Chapter 24 – Losers (1)

In front of the dungeon entrance:

While going toward the dungeon entrance, I shook a bottle filled to the brim with the blue poison of Tiwit scorpion.

-Challang challang

On the way back, all three were silent for some reason.

Usually, 'who would see me and at what time' was always the topic of conversation… not this time.

Were they considerate of me now that I had a girlfriend?

I didn't even have to say I had to meet my girlfriend or something.

‘Was that it?’

I expected a situation where they'd ask me to spend time with them, so I had already prepared an answer… but it seemed there was no need for it.

'Does this mean I have another 5 days off?'

My heart was beating with excitement at that thought.

It was the same excitement I felt before receiving the salary when working as a guard with Luss in the past.

I looked at the exit of the dungeon.

This exploration had also come to an end.

Looking back, everyone was still silent.

I opened my mouth:

“There was no problem this time, and everyone did well. Ah, right! The thing we talked about… I’ll see if I can get a B-class mission.”

I felt the time to challenge a B-class mission had come.

Though it took two days to complete this mission, the majority of the time spent was to find the Tiwit scorpions. While there was never a dangerous moment in defeating them.

My physical condition was the first reason, and the second reason was that all the other party members fought well as if they were also motivated by me. For example:

Vienna’s prayer was a little more effective,

Luss was a bit rougher and more precise,

And Lily Noona was a little more destructive.

Overall, the firepower was better.

“I've decided; we're going to take on a B-class mission next week.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

No one said anything even though this was probably the most dangerous mission we’d ever challenged.

“If we fought like today, we will be fine. Still… If you still think it’s too early to challenge a B-Class mission, please let me know now… I want to do it because I think we're ready, but it’s not good to force it.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Still no answer…

'Doesn't it mean they also agree?'

In the first place, Vienna and Luss had been telling me that they could do more, so I wasn’t expecting any opposition either.

After all, I was the only one who was hesitating and cautious about it.

“It’s going to be an important day, so everyone, take good care of your body. If you have something to prepare, prepare it.”

“…”

There was no answer, so I felt a little embarrassed.

'Well, let's not make them nervous by talking more about it now. Yeah, let's just do it the next time we enter the dungeon.'

For now, I’ll just end it here so everyone can rest.

“Um… Okay. As I’ve said everything. Well, see you in 5 days, guys. We’ll talk more about it then.”

“That..!”

Vienna, who had been quiet so far, tried to speak something.

I turned around and looked at her.

“Yes, Vienna?”

Even after raising her voice first, she took a moment to lick her lips with a sullen expression and asked in a crawling voice.

“… No time this week…?”

Oh okay. This was as expected. 

Rather, if there was something unexpected it was that she asked so carefully like that.

Did she think she would be a hindrance between me and Elza?

Actually, I hated meeting the party members every day for 5 days straight, not the meeting itself.

So, I didn’t really feel like rejecting that offer.

I was only pretending to have a girlfriend so I was not busy for the whole 5 days anyway.

And if it was the day before we challenged the B-Class mission, I think it’d be nice to have a meal with everyone in the evening.

“Hmm…Then shall we meet on the day before we take on the mission? The day before entering the dungeon?”

Vienna’s expression brightened.

On the other hand, Luss and Lily Noona spoke hastily.

“Me too! I want to meet you too, Chis. Are there any other days without appointments?”

“Starchis, won't you meet Noona-!”

“-Wow, calm down for a moment.”

I was surprised to see them speak with enthusiasm even though they didn't even utter a single word when the topic was about challenging a dangerous B-class mission.

But as soon as the topic of the meeting came out of my mouth, they tried to make an appointment with me as if they also had a chance.

There seemed to be some misunderstanding.

“I didn’t mean to meet only Vienna that day, I meant to have a meal with everyone together. It’s the day before we challenge the B-class quest, so let’s meet and have dinner.”

Vienna muttered inaudibly again.

“… What? I wanted to meet alone…”

Lily Noona had the same doubt.

“…Yes? Together..?”

“Right. Let’s have a party together.”

“Ah… Dinner party..”

Luss came over and grabbed my arm.

“Yes?”

“Chis… Do you have any other days off? A day when the two of us can meet separately, not at a dinner party…”

Only us?

“Why… is it something important, Luss?”

“Ah… No. I don’t really have anything that important… I just want to hang out…”

I was excited at the thought of being able to rest for 5 days, but I was again facing a potentially fatal request.

However, since we'd meet at the dinner, was there any reason to meet separately?

It was not that I hated hanging out with Luss, but I still wanted to enjoy my break alone.

And we had to challenge the B-class mission as well, so I wanted to prepare my body too.

The lie about having a girlfriend was also made for a time like this, so I decided to use it.

“Sorry, Luss.”

“Ha… What! Not even a day?”

“I have one day. So, let’s have dinner that day.”

“No, Chis! Can’t we just meet each other for a day?”

If I agreed, then Lily Noona and Vienna would also say 'me too! me too!' and things will be the same as before.

'We both may meet separately later, but for now, let’s draw a line.'

“…There’s no way, Luss.”

Luss' shoulders dropped at my declaration.

Then she slowly shook her body.

The air around us began to vibrate, and the atmosphere changed.

In terms of mood, it was even more serious and alarming than when we fought the Tiwit scorpion.

“… Luss?”

“This is not… I thought… But this is too much…”

“What?”

“Still… you’re way closer to me than Elza. We’ve known each other for six years…!”

“Luss, what’s wrong?”

“I know you are busy meeting your lover. But does that mean you can just dump your friend?”

“Ah~ You know very well that it’s not like that.”

“What is it, then? Aren't you abandoning me!”

No, I didn’t refuse to meet her for a long time like a year, and it wasn’t even that I hadn’t seen her face in a long time. 

Honestly, I didn't understand what she was talking about.

“How long haven't we met for you to say that you were abandoned?”

But she shook her head. It seemed she wouldn’t admit it.

“If I'm not abandoned, how can I not see you even one day during the 5 days off? We haven’t even met since last week! Will this week be the same?”

I was dumb, but Luss was good at talking, so I always had trouble finding the right words to answer in these arguments. 

“Luss.”

“Just one day… I'm saying we’re only going to meet for one day…”

“The next time we'll come to the dungeon, we'll have to take on a dangerous B-class mission… you have to take care of yourself for it.”

“Isn't that why I want to meet you..!”

What did that mean?

I was scratching my head in confusion.

There were even times when I just hated fighting. But now I had something to say; A solid weapon to win this argument.

Though it was a lie, on the surface, I still had a girlfriend.

I Imagined Elza in my head; What if she really existed?

“We can meet separately one day,” I said.

“That… Then… !”

It was not like I would never see her in my whole life.

“But that is not now. When we haven’t seen each other for a long time we should meet each other and share our stories…. Or when something happens.”

“Isn’t this the time for something? I might lose my life challenging the next dungeon.”

I knew that, and that's why I was going to rest in order to protect everyone's life.

“No, Luss. I won't back down today no matter what you say.”

“What is that… What is that! You are my friend!”

I could understand what Luss was saying.

As I'd known her for a long time, I knew a little about Luss’ surroundings as well.

Most of the men lusted over Luss' beauty while most women were envious, and Luss never hesitated in cutting such people off. So to sum it up, I was her only male friend and she didn't have many female friends either…

So maybe she expected a lot from me.

Because I was the closest to her in her little friend circle.

I also knew that Luss could still be awkward with people of the opposite sex and needed my help.

Because a friend who was a woman and a friend who was a man should give you different experiences.

“Even if we are friends, it's completely different from when I have a lover to when I don’t.”

“…Why…? What does it matter if you have a lover?”

So… The reason… First of all, I added a setting that Elza was a little possessive.

“Elza doesn’t like it when I meet a woman separately who is not her.”

The pressure in the surroundings intensified.

“What…? Are you just going to follow through on that? Now she’s ruining our six-year friendship…?”

“That’s right, Starchis. It is too much to neglect us just because you have a girlfriend.”

Lily Noona also intervened while -

Nod. Nod.

-Vienna also nodded her head to show them support instead of using words.

It seemed all three thought the same…

But I couldn't be pushed here.

“Is our six-year-long friendship going to be ruined just because we didn't see each other?”

“Chis-”

“-Luss, haven't I been listening to your requests all this time?”

“…”

“So just like that, I’ll listen well to my girlfriend telling me not to go on a date with another woman.”

“…another woman? And my request to meet with you is…?”

Looking for something to say, I imagined Elza again.

As I kept imagining her all this time, I had a strange feeling that I really had a girlfriend.

So, instead of a lie, I said the truth this time:

“Luss, you're mistaken,”

Luss looked at me, blinking her somehow moist eyes.

“My first priority is my girlfriend.”

At my words-

Shook

-The tension that covered the surrounding disappeared. The feeling of pressure was gone.

Luss lowered her head.

“Your first priority is not a friend of six years, a party member, or an older brother, but a girlfriend...”

Because I was a supporter of pure love, I was kind of sincere here.

“…Even though  you met that girl only a few weeks ago… but she is still your first priority...”

If Elza was a real person, Luss' words would have actually been true in that case.

“You're mistaken, Luss; She's not my top priority, because I value her more as a person... It’s just… It’s because a girlfriend should be your top priority.”

“…”

“Even if there comes a day when I didn't love her as much as now, she would still be my first priority as long as she is my girlfriend.”

****

Late evening:

I was on my way back to the inn after handing over the Tiwit Scorpion's poison and completing other formalities. But my mind was still stuck on my conversation with Luss;

I had a feeling that I said those words a little too firmly.

If I think about it from the other side’s point of view, I think I would be disappointed too.

If Luss, Vienna, and Lily Noona had boyfriends and they refused to meet sometime because of that, I'd be sad too.

And I think I would be a bit despondent too if my brother got a girlfriend and he turned down all of my attempts to meet him.

I would understand their circumstances though.

So, even if Vienna, Luss, and Lily Noona may be disappointed in me for doing this, they will eventually understand.

I finally reached the inn.

'I should eat something before going up to my room.'

When I entered the restaurant, there were only one or two people there.

I talked to the inn owner who sat on a chair, seemingly having already completed her work.

“Madam, I’m here!”

“Oh, young man?”

She greeted me with a big smile.

“Hello. Please cook something for me.”

“Before that…”

“…?”

She took out a piece of paper from her clothes and showed it to me.

It was a piece of paper folded in half.

“What is this?”

“Stion…? Was it? Anyway, a nice-looking young man left this for you.”

Oh, Hyung?

“When?”

“This morning. I didn’t see the contents.”

I received the note from her.

“Thank you.”

“Okay, I’ll bring the food right away, so wait a little bit.”

I took a seat in the corner.

As the inn lady entered the kitchen, I opened the note.

– Starchis, let’s go night fishing the day after tomorrow.

Suddenly, I felt like laughing.

How was the timing so exquisite?

B Class missions were dangerous.

Of course, now that I had some confidence, I felt a little less nervous, but I thought meeting someone I loved or cherished was the right thing to do.

And such people in my life were… My older brother and my party members.

I had already decided to meet Vienna, Luss, and Lily Noona over dinner.

I was thinking of visiting my brother, but I got a letter like this first.

And what he wanted to do was night fishing.

I had many memories of starting fishing at night with my older brother and finishing it while watching the morning sun.

'It would be nice to bring back some memories.'

I had no appointments with anyone even if I stayed up all night, so I just had to sleep the next day and recover. It was a good plan.

My thought process was disturbed suddenly by a commotion outside.

I turned around and saw two tall men entering the inn.

I could see just by their eyes that they were people who knew how to fight.

They also seemed a head taller than me. The clothes, on the other hand, looked expensive and neat. 

They said in a loud voice.

“Owner!! Give us a seat!”

“Yeah! It should be the best!”

The inn lady heard them in the kitchen and came out.

“Hey, what’s going on…? There are plenty of seats…?”

The inn owner looked nervous.

However, it seemed that the two men had no intention of causing trouble.

One of them talked with the lady, and the other one came to those sitting in the restaurant, including me, and handed over silver coins one by one. 

One wouldn't suddenly be rich by having a silver coin, but it was not a small sum of money either.

The bald man then came to me and asked politely:

“Sorry. Could you please leave your seat? Here! It is a sign of our sincerity.”

“What happened?”

He didn’t think about using that intimidating size, and I liked how he was willing to compensate others for this inconvenience.

Just because you know how to use power doesn’t mean you have to use it every time.

“That… Our master is overprotective of the young lady and she'll come here soon.”

“To this place? Why?”

“Young lady heard a lot of rumors that this place is best to taste common people's food.”

The other big guy over there must have said the same thing to the inn lady as she burst out laughing.

I also felt a little more relaxed seeing her like that.

Still, I asked what I was curious about.

“Okay, so he's overprotective, but why should I step aside?”

“Isn’t it difficult to understand? We also don't actually understand. But master hates it when the young lady goes near a man…”

The man dealing with the inn owner also came to me, whether it was because I briefly looked at them, or the person in front of me was having a hard time, I didn't know.

The two of them started rubbing their hands together.

“Please… Can you please leave?”

“Older brother..! No, cool bro… please!”

They seemed so desperate that I laughed for no reason.

I was thinking of leaving the place in the first place.

Anyway, whether I eat here or in my room, there was no big difference.

I could just ask the inn lady to bring me some food. So why would I keep insisting on not doing that?

In the end, I burst into laughter.

"Haha, I was going to move anyway... Stop straining your back.”

At my words, the faces of both men brightened.

“Thank you!”

“Good brother! Thank you! You are the best!”

“Both of you, do your best.”

After all, everyone was living a difficult life.

As soon as the silver coins were received, the other customers also began walking out of the restaurant, rejoicing.

I slowly started to climb the stairs with the tonfa I had put down next to me. Then I saw the inn owner looking delighted while opening her fist-sized coin purse and looking inside it.

Her food was always prepared with care, so I felt it was the result of her hard work.

“Young lady is coming!!”

Both men were standing on either side of the door, holding a confident-looking posture.

As I was about to go up, I looked back, wondering what this 'young lady' looked like.

Her face was not visible because of the large hat she wore, but her hair, which flowed down to her shoulders, was pink.

Pink hair…

Ugh…

It was a bit of a common color, but I felt anxious for no reason as I went into the room.

[Note:

Next Chapter: After 2 Day

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