Each Choice #4

 

A battle of spears and shields.

Mitchell, the sharp spear of our party, and Wagner, the sturdy shield.

The confrontation between these two went as I had expected.

“You said you trained hard. You’re still slow, aren’t you, Gomtang?”

Mitchell jumped on Wagner’s head, grinning triumphantly.

Crunch!

Wagner blocked Mitchell’s kick silently, his expression unchanged.

A second and third wave of attacks came, and each time Wagner calmly defended himself.

‘Even with all that special training, it’s still hard to overcome the innate difference in style.’

At first glance, it seemed like an unfair fight.

Mitchell strikes more than ten times in a short period of time.

Wagner, on the other hand, was eager to defend.

He erected a large, heavy shield like a wall, and was determined to not give Mitchell any openings.

I finally got a chance to swing my mace, but…

Boo-woong—

“No way, you’re right. You’re so slow, I’d even take a nap to avoid it, man.”

Mitchell laughed and dodged the mace with ease.

And then Mitchell’s onslaught unfolds again.

If this was a game and I was in a position to manipulate Wagner, I would be furious and do something I couldn’t do.

In one turn, this side gets hit ten times, but when they manage to counterattack once, it misses again.

What can I do? I have to endure it.

If you didn’t like that, you should have trained your agility instead of increasing your body size.

“after-“

Wagner gasped.

Although his endurance in enduring dozens of punches and kicks was remarkable, it was clear that his endurance was beginning to show its limits.

No matter how strong a defensive wall is, if it is constantly attacked, it will gradually be worn down.

Wagner’s movements were noticeably duller than when the match began.

‘If it goes into a long war, it will be disadvantageous.’

The one who hits also gets tired.

Mitchell also had beads of sweat on his forehead.

But as always, it is more comfortable to be defeated than to be right.

The one who is hit will suffer great damage if they make even one mistake, while the one who is hitting only needs to focus on attacking.

“Okay, Wagner. As expected, the odds are against us. What do we do now?”

I crossed my arms and watched their fight in silence.

The reason the winner hasn’t been decided yet is because both are experienced B-rank adventurers.

In this tightrope walk, he did not allow a decisive blow.

However, both of them already knew that if things continued like this, Wagner would fall first.

If you’re going to take the fight, now is the time. You need to get moving before your stamina runs out.

The ‘decisive moment’ that Flora had spoken of had arrived.

“Are you going to keep crouching like a turtle? How long are you going to just block it!”

Mitchell shouted sharply, slamming his heel into Wagner’s shoulder.

Sob—

Wagner swallowed and bent his knees.

“You don’t even know what to do? Come at me, you punk!”

Sasa Sak.

The first gap in Wagner’s life as the fight began.

Mitchell took advantage of the gap.

The target is the center of Wagner’s flank. If the Zero Distance Regime were to enter there, the impact would penetrate his armor and reach his internal organs.

Mitchell drew his fist up to his stomach like a cannon about to fire.

The aura in the fist ripples.

No, even if you don’t forgive me, isn’t that a bit much?

“You’re not planning on killing me, are you, Mitchell?”

I swallowed hard and waited for the next result in tense tension.

And what was Wagner’s response?

It’s already too late to block it with a shield.

It was too late to swing the mace to restrain him.

“Mitchell.”

Wagner, instead, simply opened his mouth.

“I always liked you!”

Stop.

Mitchell’s fist stopped just short of Wagner’s side.

Wagner’s sincerity neutralized Mitchell’s attacks more effectively than any shield.

“Hey, Bear, go, all of a sudden-”

Mitchell was flustered and didn’t know what to do.

‘This works.’

A desperate plan that Flora came up with.

This is the so-called “confession attack.”

It’s a strategy to induce mental turmoil by suddenly expressing love at a crucial moment.

When I first heard it, both Wagner and I were half in doubt…

People are so unpredictable. I never thought I’d get along with Mitchell this well.

“I always fell in love with your confident appearance!”

puck!

Wagner kicked Mitchell with all his might, accompanied by sweet words.

A world of competition where words and actions are completely different.

It’s cruel, but there’s nothing we can do. If you can’t win in love, it’s over.

“Ouch—oh my, you coward!”

Mitchell, who had been thrown backwards, rolled on the ground several times before he regained his composure.

Mitchell got up, rubbing his kicked stomach.

“Are you going to come out like this?”

“Mitchell, I told you to do your best, didn’t I? I am. This is my true heart.”

“under-“

Mitchell bit his lower lip.

The fight began and Wagner’s first strike was allowed.

It may be slow and sluggish, but that doesn’t mean its power can be underestimated.

The long-awaited kick finally delivered seemed to have inflicted considerable damage on Mitchell.

“Aren’t you coming? Then I’ll go this time.”

“How can you act so smart after getting lucky and hitting someone?”

“Luck is a skill, that’s what you said a long time ago. I treasure every single conversation we had!”

“What, what, what!?”

Wagner rushed in again, throwing out another heart-fluttering comment.

Mitchell was slow to react this time, too, his mind distracted by distracting thoughts.

Bam—!

Mitchell rolled on the floor again.

“Oh my god⋯.”

Mitchell’s eyes lit up. He liked what he liked, and his anger at being hit twice seemed to be growing.

‘The momentum of the match has shifted to Wagner.’

The special training was not in vain.

Wagner not only effectively countered Mitchell’s fighting style, but also skillfully employed the ‘surprise attack’.

A perfect anti-Mitchell fighter, lacking neither in offense nor defense.

Mitchell allowed several more attacks after that, eventually collapsing to the ground.

“You, you deadly bastard!”

Mitchell grumbled, sprawled on the floor.

Wagner approached Mitchell and extended his hand.

“To this extent, I don’t think it’s that bad.”

“Hey, come back. I was flustered and got hit. If you fight me again-“

“Mitchell, do you hate me that much?”

“What, what?”

At Wagner’s serious question, Mitchell was speechless and fell silent.

“No, that’s not it⋯.”

Mitchell’s voice grew smaller, as if crawling.

Mitchell, who got up while holding Wagner’s hand, bowed his head and fell into his arms.

A master has finally appeared who will build a nest in Wagner’s bosom, which is as wide as Mount Tai.

“It’s so touching⋯.”

Flora said with tears in her eyes.

Mitchell and Wagner held each other for a long time, oblivious to us who were watching.

‘It’s good. It’s good.’

I felt a bit regretful.

Of course, I’ve been hoping Wagner would win. I’ve been helping with special training for a week, and I’ve been working towards Wagner’s victory.

But on the other hand, I also hoped this moment would never come.

I wanted to continue adventuring with my party members like this forever.

As I said before, Mitchell will be leaving the party.

However, as a result of this match, Wagner will now be by his side.

I’m glad I’m not being left to leave the party alone. At the same time, it’s also a bit sad to see Wagner leave.

‘So this is how the battle between spear and shield ends.’

The spear and shield did not break each other.

They will become partners and work together to fill in each other’s shortcomings.

***

After the match is over.

Flora and I decided to give the newlyweds some quality time alone.

I shouldn’t interfere in this good atmosphere without being aware of it.

“I wonder what you two are talking about right now.”

Flora said with a hazy face.

“A story? Maybe it’s not a story… Ahem.”

I stopped talking mid-sentence.

Both are healthy young people, in the prime of their lives. Their hearts have finally connected, and no one needs to worry about what others think.

Will the desires that have built up over time be relieved just by talking?

Well, it doesn’t really matter to me. I’m sure they’ll figure it out.

“Then, should we go too? I’m tired after being so stressed out for a week, senior.”

“⋯Yes.”

We turned off the lights in the gym together.

Just as I was about to leave after finishing cleaning up.

Suddenly, I felt empty next to me.

When I looked back, Flora was standing in the darkness of the gym.

“⋯What are you doing, senior? Just standing there blankly.”

“Estelle, do you remember? I told you I had something to tell you.”

“Oh, that’s right. But suddenly now?”

“I don’t think it’s possible to talk about it now.”

It was the first time I saw Flora’s expression.

Not excited, not just wandering around.

A calm, composed face, as if finally determined.

I could quickly tell by the atmosphere that Flora wasn’t trying to play a silly prank.

Flora clearly has something important to say.

I guess it’s a story I’ve been thinking about for a long time.

“I had a thought before the match between Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Wagner.”

Flora continued quietly.

“I hope you both are happy, and I want to be together forever, but… I guess that’s just my greed.”

I nodded silently.

It was a thought that not only Flora but also I had.

But eventually the moment of parting came.

What will Flora’s conclusion be?

“So I decided. If Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Wagner leave the party—then I’ll go independent, too.”

“senior?”

“I’m no longer the blundering, reckless bum I used to be. I can manage on my own.”

“senior.”

“My party mates are all such wonderful people, but… I’ve been feeling like I’ve been relying on them too much. I think it’s time for a change.”

We need to support you.

The baby bird finally spreads its wings and is about to leave the nest and fly.

Flora is the first companion I chose, and a precious party member I raised, but that doesn’t mean I should just cherish her and hold her in my arms.

That’s what I thought.

At least, that’s what I thought.

“Don’t be silly, senior.”

The voice that came out of my mouth was surprisingly cold and subdued, even to my surprise.

“What kind of independence is an E-rank? You’re not like Mitchell or Wagner. You still have a long way to go. Don’t rush, Senior.”

Why are the thoughts in my head and the words that come out of my mouth so different?

Why am I angry?

Why can’t I send Flora away with a smiling face?

I don’t know.

Do you hate being left alone?

I wonder if he doesn’t want to be left alone.

Or maybe both.

“don’t go.”

“Estelle⋯.”

“Stay with me until you reach a C-rank, okay? No, just until you reach a D-rank.”

In the darkness, Flora’s face took on a sad look for a moment.