Ch.34Chapter 34: Comforting Someone Who’s Crying Is Difficult (1)

Dreams are typically volatile.

Even if a dream feels vivid enough to touch while you’re dreaming, it usually fades quickly the moment your closed eyes open and you face reality.

That’s why artists and writers who receive flashes of inspiration or creativity in dreams habitually keep writing instruments by their bedside to record these insights the moment they wake, lest they forget.

But what exactly was the dream I just experienced?

When I briefly closed my eyes to avoid the flash of light pouring from the sunlit sword, I reopened them to find the familiar ceiling of my room.

*Flutter flutter*

*Chirp chirp chirp*

As soon as my eyes opened, the diverse sounds of birds chirping and fluttering their wings as they devoured insects reached my ears through the window, signaling my return to reality.

Yet even as my drowsy mind cleared after waking, the dream I had wasn’t fading—it was becoming more vivid with each passing moment.

“Hmm…!!”

After stretching to shake off the lingering effects of the dream.

“Huaaawn.”

I dispelled my remaining fatigue with a yawn, slowly rose from bed, and headed toward the window.

Even as I walked, I could almost swear the scent of sulfur still tickled my nostrils.

And it wasn’t just the sulfur smell.

Everything I saw in the dream became more clearly engraved in my mind as my consciousness sharpened.

The vivid appearance of Ancestor Lumen Ranos, whom I’d only ever seen in portraits.

The overwhelming presence of the evil dragon Fafnir, whose massive form could be described as blanketing the sky.

Even the moment I was overwhelmed by the beast’s final desperate attack—a fiery breath that threatened to incinerate the entire world.

Everything I witnessed was too dense and vivid to dismiss as a mere dream, but a few elements stood out with particular clarity in my mind.

“…It was definitely Fafnir.”

First was the fierce voice of the evil dragon Fafnir as he confronted my ancestor.

It was identical.

The same fierce voice that had guided me into that misty space and wouldn’t stop sneering.

“…If I’m summoned to that place again, I should ask about it.”

As I pondered what I’d learned through the dream, my mind kept replaying one particularly striking scene I’d witnessed.

“That was extraordinary swordsmanship.”

The overwhelming martial prowess my ancestor displayed when defeating the evil dragon.

It was fundamentally different from the incomplete Radiance Flash Sword technique currently passed down in House Ranos.

Though the movements were short and simple—almost plain—they contained terrifying martial power.

A single downward stroke of the sword unleashed a storm of battle aura that instantly dispersed the breath of fire.

Without losing momentum, he leaped forward and split the massive dragon’s body in two with a single strike.

It made me feel that the epic’s description of defeating the evil dragon after a fierce battle was actually an understatement.

As I mulled over my astonishment, I nearly forgot something important.

-This much, at least, you must achieve.

After finishing everything, my ancestor approached as if recognizing me and spoke in a gentle voice, offering what might have been encouragement or a threat.

This much, at least, you must achieve.

My feet paused briefly on their way to the window as I recalled that voice demanding I become stronger, as if knowing what calamity this world would soon face.

“Can I do it…?”

I pondered for a moment.

Before my first death, I was so weakened by the incurable disease consuming my body that even gathering battle aura was life-threatening. Even though I’ve broken free from those shackles, I wondered if I could recreate what I saw in my dream.

I contemplated whether I could even approach the footsteps of my ancestor, whose martial prowess not only matched but overwhelmed that displayed by the Shizu of my previous life.

“…Why am I hesitating? If I can’t do it, I’ll make it happen.”

I soon collected myself and continued toward the window.

Before long, the armies of the Demon God will awaken from their long slumber and attempt to dye the world in pitch-black malice.

Unless I wanted to relive my rock-bottom existence from before my regression, when I lost everything and lived each day miserably thinking only of myself…

At this moment, when I should be dreaming of a better tomorrow, there was no luxury for such hesitation.

What I needed wasn’t contemplation but the pursuit of power.

And not just any power—I needed righteous, unwavering strength that could stand against the forces trying to stain the world with malice.

To obtain that, I needed to start walking diligently from this moment forward.

The path to becoming a hero.

Though my starting line was much later than others, I had no intention of giving up like I did in my previous life.

No matter how difficult or thorny the path ahead might be.

I had absolutely no desire to make you experience the same sorrow as in the previous timeline, when you lost your companions one by one in desperate situations and ultimately had to protect the world alone.

As these brief thoughts passed through my mind, I reached the window.

Having reflected on the lingering dream and made my resolution, it was time to greet the day.

“First, let’s draw back the curtains.”

*Swoosh*

The warm sunlight entering through the window after I removed the curtains with a single gesture was gradually awakening my sleep-drenched body.

“Good morning.”

Judging by the morning sunlight, it was even better than yesterday.

When I turned my head to check the current time on the wall clock, it showed 6:10 AM.

“Classes start at 9, so I woke up a bit early.”

In the past, this would have been the time to dive back into bed for more sleep.

But for someone like me who had developed the ambition to make today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today, the current time was…

“Then I’ll wash up and head to the outdoor training ground for a light warm-up before breakfast.”

Actually the perfect time to train myself without anyone’s interference.

Smiling at the thought of making good use of my early start, I headed toward the shower room to freshen up.

*Creeeeak*

That is, until I heard the loud sound of my door opening suddenly, without any footsteps approaching beforehand.

Puzzled by someone entering my room at such an early hour, I turned my head toward the entrance.

“Huff… huff…”

I saw Shizu entering my room with a ghostly pale expression, trying to catch her breath after what must have been a frantic run.

She must have run incredibly fast, yet I hadn’t heard a single footstep. I was about to express my admiration for her movement and ask why she had come in such a hurry, but…

“Ka…Karl?”

My mouth closed without speaking as Shizu, still deathly pale, quickly approached and examined my body from head to toe.

“A…arms are fine. Legs are fine too.”

Her complexion remained pale as she inspected my body while muttering incomprehensible words.

…Strange?

Did something happen after we parted yesterday?

Why is she looking at me with such a startled expression?

Though I was puzzled, another emotion soon began to grow and overwhelm my confusion.

As I watched her expression filled with concern—not touching my body but clearly worried about me—the emotion growing inside me was tenderness.

Perhaps because I had spent so long watching her maintain her composure and coldness in my previous life, rarely changing her expression except for the most serious situations.

Her pale face and slightly trembling blue eyes so clearly conveyed her worry that…

Even though we had only reconciled two days ago, I was deeply grateful for her immediate concern as she examined me.

As I calmly received her worried gaze, feeling both tenderness and gratitude…

“Thank goodness…”

Finally confirming there was nothing wrong with my body, Shizu let out a sigh of relief.

Her demeanor simultaneously conveyed urgency, worry, and relief.

…Why is she suddenly acting like this?

The situation was already bewildering enough, but judging by her sigh of relief, this awkward situation would soon end…

“Hic… waaaaaah!”

But my confusion only grew as she suddenly burst into tears.

She wasn’t a child, but a respected hero outside—it had been a very long time since I’d seen Shizu cry this loudly.

Ah, no. She did cry yesterday too. Not this loudly, but still.

And I had declared myself a beast if I made her cry again, yet here she was crying at the sight of me.

As I began to feel guilty watching her cry for reasons unknown to me…

-I’m sorry…

I also recalled how, in my previous life, consumed by inferiority, I had abandoned her as she cried and repeatedly apologized after my hurtful words.

….

No matter how much we’ve reconciled in this timeline, and despite seeing your bright smile directed at me again…

I don’t think I’ll ever forget that memory.

Because you cried because of pathetic me, who unleashed my inferiority complex on you when you had done nothing wrong…

‘I made her cry again, but what can I do? I’ll have to comfort her.’

Regrettably, I’ll have to put aside my morning training and focus on carefully consoling the crying Shizu.

“Th-thank goodness. You’re okay… waaah!”

…And while I’m at it, I should ask why she keeps saying these strange things.

#

I truly hated seeing someone cry in front of me.

Ever since I faced my mother, who stroked my face with her bony hands while crying and repeatedly apologizing before she passed away…

I never let anyone cry in front of me.

If someone cried, I comforted them until they stopped, and if my own efforts weren’t enough, I would use other means to ensure no tears flowed from their eyes.

Yes, I tried.

In my previous life, I gave up trying after that day when, twisted by inferiority, I callously abandoned her as she cried and apologized to me.

But now that I’ve been given another chance, how could I ignore someone crying in front of me?

Especially when that crying person is the most precious person to me?

Do I even need to say it?

I should comfort her immediately, by any means necessary.

With that thought, I immediately recalled the special remedy I used yesterday when she was crying—embracing her and stroking her hair—but…

“…”

I was aware of my current state of dress, so I quickly abandoned that idea and considered other options.

…I can’t exactly embrace Shizu while wearing nothing on my upper body.

I should get dressed first.

I quickly reached for a shirt to cover my upper body, intending to repeat what I did two evenings ago, but…

“…That won’t work.”

I thought she might feel burdened if I kept embracing her without warning.

To be clear, I’m stopping because she might feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.

It’s absolutely not because I’m embarrassed.

“Ahem.”

Anyway, I cleared my throat to shake off the awkward feeling and tried to think of another approach.

“Ah…!”

Something came to mind.

There is one thing.

The best item to use when comforting a crying Shizu.

“Let’s see.”

I turned toward the desk.

And opened the drawer.

There should be at least one.

And responding to my expectations, in the wide-open desk drawer…

“There it is.”

Something wrapped neatly in luxurious packaging revealed itself.

“She’s always loved these since childhood.”

The special remedy that would make her stop crying and gradually calm down as she ate it piece by piece.

Yes, chocolate.