Episode 36
Until now, I had never felt fear in my relationships with others. How I appeared in someone else’s eyes had never concerned me.
But Rian was always the exception. I found myself constantly wondering what he thought, and at the same time, I was afraid.
My heart feels heavy. Is this what it means to love someone—this weight?
“…Alright, just move aside now.”
I didn’t have the courage to meet his gaze. I looked away, silently waiting for him to step down from above me.
But instead, Rian grabbed my arm, pulling me up so I was forced to sit, then wrapped me in his arms.
“What are you—!”
Flustered, I tried to pull away, but he wrapped his other arm around my waist, holding me in place. I couldn’t escape.
Then, unexpectedly, he spoke.
“You seem like you’re crying.”
…What is he talking about? I wasn’t crying at all.
Did I really look like I was crying to him?
Just as I was about to deny it, a surge of emotion welled up uncontrollably. I grabbed his sleeve desperately, pressing my face against his chest. I felt like I couldn’t stop it any other way.
“Did you… start to hate me?”
He sighed softly at my question and gently ruffled my hair, as if to soothe me.
“No, never.”
So he hadn’t stopped caring for me.
Hearing Rian’s words immediately calmed the anxious storm in my heart. I closed my eyes, letting myself feel the softness of his touch.
“That doesn’t make what you did right. Even if there was a reason, taking someone’s life is never justifiable.”
I quietly nodded against his chest. I didn’t believe my actions were entirely right either—but it had been the best choice I could make, and I didn’t regret it.
“One day, you’ll have to pay for this.”
“……”
“But when that day comes, I’ll be there with you.”
…Wait. Did I really hear that correctly?
I looked up at him in surprise. He averted his gaze slightly, a faint blush on his face.
“I don’t mean it in a strange way… I just promised to bear your burdens with you. That’s all it means.”
A smile tugged at my lips despite myself. His unwavering kindness—his constant thought for me—made it impossible not to feel happy.
Rian always exceeded my expectations. And somehow, I didn’t mind.
It only made me fall for him all the more.
“…Yeah, I understand.”
I hugged him tighter, as if to erase any gaps between us.
“Lehel…?”
“Just stay like this a little longer.”
I knew he didn’t hate me, and that he wouldn’t ever let go of my hand. Yet a restless unease had been gnawing at me all along. Only later did I realize why.
❖ ❖ ❖
SYSTEM: Main Quest—Take a Human Life. Completed. (6/6)
The system window appeared as Rian and I emerged from the forest. The last priest I had pursued was finally dead.
I tore my eyes away from the system window, taking in the scene around me. Blood coated the ground, and the bodies of the priests lay scattered.
Among them, Elder struggled, poisoned by his own toxin.
“Elder.”
Rian moved away from the corpses to check on him. Though barely conscious, Elder recognized Rian and whispered:
“…Sorry… I couldn’t keep my promise.”
Rian frowned at his words. I stepped closer, sighing softly, and explained:
“He overused his ability and was poisoned by it. He might have some resistance, but he’s human, so recovery will be slow.”
Rian retrieved an antidote from Elder’s pocket and administered it. Despite his weakened state, Elder managed to swallow it.
“Rian… be careful. Others won’t stay idle…”
He gave me a brief glance before losing consciousness.
I understood immediately what Elder meant. Even knowing Rian was with me, Elder had remained silent. Not everyone would be as friendly.
If someone discovered the truth, could Rian still remain a hero? Elder’s words carried that warning.
“Humans will come soon.”
The priests had used powerful abilities against me; those who sensed the disturbance would inevitably arrive.
And Elder’s current state, if noticed, could cause trouble. I was still pondering what to do.
“…Shaila?”
Her presence radiated from the sea, strong and unmistakable. She should have been leisurely swimming in the depths, so I was puzzled.
“It’s still daytime.”
She couldn’t surface during the day—sunlight would burn her skin. Yet her presence grew closer.
…No way.
Just as she emerged, I found myself diving into the water, leaving Rian’s calls behind—even though I couldn’t swim properly.
The cold water tightened around my chest, but I ignored the pain, fixing my gaze on Shaila.
Beneath the waves, she looked breathtaking. Her sky-blue hair and eyes sparkled in the sunlight, captivating my attention.
…Has she gone mad? Did she give me her power just to dare me to die?
Seeing me dive, she smiled, grabbed my arm, and helped me rise to the surface.
“Are you crazy?”
I blurted out the words the moment we broke the water. She ignored me, holding me in her arms.
“You’re even worrying about me, little one.”
“What?”
I pushed her back, annoyed, but couldn’t deny the impossible sight: she stood under the sun, unharmed.
“You…”
She led me out of the water. Despite my soaked clothes, she looked almost human, her mermaid traits hidden.
“I can surface during the day now. Isn’t it more beautiful than in the sea?”
She looked like any human at first glance. I frowned, bewildered.
“You made me dive in for no reason.”
“Do you think I’d come out without thinking that through?”
She laughed warmly, her gaze filled with affection.
“Get out of the water already, you’re soaked.”
Rian appeared, draping his coat over my shoulders, a slight look of concern on his face.
…He doesn’t know why I jumped in.
From his perspective, I probably looked like a mad human leaping into the sea.
“It’s nothing.”
I shook my head at Shaila.
“Why did you come? Not because you wanted to die, I hope.”
“Hmm…”
She averted her eyes, pretending ignorance.
She didn’t hesitate to send me into danger, yet now she came to save Elder. I sighed, and she approached the unconscious Elder, smiling awkwardly.
“I’ll take this human.”
“…Why?”
Despite her fondness for humans, didn’t she exclude heroes?
She touched Elder’s bluish hand, and the poisoned areas returned to normal.
“If he stays here, he’ll die fast. With me, at least he won’t.”
Her help was crucial. With Rian and I exposed, we couldn’t stay.
“Humans on your side will be fine too, right?”
Shaila asked Rian. He paused, then nodded—entrusting her with Elder was the best choice.
“No objections?”
She picked Elder up effortlessly and leapt into the sea.
…Is it okay to toss an unconscious human into the water?
I worried, but with Shaila there, it seemed safe.
“Good. I’ll consider the debt repaid.”
“Don’t try escaping next time. If I call, come up immediately instead of hiding underwater.”
She pouted. Seeing someone so noble act childishly was amusing.
“Oh, right. I have something for you.”
She produced a familiar envelope—the hidden quest letter.
“Looks like you got popular after leaving the mountains. Getting admirers now?”
I laughed, realizing she assumed I was the protagonist of the letter.
I forced a smile.
“That’s yours.”
“…What?”
Her face scrunched up. The letter wasn’t impressive, apparently.
“Show it to Elder when he wakes up. His reaction will be interesting.”
She tilted her head, confused, as I gestured goodbye.
The sea swallowed Shaila and Elder in an instant.
I exhaled in relief, letting out a long pent-up groan.
“Ugh…”
Grasping my clothes, I staggered, and Rian caught me.
“Are you alright?”
I wanted to smile back at his concern, but couldn’t. Since diving in, it felt like my lungs were being constricted—Shaila’s power seemed to reject me.
Perhaps the sea refused to absorb someone who had taken a life.
“Why all of a sudden…”
I leaned into Rian’s embrace. I had kept up a brave front around Shaila, but now my body was at its limit.
“Take me back to the castle… quickly.”
As sleep threatened to pull me under:
SYSTEM: Hidden Quest Completion Reward Granted.
I squinted at the system window, then closed my eyes.
