***
Five Days Earlier.
Milenia’s Residence.
In the middle of the night, while everyone in Milenia’s residence was fast asleep, soone suddenly woke up from a long coma.
That’s right! It was Agares.
After two weeks in a coma, he could see how his body had thinned out due to the lack of nutrients.
His body had stayed hydrated thanks to Milenia’s diligent care. She had been sitting Agares up and spoon-feeding him water, bit by bit, even in his unconscious state.
"Where... am I?" Agares whispered.
He turned his head, spotting a pitcher and glass on the nightstand beside the bed. Rolling to the side to reach for the pitcher, his weak hand instead knocked it over.
CLANG!
The ceramic pitcher shattered, spilling its contents. In the silent night, the sound echoed clearly. Milenia woke up when she heard it.
"What was that?" she asked.
Worried and curious about Agares’s condition, Milenia got out of bed and slipped back into her sleeping robe.
She always slept naked because the soft touch of the sheets and pillows made her feel at ease.
Once dressed, Milenia left her room and walked toward the room where Agares was being cared for. She opened the door and found Agares awake. Shock and joy mixed in her expression.
"Agares?" Milenia called, a wide smile blooming on her face.
"You?"
Without thinking, Milenia stepped forward and hugged him tightly, knocking Agares back onto the bed.
He was startled—not just by her presence but also by her appearance.
Through the thin, almost see-through robe she wore, Agares found himself swallowing hard at the sight of her well-shaped figure.
It made sense that Milenia maintained her body and looks—her job depended on it.
"I’m so glad you’re awake, Agares."
"What happened?" he asked, confused.
"I’ll explain everything tomorrow. For now, it’s best if you rest."
"Are you hungry? Thirsty? I can get you anything you need."
"So, I’m in your residence, huh?"
"Yes, and this is the safest place for you. So adventurers tried to take advantage of you while you were unconscious."
"Luckily, I arrived just in ti to stop them."
"Thank you, Milenia," Agares said softly.
"Of course. I still need you, rember?"
Agares nodded. He had cleared 74 floors, and from floor 60 onward, the floor boss with water affinity had been on floor 68.
He had already defeated that boss and obtained the high/rare quality water affinity gem that Milenia had requested. Their deal was nearly complete.
Agares was to exchange the water affinity gem for the Whispering Leaf of Shrine—a fair trade in his eyes.
However, considering his current state, he couldn’t carry out the trade just yet. Maybe in a day or two.
"I’m thirsty."
"Alright, I’ll get you sothing."
"Where’s Aoi?" Agares asked, worried.
"Don’t worry. She’s fine. She’s sleeping in the fox den in my room."
"Thank goodness."
Just as Milenia was about to leave the room, Agares spoke to her in a hoarse, weak voice. The quiet night allowed her to hear him clearly.
"Thank you for saving , Milenia."
Her heart softened at his words. She turned around, smiling brightly at him. She felt genuinely happy to have helped Agares.
"Of course. You can count on for anything, Agares."
Agares nodded and lay back down to rest. Milenia stepped out of the room to fetch him so water.
That night, Agares focused on recovery—drinking lots of water and eating high-carb and high-protein als to regain his strength.
Milenia knew that Agares wasn’t in his best condition yet. He needed several more days to recover. She was willing to help, no matter how long it took.
***
Two Days After Agares Woke Up.
Milenia’s Residence.
For the ti being, Milenia refused all guests. She wanted to focus completely on Agares’s recovery, without any distractions.
Aoi had already woken up and was so happy to see Agares awake that she cried. Agares smiled, comforting her and saying he wouldn’t die in such a stupid way.
Over the two days, Agares had been eating well. His arms and legs could now move steadily, and he could hold objects firmly and even walk—though slowly.
From the second floor of Milenia’s residence, Agares stepped out of his room and saw Milenia standing in front of a large glass window looking at the front courtyard. He saw her and rembered that he hadn’t given her the gem yet.
He patted his magic pouch and brought up the gem, which floated above his hand. With the gem in hand, he walked toward Milenia.
"I haven’t given you the gem yet," Agares said quietly.
Milenia looked surprised and turned around. She quickly caught him and guided him to stand beside her. Her eyes locked on the gem in his palm—it was indeed a high/rare quality water affinity gem.
"You’re still not fully recovered, yet you insist on giving this. You could’ve just called to your room."
"This is your house. You’re the host here. How could I tell you to co to ?" Agares replied.
Milenia’s heart raced, her eyes glistening from the emotion stirred by Agares’s words and actions.
Her cheeks turned a soft pink, not from alcohol, but from sothing deeper—a feeling of wanting to be seen, appreciated, and fully loved.
Milenia smiled warmly, touched by him. She seated Agares on a single sofa and displayed her inventory, taking out the Whispering Leaf of Shrine.
"I guess our deal is done, Agares," Milenia said with a smile.
Agares nodded. They exchanged items. Now, in Agares’s hand, was the final item needed to complete his pet contract materials with Aoi.
[Pet Contract Materials]
[Items:]
[1x Soulbound Crystal Core] [1/1]
[1x Whispering Leaf of Shrine] [1/1]
[Side Quest Completed]
"Finally," Agares said.
"YEAAAYY!" Aoi shouted excitedly.
Agares smiled as he gently patted Aoi’s head. She was clearly the happiest one—now that Agares had obtained the final item.
Aoi couldn’t wait to start the pet contract with Agares, but Milenia had a different opinion.
"A pet contract must be done through an interdiary, either a mage or a cathedral. I can help with that," Milenia explained.
"Then let’s start today!" Aoi said, full of energy.
Milenia smiled and reached out to stroke Aoi’s fur. She said she was happy to help anyti—but not right now.
"His current condition isn’t good enough to begin the contract. It’s better to wait until he’s fully recovered."
"Milenia’s right. Be patient, Aoi. When the ti is right, we’ll go through with the pet contract," Agares said.
Aoi let out a sigh, her enthusiasm fading. If Milenia said it wasn’t ti yet, she would obey.
Agares gave a faint smile, then looked at Milenia again. She seed to be watching sothing outside.
"What is it?" Agares asked.
"Your friend, Silva. She’s been coming every day begging to see you."
"What?" Agares quickly moved toward the window.
What Milenia said was true—Silva had been visiting repeatedly, talking to the gatekeepers. She wanted to et Agares, even if just for a mont.
But Milenia had made it clear—no one was allowed to see him except her. It was to protect his health.
Now that Agares was awake, Milenia couldn’t stop him. But she didn’t know what he planned to do.
"I’ve limited visitors for your own good. Too many people could make your condition unstable."
"Silva is a good friend. I’ve known her for a long ti. She’s the first friend I t after being thrown into this world," Agares said.
"So, what’s your answer?" Milenia asked.
Agares fell silent. Silva might be strong and heroic, but he still worried. He didn’t want people getting hurt just for being associated with him.
He didn’t want a repeat of what happened to Ara and Nadia’s family.
’I don’t want her to get dragged into this. I don’t want anyone else dying because of .’
Milenia smiled. She had a wild idea. After seeing Agares’s new skill, Shadow Clone, she had co up with sothing.
"I think I’ve got the perfect plan for you. Sothing that’ll drive away those adventurers hunting you... and end all the gossip."
"What is it?" Agares asked, curious.
"We fake your death."
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