Side Story – First Experience (9)

-Thud, tap!

The dark nightscape of the city flashed past me at high speed.

I was currently moving across rooftops at an incredible pace.

Of course… while being carried on Teo’s back.

“Is there anyone suspicious following us from behind?”

“No, I’ve been checking since earlier – no one’s there. Doesn’t seem like we’re being tracked right now.”

“That’s a relief. Then let’s head straight home.”

Just as Teo, who had been scanning our surroundings, prepared to leap again, mana gathered only at his toes.

‘Huh… I can’t believe he can manipulate mana this delicately.’

I kept marveling at Teo’s skills which had reached a completely different level.

He was even carrying a burden like me. Yet the movements Teo displayed remained impeccably clean.

Though it bothered me slightly that the method Teo was using wasn’t conventional –

It resembled mana application more suited for ‘assassins’ than adventurers or knights.

“We’ll be descending now, so it might shake a bit.”

After warning me, Teo immediately jumped down to ground level.

Whoosh- Thud.

Perfect landing.

Even though we’d jumped from quite high, there was only slight shaking – as comfortable as falling onto cushions.

‘That rookie who could barely squeeze out mana…’

Just a few months.

In that short time, he’d become capable of single-handedly eliminating dozens of organization members.

He’d clearly transcended the realm of ordinary people.

By the way…

‘Looks like we’re almost there.’

The familiar buildings around meant we were clearly near home.

I leaned forward slightly to whisper in Teo’s ear:

“Teo, you can put me down now-“

“Nuna. We’re almost there, just bear with it a little longer.”

“Huh…?”

“Your physical condition still isn’t normal.”

…He’s being incredibly firm.

Teo’s decisive interruption left me momentarily speechless.

His solid arms tightened their grip around my legs even more.

“…Alright.”

With no choice, I relaxed my body and entrusted myself to Teo’s back.

After all, Teo’s reason for this was obvious.

He was undoubtedly terrified of losing me again.

Teo must have risked his life to rescue me from that brothel.

If I were taken back by those bastards now… that would truly be the worst outcome from Teo’s perspective.

“If the aftereffects are still severe, tell me immediately. I have some potions left.”

“Thank you.”

I feel so guilty about this.

Since earlier, Teo had been treating me as delicately as handling glass.

And seeing Teo like this… made my guilt keep growing.

‘I wasn’t in my right mind, but still.’

Teo must have thought I was suffering in that hellish situation.

But the truth was different.

Being fucked by countless men at the brothel.

I was happy with that life. Extremely so.

‘…I’m absolute trash.’

To make a small excuse though, I hadn’t completely abandoned myself to pleasure.

I’d taken ‘minor measures’ to ensure Teo could survive alone.

But I never expected Teo would actually rescue me.

Single-handedly turning a building managed by a criminal organization into ruins.

Even by my standards as someone who’d experienced everything during my hero days, this was quite astonishing.

Did he get an incredible helper? Or find a new mentor?

I need to check this-

“…Na.”

“Huh?”

“Nuna, we’re here.”

At Teo’s words, I stopped thinking and looked up to see the familiar small building.

Though brief, it had been my nest.

My feelings upon seeing my home after so long were…

‘Same as before.’

The exterior showed no noticeable changes from when I last saw it.

Though I had a feeling the interior would be quite different.

“Teo, can you put me down now? I’m not a child to be carried around forever – it’s a bit embarrassing.”

“Sorry. I think I’ve been stubborn since earlier.”

“Hehe, it’s fine. Your back was as comfortable as a luxury carriage.”

“That’s a relief.”

Teo nodded and slowly lowered me to the ground.

Finally freed from Teo, I immediately opened the door and entered.

-Creak.

“…Amazing.”

A completely transformed scene.

I almost doubted this was my house.

“The interior looks different from what nuna remembers, right?”

“Yeah. A little… no, very different.”

First to catch my eye were the numerous equipment pieces arranged on the desk.

From simple weapons like daggers to unconventional tools like bombs and scrolls – an extremely varied collection.

The scrolls included the one used to remove my magic suppression collar.

‘I wonder how he obtained these.’

While these were peculiar, something else drew more attention.

One wall in the living room – covered with countless photos and memos connected like spiderwebs.

A scene you’d expect from the kingdom’s intelligence department.

I never imagined he’d prepared to this extent.

The brothel, the organization, even those who purchased and used me.

He’d clearly investigated everyone involved to rescue just one person.

Then Teo’s explanation came from behind:

“I didn’t want to kill indiscriminately, even for revenge. So I thoroughly investigated everyone – who deserved death, who didn’t – and categorized them.”

Teo walked past me to the wall and peeled off one photo.

“Huh? That person…”

The person in the photo was familiar to me too.

Baron Sian.

The man who would have officially become my new owner today.

Though skilled at training – thanks to him I learned various pleasures.

Unfortunately, he was now a cold corpse by Teo’s hand.

“Baron Sian – this pig bastard wasn’t worth keeping alive. Besides raping nuna, he was deeply involved in crimes like slave trade and kidnappings.”

-Crinkle.

Teo crumpled the photo in his hand and threw it into a nearby trash can.

“Rena nuna, can I ask one question?”

“Of course. What is it?”

Teo hesitated slightly before speaking:

“Were you… disappointed in me today?”

“What…?”

“…I killed people. I really hate killing. But this time, it was impossible without killing.”

Teo raised his bloodstained hand, trembling violently.

“You saw everything while escaping – I ended up killing many with my own hands. No matter how much I hated them, the feeling of killing someone is really…”

Oh no. I hadn’t considered this aspect.

I mentally cursed at Teo’s words.

His strong demeanor while rescuing me made me momentarily forget – the Teo I remembered was thoughtful and tender-hearted.

‘Feeling guilt over killing criminals and enemies…’

Some might call it weak and naive.

But I don’t think so. I once thought similarly to Teo.

So now… I needed to help Teo overcome this.

“Even if nuna is disappointed in me, I understand. But I want you to know I tried my best-“

“You’ve suffered.”

I interrupted and hugged Teo tightly, slowly stroking the back of his head with one hand.

“So stop this foolish talk. How could I possibly be disappointed in you over something like that?”

“But…”

“Murder. Yes, you’re right – it should be avoided as much as possible, handled cautiously. But living in these chaotic times inevitably brings such experiences. I’ve killed too. What matters is not killing innocents.”

Teo had meticulously investigated to avoid innocent casualties.

Having gone this far, how could I possibly criticize him?

“Do you understand my feelings now?”

“…I’m sorry for saying this. Nuna must be suffering the most right now.”

“I’m the one who should apologize. I couldn’t be with you during your hardest moments.”

Teo stuttered in surprise at my words:

“Wh-what I felt is nothing compared to what nuna endured…”

“No. Who suffered more is meaningless. We both endured hardships, and now we’re together again – that’s what matters.”

“…You’re right.”

“I worried a lot whether you could survive alone these past months. But you’ve become someone incredible beyond my worries. Slowly tell me what happened.”

“Nuna…”

Teo buried his face in my chest and began sniffling.

I really need to treat him well from now on.

“Sniff… I really missed you.”

“I missed you too. Thank you for saving me again.”

“Sniff… Thank you for enduring until now.”

We kept exchanging thanks while holding each other tightly for a long time.