Nighttime Encounters - Chapter 12
The bell that had rung as she entered the store rang again as the door closed behind her.
A cold breeze brushed against her cheeks, something she hadn’t felt inside the emporium.
A white breath that accompanied the shrill voice drifted through the air.
“If it weren’t for him, I’d be sleeping soundly at home. When am I going to find the time to make this stuff into tools?”
Crafting magical tools with different attributes was a time-consuming task. It was all because of that man’s interference.
As Rosia grumbled irritably, Luperne burst into an incredulous laughter.
[Despite finding it bothersome, you collected gemstones in different colors?]
“…They’re pretty.”
[In the end, it’s what you wanted to do.]
Feeling pricked by his remark, Rosia pretended not to hear.
“How about making a ring this time instead of earrings?”
[Why? Running out of rainbow colors and planning to adorn yourself with different types of jewelry?]
Rosia shook her head vigorously. “It would be troublesome if my ears get bitten again. I just want to perfect my work…”
While absentmindedly touching her ears, a small concern surfaced in Rosia’s mind.
But what if I wear the ring and get bitten?
Imagining the glare of the man while biting her finger, her body involuntarily shuddered.
Shivering, Rosia firmly adjusted the collar of her fur cape to dispel the unwelcome image.
“Come on, let’s hurry home.”
Suggesting to the hurried Rosia, Luperne said:
[Why don’t we stop by the grocery store while we’re out?]
Observing the bustling people on the street for a moment, Rosia whispered softly
“Okay. Let’s take a shortcut then.”
Changing direction, she veered into an alley between buildings. Despite being midday, the elongated shadows cast by the buildings gave off a dark aura.
A chilly wind swept through the alley, brushing against her skin. As Rosia briskly walked, a sudden thought crossed her mind.
“Come to think of it, why the grocery store? We still have plenty to eat at home, don’t we?”
[I’ve developed a new recipe, and I need ingredients for it. Have you ever heard of fernbrake?]
“What’s that?”
[It’s a plant that looks like baby hands. I want to try making spaghetti with it.]
“Gah, you’re trying to feed me weird stuff again!”
Since spirits don’t eat, Rosia had to eat what Luperne made. Despite claiming cooking as a hobby, Luperne often pushed new food recipes onto Rosia, making her a guinea pig for his culinary experiments—a tormenting task for her.
Seeing Rosia’s distorted expression, Luperne expressed his dissatisfaction.
[It’s because you make it weird. My recipes are always perfect.]
Rosia turned her head away from Luperne, feeling slightly annoyed. Her platinum blonde hair swayed gently with the abrupt movement.
Feeling the refreshing breeze brushing her cheek, Rosia gazed into the distance with a dreamy look in her eyes.
“The recipe is perfect, yet how did the lasagna end up tasting like feet?”
[That’s because you ignored my advice and added blue cheese that time.]
When Rosia opened her mouth to ridicule Luperne’s highly acclaimed recipe, she shook her head.
“Here we go again, Luperne’s gastronomy.”
The problem with Luperne’s philosophy-laden culinary lectures was that once they started, there was no end to them. With a shiver running through her, Rosia dashed away from Luperne, maneuvering quickly around corners.
As Rosia swiftly turned the corner, Luperne’s warning reached her ears.
[Oops, Rosia. Watch out. You’re going to bump into something.]
Glancing back at the pursuing Luperne, Rosia dismissed his warning.
“I know this path better. I almost ran into the wall last night because of you.”
Thud!
Her shoulder bumped into someone as massive as the aforementioned wall.
“Ouch.”
Startled by the impact, Rosia accidentally dropped the items in her hands.
The ore and parchment she’d purchased from Gracen’s Emporium fell on the ground.
Eyes following the falling items, Rosia hastily bent down to collect them, bowing her head apologetically,
“I’m sorry. I was in a hurry.”
As she hurriedly gathered the items from the ground, a voice she didn’t recognize interrupted her.
“Just ‘sorry’? Is that all?”
Rosia froze at the sound of the gravelly voice overhead. A chill ran through her body. Slowly, she lifted her head to see who was standing in front of her.
As her eyes widened in disbelief, a gravelly voice echoed from above.
“You suddenly jumped out and almost stopped my heart by bumping into me, and you think an apology suffices?”
One of the raggedy ruffians hobbled over on one leg, harshly spitting on the ground.
Rosia, who had been staring at him wordlessly, slowly rose to her feet.
The other ruffian next to him intervened, interpreting the strange look in Rosia’s eyes.
“Karl, don’t be so rough.”
The bully took a step toward Rosia, who seemed to be trying to be polite.
As they got closer, the deep scar over his left eye became more visible. The scar curved grotesquely as he smiled.
“You startled a pretty girl. It wasn’t intentional, miss.”
Smiling generously, he patted his companion on the shoulder to reassure him, then turned to Rosia.
“It’s just that he’s got a short fuse. He’s not the kind of guy who’s going to grab you and beat the s**t out of you just because you bumped into him on the street.”
In his impatient explanation, he seemed to be explaining that he was exactly that kind of bad guy.
“We may look harsh on the outside, but we’re generous at heart.”
Rosia chewed on her lip and glared at the men who surrounded her.
