Luss' face went pale.
Until tomorrow..?
She repeated what he said with her own mouth As if the words would change.
So Starchis was saying that he would et Elza now and that the eting would not end until tomorrow
The gears in Luss' mind were working extrely fast, pondering the aning of the word tomorrow.
If one stayed up all night with their friends, it could be assud that they partied the whole night; either danced, drank, or just played so gas.
If one stayed up all night with their family, it might be sothing because of a long, honest conversation.
But if one stayed up all night with their lover only one thing would co to anyone's mind;
S*x.
Luss asked him again, wondering if she had heard it wrong.
So You an youll be with your girlfriend until tomorrow?
Right?
Starchis couldnt look Luss in the eye. He felt like he was lying for no reason.
After all, it was not his girlfriend that he was going to et, it was his older brother.
On the other hand, in Luss eyes, it seed that Starchis was shy. The expectations for the first experience seed to be visible at a glance.
Luss felt as if the needle was being stabbed deep into her heart over and over again.
"Haha. Chis, you dont have to lie like that just because its hard to spare so ti. I can et you next ti... Yeah, I think it must be sothing urgent, right?
No, Luss. As you always said, we are best friends. Why wouldn't I want to et you? I'm really not lying; I honestly wont be ho until tomorrow.
Starchis didnt want to give the impression that he hated Luss.
Luss, however, felt as if her legs would loosen at any mont; There was no way to misunderstand this ti.
Even if she had comforted herself that his previous remark of my girlfriend was delicious was just a slip of tongue, this ti, his words could not be interpreted otherwise.
Starchis looked at the sky anxiously. The evening sun, which had been orange, was getting darker little by little.
Hyung, please wait.
Anyway, thats it. Luss, Ill go. Its ti for my appointnt.
Hey, hold on!
Luss grabbed his arm as he tried to go again.
But she couldnt figure out what to say.
She didnt know what excuse she could make to stop him from going.
Starchis, who waited for a while with his arm held by Luss' unusually strong grip, spoke.
Luss? Tell fast. I have to go.
Eventually, Luss decided to speak directly, without being able to find any good excuse.
That Chis Cant you just not go this once?
...Uh?
Starchis didnt understand what Luss was talking about. Actually, even Luss didnt know what she was talking about. It was just her mouth moving on its own.
What do you an, Luss?
Just this once... Cant you break your promise just once and go ho?
Luss knew that if she let him go now, he would have his first experience.
Consequently, If he left now, Luss dream to experience their first experience together would be shattered.
Give one more chance.
Luss prayed fervently.
Yes? Okay, Chis? Please?
In her earnestness, Luss even showed aegyo to the best of her abilities that she normally never showed.
[Note: In South Korean Culture, aegyo ans to act cute or the ability to look cuter.]
Just break my promise and go ho?
Thats Yeah
Starchis was shaken by Luss desperate look, but he didnt want to follow her words to go ho, especially when there was no apparent reason.
Also, the reason he couldnt hear Luss, in particular, was that this might be his last eting with his brother before entering the B-class dungeon. And he was also looking forward to fishing.
As desperate as Luss was, Starchis didnt want to break his promise.
First, Starchis snapped his arm from Luss' strong grip and said:
Luss, you know that makes no sense, right? How can I just go ho?
For Starchis, ti was running out.
I dont know why you want to go ho, but I dont have ti to talk now. Go in and rest. See you next ti.
-Tuk-tuk.
He patted Luss on the shoulder twice and smiled. Then he turned around and walked away without regret.
With hurried steps, he disappeared from Luss' view soon after.
Luss couldnt stop him.
She just stared at the back of Starchis as he left.
Luss couldnt believe he had left her so easily, even when she had put down her pride and begged him.
As the back of Starchiss head disappeared from view, her eyes widened in a daze.
'Starchis would now spend the whole night with another woman: he would not be the sa,' Thinking that, whatever strength was holding her together in front of Starchis vanished from her body.
The reality that she was deprived of his first experience she had always dread of finally settled in Luss' mind.
***
I walked with hurried steps and then started running after a few monts.
It was because I knew I was already behind schedule when I left ho, but eting Luss made even more late.
With quick steps, I ran hurriedly to the restaurant, while cross-checking its address which was written on the back of the note.
.
.
.
Hyung!
I called out to my brother loudly at an upscale restaurant where everyone was sitting politely.
Hyung jumped up from his seat and shouted too.
Hey man! Starchis! Why are you so late!
People were shocked and looked at us alternately.
Then, feeling the eyes on us, we lowered our heads here and there and apologized.
Then, I approached my brothers seat and spoke to him in a voice that matched the atmosphere of the place.
Sorry, I ran into Luss on the way
That old friend?
He paused for a second.
Yeah, my best friend. Lets sit down, Hyung.
My brother and I sat down.
Hyung did you order the food?
Of course, and now even if you dont like it, its your fault. By the way, what did you say when you guys t?
My older brother had a mischievous smile on his face for so reason when he asked that. Though not minding that smile I told him what happened with her.
And after hearing my explanation, his smile turned to full-blown laughter.
Hyung, you always have a lot of fun when you hear about my lies, don't you?
Hyung stopped his laughter and grinned at .
No, no Its just that I find it funny when those three are tricked.
But what is fun in that?
Hyung waved his hand in dismissal at my question and changed the topic.
So, how are you doing nowadays?
Oh right.
I needed to talk with him about the B-class mission. It was also a good opportunity to receive so advice.
Hyung
?
Im going to accept a B-class mission in a few days.
At my words, my older brothers smiling face changed to a serious one. He stared at for a while, then nodded his head slightly.
Okay. I knew you would do it soday...
I thought youd get angry and stop .
Because I expected it.
Hyung took a sip of water and continued.
But why now? Do you have the confidence to survive? If youre just trying to get promoted without thinking, Ill stop you.
I indeed had so confidence.
I was a little embarrassed to tell Marshall, the receptionist, but in front of my brother, I couldnt help but brag about it.
There's a reason I decided to take on the challenge now. Hyung not too long ago when I hit the Tiwit scorpion, its upper armor broke in one blow.
But Hyung didn't seem surprised.
Uh? Doesnt it break when you hit it?
He just looked at with a doubtful expression.
Tsk.
I clicked my tongue.
Even if I wanted to brag, it seed it was impossible to do so against an A-class hunter.
Ugh, I really dont feel like explaining
Only then did he let go of his doubtful expression and smiled a little.
Its not like that. It's been a long ti so I really dont rember. But in conclusion You an youre confident?
He raised his hand horizontally and waved it slightly.
Just like that?
Then, Hyung took another sip of water and said without looking at .
Okay. If you said you were confident just because of that, you would be scolded by .
it's not like I'm too confident; Im scared too. There are party mbers whose lives will be in danger because of my decision, after all.
If that is the case then it's good So, what are you going to challenge for B Class mission?
There was indeed a monster that I selected after agonizing all day and listening to the strategies and characteristics of various monsters. It was called:
Kumdo monkey.
On a scale of intelligence, Kumdo monkeys were more intelligent than common monsters but were slightly less than humans.
One thing common among every Kumdo monkey was that they all wielded swords, and used unique swordsmanship with the help of body proportions that were different from humans.
But the most annoying thing about these swords monkeys was that they moved around in groups.
To put it simply, I was going to challenge a party made up of monkeys who use swords.
A single Kumdo monkey would be classified at about D-level, but there was no such thing as a single Kumdo monkey. Hence, the mission was ranked as a B-class mission.
Kumdo monkeys I think it's a good choice for the first B-class mission. So to complete the mission, do you have to bring their leader's sword?
That's right.
An important item that could be obtained from this monkey party was their swords.
It was because the swords they wielded were perated with demonic energy for a long ti and beca demonic swords. And even among them, the leaders sword was of the best quality and there was a lot of demand.
While I was talking with my brother about that, soone approached us from the side. At first, I thought he was an employee, but upon closer inspection, I realized he wasn't.
He was adorned in luxurious clothes and had a neat posture. His appearance exuded profound charm, and a white beard covered his face, adding to his distinguished appearance. The palpable nobility emanating from him was undeniable.
As I cautiously looked at the man approaching, my brother also turned his head.
The man spoke first.
Arent you Stion, the leader of the A-class party Ade?
Unlike when Hyung faced , he answered with a distinctly hard and charismatic face.
Who are you?
I was surprised by the reaction of my brother.
He looks like a noble, can you speak rudely like that?
But the noble didnt seem to mind either.
Rather, he first stretched out his hand to Hyung and said,
I'm the head of the Nisty family, Count Hian.
Hian Nisty I had never heard about him before.
But I didnt feel like it was a place for to speak so I just stayed quiet.
But as if Hyung had recognized the na, he raised his eyes.
Hian Nisty... Is that you?
Then he grinned and took the middle-aged aristocrats hand.
You know .
Of course, I know you; Most of the quests I usually solve co from the Nisty family, after all.
Hian chuckled.
It's the sa for .
By the way, is there sothing urgent? As you can see, Im having dinner with my younger brother
Hyung once again said sothing that could be considered rude.
And once again, Count Nisty reacted like it was nothing.
Ah, I just wanted to say hello. I am always grateful for the good condition of the commissioned product.
Okay? Im glad you think so. Well, nice to et you too. I'll see you-
-Dad!
A sweet voice suddenly interrupted Hyung's words. My eyes followed the source of the voice and saw the silhouette of a woman in the dimly lit place. She was peeking out her pouting face from behind Hian.
What are you doing, Dad?
Rose..! I told you to wait!
A bewildered voice ca out of Hians mouth. Dignity disappeared like an illusion, and only gentleness remained on his face.
It was like watching my Hyung: Dignified in front of others, but a fun brother in front of .
And that woman also seed to be Hian's family mber, perhaps his daughter. Glancing at her
Uh?
My eyes widened.
Pink hair, pink eyes, moderate breasts, moderate height. Objectively, she might be slightly less in terms of appearance than Luss, Vienna, or Lily Noona, but she had a cute charm, which was unique to her.
Id seen girls with pink hair and pink eyes several tis, but this was the first ti Id ever seen soone who fit the Elza of my imagination so well.
Above all, this figure
I rembered it: It was the figure of the noble lady who ca to visit the inn I lived in a few days ago to enjoy the common peoples food.
I turned to Hyung in shock, who also rolled his eyes and glanced at in bewildernt.
We then talked with just eye gestures.
Starchis, isn't she the sa as the imaginary girlfriend you made up?
Hyung, your expressions...
Ah.
Hyung changed his expression to a blunt one again.
Hey, Hian. Who is behind?
Then he asked with a low dignified voice.
Umm!
Hian let out a moan as if Hyung had just discovered his hidden treasure, then let out a deep sigh.
My daughter.
He finished his speech briefly, but suddenly his daughter introduced herself.
Hello! My na is Rose Nisty!
She looked very cheerful person.
The stiff atmosphere collapsed in an instant.
Rose..! Be quiet!
But Hian berated her.
We didnt know how to react.
I was a bit embarrassed for no reason.
I felt like my lies had co true and it stabbed my conscience. It was a bit of an exaggeration, but it felt like I was lying about this woman in front of - Rose Nisty - that she was my girlfriend. I couldn't help after all; she resembled my imaginary girlfriend so much.
Hian said hastily.
That said goodbye, well not disturb you anymore then. Oh, before that.
This ti he looked at .
It was nice to et you too. Did Stion say you were his younger brother?
When he held out his hand, I shook it and answered.
Yes, I'm Starchis.
Nice to et you, Starchis.
Rose also naturally offered a hand to shake. But Hian grabbed Roses arm.
I finally understood what those two big bodyguards ant when they said the master is overprotective about the young day when Rose Nisty ca to the inn that day.
Seeing our confused faces, Hian quickly ca to his senses.
Ah, that Im sorry. Its because my daughter is weak. Its hard for her to touch anyone as she gets sick pretty quickly.
Even though he said that Rose looked quite healthy.
Well leave now. Well then, have a good ti.
Hian spoke hastily and quickly fled, dragging his daughter with him. But even as Rose Nisty was being dragged along, she waved at us.
No, it was more like she was waving her hand specifically at Or was I misunderstanding?
Haah.
I ca out of my thoughts at my brother's sigh.
You didnt make 'Elza' after seeing her, did you?
I sighed too.
Hyung should know that's not true.
The fortunate thing was that even though she looked the sa as my imaginary Elza, the na was different...?
I wondered if such a coincidence even made sense.
'But if she also had 'Elza' as her na, I would have been in big trouble.'
I didn't even want to imagine what would have happened then.
Shaking my head, I asked Hyung about the question that was lingering in my mind from the start.
Ah, Hyung. But he is a count, so can you speak so plainly? What if he thinks its rude?
Hyung was looking at the place where Count Nisty and Rose Nisty stood a few minutes ago, but at my question, he turned to .
Hmm you dont know, but your Hyung has a higher social status than that of a count.
Eh?
Just think about it, whose number would be more in this country; Nobles with Count as their status or A-class party leaders?
Besides, how precious would my power be to a country that relies heavily on gathering goods from the dungeons.
Was Hyung such a great person?
Hyung, then youre saying that you can talk to the nobles that way and it's normal?
Even if you just beco a mber of an A-class party, you have such privileges. And I am the leader.
Then he suddenly laughed mischievously. It was as if he was saying, This is how you brag.
****
Luss finally stopped.
Luss, who had let Starchis go away and was dragged unknowingly by her legs, was sad, half-dazed, and had no idea where she was going.
And now her legs had stopped.
She raised her head slowly to see where her legs had brought her to.
And in front of her eyes, Luss could see the door to Starchis inn.
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