episode_0018

Huff, huff.

Mahana, who had been holding back, now sobbed uncontrollably.

How sorrowful it must have been, seeing her weep like a child despite always putting on a strong front.

It pained Im Hyeja to witness this.

She, who rarely shed tears, found herself choked up.

Yet in a corner of her mind, a cold thought prevailed—inevitably, this day had come.

“…Senior.”

Mahana’s father.

And the man she loved and let go.

Though it was a deeply regrettable tale for her senior, Im Hyeja believed it was the right course of action.

Because Mahana lacked talent.

To Im Hyeja, ‘genius’ referred to a flawlessly pure gemstone that might appear once every hundred years.

For someone like her, who worked in the shadows, there was no clearer definition than this.

And as far as she knew, that was her senior’s story.

“…Unbelievable talent for a man.”

He was born with an abundance of mana and high purity, covering his male weaknesses in one fell swoop.

Moreover, he possessed robust physical strength.

Hence, despite being a class with no advantages other than being a brute force warrior called a 【Mid-tier Knight】, it was natural for him to grow stronger.

In the end, those meant to succeed will succeed.

But Mahana inherited only the appearance of a mixed-blood from her senior.

She lacked the most crucial talent.

“…An ordinary hunter…? No, probably even less than that.”

Not bad enough to be called the worst, but certainly not a gemstone capable of surviving in this industry as a hunter.

Just a sturdy… pebble, nothing more.

So even as Im Hyeja tried to comfort Mahana, deep down, she felt a sense of relief.

The death of her senior was agonizing.

Watching his body wither away day by day was like hellish torture for Im Hyeja.

However, being a soldier, she could prepare for the time to part ways.

But what about this child?

If the fate of the senior’s daughter in the dungeon ended in death?

If witnessing this child’s lifeless body at the guild was inevitable?

“…”

Her heart would shatter.

Im Hyeja fretted over the possibility of such a day arriving.

But she no longer needed to worry.

She wiped Mahana’s tears with the handkerchief in her embrace.

“Blow your nose.”

“…Sniff.”

“Oh!”

“…Hmph!”

“…There.”

That should do it.

This child could return to a normal life, live ordinarily, meet good people, and die peacefully, all in an ordinary manner.

Yes, that would suffice.

“A dying spirit?”

It is said that those who give up on their dreams gradually lose their minds.

But to Im Hyeja, that was not important.

Surviving was a hundred times more crucial than anything else.

“As long as I survive… I’ll manage somehow.”

Im Hyeja gazed at the shield lying on the floor.

“The shield my senior purchased.”

Also, the shield she crafted.

It wasn’t a masterpiece she poured her heart into or an innovative creation; it was simply the first type of shield she made, light, moderately sturdy, and suitable for rough use, churned out like mass-produced goods without even having a ‘grade’.

Her senior happened to take it with him.

Im Hyeja deeply regretted that incident.

“…Even if he offered something better, she would have insisted on this.”

Im Hyeja resented that shield.

It led her into the world of hunters through this child’s eyes, possessing a sturdiness unsuitable for a grade-less subject she created.

Like a tough, long-hanging ghost, it clung tightly to Mahana’s body.

Although it inadvertently saved Mahana’s life, Im Hyeja struggled to dismiss such thoughts.

“That… needs to disappear.”

That’s lingering attachment.

It’s foolishness.

A cursed item that leads its owner to death like a flame tempting a moth.

Im Hyeja made a decision.

Everything will be settled tonight.

She vowed to melt it in the furnace until its form is unrecognizable.

*

A little while later.

Im Hyeja gently patted Mahana’s head, now calm.

“Got it. Meow. I’ll pay you properly for your services.”

“…Meow. But don’t mess up my hair.”

“Anyway…”

As if finding her cute, Im Hyeja stroked Mahana’s head and gazed at her thoughtfully.

Normally, such a proposal would not have been considered, but now, at this moment of weakness and need, she might accept it again.

“…Alright.”

Let’s say something.

“Um, Meow?”

“…Huh? What is it?”

With a look as if questioning why she was being called, Im Hyeja scratched her cheek, looking embarrassed.

“Well, you see… Lately, orders have been piling up… But as you can see, I’m alone here. And I don’t have many contacts either.”

“…Meow?”

“I could use some help, so… Would you like to work under me?”

“…Ah.”

Mahana uttered a short word.

Yes, there was a time years ago when a similar offer was made. Probably, just like back then, this offer might be an excuse now.

‘…For my sake…’

She, who wasn’t even in a production class, didn’t need herself.

Although she could learn combat skills, reaching the peak was impossible.

Yet, the fact that Im Hyeja made such an offer meant she had been waiting for a long time.

The day she could quit being a hunter and return to a safe life.

“…”

Mahana hesitated for a moment.

Not long after, she slowly nodded her head.

Im Hyeja’s face lit up with acceptance. She then hugged Mahana tightly.

Originally, she would have refused such a troublesome offer, but now, there was nothing left for Mahana.

‘…Warm.’

The only remaining family member extended a hand to her.

Yes… that’s all she needed.

‘I’m exhausted.’

It’s tough. Too tough.

Accepting her past self, which had rejected her proposals, was letting go of her futile past.

She closed her eyes slowly.

Inside, the self that trembled in the cold eagerly moved towards the warmth in front of her.

Step by step, she advanced.

Suddenly.

Thud!

As if waiting only for this moment, the door burst open with a loud noise.

And a voice louder than that noise filled the shop.

“Excuse me!!!”

Heuk—

Heuk—

The owner of the voice was a stunningly beautiful and handsome young man.

Breathless from running, he bowed his head and stuttered, leaving Mahana bewildered.

“…Yooseha…?”

*

‘…Oh, I’m dead. Dammit.’

Hoo—

I exhaled deeply, feeling the heat rising to my chest.

Even with Yooseha’s idiotic behavior, just a few minutes of running around was overwhelming.

‘…But it was good to run like crazy until the last minute.’

It wasn’t intentional, but it seemed like I wasn’t too late.

“What, what the…?”

Mahana tried to say something as she looked at me.

But before she could, the woman next to her spoke first.

“W-what, what, what, what, what is this? What? Is he your boyfriend, Meow?! Huh?!”

“Oh, no!”

“You naughty thing! Well, our Meow. It’s just her small stature. Her face is cute and pretty, and if you strip her down, she’s more impressive than you think, right? If she fully utilizes that charm, she could easily become a handsome guy. You can seduce him-”

“-Meow! That’s not it!”

Like two sisters, the two of them giggled together.

“…That woman…?”

Someone well-known.

Im Hyeja.

A character who always appeared in Mahana’s personal story, a capable NPC who shone brightly.

Anyway, for now, I set aside my thoughts and looked at Mahana approaching me with wide eyes.

“…What on earth…? Do you have something important to say, by any chance?”

Something important…

Well, it’s not that important, but it is.

“Yes, it’s very important.”

“…!!! Could it be another breakout event…”

“No. It’s something a hundred times, a thousand times, a million times more important than that.”

“…Huh?”

Phew―!

I took a deep breath.

I grabbed Mahana’s shoulders with both hands and pulled her closer.

“Y-You, You, Yuseha!”

Mahana was taken aback as our faces came close.

For a brief moment, I hesitated.

‘…Am I being too direct?’

No. Don’t hesitate.

Didn’t you already resolve in your heart?

Even if you’re treated strangely, you won’t back down.

As a fervent guide burning in your heart, you’ll show her your love.

‘If you’re a man, go straight!’

“Mahana!”

“Y-Yes!!”

“I… I will make it happen for you!”

“W-What…?”

“Your dream.”

A startled Mahana.

“The dream of becoming an unbreakable shield to protect everyone. The dream of proving yourself as a hunter. And finally… continuing the will of your late father.”

“H-How… How can you do that?”

“I will help you. I will definitely lift you up to that place.”

I bowed my head 90 degrees towards Mahana, whose eyes were as wide as lanterns.

“So please, I beg you. Mahana.”

Please don’t give up on your dream here.