A Warrior's Oath and the Elf's Gaze
1. Harin doubted her own ears for a moment. She was utterly convinced she'd misheard. After all, I'll protect you? It was the first time she'd ever heard such words, and her mind just froze. But Sihoo moved on as if her reaction meant nothing.
"Time to go. My friends are waiting."
"Ah..! W-wait a sec!"
"What."
"I'll protect you. What does that even mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. From your clan, or anything else. Even if a dragon's gunning for your life, I'll protect you."
"D-dragon..? H-ha ha..!"
It was absurd. Laughably so. She might as well believe some old grandpa bragging to street kids. It had to be reckless courage born of ignorance. He probably had no clue how powerful the Kwon clan really was.
But even so, his unwavering stance drew her eyes—and her heart—inexplicably. Before long, Harin asked Sihoo.
"Why go that far for me?"
Sihoo answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Maria's my friend. And Maria's friend is my friend. That makes you my friend. Need more reason than that?"
2. On the way back from our workout, the two who'd finished early were still waiting.
"Why'd you take so damn long? Did you two run a marathon or something? We almost came looking."
"Took a breather after. What's it to you? The one who lapped the block and collapsed talks a big game."
"What'd you say?! After I waited nice, you pull this? And you didn't even buy ice cream on the way!"
"Here."
"Huh? Ice cream? You actually got some?"
"Figured you'd whine about it. Reward for a good workout."
"Waaah—! What's gotten into you? Didn't know you had any sense. Anyway, thanks, I'll dig i—"
[Durian flavor]
"—you crazy cat bitch..! Who the hell eats durian ice cream?!"
"Bitch even when I buy it. Tastes fine to me."
"Only to you!"
The two started bickering the second we met. At this point, it might just be their version of hello. Maria, who'd been smiling at them from the side, handed me a water bottle and said,
"You two worked hard exercising. And.. thanks for helping with our workout earlier. I think I could finish because of you, Sihoo."
"No big deal. I just ran ahead of you. You finished on your own willpower. But don't push too hard next time."
"Yeah, I'll take it easy from now on."
We wrapped up chatting, but honestly, I felt like I could run more. Despite the solid distance, I wasn't tired at all. If anything, my whole body was buzzing, craving stronger stimulus. By now, even I realized something was off with my body. Not off exactly, but...
"Sihoo?"
"Hm? Oh, what's up."
"We're thinking shower and lunch. Wanna come?"
"Yeah, let's go! They say the meal after a workout's part of the workout!"
"Save that passion for the actual workout.. Well, not wrong. Sure, join us if you want. My treat."
"Hell yeah, meat! Meat! Prime cuts! Flower sirloin! Chuck flap tail!"
"Buy your own."
Lunch, huh. Now that she mentioned it, I was starving. Famished. And my appetite had grown too. I'd polished off nearly all the groceries at home last night. Considering I used to barely finish one ramen pack, this was another change.
"Fine, I'll tag along. But I eat a lot, so I'll cover my share."
"Nah, no need! Harin's loaded, y'know? Eat big when she offers!"
"Ugh.. Can't keep your mouth shut. Whatever, eat up without holding back. You're big, but how much can one guy eat?"
They shouldn't underestimate. But if she's offering, no reason to refuse. Especially since Harin still seemed guilty about earlier. Best to call it even with this.
"Got it. Thanks for the feed, then."
"Sweet! Shower first, then chow! I'm all sticky, wanna wash up ASAP."
"Yeah. Swing by home first, then—"
"Huh? Why go home? Just use the communal showers!"
"Showers..?"
"Yup! Unisex, but guys never use 'em! We can relax alone."
That snapped me alert. They still thought I was a girl. If I played dumb and went in, it'd be chaos. Sure, by this world's standards I was handsome, but objectively, I was miles from their league. Even if women here loved men, looks mattered. What if they got disappointed knowing I'm a guy? No guts for that.
And above all.
If I go in like this, I absolutely won't hold back.
It'd been risky even during the workout. Their ragged moans with every stride. Sweat tracing their curves. Every motion was massive stimulus for me now. Maybe that's why I wanted to push harder. Anyway, seeing them naked in this state? I'd lose it and pounce. No woman wants that from a guy she doesn't fancy, no matter how desperate.
Better come clean about being a man now and own it...
"What're you all doing gathered here?"
"Oh? Sylvia!"
Right then, a woman approached and asked. The sight of her shocked me.
Blue bob cut, sharp eyes, porcelain skin—she was stunning. Her proportions were mannequin-perfect, like if a mannequin came alive. But what caught my eye most: pointed ears. Elf. The fantasy race famed for beauty, the eternal standard.
I'd expected non-humans here, but meeting one in modern times hit different. Back in Eldrion, elves were rare, aggressive toward other races—no casual hellos. Seeing this calm exchange was unimaginable.
"Just finished our workout. Heading to the showers now."
"I see. Good to see you so diligent this early. But the communal showers are off-limits today."
"Huh? Why?"
"Maintenance day—water's shut off. It was in the notice.."
"Ehh..? So we gotta go home to wash?"
"Afraid so."
The others knew her already and exchanged greetings naturally. Sylvia, was it? Their politeness suggested she was older.
After, in a brief gap, Sylvia's gaze flicked to me—so subtle only I'd notice.
And then.
"Barbaroi..?"
She muttered it under her breath, but I caught it clear. Tiny whisper, unheard by others. Barbaroi. Foreigner. Barbarian. The term other races used for Earth Warriors—title and slur. I'd heard it plenty as Targon. But now, in Kang Sihoo's body, why call me that?
Questions piled up when Maria stepped in to introduce me.
"Oh, this is my friend Kang Sihoo. Met yesterday, working out together today!"
"Kang Sihoo."
"Your speech is so.. Anyway, nice to meet you, Sihoo. I'm Sylvia, the apartment manager. Please shower at home, even if it's a hassle. I've got work, so excuse me."
Sylvia vanished quick after. Her brisk stride suggested sudden urgency. If it involved me, we'd meet again soon. I'd have questions then too.
"Mm. No showers here, then. Guess I'll wash at home."
"Ugh, lame. How 'bout we all shower at Maria's nearby?"
"Her clothes fit you? Go home and wash proper. Or skip. We'll eat without you."
"Whoa—harsh much, cat girl? No love 'cause you're feline!"
"Says the bunny with no stamina?"
"What?! Hmph..! It's efficiency, okay? I hate wasting energy like some musclehead."
"But that's—"
"Enough, both of you. How 'bout we rest at home and meet for dinner instead?"
No showers meant heading home anyway. Maria suggested dinner to cut the hassle. The bickering pair agreed it was smart. No objections from me, so we set evening plans and I headed home.