Episode 59

“…So, I finally gave it away.”

After one burden disappeared.

The one who approached the declining dragon sitting in the abandoned ruins began to slowly reveal their presence.

Was it too late to notice because the other party, like herself, had not much life left?

Or because they had become too weak to even notice such things?

“So, how does it feel? To have entrusted the fate of a race to a foreigner, unrecognized as a hero and powerless.”

Whichever it was, it would be considered a humiliation for the dragon, but still, she did not try to shake him off.

After all, he was one of the few in this world who, despite the onslaught of disasters and the flow of time, still remembered that child.

“…Tashian Pheloi, a dragon who, at the end of your life, came to have a lifespan like a human.”

To her, all humans looked the same regardless of their names or appearances, but still, she wished to remember that insolent one.

If someone came to her preaching arrogantly, she decided it was worth remembering them—at least that much.

“Why do you continue this meaningless contract?”

Indeed, just as humans couldn’t distinguish one insect from another by sight, to her, humans with names and lives appeared no different.

Even if she had killed countless of them, it was impossible for her to feel guilt or compassion towards them.

“Do you not already know the answer in your heart? It might have been different if she were still alive, but to realize it after her death…”

“Hey, kid.”

Tacchia Pheloi.

Using the name given on a whim to her adopted daughter as an alias was not out of sympathy or to commemorate her death.

It was purely to fulfill the contract.

For the dragon, the contract was absolute, and it was essential not to forget him, of all people.

“Does your kind abandon your own children for over a decade just because you don’t want to face your own ugliness?”

She continued to suppress her power, defining her feelings in such a way.

“……”

“…Even if you talk about immaturity like that person, in the end, it seems you only interpret things as you please.”

Even if they lived the same amount of time towards the end, nothing changed.

As much as she had lived for an eternity, the flow of time during these collapsing fifty years also happened faster than what humans experience.

“That damned girl probably hated me in the end. In such a situation, any plea for sympathy, even to save her own kind, seemed trivial to me.”

Thus, it was a life that should have ended as it waned.

Conversely, the fifty years of maintaining consciousness as a dead person felt longer and more agonizing.

Even though the outcome was predictable, once it started, she couldn’t let it pass indifferently, like a life spent in emptiness.

“…Yes, even if I, as a human, claimed to understand you, it would ultimately be nothing more than conjecture.”

The old man, sympathizing with the fallen dragon, ultimately gave up on persuading her.

But he, too, remembering the hero’s nobility, couldn’t put aside the lingering feelings for the ‘mother’ she had risked her life to protect.

“So, before I leave, let me ask you one last thing.”

He turned his back without leaving immediately, looking back at her as she attempted to light a cigarette alone, for that very reason.

“Even if that young man dies, are you confident you won’t regret it?”

“……”

No answer came back.

A dragon, who looked down on humans, maintained silence in response to a question about humans.

Was that silence itself an affirmation, or did she simply not care?

“…I will regret it.”

Her mouth finally opened after the old man, tired of waiting, had left.

The dragon, now alone, put a cigarette in her mouth and lit it, saying,

“And, to avoid further regret, I shouldn’t drag it out.”

As the toxic smoke, made by burning weeds akin to poison, pierced her lungs, she tried to forget the turmoil in her heart that way, but still, someone’s name lingered in her mind.

“Don’t worry, kiddo.”

Woo Hyo-sung.

A name more deeply etched in her heart than that of her foster daughter, whom she tried not to forget even under a pseudonym.

“At least as long as you’re alive, humanity won’t perish.”

Her bitter murmur, along with the toxic smoke, dispersed into the wind.

When the time of destruction would arrive, only that one, burdened with fate, would not witness the demise and fall into despair.

After leaving Tachia’s forge, I took some time to check the equipment I had before following Airi’s prophecy.

The first thing I checked was the armor, which was my initial goal.

The armor, predominantly black, showed overwhelmingly superior performance in terms of durability, weight, and comfort compared to my previous armor.

Even the joints were made of tough tendons, allowing for better protection than ordinary joint guards and enabling free movement.

What was more astonishing was that the armor had special features akin to magical equipment.

‘That armor doesn’t need to be repaired for minor damages, as it has some degree of regenerative ability.’

‘Regenerative ability in armor?’

‘Well, it’s enough to remove minor scratches and save on repair costs, but as the number of scratches increases, so does the risk of breakdown, making it an excellent feature for adventurers who roll around a lot.’

For adventurers living on a tight budget, the prospect of saving money was welcome news in itself.

While it might be considered top-of-the-line gear for adventurers, there was still one regrettable aspect.

‘It’s a pity. If there had been a core, I could have greatly increased the regenerative power.’

…Hmm, right.

Let’s move past this part for now.

Dwelling on unavoidable aspects is harmful to mental health, after all.

“Next up is this.”

I turned my attention away from the armor to a dagger sheathed at my waist.

Acquired by chance from a fool along the way, it was a powerful weapon that secreted poison in response to the user’s magic.

Without magic, it was just a well-sharpened dagger, serving as a mere secondary weapon for now.

Despite consulting Tacchia out of curiosity, the response I got was cold…

‘If there had been a core, it could have compensated for the magic.’

“Ah, that damn core…”

I had received more than my fair share of rewards, so why was I so frustrated?

I even wished I hadn’t known its value, but remaining ignorant would only lead to more losses in the future.

After all, ignorance only leads to being taken advantage of.

Especially since Airi’s prophecy suggested that I might soon find a way to recover the core, I decided to consider this a cheap lesson and move on.

Whoong. Whoong.

Just as I was about to step into the guild, following the prophecy, I felt a vibration coming from behind.

Turning my gaze backward, I noticed the spear on my back trembling on its own.

The mithril Ego Weapon.

As per Airi’s prophecy, it was an item that Tacchia had fully transferred ownership to me.

Whoong. Whoong.

The continuous vibration of the weapon since leaving Tachia’s side made me wonder if my abilities were affecting it.

“…Are you happy to meet me again?”

Whoong. Whoong.

The mana causing the vibration felt more smooth than rough.

It felt familiar, like a phone vibration, making me burst into laughter unknowingly.

“Yeah, partner, I’m counting on you from now on.”

Now that this weapon was entirely mine, I felt it was okay to establish such closeness.

Unsure of what the future held but feeling alright for now, I entered the guild with my face hidden behind a mask.

‘Please, for my sake… survive with this weapon.’

Even though I didn’t know the reason.

I believed that surviving with this spear was the best way to repay her, who had shown me kindness.

Buzz.

The adventurer’s tavern I visited following the prophecy was still bustling.

Finding an empty seat, I ordered from a passing server and then took the time to reread the notes Airi had given me.

‘When you go to get the armor, that person will make you an offer involving the weapon you left behind.’

‘Whatever the reason, accept her offer. Securing that weapon will be the start of averting the dangers you will face.’

I had successfully armed myself as written in the first note, but I couldn’t be at ease yet.

According to her prophecy, this was just a ‘preparation’ to avoid the dangers to come.

To make this preparation meaningful, it was necessary to follow the instructions in the next note.

‘By the time you read this note, you should be in the guild’s tavern. Watch the situation there for a while, and if a hero-seeking party member approaches you, accept her offer.’

‘Joining her not only avoids many life-threatening dangers in future adventures but also provides an opportunity to obtain the ‘core’ that Mr. Hyo-sung has yet to acquire.’

“Your order is here~”

Just as the waiter delivered my food to the table, the more I read the note, the more my brow furrowed at the thought of forming a party with a hero…

Despite the negative perception of heroes, their abilities were undeniably exceptional, worth enduring their problematic attitudes.

From an adventurer’s standpoint, partnering with a hero was most beneficial, both in terms of rewards and safety.

The concerns were whether a hero willing to team up with someone known as a “hero killer” existed, and if partnering up could indeed lead to securing the core…

Could it be that the guild had lost the core to the hero mentioned in this note?

“Um, excuse me. Is there anyone here who would like to form a party with me?”

While mulling over the content of the note, I heard a faint voice.

Tucking the note into my pocket, I quickly turned to locate the source of the sound.

A girl in a cloak was making her way through the noisy tavern alone.

Her bright red hair tied in twin tails gave off a youthful vibe that seemed out of place among the rugged adventurers.

However, the responses she received from those she approached were nothing but hostile glares and sharp words.

“Uh, no one? Excuse me…”

“Get out of the way.”

“Eek, sorry!!”

The girl flinched and cringed at just a word.

Despite the pitiable sight of her trying to recruit party members without giving up, the adventurers around her showed no sympathy.

It didn’t take long for me to understand why.

“Look over there. It’s the failed hero.”

“Wow, she came to find a party looking like that? How thick-skinned can she be?”

…So she was a hero.

Certainly young, but even at a glance, her equipment appeared valuable.

Without noble sponsorship, acquiring such attire would be difficult, yet her demeanor and actions were unlike any hero I had encountered before.

Typically, when heroes came to recruit party members in taverns, they wouldn’t hesitate to bully or exploit others.

“Ah, that…”

Just as I was pondering these thoughts, the young hero’s gaze fell upon me.

Having just finished my drink, I quickly covered my face with my mask to avoid potential recognition and ensuing chaos… Wait a minute.

She looked somewhat familiar.

“Um, excuse me, but…”

Perhaps because my face was covered by the mask, she failed to recognize me.

Then, she timidly raised her hand, concealed by her cloak, and asked me cautiously while covering her mouth.

“…O-Oppa?”

“Pfft!”

At that moment, a heavy breath burst out from beneath the mask.

It was a reaction to her statement, causing my throat to contract and the saliva I was swallowing to block my windpipe.

“Are you okay?!”

“…I-I’m fine. Cough.”

Thanks to that, the inside of my mask was a mess, but I couldn’t take it off without revealing my identity to her.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s fine… If you have a request, just say it.”

“Ah, okay then.”

Regaining my composure, I took a deep breath and stared intently at the girl’s face.

She was probably the hero mentioned in Airi’s prophecy who would help preserve my life and retrieve the core stolen by the guild.

The same novice hero I had confronted when facing Merilyn.

“Um, Oppa…”

“If it’s okay, would you join my party?”

…No, wait.

Was she the same cheeky individual who had caused trouble for Merilyn back then?