White Whale's Footsteps
The atmosphere at White Whale's Footsteps had sunk low. For a story tied just to a mercenary group's name, it carried surprising weight.
I'd only vaguely guessed something like, "In the past, they hunted a monster resembling a white whale." I hadn't expected such a dark backstory.
Of course, while I kept a solemn face on the outside, inside I was deeply intrigued. It was packed with fresh info.
Janet showed no sign of distress, just a sly smile, so I didn't make a big deal of it either. If the person involved was fine, what business was it of mine?
"Aw, come on. See? The waffles are getting cold. Don't sweat it—just chalk it up to 'that's how it is' and move on."
"St-still..."
"I say it like that 'cause it's easier for me. Ugh... Every time I explain, I gotta justify it all. Should I change the mercenary group's name or what?"
"Haha... That might be a bit..."
"Oh, and me being tight with the old man? It's kinda related."
"The old man—you mean the guild master?"
"He wasn't guild master back then... but yeah. When I first started mercenary work, he heard my story and looked out for me. Said I reminded him of his lost daughter."
Janet and the guild master's connection ran deep, it seemed. In Korean media, hearing "you remind me of my daughter" might sound creepy, but with Janet's personality, she'd never stand for that nonsense. No need to worry.
Besides, by this world's standards where marriage comes quick, their age gap really made her daughter-like.
"So, Leader Janet sees the guild master like a father figure."
"What? No way. He's just a close old guy. Back then, I really didn't wanna get attached to him."
- A pause.
"...Didn't wanna get attached...? Um... Forgive my overstep, but that sounds like it could spark misunderstandings."
"Hahaha! Not for the reason you're thinking, Pagyesung. His fighting style meant he could die any day—no surprise there. Getting attached just to lose him the next day? Messes with your head."
"Ah... That's why..."
"Common among mercenaries."
According to Janet, some veteran mercs hated getting close to others. All had lost friends back when they were green.
Tired of talking, Janet picked up her knife and sliced into her waffle. Come to think of it, she'd barely eaten while sharing her story.
"Curiosity satisfied? Now eat up. Ah, all cold now..."
Janet pouted, but cold waffles were still delicious. Chris took the one I offered with a slightly troubled but resigned look.
Watching Chris drove home how complex women could be. She avoided meeting my eyes for long, embarrassed after devouring her share and eyeing mine. Yet her fork never stopped.
I gazed at her with the fond look you give something adorable. Some magical pull kept my eyes glued. Shy Chris was endlessly captivating, no matter how many times.
"Wh-why do you keep staring while I eat?"
"'Cause you look cute doing it."
"...I'm not a pig, am I?"
"Pfft. I know."
- Swoosh. Swish.
Unable to hold back my laugh, Chris shot me a dissatisfied glare. Before she could sulk, I reached out, smoothed her hair, and soothed her. Her annoyed face melted into calm under my touch. The picture of a loving couple.
And... our two companions had watched every bit.
"Ugh, damn. Making me curse. Honey's practically dripping from your eyes, Pagyesung."
"It-it's sweeter than waffles... Ugh..."
"Single folks gotta suffer, huh?"
The lovey-dovey antics of inseparable lovers. Charming from afar, stomach-churning up close. Mel and Janet looked anything but comfortable.
"Do you two always act like... that?"
"When no one's watching? We're lovers."
"..."
Mel seemed miffed but couldn't respond. She just gave Chris beside me a few inexplicable glances before focusing on her own waffle, like the other girls.
No waffles left for me. But we couldn't leave yet. Had to wait till Janet, Chris, and Mel finished.
Staring at Chris more might really piss her off, so I scanned the surroundings.
As a dessert spot, it drew lots of girls or couples. The place was packed, proving its popularity.
Our earlier sensitive chat hadn't bothered us much—no one paid us attention.
I'd expected it, but the lack of stares was still surprising.
'Compared to the attention when we walked in... it's gone now.'
My companions were all beauties and a hunk...? Janet was a knockout, Mel had cute features plus androgynous charm. Chris went without saying.
But did they turn heads? Not really.
'It's not just faces.'
Our clothes were plain—no embroidery, common anywhere in the capital. Nothing eye-catching.
But with me? Different story. Objectively, I drew looks. Handsome, tall... and a black-haired, black-eyed Easterner.
Yet no excessive attention. Reason?
'New skill's pretty solid, huh?'
Quiet Footsteps. Acquired on my last Terraforming trip. Passive presence reduction, mana-boostable for stronger effect.
Second time using mana in real combat, not practice.
On entering, stares were inevitable. Activating late couldn't shake them fully.
But seated? Effect kicked in. People forgot me, focused on their own chats.
'Doesn't work on close-range folks.'
Level 0 skill wasn't OP. Explained why Janet, Mel, and Chris noticed me fine.
Proven from first real use: sneaking into Mel's room for my bag after learning her crossdressing.
Skill active, bumped into her face-to-face.
'...Mel spotted me easy...'
No movie-drama invisibility, even meters away. Not yet, anyway.
Plates emptied. Meal over.
Light for a "meal," but calorie-dense maybe.
Janet paid—four silver coins to the server. Grasping values now, I knew it was pricey.
A. Someone's jaw dropped. Mel, naturally.
"I-I'll never afford this again... not on my coin! So expensive... Way too much... This the infamous capital prices?"
"...How cheap do you think honey, syrup, sugar are? Not worth freaking out over."
"Leader's loaded..."
"I'm good at saving and spending. And in White Whale, you'll earn enough not to sweat this."
"R-really?"
Janet's words rang true. Per-merc income? White Whale topped all.
"What about you, Chris?"
"Hmm... M-maybe buy sometimes?"
"You liked it. Next time, just us."
"Yeah!"
I ignored Mel and Janet's jealous glares as we teased.
We strolled the capital streets, Janet's idea for digestion—and indulging Mel's sightseeing itch.
Unanimous approval. No real civilization? Still sights: bards singing, storytellers gathering crowds for coin. Street food stalls like Korean pojangmacha.
Digestion walk meant window-shopping only.
I sought fun too. Medieval village stroll aside... I was on a date with three beauties.
Not all pink vibes, but enjoyable.
After ~30 minutes:
'...Superhuman senses kicking in for me too.'
A distant gaze locked on. I turned, traced it.
Not imagination. Eyes met a man's. Two men, swords at hips—mercs or guards. Clothes screamed merc.
Recent ruins drew mercs to capital—likely.
Mercs. Unfamiliar faces. No ties to me or Chris. Original story? No one recognized Mel here.
Janet then? Possible. White Whale leader, known to some.
I tuned in.
Targeted stares meant relevant talk. But not what I expected.
Topic? Me. Should've kept Quiet Footsteps active post-shop if I'd foreseen trouble.
After more bitching, one merc stormed our way.
I swiftly pulled his Status Window. No issue.
By judgment's end, he was close. As his shoulder neared Mel's, I yanked her wrist, pulling her to safety.
- Whoosh.
"Eek! Ch-Ch-Chanyoung-nim?"
"...Watch it."
Hugged against me, Mel blushed up at me. Unfamiliar with men, natural reaction.
The merc? Even more pissed. Aimed to humiliate me, ended up the hero protecting "his girl."