22
My Villains Chapter 22
6. Broken Things (3)
"Haa, haa-"
We left the square, passed through the market, and it wasn't until we entered the western street that we could catch our breath.
Daria, catching her breath, looked at me with an exhausted expression and asked, "Haa, ha- Phoenix, aren't you tired?"
"I'm fine, so take a rest."
It's no wonder she was surprised, as I had recovered my breathing just by taking three or four deep breaths. Despite running through the crowd carrying heavy armor and a sack of grain, I had only broken a slight sweat.
Daria grabbed her knees and caught her breath for a moment. Under her bent body, her disheveled front collar slipped down a bit, and between that, something incredible-
"..."
I quickly averted my gaze to appreciate the birds freely roaming the sky. Unlike the ominous atmosphere of the city, the sky was incredibly peaceful. The chirping of birds, the bright sunlight, and the sea breeze brushing past my ears dispelled my worries...
By the time I had regained peace of mind and body, Daria had caught her breath and straightened up.
"Are you okay?"
"Whew, yeah. Thanks. You saved me." ...How nice, how kind!
If it had been Ellen instead of Daria, she would have kicked my shin saying, "You idiot, where were you until now?!"
Feeling even more apologetic, I offered an apology.
"I'm really sorry. I got distracted for a moment."
"No, it's fine. Who could have known such a thing would happen in that short time? It's my fault. I should have been more careful."
Her face showed clear signs of self-blame as she muttered.
Wait, self-blame? Why on earth!
"Daria, what are you saying? Those guys are the bad ones, how could it be your fault?"
As I raised my voice, Daria looked surprised for a moment and then shook her head.
"It's wrong for a young woman to go out to the square when the city atmosphere is so ominous. I should have been more cautious..."
...What nonsense is this?
I was dumbfounded and about to argue, but I hesitated.
Right. This isn't 21st century South Korea. I don't know everything about this world, but in the Kingdom of Milanol in the Middle World, especially in a city called South Harbor, people cheer while watching others being hanged. It would be foolish to apply modern logic and sensibility here.
I sighed and took Daria's hands in mine. They were delicate hands, rough and cracked here and there.
"Don't blame yourself, Daria. Those guys are the bad ones. It's not your fault."
"...Thank you, Phoenix."
Only then did Daria show a faint smile.
We walked in silence for a while.
Then, Daria suddenly asked a question.
"Come to think of it, Phoenix. Where did you go earlier?"
It was a perfectly ordinary question, with no trace of anger or reproach.
However, through my life experiences, I instinctively realized that this moment was an extremely critical situation. My brain, engulfed in a sense of crisis, worked furiously for about 1.5 seconds before finally coming up with an answer.
"Ah, actually..."
I propped up the grain sacks with one hand and then inserted the other hand into my breastplate. After fumbling for a moment, I pulled out what I had grabbed and held it out to Daria.
What emerged was a cherry blossom ring.
"They were selling these at a street stall. I thought it would suit you."
"Really?"
Daria's eyes widened as she accepted the ring.
She immediately put it on her finger and smiled freshly, as if a flower bud was blooming.
"It fits perfectly!"
"I'm glad."
It's fortunate in many ways. Judging by her expression, not only did I avoid a crisis, but I seem to have scored quite a few points.
...But why do I instinctively try to woo her? Is this the pull of an exciting heart, or the command of exploding testosterone?
Putting aside my concerns for a moment, I chatted with Daria about the flower ring.
She said there are no cherry trees in South Harbor. Only occasionally do petals fall, carried by the northeastern wind.
But the ring I gave her was woven with whole cherry blossoms, not just petals. So Daria was very amazed and delighted.
Then Daria spoke with a worried expression.
"But... Will it be okay? Those thugs from earlier, they said they were Ubar's subordinates."
"Who exactly is this Ubar guy?"
"He's the gangster boss who controls the market. Rumor has it he's a terrifying guy who even deals in salt and slaves..."
"Gangster boss?"
Ah, Kingpin Ubar! Now I remember.
Is it because of the overly vivid and cruel sense of reality? I often forget that I've fallen into the game world called Dark World.
Dark World was a game with some roguelike features.
Hardcore mode, items with random options, terrain and monsters that change with each new campaign start - these were the roguelike features.
However, Dark World had a fixed scenario, so there were fixed monsters necessary for game progression.
Such creatures were commonly called 'FixNems' (Fixed Named Enemy, entities that always appear among named enemies).
There were four FixNems in Chapter 2 of the Dark World campaign, and the third one you encountered was the gangster boss Ubar.
As for what kind of guy Ubar is...
If you follow the scenario and click on NPCs in order, an event occurs at the dock. That's where you encounter gangster boss Ubar and his subordinates.
Yeah. This is all I know about the guy.
Of course, I know all about the strategy to catch Ubar or the types of random names he brings out. But the problem is, I have no idea why we fight Ubar in the scenario.
I know that right before fighting Ubar, you have conversations with the lord, market merchants, and the captain of the guard in order.
But what conversations take place, why Ubar and his minions suddenly appear at the dock after those conversations, what the letter Ubar had was about - I don't know any of it.
It's not that I can't remember... Damn, I never even read it!
Kim Seung-soo, you damn cutscene skipper! How can you play games since elementary school and not know the scenario like this!
As my expression soured, Daria asked with a dark look, "Phoenix. Are you worried?"
"No, why would I be worried? That Ubar guy wouldn't even know me."
But Daria's face was still dark.
"You're really famous, you know..."
"Ah."
Right, damn it.
I had gotten the nickname 'Bloody Swordsman' from the battle at the dock.
Someone like Ubar could easily get information that the Bloody Swordsman is staying at the Ship’s Horn Inn.
"Of course, he might not have recognized you. Back then, you were really..."
"Ah. Right."
What Daria was talking about was my appearance when I returned to the inn after the battle. I was completely covered in blood, to the point where it was hard to recognize me.
Daria tried to smile and said, "You were wearing a helmet earlier, right? He probably didn't recognize you."
"Yeah, maybe."
I nodded calmly, but... Honestly, I'm terrified.
Ubar and his minions are quite strong. Of course, if it were a game, I'd be confident in sweeping them away with just a level 11 Blood Knight.
An average user would need to be at least level 15 to tackle them, but for me, level 11 is enough. No, it's comfortable.
But this is reality. Really, what if - what if Ubar brings all his subordinates and storms the inn, guards or not... What then?
At the same time, a new and even more fatal problem occurred to me.
If Ubar comes looking for me... What happens to the scenario?
I returned to the inn, trying my best to hide my worry. If Daria knew I was anxious, she might get scared too.
You might ask, why not just move to a different inn?
The fact that the Bloody Swordsman is staying at the Ship's Horn Inn has already spread thickly throughout the city.
If Ubar came to the inn seeking revenge for his subordinate and I wasn't there? He might take out his anger on the innkeeper, Daria, and the other workers.
Hah, what should I do? I can't just stay at the inn all day either.
...Right, the answer is to progress the scenario quickly. I need to get acquainted with the lord or the captain of the guards to receive help from the guard.
I reached this conclusion just as we arrived at the inn.
After bringing the grain sacks to the kitchen, I was about to go up to the second floor when Daria stopped me.
"Phoenix, wait a moment."
"Hmm, what is it?"
Daria approached with quick steps and suddenly kissed me on the cheek.
Smooch.
The movement was so quick that neither the innkeeper yawning at the bar nor the merchants sitting at the table behind me noticed.
I too had no choice but to be caught off guard.
...Actually, that's a lie. I could have avoided it, but I didn't.
"Thank you for today.”
Before I could respond, Daria disappeared into the kitchen.
...You temptress. You're really toying with my emotions.
Ah, this was the most satisfying day since I came to this world. Now if I can just nurse my broken wand stand, it'll be a perfect end to the day.
Thinking this, I climbed the stairs when suddenly a sharp scream was heard.
"Get your filthy hands off me, you son of a bitch!"
...It was Ellen's voice.
I flew up the stairs and flung open the door.
"No, I was just- Oh, Phoenix?"
My bloodshot eyes instantly scanned the room.
Ellen was sitting up in bed, panting, drenched in sweat. Thankfully, it didn't seem like she had been harmed.
Only after confirming Ellen was okay did I notice the surroundings.
Gillius, who was saying something, turned to look at me in an awkward posture, a wet cloth on the floor, a bucket sloshing with well water.
Gillius, seeing my expression, turned pale and raised both hands, saying, "Look, Phoenix. This is what Sister Olga-"
"Get out, old man."
I could guess the situation roughly.
Sister Olga must have had some reason to leave, and Gillius was watching over Ellen in her place.
And Ellen, waking up, must have thrown a fit as usual.
"No, I think there's some misunderstanding-"
"I said get out."
I get it, I roughly understand what's going on, but...
I read panic and fear in Gillius's eyes. Not embarrassment or indignation.
"Now, wait. This is- gak!"
Watching Gillius babble, I couldn't control my impulse.
I rushed at him, grabbed his neck, tripped him, and slammed him to the floor.
CRASH!
"Keh, kak! Ugh..."
Gillius's large body flew almost a meter in the air before falling, smashing the floorboards.
As I was about to draw my falchion in this state, Ellen screamed.
"Phoenix! Stop!"
The sharp high pitch made me come to my senses.
Damn, what am I doing? Why am I trying to draw my sword? Am I trying to kill him? Just because I don't like the look in his eyes?
"I-I'm fine. Nothing happened."
As Ellen stammered but spoke in a calm voice to stop me, I involuntarily exhaled a hot breath.
"Huff..."
As I let go and stood up, Gillius, embedded in the floorboards, groaned.
"Ugh, damn it. What did I do? I was just- urgh."
"...Get out, old man."
"You crazy bastard, shouldn't you apologize first! Ow, I think something's cracked."
As Gillius staggered to his feet, grumbling, I snapped at him in a voice so cold it surprised even me.
"Old man. Shut up."
"...What?"
"I'm having trouble controlling myself right now. If you keep talking nonsense, I might beat you up, so get out quickly."
Gillius glared at me for a moment, clenching his jaw, but soon lowered his eyes and turned away abruptly.
After he left, silence fell in the room for a moment.
Maybe it's because of the years I lived as a member of modern society? I felt quite ashamed for clearly showing my negative emotions.
I also had the belated thought that maybe I overreacted...
So I closed the door without a word and sat down next to Ellen. She was looking at me with complicated eyes, her mouth tightly shut.
Trying to appear calm, I picked up the fallen cotton cloth from the floor and rinsed it in the bucket. After wringing out the water, I gestured to her.
"Hey, lie down. You've sweated a lot."
"I thought you'd gone."
What's she talking about now?
"Gone? Where to?"
"...Anywhere."
"...Are you still half asleep? What nonsense are you suddenly saying?"
Ellen pressed her lips tightly shut again.
What's this? Why is she acting like this?
Ah, is she embarrassed? Well, after crying so much earlier, it would be funny to act like usual.
While I felt the urge to tease her a bit to change the mood...
Hah, what makes an adult an adult? It's refraining from jokes at times like this.
Pretending not to notice her awkwardness, I put my hand inside my breastplate.
As I was taking out the medicine pouch Daria had bought..
Oh shoot, the flower bracelet got caught on my glove and fell out with a thud.
Trying to appear nonchalant, I opened the medicine pouch and said, "Mr. Oreg made this medicine himself. It contains perilla leaves, red thistle, and... Um, elder herb or something, he said."
"Let's eat some porridge later to fill your stomach before taking it. Oh, maybe - take this 30 minutes after eating, or is that not necessary?"
"Let's do that anyway, just to be safe. There might be components that interfere with digestion..."
Ellen was pressing her lips so tightly that her jaw was trembling. She looked as if she was trying to hold back tears.
Only then could I guess how she was feeling.
This kid, she's touched.
I pondered for a moment, looking at the flower bracelet.
Ah, I kind of like this.
Yeah, at times like this, it's best to finish things properly, right? Well, it's not like I have anyone else to give it to.
"Hey, give me your hand."
"......"
"I said, give me your hand."
Ellen obediently held out her hand. I took her hand and carefully put the flower bracelet on her wrist.
"It's made of pinks and plantain woven together. They say it makes the wearer healthy. So wear it well while you're sick. Um... Is it a bit big?"
...It wasn't just a bit big, it looked like it could fit around her forearm with room to spare.
Well, when I bought it earlier, I thoughtlessly chose one that fit my wrist. Of course it wouldn't fit her.
But I didn't show my embarrassment and calmly said, "I think we can cut this a bit and tie it again..."
As I said that and tried to take the bracelet back, she quickly pulled her hand away and hid it against her chest. Then she quietly examined the bracelet.
"Heh, you little rascal. You like it, don't you?"
"This..."
She opened her mouth with a choked voice. At the same time, tears started flowing as if they had been waiting for this moment.
"...Huu...uu..."
She hung her head and tried her best to stop crying, but it was hard to stop a broken dam.
Ah, this is it. Indeed, timing is everything when it comes to gifts.
While I was patting the girl's shoulder, feeling secretly proud, Ellen spoke again.
"*Sob* This, this..."
"Yes, yes."
"This is ragweed, ragweed, you idiot."
...Ragweed?
"...I thought it was plantain."
"It's rag, weed."
...Even the name sounds like a dog, no, a pig. What kind of name is ragweed, seriously.
The girl, while shaking her shoulders, continued to speak.
"This, *sniff* if you wear it, you'll get, hi, ves."
"...I didn't know that."
Do you really have to say that while crying? Can't you just shut up for a bit?
"Give it here. I'll have to throw it away."
As I reached out my hand, she twisted her upper body to avoid my hand.
"No."
"Didn't you say you'll get hives?"
"...Mind your own business."
We continued to squabble for a while as I tried to take the bracelet away. But no matter how much I nagged, she just shook her head while whimpering.
"Fine, do whatever you want."
"I will, *sniff* you idiot."
...What an ill-mannered wand stand girl.