Chapter 67

Bad dream.

Maybe, a nostalgic dream.

Was it because of the unusually hot summer day?

Or was it because I’ve been encountering fire frequently lately?

The night ablaze with crackling flames.

Choking smoke.

Faintly echoing screams of people.

A pale white hand waking her up.

Evangelin realized she was dreaming, but couldn’t bring herself to wake up, only shedding tears.

Because even in this dream, she had to see the faces of her parents that she can no longer see in reality.

It was a sad dream.

A nightmare that stirred past trauma.

A shocking memory that would be etched forever.

“Big sister!”

Jack’s voice.

The precious voice of her younger brother she can no longer hear.

The cherished voice stored in her memory replays.

It grows fainter as time passes…

But she doesn’t forget.

Sparks fly.

Evangelin cannot awaken from the dream.

‘If I had woken up at this moment, would the result have been different?’

It was an especially tough day.

Learning cooking wasn’t easy.

She was praised as a prodigy and worked hard…

And that effort backfired.

That night, drained of energy, she collapsed like she had fainted.

If only she’d had a little more stamina…

Though it’s already passed, regrets linger.

Could anyone who lost everything not feel regret?

“Wake up! Big sister!”

A raspy voice.

It grows fainter.

Jack’s sobbing voice spreads slowly.

“Evangelin!”

“My child!”

Beloved voices call out.

Voices she can no longer hear.

Precious memories of her parents.

She can’t tell if the tears streaming down her face are from the choking smoke or sorrow.

Her breathing gets heavier.

The scorching heat.

Wooden planks crackling and breaking apart.

Even though it’s just a dream, she can almost feel the heat.

“Quickly…!”

Memories come back fragmented.

Father smiling while holding up falling timber on his back.

Mother carrying Evangelin and fallen Jack.

It was a painful memory to confront.

Evangelin’s lips tremble faintly.

“…!”

She wakes up from the dream.

When the unbearable pain surpassed longing.

Drenched in sweat, Evangelin rises from her bed.

Sweat beads roll down her forehead.

She pulls away her hair stuck to her head from sweat and gets up.

“I need to do laundry…”

The deep hours before dawn.

Too awake now to go back to sleep.

She decides starting the day early wouldn’t be bad and moves briskly.

Fire…

Something she once handled like an extension of herself as a cook…

But after that incident, it became something she feared facing again.

For her voiceless brother, to keep living somehow…

To overcome trauma head-on…

She picked up the pan again, but…

The painful memories eating away at her weren’t easily forgotten.

Scorching heat.

Choking smoke from burning fires.

The crimson movements ravaging her vision hypnotically.

Just staring blankly could make her lose consciousness.

In cooking where every moment matters, such hesitation was fatal.

Ultimately, she had to give up cooking.

It wasn’t by choice.

While carrying blankets briskly, she reflects on the rare dream.

An unwelcome visitor…

But one that brings back faint memories.

There used to be days when she cried all day from sadness.

Now, the pain and longing are balanced.

Evidence of healing wounds.

Wounds that are healing but won’t ever fully disappear.

Evangelin gives a bittersweet smile.

Living on isn’t as easy as it seems.

She didn’t want pity from others for her sadness.

Nor did she want to ask for help using it as an excuse.

Just working hard.

Being proper, kind…

Living earnestly as her parents would have wanted.

“Aah.”

Amidst this, a faint memory crosses her mind.

A man who brightened her mornings.

Unknowingly, a smile forms on her lips as she moves the damp blanket.

Thinking about him brings joy.

When did it start?

They say you don’t notice your clothes getting wet in a drizzle…

Before she knew it, someone became indispensable in her daily life.

She thought she’d spend eternity with Jack…

How did it end up like this?

Their first impression must have been him looking bewildered, lost.

A man who inherited a vast estate from his grandfather, a local elder.

Hardworking, obviously diligent…

Good at securing crop contracts with his abilities…

Handsome too…

Subtly considerate…

Likes seep in like rain…

One by one, they form droplets of reasons.

Even if those droplets fall…

Since what seeped in doesn’t evaporate…

That feeling lingers, maintaining its place indefinitely.

Tuck-tuck…

She shakes off the water-laden blanket and places it on the drying rack.

When daylight comes and sunlight shines, the blanket will naturally dry.

Evangelin climbs the creaky stairs and enters Jack’s room.

Her sleeping brother.

She gently shakes him awake.

“Hmm…?”

“Get up, Jack.”

“Ugh!”

Jack also likes Minho.

It’s fortunate he thinks he’s a good person.

Minho also takes good care of Jack…

Morning sunlight filters through.

Leaving the dazzling light behind, she walks toward Minho’s house.

On the outskirts of Starwind Valley.

In a secluded spot.

Minho’s house, occupying a large area, has quite an inaccessible layout.

Calm rural scenery.

The fresh green of awakening life.

As summer approaches, Evangelin renews her resolve.

For herself. For her brother, who lost his voice standing up for her.

“Let’s go, Jack.”

Holding hands tightly…

They walk toward Minho’s house.

Silver spirits tidying up the fields.

Jack’s eyes sparkle brightly.

Though everyone is busy working, they can’t play together much…

Jack has recently taken to observing the spirits after breakfast.

Fortunately, the soft-hearted friends don’t dislike him.

If they showed any signs of disliking him, Jack would definitely get hurt.

*

“Welcome.”

“I’ll prepare breakfast right away.”

“Always thank you.”

“No, it’s my job.”

Following the modest Evangelin’s elegant steps, he enters the house.

Same as always, yet slightly different.

Resolution.

Perhaps decisiveness.

There’s a sense of determination.

Did she gain some enlightenment in cooking?

Her attitude and skills in cooking are extraordinary.

I knew she was good, but…

Seeing her now, it feels new.

Propping my chin, gazing intently…

I can’t take my eyes off Evangelin.

Noticing my gaze, she glances at me, blushes slightly, and continues cooking.

The smell of stir-frying oil is pleasant.

“You’re pretty.”

“Excuse me?”

“No, nothing.”

“Uh-huh…”

Words slip out unintentionally.

It was closer to my true feelings.

I thought I said it quietly, but she heard…

Evangelin looks slightly flustered and speaks.

It’s cute, so I keep watching her.

“Ah-ah. Ah.”

“Yeah, our Jack is cool too.”

“Ah!”

Rather than cool, he’s also pretty cute…

But he seems to like being called cool, so I often say it.

Holding hands, we wait until Evangelin finishes cooking.

“Please enjoy.”

“I’ll eat well.”

Lively and refreshing dishes.

When Evangelin uses my crops to cook, I now get a 12-hour buff.

Occasionally +2. Usually +1.

Various kinds of buffs.

The randomness is intriguing…

Curiosity drives me to see what kind of buff I’ll get today.

Whatever it is, having it is better than not.

After breakfast, the real work begins.

Combat today.

It’s not something I particularly look forward to, but Intermediate Level 7…

Being the closest to Advanced, I plan to give my best to reach it.

Anyway, it’s not like I’ll become Advanced immediately.

Unless all achievements are unlocked, certain achievements need to be completed for Advanced to open…

I’m not expecting the same lucky “click” opening like with mining.

With Evangelin’s cooking buffs – body temperature maintenance +1, curse resistance +2 – I head to the dungeon.

Not particularly helpful for combat, but as always…

Having them is better than not.

Combat.

There’s always a chilling sensation with that word.

Appropriate tension is good, but if it makes your body stiff and unable to act, that’s not good.

I leave Suri with Jack.

When I hold its cheeks with both hands and say I’m going to the dungeon or mine…

Suri gets very downcast but understands and flies home flapping its wings.

Honestly, it’s not that I can’t protect Suri, but combat has too many variables…

With only one life, I don’t have the courage to take it somewhere dangerous.

Maybe learning magic will help…

Suri’s big round eyes, full of gloom, haunt me throughout the dungeon trip.

Equipping gear upon entering the dungeon.

The refreshing chill of mithril.

Adorning myself with neat silver and gold equipment, I slowly compose myself.

The moment I grip my sword, mental preparation is complete…

But there’s a separate spiritual procedure beyond the experience the skill provides.

“Huff.”

Deep breathing.

Exhaling lightly and deeply.

With that last breath, I enter combat.

10th floor.

Slashing through wolves, covered in their hot blood.

20th floor.

Burning dark knights and obtaining dark flames.

30th floor.

Smashing golems with a pickaxe, reducing them back to their original stone state.

40th floor.

“…?”

Shadows.

Some sort of presence.

That opponent giggles and spouts strange words then disappears.

The three-headed shadow puppy.

The hellhound Cerberus faces me.

This shouldn’t be the boss here.

Why has it changed?

Does the 40th floor, being shadow-based, change bosses each visit?

This is only my second visit, so I’m not sure.

I’ll know when I reach the third visit.

It’s not easy to imagine instantly slitting its throat and subduing it.

The previous boss gave up its life so easily.

This one is exhaling gray flames from its mouth, taking a threatening stance.

My posture gradually lowers in response to its movements.

Finding the optimal position to react to its actions.

“Roooar!”

Cerberus’ roar.

When the right head roars, the left and center heads launch gray fireballs at incredible speed.

Easily dodging their approach with fluid movement.

Their speed was nowhere near enough to hit me.

Bang-!

Boom!

The destructive power was considerable.

Flying rock fragments.

Ash-colored flames remnants.

Getting hit wouldn’t be safe, I swallow nervously.

Movement feints.

Exploiting blind spots.

Naturally learning techniques with improved combat skills.

Whether shadows perceive blind spots similarly, I’m not sure.

I entrust my body to what my senses guide.

Dodging right, I align myself with the head.

Facing straight ahead, meeting the shadow puppy’s gaze.

Its massive body.

The central mouth opens wide.

Spewing flames, ready to bite me to death.

Facing it, I slightly thrust my sword.

Cutting through to block its sight.

Flames trace lines, blocking the view of the right and center heads.

Slipping in very low to the left…

Perhaps influenced by my previous rightward motion.

The dog’s body tilts sharply to the right.

If you fell for it…

Then get cut.

“Kung?”

An empty space.

Three-headed dog.

I cleanly slice the left neck of Cerberus with its name.

Dark smoke flows out.

Black flames cover the spot.

Followed by an explosion, ash clouds softly emit heat filling the area.

“Kyaahhh!”

Cerberus’ scream.

Unable to follow up continuously, it wildly shakes its heads, spraying flames everywhere.

Raising its claws, it fiercely chases after me.

Retreating appropriately, I fend off the flames and look for opportunities.

With the mindset of an assassin, I aim for the next strike.

Sweat drips.

Using flames ourselves, the surrounding heat is intense.

The rising hot air is unpleasant.

Breathing in, the heat mixes considerably.

My grip on the sword tightens slightly.

The gray fireball spewed with a “Tung” sound.

Gracefully evading, I mimicked similar movements.

Indeed.

Did this thing learn?

The unseen left side.

Creating black flames with my sword to create a blind spot.

Faking a move to the right then going left instead.

“Kung?”

The foolish cry proves Cerberus fell for the same trick again.

Extending my sword long, I unleash rapid strikes.

Once downward. Again downward from below.

I slash its neck twice.

“Khrrr…”

Smoke flows from the wounded neck.

Finally letting out a deep breath I hadn’t properly taken.

Breathing comfortably in the cooling air despite the oppressive heat, I savor victory faintly.

Cerberus signals death.

Correspondingly, items pop out.

[Shadow Essence]

“Uh…?”

It wasn’t a shadow fragment.

Definitely.

Was the one I met first a special different entity?

Pondering this, I descend to the 41st floor.

There’s still plenty of time left before finishing the combat.

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