chapter 26
From the first day, Karin was angry and rushed to the hero who was sabotaging his training after quitting.
“Then how are you going to be strong?”
“Ears, ears fall off! Don’t pick them up!”
The hero who had his ears ripped off by Karin jumped up and drew out the holy sword, Gramhild. Gramhild, who received the lighting of the dance hall, shone beautifully in milky light.
“This holy sword! If you awaken with the power of this holy sword, you can turn everything upside down in one shot!”
“What kind of gambler are you? So, how do you do that awakening?”
“Relationship. With love, I can become stronger. Please, I want to become stronger with the power of love… Tell me that you love me!”
But the reaction was cold. Karin looked as if she had seen handmade filth, and the other heroines were no different. Seeing the desperate expression of the hero, Leticia sighed and tried to speak out.
“Yeah, okay. Love…”
“I love you! Are you a little stronger now?”
At that moment, someone intervened and blocked Leticia’s mouth. It was Nael. Holding the hand of the fallen warrior, she smiled broadly.
“It’s important to do your best, so if that’s the best thing for a hero, I think you can rest here today! Was it hard?”
The warrior, who was tired of Karin’s selling, looked up at that sunny smile and muttered blankly.
“Angel… No, Mom…”
“Uh, Mom?”
And I fell into her arms and started to cry.
“Mom, why did you leave me…”
“That’s right? It’s been a lot of hard work, you can stay like this a little longer.”
“stop it!”
As he dragged the hero out of the arms of Nael, who was much smaller than him, Karin shouted in an angry voice.
“Don’t accept this because it’s going to be bad for you. And be wary of men!”
“But, you’re friends.”
“You’re a friend, not a mother. I’m really, really worried. From now on, I’m going to keep a close watch so that I can’t be with a man!”
Taking Nael away from the hero, holding her arms tightly, Karin declared. It was because she had few friends and cherished Nael in her own way. Thanks to that, it was possible to stay with the worn-out warrior without causing a cause for concern.
However, there were days when that surveillance was loosened.
It was not long after Jain joined. At that time, the party was supplying things for the trip, staying in a neutral city at the beginning of the continent.
“Again, I lost…”
Karin, who had been betting on Jain every day, was defeated again in the magic showdown and fell to her knees. Normally, I would have turned around here as if it was bothersome, but today’s Zain was different. He suddenly approached Karin and asked for a favor.
“Wait, I have something to tell you before you run away crying again.”
“Nu, someone ran away crying, yes!”
“Did you know there’s a festival that only couples can attend this evening in a neutral city?”
“Huh? Uh. I heard.”
“Can I go with you? I have something I must do.”
It was because of his achievements. There was an achievement that could only be unlocked by attending the festival, but I wanted to deal with it now if possible. At that, Karin blushed and screamed.
“No, no way, who would do that with a pervert like you! I hate it!”
And ran away into the tent. I was so embarrassed that I left my bag behind.
“That’s right, I can’t help it.”
Jain sighed and turned to Ren. However, this was a time when Ren was still heeding Soria’s advice and was wary of Jain.
“Me and me, um, I don’t think I can because I have a schedule.”
I turned to Leticia, but the reaction was similar.
“I think it will be difficult because I also have training that I have to do.”
Elaine was the only one who had a positive reaction in her own way. As soon as Jain’s gaze reached her, Elaine revealed her side teeth and smiled.
“Well, I’m curious about the festival of the Demon Continent, so I can go if you ask me. But I don’t have the money or the right to go. If you pay all the expenses, can I go?”
“Wow, the smell of cows and mops.”
“Hey!”
I can’t help it, but the achievement of attending the festival will be broken next time it’s all over, I’ll come with a woman separately. It was when Jain made up his mind and shook his head.
“Hey, if it’s okay with my country, would you like to go with me?”
read at https://NovelNext.com
Nael grabbed her sleeve and spoke to her. Jain, who was surprised, widened his eyes.
“you?”
“Yeah! I’ve always wanted to go to a human festival! There’s a tavern I want to stop by! Can’t it?”
If Karin had been there, it must have stopped him at this time. But now she was locked in a tent, pounding pillows.
“It’s me, thank you. Please take good care of me.”
Eventually, Jain and Nael joined the Neutral City Festival together.
*
That evening, on the outskirts of the neutral city.
Jain, who was looking up at the sky with his arms crossed and his back against the wall, heard the voice calling him and turned his head.
“Wait?”
read at https://NovelNext.com
Nael, who had changed into the traditional attire of the demon world, borrowed from a rental shop, was running with a bright smile. Perhaps it was because she was wearing unfamiliar high heels, her gait was at risk. So, in the end, he fell right in front of Jain’s eyes.
“You should be careful.”
“Hehe, thank you. These shoes are pretty, but they’re very uncomfortable.”
Fortunately, Jain was able to catch him right before he fell to the floor. The traditional clothes of the hemp continent emphasized artistry rather than practicality, so exposure was severe and convenience was poor. But as much as practicality was sacrificed, it was beautiful. Nael, who was originally an elf with outstanding beauty, drew attention around her like a magnet when she wore that outfit. But Jain was unresponsive.
“Then, let’s see my business as soon as possible, and finish drinking at the place where you have the drink you want to drink.”
It was an office-like tone, as if dealing with business. It was because I had to do that to clear the achievement quickly.
So, traveling with Nael, Jain began to deal with all the games in the festival militantly. Every time Jain moved, the records of old stores fell like autumn leaves.
“Heh, it’s been 10 years since I’ve pulled out this dalgona frame. This is it! If I succeed in pulling out the Cheonsu Gwaneumdo drawn on this dalgona… No, I’ve already done it?”
“This is the first technique I’ve used in 20 years of being a slugger! Out of these 81 cups, the ball is… No, can’t you at least hit it after the horse is finished?”
“When it comes to arm wrestling, I haven’t lost even once in the past 7 years!
While chewing on the crucian carp syrup received as a prize, Jain wandered in search of the next victim. The next offering was a store that dropped prizes with arrows.
“This is your specialty, so even if you participate…”
And only then did I realize that I had missed Nael. He seemed to have parted in the crowd while moving fast for an achievement.
“Brother! So are you going to do it or not?”
“wait for a while.”
The man who spoke to the store and escaped was able to find Nael soon. With a light blue cotton candy in his hand, he was surrounded by men, making a bewildered expression on his face. It seemed like he was being hunted. Heel was uncomfortable and he couldn’t even run away.
“Don’t do that, let’s go together. Are there any good places?”
“I’m sorry, but I have a friend.”
“Friend? Boyfriend?”
“Yes. He’s a male friend…”
“Where is the man who leaves such a pretty girl alone? Throw away such insensitive assholes and have fun with us.”
Among them, the muscular blonde smirked and tried to grab Nael’s hand. The next moment, he let out a scream like a mop being squeezed.
“Ugh, ooh!”
It was because Jain ran and grabbed his hand instead, and pressed it hard with his hand.
“You, what are you!”
“Insensitive bastard.”
“Okay, okay, I’m wrong, get your hands off me!”
Surprisingly, the blonde easily admitted defeat and backed off. It was because the hand, which was pressed by the grip force, was bent in a surreal shape. After the men left, Jain sighed and apologized. Nael with the cotton candy in her hand widened her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I asked you to come and let me end up like this. He’s right. I was indifferent.”
“Huh? Do you know how to apologize too?”
“Then you can do it. What did you think of me?”
“friend.”
read at https://NovelNext.com
Nael smiled bashfully, took a handful of cotton candy and shoved it into Jain’s mouth. The sweet taste filled my mouth like a bubble.
“It was pretty cool just now.”
“That’s right, I’m glad.”
“Is there anything you must do here?”
Jain nodded his head. Nael replied with a bright smile on her face.
“Still, it’s a long-awaited festival, so why not do it while having fun? You don’t have to do anything like you’re always being chased.”
This time, it seemed that Nael was right. Zain scratched his head and reached out to Nael.
“Isn’t walking uncomfortable?”
“Yeah, I’m not used to it yet…”
“The same thing won’t happen, let’s hold hands now.”
“yes!”
read at https://NovelNext.com
Nael smiled again and held her hand tightly. The elf’s hands were white and thin, like those of a pianist. However, it was a warm hand. From then on, we were able to finish the festival’s achievements safely without missing each other.
After seeing the fireworks that signaled the end of the festival, the two of them went to the pub Nael wanted to go to and had a drink. Sitting at the table with bright eyes, Nael drank a strong pine-scented alcohol and poured the glass down.
“Fuha, this is it!”
“Do you like alcohol?”
“Yeah! I especially like the smell of this pine tree! I heard that the smell of pine in the demon realm is stronger, so it must have been real!”
“Ugh, it was a Songchung.”
“Caterpillar?”
I don’t know what it means, but it sounded like a derogatory word. Nael, who was drunk, smiled roundly and poured alcohol into Jain’s glass.
“Okay, then Songchungi will pour you a cup! Aren’t you going to take it out?”
“What is it, are you betting on the amount of alcohol? I warn you, I’m too strong.”
“Hehehe, I haven’t lost in liquor in 400 years, have I?”
“I’m going to lose for the first time today.”
“I won’t lose! If I lose, I’ll do anything you ask for!”
“Is that word true?”
At those words, Jain’s eyes changed. Even the eyes of the people around him were nervous. Because it was a promise that a woman should not be reckless. Even the bartender who was wiping the glasses disapproved of it.
“I, the elf lady. It’s okay not to make such a promise with a man…”
“I can’t lose! Give me three more bottles of this!”
read at https://NovelNext.com
Nael smiled broadly and placed an order.
And, of course, I lost.
“Hiccup, ugh, you were the real Songchung… Doesn’t your head hurt?”
“Did I warn you. I drink too much.”
Early that morning, Nael couldn’t control herself and was leaving the neutral city on Jain’s back.
“Still, I didn’t know it would be like this… Whoa.”
“Hey, are you vomiting again?”
Jain lowered Nael from his back and patted him on the back. Nael, who was lifted up again after calming down, spoke in a shriveled voice as if embarrassed.
“I’m sorry. What should I do, it smells…”
“Okay. Then it’s time to keep the promise.”
“Yaksook?”
“You were supposed to listen to anything earlier.”
“Yeah! Tell me!”
Jain, who had been talking for a while, asked directly.
“Are you a virgin?”
“yes!”
“Then let’s keep it until the end of the adventure. It’s a promise.”
Even in the midst of drunkenness, Nael asked, dazed.
“Is that difficult enough to even get a promise like that?”
“Of course. Men are all wolves. You have to be careful.”
“Fuha, then are you a wolf too?”
“No, I’m not.”
“What is that… the logic is weird.”
“Anyway, you’re pretty, and you’re incredibly defenseless, so I’ll have to accept these promises to make me feel safe.”
These words were sincere. Nael was a character who was involved in all kinds of hunting and fraud events in the original story. Basically, it is almost similar to the game, but since this is a world with quite a few different parts from the game, there was a possibility that an accident could occur due to such a hunting event. Elves value promises, so if you make a promise like this, it won’t be broken. That was Jain’s idea.
“Yeah, pretty? Me?”
“Of course.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing… In my hometown, everyone treats me like a child…”
“Aerani, how old are you?”
“400 years old…”
“I’m 400 years old, are you my boyfriend?”
“Eh, you’re young for an elf’s age!”
read at https://NovelNext.com
Nael inflated his cheeks and slapped Jain on the back. And he bowed his head and said that he was tired of my grass.
“Okay, I promise.”
“If I don’t, I’m going to be really, really disappointed.”
“Did you know?”
“I’ll be angry as if the world has fallen. Okay?”
“I got it! Hold on to your worries, Mae, Woo-wook.”
“this.”
Jain looked up at the sky while patting Nael on the back, who had done a great job. The moon seen from the Demon Continent was pale bloody.
*
after some time has passed since then.
It was just after defeating the second Four Heavenly Kings, the screaming Archdaemon.
“What’s this?”
Karin, who was collecting the Archdaemon’s body, found something in her stomach and widened her eyes. It looked like an amulet made of emerald, but it was split in two as if it had been intentionally split.
“It just looks like a broken amulet.”
“Oh, that’s what I was looking for. Give it to me.”
Jain snatched the necklace-shaped amulet from Karin’s hand. Karin handed the amulet without saying a word. Because it wasn’t of much value to her. Jain, who summoned water and cleaned the amulet, handed one side of the amulet to Nael.
“Hey, I have a present.”
“yes?”
“Take it. I’ll save your life someday.”
“Yeah? Okay! Thanks!”
read at https://NovelNext.com
Nael widened her eyes, smiled brightly, took the amulet and hung it around her neck. Like her, she didn’t ask any questions. Seeing this, Jain wiped his chest. Then he hung the amulet from the other half around his neck.
‘Is this enough to prepare for the next event?’
The name of the amulet is Summoning Amulet.
It was a talisman with a function of automatically summoning the other when the wearer felt a crisis of life.
The reason why Nael needed this was simple.
‘Because there is an assassination event soon.’
The empire, which had long wondered whether the first was luck, fell on fire when it defeated the second Four Heavenly Kings.
It was because the hero’s party, which was just a dump, hit the biggest jackpot ever.
So, he hastily organized a huge welcome party and a support party to invite a brave party.
As it was a casually organized reception, the security was not strict.
An assassination event aimed at that time was scheduled.
This amulet was the last insurance against it.