Chapter 10
Even as I swung my sword in gratitude to the young mage, practicing my swordsmanship, the gaze fixed on me never faded. While watching me, she was devouring snacks so deliciously that she was already pulling out her fourth bag, fumbling through it.
I turned on my phone to check the time—somehow, it was already past 3 a.m. Normally, I'd train another hour before heading home, but today I'd decided to talk to this spectator, so I couldn't.
Who knows when she'll leave.
With only today and tomorrow as chances to chat, it would be a problem if she vanished suddenly. Steeling my resolve, I turned and approached her.
As I suddenly moved toward her, she stared at me with eyes full of curiosity. Even though I could only see the silhouette of her face, just locking eyes made my breath catch.
Her pure, sparkling violet eyes reflected my own dumbstruck face as I gazed at her. Was there some enchanting magic in those eyes? Staring into them, I felt like I was being pulled right in.
Calm down.
The world I'd possessed was from a novel, but that novel was a parody of the game Akanag Star. Meaning, there could be traits or skills that enchanted people with just a glance.
Mind erosion skill? But it won't work on me, the possessor!
I took a quick deep breath, unstuck my frozen feet, and stood right in front of her. She wasn't particularly tall for a woman, so she tilted her head back to look up at me, eyes wide and innocent. She probably didn't expect me to have business with her, standing there blinking owlishly.
Does she think she's safe because of her artifact?
Not trusting myself to keep staring into those pure eyes, I averted my gaze slightly and called out.
"Excuse me."
She naturally assumed I was calling someone else and turned around to check behind her. Of course, at this late hour, there was no one there.
"…?"
She tilted her head cutely and stared at me again. With no choice, I cleared my throat and tried once more.
"Excuse me?"
Only when I called while looking straight into her eyes did she realize it was her. She jolted in surprise, her shoulders trembling slightly as she replied.
"…Y-Yes?"
She was so startled she bit her tongue. The snack bag in her hand tumbled to the ground. Her eyes, which had been staring so intently, widened like there was an earthquake, shaking wildly.
Shrinking her body, she asked in a tiny, creeping voice, shoulders quivering.
She looks like a terrified rabbit.
"D-Do… do you see me…?"
Her soft, thin voice pierced my ears, startling me, but I pretended to be unfazed.
Calm down. That's definitely an enchanting trait. Yeah, has to be.
"You're right there eating snacks and watching me—how could I not…?"
"Y-You can see me?"
She shuddered violently again, looked down at herself…
"Eek!"
With a small scream, she vanished right before my eyes.
"???"
Teleport without casting time?
No way. Would someone who can do that run just because I talked to her?
Probably tore a return scroll or something. As I sheathed my sword to head home, I spotted something on the ground. The scattered snacks… and her mask.
"Huh… even in a panic, leaving behind such an expensive artifact?"
I'd be lying if I said I didn't want it, but if we met tomorrow, I'd return it. Tucking the mask carefully into my bag, I went home.
"Haaah…."
Dina, who had used magic to return to her room in an instant, slid down the wall and collapsed onto the floor.
"I forgot to hide myself…."
From yesterday, his senses had seemed sharper, so she should have used cloaking magic too—but she'd forgotten and gone out as is. What must he think of her, munching snacks in a robe while he trained diligently beside her? Her first impression was definitely ruined.
"Tomorrow… I should talk to him tomorrow."
She had to explain she meant no harm. She'd looked suspicious, so she needed to clear the misunderstanding…. For her, who aimed to befriend him someday, a bad first impression was a serious issue.
Resolving to sleep now and talk tomorrow, Dina fell into dreams instantly. Realizing she'd left her mask at the park came too late the next morning, when she screamed into her pillow.
The next morning, I was sipping iced tea at Coffee Is Life, where Park Serin worked.
"…?"
I'd passed by a few times and seen her occasionally, but she'd rarely looked this happy. Always with a cold, expressionless face, today she had a slight smile. And above all…
Her face is glowing….
She must have eaten something good—her skin was radiant.
"Senior? Did something good happen?"
Unable to hold back my curiosity, I approached and asked. Park Serin glanced at me, erased her smile, and said seriously.
"That obvious?"
"Yeah…. You mentioned having work last night and early morning—did it go well?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah… sort of. It was something I'd been hoping for a long time."
She gave a slight smile, looked at me with cool eyes, then went to take a customer's order.
She's in a great mood.
Come to think of it, starting tomorrow, I'd learn proper swordsmanship from her senior. Today was my last solo practice. Feeling good like Park Serin, I downed the rest of my iced tea and strode out confidently.
As usual, practicing swordsmanship until dawn, it was past 3 a.m.
Guess she's not coming.
Soon I'd have to finish and go home, but she hadn't appeared.
Then the artifact she left is mine…!
Of course, I'd return it immediately if we met.
Still, I wanted to talk at least once.
A bit disappointing, but unavoidable. As I finished my remaining practice to head back, someone popped up behind me.
"Um, excuse me."
Turning, a robed woman had approached right up close. Too close….
I instinctively stepped back, and violet eyes peered up at me from under the robe. She seemed quite nervous too—her trembling eyes made me chuckle, easing my tension.
"Yes."
"That… by any chance, did you see the mask I forgot yesterday…?"
I pulled the mask from my bag and showed it.
"This?"
Shaking it, her violet eyes widened, and she nodded frantically.
"Yes! That's it! Thank you—?!"
Dodging her reaching hand, I held it overhead. She froze briefly, then jumped cutely trying to grab it.
The height difference between her small frame and my tall one was huge; she couldn't reach. Looking up, she said in a trembling voice.
"Um… it's too high, I can't reach…."
Honestly, she was so adorable I wanted to give it back immediately, but I barely held out.
That's definitely an enchanting trait! Has to be!
Plus, if I returned it now, she'd probably run before I could ask anything. Sorry, but no choice.
"Before I give it back, I have one question."
Doubt flickered in her shaking violet eyes.
"W-What?"
"You've been watching me swing my sword every day lately. I'm curious why."
"Hic!"
Her body jerked hard, and she started hiccuping.
"What are you talking about…."
"You've been standing over there every day, watching my training, right?"
"T-That…."
She fidgeted, avoiding my gaze.
Ah. She really can't lie.
Her tone and actions screamed deception.
"Not gonna answer?"
"N-No… I mean…."
"What?"
"J-Just… curious, so I watched…."
Really just curious?
"That's really it?"
"Y-Yes…."
"Hmm…."
I stroked my chin with my left hand, deep in thought.
No way that's all…. Let it slide or press?
"Um…."
As I pondered, a voice called from below. Looking down, violet eyes were right at my nose. Startled by the closeness, I stepped back.
"Can I have my mask now…? It's really expensive…."
"Yeah, here."
She didn't seem malicious anyway. I handed it over. Visibly delighted, she put it on immediately.
"Thank you!"
"Sure. I'll be going now."
No point pressing further; she wouldn't say more. Time to give up.
"Ah. Um…."
I turned to leave. Starting tomorrow, training with Park Serin would be much tougher, so better rest my fatigue. Though acting casual, being suddenly possessed into Become Outer Shadow still left me disoriented.
Go home, shower, sleep.
As I walked, someone grabbed my sleeve from behind.
"Um, excuse me!"
Turning, she was holding my sleeve, eyes darting away fidgetingly.
"What?"
"S-Sorry… for secretly watching you all this time…."
I thought she was a stalker, but apologizing showed she was fairly normal.
"No, it's fine."
I hadn't really been harmed.
"Still…."
"Really, it's okay. I'm heading out…."
As I turned again, her voice stopped me once more.
"Um, this might be random, but… can I ask one thing?"
"What?"
She fidgeted, hesitated, then spoke.
"If… just if, someone with powers like a really bad person's wanted to befriend you, what would you do?"
"…Out of nowhere?"
"J-Just if. Would you keep your distance?"
Totally random.
"Really bad person…?"
"L-Like the Demon King…."
"Demon King? Hmm… probably wouldn't care."
"Yeah, figured… Huh?"
People in this world didn't know yet, but the Demon King was from another dimension. Their world had magic too; most demons just got violent from the forced dimensional transfer accident. The hero's Star Blessing and holy sword were the goddess's sloppy compensation for bad dimension management—like game devs giving loot for server screw-ups. Even those were half-assed goddess handouts.
The issue is Dina in Akanag Star suffered immensely just for having Demon King-like powers.
People distanced themselves seeing her power; those who approached only wanted her face and body. Her family was mostly indifferent; her only interested little brother, Fenheim Polaris, experimented on her with it. Around when I possessed here, someone else probably possessed Dina's body, freeing her.
Thinking of Dina, similar innate powers were just coincidence. No reason for discrimination, even if like other demons or villains.
"It's not like they chose similar powers. Just happened to resemble a bit. Even with Demon King powers, if normal, no reason to distance myself."
She gasped sharply and slumped while standing.
"…Um?"
Her shoulders trembled slightly—something was off.
Angry? Did I say something wrong?
Better apologize first.
"Hey…."
"Th-Thank you!"
Before I could, she cut in gratefully and vanished like yesterday.
"……."