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As the sparrows chirped in the morning, I declared confidently to Hyung, I'll win.
The dazzling sun shone on us, and my brother and I compared the fishes we caught overnight like kids.
There were several catches, fish of various sizes, but no detailed comparison was necessary. Even at a rough glance with sleepy eyes, my 7-year-old fish was the biggest.
"That's right. You won, Starchis," Hyung smiled, conceding defeat.
This size has not been caught for a long ti... No. Its my first ti. Right?
Oh, this is the first ti.
Hyung patted on the back and said, Looks like the B-class mission is lucky for you.
I didnt show it, but it indeed helped my slightly anxious mind.
I also felt a sense of pride and relief. It was my first ti catching such a sizable fish.
I clenched my fists and nodded lightly.
He then surprised by saying, Ti sure flies... You beca the leader of a B-class party so soon.
I wondered if his words were a little hasty. "Not yet. We have to finish the mission first to be a B-class party," I reminded him.
He looked at quietly and said, "You're not going to die. So in my eyes, it's already a B-class party."
His words made pause and ponder. It seed that he actually believed in and my ability to handle the challenges ahead.
Just don't be too confident because of my words. Then, everything will be fine.
When Hyung cheered up in a little serious tone, I couldn't help but ask a serious question as well.
"Hyung, what were you thinking when you took on your first B-class mission?"
Well...
I thought hearing his mindset of that ti would help too.
He paused and thought deeply before answering. "Hmm...I don't rember...?"
You don't..?
It was a little disappointing, so I replied in a small voice, and Hyung, perhaps sensing that, added an additional comnt.
Actually I never got blocked until I beca an A-class hunter.
His comnt didn't help much, but I appreciated his effort to share his experience and nodded my head.
I thought the topic was over, but suddenly, he licked his lips and spoke in a subdued voice.
But thats not good either. In my overconfidence, I forgot how high the sky was.
Hearing his quiet voice, I looked at my older brother. However, he was lost in his thoughts, staring at the river.
It was unusual to see Hyung, who always jokes around or always has a smile on his face, being so quiet and serious.
If Hyung was behaving like this... He must have rembered the failed S-class quest, which involved subjugating dragons, a rare and dangerous beast.
S-class quests were only issued when the target was a significant threat that needed to be eliminated. The gathering was no longer the objective; subjugation was.
A large number of precious A-class parties had attempted the challenge, and most of them had t their demise.
Unfortunately, my brother's party was no exception. No one survived the mission except for him, and even it was called a miracle that he had made it back alive. And as a tribute to his survival, Hyung was given the nickna: "Survivor" Stion.
Hyung hated that nickna. He began to act like a madman.
The word revenge was always visible in his eyes.
I knew then that my brother would do sothing crazy and die. Fortunately, in the end, he joined another A-rank party temporarily and subdued the dragon before returning to normal.
After that, he organized his own party again and only did safe missions, doable missions, and A-class and B-class party rescue missions. And he stopped attempting difficult missions unless it was to rescue another party.
My brother looked in the eyes as if he had finished a long reminiscence and said.
"You always say it, Starchis. Life is the most important thing... You have made your own decision, so I wont say anything more. But always rember what you yourself said and never get into a fight if you think you cant win. Because, even if you want to run away when the fight starts, it probably won't work against monsters."
I tapped my brothers arm to assure him.
"Okay, Hyung."
I was really thankful for his concern.
****
The day passed by with a good nights sleep, and the next day arrived.
Today was the day to have dinner with my party mbers. And the most important thing for a successful dinner was the food.
At first, I was going to ask the inn owner, but I thought it would be better if I cooked the food since it was a aningful event.
'Let's go.'
-Crick
I opened the door and left the inn. My destination was the market where I could buy groceries.
The weather was nice, and I felt my mood improve as I ca out.
Earlier, to get rid of my anxiety and tension, I had already tried using ditation. Because as the party leader, I shouldn't show anxiety, but unexpectedly, it was this nice weather that helped lighten my mood.
With a soft smile on my face, I started walking towards the market while thinking about what to cook.
Actually, I had so confidence in my cooking.
Because I lived alone for a long ti, and even though the first floor was a restaurant, I often cooked and ate by myself.
At one point in life, I also ca to like the idea of cooking delicious food, so I worked hard for a while and that beca the source of my confidence.
Well, first of all, my cooking was much better than Vienna's, so even if others weren't impressed, I was already sure to impress her today.
Good day, Mr. Starchis.
Good day to you too.
People who recognized greeted as they saw . And I walked away smiling or waving in response.
While I did that, I also ca up with what to cook today: Honey Beef Steak. Although it wasn't sothing that people ate regularly, it was perfect for a special occasion like this.
'Hmm, preparing so healthy side dishes with it should be enough.'
Perhaps because I was eating healthy food nowadays and was taking proper rest, while walking, I felt my physical condition was better than even last week. Confidence to clear the B-class mission gradually developed in my heart.
I wondered how Vienna, Luss, and Lily were doing. I hoped they were in as good shape as I was.
.
.
.
.
'Did I buy everything?'
I rummaged through the ingredients in the leather bag and checked them one by one.
Bought, bought, bought Oh, this is whats left.
It seed like everything else was bought, only one thing was left: a beverage.
Even though we couldnt drink alcohol because of the dangerous mission we would be participating in, it was a pity to just drink water.
I walked around the market again to find a refreshing drink or a beverage that was good for the body.
The market was bustling with people. Various rchants promoted their products in loud voices, while the custors struggled to decide what to buy.
Looking at such a lively place, I was walking with a smile on my face when soone tapped on the back.
..?
Turning around, I saw a woman who looked familiar.
Mister Starchis..?
It was the woman who always waited outside the church whenever I visited it with Vienna.
But even though she seed to be Vienna's close friend, I couldn't rember her na.
Carrie?
Its Casey.
Ah, sorry.
I scratched my nose lightly in embarrassnt.
No, its okay. In fact, you never even asked for my na.
She was right; we never talked. So, wasn't it a rather rare encounter?
Why was she here?
Since she lived in the church, there would be no reason for a saintess to cook or buy groceries. That was also why Viennas food tasted like that.
I'll introduce myself formally, then. My na is Starchis.
I stretched out my hand.
Vienna's friend, Casey.
She gently took my hand and shook it.
Then I spoke to break the awkward atmosphere.
I didnt expect to et you here.
I know, right? What are you doing here?
Ah, today I ca to prepare food to eat with other party mbers, including Vienna.
I lifted my bag slightly and said, And what about Miss Casey?
I just ca to buy so snacks to eat with Vienna to cheer her up a little.
Casey's shoulders slumped as she conveyed those words.
Cheer up? What did she an?
Whats going on with Vienna?
I asked a little more seriously.
I had already accepted a B-class mission, but I couldnt overlook it. If anything serious was going on with Vienna, I would have to postpone the mission.
Casey was startled at my serious tone and waved her hand.
Ah! No! So She looks a bit unwell, but she's eating a lot right now, so her body is healthy enough. Even now, I ca to buy what Vienna said she wanted to eat.
I nodded.
It was okay as long as she was healthy. Because one's mood didn't really matter in the battle.
'When a battle takes place, everyone is imrsed in the situation and they can't even think about what their mood is like.'
'And so people feel nervous or anxious when they have to challenge sothing big.'
It seed Vienna was like that too; she always pretended to be rough and strong on the outside, but on the inside, she was soft.
If soone said a bad word to her on the street, youll see a gloomy Vienna all day.
I decided to pay more attention to Vienna at dinner and said.
Im glad you told . But are you sure her body is healthy?
Yes. You know how we can't eat when our body is sick...but she ate a lot
I had no imagination of Vienna who ate a lot, but I still nodded my head.
Even though the topic she brought up was important, I had my doubts. Because if Vienna was okay as she said, there was no need to bring it up, right?
And I had never been close to Casey or spoken to her, so why would she want to talk to so suddenly? Unless she had a purpose for calling , it didn't make sense.
So, I just kept staring at her to continue.
Casey said, loosening her throat.
That Mr. Starchis?
Please speak.
Recently, I heard from Vienna that you had a girlfriend
I was a little taken aback, wondering if my lie had spread this far.
I stiffly nodded.
Now, I had to lie to people I had never even talked to before.
First of all, congratulations.
First of all??
Her words and face seed like it was a bad thing.
Yes. Thank you. I nodded again and gestured for her to continue.
By the way
However, she hesitated, fidgeting with her next words. As if it was sothing hard or embarrassing.
It might even be bad news, so I prepared my mind. I was worried even more because I didnt know what kind of person Casey was and I couldn't predict what was going through her mind.
After a while, she spoke cautiously.
I do not want to be presumptuous But please dont push Vienna away too much.
..Yes?
Push Vienna away?
I knew roughly what she was talking about. It must be because I no longer made appointnts to et her separately.
These days, Vienna hasnt gone out to et Mr. Starchis, right? Maybe thats why Vienna is bored. She bothers so much, haha..
Casey said with a smile.
Looking at it now, her face even looked a little emaciated.
'Well, it can be annoying to have soone near you whom you dont normally have.'
'Especially if you are close friends living together.'
However, even if I understood her circumstances, I couldn't accept her request. Because I had already refused Vienna once while making an excuse, and if I accepted this request now, Vienna would know I was lying.
Im sorry. My girlfriend hates seeing alone with another girl. If you want to hang out with Vienna alone... Maybe I'll do it once or twice later... But not now.
...If being with her alone is the problem... Then is it okay if I go with you too? Itd not be just the two of you alone then, but it'd be like you are going out with friends.
Casey looked at with straight eyes and asked. She even seed a little desperate.
I was a little surprised.
She said that Vienna was annoying, so why would she do this?
In fact, her proposal was not bad. As I always thought, I couldnt avoid Vienna, Luss, and Lily for the rest of my life. So as long as I could spend the right amount of ti together, I was happy too.
So, I was shocked to be offered a proposal that would ease the burden of lying. Also, with Casey, who looked quite reasonable and seed to be wanting to help a friend, I felt like I would be able to lessen the burden on my body a little too.
Mr. Starchis?
When I hesitated for a long ti to answer, Casey asked first.
Ill ask my girlfriend once, and then Ill tell you.
In the end, I delayed my answer.
Yes.
Even though Casey looked a little sullen, I fixed the leather bag and asked:
Then See you later?
Yes. Oh, And Mr. Starchis.
Yes?
On the B-class mission Please take care of Vienna.
Casey, who looked worried about her friend, spoke hesitantly.
Was it because she was also a saintess?
'No. If its an acquaintance, everyone will be like that.'
Don't worry. I'll keep everyone safe.
I spoke confidently to reassure her.
****
-Trudge
The route to Starchis house, which always stirred Vienna's heart with excitent, felt sowhat distinct today.
It might be because she had cried on this road a few days ago.
Despite this, the thought of eting Starchis later made her heart race with excitent.
Vienna hated it. She couldn't help but feel that she had fallen for Stachis too deeply.
Of course, she had no intention of going back to the ti when she wasn't in love with him. But right now, she couldn't help but whine because she was in so much pain.
As Vienna looked up, she saw Starchis's inn. But before going to his room, she still had work to do.
Vienna approached the innkeeper cautiously and said.
Im sorry.
Oh, lady But What are you sorry about ?
Vienna wiggled her hand. She seed to be having a hard ti speaking.
That..! Not too long ago Ignored you when you spoke
Ah~ then? Ah, its okay. There must have been a situation.
Glancing at the innkeeper, Vienna realized her face was full of smiles.
She was grateful that the innkeeper accepted the apology so easily, but she didnt think she could express that. She briefly bowed her head to greet her and went upstairs to Starchiss room.
Climbing the stairs made Vienna slightly out of breath, and mories of the nightmare from a few days ago started to haunt her.
'What if I heard that sound again?'
She began to pray, hoping that she wouldn't hear anything strange.
Please dont let there be any strange noises Please
As she prayed, she arrived at Starchis' door in no ti.
Fortunately, unlike then, no sound could be heard, but her heart still did not stop.
She took a deep breath, moved her hand back and forth a few tis, hesitated, then knocked on the door twice.
-knock knock
Though, these knocks were quite gentle. Unlike before, she didnt have the strength to knock on the door harshly.
Her heart continued to beat.
Her ears continued to buzz.
And-
-Wait a minute~
-Instead of strange noises, Starchis' sweet voice was heard.
-Tap Tap
Her heart started beating even faster as she heard the sound of soone approaching the door.
-Tap Tap Crick!
Soon, the wooden door was opened with a 'crick' sound, and the sll of food wafted out.
Starchis seed to be alone.
Vienna felt relieved and looked at Starchis again.
The light from the magic lamp behind him illuminated his face like a halo, making him look even more beautiful.
"Hi, Vienna! Are you here?" Starchis asked, greeting her with a bright smile.
It was such a beautiful smile.
Then, why?
Why did that smile hurt so much?
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