---

Chapter 206

Honestly, being tied up with ropes indefinitely is quite bothersome. So, Yeon-woo asked for their names to check their crimes. The bald guy who got knocked out first was Bald, and the man with red energy radiating from him was Red.

“…Is that really your name?”

“It’s not my real name, but that is my Hunter registration name.”

Still, calling a bald guy Bald and a guy with red hair Red is a bit…

“Are you hurting yourself over there? Take care of yourself…”

“What are you talking about? We take pride in this hair!”

At Red’s indignant rebuttal, Yeon-woo cautiously shifted her gaze to Bald. Upon making eye contact, Bald turned away, unable to affirm anything. I can’t see any pride in this guy whatsoever.

“Just call us Double D when you refer to us…”

“Uh, uh, alright…”

In a peculiar atmosphere, Yeon-woo nodded. Anyway, with the seals on their arms released, the two Hunters quickly got back to their usual business, as if they were just waiting for the chance to rob someone.

It would be lovely if they could always sleep at the inn in town, but sadly, that wasn’t the case. Yeon-woo, accustomed to sleeping outdoors, still recognized that the kids needed a roof and a comfortable bed.

In that regard, Bald and Red were quite helpful. They would prepare things when it was time to rest, and their cooking skills revealed their well-honed experience.

This led to various conversations taking place. If they had already robbed someone, they would’ve reported it without hesitation, but thankfully, it seemed Yeon-woo’s group was their first target. At least that was a relief for her.

But this raised questions. Why had Hunters, who had been lawfully earning their keep, now fallen to becoming street robbers?

“I noticed there were a lot of bandits on the way here.”

“There’s a reason for that.”

After a brief pause, Bald began to speak, a hesitant look on his face. I wonder if he should say this or not.

“Recently, there has been such a drastic decline in the monsters in this region that they are nearly nowhere to be found. Because of that, even the Hunters are having quite the hard time.”

“…Hmm? You mean, there are no monsters around?”

“Yes. Honestly, this area near Transylvania is known for having a plethora of Gates. But now, even the monsters that used to be here are missing.”

“None in the field-type Gates either?”

Bald nodded heavily. That… can only be described as an incident. It suggests a significant change is happening in the Gate’s internal ecosystem. What in the world is going on? It crossed her mind, but then she realized—

‘Was there already a sign?’

While it would take months for a big incident to unfold, the signs appearing now might be clues to preemptively prevent it.

However, there was no way she could share this information with these guys. And it’s not like Yeon-woo could solve it since she couldn’t linger long in Transylvania.

“Well, it’s quite a troublesome time for various reasons. It might just be an excuse, but that’s why we did this sort of thing.”

Bald and Red muttered with bitter expressions, seemingly genuinely repentant. Of course, it’s impossible to gauge their repentance from a momentary attitude, so Yeon-woo casually dismissed it.

Still, if they could pretend to repent, she was willing to give them a chance.

“I have a favor to ask of you two.”

“A favor?”

The two, who thought of Yeon-woo as an easy target, swallowed hard. Considering it, it’s not much different from reincarnation.

*

Thanks to the two of them lightening the workload, the journey ended soon after. They parted ways at the next city. Until Yeon-woo and the others were out of sight, the two men nodded off several times.

“Is it really okay to send them off like that?”

Amir raised a question at that sight. They had been strict with the previous bandits, so wondering why they were being nice to these two was understandable.

“It’s fine. Why, are you worried?”

“Hmm, Sebek is a symbol of the crocodile, but he’s also a god who protects against them.”

“Meaning there’s no difference between crocodiles and bandits, right? That makes sense. You don’t seem to have a warm-hearted reaction.”

“Ha ha, I’m not in a position to be ambushed. It’s not easy to drop my guard.”

Well, that’s not entirely wrong. During the journey, Amir hadn’t seen Yeon-woo talking to the gang known as Double D, which was probably the cause.

“I don’t mind. Luckily, since they ran into me and didn’t commit a crime, they can repent or not; next time, they might end up dead somewhere.”

“Huh…”

“Even so, since I gave them a chance, I didn’t want them to die, so I asked for a little favor to make their lives worth living. Whether they take that to heart is up to them.”

“You were thinking that far ahead?”

“Above all, having those two around means the kids can’t come out. It must’ve been frustrating, right, kiddos?”

At Yeon-woo’s words, Tae-oh and Shar suddenly popped out. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, the two kids shook their heads.

“I don’t think Tae-oh, but I was fine!”

“Ugh, betrayed by my sister…! You were the one complaining first…!”

Seeing the two kids bickering, Yeon-woo smiled blissfully. They’re starting to look more like siblings. Perhaps in about six years, they’ll begin to hate each other. That’s how siblings are.

“Alright, Tae-oh, Shar. Here are some snacks. You must have had a tough time holding out.”

““Wow, snacks!””

“Oh no, you shouldn’t just give snacks like that…”

At Yeon-woo’s little murmur, Amir looked serious. Usually, it was Yeon-woo who provided snacks. In fact, Amir was sticking to the proper amount, while relative to that, it would be more accurate to say Yeon-woo’s snacks exceeded the quota.

“Why do you look at me like that? Anyway, we’ve finally arrived at the destination.”

“This is the destination?”

“I didn’t mention it?”

“No.”

I thought she had already said it because they were following so well. How unreliable human memory is. With this newfound realization, Yeon-woo advanced without hesitation.

“Priest, you do know about Golden Desire, right?”

“Oh, yes. Of course, I know. Although I’ve never even accessed the website.”

That was somewhat heartbreaking. How poor must one be to not even have the means to access a website with affordable goods?

“Actually, the reason I came here is because I received a gift from Golden Desire. It’s a Gate pass.”

“Aha. As expected of Ian. You have quite significant connections?”

Upon hearing Yeon-woo’s words, Amir’s eyes began to sparkle. This priest, while having a very innocent impression, was incredibly greedy in his reactions.

It was amusing that this wasn’t due to personal desire but rather concern for the Sacred Grounds, just like Yeon-woo. Anyone would think he was a greedy priest…

“On the way here, undead monsters probably won’t show up too much… Are you coming along? You probably won’t be much help.”

“Hmm…”

Since it wasn’t a matter to consider cautiously, Yeon-woo spoke frankly, perhaps a bit harshly.

Amir stroked his chin calmly upon hearing this. Given his generally kind demeanor, she thought he wouldn’t complain, but he seemed oddly placid.

“May I ask a few questions?”

“Yeah, of course. Feel free.”

“This is just a guess, but is this matter possibly related to the Demon King…?”

At those words, Yeon-woo couldn’t help but flinch. What’s this? There didn’t seem to be anything that would hint at that. Then Amir let out a deep sigh.

“Seems that’s right. Considering the journey up until now, it was extremely ordinary not to mention the Demon King before departure. But now that we’re here, it would mean something else is at play.”

“You’re quite perceptive…”

Though it was a near-assumption, even if it was just that, it would still match. Yeon-woo’s expression faltered as she failed to maintain her composure at the bluntness.

While watching around to confirm there was no one nearby, Amir cautiously opened his mouth.

“Um, do you know, Yeon-woo?”

Choosing to call her Yeon-woo instead of Ian, Amir had a very serious expression. In response, Yeon-woo also adopted a serious demeanor but had no way of knowing what was coming. She hoped they could avoid this kind of conversation.

“What is it?”

“To be honest, I’m quite worried. A fifteen-year-old child, regardless of how skilled they may be, or being the unique contractor of a Dragon, to speak of defeating the Demon King… it doesn’t sit well.”

Amir spoke with a serious voice, akin to a similar tone she had heard before. Who was it? Who said such things?

“No, thinking about it, that sounds odd. I’m not saying a child is mindlessly dreaming big either. It’s just a troubling thought. If possible, I’d prefer it to be dealt with by our generation rather than passing it on to the next one.”

…Ah, got it. Didn’t Richard Lionel, the head of the Lionel family, one of the Five Great Swordsmen say something like that? Feeling as though the helpless adults just burdened the fifteen-year-old child with everything.

The sense of guilt for not being able to hand over a beautiful world to the next generation was something Richard had displayed when pouring out his heart. Yeon-woo had seen that moment firsthand.

But that was about Noel. Listening to that tale, Yeon-woo also bore similar feelings for them. She sympathized with Noel. She felt respect for that figure who continues onward despite carrying such a burden.

However, she never thought that could also be applicable to her. She recognized that she wasn’t someone who could save the world but could indeed save numerous people.

The fact that Yeon-woo had been chosen as the ‘Hero’ was something no one, save Yuri and Noel, knew. Yet here, this priest instinctively, or whatever, spoke to her just like he was referring to the hero.

“May this foolish adult at least be able to serve as a meat shield.”

“…If that happens, then the head priest will try to kill me.”

“Even so, I can’t just let you handle it alone. I won’t be a hindrance, so please let me help.”

As Amir bowed sincerely, Yeon-woo found herself at a loss for words.

“…Alright.”

The only words she could muster were in a low voice. While Yeon-woo spoke to Amir, Tae-oh and Shar engaged in a whispered conversation that others couldn’t hear.

“She looks happy despite pretending otherwise, doesn’t she, Dad?”

“Really. How embarrassing.”

(Continued in the next chapter)

 

---