---

That day, Zion appeared before me in such a state, and the next morning, he immediately set off on an expedition again, not returning until the weekend.

However, it was conveyed through Serin that his suggestion to go to the hot spring was a genuine one, so today I was all set to go sightseeing with Zion.

What on earth happened that day, and what did he want to say by calling me out?

There were so many thoughts swirling in my mind.

“Teacher~!”

While I was waiting at the agreed place, Zion suddenly hopped in front of me with a cheerful rhythm.

He looked brighter than I had expected.

“You seem happy, Zion.”

“Of course I’m happy! It’s the day I’m going out with Teacher Hop!”

Had Zion forgotten what kind of state he had last shown me?

If he truly felt good, that was great, but his unusually bright demeanor made me feel like he was trying too hard.

As we traveled through the magic tower, Elder Leonard was there just like a year ago, greeting Zion warmly the same way as before.

“Zion! This time you’re walking on solid ground!”

“Hello, Elder Leonard.”

“Did you make good use of the things I prepared?”

“Yes. I used them well. I owe you a lot.”

After finishing the greetings with Zion, Elder Leonard turned to me.

“Zion seems to be all better, but the doctor is here too! Have you two become quite close?”

“Well, we’ve become good friends, I guess.”

“Really? Are you two dating or something?”

“How did you know?”

“Hahaha! Two grown adults went naked into the water together and slept in the same room! Isn’t it only natural? I knew it would turn out like this!”

“Haha…”

After exchanging simple greetings with the Elder, we entered the empty hot spring just like last year, unpacked our things, and secured a room.

A short trip for one night and two days. Even though it was a last-minute plan, it seemed dwarves didn’t really enjoy hot springs as there were none around.

Still, the fact that this hot spring facility was always well-maintained must stem from the pride and responsibility dwarves feel for what they’ve created, even if they use it infrequently.

“Zion, by the way, there’s something I wanted to ask…”

“Let’s talk about it later.”

“…….”

Arriving at our destination, I thought about starting the conversation, but Zion didn’t begin right away.

To be honest, when I first thought about going to the hot spring, I was piled up with fatigue and just wanted to relax, but the more I thought about it, the more I was disturbed by why Zion had appeared in such a state and vanished again so quickly; it felt like my insides were burning with worry.

I wanted to grab Zion’s shoulders and ask him what happened immediately, but since he didn’t seem to want to talk, I couldn’t press him and felt frustrated.

It seemed that he would want to have the serious discussion at night.

“Is there beer here?”

As Zion received a meat-heavy lunch from the dwarves, he ordered some beer.

“Is it insulting to ask a dwarf if they have beer? But since it’s you, I’ll let it slide.”

“Haha, I made a mistake not knowing. Then please bring it quickly.”

“Of course! Every beer is top-notch, but I’ll get something special, so look forward to it!”

“Thank you!”

Soon, a mystery of where all this beer was coming from was solved as a refreshing beer was poured into a small oak barrel-shaped cup.

Naturally, a beer mug was placed in front of me too.

“I didn’t ask for this.”

“Are you planning to insult me too? Just drink it!”

“Haha, I didn’t know! Well then, thank you.”

Reluctantly taking the beer confidently offered by the dwarf manager…

‘?!’

The most surprising thing was that the beer tasted sweet, not bitter, and it had a hint of acidity.

Was it caramel flavor with fruit notes?

It didn’t feel light like fruit soju; instead, it was hefty but refreshing with a fizzy finish, smoothly going down my throat and leaving a bitter aftertaste.

So this is what top-quality beer from a dwarf who takes beer seriously tastes like.

“Ah~”

Zion also seemed to enjoy the beer, holding up his cup with foam covering his mouth, giving the best reaction.

“Speaking of which, it seems like you can handle your alcohol pretty well, Zion.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. Didn’t you keep taking shots of the mulled wine the teacher prepared while saying it was delicious?”

“Hehe, heroes don’t get drunk, you know. Didn’t you know?”

Heroes don’t get drunk. Zion, seemingly not pleased with that fact, showed a faintly bitter smile for a moment before lifting one of the many beer mugs and gulping it down, then continued speaking.

“It seems that getting drunk is considered a kind of mental breakdown. It’s not something I particularly wanted to know.”

“I guess you found out the hard way?”

“Yeah, sort of. It’s no big deal. I learned about it right after I became an adult.”

“If that was the case…”

If I’m not mistaken, that would have been the year the war ended, when Zion turned 18. That means right after becoming an adult was during the time when he was wrecked after driving out the Demon King.

Zion was still drinking beer and laughing, even though he was stone-cold sober.

“Hehe, but it’s a relief, right? If I could forget the pain by getting drunk… my condition would’ve been much worse when I met you, Teacher.”

“Definitely…”

If Zion had also been struggling with alcohol addiction in that state… I didn’t even want to imagine that scenario.

He might have ended up in a condition where rehabilitation was impossible. I should be grateful for his hero perks.

Anyway, while Zion was happily downing the beer as if he was already drunk, he was nodding his head back and forth as if he actually had a buzz.

“But sometimes, there are times I want to be drunk. Why can I see visions but can’t get drunk? This world is truly cruel~”

Heroes can’t be afflicted by curses, nor fall victim to mental debuffs. But hallucinations or seizures due to one’s own illness can occur.

As Zion said, it’s indeed a cruel judgment.

And the fact that he was bringing this subject up now meant he wanted to get drunk now.

“I want to get drunk too right now.”

“Oh really?”

And that was the case for me too.

Since Zion asked me to come to the hot spring, I had been tormented with impatience and unease for nearly a week.

I couldn’t afford to get so drunk I lost consciousness, but I needed to be a little tipsy since it was hard to stay sober.

The beer tasted good and felt smooth, so it seemed like something I could drink as much as I wanted.

And indeed, it was alcohol; my mood quickly improved, and I felt relieved and slightly elated as well.

I grabbed a large, thick piece of meat, took a bite, drank some beer, laughed and chatted with Zion, and then drank again.

After finishing our meal, I stretched out on the blanket for a nap, and when I woke up, the sun was already setting.

“Woke up?”

As if waiting for this moment, Zion was sitting by my head.

“This time you waited properly. You’re not shaking uncontrollably without me.”

“Are you disappointed?”

“I don’t wish illness upon Zion, but it would be a lie to say I don’t feel that way.”

“It’s okay, Teacher. I like you just the way you are, even when you’re like that.”

I shook off the blanket that was neatly covering my body, gathered my thoughts, and faced Zion.

Zion was looking at me with a faint smile, illuminated by the red light of the evening sun streaming in through the window.

“Please remember that, Teacher.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I will like you no matter what kind of person you are.”

“…….”

It’s only natural to hear that now, but why did she say that to such an extent?

“I got it. I will definitely remember.”

Upon hearing my response, Zion nodded and then stood up.

I felt like I had drunk quite a bit, but I didn’t feel any intoxication or hangover left.

Could it be that top-quality beer remains refreshing even after drinking?

With that being the case, it might even be healthy alcohol, I thought.

“Shall we take a bath then?”

“Sounds good.”

Feeling in good shape, we headed towards the bath as planned.

Walking side by side to the changing room, conscious of each other, we naturally stripped down and wrapped towels around ourselves.

A year ago, we were teasing each other about seeing each other’s bodies, but we weren’t at that kind of stage anymore.

“Oh, by the way, you said the first time you felt I liked you was when you saw me naked here, right?”

“It’s embarrassing, but that’s true. I thought you were very pretty.”

“Is that the real reason you wanted to come here?”

“Not exactly…”

After finishing our preparations and opening the door to the hot spring, we were greeted by sparkling spirits, already floating around Zion.

Were they here to welcome us?

“Great to see you all. Please take care of us today too.”

As Zion greeted the spirits, we submerged our bodies in the water.

Though it was a shallow hot spring, the warm water embraced us, and soon the spirits clung to various parts of our bodies, glittering as they started to relieve our fatigue.

It had been a long time since I felt this sensation.

As Zion had mentioned, I had been under a lot of stress lately, and I could definitely feel the fatigue piling up; being here made my body feel relaxed as if it was melting away.

Why did Zion suddenly want to come here?

Arriving filled with such worries, my thoughts began to drift away as I felt a sense of lightness wash over me.

If only I could just let go of everything and let this time pass in comfort…

***

‘It’s just the beginning. This isn’t what I want to do, but this too shall be a trial set before me.’

My beloved Teacher Hop.

Is it because I entered this place that I feel good?

As I looked at Teacher Hop, who was sprawling out and seemingly relieving his accumulated fatigue, I couldn’t help but feel a desire to simply keep looking at him; he was so lovable.

But I can’t do that now.

Because of unnecessary doubts I have, due to my own weakness and failure to trust him…

“Teacher Hop.”

Upon calling his name, Teacher Hop opened his eyes as if he had been waiting and looked up at me.

“Is there something wrong?”

“May I kiss you?”

Teacher Hop looked a bit surprised, blinking widely, but soon brightened up and reached out his hand towards me.

“Of course, you can.”

And I couldn’t resist his smile.

Quickly breaking through the water’s resistance, I shifted my body, overlapping mine with his, and wrapped my arms around his neck while savoring his lips.

Could this be the last time?

Thinking that made me want to savor every moment even more.

No, that can’t be true.

Surely after today, we will wake up in the same blanket as if nothing had happened, and the moment we open our eyes, we’ll check each other’s faces before we can’t help but share our love again and confirm our feelings once more.

It absolutely must be that way.

It has to be, so I put aside my lingering feelings and let him go.

It was just a brief confirmation.

Once confirmed, I’ll return to his embrace and offer him all of me once again.

I steeled my resolve.

In this moment, I must be as resolute as my trust in him.

So that I won’t allow my weakness to harbor such doubts ever again, I must ensure everything is clear…

“Teacher Hop.”

“Speak, Zion.”

“Soon, the Demon King will return. As I said last time, when that day comes, I’ll head to the location where the gate will open in advance and swiftly defeat the demons pouring out. To ensure no one gets hurt, and to prevent a war.”

Teacher Hop,

I sincerely hope your words are true.

And even if that’s not the case…

‘No, that can’t be. I must throw away the thought that it might be a lie. I must face it head-on.’

I solidified my last resolve.

Saying the next words might mean I cannot turn back.

But I will move forward until the end.

Even if this path isn’t what I desire, I cannot live in a standstill…

With doubts filling my heart, I cannot continue living like this.

“So I’m asking, can you tell me exactly when and where the gate will appear?”

 

---