Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Earn Some Money, Get Up, Feed Me
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Sio Tripolius.
A truly annoyingly perfect man who suited the moniker of Sword Saint to a tee. He was already undoubtedly the world's best with the sword alone, yet every morning the sight that greeted me was always him swinging his blade.
With unwavering posture, unwavering technique, unwavering speed—his strikes were so precise they made you wonder if a machine wasn't behind them. Most folks slack off on basics like that once they're muscle memory, but even after nearly a month, that routine hadn't changed one bit.
"Sio. Don't you ever get sick of it, doing that every single day?"
"Hey, now you're ditching 'master' and just calling me by name?"
"I'm still being polite, aren't I? So, seriously, no boredom after all this time? You started swinging swords at ten, right? That's twenty-five years."
"You go on about some land of manners and propriety. Of course I'm sick of it, you moron. Repeat anything for twenty-five years and it'd bore anyone."
His tone dripped with "duh," his expression screaming pity for my stupidity. He was my master, sure, but that snarky side of him always rubbed me the wrong way.
"Still gotta keep at it. What's the point of being called Sword Saint? Step past the Demon Realm, and there are tons stronger than me. That's why I drill the basics nonstop. You don't survive that place picking up a trick or two."
Sio let out a bitter chuckle. He'd been through it enough times that every word reeked of helplessness—it was pretty heartbreaking, really. I mean, thirty-five was still young, but the guy's seen some shit.
"Ooh~ That almost sounded cool. Totally different vibe from your usual."
"Hero, there's no sincerity in your eyes. Cut the crap and grab your sword. We've got a full day ahead."
Sio flicked the sword he'd been swinging my way as he spoke. Naturally assuming I'd done my conditioning before heading to the training grounds.
"I skipped conditioning."
"You bastard. Didn't I tell you to start with laps the second you roll out of bed, before even washing up?"
"I'm no Ironman. How am I supposed to do that right after waking up, dead tired?"
"You're the Hero, you lunatic..."
Whatever. Point was, I hated morning workouts.
Needless to say, my whining earned me a smack, followed by those laps—and that was our little secret. As was tattling to Seren afterward.
My hazy mind gradually sharpened. It didn't take long to realize the scene I'd been watching was just a dream. I'd always dreamed pretty often, after all.
If anything, lately I'd been wondering why the dreams had stopped. But of all things, dreaming about bro-ing out with some dude? When I'd built ties with plenty of gorgeous women over the years. Talk about an unlucky way to kick off the day.
I naturally cracked my eyes open to a morning utterly still—no chirping bugs, no twittering birds. No ticking clock, no whispering wind. Spaces this quiet still felt alien. Even the simply furnished room around me did.
After ten years in Pretoria, I'd never known spaces or times this refined.
Pretoria was nothing if not extreme.
The common folk's homes, worn down by endless demon wars, lay in ruins. Walls or ceilings always had at least one hole, letting in heat or cold unchecked.
Yet amid the squalor, the nobility and royals flaunted their vanity. Those gaudy buildings, built to scream grandeur, always turned my stomach for some reason.
Granted, they'd been constructed before the wars started, with no expansions since. Whatever... In their eyes, that was probably "frugal."
Anyway, zoning out in a room this serene made me realize anew that high-rises like this had no birds flitting nearby. It was a strangely novel sensation.
Pretoria's tallest buildings topped out at seven stories, so birds and bugs were everyday companions. Well, except the Demon God's temple—that thing was massive. You had to crane your neck forever to see the top.
Lost in those thoughts, I shuffled to the living room and flopped onto the sofa. It was eight o'clock. Sihyun would wake any minute now, so like always, I'd just kill time with TV.
Time passed: 8:10, 8:20, 8:30. Weird. She'd be late for work at this rate. Figuring she was exhausted, I knocked on her door.
"Pretty landlady~ Time to go bring home the bacon."
Knock knock—no reply from inside. Dead silent.
"Sihyun?"
She must be wiped. No sound at all from her room, so I cracked the door, worry nagging me. There she was, eyes closed, sleeping soundly on the bed. Good color in her cheeks, breathing steady. Just deep in dreamland.
Making me fret for nothing. This little squirt.
"Earn money! Get up! Make breakfast! Feed me!"
I plopped on her bed and shook her, belting out the wake-up nag. Even if she bolted now, it'd be a rush job to wash up and head out.
"Ugh..."
Sihyun scrunched her face and yanked the blanket over her head. I snatched it away and wrapped it around myself.
"No can do—it's time for us to clock in~"
"Argh... Hey."
"'Hey' to your big bro? Who personally came to rouse you?"
"You crazy jerk... It's the weekend today!!!"
Oh.
"Whoops, sorry! Sleep tight. Sweet dreams!"
Best strategy: bail fast. I neatly tucked the blanket back in and turned to go.
Grab—
Oh no.
"The freeloading bum bro's finally snapped. You're toast."
"My bad. Want a lullaby...? Ow!"
Fuming Sihyun swung that pillow at me like her life depended on it. Didn't hurt, but man, it stung emotionally. It really wasn't on purpose!
"Make food."
"On it."
Weird. I wanted to be the layabout mooching snacks—why was I the one cooking?
"Water."
"Here."
I fetched it without a second thought, set the full table, and slid into the seat across from her.
"Was gonna sleep in for once after forever... Useless big bro. Sigh, at least the food looks good."
"It's your bro's worried heart that's the problem... No, your sweetly eating heart's the real issue."
"You really nail the annoying lines, don't you?"
Sihyun raised her fist again.
"Whoa, no fists at the table. Breaks your bro's heart."
"Pfft! Such a smooth talker~ Hurry and eat."
It was our first shared early breakfast since moving in together. A daily commuter and a perennial NEET? Mornings never lined up. Actually, thinking about it, she just skipped breakfast.
We bantered nonsense while eating at a leisurely pace. No rush made it easy to zone out.
Ah.
Come to think of it, there was something I'd been meaning to bring up with Sihyun but kept forgetting.
"Sihyun."
"Yeah? What's up?"
"Got plans today?"
"Nah, just chilling at home. Wanna do something? Legend of League together?"
Oh, tempting.
"Nah, let's head out somewhere."
"Where?"
"Uh, the columbarium?"
I'd put it off since coming back to Earth, excuses piling up. It tied into that outburst of hers too. Always alone. No mom, no dad—just her. They must've passed.
"Oh... Right. Haven't mentioned Mom and Dad at all since you got back."
"Felt like you were avoiding it. I'm not totally clueless, y'know."
"Heh, news to me~ Figured you ditched all manners and common sense for those ten years."
"Making your bro cry?"
"Haha~ Kidding. Let's wash up and get ready then. I'll fill you in on the way."
"Sure~"
I scrubbed every inch meticulously for once, neatened my hair and beard. Heading to see Mom and Dad after so long—better look sharp.
Pulled out a crisp suit, tied my tie, strapped on my watch. The constricting fabric bugged me, but I could tough it out for half a day.
"Bro, no way. Your prep took longer than mine..."
Sihyun, already done and grumbling, froze when she saw me.
"Why the shock? Even this bro knows how to spruce up."
"Yeah... How are you in your thirties? Unfair genes. Always been jealous, but hits different now."
She was plenty pretty herself, though.
"You're jealous? You've got a face that's dated plenty."
"Too slammed surviving solo for that. Bet you got your fill~ C'mon, let's go."
"Huh? Oh."
Wait, I'd never dated. Ever. Why? Too slammed even in Pretoria for anything real. Ah, miss Seren. Should've just confessed.
Miss Seren.