satisfied and grateful for it...
But in a situation where he had to enter dungeons and fight monsters, he needed combat abilities as an Awakener.
I can't just leave the fighting to Grace and depend on her... like I've been depending on Noona.
Han Shin didn't want to live a life where he could do nothing but receive help anymore.
However, this was something even Grace didn't know.
This was her first time acting as a follower of Tiamat in this way, and it was the first time Tiamat had ever appointed a Proxy.
Naturally, there was no information.
"I do not know the answer to that either... but you do not need to rush. I can protect you until you awaken your abilities, Han Shin."
"Thank you..."
Han Shin expressed his gratitude for Grace's reliable words, but he felt disappointed that he hadn't changed as an Awakener yet and couldn't be of help in combat.
Han Shin's feelings were plain on his face, and Grace read them.
"If... you wish, I shall teach you swordsmanship."
Based on Han Shin's reactions and physical build shown in the dungeon earlier, she judged him to be quite suitable for swordsmanship, allowing her to make the decision quickly.
Even if he awakens a different talent later, it would be good for him to know at least basic self-defense swordsmanship.
Both of them agreed that there was absolutely nothing to lose by learning.
Han Shin's mood visibly brightened, and he immediately stepped forward, saying he would learn.
"Since it is late today, it would be best to start tomorrow."
"Alright."
Han Shin readily accepted Grace's suggestion.
"Then I'll have to wake up early tomorrow morning."
"Yes. If you are late to rise, I shall wake you."
"Yeah, please do."
Seeing Han Shin's highly motivated attitude, Grace felt inspired to guide and teach him swordsmanship well.
Naturally, the two of them prepared to sleep.
Before they knew it, enough time had passed to fill the awkward gap, and it was now deep into the night.
Grace suggested that she would sleep outside, but Han Shin immediately rejected the idea.
Pushed by Han Shin, Grace ended up entering his room.
"Well, goodnight, Grace. See you tomorrow."
Han Shin closed the door just like that.
It had been a long time since she had received such consideration from a man as a woman.
In the past, she wouldn't have thought much of it, but now it was different.
Receiving such consideration from Han Shin, she had to admit that she felt good.
Slowly looking around Han Shin's room, Grace carefully sat on his bed.
After observing the room for a moment, Grace noticed that the arrangement of the items in the room was set up for convenience back when Han Shin couldn't walk.
"The room is cleaned neatly as well... I wonder if he has family living with him..."
Grace's habit of tracking monsters by assessing her surroundings from her knight days kicked in, and she found herself making deductions based on the state of Han Shin's room.
Soon, thinking that this might be rude to Han Shin, she cleared her thoughts and crawled under the covers of the bed Han Shin had prepared for her.
The soft bed and blankets she had slept on earlier had been replaced with fresh ones.
The crisp, clean feeling made her think she would be able to sleep even more soundly.
The fact that she didn't have to sleep here and could go to the Sanctuary crossed Grace's mind once more... but she subconsciously ignored the thought.
She felt that living in the same house as Han Shin like this was a good thing, with nothing bad about it.