Chapter 38
Chapter 38
After many twists and delays, the bridge was finally completed, and we were able to board a carriage bound for Revron.
We had stayed in the previous village for quite a long time, and many things had changed.
The biggest change—
Rene and Rin no longer fought openly.
“Bern! What kind of place is this next town?”
“It’s called Revron. One of the kingdom’s three major pleasure cities.”
“A pleasure city?”
“Yeah. Revron has the largest arena in the kingdom. Gladiator matches are held daily. The crowd cheers, and gladiators earn fame and wealth… if they survive.”
“That sounds scary.”
“You need guts to fight there. People here tend to be rough, so be careful.”
“No need to worry. Anyone who provokes you, I’ll handle.”
Rin said confidently, hugging my left arm tightly.
Seeing that, Rene quickly grabbed my right arm.
The tension between them was still there—
but no longer explosive.
More like quiet competition.
Honestly, that was a relief.
Though…
the kid watching from the side smirking was another issue.
“Hyung, you’re really popular!”
Ruen said innocently.
But I knew better.
There was a seasoned man behind that face.
At this point, nothing surprised me anymore.
I’d met a half-dragon, a blind sword saint, formed a contract with a demonic sword, and even subdued a demi-lich.
A regressor kid? Just another day.
‘Unless the Demon King suddenly appears…’
But that wouldn’t happen.
The Demon King’s resurrection was still two years away.
Everything had a timeline.
So there was no way—
[Contractor.]
‘What now?’
[When you think like that… it tends to happen.]
‘Come on. That’s impossible.’
[Maybe not now. But someday.]
‘It’s the Demon King…’
[Just be careful what you say.]
…Why did that feel ominous?
“We’re here! This place is huge!”
We safely arrived at Revron.
The scale was overwhelming.
At the center—
a massive colosseum.
Around it—
shops, weapon stores, taverns.
The city was alive.
Loud. Chaotic.
At night, even more so.
“Revron… it’s been a while.”
“You’ve been here before?”
“Yes. Once. I participated as a gladiator to test my limits.”
“You survived?”
“I defeated everyone except the champion. Once I realized the gap, I forfeited.”
Even Rin—
feared that champion.
That meant something.
“I’m sure I can win now, though.”
“You don’t need to prove anything to me.”
“I want to prove it to myself.”
“…Alright. But be careful.”
“I will. I have people I must protect.”
She said softly—
and intertwined her fingers with mine.
My face heated up instantly.
Her sudden affection—
dangerous.
“Bern! Then I’ll—”
“No.”
“What?! Why not?!”
“The arena isn’t a place for destruction.”
Rene had power—
but no restraint.
If she went all out—
it would be a disaster.
Revealing her identity alone would cause problems.
And if she used that beam—
the audience would die.
So—
“No means no.”
“Ugh… unfair!”
“It’s not unfair. It’s common sense.”
She pouted—
but eventually gave up.
Still sulking.
Then—
Ruen tugged my sleeve and whispered:
“You should’ve told her to stop fighting and focus on making babies.”
“….”
Can he at least warn me before saying things like that?
Seriously.
Five-year-old body—
middle-aged mind.
Terrifying combination.
“In any case, Rin will register for the arena, and Rene and I will explore the city.”
“Understood.”
“…Okay.”
She still sounded upset—
but better than before.
Just as Rin was about to leave—
Prah’s voice rang out.
[Contractor!]
‘What now?’
[Emergency!]
‘What is it?’
[There’s another demonic sword in this city!]
‘…So?’
[That’s not something to be calm about! We must retrieve it immediately!]
‘No thanks. One of you is already enough.’
[Originally, there was only one demonic sword. Me.]
‘And?’
[The Three Demon Kings feared my power and split it. That’s how the other demonic swords were created.]
‘…That’s new.’
[Only I and the Dwarven King know this truth.]
That explained why I’d never heard it before.
“Then what happens if you absorb it?”
[I regain my original power.]
‘Sounds dangerous.’
[Don’t worry. I won’t break our contract.]
…Suspicious.
But—
it had helped me countless times.
‘Fine. Where is it?’
[In the large building Rin headed toward.]
The colosseum.
Of course it was there.
“…Why do I feel like I’m about to enter that arena too?”