NOVEL NEXT Chapter 196
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Wherever the tentacle reached, the spear was whittled away. Euna blinked in surprise at how easily it got sliced compared to even the scythe of the Executor of the Fractured Dream.
“Is this enough for you?”
At that question, Euna swallowed without realizing it. The crimson spear blazed hot, feeling like it could burn her just by touch. After some hesitation, when she finally managed to grip it, the spear’s handle felt warm, but surprisingly not too hot.
Of course, the Wolf didn’t know how to forge. He didn’t use weapons anyway. It merely took on the shape of the spear Euna originally used. It was far from a genuine weapon made by a true artisan.
Unlike her previous spear, it had no flexibility and lacked the special powers found in items from the Square.
“Ah…”
But Euna gasped in wonder. There was no need for any special treatment. Just the fact that the clumsily sculpted horn had taken on a proper shape was enough.
A weapon that was close enough to the original form was priceless. After all, it was the horn of the Volcano Ceratops. The very material from a boss monster was the finest there could be.
“Need anything else?”
At those words, Euna shook her head. It wasn’t an artisan’s tool, but it fit her hand strangely well, as if she had used it for a long time… There couldn’t be a better gift than this.
Sharp insight. The craftsmanship was made to fit her hand.
Exhaling, Euna lightly swung the spear, her expression lost in wonder.
“…Huh. I’ve incurred another debt.”
“It’s not quite a debt…”
“I will definitely repay this favor someday.”
In the way she bowed her head seriously, there was no hint of cowardice, even if she had said she was in debt. Instead, it only looked noble. When the Wolf nodded, telling her to proceed as she wished, he suddenly paused at a voice from behind.
“Ah, and… Baek So-yul is currently in our clan, along with Anela Morest and the Butterfly of Covenant.”
“……”
“They asked me to send their regards when we meet.”
The Wolf nodded silently. Then, as if waiting, he turned to the sound of something thumping to the ground.
“Since we’re at it, could you make one for me too?”
“……”
“Hey, don’t look at me like that. What are we to each other? We shared drinks together last night…”
Kang Tae-ho rambled on, but the Wolf ignored him and turned his gaze away.
Someone in a coat was descending the stairs. Even in the crowd, the Wolf’s eyes wouldn’t be blocked. Seeing that person made his heart soften a little, but he had no intention of backtracking. He simply planned to go up and persuade before parting.
“Kiyuuuut!”
In a moment of distraction, Kang Tae-ho got hit by Fairy. Making something like the old style sword he used wasn’t that hard.
***
While the Wolf was busy crafting the great sword, Euna beckoned a girl with surprised eyes. The girl, Euna, approached with curiosity.
“Amazing… it really is you…”
“Yes! It’s been a while, Seon-ja!”
“Right. It has been a while.”
Euna shook her head. Though it had only been less than two months, it felt… there’s a saying that even a scholar can’t help but rub their eyes after just three days apart.
“Have you been hiding your skills?”
“Huh? No way!”
She waved her hands in a fluster, but it was hard to believe. The girl who was only a C-Class level had grown to roughly a B-Class or more in such a short time.
It was growth unlike anything seen in the Plateau or among her own clan. Never before has there been this kind of progress…
‘No, there was one.’
Euna’s head snapped back. There stood the black puppy… Right. Aside from him, it implied that she had achieved an unmatched height of growth.
How was that possible? Euna shook her head as she watched closely.
“Can you tell me what you’ve been doing all this time?”
***
“Oh…!”
Kang Tae-ho swung the completed sword, and Euna quickly grabbed him. Anyone else might be fine, but with him, even a light swing could leave a mess on the rooftop.
The awkwardly smiling Kang Tae-ho slid the great sword into his spatial pocket, leaving others disappointed. It seemed they were eager to see the sword master wield a new weapon. But at least not here.
As disappointed Kang Tae-ho moved aside, the Wolf listened in on the conversation between Euna and Euna. Although unintentional, his abnormal hearing brought the sounds to his ears.
“…Then, uh…”
Euna fumbled with her fingers as if it was awkward. Having listened to the conversation from the start, the Wolf couldn’t help but chuckle.
What had she been doing all this time?
Of course, if she were honest, the stories from the fantasy world could not be avoided, but she could just dodge the question with reasonable excuses… It was just so like her.
Thinking it was a hassle, Euna lowered her head and apologized, while Euna insisted there was no need for such a thing. Fairy flew around happily watching… Yeah. Time to help. People who had gathered began to disperse one by one.
With no clouds, the sky was clear and peaceful…
The Wolf quietly looked up at the sky.
***
While Hong Yu-ri was pouring herself a drink alone, she suddenly glanced outside and realized quite a bit of time had passed. Dusk had settled in. Lost in thought, she found herself staring blankly at the horizon until the sunset faded.
“……”
After standing up to endure the hangover and thinking clearly, she cold-heartedly believed it couldn’t possibly be so. She thought it was nonsense, but… that didn’t seem right. Somehow, it seemed correct.
After all, if it weren’t the case, she wouldn’t be acting like such a mess by herself.
Forcing down the drink. It tasted awful as hell. Wondering if she had always been this way, she spat it out when she felt a familiar hand on her back.
While she was about to finish off her drink, she felt her wrist being held back.
“What. Why.”
“……”
“Why are you holding me?”
Still, she didn’t turn her head. No, she couldn’t. She just didn’t want to look him in the eyes right now.
“You collapsed yesterday as well.”
“I’ll take care of it, so mind your own business, okay?”
The hand that held her wrist released her. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to drink. After a while without a response, she glanced back.
“……!”
There, she was met with him, staring and grinning. At that, she felt hit by the realization.
“Ah, shit…”
Adding onto that, he seemed to propose, raising his cup with a warning before speaking and leaving her feeling deflated.
“Stop drinking.”
“Who do you think you are?”
“Just someone who thinks it’d be better if you didn’t.”
Hong Yu-ri pondered over it deeply before quietly setting her cup down. Instead, she abruptly turned to face him.
“Hey.”
As those crimson eyes met hers, Hong Yu-ri bit her lip. Drinking alone without any snacks had left her more drunk than she realized.
Suppressing her dizziness, she shook her head.
“Are you saying I’m a burden?”
And just like that, she asked. He would certainly answer no, but she genuinely didn’t know how he felt inside. She scrutinized those red eyes fiercely.
In truth, who could say they weren’t a burden to Alpha now? At least after witnessing him confront the Plague and Disease firsthand, she couldn’t help but question.
That’s why she lacked confidence. Confidence that she wouldn’t be a burden. She expected a reply stating that wouldn’t be the case, but after a lengthy silence, her chest tightened. Just as she started to feel anxious, his low voice pierced through the air.
“…Why did you think that?”
The sudden change in atmosphere and his serious tone made Hong Yu-ri swallow hard. Did she touch on something she shouldn’t have?
She flinched for a moment but figured it was better, so she resolved to look straight into those red eyes.
“You said you’d wait.”
“Because it’s dangerous.”
“And when wasn’t it dangerous?”
“……”
“You were the one who said that.”
In frustration, Hong Yu-ri thumped her chest before taking a swig of her drink. A burning sensation crept through her belly, and her heartbeat quickened. But when she glared at the Wolf, who had tightly closed his mouth, her annoyance flared up, and words spilled out without thinking.
“You said you’d help.”
“You said you’d stay by my side?”
“So why are you throwing a fit about going alone?!”
He couldn’t find words in response to her shrill plea.
No matter what he said, he was not confident he could persuade her. Of course, he had things to say. Things like he’d be back soon, or he hoped she wouldn’t get hurt, and similar lines.
But she certainly wouldn’t be unaware of that.
So he was left speechless, gazing back at her. Those vertically split yellow pupils and scarlet irises left him at a loss for words.
Was he a burden? That question felt like an ultimatum. It seemed to question him about the promise he had made. Whatever he said, it wouldn’t change a thing. Those fierce eyes seemed ready to grab him by the collar right there.
—Yet, the Wolf answered.
“I’m sorry.”
That short reply was the best he could do. The eyes staring back at him widened, filled with disbelief. The scarlet lips quivered for a long moment before they finally closed without a word.
The cup that had been held in her weak grip fell and shattered. Even with the loud noise, it couldn’t break the silence.
“……”
As she gnawed her lips, the Wolf wracked his brain for excuses. He hadn’t meant to think like that, but it was unavoidable. And faster than he could make excuses, her trembling voice penetrated his ears.
“…Then why, why.”
That quivering voice made the Wolf swallow hard.
“Why did you make a promise?”
With a voice like she was about to cry, tangled by the effects of alcohol, both already understood the answers but could only walk a parallel path.
The Wolf hoped she wouldn’t face danger. The promise to stand by her side was part of that desire.
Conversely, she wanted to go together. Even if it meant taking on the danger.
Both stubbornly refused to yield. The Wolf understood full well that persuading her wouldn’t be easy at all.
Surely, no matter what he said, it would not reach her.
Words that arose from reason would dissolve like snowflakes in the air. At this moment, words and logic weren’t what was needed.
Thus, the Wolf embraced her.
At first, she seemed shocked, but soon she was pushing him away, demanding he let go. But the Wolf held her firmly, unyielding to her struggles. She yelled and wept, yet he tightly held on.
As if proclaiming he would never let go.
“Ugh…!”
Eventually, it was Hong Yu-ri who collapsed from her own fatigue. Just moving around made her tipsy state spin. She felt like she might barf… but soon, the arms that embraced her began to comfort her gently.
…Ah, that’s why.
The unspoken consideration and those actions were precious. Also, she had seen how he had lived and what he had gone through.
She wanted to be together…
With her thoughts feeling hazy, Hong Yu-ri embraced him and reflected.
Ah, I’ve lost, she thought.
Before she knew it, her heart was racing again. Having felt warmth while wrapped in his embrace. As she stroked, coarse fur came slipping through her fingers.
Even though she clenched her fist and punched him in frustration, it infuriated her even more that he seemed unaffected.
“You know what?”
“……”
“You’re such a bastard.”
At that, the Wolf couldn’t help but laugh. Yes, stubbornness couldn’t be broken by words or logic. If that was the case, then he had no choice but to give in to emotions.
But there, he realized.
He came to understand anew.
According to her words…
It was likely he could have forced her to leave, but that would only ruin their relationship, causing it to break beyond repair. Perhaps he could cross a river he might never return from, which felt far worse.
Because now he knew.
He knew what kind of person Hong Yu-ri was, who was in his arms now. He wanted to be together, rather than selfishly let her go, claiming it was for her safety.
They both came to understand that…
The Wolf looked up at the ceiling, releasing a breath he had been holding in.
He thought about how, yes, she was right about the bastard part.
He had no idea when it had started…
“Aren’t you gonna answer?”
With tears shimmering in her eyes, she asked with a sulky expression. While it wasn’t a clear demand for an answer, he couldn’t just mumble something. They both knew.
Yet, there was hesitation.
“…Is that okay with you?”
Because he wasn’t human. Just as Baek Rok had once said, his essence wouldn’t change. A monster having intellect didn’t mean it ceased to be a monster.
They both comprehended the unspoken words.
At that, Hong Yu-ri scoffed as if she found it laughable.
“Neither am I.”
With an attitude that seemed to say, what of it? At some point, the Wolf realized her hand had wrapped around his neck.
“And I just am… you!”
The final words went unspoken. Under the moonlight, their shadows overlapped.
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