Ch.148Rest+

# 148. Rest+

On the first day of arrival, I was squeezed dry by Seyeon and Yuri, and the next day by Subin and Soyu noona, but from the third day onward, I was able to enjoy a normal restful life.

Pure relaxation without any worries.

Of course, after resting, we would need to climb again, and we’d have to regroup before returning, but at least not right now.

“The food here is rather mediocre.”

“It’s partly because this place is monotonous, and partly because Ayord was exceptionally diverse.”

“But aren’t the expensive dishes at least decent?”

“The fact that you’re asking if they’re ‘decent’ rather than ‘delicious’ already says they’re not that great, doesn’t it?”

“I guess so?”

“I think oppa’s is the most delicious.”

“Yuri. If you look at me like that while licking your lips, this fragile oppa might misunderstand?”

“Hehe.”

We complained about food we normally ate without any issues.

“It feels like looking at old European buildings.”

“England was probably the motif.”

“Besides the food?”

“Besides the food. The castle structure, city design, and history all seem to be taken from England. It’s not strange at all if you don’t know that, since you’re not interested.”

“I didn’t know that. Anyway, houses that look like that seem nice too. Of course, they should have front and back yards, and maybe a separate building would be nice.”

“Um… you think so?”

“Why are you responding like it’s someone else’s business? We’re talking about a house we’ll all live in together. Oh, and if you’re going to talk about money or whatever, don’t. It’s my money buying my house, and having my lover and friends live there shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Ha, haha.”

We chatted about various things while looking down at different parts of Edenguard, including the multi-fortress, from a place with a good view.

“Danya. Is there anything specific you want to do?”

“No. I’m happy just like this.”

“Really?”

“Everything is new. Just seeing, smelling, hearing, and walking around is so much fun.”

“I see.”

“Yes. It feels good to be building knowledge and experiences that somewhat match my actual age.”

“You’ll need to build up a lot then.”

“Want to get hit?”

I also spent time casually wandering around Edenguard with Danya, who had dreamed of becoming an adventurer.

“Looking at you now, noona, you’ve really become a full-fledged cleric.”

“Arc Bishop isn’t just for show, you know.”

“But do you really believe in it?”

“Well… I don’t know what the goddess would think if she heard this, but I basically see it as an all-purpose tool for our party’s safety.”

“The goddess would be disappointed to hear that.”

“Surely she wouldn’t be disappointed over something like this. With all the trash out there doing terrible things in the name of faith, wouldn’t I be considered a decent cleric? I even took down an unexpected demon.”

“Fair enough. And you look like a saint anyway, so it’s fine.”

“Then why are you staring at my chest? Living up to your name, our Seonghyun?”

“Ah, I wasn’t looking!”

“Could you please restrain yourself even if you want to look? This is a church.”

“I told you I wasn’t!”

I also visited a church in Edenguard with Soyu noona.

“Um… Party Leader.”

“Yes, noona. I’m listening.”

“You have four beautiful lovers, is it really okay to hang out with me like this?”

“It doesn’t matter right now. Regardless of whether they’re lovers or not, I’m spending time with each party member separately.”

“R-really? So it’s like party member management?”

“‘Party member management’ sounds a bit stiff, so let’s call it team bonding?”

“Team bonding? Hmm… I understand what you mean, but I’m a bit hesitant about what to do.”

“Pardon?”

“After all, you’re a man with four lovers, and those four are in the same party… it feels a bit awkward to meet separately like this and do things.”

“Neither I nor my lovers would mind at all, so it’s fine.”

“…It’s fine because you don’t mind at all?”

“Yes. So if you have anything you want to tell me, feel free to do so. Whether it’s personal or official. Or if there’s something you wanted to ask for, that’s fine too.”

“I see… is that so? Hehehe. Alright. Since you put it that way, maybe I’ll take full advantage of you?”

I became a conversation partner for Yehyun noona, who somehow seemed to have become serious, and also served as her porter.

“Um, Leader.”

“Hm?”

“I’m sorry about the first day.”

“Come on, what are you sorry for? It’s fine as long as we were both satisfied and enjoyed ourselves.”

“Still… I think I went too far.”

“It’s okay. I was a bit surprised, but if I really disliked it or found it physically impossible, I wouldn’t have gone through with it. I was happy to see a new side of you.”

“…Which version of me do you prefer, Leader?”

“I like all of Seyeon.”

“Tch.”

“What’s with that ‘tch’? I like the everyday Seyeon and the nighttime Seyeon very much. I just think, whoever Seyeon’s boyfriend is, he must have been rowing really hard under Admiral Yi Sun-sin in his past life.”

“Pfft! What’s that supposed to mean, Leader?”

I also comforted Seyeon, who had expressed guilt about temporarily becoming a beast.

Now it was Arang’s turn, the last one. I was walking through the plaza with Arang. In one hand, I held street food (the most visually appealing one), and in the other, I carried items Arang had wanted to buy. I could have just put the packages in my inventory, but women say that doesn’t give the proper shopping experience, so I faithfully played the role of baggage carrier.

“Is there anything else you want to do, Arang?”

“Yes. I’ve been thinking about it carefully.”

“Thinking about what?”

“I want to kiss you, Party Leader oppa.”

“…Huh?”

For a moment, I almost dropped everything. Fortunately, I managed to grip them tightly before they fell, but my confusion didn’t subside.

“Um, Arang? What do you mean?”

“Before I could walk, I wanted to walk on my own. After walking, I wanted to run. After running, I wanted to become a full-fledged member. After becoming a full-fledged member, or more precisely, after catching the demon… I thought about what I wanted to become.”

The gazes of Arang, the shortest in our party, and mine, the tallest, met. A height difference of about 30cm.

Normally, when having such a serious conversation, we would either face forward while talking or sit down somewhere, but that wasn’t possible now.

From experience, I knew this was not the time to interrupt or look away.

“Happiness. I wanted to be happy. I think I was happy when I was young, though I barely remember it, but as I said, my memories are vague. And I was unhappy for a much longer time.”

“Mmm.”

“When I was playing the game, I escaped from unhappiness, but I don’t think it was a happy life. And now, living in the tower, I’ve become much happier. But, there’s still something missing.”

Arang came closer and gently bumped her forehead against my body.

“The person who gave me happiness. That’s you, Party Leader. And while being with you, I realized. If I’m by your side, I could become even happier. That’s obvious when I look at Seyeon, Yuri, Subin unnie, or Soyu unnie.”

“Arang.”

“Am I… not allowed?”

Arang’s confession, both sudden and calm, came to an end. I first put the packages and food into my inventory, then gently stroked the head of Arang, who had her forehead pressed against my chest.

She looked up at me with wide eyes. Her already small, round, and cute face, combined with those large, clear eyes, made her look just like a doll.

With that face, with that expression looking up at me… I realized this child had mustered great courage to seek her own happiness despite fearing rejection.

It was hard to believe that out of six party members excluding me, four were already my lovers, and if Arang became one too, that would make five, but I couldn’t avoid it. No, I didn’t want to avoid it.

I had already resolved this issue long ago, and had somewhat anticipated it.

And I didn’t dislike Arang either. I liked her.

“Arang.”

“Yes.”

“You know that I don’t keep my relationships secret, right? Everyone knows.”

“Yes.”

“Do you like me, Arang?”

“Yes. Are you stupid, Party Leader? Who would say they want to kiss someone they don’t like?”

“That’s true.”

I brushed her bangs aside to reveal her forehead and lightly kissed it. Arang’s shoulders flinched.

“Thank you. For liking me, for confessing to me. But I’m not sure if I like you as much as you like me.”

“That’s not important. Couples rarely fall completely head over heels in love from the beginning. We’re not Romeo and Juliet.”

“That’s true too.”

“So. What’s your answer?”

Arang. Don’t cry.

Listen to the whole story first.

“Are you stupid, Arang? Who would kiss someone they don’t like?”

“…!”

This time, I stole a kiss on Arang’s slightly parted lips. Startled, she froze for a moment, then belatedly tried to press her lips back against mine, but I pulled my head back before she could.

Arang puffed her cheeks and looked at me in protest.

‘Cute.’

I poked her cheek with my index finger, and air escaped with a soft hiss.

“We’re outside.”

“Ah.”

“Instead.”

Oof-cha.

I lifted Arang up. Then I offered my cheek to her. Somehow it looked like a father and his young daughter, but who cares.

“Will you be satisfied with a kiss on the cheek for now?”

“…For now?”

“Yes. For now.”

“Okay. I understand. Then I’m going to give you lots and lots of cheek kisses until we get back.”

And true to her word, Arang didn’t remove her lips from my cheek for even a moment until we returned to Taebern.

“Oh, Arang unnie!”

“Yay!”

“Well, I expected this, but still.”

“Congratulations, Arang.”

“Nyaang.”

[Another one added to the list.]

“…Heh.”

Somehow Yehyun noona’s expression was scary… but that’s how Arang became my fifth lover.

A week passed.