episode_0051

Arina and Ian turned back and returned to the front of the restaurant. The amount of food being prepared inside was enough to feed the entire village, and the appetizing aroma mixed with steam wafted out.

The moment he caught a whiff, Ian’s stomach growled loudly from hunger. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Ian glanced sideways, but Arina only beamed brightly and said,

“You’ve been working hard since morning—no wonder you’re hungry. Let’s go inside! I’ll treat you to a meal I made myself!”

“Hmm. That’s a little unsettling. I’ve never seen you cook in all the time I’ve known you.”

“Excuse me? Do you know how much I’ve practiced over the past few months?!”

Puffing her cheeks in dissatisfaction, Arina glared at him, but Ian said nothing in return.

Only suppressing the corners of his lips that threatened to curl into a smile. Teasing her like this was amusing precisely because she got worked up so easily over such minor provocations.

“Just wait! After you eat, don’t even think about saying something like, ‘I want you to keep making breakfast for me from now on!’—it’ll be too late then!”

“If you’re this confident, I’m looking forward to it. At the very least, it shouldn’t be inedible.”

Arina pouted (Eeek!), but truthfully, she was excited. How many people would dislike a meal made by someone they liked? Even if she served rock-hard bread, Ian was prepared to chew through it without complaint.

Just as the two were about to enter the restaurant, the Hero’s party—who had vanished earlier—reappeared. In an instant, Ian’s refined face, which had been wearing a soft smile, twisted into a frown.

Ignoring him entirely, the Packer walked straight up to Arina.

“Hey, Arina!”

For some reason, the Packer grinned and waved at her. His voice was gentle and kind—the complete opposite of his earlier attitude.

Had she still possessed her memories, she might’ve recognized the tone he had used when they first met. But as she was now, she couldn’t.

“Hello, Yuria… and…”

“You can just call me ‘Packer.’”

“Ah, alright… Packer? Anyway, let’s eat together first. You two haven’t eaten yet either, right?”

“That sounds great. I bet your cooking’s amazing.”

His flattery came with a practiced smile, but Arina giggled as if genuinely pleased.

“Hehe, obviously! I’m one of the best cooks in this village! Though someone here doesn’t seem to realize that…”

Side-eye. Arina briefly glared at Ian, but he met her gaze with clear displeasure, in no mood to indulge her antics.

“Ah, you know how some guys are. Too inept to confess properly, so they just tease instead.”

“Right?! Right?! I love guys who can say what they feel openly!”

Watching Arina laugh and chat so amiably with his sworn enemy made Ian feel like his insides were boiling over. He couldn’t stand letting their cheerful atmosphere continue, so he stepped in, locking eyes with the Packer.

“Still sticking around, huh?”

The Packer was a muscular and tall man by civilian standards, but compared to Ian—a top-tier adventurer—he fell short. Though Ian slightly loomed over him, radiating intimidation, the Packer didn’t flinch.

“Huh? Why should I leave? I’ll go as soon as you hand Arina over to me.”

“Still spouting nonsense, I see. You have no right to take her anywhere.”

“And you don’t have the strength to stop me.”

The two men glared at each other, faces hardened with tension. The silent standoff stretched on until Arina, fed up, finally intervened.

“Ugh, not this again. What’s going on between you two?”

Trying to prevent another fight, she nudged Ian’s back to push him inside, but he didn’t budge. Avoiding her pleading gaze, he muttered firmly,

“Go in first. I have something to discuss with him.”

“I’ve got nothing to say to you, though?”

“Shut it.”

“Wow, you want me to talk, and then tell me to shut up?”

Lacing his fingers behind his head, the Packer walked away from the restaurant. Ian took it as a gesture of willingness to converse.

“Promise you won’t fight?”

Patting her worried head reassuringly, Ian followed after the Hero and the Packer. Arina disappeared into the restaurant while he walked the opposite way, leaning against a wall in the quieter alleys.

“Enjoy your date?”

Milene suddenly peeked out from somewhere, standing beside him with a displeased expression.

“It wasn’t like that.”

For him, it had been enjoyable—but he couldn’t speak for Arina. While she had been more open than expected, it was likely just curiosity toward an attractive outsider.

From past experience, Ian knew it wasn’t romantic interest yet.

“You call people over just to whisper behind their backs?”

The Packer’s irritated voice redirected Ian’s attention. Just his mere presence was infuriating, let alone his every taunting action.

“What’s your game?”

“Hmm?”

“That act earlier. Trying to hurt Arina again?”

Ian vividly remembered Arina’s expression the night she first confessed her past. He knew better than anyone how much she despised the Packer and how deeply she still suffered.

If she recalled laughing and chatting so casually with her tormentor, she’d undoubtedly be horrified.

“That? No big deal. Since Riel—err, Arina—fears and hates me, I figured I’d build some goodwill while she’s still amnesiac.”

The casual reply finally made Ian snap.

“I knew it—you’re truly a disgusting piece of trash. You feel no remorse for what you did to her? Still not satisfied after tormenting her this much?! Now you’re trying to manipulate her again while she has no memories?!”

A sadist. A perverted psychopath. No slur or insult could encapsulate the sheer vileness of this man. How could anyone be this shameless after everything he’d done?

Recognizing Ian’s thoughts just from his expression, the Packer sighed and shook his head.

“Tch. Always the villain, huh? Who else actually cares about her well-being besides me?”

“How dare you spew that garbage?!”

“Look. I’m doing this so everyone can be happy, alright?”

“Excuse me?!”

“Riel—no, Arina—would be happiest as my wife. She’d get her family and friends back too. And that’s not all—no other man could satisfy her like I can.”

“You sick bastard…!”

Ian could barely restrain himself anymore. He had held back to avoid crossing the Hero, but this was the limit. A creature like this didn’t deserve to live one more second.

As Ian gripped his sword and stepped forward, Yuria blocked his path.

“Move!”

Clang! The sacred blade met the demonic sword. But no matter how much magic Ian poured into his strike, it couldn’t even scratch the Hero’s weapon.

Even if it was forged by the best blacksmith—as Arina had once vouched—it still couldn’t compare to a sword bestowed by the gods.

While their blades groaned under the pressure, Yuria spoke firmly, unfazed.

“I understand how you feel, but stop. Packer, you too. If you keep provoking him, even my patience has limits.”

“Tch, fine. Still, let me say this: Arina is mine. She exists to be taken by me. Can’t you tell? Just look at her—the way she was made a woman suits her, doesn’t it? She was meant to be mine.”

“Enough of your bullshit! You’re the one who trapped her like this!”

“Still stuck on that, huh? I already told Riel the same thing. Sure, I guided events, but I wasn’t the one who turned her into a woman.”

Arina had said something similar that day. It made no sense—how could he orchestrate it without being responsible?

Had he hired someone? Even then, as the mastermind, wouldn’t he still bear the blame?

“I’m done listening. There’s no meaning in deciphering the words of a monster like you.”

“Think whatever you want. But I’m not as bad as you or Riel make me out to be. I genuinely will treasure her as my wife. We used to be friends, you know? If I were really that evil, why leave my other two wives untouched?”

“Arina will never be your wife. Did you really think I’d let your schemes continue? From now on, I’ll tell Arina exactly what you—”

“Don’t. You’ll regret it.”

Suddenly, the Packer’s face hardened. Though always insolent, now he wore something darker—pure, seething malice.

“Hah. So even you know your deeds are shameful? But why should I stay silent?”

“If you tell her, I’ll rape her.”

“……What?”

“Yeah, rape. Your precious Arina. Right in front of you. It’ll be quite the show—all my women say I’m unmatched. My talents lie there, you see.”

“You filthy animal—!”

Ian’s grip on his sword tightened again. In response, Yuria pushed back with equal force.

“Why do you think I’ve only played nice while Riel—defenseless—is right here? If you spoil everything, I lose my reason to hold back.”

His muscles bulged like balloons as inhuman strength surged forth. Skreech— Yuria’s feet scraped the ground, forced back.

But that was it. Even this couldn’t overpower the Hero wielding the sacred sword.

It sunk in: fighting now meant inevitable defeat. And if he lost, Arina—helpless—would suffer the consequences.

Rage burned inside him, but acting on emotion wasn’t an option. That wouldn’t save her. Even if it was futile, he had to stall for time—protect her as long as possible.

Sshink. Ian sheathed his sword. Watching, the Packer smirked in satisfaction.

“Good. If you behave, I’ll hold off… for now.”

Pat pat. Lightly tapping Ian’s shoulder, he turned toward the restaurant.

Ian’s fists trembled, veins nearly bursting. Blood seeped between his clenched teeth, carrying a metallic tang.

Never before had his own weakness infuriated him this much.

That day—he couldn’t insist on following Arina. The bitterness of that failure had driven him to train relentlessly, losing sleep to grow stronger.

And still, it wasn’t enough.

Forcing down his fury, Ian followed after the Packer. He couldn’t let Arina grow closer to him.

Since obstructing them was now impossible, only one option remained:

Claim Arina first.

Ian Felix—the adventurer rumored to have women falling for him effortlessly—now resolved to charm a woman for the first time in his life.