She shook the blood off her sword.
Pulled out some tools—
And started working on the Minotaur like a butcher.
Clean cuts.
Precise.
Andrew stood there.
Stunned.
He couldn't say anything.
He just watched—
As she filled a medium sack with meat.
Then stood up—
And started walking away.
Andrew : H-Hey wait! You didn't answer me!
She stopped.
Looked back at him.
Da-li : Who in this green hell are you?
A small pause.
Da-li : I'm not giving you my food.
She glanced at the body.
Da-li : Take your share from it if you want some.
Andrew : I don't want your food. I asked about you because you just saved my life, and I want to thank you.
Da-li : Is that so?
A small pause.
Da-li : I came here only for food. I didn't even notice you till just now, little man.
Andrew : You could have at least pretended you were here to save me.
Da-li : You know…
A faint smirk.
Da-li : Sometimes false hope can make a man fall into false love…
A brief pause.
Da-li : And that has… great consequences.
Those words hit Andrew hard.
Andrew : That's some really wise words you gave me.
Da-li : They're not just some words…
A brief pause.
Da-li : They're a lesson of life.
She looked him up and down—
His rough condition.
Da-li : Come with me, boy.
Andrew : Um… miss? Aren't you going to take the remaining Minotaur? It's really valuable—you can sell it to the merchant's guild.
Da-li : You can take it if you want. I hunted it specifically for food, you know.
Andrew : Really? You don't mind?
Da-li : Nah…
Andrew : Thank you.
Andrew quickly gathered as much as he could into his bag—
Then hid the remaining parts.
Andrew : I'll come back and get the rest later.
He looked toward Da-li—
She was already far ahead.
Andrew : Hey, wait up!
Da-li looked back as he finally caught up.
Da-li : You finally caught up, young man.
Andrew : I'm curious… how can you defeat an A-rank monster with such ease? Are you a Hero?
Da-li : A Hero?
A small pause.
Da-li : I wouldn't say that… more like a passing traveller.
Andrew : A passing traveller? Miss, You haven't answered anything… not your name, not how you did that.
Da-li paused.
Then looked back—
Straight into his eyes.
Da-li : You know what, little man… I don't think I even need to speak with you.
Andrew : What do you mean? It feels like you're mad at me…
Da-li : I'm not mad at you.
A brief pause.
Da-li : It's about basic respect.
Her gaze didn't move.
Da-li : I saved your life back there.
Another pause.
Da-li : Shouldn't you be the one to formally introduce yourself?
Da-li : Instead, you question me like I owe you something.
Silence.
Andrew froze.
Her words sank in.
"…I…"
He looked down for a moment.
Then straightened himself.
Andrew : You're right.
A brief pause.
Andrew : That was rude of me.
He took a step back—
Then bowed his head slightly.
Andrew : My name is Andrew.
Another pause.
Andrew : I'm an adventurer… still a rookie.
He clenched his fists lightly.
Andrew : I came to this forest to gain experience… but I overestimated myself.
A small exhale.
Andrew : Thank you for saving my life back there.
Silence.
He lifted his head—
Andrew : I'm truly grateful.
A brief pause.
"…And I apologize."
The forest went quiet.
Da-li looked at him—
For a moment.
Then—
A faint smile.
Da-li : Hmm.
A small nod.
Da-li : That's better.
She turned—
And started walking again.
Da-li : Andrew, was it?
A small pause.
Da-li : Try to survive long enough to make that name worth remembering.
💀
Andrew blinked—
Then hurried after her.
Andrew : …Y-Yes!"
They reached a nearby city—
Flint City
Just like its name—
The city was surrounded by mountains rich with flint stone.
A natural habitat for rock and ground elemental types.
Adventurers moved in and out of the gates—
Because this city was also known for its dungeons.
A place where danger and opportunity lived side by side.
As they approached the entry gate—
The guards stepped forward and stopped them.
Guard 1 : Stop, travellers.
A brief pause.
Guard 1 : You have arrived at Flint City.
Guard 1 : This city is not suitable for regular human life because of its Rock and Ground elemental nature.
He extended his hand slightly.
Guard 1 : You'll need to show your documents to enter.
Da-li showed a card to the guard.
He looked at it—
Then froze.
His eyes widened.
He quickly showed it to the other guard.
Guard 2 : Oh my god… that's her!
Da-li : Can we go inside now?
Guard 2 straightened immediately.
Guard 2 : Y-Yes, ma'am! You may pass!
The gates opened without another word.
Andrew stood there—
Confused.
"…What was that?"
The Duo reached Adventurer Guild
The moment they stepped inside—
Noise.
Voices.
Laughter.
The Adventurer Guild was alive.
Parties gathered around tables—
Some celebrating.
Some arguing.
Some preparing for their next dungeon run.
Andrew looked around in awe.
Andrew : So this is Flint City's Adventurer Guild.
A massive board stood at the center—
Filled with quests.
Ranks marked clearly.
From low-tier requests—
To high-risk dungeon expeditions.
They walked up to the counter.
Receptionist : Welcome to the Adventurer Guild. How can I help you?
Da-li looked at Andrew.
Andrew : Oh—yes… I would like to sell these.
He placed the Minotaur resources on the counter.
The receptionist's eyes widened.
Receptionist : Good lord… these are high-quality materials.
A brief pause.
Receptionist : That's really impressive for a young adventurer like you.
Andrew : Actually… she's the one who hunted the Minotaur.
He pointed at Da-li.
Andrew : She was kind enough to let me take all this.
The receptionist looked at Da-li.
A moment passed.
Receptionist : You did this…?
A pause.
Receptionist : You must be an expert adventurer…
Then—
Her expression changed.
Receptionist : Wait a minute…
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
Receptionist : Do I know you?
Da-li : No.
A small pause.
Da-li : This is the first time we've met.
Receptionist frowned slightly.
Receptionist : But I feel like I've seen you somewhere…
Da-li tilted her head slightly.
Da-li : You do see me every day.
Receptionist : What do you mean?
Da-li raised her hand—
And pointed upward.
At the large paintings hanging above the reception area.
Silence.
The receptionist slowly looked up.
Then—
Her eyes widened.
Receptionist : …No way… You are...
Andrew stood there—
Completely frozen.
Andrew : M-Miss… are you—
Da-li raised a hand slightly.
Da-li : Since you're so curious…
A faint smile.
Da-li : Let me introduce myself.
The guild grew quieter.
Eyes turning.
Listening.
Da-li : I've been called many things—
A small pause.
Da-li : "Wacky Woohoo Girl."
A few confused looks.
Da-li : "The Legendary Queen of Gluttony."
Murmurs started.
Da-li : "The Strongest Demon Slayer."
Silence deepened.
Da-li : "The Legendary Devil Huntress."
Now—
Everyone was listening.
Completely.
Andrew's eyes widened.
Da-li : People call me Madam Da-li…
A brief pause.
Da-li : Or Lady Da-li.
She looked at Andrew—
Then around the guild.
A soft smile.
Da-li : But my real name—
A beat.
Da-li : Is Darla Lionheart.
Silence.
Then—
💥 The entire guild erupted.
"…DARLA LIONHEART!?"
"…THE SSS+ LEGEND!?"
"…SHE'S REAL!?"
Andrew just stood there—
Brain not processing.
The guild was still in chaos—
Voices overlapping.
"…Darla Lionheart!?"
"…She's actually here!?"
Andrew stood frozen.
"…This… this can't be real…"
Then—
A heavy sound echoed.
Thud!.
The large doors at the back of the guild opened.
Silence.
It spread instantly this time.
Not curiosity—
Authority.
A man stepped out.
Tall.
Armored.
Presence alone was enough to quiet the entire hall.
Guild Master.
His gaze swept across the room—
Then stopped.
On her.
A pause.
"…So it's true."
He walked forward slowly.
Each step steady.
Measured.
The crowd parted immediately.
No hesitation.
He stopped a few steps away from Da-li.
They looked at each other.
No words.
Just recognition.
Then—
The Guild Master lowered his head.
A respectful bow.
💀
Guild Master : It has been a long time…
A brief pause.
Guild Master : Lady Da-li.
The entire guild froze again.
Andrew's brain shut down.
"…The Guild Master… bowed…?"
Da-li sighed softly.
Da-li : You're still this formal, huh?
A faint smile.
Da-li : It's been a while.
Guild Master straightened.
Guild Master : We thought you had disappeared for good.
A pause.
Guild Master : The guild hasn't been the same since.
Da-li shrugged lightly.
Da-li : I was just… busy.
The Guild Master let out a small breath—
Almost like a quiet laugh.
Guild Master : Of course you were.
A brief silence.
Then his eyes shifted—
To Andrew.
Guild Master : And this is…?
Andrew immediately stiffened.
"…I—"
Da-li : A rookie.
💀
Andrew took critical damage.
Da-li : Still alive somehow.
Guild Master looked at him—
Then back at her.
A faint nod.
Guild Master : Then he's fortunate.
A pause.
Guild Master : Not many survive their first encounter with you.
Andrew : "…Wait WHAT!?
BACK TO THE PRESENT
Andrew lay on the bed of Madam Da-li's inn.
The room was quiet.
Only the faint sound of the night outside.
Andrew stared at the ceiling.
Andrew : Time really flies by…
A small exhale.
Andrew : Back then… I couldn't even stand properly in front of her.
A faint smile appeared.
Andrew : And now…
A pause.
He turned his head slightly—
Looking at the ceiling as if seeing the past.
Andrew : She's acting like a normal innkeeper.
A soft chuckle.
Andrew : …Normal, huh.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
Memories flashing—
The Minotaur.
The blade.
The girl who didn't even notice him.
Andrew : You really never changed…
A brief silence.
Then—
His expression softened.
Andrew : Or maybe…
A pause.
Andrew : I just started understanding you.
The night continued quietly.
Madam Da-li's home.
Yuna walked slowly through the hallway—
Carrying Eunha in her arms.
Eunha was fast asleep.
Completely still.
Yuna entered the room—
Gently placing her on the bed.
She adjusted the blanket.
A soft pat on her head.
Then quietly walked out.
Inside another room—
Madam Da-li sat in front of a mirror.
Fresh from her bath.
Brushing her hair slowly.
Calm.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
Yuna : Mother.
Da-li : Come in.
Yuna entered.
Da-li stopped—
And turned toward her.
Da-li : What's the matter, sweetheart?
Yuna hesitated for a moment.
Yuna : I've been thinking…
A small pause.
Yuna : About joining the Adventurer Guild.
Silence.
Da-li's expression shifted—
From mild surprise—
To something sharper.
Serious.
Da-li : No.
Yuna : But why? You were an adventurer too, right…?
Da-li : Sweetie… I said no.
Yuna frowned.
Yuna : But mother, I want to be someone… do something!
A step forward.
Yuna : For how long are we going to stay in this remote place?
Yuna : We have businesses in other cities too… but we still live here.
Her voice grew firmer.
Yuna : If I become an adventurer, I can travel the country.
A pause.
Yuna : And you don't have to worry about me…
Yuna : You already know I can take care of myself, mother!
Silence.
Da-li didn't smile this time.
Her eyes hardened slightly.
Da-li : Naina Lionheart.
Yuna froze.
That name—
Not "sweetie."
Not "princess."
Her full name.
Da-li : I am your mother.
A pause.
Da-li : And I said you are not becoming an adventurer.
Her voice—firm.
Unshakable.
Da-li : Now go back to your room.
A brief pause.
Da-li : And sleep.
Complete silence filled the room.
Yuna stood still—
Looking down.
Her eyes slowly filled with tears.
Da-li's expression softened.
Now—
She looked worried.
Da-li : Yuna… sweetie…
Yuna turned away—
Quickly wiping her tears.
She forced a smile.
Yuna : (cheerful) Hah… it's okay.
A small pause.
Yuna : Good night, mother.
She walked out.
The door closed softly.
Silence.
Da-li stood there—
Her hand slowly rising to her head.
A faint sigh.
Guilt.
Da-li : …What have I done…
A memory flashed.
Adventurer Guild.
Second floor.
Da-li stood hidden—
Listening.
Below—
Knights stood at the reception.
Knight : Have you seen this person?
He showed a portrait.
Receptionist : Oh yes… she is one of our legendary adventurers.
A small pause.
Receptionist : Lady Da-li.
The knights looked at each other—
Their eyes filled with hope.
Above—
Da-li's expression changed.
Panic.
Knight : Can you tell us where we can find her? It is really important.
Receptionist : She was here just a few minutes ago.
A brief pause.
Receptionist : I think she went out… couldn't have gone far.
Knight : Thank you. Come on, everyone.
They turned—
And left.
Silence.
Then—
A faint murmur.
Too low for normal ears.
But not for her.
Knight 1 : This is our chance… we have to find Her Majesty and take her back.
Knight 2 : What if she refuses? We can't use force on Her Majesty…
A pause.
Knight 2 : And we're not strong enough to hold her until General Raizen arrives.
Knight 1 : Don't worry.
A slight rustle.
Knight 1 : The Minister gave us this drug.
A pause.
Knight 1 : If she takes it… she'll pass out long enough for us to deliver her.
Above—
Da-li froze.
Her breathing slowed—
Then tightened.
Her hand moved—
Resting on her stomach.
A faint tremble.
"…No…"
Cut to present.
Night.
Yuna lay asleep—
Beside Eunha.
Peaceful.
Unaware.
Da-li stood beside the bed—
Looking at her.
Silent.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
Then another.
She gently placed her hand on Yuna's head.
"…I'm sorry my sweetheart but i won't let them find us…"
Her voice barely a whisper.
More tears fell—
Quietly.