Chapter 30 – Dinner (1)
“I won.”
-Tweet
Hearing the chirping of the sparrows in the morning, he said to his older brother.
The dazzling sun shone on us.
My brother and I were comparing the fish we caught overnight like beggars.
There were several catches, fish of various sizes, but no detailed comparison was necessary.
At a rough glance with sleepy eyes, my 7-year-old fish was the biggest.
“That’s right. Starchis, you won.”
The older brother smiled and admitted defeat.
“This size has been around for a long time.. No. It’s my first time. Right?”
“Oh, this is the first time.”
My brother patted me on the back.
“Looks like you’re lucky with B-class requests.”
And then he gave me a blessing.
I didn’t show it, but it helped my slightly anxious mind.
He clenched his fists and nodded lightly.
My brother says
“You are now in a class B party too.”
I wondered if my brother’s sudden words were a little hasty.
“Not yet. You have to finish the request to be in B rank.”
My brother quietly looks at me.
“You’re not going to die. Then it’s a B-level party.”
I blinked for a moment and thought.
Of course, it won’t come when you die.
“… That’s right. It’s a B-level party.”
My brother cheered me up a little seriously, so I asked a little serious question.
“… What were you thinking about taking on the B-level challenge?”
“Well?”
Maybe it’s because I think I can hear the mindset that will help me too.
The older brother rolled his eyes and thought deeply before replying.
“Umm… I don’t remember?”
“Okay..?”
It was a little disappointing, so I replied in a crawling voice, and my brother added an additional comment.
“So… I never got blocked until I went up to Class A.”
It didn’t help any more. Still, I thought I was talking seriously about my older brother, so I just nodded my head.
But suddenly, the older brother licked his lips and said in a slightly subdued voice.
“…But that’s not good either. I don’t know how high the sky is. You didn’t know my fountain.”
“…”
I looked at my older brother at the quiet voice. However, the older brother looked out over the river and seemed lost in his own thoughts. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him from hyung, who always jokes around or smiles.
My older brother is doing this… He must have remembered the failed S-class request.
An S-class quest that happens once every few years.
Back then, dragons were the subject of subjugation.
For S-class quests, gathering is no longer the goal, but subjugation.
It is a request that can only be made when the existence of that monster is a threat, or when it is a monster that must be eliminated.
A large number of precious A-class parties challenged and most of them tasted annihilation.
My brother’s party was no exception.
No one from his brother’s party came back alive except for his brother.
It was a miracle that he came back from a failed mission, so his older brother came up with a nickname out of reverence.
‘Survivor’ Stion.
Of course, my brother hates that nickname.
I had a lot of trouble. He used to act like a madman.
The word revenge was always visible in his eyes.
I knew then that my brother would do something crazy and die.
Fortunately, in the end, he joined another A-rank party as a mercenary and subdued the dragon before returning to normal.
After that, I organize a party again and only do safe missions, doable missions, A-class and B-class party rescue missions. Challenging missions are laid down.
My brother looked me in the eyes as if he had finished a long reminiscence and said.
“So you always say. Life is the most important Starchis, you made your own decision, so I won’t say anything more, but always remember what you said. Life is the most important Don’t fight if you think you can’t win. Even if you want to run away when the fight starts, most of them won’t work against monsters.”
This time I tapped my brother’s arm.
Thank you for worrying about me.
“Okay.”
****
The day went by with a good night’s sleep, and the next day came.
Today was the day to have dinner with Vien, Lily, and Russ.
I roughly set the time, and I decided to treat it, so I just need to prepare the food.
At first, I was going to ask the inn lady, but I thought it would be better if I made the food because it was a meaningful event.
“Shall we go?”
-Kikkik
I opened the door and left the inn.
I was thinking of going to the market to buy groceries.
When I came out, the weather was nice and I felt good.
Through meditation, I got rid of my anxiety and tension a little bit.
Because I, the party leader, shouldn’t show anxiety.
I started walking towards the market.
I have some confidence in cooking.
I lived alone for a long time, so even though the first floor was a restaurant, I often cooked and ate something.
At one point, I came to the idea of making delicious food, so I worked hard for a while.
Well, first of all, it’s much better than Bien.
“It’s a nice day, Mr Starchis.”
“It is a nice day.”
People who recognize me greet me as I go.
They walked away smiling or waving in response.
Then, I decided to cook the food.
Actually, I had some thoughts on it.
It’s okay on special occasions, but it’s a food that you don’t usually eat often.
Honey Beef Steak.
I think adding a little health food to it would be enough.
The physical condition felt while walking was the best.
It felt better than last week.
Confidence gradually developed.
How are Vienne, Russ, and Lily noona doing?
You should be in as good shape as I am.
.
.
.
“Did you buy them all?”
I rummaged through the ingredients in the small leather pouch and checked them one by one.
“Bought, bought, bought… Oh, that’s what’s left.”
It seemed like everything was bought, but one thing was missing.
Beverage.
Even though I couldn’t drink alcohol, it was a pity to drink water.
I walked around the market again to buy a refreshing drink or a drink that was good for the body.
It was a place full of people.
Various merchants promoted their products with a crack in their throats,
The guests struggled and thought first.
It’s a lively place, so I was walking with a smile on my face when someone tapped me on the back.
“..?”
Turning around, there was a woman familiar to her.
“Mister Starchis..?”
The woman who always waited outside the church when he brought Bien.
She was said to be a close friend of Bien, but the name must have been…
“…Carrie…?”
“It’s Casey.”
“Ah. Sorry.”
Quickly, I scratched her nose lightly.
“No. It’s okay. In fact, you never even made a statement.”
It was a rather rare encounter.
Why are you here?
Since she lives in a church, there would be no reason for a saintess to cook.
That’s why Bien’s food tastes like that.
“Say it formally, then. My name is Starchis.”
Stretched out her hand
“My friend Bien, this is Casey.”
She gently took my hand and shook it.
Then she spoke to break up the awkward atmosphere.
“I didn’t expect to meet you here.”
“I know, right. What are you doing here?”
“Ah. Today, I came to prepare food to eat with other party members, including Bien.”
She lifted her bag slightly and said.
“Miss Casey…?”
“I’m going to buy some snacks to eat with Bien. I just wanted to… Cheer up a little.”
Casey was powerless to convey those words.
Cheer up? What do you mean?
“What’s going on with Bien?”
I asked a little more seriously.
I have a B-class request scheduled, but I can’t overlook anything.
So, Casey was started and threw her hand away.
“Ah! No! So… You look a bit unwell, but I’m eating a lot right now, so my body is healthy. Even now, I came to buy what Bien said he wanted to eat.”
I nodded.
You just need to be healthy.
Whether it feels good or bad doesn’t really mean much to the battle.
When a battle takes place, I’m immersed in the situation and I can’t even think about how it feels.
Of course, if everyone can go to the best condition, it will be the same, but it will be the same no matter what the challenge is.
Some people feel nervous, some feel anxious.
It’s a pity, but I think Bien is like that too.
Anyway, pretending to be strong, but on the inside, it’s because Bien is soft.
If you take a bad word on the street, you’ll be gloomy Vienne all day long.
I decided to pay more attention this evening.
“I’m glad you know now. You mean your body is healthy?”
“Yes. I ate a lot…”
Bien, who ate a lot, had no imagination, but nodded.
The topic has fallen off again.
But I had my doubts.
I’ve never been close to Casey or spoken to her, so why did she call me up?
If it had been this far, I would have passed by saying that I would do it even if I found it.
I thought Casey had a purpose for calling me.
So let’s look at her longingly, she said, loosening her throat.
“That… Starchis?”
“Please speak.”
“Recently, I heard from Bien that you had a girlfriend…”
I was a little taken aback, wondering if my lie had spread this far.
He creaked and nodded.
I have to lie to people I never even thought of.
“Yes?”
“First of all, congratulations.”
For now?
It’s a word that seems to come out negatively.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“By the way…”
See
However, he hesitated, fidgeting with her next words.
As if it’s a hard word to say.
It might sound unpleasant, so I prepared my mind.
I was worried that I didn’t know what kind of person Casey was.
After a while, she spoke cautiously.
“…I’m not going to be presumptuous… But please don’t push Bienne away too much.”
“..Yes?”
Pushed it out
It seemed that he knew roughly what he was talking about.
Because I no longer make appointments to meet separately.
“These days, Bien hasn’t gone out to meet Starchis? Maybe that’s why Bien is bored. It bothers me so much, haha..”
Casey said with a smile.
Looking at it now, her face even looked a little emaciated.
It can be annoying if someone you don’t normally have near you.
Especially if you are close friends living together.
However, this part should not be overlooked.
Besides, there are excuses that have already been made once.
“I’m sorry. My girlfriend hates me seeing other girls alone. It’s a bit like making an appointment with Bien alone. Maybe once or twice later.”
“..Then is it okay if I go with you too? It’s not just the two of us, but friends.”
Casey suddenly strained her eyes and looked at me with her straight eyes, she asked.
Maybe she even seemed a little desperate.
I was a little surprised
She said that Bien is annoying, so what is she? She said to me, but she eventually asked if it was okay if she went up to herself. Because I knew
As I always thought, I can’t avoid Bien, Russ, and Lily sisters for the rest of my life.
I don’t think so.
As long as I can play for the right amount of time, I’m happy too.
However, I was shocked to be offered a proposal that would ease the burden of lying.
Also, with Casey, I felt like I could lessen the burden of playing for so long that I was exhausted.
I was worried.
“… Mr. Starchis?”
After hesitating for a long time to answer, Casey asked first.
“I’ll ask my girlfriend once, and I’ll answer later.”
In the end, I delayed my answer.
“…Yes.”
It was Casey who looked a little sullen.
I fixed the leather pouch.
“Then… Is the business done?”
“Yes. Oh And Mr. Staches.”
“Yes?”
“B-class request… Please take good care of our B.”
The last was Casey who was worried about his friend her.
Is it because she is also a saint?
No. If it’s an acquaintance, everyone will be like that.
She spoke confidently to reassure her.
“Do not worry.”
****
Trudge.
The road to Stachis’ house, which was always pleasant, felt a little different.
It seemed more like it because I cried while going back up this road a few days ago.
But even so, the thought of meeting Stachis later made her heart beat a little bit resentful.
The more you keep doing this, the more difficult it is for me.
I fell for Stachis too deeply.
Of course.
I had no intention of wanting to go back to the time when I wasn’t falling for Starchis, but I just whined because I was in so much pain right now.
When I looked up, I saw Starchis’s inn.
The inn lady was still inside.
I had work to do.
He approached her cautiously and said.
“… I’m sorry.”
“Oh, lady. But… What are you sorry about… ?”
She was having a hard time talking, so she wiggled her hand.
“That..! Not too long ago… Ignoring what you said…”
“Ah~ then? Ah it’s done There must have been a situation.”
Glancing at her, her face was full of her smile.
I was grateful for accepting it so easily, but I didn’t think I could say that.
I briefly bowed her head to say hello and now went upstairs to Stachis’s door.
As I climbed the stairs, I was slightly out of breath.
The nightmare of a few days ago seemed to be reviving.
What if I go now and hear that sound again?
I prayed a little again.
A prayer that was not heard back then.
‘Please don’t hear any strange noises… Please strange…’
As she prayed, she arrived at his door in no time.
Fortunately, unlike then, no sound could be heard from in front of his door, but her heart still did not stop.
I took a deep breath, moved my hand back and forth a few times, hesitated, then put my hand on the door.
-Smart smart.
I didn’t have the strength to knock on the door like before.
Her heart she continued to beat.
Her ears buzzed her.
At that time.
-‘Wait a minute~’
Sweet voice.
Thump thump
The sound of someone approaching the door.
-Kikkik
The sound of a door opening.
The smell of food wafted from inside.
Starchis still seemed to be alone.
“Bien, are you here?”
And Starchis, who smiles brightly.
The light from the magic lamp behind him illuminated him like a halo.
It was such a beautiful smile,
That smile hurt me so much.
