Chapter 141: Second Transcendence

Ansimjeong (Cafe) where only Noa had eaten her fill ended.

Rohan was about to run out of energy before he even got investigated.

He clearly ate something delicious, but instead of regaining strength, he felt drained.

Ever since Aeng-ae Nose’s sudden remark, he couldn’t tell if the food was going in through his nose or his mouth.

Still, he had to say goodbye.

Rohan bowed his head to Ichinose Jun, who was gathering the cards, along with Shion and Clara.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“Mm.”

Ichinose Jun stared at Rohan for a moment and nodded.

His expression remained unchanged.

Afterward, they all headed to the Public Security Bureau in a van taxi called in front of Ansimjeong.

Momo called Juyeon, briefly chatting while informing her that they were on their way to the Public Security Bureau.

The rest didn’t really talk. The vehicle was quiet.

If Noa had been awake, the atmosphere might have been brighter, but our Beastkin girl fell asleep as soon as she got in the car, seemingly overly satisfied with her meal.

‘My head hurts.’

Rohan checked on Shion and Clara, who were holding his arms as if restraining him, and looked at Ichinose sitting in the front seat.

As if noticing his gaze, she slowly raised her head while her eyes were closed, then quickly averted her gaze before fully lifting it.

“···.”

Rohan chuckled and closed his eyes.

When they got off in front of the Public Security Bureau, Juyeon was already there.

She approached and exchanged brief greetings with the two parents. Then she checked on the Cadets and the girls.

Juyeon looked at Rohan, furrowed one eyebrow, and looked quizzical.

“Rohan. Didn’t you get enough rest? You look pale.”

At Juyeon’s question, Rohan smiled weakly and bowed his head.

“Instructor. I’m sorry for making you work on your day off.”

“This is also part of an Instructor’s duties, so there’s nothing to be sorry about. You didn’t fall into the Dungeon on purpose, and you didn’t enter the restricted area and encounter a Monolith intentionally, so act confidently.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“The investigation won’t take long. It’ll be similar to last time.”

Juyeon and Ichinose Jun took the lead and entered the Public Security Bureau.

The others followed. Rohan was about to move but looked at the group.

“Wouldn’t it be better for Shion and Clara to wait at home? They said it wouldn’t take long, but the investigation won’t be that short.”

““···.””

The two girls glanced at Ichinose and shook their heads.

They were determined to wait, even in the parking lot if they couldn’t wait inside.

“I want to wait…”

“I will wait.”

Hearing the resolute voices of the two girls, Momo approached with graceful steps and informed them.

“Don’t worry. It’s okay to wait inside. There’s a Cafe too?”

“Ah! Thank you for letting me know.”

As Rohan expressed his gratitude, Momo looked at the entrance of the Public Security Bureau.

Yui and Noa were just entering.

Before entering, Yui glanced at them and took a heavy step inside.

“Wouldn’t it be better for Cadet Rohan to go in quickly? I’m not the one being investigated, so I can take my time, but Yui has already gone in.”

“O-Oppa… Come quickly!”

“You haven’t committed a crime, so there’s no need to shrink back. Just go comfortably.”

As Shion and Clara reassured him and let go of Rohan,

Rohan finished greeting Momo and started walking.

Momo looked at the two girls who seemed to be competing with her daughter.

They were truly beautiful girls.

“Sorry for eavesdropping. Is your name Shion? And you’re Clara, right?”

They had exchanged many glances with each other.

However, this was practically their first direct communication.

“C-Clara…! ”

“Shion Testarossa.”

Momo’s eyes widened at the introduction.

“Testarossa…? The one who returned to Tigrova recently…?”

“Yes. That’s me.”

Of course, Momo had heard about what happened within Tigrova.

Since she was close with the Grand Emperor of Snow, it was impossible for her not to hear about it.

She just thought it was an interesting story.

Since she was of the Testarossa lineage, it was natural that she was an Elf. She only knew that she was young, but didn’t know her detailed appearance. She also didn’t know she’d be this close.

‘Shion Testarossa… Clara… Our daughter needs to work hard.’

The two girls each had their own charm that could excessively stimulate a spirited man.

Quickly finishing her admiring observation, Momo smiled brightly and took out her smartphone.

“Since we’ve met like this, it’s fate, so shall we exchange numbers?”

··

··

The information held by the two survivors was valuable.

The scholar accompanying the Peacekeepers was so excited that his typing hands trembled.

As a few months had passed since the Dungeons were regulated, a framework for investigation had been established and new laws had been introduced, so Rohan and Ichinose Yui were paid a considerable amount of coin into their accounts on the spot in exchange for sharing their information.

That was it.

Just as Juyeon had said, the Public Security Bureau’s investigation wasn’t long.

A little over an hour, including a short break.

All they had to do was talk about the Dungeon, and since Juyeon and Ichinose Jun were also present as guardians, they sharply separated the necessary parts from the scholar’s unproductive curiosity.

‘They look withered.’

From Rohan’s perspective, it seemed the Peacekeepers’ lifespans had been shortened considerably due to tension.

“…This concludes the investigation. Thank you for your cooperation.”

The Peacekeepers, their legs trembling with exhaustion, rose from their seats and bowed their heads.

They didn’t forget to offer polite greetings to Juyeon and Ichinose Jun.

Rohan looked at Aeng-ae Nose sitting next to him.

Just her presence had melted away much of the awkward atmosphere.

“Good work.”

“You too, Rohan…”

Now she meets his gaze and replies.

Just as they exchanged smiles, each carrying their own emotions…

Ichinose Jun strode towards them.

“Do you have a moment?”

Ichinose Jun’s gaze was fixed firmly on Rohan.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Rohan and Ichinose Jun exited through the back door of the Public Security Bureau.

Opposite the parking lot. A thick wall blocked the view of the road.

On one side, a group of Peacekeepers were gathered, smoking.

Ichinose Jun led Rohan in the opposite direction.

As they walked, they came across a lone vending machine tucked in a corner.

Ichinose Jun bought two coffees, handed one to Rohan, and finally spoke.

“I called you out because I have something to ask.”

“Yes.”

Was it about Yui? Or the Dungeon? Or perhaps…

Rohan ran through various possibilities in his head, awaiting Ichinose Jun’s question.

“…”

Ichinose Jun, who had been looking straight ahead, avoiding eye contact, now stared intently at Rohan.

The gaze of a powerful individual penetrated deeply.

Rohan felt as if he were being pierced and seen through completely.

After silently observing Rohan, Ichinose Jun, unusually, dropped his impassive expression and revealed his emotions.

He frowned.

There was something bothering him.

Something he didn’t like about Rohan. A problem he himself had faced in the past.

Ichinose Jun asked bluntly,

“Have you ever earnestly prayed, even once, that you didn’t want to die?”

“…I don’t understand what you mean.”

He wasn’t about to make him pray right now, was he?

Rohan focused, a sense of tension gripping him.

“This is about how you live. You can think of it in terms of combat.”

“In combat, I always aim to win and survive.”

“A vague and shallow answer. Momo wouldn’t be impressed.”

“…”

Ichinose Jun’s casual remark strangely struck a chord.

What Rohan felt wasn’t exactly unpleasantness.

It was the feeling of a hidden flaw being exposed.

As Rohan closed his mouth,

Ichinose Jun, for the first time, became talkative.

“I learned the preciousness of life and family after I met Momo and Yui was born. With something more precious than my life, I started falling for even cheesy provocations.”

“…”

When he only wielded a sword, he closed his ears to everything and went his own way.

But now it was different.

He couldn’t ignore a single word that touched his family.

“When you pass by a bakery at dawn, you smell the wonderful aroma of baking bread. I always knew that. But instead of just smelling it and thinking about whether I’m hungry or not, it makes me think of my family.”

Rohan’s fighting style and the thoughts he has during combat.

Ichinose Jun could see them.

“You’ve probably been using gamble-like tactics, risking your life to take down your enemies, like it’s a regular meal.”

“…”

“Let it go. Empty yourself of it. You probably think that if you just kill the ones trying to ruin your future, everyone else will be happy, right? That’s not a good mindset.”

Because if Rohan dies, his daughter will grieve.

He needed to address this twisted aspect before Rohan experienced regret.

He needed to understand that life is precious, and that preciousness includes his own life.

Rohan understood what Ichinose Jun was trying to make him realize.

Words that might be considered rude caught in his throat.

But he had a strong feeling that he should speak, even if it was rude.

“…Your explanation seems clumsy.”

At Rohan’s words, Ichinose Jun’s lips twitched for the first time.

A very subtle smile.

“I hear that often. Momo tells me my actions are clumsy too.”

“But I understood. Thank you for your kind words.”

“Change your mindset. Right now, you’re only pretending to care for those around you, while actually worrying them.”

“Yes!”

“Mutual Destruction is no different from giving up. There are ways to defeat a powerful enemy without resorting to gambles. Don’t choose the easy way out for yourself.”

“…Thank you!”

Ichinose Jun threw his empty coffee can in the trash and turned his back.

“If you need to sort out your thoughts, do so thoroughly and then return.”

With silent steps, Ichinose Jun left.

Rohan felt that this was the perfect timing.

He opened the Shop.

And made a purchase.

[Your Second Transcendence shines brightly.]