EP.4 Lina Estelle (3)

A week. That was how long I'd planned to stay before leaving. And in fact, for that first week, I hunted every single day without rest. Catching Blood Rabbits, getting injured, catching more. I was dead serious about leveling up.

But—as is always the case with the world—plans are just plans.

When I came to my senses, a full month had flown by since I'd checked into the Inn.

At first, I'd tried to make do with just Blood Rabbits for leveling. But the efficiency was abysmal. At this rate, even months of grinding wouldn't move the needle.

So I changed course. The Hidden Quest near the Village. In the game, if you survived the early parts, it led to acquiring an A-rank trait. That's what I was aiming for.

But—on the way there, I ran into a pack of goblins.

I managed a few, somehow. But holding out against a whole swarm? Impossible. In the end, I retreated. Without even glimpsing the Hidden Quest.

"Ha…"

If only I'd succeeded in that quest, I might be stepping into the capital by now.

Why the capital? To build my strength and secure a position under the hero party's protection. That's the only way to plant myself at the center of the main story—and live as safely as possible from there.

To survive long-term in this world, and if possible, live peacefully and prosperously, I had to get into the capital under the hero party's wing.

That's why I'd thrashed around, trying to grow stronger somehow.

But reality was harsh. My level crept up a bit, but agonizingly slowly. I couldn't even peek at the Hidden Quest. And just like that, a month slipped away.

Sure enough, the world doesn't bend to your will.

"Ian. Enough with the sighing already."

"Haa… What can I do when the sighs just come out, Lina sis?"

Of course, the month wasn't a total wash.

Staying at the Inn and hunting repeatedly had noticeably closed the distance between Lina Estelle and me. We were on a first-name basis now. We traded jokes—not occasionally, but every day.

If you could call that progress, it was progress… The problem was getting unintentionally close to a major character.

Half success? Or half failure?

Building rapport with Lina ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Estelle wasn't a bad thing. Connections—whether from school, hometown, blood, or smoke breaks(?), whatever—always come in handy eventually.

But it made me uneasy too. What if this world didn't follow the story I knew? And I was the variable crashing in from outside.

With the butterfly flapping its wings, who knew what chaos it'd unleash? Tiny changes derail the whole flow, right? That's why they call it the butterfly effect.

A fleeting connection could rewrite the entire future.

I glanced at Lina without thinking.

…She's really pretty.

Right now, just your average smiling Inn waitress. But someday, the woman standing beside the hero.

…Did I have any right to wedge myself in there?

I swallowed another sigh before it escaped. One more, and Lina would chew me out.

Sigh… Time to head up and rest.

The weather was off today. A storm raged outside the window, lightning slashing the sky. Thunder made my shoulders twitch involuntarily.

Going ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠out in this? I'd catch a cold instead of XP.

So I behaved and returned to my room, plopping onto the bed. The creaky old mattress and frame groaned in protest.

"Status Window."

A month. The result? Level up by 2. STR +1, INT +1.

"…Wow."

I couldn't help but marvel. This was really a month's worth? How could I grind this hard for so little?

No matter how I squinted, it looked pathetic. Maybe a system glitch? I rubbed my eyes, but the numbers didn't budge.

"…Guess I can't grow without the Hidden Quest."

I had no idea what the original 'Ian's growth potential was. But one thing was sure: I'd never seen this face in the game.

Extra among extras. No player memorizes every background NPC.

Unnamed, no quests, can't join parties—who'd care?

So maybe I overlooked him. But if—

What if 'Ian' really was a background NPC? With a low growth cap?

Otherwise, how could a month of grinding yield just level +2, STR +1, INT +1?

Creak—the bed groaned as I leaned back, muttering.

"This possession difficulty is hardcore as hell…"

I had high-rank traits and skills. A, even S and EX.

The problem? Useless in combat.

Check status, make money, store stuff. Great. All good.

But against monsters? Worthless. Dead is dead. No rank saves you at 0 HP.

That's why I pushed this body to the limit for stats. But it… rejected growth.

"…At least the face is handsome."

I glanced in the mirror. Honestly, not bad. Overkill for a background NPC. Dress me right, and I'd pass for nobility.

Maybe that's why Lina warmed up to me fast. Good looks grease the wheels.

Harsh truth, but the world runs on it. Beauty gives you a head start. Not just humans—nature too. Attractiveness is power.

That's why I hadn't given up on life as 'Ian' yet.

Worst case, I can always host at a bar.

No such thing in the game. But this was game-world reality. The capital probably had spots like that.

Even if all plans tanked… I wouldn't starve. This face would earn rice at least.

…Not how I wanted to live, though.

Spare me the plot where a pretty boy gets stabbed for being cocky.

Fantasy world. Looks don't guarantee safety.

"…One more shot."

Couldn't delay forever. The Hidden Quest. Without it, no more growth here.

Goblin pack or not, no backing down this time.

I didn't plan to die. But stagnation meant a life far from what I wanted.

…Should tell Lina.

A month. Short, but it'd piled up a lot. Hunting tales, meals, nagging. Names, laughs. Even market runs together as guest and worker.

So leaving felt oddly bitter.

What would Lina think? Probably just a friendly guest who stayed a bit.

We'd gotten close, but not that close. I'd pried about her past a few times; she always dodged.

No sparks, no tension. Just… easier sis-bro vibes.

That's what I'd believed.

I stood.

This month wasn't bad. But I couldn't stop here.

"Tomorrow morning for leaving, then…"

Not packing and bolting now. At least tonight, one last talk with her.

Door open, down to the first floor. Solitude had eaten the evening. Guests retired; lobby held only soft lamplight.

Lina alone.

"Ian?"

"Lina sis."

"Here to help sis?"

"Yeah. Can't be easy alone."

Not a lie. I wanted to help.

But the real reason…

Tell her I'm leaving tomorrow.

Yet my mouth wouldn't move. Just a month. Didn't expect this attachment.

First real bond in this world. Maybe the most natural friendship with a girl ever.

So thinking it ends here choked me up.

Clink—clink—dishes echoed in the lobby.

We cleaned in silence. Me. Her.

"……"

"……"

Normal evening routine.

But—why so awkward tonight?

A word would break it, yet the quiet dragged.

Clink—clink—

"Lina sis."

"Ian."

Names at once. Couldn't stand the silence?

"You first, sis."

"Yeah…"

Lina smiled awkwardly. Head down in silence, then slowly spoke.

"Ian. Wanna work at the Inn with sis?"

"……"

Sounded like a simple offer. Short-staffed, join up?

But—her strained expression said otherwise. No dullard like me could miss it.

This awkward air, her bringing it up. Feelings I'd ignored.

But—

"…Sorry, sis."

I shook my head.

Lina Estelle. If I were the real 'Ian,' not a possessor, I'd have said yes. Hell, definitely.

She's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my type. Looks, personality. With her, not rich, but no lacks. Guard the small Inn, raise kids who look like us, live plainly laughing.

Like that daydream on possession day.

But—the future I knew was Lina Estelle's empowered world.

Trials, wounds, growth to stand tall.

I didn't want to snuff that potential with my variable self.

Together, that future vanishes.

What a selfish guy.

Yeah. My choice was selfish.

Don't want to stunt her growth. Want my known worldline intact.

For that, I pushed away her sincerity.

"…Might regret it forever."

"Yeah. Probably regret it lifelong. Who'd think I'd turn down a confession from a beauty like sis…"

Me, who'd never imagined a girl confessing first. And I rejected it.

Damn. Scene to haunt me forever.

But—accepting meant regretting differently lifelong.

My speck could derail the big story.

Butterfly wingbeat into storm.

So I chose the known future over life with her.

"Ian."

"Yeah… sis."

Lina approached slowly. Steps cautious, no hesitation.

Closing distance. Breath first.

Then—her arms around my neck.

Soft skin brushes. I shut my eyes instinctively.

Her lips met mine; breaths tangled.

"Haup, chuup…"

Wet, warm touch. Her breath seeped in, lemon-sweet body scent teasing my nose.

Heart thumped huge.

Unconsciously, my arms wrapped her waist. Gently, like I couldn't let go.

"Haup, chuuup… haa… haa… Ian…"

Lips parted, rejoined. Deeper now.

Heart racing to burst. Thump—thump—

Her body against my chest. Subtle brushes with each breath dizzied me.

Right now—I wanted to scoop her up, head to bed.

Closer. Deeper. Desire whited out my mind.

But—

"Tonight… let's stop here."

Lina pulled back first. Cool air settled over the short, heated moment.

"…Shame."

Honest regret slipped out.

A bit more… might've been my first ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠time.

With her, an unforgettable memory.

"…When you come back, let's do it."

"Huh…?"

"Next time, when you return. So… you have to come back. Got it?"

Words refusing to let go till the end. She stared straight.

This was foul play.

I laughed, nodding.

"…Yeah. I'll come back."

And one more kiss. Short, firm.

Sealing the promise.

[Lina Estelle]