"Wait, don't you have a magic stove?"
Nod
"Well I had forgotten it completely. Whatever, let's eat."
…
I put forward each there portions, while I start digging in. I already finish my first serving and take the second serving from over the fire.
I notice how they hadn't touched their food.
I slowly put down the meat I was about to bit into.
"What's up? It's safe to eat, don't worry. Besides its very delicious while hot, eat quickly."
"..Hey!"
I look at Lee Do-hyun, raising a eyes brow.
"Why are you doing to this?"
"What do you mean?" I said casually.
His breathing got heavy and his tone got harsh.
"YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. Why are you not selling to us as well, no why give us.. after…after how we treated you?"
I pause for a moment.
"I mean I feel hurt but…I also understand you were scared-"
"No! if you feel hurt…why?"
His voice cracked at the end.
I smile at him. I pass a grateful look to Park sung-hoon before continuing
"You have your own pace, I understand that I rushed you."
"n-no WE said WE will follow knowing the danger. I called you A MONSTER. DESPITE YOU SAVIN–"
I shove a meat in his mouth.
"Shut up and eat. We will talk after eating."
We all sat quietly after finishing our meal. I had shoved 2 more rounds in Lee Do-hyun's mouth before he ate like a good citizen.
Lee Eun-ji was about to say something but I beat her to it.
"I will leaving the station for Chungmuro this evening"
A heavy silence settled down.
I move away to my bag, slowly going through the things, putting aside things I don't really need anymore.
'Honestly, beside the bag, most are useless to me.'
I chuckle a bit, in 3 day, how things have changed.
Feeling bored I make various weapons out of the bones, sharpening them, for fun. But soon no bones were left to make anymore more weapons.
Sigh
With nothing else to do I just sat still. Space out while staring at others.
Shin Yoosung walked over, steps hesitant.
She quietly plopped down next to me, head down.
I pretend to still gaze out in the distant but actually taking sneaking peaks at her. She sat there – all quiet.
She's not the most talkative. This silence felt… different than the one from just a day ago.
"I noticed you hadn't eaten much, still hungry?"
I hand her my last honey bread.
She shook her head yet she took the bread anyway. However she didn't take her eyes off the floor. She slowly circled her thumb on the packet label.
The silence was suffocating. 'I guess she came to say goodbyes'
Feeling her shoulders shacking, I scoot a little closer to her. We sat, shoulders touching. I still keep pretending to look over at the distance.
"I must have been inconsiderate huh?"
I missed her breathing hitching.
"…dragging you close to death like that. I am…sorry. Also…I made you worry… a lot."
My shoulders hunch
"I guess this is better this way, that we will part ways… I…umm… don't know if…mm…we will meet again…so…"
I rub my hand over her head, maybe for the last time I will.
"I-"
My body trembled, air resisting going into my lungs.
I shook my head, I stop my talk there because… I am afraid if I continue, I will not…
Leave.
Exhale
"Look at the time…um,… it's about time ah…I leave." I scratch my neck "so…um Come, I will…have my goodbyes with the rest."
As I try to stand up Shin yoosung locked her arms around my waist, pressing my head to her stomach. She tried desperately to pull me down.
Despite her not looking up, seeing the droplet of tears streaming down, it was enough.
My vision got blurry with tear.
I crouch down, Hugging her back. I bend my neck to look at her eyes. I cup her teary face. I gently bring her face up, wiping her tears with my thumb.
"hey…don't cry idiot. It's not like goodbyes mean… it the epilogue…"
"…besides… y-you will be in danger… with…e" I almost broke down but with all my strength hold myself together, "…you …not have to force yourself to go with me."
She cried even harder as she grabbed both my hands.
"…I-I don't want you to go…"
'please don't…' I felt my chest got heavier.
"…I want to go … go with you. B-but I am known I don't deserve it."
My brows knit together
"I know I should not follow you"
I couldn't find the strength to look at her.
"y-you had said, you..this will -e dangerous. Only strong can survive. B-but I know I am w-weak… "
"I know, I can di-die.."
"I don't want you to blame your-re self."
I open my locking eyes.
"I am a-a bur-rden. I-I see how you.. stand close, al-ways keep-ping me away. I-I can't even fight. "
"Because of me, you will get hu-hurt again."
My eyes widen, as realization dawned on me.
"S-so we s-should separate…Bu-but I don't want to se-sep….."
I embrace her tightly, "Oi idiot, who said to go around assuming things huh? And who gave you the idea that you should separate for me to be safe"
'I-I thought…' I didn't realize it myself, but I felt as if a blade that was lodged in my soul was finally pulled out. The gate of tear burst opened, flowing down my face.
"do-don't say this things. Just say, I will take you. Who said we should separate?"
"it's.. all my fault."
I shook my head, "N-no that's no-"
"I-I if I wasn't there, you wouldn't have been distracted. Jung-un-nni wouldn't be hurt. You wouldn't have had to face Danger."
"I am so-"
"Shin yoosung!" my voice hardened a bit.
"Who gave you these ideas, that you leaving me will mean I will not face danger?"
"b-but ..."
"No! Listen to what I have to say."
She looked at me with teary eyes.
"I already told you before, the path I will walk is full of danger, so… don't think that…just because you're not here, I will suddenly stay safe. In fact, I will just go reckless"
She clenched her jaw.
"And then what gave you the idea that you're dying first?"
"First, if you think I will let you die, then that mean I am dead. And I am not planning to die any time soon."
"…"
"Finally, yes." I pause "you are weak, a burden too. I will not deny"
Her shoulders slumped, as if this sentence is proving her point and is weighing her down.
"But I believe in you. You will be strong like me. I didn't start with this strength. Yet if I can get this strong in under 3days, why can't you?"
"Bu-but I didn-"
I put a pointer finger on her lips.
"Not everyone's strengths are the same. Let look a Mr. Sang-hoon"
Our focus locks on Park Sang-hoon. He arched his left eye brow at being mentioned.
"Look at that shield." Pointing to the roman shield "won't you say that shield fits him, his mountain like build?"
After a brief silence she nodded.
"But that same shield," I turn her head to me "Do you think, it will work with me?"
She starts thinking, her eyes scrambling around.
-Uncertain on what to answer.
I ruffle her hair as I shake my head.
"Now, will you say he's weak, just because he doesn't duel wield swords and jump in battle like me?"
Her eyes shift between me and Park Sang-hoon before nodding hesitantly.
"I mean yes" My voice quickens "he certainly hasn't earn much coins so his is behind state wise." I readjust my breathing "what I am trying to point out is, not everyone is the same. Neither are their strengths"
"I-i.."
"Can you check your status and tell me anything like a skill or attribute you have that stands out. Maybe for example…"
"I don't know priestess or maybe Sorceress? Or?" I shrug no being able to think anything else.
"My status?" She stares at me – head tilting to the side. Her eyes full of confusion.
I look at her, browns knitting together. Unconsciously I tilt my head opposite to hers.
"…"
"…"
'What?'
"You… surely know… there is a game like interface that shows your information?"
She kept staring at my face, her jaw slightly drop.
For some reason, without thinking I push her jaw up.
"Did you pick any sponsors?"
"….I didn't get any" she said in a low voice.
"I don't have one either"
[Some constellations look at you with scrutinizing gaze]
'ahh grow up.'
"really?!"
"yup… anyways say 'status'"
She repeats it with excitement.
Her eyes shone bright
'yes!'
Then her eyes dimmed.
'oh no'
I smooth my hand on her back.
With a shaky voice, "I-I don't have any sorceress or priestess, I am useless"
"h-hey don't say that. I started with just analysis and instincts so don't worry."
[Some constellations look at you with questioningly. Emphasizing on "Just"]
She looked at me with pursed lips. "I just have tamer"
Pause.
I stared at her.
"…Just tamer?"
She shrank slightly and nodded.
I flicker my finger on her forehead.
"Hey missy…Do you have any idea how absurd that is?"
The hope reignited in her eyes.
"Imagine an army of beast under you command. You can become a one man… -woman army"
She chuckles a little at my correction.
"Really?"
Nod
Her face blooms into a smile before planting face in my chest. I sometimes heard her giggling. She seems happy now. I gently brush my hand through her hair, occasionally brushing some dust of.
I let out a deep breath
'It will turn into a bad habit, won't it?'
But I felt after like breathing has become easier.
…
We stayed like that for a while. I gently shook the giggling Shin Yoosung.
"…mm?"
"We have to prepare. We will be going to Chongmuro Station next."
Nod
I some things previously deemed as unnecessary in the bag.
'It's time.'
We walk to the others, they were looking at us, eyes red. Yet, Park Sang-hoon kept up his signature stoic face.
Oh and Lee Do-hyun is back. Shin Yoosung talked with them. Lee Eun-ji held her in a tight embrace, in tears. She kissed her on head multiple times. Jung Ha-eun had also come forward hugging her.
As she walks up standing beside me, their attention shifts to me.
"Guess this is it."
Park Sang-hoon nods.
Lee Eun-ji stepped forward, hesitant. I open my hands, signaling 'it's okay'
She hugs us tightly.
"Thank you for helping us. Be careful out there; take good care of your selves. Be sure to stay safe."
We hug her back.
Her body trembled but she quickly brought her hands up her face. I had noticed, but seeing her trying to hide it, I decide not to say anything.
She steps back.
"Stay safe…try to, at least."
I acknowledge her silently. Shin Yoosung mimics me with much more energy, jerks her chin once.
Jung Ha-eun, I approach her.
"Sorry you got hurt. Hope you can forgive me for that."
'It's my fault, helping people who are not ready to help themselves…'
She shook her head violently. "No-no. Thank you for saving me."
I acknowledge that silently.
Lee Do-hyun bowed his head. "I am sorry. I was implosive and said things like an idiot."
"I don't care." I didn't lie.
He flinched but I already focused on Park Sang-hoon.
"Well, do you want to come?" I ask. He declined. "Guess this is where we part ways huh?"
"It is indeed."
He runs his big callus hand through my hair.
"You are a good kid you know. "
"You ought to live a good life, have a beautiful w.."
He paused
"On second thought it's just useless talk from an old man now"
"Take care of her"
"You need not tell me."
"I won't tell you how to lead your life as I barely understand this new world myself.
What I do know is, be careful of people, not beast not monster but people got it?"
Nod.
As we got a bit far.
"Boy!"
"?"
"Here, take this."
He throws the 'Golden Dawn'
I look at him questioningly.
"You will need it more. Didn't one of you blades break, the other isn't holding better either…"
Exhale.
"Fine, if this is what you want."
Before turning around I simply point to the pile of bone weapons I had made before.
As I walk with Shin Yoosung to the exit. I could help but look back at them standing there waving. My eye linger on Park Sung-hoon, on the thought that maybe this can be the last time I seeing him, his words echo in my mind.
"…to walk our own path"