Overpowered Reincarnation Perks! - Chapter 10.5
The official reason was that it would be more suspicious if outsiders, who already stand out, moved in a group, so locals would hide them one by one in their homes. But that probably wasn’t the only reason.
Although they agreed to cooperate, these were outsiders with no prior interaction, so they couldn’t be fully trusted. There was likely an intention to monitor them separately.
“Number 29 will be with Hoson, Number 84 with Mr. Valt. And Number 310…”
“Um, excuse me.”
I was about to step forward, wanting to take Callion, but Arvan held me back. He put his hand to his mouth, signaling me to be quiet.
‘Arvan. Why?’
‘Stay put.’
I know Arvan’s opinion as the homeowner is most important, but I want to bring Callion!
“I live alone and have many spare rooms, so I’ll take him.”
“……”
In the end, Callion followed the carpenter uncle who lives next door to Arvan. Since there were fewer monster hunters than villagers, Arvan and I didn’t bring anyone.
‘At this rate, I won’t even be able to catch Callion’s eye, let alone talk to him.’
I guess it’s fortunate that he’s at least next door. I peeked at Callion’s large back figure over the fence. With his hood pulled down deep, he really exuded an aura of not wanting to be involved with anything in the world.
‘What should I do? He really doesn’t look well…’
I should have insisted on bringing Callion. If I can’t meet him without others noticing, it’ll be hard to reveal my identity too.
With a gloomy face, I opened the front door and entered. Arvan, who had taken off his coat, approached me, examining my expression.
“Ju-in. What’s wrong?”
“Arvan. Why didn’t we bring anyone?”
“It’s better to be careful and avoid getting entangled with monster hunters as much as possible.”
“What? Why?”
“Most monster hunters are criminals exiled from the castle. Like Durak, some were falsely accused and exiled, but we can’t rule out the possibility that some are real criminals.”
There are only two outcomes for criminals exiled from the castle.
‘Either they die, or they become monster hunters.’
Suddenly, I remembered a question a castle investigator once asked me.
─ Are you… perhaps a criminal?
When I said I had entered the village with monster hunters, he asked me that. When I remained silent, he seemed to take it as confirmation and took an offensive stance.
‘Could Callion be a criminal too?’
Callion said he couldn’t enter the castle. He, who never visited the same village twice, would stay for short periods only for supplies before quickly departing for hunting grounds again. It was unusual for him to come back, saying he didn’t want to part with me.
Although monster hunting was dangerous enough to risk one’s life, he headed to the hunting grounds as if he was being chased. Was it because he was a fugitive?
‘But Callion can’t possibly be a criminal.’
If he were a criminal, it must be because he was falsely accused. Come to think of it, he had an ingrained chivalry unlike a hunter; perhaps he was a knight trained in the castle.
‘Maybe the castle has become such a mess because all the good knights like Callion were falsely accused and driven out.’
Anyway, that’s not what’s important right now. What’s important is why Arvan, who didn’t discriminate against people from outside the castle and tried to help intruders, is wary of only monster hunters.
“You’re the mastermind. How can you turn away outsiders like this?”
“I’m not turning them away, I’m just worried.”
“If you really thought monster hunters were dangerous, you shouldn’t have let others take them in either.”
No, they shouldn’t have been let into the castle in the first place. So saying he kept his distance because monster hunters might be dangerous is just an excuse.
I glared at him, annoyed by his deceptive excuse, and Arvan let out a dejected sigh.
“…How could I bring in a hunter when you’re here?”
“So it’s because of me.”
It would be troublesome if I were with a hunter. Is it that it’s already a handful to watch just me, and it would be bothersome if there were two outsiders?
Or perhaps, after putting in so much effort to build a relationship, if something were to happen to me at the hands of an outsider, all the effort so far would be in vain.
‘Well, compared to what he’s done for me, Arvan hasn’t gained anything yet.’
I must have unconsciously expected something again, even after reminding myself that this was a transactional relationship.
Still, I wasn’t hurt this time. I know Arvan doesn’t have ill intentions, and I know he’s a cautious person. Besides, the most important thing right now is to meet Callion and let him know I’m alive.
‘It’s not like there’s absolutely no way to meet alone.’
It’s the neighboring house, isn’t it? If Arvan won’t bring him, I can go there myself.
‘Couldn’t I sneak over the fence at night and hide in the room where Callion is staying to meet him?’
Let’s put aside the fact that trespassing is a crime for now. I sighed lightly and turned around.
“Alright. I won’t say anything more.”
“Ju-in.”
“I’m going to sleep.”
I waved my hand at Arvan as I went up the stairs.
“Ju-in.”
“I said I’m going to sleep. You should sleep too, Arvan.”
The footsteps following me stopped. I turned around halfway up the stairs. He was looking up at me from the bottom of the stairs.
A gaze so tender it made my heart flutter.
If this is just a relationship of mutual use, we could keep more distance and treat each other more coldly, but I don’t know why he shakes me like this.
“I’m sorry for upsetting you.”
In fact, he has no reason to apologize to me. It’s not like Arvan did anything wrong. I know that his desire to protect me comes more from human sympathy than just my usefulness.
“It’s not because of you, Ju-in. It’s because of me.”
So I wish he wouldn’t do this. I’m already grateful enough for the kindness he’s shown so far. I’ll work hard to help you too, so please, no more.
“I’m not your guardian, but I was being greedy.”
“I get it, so stop.”
Don’t be so kind.
I might get addicted to this fake comfort.
“But I don’t want to stop.”
Arvan came up the stairs. He stopped just one step below me. Usually, I had to look up at him, but it was the first time I saw Arvan’s face at the same eye level.
“Ju-in. Just a little more.”
His purple eyes are incredibly deep.
“Can I consider you special?”
