episode_0123
by fnovelpiaI turned to look at the elf who had introduced herself as Seraphina, thinking that.
But what I sensed from her wasn’t even close to the genius-level aura of So Yeon-hwa.
‘She seems far below that, actually.’
I recalled the first time I’d seen So Yeon-hwa.
Outwardly, she looked absent-minded and cold, but her skills were the real deal.
For a moment, even I had felt tense.
‘Because I had to move seriously.’
That was So Yeon-hwa.
Even I, who had cheated my way through the system, had genuinely felt threatened.
The Holy Sword itself had acknowledged her exceptional talent.
And in the distant future, some beast or whatever would personally step into that very position.
She was extraordinary.
But what kind of confidence did this woman have to call herself the “So Yeon-hwa of Thieves”?
—Overconfidence, clearly. The people around her must’ve spoiled her rotten.
‘But still, that much confidence?’
Shouldn’t she feel even a little embarrassed?
Just as I was thinking that, I sensed presences approaching.
“Seraphina. Have you lost control of yourself again and started hunting for males?”
“You really ought to learn some self-restraint. How many men have died from exhaustion because of you elves and your insatiable lust?”
An orc and an absurdly handsome man.
Wait, was that even an orc?
‘Is that… an ogre?’
Orcs were a muscular race, but none had ever been built like that.
He stood about 2.5 meters tall, with biceps thicker than most men’s torsos.
—An orc and a dwarf, huh?
‘That’s an orc… no, a dwarf?’
I glanced at the man beside the orc.
A handsome swordsman with golden hair and blue eyes. He was about my height, maybe slightly taller.
Around 190 cm.
He was looking at Seraphina with undisguised contempt.
‘That’s a dwarf?’
—Yeah, a hybrid who inherited only the best traits. Most hybrids get the worst of both, but that guy’s practically blessed by fate.
‘……Lucky bastard.’
—You’re one to talk.
The Holy Sword sounded exasperated.
But envy was envy.
I glared at the ogre and the handsome dwarf with bitter eyes.
“What a ridiculous argument. How exactly am I supposed to stop them from throwing themselves at me?”
“Just how many men have been ‘devoured’ by that beauty of yours? And sure, 300 years ago, there were some like that, but not anymore.”
“Our warriors live and die by battle. Do I really need to spell out how many of them have died meaningless deaths because of you?”
“And when exactly did they ever cling to us elves?”
“An orc clinging to an elf? Don’t make me laugh. Any orc would run the moment they saw an elf…!”
“No matter how beautiful they are, it’s their lives on the line. How meaningless is it to lose your life for a fleeting moment of pleasure? More importantly, they’re not even as good-looking as me.”
The handsome dwarf had the audacity to say that with his face.
I stared at him with dead eyes.
“By the way, brother, who’s this?”
The ogre turned to me and spoke.
“Just a passerby. It was nice meeting you heroes, but let’s not cross paths again.”
I bowed slightly and tried to leave, but the ogre blocked my way.
“You’re not funny.”
For some reason, the ogre was looking at me with intense eyes.
“That level of fighting spirit… even among orcs, it’s rare. You’ve reined it in well, but you can’t fool my eyes.”
“Oh? This guy’s that strong?”
The insufferably handsome narcissist dwarf cut in, eyeing me.
“Yeah… with that level of fighting spirit, it wouldn’t be strange for you to enter the Hero Selection.”
Saying that, the ogre thrust his fist forward.
“If you’ve got that much spirit, you must want to fight, right? How about a match right now?”
What the hell was he talking about?
I stared at him with the same dead eyes.
“I’m not interested in fighting.”
“You won’t fight me?”
The ogre looked at me with the same shocked expression as if he’d seen an orc assaulting an elf.
“You have that much fighting spirit… and you won’t fight me? Judging by your aura, you should be at least my equal, if not stronger…?”
“Hoh, if you’re saying that, you must be really strong. Well, with the Hero Selection coming up, everyone around here must be.”
—Not to mention, the [Cradle], where human resources gather, and the corresponding [Mother Tree] are nearby. Along with the [Land of the Sleeping Dragon], the [Burial Ground of the Primordial Giant], and the [Flame That Will Burn the World].
The Holy Sword chimed in.
The Mother Tree was probably the World Tree, the sacred ground of the elves.
The Land of the Sleeping Dragon was the Dragon Vein, the sacred ground of beastmen.
The Burial Ground of the Primordial Giant was the Giants’ Plateau, the sacred ground of orcs.
And the Flame That Will Burn the World was likely the Eternal Flame, the sacred ground of dwarves.
……What kind of edgy names were these?
Lost in thought for a moment, I noticed Seraphina approaching me.
“Brandil, Gotash. Both of you, quiet down. My target today is this man.”
“That won’t do.”
When Seraphina pointed at me, Gotash—the ogre—stepped in front of me.
“A man with this much fighting spirit is rare. I’m itching for a good fight, so I’d like to settle this urge.”
“…….”
Uh, what the hell?
This was getting weird.
Regardless, the man called Gotash looked at me, grinned, and winked.
“……Are you gay?”
Brandil, the narcissistic dwarf, recoiled in horror.
“Sorry, but I’ve never thought of you as more than a friend.”
At Brandil’s words, Gotash’s face twisted in disgust.
“I have no interest in a scrawny thing like you. You weren’t even born with fighting spirit. Did you really think I’d be into you?”
“Tch. What’s so great about a body packed with nothing but muscle?”
Brandil clicked his tongue in disdain.
Meanwhile, Seraphina was staring at me with a mesmerized expression.
“You’re truly beautiful… I’ve seen countless faces, but none as stunning as yours.”
“…….”
Maybe I should just run.
It wasn’t like anyone important would recognize me anyway.
Just as I was considering it—
A woman appeared in the distance.
Suddenly, she brightened up, waved one hand, and ran toward me.
A plain face with black eyes and black hair.
Chloe.
“…….”
I turned and ran without looking back.
Staying near the protagonist was definitely dangerous.
As Han Yu-seong vanished with a whoosh—
The three who had been watching him gaped in shock.
“W-What just…?”
“Did I lose sight of him in an instant? I was keeping an eye on the others, but…”
Gotash and Brandil exchanged bewildered glances, recalling the robed figure.
“That guy’s definitely a thief candidate for the Hero Selection.”
“Don’t spout nonsense, Brandil. Someone with that much fighting spirit can’t be anything but a warrior.”
“Then it must be a Gift… A spatial one? Was he from the Empire?”
“Even if it’s spatial, it was too natural. No mana turbulence. Gifts still follow mana flow, so…”
The trio frowned, replaying the scene in their minds.
‘……So he’s not just a pretty face.’
A truly astonishing movement.
Unlike Gotash and Brandil, Seraphina had caught a glimpse of his motion.
Just moments ago—
When the trio’s attention had wavered for the briefest instant, he had moved.
‘And the space… warped strangely.’
Then, he had vanished abruptly.
An incomprehensible movement.
‘……Well, since he’s come this far, he’ll probably join the Hero Selection.’
Seraphina recalled the two swords at his waist.
‘A swordsman, then.’
At least he wasn’t a thief.
Facing him would’ve been disadvantageous—she’d have to look at his face.
One glance at that godlike beauty, and all tension would melt away.
Still.
At his level…
‘We’ll meet in the final round.’
Seraphina mused to herself.
Then, after defeating him, how could she make him hers?
That was the real question.
There is no paradise at the end of escape.
Or so the saying goes.
Its true meaning applies to those who flee without putting in effort.
But this felt a little unfair.
‘Why me?’
I had put in effort.
Sure, I’d relied on the system, but I’d worked damn hard.
After escaping the trio and Chloe, I awkwardly smiled at the person now standing before me.
—A general, huh? How absurd.
The Holy Sword sounded oddly amused.
This guy enjoyed seeing me in awkward situations—some twisted personality trait.
I stared at the woman who had put me in this predicament.
“L-Long time no see.”
“…….”
—That’s what you open with?
‘Well, what else am I supposed to say?’
Give me some practical advice, then.
I took off the hat from my robe.
She was, in a way, my comrade—
One who had saved my life.
“…….”
But the comrade before me only stared at me with trembling eyes.
She said nothing, just looked.
‘……’
It was… incredibly uncomfortable.
Flowing silver hair.
Pointed ears and a fluffy, snow-white tail that begged to be touched or hugged.
Azure eyes locked onto me.
“…….”
It was Cheong Yoo-rang.
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