Chapter 315

Aside from the fact that the hero is trash, there’s something more important that remains.

Beyond just resolving Rod’s curse, restoring his memory completely.

The hero had already drawn some lines in the sand, but at the same time, he said this: he has no intentions of serving.

In other words, if a suitable proposal is made, it means the hero is willing to listen.

So what does the hero want? I asked, trying to keep my gloomy feelings in check.

“What do you want?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm. What I want…”

The hero scratched his chin in thought. He was ready to do anything to restore Rod’s memory.

Did he pick up on my determination? The hero stared at me and smirked.

Since he was wearing a mask, I couldn’t see his expression, but I somehow sensed it.

“Can you lend me your body?”

“……?”

What on earth does that mean? I slowly tilted my head at the utterly confusing proposal.

Usually, lending one’s body has deep ties to sexual relations. It’s typically used in that context.

I blinked at the hero, taking a few steps back. No matter what, that’s definitely not my taste.

“Get lost.”

“I didn’t mean it in that way! I’m a completely straight guy!”

“Just get lost.”

My assessment of the hero plummeted. I didn’t want to associate with someone who had completely lost their marbles.

I’d rather fight than deal with a crazy person. It’s like this:

‘It feels like someone who just picked a fight suddenly ran at me naked.’

And if their outfit was horrendous too? That’s exactly how I feel right now.

The hero let out a laugh, as if he understood my feelings. He looked like he had no idea it would go this way.

“That’s strange. Why are you misunderstanding things?”

“How old are you?”

“Age? I stopped counting after I turned 100.”

“Did you eat your age through your rear end?”

“You have a way with words!”

The hero was impressed. I didn’t need his compliments.

I was definitely older than Rize or Rod, so why was he talking like this?

It just didn’t make sense. Maybe he hadn’t felt the need to correct himself.

If worst came to worst, he could always solve everything through force. He completely disregarded the basics of civilization.

“Anyway, when I said I wanted your body, I didn’t mean it like that. I literally meant I want to borrow it.”

“In what way?”

“Have you heard of dissection? It’s kind of like that. I’m curious about how your body works.”

“··· ···”

Is this person really planning to dissect me while I’m still alive? I frowned and then slowly relaxed.

Thinking it over, it didn’t seem like such a bad option. As long as I was alive, that’s what mattered.

Still, just in case, I carefully asked, “Are there any side effects?”

“Um… could you lend me your hand for a moment? I’m a little confused about whose child you are.”

Just that much? I willingly extended my hand.

It was a hand covered in fluffy white fur, but in any case, it was still a human hand.

Soon the hero took my hand, nodding. It was like he understood something.

“I see. Now I know what side effects to expect.”

“What side effects?”

“You could end up being a lifelong eunuch.”

“··· ···”

No. Why on earth is that the side effect? I became flabbergasted.

I’d be fine if I lost a leg or limb, or if I couldn’t speak anymore.

But a eunuch? That’s too extreme.

‘I’ve never used it before.’

A severe conflict raged inside me. Rod’s full recovery or my life as a man.

You might wonder why I’m conflicted about this, but there are also women who like me, not just me.

In any case, the happy future had vanished due to someone’s scheming. All that remained was the present.

“Huh? You’ve never used it before? Still?”

“Why?”

“I was just curious. Clearly…”

[Faith has decreased.]

Just as the hero tried to say something, Chaos interrupted him. It seemed like a topic that shouldn’t be discussed.

The hero seemed to realize it as well, and he shut his mouth while shrugging.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. So, will you do it?”

“······What are the odds?”

“The odds are low. There’s a 10 percent chance of being disabled.”

“······That’s high.”

Isn’t that a pretty high number? I expressed my doubt.

“Oh, this is just something I’ve felt in my life. A lot of people think a success rate of 10 percent is worth taking the chance, and that 90 percent feels alarming.”

“··· ···”

That’s just human psychology. Anyway, it’s definitely worth the gamble.

Even if I fail… as long as I saved Rod, I’d just shed tears and give up.

“Will you accept?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright. Let’s head out right away. You go first.”

“······?”

Wait a minute. Something feels off. I stared hard at the hero.

The hero is purple. He can manipulate space and can even somewhat control time.

So why is he telling me to go first? It seems a bit strange. He can’t not know the way.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Don’t you know the way to the Academy?”

“I do.”

“Then why? You can just jump through space.”

The hero’s response was.

“Why should I?”

“··· ···”

“The one in a hurry is you, not me! My job is to solve the curse; nothing more than that, right?”

That was truly a sociopathic response.

******

It had been about two months since Sivar set out to find Sehon Ice Grass.

United Academy had gone through quite a fuss due to a recent incident during the anniversary but was gradually recovering.

Not only had they quickly revived the dormant memorial tower, but it had also been upgraded, extending its range.

Everyone was having a perfectly ordinary vacation, except for one place that was exceptionally noisy.

“Where is this? Why is the Saint here?”

“··· ···”

“That’s strange, very strange. I’m sure I only just went to bed…”

This place was none other than Rod’s office. Currently, Rod’s memories were disappearing in real-time due to a curse.

Until just before Sivar left, he was losing about a month of memories each day, but at some point, that rate had sharply increased.

The reason was magic. The blue magic had bound his soul, but after it turned back to purple, that became impossible.

“This is the Academy, Mr. Rod. You just went through a fierce battle and you were resting here.”

“Me? When? I don’t remember.”

The visible wrinkles on his face faded, and his once white hair returned to a neat brown.

His distinctive mustache remained, but his gentle demeanor had completely vanished. He seemed a bit grumpier now.

“I think it’s best for you to rest today. Stability is the priority.”

“Hmm… I understand. If you say so.”

Fortunately, he still remembered his time with Rize, so he willingly (kind of) accepted the request. Things felt comfortable at this point.

The real problem came after this. When his memories of Rize were either few or completely vanished.

That time would be during Rod’s early thirties, when he had just started dating Rize.

“Oh, saint! You’re always beautiful when I see you.”

“······Thank you.”

“Do you have time tonight? I can make it a beautiful evening.”

“··· ···”

At the same time, it was Rod’s most embarrassing moment. The time when he had been infatuated with Rize and had been hitting on her repeatedly.

Rod in his thirties would have been handsome for a commoner, but in proportion, his personality was not great.

He was living as a ronin during the peak of his youth, so it would be weird if he had a great personality. Plus, he was constantly battling.

“I’m sorry. I already have someone I’m interested in.”

“You always say that. Is this guy someone who fills your heart completely?”

“Yes.”

“Oh dear.”

Something inside him stirred. Rize pinched her thigh to endure.

Fortunately, it was a comfort to know that nobody was watching this embarrassing scene alone. Moreover, Rod was actually following her words obediently due to the promise of a date the next day.

Of course, this phase didn’t last long. The moment when his memories of Rize completely faded was fast approaching.

“Hey, you bastard! Are you locking me in here?! Can’t you let me out quickly?!”

“You just need to rest for one day.”

“Who the hell believes that?!”

-Crash!

“Don’t want to believe it?”

“I’m sorry.”

Actually, this was easier. Threatened with Gwonseong’s presence, he compliant accepted the situation.

But if he kept messing around, there would only be one answer.

“Argh! My, my leg…!!”

“Mind your words around your opponent. You’ll be fine by tomorrow anyway.”

Rod’s curse was contained from leaking outside to the end. But that was all.

Without fully resolving the curse, Rod would completely revert to his old self. Rize let out a deep sigh.

‘When will he return?’

I waited for who knows how long. It was when Rod’s age returned to somewhere around his early thirties.

“Saint! Saint!”

“Yes, Eli. Do you have news?”

“Yes! Sivar has returned!”

Good news reached Rize’s ears. Rize smiled gently.

On the other hand, Eli’s expression was strange. She delivered the happy news momentarily before bringing up another topic.

“However, Sivar’s condition is a bit…”

“Is he badly injured?”

“No, it’s not that. But… he seems to have a lot of fur…”

“Fur? Ah.”

Rize reacted like she knew something. She even nodded in affirmation.

It seemed she didn’t care much. What was important now was the Sehon Ice Grass that Sivar was likely to have brought back.

“And he came back with someone unknown.”

“An unknown person?”

“Yes. Apparently, someone you are very familiar with.”

“Someone I know?”

I know so many people, it’s hard to figure it out. Rize tilted her head.

Before long, someone knocked on Rod’s office door. This meant an important character had arrived.

Rize stopped Eli from leaving and went out to greet them herself. For some reason, she felt anxious.

-Creeeak

“……Sivar?”

“Hello, Rize. I’m back.”

As the door opened, a furry creature came into view. It was Sivar, completely covered in white fur.

For a moment, I didn’t recognize him, but I quickly figured out his identity. However, the important part was who was next to him.

“Oh! Hey! Long time no see!”

It was the hero wearing a mask. The hero said hello with a voice that seemed genuinely happy to see her.

And as soon as Rize saw the hero, her face twisted into a frown and she spat out,

“Ugh.”

Her expression clearly screamed,

“What the hell…”

It was a face that seemed to have seen something utterly repulsive.

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