Partner (2)
Veronica, master, Ahin has disappeared…!
“It’s true.”
Veronica sat at the window, gazing out at the city beyond. Her silver hair, gathered into a single elegant bun, was arranged with flawless precision. Her skin was so white it resembled freshly fired porcelain—untouched even by the sunlight filtering through the glass. The jewel-like pink of her eyes added an aura of mystery to her already ethereal beauty. Her ears, long and pointed, marked her as something far beyond ordinary human.
“You’re late. He must’ve already bolted.”
“Master!”
“Just leave it. That brat probably had his own reasons.”
She stroked the butterfly resting on her fingertips with gentle care.
“And call him your senior brother, as I’ve told you many times—”
“I can’t accept that!”
“…Technically, he would be your senior, but—”
“If you didn’t look for him, I’ll bring Ahin back myself.”
“Ah, is that so?”
Veronica looked at her disciple with a stern expression before letting out a soft chuckle.
“Very well. No discrimination between disciples. Do as you please.”
“Thank you, Master!”
She bowed deeply and turned to leave. Veronica watched her go and murmured to herself.
“That’s right. Help him as much as you can, even if it’s just by existing.”
For one who loved the child so deeply, simply being there would already be a great help.
That was enough to ease her worries.
And.
“I’ll handle my own duties.”
●
The heat of their anger cooled in an instant once they were kicked out of the guild. They settled into a nearby restaurant.
They ordered light dishes and sat down. Among the group, Er was the first to speak.
“My name is Er. A Bronze-rank adventurer.”
She sat up straight and introduced herself, eyes blazing with hostility as she glared at the person across from her.
“I’m not a bothersome woman.”
“…It must sting to hear that.”
“Th-that’s not true!”
Er had been accused of being bothersome not long ago, so the words cut deep.
Seeing her stumble and avoid eye contact, Jina spoke up.
“My name is Jina. I serve the gods as a priest and carry out the will of the divine as a holy knight…”
She lifted the corner of her mouth in a smirk.
“Ahin’s one and only partner.”
“Partner…? What does that mean?”
Instead of answering Er, Jina locked eyes with Ahin. Realizing the meaning behind that gaze, Ahin replied in a low voice.
“I don’t mind telling you.”
“Even if I do—”
“Er knows too. About my holy power and… even the curse.”
“Ahin, you’re crazy!”
Jina jumped at the words.
“What if that woman harms you? You’d just die powerless?! You think I don’t know that?!”
No one could refute her. Anyone could see that Jina was right.
Ahin had revealed his abilities and weaknesses without a care for the dangers involved. It was his fault.
Perhaps realizing she was right, Ahin stayed silent while Jina scolded him.
But something felt off.
Despite knowing she was correct, Ahin wore a calm expression, as if he felt no regret for his actions.
That only frustrated Jina further. Just as she was about to speak again—
“What are you saying? Ahin told me because he trusts me. That’s none of your business.”
“If you knew Ahin’s abilities, you wouldn’t say something like that. It’s not something anyone can just go around bragging about—”
“Anyone? Ahin and I aren’t that kind of casual relationship.”
“Hah… what kind of thing is that?”
“Hoo hoo… would you like to know?”
Clear mockery flashed across Er’s face.
Jina’s eyes gleamed coldly as she responded.
“Ahin, who is this woman?”
“Yeah, Ahin! Tell her straight!”
“Hah…”
Receiving the fierce stares of both women, Ahin let out a small sigh.
“Jina, why are you here?”
“To find you, Ahin.”
“Did Master order you to do that?”
He corrected the rough way of addressing her, then spoke calmly.
“I’m not going back.”
“What nonsense! If you’re not in the temple, where—!”
“Am I a child? I can take care of myself. And—”
Ahin let out a chuckle.
“Isn’t it better than a temple full of troublesome adventurers? Sleep when I want, eat when I want, and no old fogies nagging me—”
“Ahin, is that really the reason?”
Ahin fell silent at Jina’s words.
Jina furrowed her brows, as if she had expected this.
“Ahin, I’m fine, right? Even if Master can’t know, at least I can—”
“You’re no different.”
“W-what?”
“You’re the same. With Master.”
For a moment, Ahin thought he saw sadness in her eyes.
“Ahin, you’re not still—”
“That’s enough. I’m not going back. Or… shall I tell the temple?”
“Ahin—”
“It’d be fun. A bunch of saintly knights would swarm in, stirring up everything. Carpe would be a mess, and the surrounding areas would turn into a battlefield—thanks to me! If that’s what you want, I’ll gladly do it!”
Jina hesitated, but then asked:
“…You disappearing caused Master a lot of trouble, you know?”
“…What does that have to do with me? One person like me couldn’t possibly damage their reputation.”
“What does that have to do with me? How can you—!”
Anger flared in Jina’s voice as she slammed the table.
At that moment:
“Please both of you calm down. There are others watching.”
“…”
“And Jina… wearing priestly robes like that doesn’t reflect well on the temple.”
“…Pointless worry.”
While Jina and Ahin argued, Er, who had been listening, finally spoke up.
“It’s not working. Why don’t you give up and leave? Ahin will stay here with me.”
“Ah, so you’re challenging me? You should’ve said so sooner.”
“Er, what the heck are you doing?!”
Ahin, forehead already sweating from the tension, separated the two before they could come to blows.
“Anyway, I’m not going back. No matter what you say, I’m staying.”
“…Why?”
“Why? You know why. My dream is to live off the land without working—”
“You say that, but you’ve never actually managed it.”
“…”
Jina’s eyes sharpened.
“Because of that woman?”
“Y-yes?”
The voice was ice-cold and terrifying.
Ahin faltered. Jina continued with growing conviction.
“I managed you so thoroughly… so no weird things would stick to you…”
“Weird things? That’s too much—”
“I can’t accept it!”
CRASH!
Jina slammed the table, voice thick with emotion.
“If I can’t have you, I’ll destroy everything! Let’s die together, Ahin!”
“You crazy bitch… you finally showed your true colors!”
“It’s fine. I have a deadly poison prepared, just in case. One bite and you’ll burn from the inside while writhing in agony before dying horribly. You’ll drink it, and I’ll follow you in seventy years.”
“You lunatic! You’re trying to kill me!”
“But if I die, I won’t be able to think of you?”
“You lun—!”
Ahin broke into a cold sweat and backed away.
Jina smiled brightly and reached out.
“It’s okay, Ahin. We’ll go to heaven. There we can be together forever, just the two of us, happy—”
“Er—save me!!”
At last, Ahin had no choice but to turn to Er.
Unlike Jina, Er was sensible. From what he’d seen so far, she could stop Jina—
“Together forever? If there’s poison, that could work?”
“Wh-what are you saying, Er?”
Ahin stared in horror as Er repeated Jina’s words in a chilling tone.
Jina’s plan to block Ahin from leaving had backfired completely. Er had been plotting something all along.
Maybe he should run now.
But running alone would only make him easier to catch.
Staring helplessly at Ahin, Jina said:
“I can’t let Ahin leave. It would disrupt his quest duties.”
“Hey! Ahin isn’t even an adventurer out here—!”
“Is it not your choice? If you truly care for him, you should follow his wishes.”
Er reached out and blocked Jina’s hand, speaking firmly.
“I will always side with Ahin. If he doesn’t want to be taken, you can’t force him!”
“…”
“It’s despicable! Why do you act like I’m not thinking of him too! If this continues, I really—really—”
“W-wait! Don’t cry yet—!”
Er stood up in panic, but Ahin quickly stopped her.
“Don’t be fooled.”
“Y-yes?”
“That was an act.”
Ahin stepped in front of Er, chuckling.
“Quit the act. It won’t work.”
“H-how?! On me…!”
“No, it wasn’t an act?”
“Really?”
“Then how many times have I fallen for that?”
Ahin spoke with an exasperated tone.
Jina lowered her hand from her face and smiled.
“Tch, you’re fast on the uptake.”
“Ah, Ahin… who is this person?”
“A priest and holy knight from the church. My senior sister, sharing the same master, and—”
At some point, Jina’s face had cleared of tears. She downed a glass of water and said:
“The holy knight assigned to protect Ahin by the church.”
“Protector? Wait, then what were you talking about?”
“If you knew Ahin’s abilities, you wouldn’t need an explanation?”
Ahin’s healing and enhancement powers were far too extraordinary. The church couldn’t simply abandon him.
In case anything went wrong, they had assigned a holy knight to guard him.
That was Jina’s role.
“So Ahin must stay by my side. That’s fate… the will of the gods.”
“Gods? Bullshit…”
“Ahin!”
“Even if you argue, I’m not going back. If you keep pestering me… fine. Let’s leave Carpe. Where next? The dragon nest in the north? Or the volcano region in the west?”
“Ahin, you’re really—”
Jina clenched her fists, trembling with rage.
Only after a long while did her voice calm down.
“…Hah, alright. Then I’ll make a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
“Yes. An irresistible one.”
Jina pointed at Er.
“Let’s bet. Whoever Ahin likes more wins!”
“Hah…? Why so suddenly?”
“Haha, so confident. Even though you’re a priest raised beautifully in the temple.”
“Er? Why are you reacting like this? What’s there to bet on?”
Ahin was still trying to follow the conversation when—
“If I win, I take Ahin. In return, if I lose… I’ll give up. That’s fair, right?”
“Of course.”
“Wait! You two are suddenly—!”
“Prepare yourself, Ahin. I will definitely take you!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
Both girls smiled at Ahin and sat down, glaring at each other in silent challenge.
Soon, steaming hot dishes were served.
Ahin watched them eat in silence and sighed.
“What the hell, you crazy women. Where did my opinion go?”
There was never any opinion involved in the first place.