I Became an Illegal Cheat User

128 – An Unexpected Discovery (2)

I entered the royal capital.

And following Asuka’s lead, I stepped into the inn called “Flowing Wind,” where Lee Seoyeon was said to be staying, marked by a sign in the shape of a breeze.

“Oh… not bad, huh?”

Indeed.

Perhaps it was because it was a high-end inn.

Just as the luxurious exterior suggested, the interior was clean and well-maintained.

Of course, it was well-maintained by medieval standards.

Compared to hotels in the real world or the dormitories of the academy, it was distinctly inferior.

Still, I should be grateful.

I ought to be satisfied that I can stay, even for a moment, in a place with a roof over my head and cleanliness.

“By the way, there aren’t any people in the inn?”

For some reason, aside from Lee Seoyeon, Asuka, Arthur, and myself, there were no other guests in sight.

‘What is this?’

Isn’t there supposed to be at least a few people in a high-end inn like this?

Or is it that there are usually no people at this hour?

‘No… that can’t be.’

It doesn’t make sense for there to be no one in the inn as evening approaches.

Just as those questions crossed my mind for a moment.

“Well, that’s because I rented the whole place.”

Asuka, who had somehow settled into a chair at the round table, provided the answer with a refreshing clarity.

Ah.

So she rented the entire inn.

That’s why there was no one around.

The mystery was solved.

At the same time, a new question arose: ‘What kind of money did she use to rent it?’

But that too was quickly resolved.

Asuka.

Sitting in her chair, fanning herself with a decorated folding fan adorned with fluttering cherry blossoms, she had taken on a role.

‘The precious daughter of the Blossom Merchant.’

Though her power was limited, she could provide financial assistance.

She was playing the role of a wealthy person who could spend money lavishly.

Swish!

“Have all your curiosities been resolved, Yujin?”

Asuka, folding her fan with a clap of her palm, looked at me with a piercing gaze.

Yet, it was only as cute as a little rabbit glaring.

Still, I pretended to shrink back a bit and nodded at Asuka’s question.

Since she was still calling me ‘Yujin’ instead of her usual ‘Senior.’

“So.”

This time, it was Lee Seoyeon, who was sitting next to Asuka with her legs crossed.

She had been quietly watching me, but now she spoke up.

“Who is that woman?”

Lee Seoyeon’s eyes turned towards Terra, who was standing behind me.

Her pupils shimmered with a sharp light, as if ready to slice through Terra at any moment.

“Yujin?”

A gentle tone, yet laced with coldness, penetrated my ears.

Seeing Lee Seoyeon like that made me feel weary, and I let out a deep sigh inwardly.

Then I shared the excuse I had thought of in advance, revealing the truth about Terra.

Ninety percent truth, ten percent lie.

“Of course, I should introduce you.”

I turned my body to the side, revealing Terra.

“This is Terra, a maid I met at the mansion where I used to be.”

It’s true.

Acquiring the battle maid’s body is a reality, but since I brought her out from this hidden world, it’s not a false statement.

“By the way, Terra is not a person, but a golem.”

This is also true.

Outwardly human, but filled with metal, various weapons, and a magical core inside.

“Well… I guess you’re curious why Terra is accompanying me?”

The three nodded simultaneously.

“But I don’t know the details either. When I asked her why she follows me, she just said, ‘Because you’re my master.’ So I thought about it, and it seems to be because of the role I was given: ‘The last descendant of the fallen House of Yggdrasil.’ Even though it’s fallen, I still hold the noble title.”

And this is a lie.

A ten percent falsehood to validate why Terra follows me.

“Oh… so that’s why you were together.”

“Well, a golem… that means it should be safe.”

Asuka and Arthur relaxed their previously disapproving expressions towards Terra, seemingly understanding my mix of truth and lies.

However.

“…….”

Lee Seoyeon.

She remained unchanged.

Unlike the other two, who had almost lost their hostility, her eyes still held sharpness, as if she were determined not to let her guard down.

I barely managed to suppress the sigh that was about to escape.

‘Ah… Seoyeon, how am I supposed to make her understand?’

It felt hopeless.

Whether I feel frustrated or not, she stands with her arms crossed.

The thought of trying to make Lee Seoyeon understand, who doesn’t take her eyes off Terra, makes my head spin.

Did she read my distress?

Terra, who had been quietly standing behind me, stepped forward.

Then, just as she had done with me and Asuka, she lifted the ends of her skirt slightly.

“I am pleased to meet the master’s friends. I am Terra, the master’s loyal maid.”

She greeted the three of them politely and gracefully.

Creak.

“I’m glad to meet you too. I’m Asuka Shuhei, a close friend of Seok’s.”

“Yes, nice to meet you. I am Arthur Pendragon, a friend of Lee Yujin.”

Though I had introduced them, perhaps because Terra introduced herself directly, Asuka and Arthur also stood up and politely stated their names.

In contrast, Lee Seoyeon…

“…Lee Seoyeon.”

…didn’t rise from her seat, merely muttering her name.

Anyone observing might shake their head, deeming it a rather rude behavior.

But here, there are only those familiar with her actions.

And while her personality has softened quite a bit due to me and the main group, that’s a story that applies only to us.

To strangers like Terra, she remains endlessly cold. Thus, just like in the game, she has inevitably earned the nickname “Ice Princess.”

Indeed.

Lee Seoyeon is simply acting in accordance with her nature.

So, Asuka, Arthur, and I don’t think much of it. And Terra feels the same way.

“Did you say Lee Seoyeon?”

With her hands respectfully clasped, Terra straightened her posture and looked directly into Seoyeon’s eyes as she spoke.

“I have no intention of interfering with your wishes, Seoyeon. On the contrary, I would like to help you.”

“…Do you know what I desire?”

“How could I not know?”

Terra’s gaze briefly shifted to me. Then, with a small smile on her lips, she turned her attention back to Seoyeon and continued speaking.

“Your eyes sparkle every time they turn toward the master.”

“…….”

A change occurred in Lee Seo-yeon’s previously cold expression.

Surely, she never thought that the desire she harbored would be exposed to someone she had just met; her surprise was evident.

“And the same goes for Asuka and Arthur.”

“Ah… did it show that much?”

“Well, a little… it’s embarrassing.”

Asuka and Arthur’s faces slightly flushed.

“…So, what kind of help are you offering?”

Lee Seo-yeon’s voice came through again. I turned my gaze back to her.

For a moment, as Terra and I glanced at Asuka and Arthur, it seemed they had regained their composure, returning to their earlier cold expressions.

At Lee Seo-yeon’s question, Terra smiled gently and said,

“The help I’m offering to you, Lee Seo-yeon, and Asuka and Arthur isn’t particularly grand or significant. However…”

Terra released the two hands she had gracefully clasped together.

“You will find it quite satisfactory.”

With those words, she snapped her fingers with her right hand raised to her chest.

Then.

Ding, ding, ding.

“……?”

An alarm rang simultaneously from the smartwatches on the wrists of Asuka, Arthur, and Lee Seo-yeon.

The three of them looked at each other with puzzled expressions.

Then they raised their wrists to check the smartwatches.

And a moment later.

“Welcome, Terra.”

“Welcome, Terra.”

“…Welcome.”

The cold atmosphere flipped.

With bright faces, they welcomed Terra as if to say there was nothing to be displeased about.

‘What is this?’

What did Terra show for them to react like that?

Of course, it’s nice that the mood has brightened.

It’s better for the people close to me to have a good relationship rather than a bad one.

But I’m curious too.

What did Terra show them?

What did they see that caused such a sudden change in the three of them?

I want to know.

“So, Terra, show me what you showed them!”

But Terra just smiled quietly.

She didn’t reveal what the three had seen.

In that case.

“I can just ask them.”

Especially Arthur.

She would probably be willing to share.

Just as I was about to speak with that thought in mind.

“Ummm….”

A soft voice came from behind me.

As, who had been sound asleep, was waking up.

“…Oppa, where are we?”

Oh no.

I should ask her later.

I swallowed the question that had risen to my lips, meant for Arthur.

Then, gently placing the squirming As on the floor, I said,

“We’re in an inn right now.”

“Uh… but I need to go see the king… we shouldn’t be at an inn….”

As softly grasped my pants with her small hands, looking up at me with a worried expression as if she had disobeyed an adult.

Seeing that, it seemed like the director had told her to go directly to the palace.

“As, don’t worry.”

I smiled gently so the child wouldn’t feel anxious and patted As’s head.

“You don’t have to be worried; no one will say anything to you if you don’t enter the palace today.”

There was no reason for As to be on the verge of tears.

Did she become a hero just because she wanted to be one?

No.

It was an irrational decree that arbitrarily designated him as a hero; it wasn’t something Aska desired.

Did he want to be late for his entrance?

No.

He took the direct carriage to the royal capital, but he was delayed because the coachman abandoned him while he went to relieve himself.

With such reasons, there was absolutely no need for Aska to feel anxious.

And although it wasn’t his wish, Aska is the one and only hero in this world.

Given that, if the king had a proper mindset, he wouldn’t say anything about a one-day delay in Aska’s arrival.

‘…No, wait a minute.’

Upon deeper reflection, perhaps he might have something to say to him?

After all, the people I saw earlier in front of the royal gates.

Didn’t they utter unpleasant words that would naturally cause Aska to frown?

‘Like attracts like; I doubt the king would be any different.’

If anything, wouldn’t he treat Aska even more harshly than those people did?

That thought made me wonder if I should take Aska to the royal castle right now.

But that thought was fleeting.

I shook my head.

‘There’s no need to conform to the standards of this world.’

Aska, along with Asuka, Arthur, and Lee Seoyeon, are not people of this world’s hidden realm.

Aska has been given the role of the hero’s companion, but our goal is not to meet the king; it is to defeat the Demon King.

So unless the king is kind or reasonable, there’s no reason for him to listen to us.

And if the king tries to intimidate me, the main characters, and Aska…

‘We need to show the power of modern weaponry in a medieval era.’

I could just blow up the entire royal castle.

If that’s not possible… well.

Then, I’d have to bring out Leviathan.

‘Even if I can’t handle it properly yet, I can still set things ablaze.’

I gently patted Aska’s head while devising various simple and certain solutions to resolve the situation.

And when Aska had alleviated some of his anxiety, I straightened my knees to match his eye level.

“Ass, aren’t you hungry?”

“Yes… I’m hungry.”

Ass nodded shyly, her face flushed.

At that cute sight, a gasp escaped from Asuka, Arthur, and Lee Seoyeon. Turning my head to look at them, I saw their expressions.

The three women were gazing at Ass with slightly reddened faces and sparkling eyes.

Among them, Asuka was particularly enthusiastic.

“Kawaii (cute)!”

She pretended to clutch her heart, and despite usually insisting on speaking Korean, she let out a phrase in her native tongue.

Seeing their reactions, I burst into laughter and said to Ass,

“Ass, go over to those ladies and tell them to eat together. Then you can solve your hunger right away.”

“Um… is that okay?”

“It’s fine, they’re my friends.”

Ass knew they were connected to me, but still hesitated, glancing back and forth between me and them.

Before long, with a determined expression, Ass nodded and took a cautious step, then another, approaching them.

“Um….”

As Ass reached the round table where the three women sat, she tightly clasped her hands around her sacred item.

Then, with a face full of shyness, she looked up at them and said,

“Hello… I’m Aster. If it’s okay, could I eat with you…?”

She tried to finish with “Is that alright?” but couldn’t complete her sentence.

And understandably so.

“Of course, you can!”

Asuka, with eyes sparkling brighter than anyone else in the room, rushed forward and hugged Ass tightly.

“Oh, you’re so cute!”

Asuka rubbed her soft cheeks against Ass’s.

She kept repeating, “So cute! Kawaii!”

Each time, Ass let out an adorable “Ueeh!” sound.

At that moment, Arthur, who had been quietly observing, moved.

He stood in front of Aster and asked,

“Did you say Aster?”

He spoke in a serious tone, yet a warm smile graced his face, contrasting with his voice.

But just that was enough to make him tense, and Asuka, who had been receiving Asgard’s affection, looked up at Arthur with slightly trembling eyes and nodded.

“Yes, yes… I’m Aster…”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Arthur Pendragon. I’m a friend of Yujin and a companion who will accompany you on your journey.”

Asuka, who had been leaning her cheek against Asgard’s, spoke in a joyful tone.

“I’m Shuhe Asuka! I’m also a close friend of Mr. Pendragon and a companion who will help Aster on her journey.”

After Asuka finished her introduction, Arthur looked at Eseo-yeon, as if telling her to introduce herself as well.

Then, Eseo-yeon’s lips, which had been quietly observing the situation, opened.

“…I’m Eseo-yeon. I promise to protect Yujin’s future…”

“Eseo-yeon.”

“Ms. Eseo-yeon.”

“…a friend and your companion. Please take care of me.”

Eseo-yeon finished her introduction in a soft voice, unlike the one she had used with Terra, and looked at Arthur and Asuka.

Arthur and Asuka also looked straight into Eseo-yeon’s eyes.

In that moment, a stillness fell over the inn.

“Ah, I’ll do my best too. Sisters…”

Asgard’s word “sisters” pierced the ears of the three women.

Then, a short and awkward silence was broken.

“Hehehe! Aster called me ‘sister’!”

“Hmm… it’s the first time I’ve heard that, so it’s making my heart flutter.”

“…so cute.”

The intense atmosphere that had been emanating from the three women suddenly disappeared.

I thought to myself, “Well, that’s just how it is,” and let out a small laugh.

“Indeed, cuteness is invincible.”

I nodded in agreement.

&

The next morning.

“…Is it okay for me to eat something this delicious?”

Just like when she was eating ice cream, Asgard muttered to herself with a happy yet anxious face as soon as she took a bite of her food.

Then, Asuka, who was sitting next to her, smiled softly and said…

“Of course, it’s okay. As has the right to eat delicious things and be happy, right?”

At Asuka’s words, everyone nodded in agreement.

“That’s right, As. You have no reason to be unhappy. So don’t worry about that.”

“As Asuka and Lee Yujin said, As, you can be happy. No, you should be happy.”

“…If anyone says you can’t, tell me. I’ll take care of it… no, I’ll punish them.”

Just as the thawed Ice Princess, Lee Seoyeon, said.

Whoever it may be, if there’s someone who says As has no right to be happy, I would personally shove a grenade in their mouth.

While I was thinking this, As looked at us with a teary, whimpering face and asked.

“The director said so. The hero must give up everything. That there’s no right to be happy….”

“What did you say…?”

Asuka looked at As with a shocked expression.

And it was the same for Arthur and Lee Seoyeon.

Bang!

Asuka, who had been momentarily stunned, slammed the table with the fork and knife in her hand.

“What kind of director says that! As, don’t think about such things. No, forget them!”

“…No matter how much of a hero you are, to say that a child like this has no right to be happy… is that director really an adult?”

“…As, where are you? I’ll take care of it.”

Take care of it, my foot.

With the intensity radiating from her, it seemed like she could take down a person.

I shook my head at Lee Seoyeon’s fierce demeanor.

As I set down the fork and knife I was holding on the table, I spoke to As.

“As, as we just said, you have the right to be happy. So forget all the negative things you’ve heard until now. Got it?”

“Just as the master said, As. Forget all the bad words.”

At our gentle words, tears began to roll down As’s cheeks.

But that was only for a moment.

“Yes… I will. I’ll forget all the bad things I heard, just like my brother and sister said.”

As wiped her tears with the back of her hand and nodded vigorously.

Yes, that’s it.

She needs to be resolute, As.

I looked at As with a warm smile on my lips.

Asuka, Arthur, and Lee Se-yeon also looked at As with soft expressions.

In that harmonious atmosphere, we resumed our interrupted meal. And just as As was about to pull out the ice cream he had wanted for dessert.

Bang!

The door of the inn, which had been firmly shut as a sign of being closed for business, swung open violently.

In came armored knights and soldiers, pouring in like a tide.

Clank, clank.

Among the knights and soldiers, a man who appeared to be their leader approached our table.

He then looked at As with an arrogant yet cold gaze and spoke.

“Are you the hero?”

At the sound of that question, I stood up from my seat.

Asuka, Lee Se-yeon, Arthur, and Terra. The four women also set down their utensils and rose from their seats.

At that moment, the man’s gaze, which had been directed at As, shifted towards us.

“I never told you to stand up.”

Hah, look at the way he talks?

I let out a hollow laugh and stood in front of the trembling As, who was filled with anxiety.

The man blocked As from view.

“There must be a sign outside saying we’re closed for business.”

We rented the entire inn. So, uninvited guests, get lost.

My words carried that meaning, and the man’s eyebrows twitched.

At the same time, the hands of the knights and soldiers standing in formation behind him moved to their waists. And with a clank, they gripped their sword hilts.

Seeing that, I quietly opened my inventory.

Swords appeared in the hands of Lee Se-yeon, Asuka, and Arthur, who were standing beside me.

“……”

“……”

The atmosphere, which had just been harmonious, turned deadly in an instant.

Tension hung in the air as if a sword fight could break out at any moment.

Just then, when someone could no longer contain their tension and swallowed hard.

“…Hmph, enough.”

The man, who had been staring at me with a blank expression, scoffed and raised his hand.

At that action, the knights and soldiers, who had been poised to draw their swords and charge, immediately relaxed their fierce demeanor and returned to a standing position as before.

“The prince wishes to see you. So, follow me quietly.”

The man spat out words that were no different from a notification and turned his back.

And then.

‘…That’s.’

I noticed something familiar on the nape of the man’s neck, turned away from me.

It was faint due to the armor.

But I knew it all too well.

‘Isn’t that a dragon’s scale?’

It was none other than a mark.

A brand that a dragon places on its minion, or rather, its slave.

‘That means…’

It signifies that there is a dragon in this hidden world.

‘Wow… how could this happen?’

Just when I was pondering how to bring As back to reality.

Fortune had come knocking like this.

After all, As is currently bound by the shackles of being a hero due to the regulations.

So, while everyone was asleep last night, I had wracked my brain to find a solution.

But no matter how much I thought, I was truly at a loss.

And yet, like this.

Dragon, or rather, 용 (Yong).

Not just any dragon like Grid, but a true dragon capable of using the mystique known as 용언 (Yong-eon).

I never expected to find such a being in this hidden world.

‘If it’s Yong-eon, I might not be able to completely sever the regulations, but I can twist them.’

And given that I had fled to the hidden world with a heap of damage from the god’s blade, it shouldn’t be too difficult to gain some cooperation. But if they refuse to cooperate willingly…

‘Then, well, I’ll have to bring out Leviathan.’

I would have no choice but to threaten them: would they rather burn away with this world, or would they prefer to grant me one simple request and part ways cleanly?

So please, let the dragon not turn me into a rogue rather than a gentleman.

‘Hmm… should I just bring out Leviathan from the start?’

Perhaps that would be the easiest path.

I thought this as I smiled at the unexpected discovery and the stroke of luck.