Ch.133Side Story: Three Days on Earth

On the second day since arriving on Earth.

Radios woke up to a refreshing morning in the same bed as Arsia.

After blushing over accommodation issues last night, his choice was a hotel.

And not just any hotel—one of Korea’s finest called the Shilla Hotel.

Namgung Ihyun was grinning from ear to ear at staying in a hotel she had never visited before and thought she would never be able to visit in the future.

But Radios found her impudence annoying and confined her to the shadows, forbidding her from coming out.

How dare an impertinent subordinate try to make inappropriate sexual jokes to her master?

“Mmmmm…”

“Are you awake?”

“Yeees. I feel like I had a really deep sleep for the first time in ages.”

By now, Arsia had also noticed Radios moving and emerged from her sleep.

But since her eyelids wouldn’t open easily, Radios smiled and stroked her hair.

Arsia must have enjoyed it because she abandoned any attempt to open her eyes.

Not long after, her steady breathing indicated she had fallen back asleep.

Radios got out of bed making as little noise as possible.

He left to give her space so she could sleep more comfortably.

He moved to the rooftop of the Shilla Hotel.

The strong wind hitting his face made him feel completely alive.

“This is a peaceful world…”

Looking down, he could see what they called automobiles moving busily.

Most were ordinary people going to work under the name of “commuting.”

The big, long vehicles—public transportation—seemed to carry young-looking faces reminiscent of students.

A very peaceful world where thoughts of war were inconceivable.

Radios continued to admire this world.

Perhaps Kadinant could have enjoyed such peaceful days too.

Everything began after the forces of the Outer Universe invaded Kadinant.

If not for their invasion, he wouldn’t have come this far.

Perhaps Azathoth and Chaos would have revealed themselves later too?

Maybe they would have appeared long after he and his comrades had died.

‘If I keep making these assumptions, there’ll be no end to it.’

If he hadn’t killed Azathoth, Kadinant would have perished eventually.

And if the universe had been reorganized to Chaos and Azathoth’s liking,

Radios’ soul would have lived through repeated reincarnations.

Without ever reaching the truth.

‘In a way, that war saved the world.’

But that didn’t mean he was defending the war.

He didn’t even want to imagine how difficult it had been to fight against the cult of the Outer Gods as a Guardian Spirit.

“I should go back down now.”

Arsia would be awake by now, so he should enjoy what little time they had left.

Yesterday they had gone on a food tour, so what should they do today?

Radios, filled with anticipation, left the hotel with Arsia who had regained her senses.

[Let’s enjoy ourselves freely today. Don’t you two think it’s better to act on your own?]

“But what if we cause trouble?”

[After experiencing Earth yesterday, I doubt we’ll cause any trouble. Just act within the bounds of common sense and everything will be okay. Agreed?]

Namgung Ihyun looked back and forth between Radios and Arsia.

Although Radios was her master,

It was clear that if Arsia didn’t approve, neither would Radios.

With her bright, sparkling eyes, Radios and Arsia nodded.

In truth, both of them desperately wanted to enjoy a date together.

[Great! I have somewhere to go for a while, so you two enjoy yourselves, and if you need any help, just let me know. Master and I are connected, after all.]

“Alright. I know this is unlikely, but I’m saying this just in case. Be careful, and try to avoid being seen by people as much as possible.”

[Why are you like this? I’m Namgung Ihyun. I was once an apostle of Yog-Sothoth, remember? Ordinary people absolutely cannot see me, so don’t worry and have fun. See you later! Bye!]

Whoosh.

With just those words, Namgung Ihyun vanished.

Radios actually felt relieved once she disappeared.

Arsia probably felt the same.

“Arsia. Is there anywhere you’d like to go?”

“What was it called… Life Four Cuts? Ihyun told me about this place. It’s where you can take something called photos… Oh, a photo is when you press a button and a portrait is automatically printed by a machine. Anyway, it sounds fascinating and I’d like to experience it!”

“Really? Then let’s go there.”

“Yes!”

Radios didn’t know what “photos” were.

But he intended to grant all of Arsia’s wishes.

He held her hand and entered the place called Life Four Cuts.

Inside the building, they saw curtains, mirrors, some strange machine, and various headbands.

Naturally, neither Arsia nor Radios knew how to use it.

Of course, they didn’t panic.

They used the search function on their phone, which Namgung Ihyun had taught them about.

After searching for “how to take Life Four Cuts photos” on the green search bar,

Arsia understood the general method and began choosing headbands with Radios.

“Radios, I think this would suit you well.”

“…A rabbit?”

“It’s cute~ I’ll take this one.”

“Shouldn’t you be the rabbit and I be the tiger?”

“It’s more fun when it’s the opposite. Come on, let’s go in now.”

Arsia ignored Radios’ words and pushed him into the booth.

Finding himself wearing rabbit ears, Radios became nervous as he entered the photo booth.

This was because there was a mirror that clearly showed his movements!

What made it even more shocking was that it wasn’t actually a mirror.

“Radios, why are you so nervous?”

“Arsia, look at that. It’s not even a mirror, but it’s detecting all my movements.”

“That’s called a camera. It’s what takes the photos.”

“Hmm… I don’t understand at all.”

“Anyway, we need four poses, so let’s practice them first.”

According to Arsia’s plan:

One photo of them hugging each other.

One doing something called a “gal peace” sign.

One with Radios carrying Arsia like a princess.

And one sharing a deep kiss.

After deciding on these four poses, Arsia pressed the shooting button.

“Radios! Hurry!”

“Uh, um…”

Click.

The first photo captured them in an awkward pose.

The second showed Arsia scolding Radios and him being reprimanded.

The third showed Arsia clutching her head while Radios rolled his eyes.

And the final photo captured Radios boldly kissing Arsia.

“…This is a mess.”

“It’s a mess.”

“Sigh… How can someone who kills people like a ghost in battle not even take one proper photo?”

“Well, um… it’s my first time experiencing this. I could do better if we tried again.”

“Forget it! Let’s go!”

Arsia snorted and left the photo booth.

Radios scratched the back of his head and followed her.

But he wasn’t worried.

Arsia walking ahead of him had red ears,

Which meant she was quite satisfied with the photo session.

As long as she was satisfied, that was enough.

Radios could leave the Life Four Cuts building with a happy heart.

Next, Radios and Arsia headed to a place called Starbucks.

This was a shop that sold coffee, which also existed in Kadinant.

It was said to be a good place for couples to visit together, and one of the date spots women preferred.

“May I take your order?”

“Ah, yes. One iced cafe mocha and… one iced Americano with an extra shot, please.”

“Certainly, please wait a moment.”

Arsia skillfully placed the cafe order.

As it turned out, she had heard many stories about Earth from Namgung Ihyun over the past three years.

Also, since coffee existed in Kadinant too, she knew which menu items had which flavors.

Radios liked sweet things, and Arsia liked bitter coffee.

She thought ordering this way would satisfy them both.

“Your coffee is ready. Enjoy!”

When the cafe worker handed them their coffee, Arsia and Radios took it and went upstairs to find seats.

“This seems like such a nice world.”

“I think so too.”

“Honestly, I don’t want to go back to Kadinant. If only we could be as peaceful as the people of Earth…”

Arsia was genuinely disappointed.

The gate connecting to Earth would close in three days,

And they had to return to Kadinant before then.

But at that moment,

Boom!

“This is…!”

“Magic power… why?”

Radios and Arsia detected powerful magical energy emanating from somewhere.

Without hesitation, they both leaped through the cafe window and rushed toward the source of the magical energy.