episode_0012

Krisha left.

Just like how Lynde had done to her, she left without a word, without leaving behind even a single letter.

Was the shock too much?

Or was it because she couldn’t bear the fact that their separation was now certain?

Either way, it’s understandable.

We returned to the mansion and sat facing each other in the ruined restaurant.

“So… this is how it turned out.”

Lynde said.

“I intended for this from the beginning… because the time we have to live together, me and that child, is different…”

“Yeah.”

“Did… did Dad feel this way too?”

“It must have been much more agonizing. To the point where living was unbearable.”

“How were you able to endure it?”

“I never had much attachment to my hometown to begin with. No one was left behind there.”

Before coming to this world, was it Korea… Anyway, Sangchul had mentioned leaving everything behind in that place.

Parents preparing for old age.

Lovers promising marriage.

Old classmates who kept in touch regularly.

So, losing his precious wife in this world must have been even more painful for him, having found her after so much struggle.

On the contrary, I had nothing.

Whether it was a plane crash or a train accident, both my parents passed away.

Not to mention lovers; my friends barely contacted me once or twice a year.

So, there was no regret in my original world.

No, it’s not even worth calling it regret.

All of us were abducted to this world against our will.

“So, I’m not really tormented by it.”

“…That’s a lie.”

“…”

“This… this can’t not be tormenting…! Even though we haven’t known each other for that long, I know you’re not that indifferent!”

“For now, don’t worry about me, worry about Krisha. What are you going to do?”

“W-what… should I do?”

“Just never see each other again?”

“I… I don’t… know… Krisha probably doesn’t want to see me anymore…”

“Well, maybe not now, but in a few years, or even weeks, her thoughts might change. For Krisha, you’re as good as a parent.”

“I-I’m not that great…”

“You are. At least for Krisha, you would have been the most important person in the world.”

“…”

“Well, it’s not a decision you can make right away. Both of you need to take your time and think it over.”

“Okay…”

“So, let’s consider that settled for now, and then we’ll think about the next step.”

“Next… step?”

“What do you think was the reason I came to find you in the first place?”

“…What?”

“Maseok, I’m talking about Maseok!”

“Oh…?”

“What do you think we might need right now?”

“Uh…”

“Look at that!”

I pointed to the gaping hole in the ceiling, large enough for several sturdy adult men to pass through.

“Oh.”

“If it rains, we’ll be in trouble. I need to call a contractor quickly to buy materials…”

“Aren’t you going to call a carpenter?”

“Why waste money. I can fix it myself. I used to work as a carpenter in the past.”

“Impressive…!”

“I didn’t spend my youth playing marbles.”

“Marbles?”

“There’s such a thing. Anyway, I have nails, extensions, good wood, paint, and steel plates… Ugh, it’s really going to be a big job.”

“I’m sorry…”

“If you’re sorry, then work hard from now on to repay it. Once the roof is fixed, we’ll head straight to the labyrinth.”

“Okay…”

You’re not thinking of backing out of the labyrinth now, are you?”

“Oh, no! Of course, I don’t! Although Maseok is no longer needed, I was still interested in it!”

“You were interested?”

“Yes. Isn’t it fascinating? Monsters, or the principles behind Maseok creation. Everyone seems to take them for granted, but they’re actually quite strange.”

“Ah… Is that so?”

“Yes. So, when you descend deep into the labyrinth…”

“Don’t go.”

“…Yes?”

“I won’t go deep down. Even if you go, only up to the 10th floor.”

“Why?”

“Because below that… there are monsters.”

“Monsters? Like… monsters?”

“It’s not just monsters in the depths of the labyrinth.”

“Then… what else is there?”

“Adventurers.”

“Adventurers? Well… of course there would be, right?”

“You really don’t know anything. If you go further down from the 10th floor, the concentration of ambient magic becomes ridiculously high. Just breathing there will fill you with magic.”

“That’s incredible!”

“Listen till the end. If you stay too long in a place with dense magic, people start acting strange.”

“Strange?”

“Yes. Simply put, living humans gradually turn into demons.”

“…!”

“Not monsters, but real demons with substance. Of course, staying there for a day or two won’t change you much, but after a year, you won’t be able to call yourself human anymore.”

“Oh… So, just staying briefly should be fine, right?”

“Well, the thing is… there’s a very troublesome and dangerous creature lurking down there targeting me.”

“T-Targeting you? Mr. Lashwood?”

“Yes. I used to go deep underground to hunt demons myself, but ever since that creature appeared, I never go below the 10th floor.”

“Why specifically Mr. Lashwood…”

“We have some history.”

“Ah… You seem to know many people.”

“Are you teasing me now?”

“Oh, no, no! I was just…”

“I get it. I was joking.”

It wouldn’t hurt to divert attention momentarily like this.

It’s risky if someone as introverted as Linde keeps dwelling on sad emotions.

And it’s true that house repairs need to be done quickly.

We need to go into the maze to gather magic stones, but we have zero income while fixing the roof.

“Since we’ve been through a lot today, let’s leave the organizing for tomorrow.”

“I, I should… I’m the one who damaged the roof…”

“No, you might get distracted and it could become dangerous. Rest on days like this; it’s better to go tomorrow.”

“Yes… I’m sorry…”

“It’s okay. As I said before, you can earn and repay. Time is what we have. Plus, you have the magic detection spell, so you’ll be able to make money quickly. Go rest for now. I’ll call you for dinner.”

“Yes…”

We left the restaurant and headed back to our rooms.

“Sigh…”

As I lay on the bed, I let out a deep sigh.

How long has Linde been here?

It feels like less than a week, yet so much has happened.

“…I’ll be spending quite a bit of money.”

Even if we don’t call a carpenter, we’ll need over 200 gold coins for roof repairs.

There’s a straight hole from the first floor to the roof.

It’s almost like building a small mansion all over again.

Sourcing wood, stone, steel sheets, and more in bulk is one thing.

Trusted suppliers for quality materials exist, but they won’t deliver in a day or two.

“Argh… that swindler! If it weren’t for him! …Phew.”

Let’s calm down.

There’s no use getting upset over what’s not there.

Maybe I should borrow some money from someone I know.

…No, that’s a last resort for later.

“Well… forget it.”

Yeah, being busy for a while might not be so bad.

After all, there’s no immediate solution to think of.

For now, let’s take a short break…

“…”

I decided to close my eyes for a moment.

***

“Ugh…”

When I opened my eyes again, the sunset had passed, and night had fallen.

Oh… I told Linde I’d call her for dinner.

If I start preparing now, I might be a bit late.

I got up from the bed and went down to the kitchen.

“Huh?”

Heading downstairs to the first floor, a familiar savory scent wafted through the air.

Could it be Linde preparing dinner ahead of me?

Quite the thoughtful gesture.

“Hey, sorry. Should I have prepared dinner first… or?”

It wasn’t Linde standing by the kitchen stove, boiling a pot.

“W-what are you doing here?”

“…Is it not allowed?”

Unforgettable white hair and green eyes met my gaze.

“Oh? No, um… well…”

“I’ve prepared dinner. Although I didn’t cook it myself. Anyway, before we eat, bring Linde. I don’t know which room she’s in.”

Krisha spoke as she ladled hot yellow soup into plates.

“Alright.”

I scratched my head and knocked on Linde’s door.

Shortly after, Linde, with tousled hair and a dazed expression, appeared.

“Sir…?”

Still half-asleep, she addressed me as “sir.”

Calling me uncle wouldn’t be entirely incorrect.

“Let’s eat. Come down.”

“Oh… food…”

At the mention of food, Linde’s stomach growled.

“Pull yourself together. Quickly. The soup is getting cold.”

I grabbed Linde’s cheek with both hands and gently pulled.

“Ah… good morning…”

“Heh.”

A chuckle escaped me at the sight.

“Oh, it smells nice.”

As we descended the stairs, Linde, now more awake, remarked.

“What kind of soup is this?”

“I have no idea.”

“What?”

“I didn’t make it…”

Upon reaching the dining area, Krisha was already seated at the table, each person’s soup ready.

“…Huh?”

Linde’s eyes widened in surprise, her disheveled hair slightly standing on end.

She’s just like a startled cat.

“Heh, heh, heh…”

“Come on in, Linde.”

“Krisha?! Why are you here?!”

“…Can’t I be here?”

“Uh, uh? No, I mean, well…”

Linde stammered, looking towards me.

“Enough. Let’s eat first.”

Ignoring her, I sat at the table.

“How did you prepare the ingredients?”

“I just bought them outside and cooked them here.”

“I see.”

“Wait a minute! What are you doing right now? Isn’t this too casual?!”

Linde exclaimed.

“Just sit down for now. We’ll talk later. Eat before the soup gets cold.”

I said, spoon in hand.

“Oh, um…”

Linde sat down, looking bewildered.

She’s acting like a petulant child; it’s cute.

I started eating the soup.

It has a tangy and slightly spicy exotic flavor.

Definitely not a taste common in this country.

“Where did you get this from?”

“I don’t know the name of the store. I just bought it from a shop run by people from my hometown.”

“So that’s why it tastes like this.”

“Mr… Lashwood! Please say something!”

“What?”

“No, Krisha is here…!”

“Hey.”

I called Krisha.

“Why?”

“Are you planning to live here from now on?”

“Yes.”

“You heard that?”

“It’s not about hearing!”

Linde slammed the table.

“Just kidding, just kidding… Listen, Dragon Slayer. Weren’t you supposed to return to the Kingdom of Brigal?”

“The Dragon Slayer isn’t me, it’s Linde… And I will live here with Linde. Even if we part ways someday, I want to be by her side now. Whether she’s an Evony or whatever doesn’t matter.”

Truly noble of you.

A mindset befitting the title of Dragon Slayer.

Strictly speaking, though, it’s Linde who is the Dragon Slayer.

“Krisha…”

“Well… I won’t comment on your thoughts, but after all, I am the owner of this house.”

“…And?”

“About the rent, what are you going to do? You can stay with Linde since she’s my friend’s daughter. But not you.”

“Rent…”

“But you still have money, right? I needed some cash urgently. Instead of monthly rent, how about a lump sum…”

Still, if you’re a Dragon Slayer, you should be able to cover the roof repair costs easily.

“I’m broke right now. I used all the money in my pocket to buy this soup.”

Oh, damn it.