Chapter 75

With everyone now given the space to feel safe and secure, along with the newly-installed barrier giving the illusion of a sparkling midnight sky, those who hadn’t been able to get proper sleep in weeks were able to finally cash in all that mental exhaustion and relax.

Having pulled out a set of basic chairs and a table from the Inventory, Jae invited everyone to sit down and wait whilst he cooked for the seven of them.

During this time, they made casual small talk and asked questions they were most curious about.

“―So, Rena, how come Jae’s your dad?”

Nicholas inquisitively asked the question that must have been on all of their minds. Before an answer came back, he nervously glanced at Amelia and continued in a whispering tone.

“...He didn’t... Get with Queen Leila, right...?”

“Nicholas!”

Reprimanded by Kaitlyn, she smacked him.

“Gah! He-hey, what?!”

“Why’d you say that, idiot!?”

“Wha--ah--well, y’know! Was curious... Ow!”

Hitting him again, Kaitlyn couldn’t believe her ears.

“That’s so insensitive!”

“Huh?? How? What--what do you mean?”

“You... Haa, listen, how'd ya think Amelia feels when you say shit like that, huh?”

“What...?”

Looking over to the girl in question, Nicholas realised his mistake upon seeing her downcast and outright miserable expression.

“...Uh, shit. Um... Fuck. Sorry...”

“Ahh, just shut up, okay?”

“...”

Scratching the back of his head, he shrunk himself and stopped talking out of shame. With the atmosphere now awkward, the only sound that could be heard was the sizzling of some meat over by Jae.

In truth, Amelia didn’t mind Nicholas’ question, but when she thought about it, it made her feel sickly inside. More than anyone else, Amelia was the person most desperate to know how the relationship between Rena and Jae occurred; even if it ended up making her feel worse, she wanted the truth.

After all, if Jae was taken by another woman, then... Her whole reason for coming to this other world would be in vain.

The one to repair this mood was Rena.

“Umm, you are Daddy's friends, aren't you? Do you want to know how I know him?”

Was it because she comprehended the situation, or was it simply one of those instinctual feelings that all children get? Either way, she asked a question everyone wanted the answer to.

It was something that even Bailey didn’t know, as, by the time they had met, Rena had already been addressing him as her father.

It wasn’t even questionable at all since he knew that Baghwud Village had many parentless children abandoned there, and that was even his own story, too―therefore, it wasn’t a strange occurrence in the slightest for one of those many missing parents to return one day and pick up their previously forgotten about children.

Getting back on track, when they answered her question positively, Rena told the story as it was.

“I was taken by bad humans, and Daddy saved me.”

Silence ensued for a brief moment after her rather oversimplified answer, and then Ryan asked, “So, there’s no marriage between the Queen n’ him?”

Rena, in a puzzled response, adorably tilted her head and shrugged.

“Marry...? I don’t know. Daddy is Daddy and Mama is Mama.”

Because they both acted a bit differently when together around her, they guessed. In the end, they couldn’t get the answer they wanted the most. Still, knowing that Rena wasn’t a biological child was a step in the right direction.

This little tidbit relieved some of the worries from Amelia’s mind, even if just slightly.

It’s somewhat expected though, because of her Title.

Ryan already knew that she was born between a Demon and Spirit, so it wasn’t at all a surprise to him―that’s why he asked the question in the first place, just to confirm it.

Bailey interjected without trouble, however.

“Uh, if that’s what you want to know, I can tell you. Master and the Demon Queen aren’t married. He said he has never been married to anyone. We’ve been travelling for months and he told me about it one time.”

It was as if a collective sigh of relief was heard as multiple voices exhaled at once. Then, Ryan probed further.

“That so? But, if they’re guardians of the same child, then surely somethin’ must’ve happened between ‘em.”

Kaitlyn gave him a mean look at this, but he didn’t care, just awaiting the boy’s answer.

“Yeah. Apparently, Master was proposed to, but he said no.”

Everyone widened their eyes at this statement. Then, they all looked at the back of the man himself, who was currently in the middle of cooking a large meal for seven people.

Amelia’s gaze, in particular, was meaningful.

...Rejectin’ a marriage proposal from the Demon Queen herself, huh? This guy, is he impotent or just a moron?

Interrupting the changed atmosphere, Ryan whistled, amused, and asked for more details.

“He tell you the reason for it?”

“No.”, Bailey replied with a single shake of his head.

“‘Kay...”

Jae, who was cooking with his back turned towards the table, frowned.

―Oi oi, do you guys think I can’t hear you? Stop staring holes into my back, all I did was reject her one time...

Kaitlyn carried on the conversation by asking Bailey a question since he appeared to be strangely close to both Jae and Rena, but the boy’s response was awkward.

“So, you’re Bailey, right? What about you, then? What’s the story behind you becoming Jae’s student?”

Hearing this, Jae grimaced.

Oh, no, don’t ask him that...

Seeing his reluctance, Kaitlyn easily sensed something about the question was wrong, causing her to flush with embarrassment.

“...Uhh, ex--excuse me. Did I... say something wrong...? I apologise. You don’t have to answer my question.”

Flustered, she hurriedly changed the subject.

“An-anyway, does anyone know what we’re eating?”

“What are you talking about? We just killed a Dragon, so it’s gotta be Dragon meat, right?”, Nicholas replied as if it were obvious.

She quickly snapped back, to which Nicholas became silent.

“Excuse you? You say ‘we’ as if ‘we’ actually did anything?”

Of course, because she was entirely correct, there was no argument to be made, so instead, he gave up and changed the question, addressing Bailey and Rena.

“...Anyway. About you guys. Aren’t you both way too strong for kids? Ah, that’s if you’re on the same level as Rena, but since you came to this place you must be, right? What kind of torture training did you get put through...”

Of course, Ryan listened to Nicholas’ question and thought.

Judgin’ by the Status of the two, their training must’ve been... ‘unorthodox’, at best.

He could view both of their Status menus, and with even just a brief examination, it was evident―Rena and Bailey were alike in that, compared to others of their age, they would be considered monsters.

“――If you’d like, I can introduce you to my ‘methods’?”

Suddenly, Jae interrupted with an offer as he opened the Inventory and began decorating the table with all kinds of shining crockery, filled to the brim with mouthwatering dishes, mainly consisting of a strange, yet oddly alluring meat. As he laid the enticing meals down in the style of a buffet and with tableware for each person, Ryan asked him.

“I’m assumin’ what you mean... Is that you will train us with these ‘methods’?”

“Well...”, Jae paused for a second to think, then nodded, “If what you want is to get stronger, then there’s no reason for me to refuse. I will warn you first, though, that it’s not an offer to be taken half-heartedly. The training itself is rather dastardly, you see. However, I can guarantee its effectiveness. And...”

He closed his mouth, the ends of his speech fading.

--I’m not confident enough to assure your survival without it.

It incited curiosity in what he was about to say, but nobody felt to rush him. In silence, Jae kept his mouth shut and continued setting the table swiftly yet with precision.

Quickly, he was finished, and once everything was ready, he lightly smiled at those whose mouths were drooling, eyes glued to the food that had already succeeded in seducing their appetites.

“Haha... Feel free to dig in. Ah...”

Without even waiting for his words to finish, everyone immediately jumped forth at the phrase “feel free” to grab anything they could get their hands on and add it to their plates like a predator claiming its prey.

...They must’ve been really hungry. They didn’t seem to lack food though, so why...?

“How is it so good?!” Nicholas exclaimed, “Is this what Dragon meat tastes like?”

Seemingly realising that the cause behind their fervent desire for his food was highly likely to be the Production skill,「Cooking」, which had the ability to make almost anything smell and taste nice, Jae laughed and corrected his ex-classmate’s innocent assumption.

“Not quite. This is the meat of a Wyvern.”

Everyone turned their heads to his words. “What was wrong with Dragon meat?”, their expressions seemed to be asking.

“Dragon meat is considered highly poisonous due to the absurd magical concentration of the flesh, you see, so ingesting any will erupt a person’s internal mana storage―an extraordinarily painful process that makes you wish you were dead―and renders them unable to use magic for the rest of their lives.”

“Oh...”

“Even then, it’s not like you’d live for long after ingesting it anyway. That’s why, even if you are starving, there are no circumstances under which you should eat a Dragon.”

Ending his words, Jae smiled at the horrified faces he saw adorning their faces. With this, he was sure no one here would ever try to eat the meat of a Dragon. What Jae said was correct, after all, so he told them in order to protect them.

‘No one should eat a Dragon’s flesh.’

Unless you’re me, of course.

Allowing everyone to continue with their meals, a small chunk of red meat silently appeared in Jae’s hand as he sat down alongside them, sneakily chucking it into his mouth without anyone noticing.

He quietly moved his eyes to read the floating text that subsequently followed.

Skill「Gluttony」has activated Skill「Impact Resistance (ALL)」has been acquired Skill「Impact Resistance (ALL)」has levelled up [Lv.5]→[Lv.6] Target’s highest essence value: Magic Devouring essence Magic increased by 5

It was finally possible. Since Gluttony had been unlocked from the Level-Up Process, he had been able to devour and absorb Dragon-level foes, such as the Scylla. Finding out that he could successfully use Gluttony on Dragons was great news for Jae.

Because it meant that the Pride Dungeon was his perfect feasting ground.

Title「Dragon Eater」has been acquired Due to the effect of Title「Dragon Eater」, Mana Points (MP) receives a permanent significant increase Due to the effect of Title「Dragon Eater」, Natural Mana Regeneration receives a permanent significant increase Due to the effect of Title「Dragon Eater」, Natural Mana Consumption Efficiency receives a permanent significant increase Skill「Draconic Blood」has levelled up [Lv.1]→[Lv.2]

Raising an eyebrow, Jae opened his Status to check out exactly what had occurred, and it turned out that the new Title he gained brought about a massive effect.

Health Points (HP) : 52,436 / 52,436 (+30%) Mana Points (MP) : 799,974 / 799,974 (+300%)

His maximum mana, which just about hit 800,000 MP, was increased by 300%. Tripled, in other words, to about 2.4 million points. Not only that, but this was a permanent effect.

Hahaha... I already didn’t have to worry about running out of mana before, but man, what’s this? It really is infinite now... Does this even benefit me that much?

The designated Dungeon Boss screeches in anticipation of your future growth

After that, a peaceful mood dominated the air as everyone casually continued to eat and talk with each other.

In the process, Jae, Ryan, Amelia, Nicholas and Kaitlyn all chatted together as former classmates about what they had been up to since Jae’s disappearance from the Seronian Royal Palace.

It was like an unofficial alumni meeting, though only one of them had actually grown up.

“So, why do you look so mature, like an adult?”

―In fact, that matter was brought up rather quickly, by Nicholas.

“I am an adult.”

“...Huh?”

“I don’t know what the exact date is, but I think I should be 24 in a month or two?”

“24?!”, Nicholas exclaimed in shock, “How... How is that even possible?”

It was Ryan that answered his question.

“You lived here, right? More precisely, in that abandoned house near the entrance portal.”

He and Jae locked eyes momentarily, each of them straight-faced like a statue. Instinctively, a subtle pressure could be sensed coming from Jae, but it didn’t seem to be on purpose.

“...I did.”, he nodded slowly, then averted his gaze as if reminiscing about something, “Once upon a time.”

After a short few seconds of silence, Ryan spoke again, probing for more answers.

“You say that as if it was a long time ago.”

Jae immediately saw where he was trying to go but complied.

“Well, yes, I said that, but... It was only a few years ago, so not that long ago. I don’t mind telling you my story, but first, let me ask you all one thing.”

“Sure.”

“Alright then.”

“I don’t mind. What is it?”

“I think we’ll answer anything you ask, within reason.”

When they had each given their replies, Jae prompted the same question he put forth to Chris when they had reunited.

“―Have any of you experienced death?”

No one responded with words, but instead, with curiosity and intrigue. They thought of Jae’s question as rhetorical, or perhaps a metaphor, not realising that he meant it literally... So, he turned it up a notch.

“I have. Numerous times, in fact. Because I cannot die.”

Of course, puzzled at his claims, they couldn’t simply take his word as fact with no proof or evidence, so they sat there in silence.

“I will tell you everything that happened, so don’t interrupt.”

Looking at each of their faces in turn, intently listening to his story, it was needless to say that they wanted to hear more. Hell, he even allowed Rena and Bailey to sit in and listen. This would be an event to remember, Jae declared internally

“I‘ll start right from the beginning, to be clear.”

So, with a final glance at Amelia’s pure, concerned expression, he gave in and continued.

“This is what happened when I disappeared from the palace.”

Within the barrier. Late evening, three days after Jae had confessed his story.

The only thing he had purposely left out was the fact that his enemies were all the gods of this world, including the Sinful God, Reius.

For fear that the things he spoke of in this place could be heard, he excluded it.

Once everyone was already asleep, he called Amelia out to talk somewhere private. One of the many reasons he had decided to reveal everything to them was in preparation for this moment.

Feeling groggy, Amelia stumbled out of the blanket that Jae had provided everyone to sleep in. It was all the group had, and though it wasn’t close to having a real bed, it got the job done well enough. Considering that it was high-quality fur, they had no right to complain.

She fumbled her way to the agreed-upon meeting location, tired and dazed. It seemed that, as she pretended to fall asleep to not let anyone else know about the upcoming talk, she pointlessly just increased her sleepiness instead.

The past few days have been exhausting for her. Every interaction she had with Jae felt stiff and awkward, and it almost felt as if they were strangers. Still, she resolved to sort things out with him.

All she wanted was clarity and an idea of what to do next, so she was inexplicably glad when he asked to talk with her. Ever since she arrived in this world with the help of Ryan and his team, she had been thinking of everything to talk about with Jae when they finally reunited.

Those precious thoughts were enough to keep her from losing hope and much more than enough to stop her from falling asleep to drowsiness.

Finally, she approached Jae, who stood alone in the dark waiting for her.

Standing in front of him, she looked right at him and thought that something wasn’t quite right.

His mannerisms, voice, hair, eyes, face―everything was almost exactly as she remembered it, just matured, so it wasn’t that. Even his personality didn’t differ that much from what she remembered.

It wasn’t long before she identified what the cause for this unsettlement was.

...He’s changed.

Examining his well-built, toned body―forged as well as a master swordsman’s blade through years of training and combat―was enough to tell her how much he had changed.

Hearing his cold, low voice, it was a tone deeper, more stable, more certain, and contained a hint of weariness, as if emotionally exhausted. His way of speaking also seemed to have evolved.

Gazing into his piercing black eyes, the light within had dulled, as if having witnessed countless, unimaginable atrocities, and they appeared to look towards a specific future, like an arrow aiming for its target.

This is not the same person as the Jae I know.

Upon this realisation, Amelia shuddered.

Had she merely ignored it subconsciously until now? She didn’t think so, so what was the cause of this chill that ran down her spine? The goosebumps that arose on her skin.

―It had just now hit her that their relationship would never be the same as it once was.

“You came.”, Jae said.

His voice instantly washing away all previous signs of fatigue she had, Amelia could not tell whether his tone was that of surprise or something else.

“Of course.”, she replied. As soon as she spoke, a small smile gradually appeared on her face as if it were natural, “Although I know you’ve been living a vastly different lifestyle for so many years now, I... I always missed you.“

Hearing that same silvery, soothing voice from all those years ago, Jae couldn’t stop a bitter smile from forming.

He knew that what he was about to do was heartbreaking, but he suffocated that feeling while consoling himself.

...This is for the best.

Stabilising his shaken breath, Jae calmed himself and spoke with as indifferent a tone and expression as he could muster.

“Amelia. I can’t be in a relationship with you.”

Widened eyes, all she could utter was an incomprehensible, meaningless sound.

“......Eh...?”

“If we somehow haven’t done so already, even though so much time has passed without us saying as much as a simple hello, then I will declare it right now as confirmation.”

“W-wait...”

‘This was something that needed to happen’, Jae told himself internally.

“―We’re breaking up.”

“Ah...”

It’s not your fault. It’s because of me. Please, don’t feel bad.

He couldn’t tell her these things, despite wishing for it. Because it truly was for her safety. The endless tears streaming down her face felt like a dagger being driven into his heart, with each additional sob being a ruthless twist of that dagger.

Nevertheless, he remained silent in front of this crying girl who did no wrong.

You can call me a bastard, an asshole, immature, whatever. I only swore to not let you get involved with this. I don’t care if it’s immature, because all I want is for you to be safe. Reius, and the other gods―it’s far too dangerous. I can’t bring myself to take you with me.

“Wh-why?!”

Her distraught voice cracked as she cried out in pure distress.

“Is it because of the time!? Is--is it the age difference?! What did I do to make you...?!“

Jae listened in silence to her bawling, unable to act. It wasn’t that he wanted to, but that he couldn’t if he wanted her to give up on chasing him.

My heart feels like it’s gonna fucking explode... I’m so sorry...

She begged as she wept, face ruined with fluids and voice distorted horribly with intermittent sucks of air and nasally moaning.

“Please tell me...! Jae, just why--do you know how hard I worked to come here, to this fucking other world, to find you?!”

Jae endured it, keeping silent throughout it all―to be honest, it was considerably harder than he initially expected. All he wanted to do right now was hug her and explain everything, comfort her, but he restrained himself as best he could.

I know you, he thought while listening to her wails, I know that, if I were to tell you of the dangers my objective entails, then rather than put you off, it would just motivate you to work harder for my sake. That’s because you’re too selfless in that sense. I can’t have that.

He needed for Amelia to hate him, to not want to follow him, for her to be safe. That was the only way.

Exactly.

If she was favourable towards him, she would try her best to help his situation, even if it could lead to her death. That was a risk Jae didn’t want to take.

That’s why, though it pains me inconceivably to do so... This is my only choice. Please, live a good life without me, and if I manage to achieve my goal successfully, then I promise, I will come find you and apologise.

He swore it.