Disastrous Romance - Chapter 15
Chapter 15
The bound child was clearly in desperate need of help. His small, visibly dirty body spoke of a long captivity. Yet, his eyes, resolute despite his plight, was what truly tugged at Elijah’s heart.
Elijah rushed towards the child. “Oh my… Oh dear…” Up close, the child’s sorry state was even more apparent. Deep red welts circled their wrists and ankles where the vines had bound them. The raw, angry marks on such delicate skin were a painful sight.
She quickly drew her sword and severed the vines, freeing the child’s hands and feet. Once released, the child stood, brushing themselves off with an air of indifference. Elijah couldn’t fathom how such a young child had ended up here. Fury boiled within her at Junabi for attempting such a cruel act, even if it was due to a curse.
“Hey!”
“I’m really sorry! It’s the curse!”
“What kind of perv*rse curse is this…?” The cursed Fairy King was best left forgotten for her own sanity.
‘What was she even planning to do with this little one…?!’
Pushing aside the disturbing thought, she focused on the child before her. Thankfully, he was at least properly clothed.
“Hello? My name is Elijah. What’s yours?” Elijah spoke gently, the child’s direct gaze unnerving her in her inexperience with children.
“Fre… min.” The child, Fremin, hesitated meaningfully, but Elijah didn’t press. He was likely wary of strangers.
“Well, Fremin, thank you for telling me. So…” Elijah glanced around. Kai, now dressed, stood at a distance from Junabi. Fremin, seemingly unafraid of the strange adults, simply waited patiently for her to continue.
“Would you like to come with me? This place is a bit dangerous.”
“Ye…Yes.” Fremin’s speech was again oddly halting, but his strangely impassive expression was more concerning. Helping the child up, Elijah searched for a way out, but only dense foliage surrounded them.
“Fairy King! How do we get out of here?”
“Well, about that…”
Ding!
[Notification: Congratulations! You have completed the quest ‘The Fairy King’s Treasure (1)’.]
The notification provided the answer. The ‘treasures’ seemed to be the captured men, which explained Kai’s predicament and Fremin’s presence. With the cheerful chime, all Fairy King-related quests were marked complete, and a corner of their surroundings brightened. A circular light emanated from beside the platform where Kai had been held. Rising from the ground, the shimmering white light was identical to the portals in the game.
‘The exit…!’
Recognizing it instantly, Elijah prepared to leave. Knowing it was tied to the quest, she suspected it wouldn’t last. She also had no desire to remain in this unsettling place a moment longer.
“Kai, let’s get out of here.”
“Yes, mistress.”
Elijah took Kai’s hand, which seemed strangely fragile. With her other hand grasping Fremin’s, the three stepped into the circle of light. Its flickering glow gave the impression it might vanish at any moment.
As they reached the center, a notification, visible only to Elijah, appeared.
[Leave ‘Junabi Fairy Forest: Fairy King’s Nest’?
Yes/No]
Elijah mouthed “Yes,” and a brilliant light enveloped them. A faint dizziness, similar to their arrival, washed over her, and she closed her eyes.
“Farewell!”
Junabi’s cheerful voice echoed from the darkness.
***
Ding!
[Notification: Congratulations! You have become a ‘Mana Expert (Beginner)’.]
Ding!
[Notification: A ‘Peerless Man’ is nearby.]
Huh?
The notifications registered before her vision returned. As her eyes focused, she saw the familiar landscape of the Junabi Forest entrance they’d arrived at that morning. The warmth of the two hands in hers confirmed that Kai and Fremin had also made it safely, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Is it because we were in a special area?’
The ‘Peerless Man’ notification was puzzling, but she attributed it to the side quest. The system must have re-registered Kai.
Dismissing it, she looked around. They were indeed back at the entrance.
“Ugh!” The ordeal she’d just endured flashed before her eyes. She recoiled from the entrance, the grotesque forms of the self-proclaimed fairies still vivid in her mind.
Time had clearly passed while they were in the forest, as the sun was now setting, painting the sky in hues of red. The sight of the descending sun finally made their escape feel real.
“Huh…?”
As she was about to lead her expanded party away, her eyes met those of a man staring at them with a surprised expression. Accompanied by another man who appeared to be his subordinate, he strode towards her.
“Excuse me, are you… Huh?” She flinched at his seemingly aggressive approach, but her jaw dropped at the sight of his sculpted features. Then, a cry came from behind her.
“Brother!”
Fremin darted past her like a squirrel.
‘Brother? Here?’
“Fremin!” The man scooped up the running child, his face etched with astonishment.
Could the timing be any more perfect? Elijah stood dumbfounded, watching the reunion unfold. Side by side, the resemblance was undeniable, and both possessed striking good looks.
The man held Fremin close for a long moment, eyes closed as if trying to control his emotions. Then, his gaze, now composed, shifted to Elijah.
