The Academy’s Barbarian Chapter 201

(4)

6.

After Perticia’s cries stopped.

The hall was engulfed in silence for an instant.

“… … what?”

“Ulan fell into the pond?”

“yes! I tried to catch it, but it disappeared under the pond faster than I could… … .”

After hearing the whole story, Ibella immediately looked into the pond. But then he tilted his head.

Because the water was too calm to say that someone had fallen into the water. At that time, Delia, who was also looking at the pond, suddenly hardened her expression.

“wait for a sec.”

Because I discovered the power flowing from the center of the pond. It wasn’t long before Delia figured out what it was.

That’s an enormous amount of horsepower. Pure magic flowed continuously like clean water.

“… … !”

At that moment, something crossed my mind.

A story about a place where a similar phenomenon occurs. Delia, who remembered where that place was, finally made an expression of realization.

“This can’t be… … !”

“Fountain of magic, Arsene.”

At that time, Noah intercepted the answer.

As if I had similar thoughts to Delia.

However, unlike her, who was agitated, Noah showed no signs of embarrassment.

‘That’s because I got sick of it.’

This is the passage to the abyss.

And it is the place where the Gate of the Abyss was later created. For users who played the original game, it was bound to be a familiar place.

“Now, just wait a moment.”

Meanwhile, Ibella, who was listening to the conversation between the two, summarized the situation with a confused face.

Some time after that.

After understanding the general situation through Perticia’s explanation and Delia’s story, she quickly came to the only conclusion.

“So, you’re saying that Ulan entered the abyss through this pond?!”

“Yes, I guess so.”

Noah nodded silently.

When I first realized the situation, I didn’t know why I went into the abyss, but when I thought about it calmly, I quickly came up with an answer.

‘Ghost Knights.’

Perhaps they headed into the abyss together in the process of chasing down the Ghost Knights who were retreating due to Ulan’s threatening offensive.

Considering Ulan’s past actions, this is a reasonable guess.

On the other hand, Ibella, who did not know this, glared at Perticia with a face as hard as stone.

“What on earth happened?”

“Well, that… … .”

“Why did Ulan go into the abyss again?!”

Ibella yells as if she is arguing.

It was a natural reaction.

Because she didn’t know the context, she couldn’t understand that Ulan had headed into the abyss.

However, unlike Ibella, who asked the reason, Delia spoke in a calm and subdued tone.

“You can listen to that later.”

“what? but… … .”

“Right now, the important thing is to get the Ulan out, just like we did last time.”

The abyss is an extremely dangerous space.

Delia became acutely aware of this when an abyss opened in District 3. We can’t leave Ulan alone in such a place.

‘And one more thing.’

There was something I learned.

It is impossible to escape the abyss alone without external help. At this she immediately turned her head.

“Noah.”

At the time of the last incident that occurred.

She opened the abyss and rescued Ulan and Laurea in just 10 minutes.

“Can you do it this time too?”

“Yes, it may take some time.”

“Then, let’s hurry.”

Golden eyes turned to the pond.

Soon Delia was clutching her chest. For some reason, an ominous feeling came over me. The white wolf also stared intently at the pond.

[Grrrrr!]

Just like last time, this time it looks like it will head towards the abyss as soon as the door opens.

With the common goal of saving Ulan in mind, Noah focused his mind. To recall her original memories and open a gap in the abyss.

7.

Immediately after being enveloped in the darkness of the abyss.

When the line between closing his eyes and not closing his eyes became blurred, Ulan remembered what a voice had quietly whispered.

「―Returner.」

The guy whispered that to himself.

Furthermore, he seemed to have memories of himself from his past life. The evidence is that he talked about things like giant slayer and warchief.

‘How on earth do you know?’

Ulan tilted his head.

It was a natural question.

Even Noah, who lived countless lives in the unique position of a player, did not know his secret until Ulan told him.

“Ugh!”

Then, suddenly, I got a headache.

Just as I was frowning at the sudden pain, the scenery before my eyes suddenly changed.

Numerous landscapes unfolded, as if the world was reflected in shattered pieces of glass. And Ulan soon figured out the identity of the scenery.

‘Memories of a past life.’

The memories of leaving the plains, wandering the battlefield, meeting comrades, and becoming aware of my mission as a warrior were transformed into videos and played back.

And finally-.

I could see Ulan meeting his end.

A memory of being left alone to buy time for my seriously injured colleagues to escape. As he was silently looking at this, his eyebrows suddenly twitched.

‘This… … .’

A sense of discomfort felt late.

Afterwards, Ulan’s eyes sank low.

‘It’s not my memory.’

If it was his memory, the video should have ended when he collapsed after the fight.

However, even after Ulan passed away, the video continued as if this was not the end.

Afterwards, while fighting the endless monsters of the abyss, the warriors fell one by one, and soon the world was filled with monsters.

A world where all humans have become extinct.

In a world where the boundary between the abyss and the outside world has become blurred, a voice arose.

“-finished.”

A dark, gloomy voice.

It was the same voice that whispered to Ulan that he was a returner. It kept spitting out words in a voice full of joy.

“With this, all star arrangements have disappeared, and the day has arrived to put an end to the tiresome cycle of time!”

As soon as the shouting stopped, the darkness shimmered.

Some time after that.

The monsters of the abyss turned into a handful of darkness and began to melt into the world. Eventually, the landscape turned into complete darkness.

【This is your future.】

【Returner, Ulaanbaatar.】

A whisper was heard again.

Just like before, the voice sounds close, almost like a whisper, right next to you. The unidentified thing repeatedly spoke in a gloomy voice.

【Your end has already been decided.】

【No matter where you run to.】

【No matter what measures you take.】

【Because the predetermined fate does not change.】

Perhaps he wanted Ulan to despair, but his reaction was like stone.

Ulan, who was silent for a moment, then looked in the direction from which the voice came and asked again.

“Did you keep me here to tell you that?”

But no answer came back.

Just like in the beginning, the voice was repeating what it had to say.

【But there is no need to be lonely.】

【After meeting the fateful end.】

【The world will be covered in an abyss.】

【Everything you cherish will meet the same end as you.】

Just like the ‘after memory’ I witnessed earlier.

As soon as he finished speaking, Ulan gritted his teeth. It was because he remembered the images of warriors falling and dying in vain.

“… … .”

A face full of strong anger.

Bright red eyes burned like flames.

After a while, he turned to where the voice was coming from. He then shook off the restraints holding his body and took a long stride.

I don’t know what that is.

But it’s probably good. Right now, I just felt like swinging an ax at the guy who was talking nonsense.

But at that moment.

There was something blocking Ulan’s path.

[Grrr!]

It was none other than a white wolf.

The guy completely blocked Ulan’s path, as if he couldn’t go any further. Ulan soon realized the reason.

“… … !”

Currently, Ulan was standing on the edge of a cliff.

All that awaited him was an endless abyss and an abyss of abyss. If he had taken one more step, he would have fallen.

【It was just one step forward.】

【You’re making an unbecoming interruption.】

【Ludrick’s dog.】

At the same time, a voice was heard from beyond.

As if trying hard to swallow regret.

Along with that, Ulan was able to encounter beings and figures with unidentified voices.

“Palm?”

It’s countless hands.

Countless hands stretched out from the abyss beneath the abyss and beckoned toward Ulan. It was these ‘hands’ that grabbed and restrained his body.

【But there is no need to rush.】

【If the door to the abyss opens anyway】

【The era of humans will come to an end.】

【Then you too will meet your end.】

With a faint voice as if saying goodbye, the countless hands that had clung to Ulan’s body fell away one by one.

Then.

Ulan pursed his lips.

“My fate is pretty good.”

It was true.

From his past life to this one, Ulan has never believed in fate.

So no matter what the voice said, I wasn’t disturbed at all. Ulan growled, glaring at the palm that was soon returning to the abyss.

“I just do what I have to do.”

Defeating the monster in front of you.

With a short muttering as a signal, Ulan snatched up his palm as quickly as lightning. Then he pulled it out with all his might.

His purpose is only one.

All it does is lift up the owner of the hand.

【───!】

Is it because of his enormous strength?

Soon I felt something being pulled up. The guy tried to resist by wringing his hands as if he was embarrassed, but it had no effect on Ulan.

It wasn’t long before the hand’s presumed owner was revealed. A sphere that looks like a large fruit. Ulan swung his ax all the way.

Kwasik! Oh my!

A sphere that splits like a watermelon.

The abyssal magic contained within it dispersed into the air. Did you finish it? As I was thinking that, I heard a voice again.

【It’s pointless.】

Countless hands rising from the abyss.

It was truly a huge number. So much so that I can’t even think of counting them.

【I am infinite and eternal.】

【You are finite and mortal.】

【No matter how much you swing an axe.】

【Because the fight never ends.】

Facing the disappearing figure that seemed to sink into the abyss, Ulan swung his ax repeatedly. She wanted to split the remaining palms around her.

“Then we will fight until the end!”

The moment I encountered that.

And immediately after recognizing its existence.

Ulan realized. Even if we eliminate all of the Lords of the Abyss, the fight will not end as long as they do not disappear.

“Over and over again! “I’ll just chase after you and fight until the end comes one day.”

After tearing off all the hands around him.

Ulan roared into the abyss.

“forever!”

A fierce shout resounded as if it were echoing throughout the hall. However, his voice could no longer be heard. As if he had sunk completely down into the abyss.

Then.

Paaaaat!

Light burst out from behind. At the same time, the voices of children chattering were heard.

『If we’re done with our business, let’s go back!』

『Everyone is waiting for you.』

Immediately after the spirits’ whispers ended.

The white tiger that turned into a small one climbed onto Ulan’s shoulder, and soon a pure white light enveloped him. Soon the darkness cleared and the world changed.

‘pond.’

Like dew falling and creating light waves on the surface of the water, the quiet pond began to tremble. Afterwards, I blinked and immediately saw a familiar scene.

Fountain of Magic, Area 5.

This is the battlefield where the Ghost Knights were fought. As he realized this, he heard a welcome voice.

“Ulan!”

A silver-haired girl suddenly hugged him.

It was Delia Arpen.

And she wasn’t the only one who welcomed Ulan. Not only Perticia, but also Ibella and Noah were there.

“Why are you here… … .”

“That’s what we’re talking about.”

Delia responds sullenly.

There were a lot of things I wanted to ask, from why I came here despite breaking my lunch promise to why I went into the abyss, etc.

But I couldn’t ask right away.

“… … !?”

The golden eyes turned wide.

It was because I discovered it too late. Ulan’s body is full of all kinds of wounds and scars.

“Ooh, Ulan! body… … !”

“Oh, it looks like it happened during a fight.”

On the other hand, Ulan responded calmly.

There is a limit to the wounds that can be healed with the hero’s imprint. So he responded as if it was no big deal.

By the time the conversation ended like that.

Suddenly, Ibella touched Delia.

“Isn’t it a little lower than that now?”

A look of discomfort. It was because I really didn’t like the way he was stuck with Ulan.

“How long are you going to stick around?”

“… … “Not yet.”

“What can’t be done?”

“I still need Ulan’s warmth.”

“Well, that’s the same for me too?!”

Ibella shouted in retort.

It was with a face with a light blush.

Starting with this, the two girls quickly started bickering as usual. Then Perticia took advantage of this and approached Ulan.

“Ha, I’m glad you’re safe.”

Perticia smiles with tears in her eyes.

After a while, she muttered in a whisper.

“master.”

And that moment.

All the noise in the hall quieted down.

Noah’s eyes widened, and the gazes of Ibella and Delia, who were arguing with each other, suddenly turned to Perticia.

At that time, there was only a strange sense of silence.

It was Delia who spoke first.

“What did you just say…?” … ?”

“Did you say master?”

“Ulan, why, you are the master?”

“Well, that’s our secret.”

Perticia turned her head calmly.

Then he looked at Ulan again.

“Is that so, master?”

A smile appeared on her lips.

Her cheeks were slightly red, as if she was embarrassed.

However, on the contrary, the atmosphere inside the venue became colder than the snowy fields of the north.

Soon, Ibella and Delia were about to demand an explanation with cold faces.

“Hey, why don’t we go out and talk?”

Noah spoke carefully.

It was with a somewhat pale complexion.

“For some reason, since I was near the fountain of magic, I kept feeling dizzy… … .”

It was a natural reaction.

Noah expended a lot of mental energy in the process of opening the abyss to save Ulan.

“Yes, that would be a good idea.”

“I’ll go out and ask for more details.”

Eyes shining with determination to hear what happened. So the group returned to where they had originally been.

To Arsene Academy.

interlude. Flowers of Romerna

One.

After leaving the fountain of magic.

To explain what happened in Area 5, the Ulan group gathered together again.

At the time when everyone’s attention was focused.

Perticia spoke first.

“First, let me introduce myself again.”

Starting with a word that came out of nowhere, she grabbed both ends of her skirt.

Afterwards, with a polite greeting, he revealed his real name, which he had been hiding all along.

“My name is Perticia.”

She revealed that the name ‘Tisha’ was a nickname she used to call her when she was young, and that she had to hide her real name for some reason.

On the other hand, the two girls reacted angrily.

As if he was much more curious about something else than that.

Perticia seemed to have noticed this as well, and after completing the introduction, she immediately got into the main topic.

“Then, before I tell you what happened at the Fountain of Magic, let me first tell you about the special abilities I possess.”

If the existence of the spirit was hidden until the end, what happened at the fountain of magic could not be explained.

Some time after that.

After Perticia finished explaining, she closed her mouth, and Ibella and Delia kissed each other.

“A mixed race of human and spirit… … .”

“It’s an easy, unbelievable, incredible story.”

It was hard to believe that there was a spirit that came out of nowhere and how to deal with it, but there was something else that bothered me even more.

Half human, half spirit.

This is about the identity of Perticia.

“How on earth did I have a baby?”

“How was the baby born?”

Ibella and Delia asked the same question without anyone else saying it first.

It was a natural question.

Spirits are beings like light or dust that do not even have a clear shape, let alone a body. I couldn’t imagine the process of having a baby.

But the question was not resolved.

“Ahaha, I don’t know about that either.”

Because Perticia didn’t know either.

After all the story was over.

Unlike Ibella, who was still full of distrust, Delia silently nodded.

This is because I confirmed through my mind’s eye that there was no lie in her story. So she actually felt her inquisitive spirit rising.

“Then, is there a spirit around here too?”

“yes! “There are so many.”

Perhaps because it was the first time in her life she had seen someone show interest in spirits, Perticia spread her arms wide as if excited and continued her explanation.

Ulan also nodded. Then, he silently stared at the colorful cluster of lights that filled the group’s surroundings.

‘government ordinance.’

All kinds of lights swimming in the air.

After signing a contract with Perticia and the spirits, Ulando spirits were able to be seen. Furthermore, I could even hear their conversation intact.

Like right now.

『Hey, muscle pig.』

『Just for your information.』

『Don’t say the same thing as before.』

“never! Did you understand?』

The spirits hovering around Ulan repeated the same words as if they were urging him to do so. At this, Ulan tilted his puzzled face.

‘What are you talking about?’

However, he did not voice his doubts.

Because I realized it from the abyss.

You can communicate with spirits just by thinking, without using your voice.

“joy! Don’t act like you don’t know.』

『The process of making a baby!』

『Rather than something that happens when you f*uck, Marnie.』

『Don’t say it so openly!』

Spirits shouting as if they are in heartache.

Ulan tilted his head repeatedly.

Immediately after, I asked myself why I shouldn’t do that, and the answer came back immediately.

『That’s because that child is still young!』

『Perticia is a baby.』

『We have to protect it.』

A voice exuding solemn determination.

I couldn’t understand it exactly, but I nodded. It seemed like he was going to keep babbling until he answered that he understood.

As the conversation between Ulan and the spirit ended, Perticia also finished her lengthy explanation. After catching her breath, she asked back with a bright smile.

“Has this answered all your questions?”

“no. “There’s still one left.”

“yes? “Which one?”

“… … master.”

Delia’s eyes narrowed.

At the same time, Ibella’s gaze also turned to Perticia. The two girls’ eyes came together, and Delia got to her point.

“You still haven’t explained to Ulan why you called him master.”

“That’s because we signed a contract.”

“Yes? contract?”

Ibella asked curiously.

Perticia explained kindly.

“It’s a spirit contract.”

“… … what is that?”

“It literally means making a contract with a spirit so that you can borrow its power. “Like the ‘Spirit Master’ from an old story.”

In addition, Ulan added a specific story about how he inevitably made a contract with himself, who was half-human and half-spirit, because he could not see the spirit.

On the other hand, even after hearing the whole story, Ibella had an expression of disapproval.

“No, why make such a contract…” … .”

“It’s because I have no choice but to do that.”

At that time, Ulan broke into the conversation.

Next, continuing Perticia’s explanation earlier, she explained about the Lords of the Abyss and the ‘Ghost Knights’ whom she had faced in Area 5.

A powerful enemy that is difficult to even hit properly without divine power and elemental magic. After the detailed story was over, the two girls nodded.

“That kind of thing happened.”

“Well, if that was the only way to win, it would have been inevitable.”

As if I finally understood it then.

However, I wasn’t completely convinced. This Bella glanced at Pertichia with her sullen face.

“But then, isn’t it okay to use a title other than ‘master’? “Can I call you contractor or just my name?”

“Oh, that’s… … .”

I was speechless for a moment.

It was because it hit the nail on the head.

A spirit’s contract is not a master-servant contract, and just as the relationship between Perticia and the spirits that follow her was equal, so was the relationship between Ulan and her.

Nevertheless, there was a reason why she called Ulan “master.”

When Ulan, who had entered the pond in Area 5, came out. The moment I saw Delia in his arms, I had a strange feeling.

‘It’s hard to express it in words, but… … .’

It feels like something is bubbling inside my chest. At the same time, strange emotions welled up, and only one thought dominated my mind.

I hope you get away from Ulan quickly.

So, while I was thinking about how to get Delia away from me, the word “master” came out of my mouth without me realizing it.

‘Uhm, that’s the whole reason.’

I was just caught up in the emotions I felt for the first time in my life and spontaneously sang it. But that didn’t mean I had any intention of changing my name.

‘왜냐면 주인님이라고 불러도 딱히 이상한 일은 아니니까요.’

정령사가 등장하는 옛날이야기만 봐도, 정령들은 종종 계약자인 정령사를 향해 주인님이라고 불렀던 적이 있었으니까.

또 이렇게 부르고 싶기도 했다.

그럼 왠지 울란과의 관계가 더욱 가까워지는 기분이 들었기에. 두 소녀에게 이를 어떻게 설명할까 고민하던 무렵.

“이벨라의 말대로다.”

별안간 울란이 불쑥 말을 걸어왔다.

그는 페르티샤에게 주인님이라고 불리는 게 거북하다는 듯 고개를 흔들었다.

“그냥 평소대로 불러라.”

“네? 하, 하지만…….”

“설령 계약으로 맺어졌다고 해도 너와 나는 엄연한 동료니까.”

지난 삶에도, 그리고 이번에도.

울란에게 페르티샤는 소중한 동료다.

그런 존재에게서 주인님이라 불리니 당연히 이상한 기분이 들 수밖에.

반면 페르티샤의 반응은 시무룩했다.

“……그냥 동료는 싫은데요.”

당연했다. 그녀가 굳이 주인님이란 호칭을 고집한 이유는 울란과 특별한 관계처럼 보였으면 했기 때문이니까.

하지만 그렇다고 해서 울란의 고집을 꺾을 순 없었기에 페르티샤는 결국 그의 뜻에 따를 수밖에 없었다.

“후우, 알겠어요. 울란이 그러길 바란다면야 그냥 평소처럼 부를게요.”

“잘 생각했다.”

울란은 씩 웃었다.

그제야 만족한 것처럼. 이벨라와 딜리아도 안도하듯 한숨을 내쉬었다.

다만 셋은 몰랐다.

페르티샤는 포기하지 않았다는 걸.

‘지금 당장은 물러나겠지만…….’

나중에 천천히 시간을 들여서, 다시 호칭을 바꾸고 말리라. 새빨간 눈동자가 집요하게 반짝거렸다.

2.

한편 그 무렵.

노아는 줄곧 침묵을 유지했다.

제5구역에서 오래 머무른 탓인지 머리가 어지럽고 속이 울렁거렸던 탓이었다.

그렇게 얼마나 지났을까?

“후우우.”

가까스로 상태를 회복한 그녀는 그간 참았던 한숨을 내뱉었다. 물론 완벽히 회복된 건 아니었지만, 이젠 제법 참을만했다.

이후 노아는 다른 일행이 있는 방향으로 시선을 돌렸다. 정확히는 울란에게로.

‘당장 묻고 싶은 게 많지만…….’

지금은 타이밍이 안 좋다.

나중에 단둘이 있을 때가 온다면 그때 이야기하는 게 좋으리라. 그리 판단한 노아가 다시금 숨을 돌리던 무렵.

그녀를 찾아온 이가 있었다.

“노아.”

눈처럼 흰 머리카락의 소녀.

바로 페르티샤였다. 방긋 웃는 얼굴로 다가온 그녀는 대뜸 노아의 양손을 붙잡더니, 살며시 고개를 숙였다.

“정말 고마워요.”

“……네?”

“만약 당신이 없었다면 울란을 구하지 못했을지도 모른다고 들었거든요.”

응? 누가 그런 말을 했지?

주변을 두리번거리던 때, 일순간 딜리아와 눈이 마주쳤다. 은은한 미소를 짓는 걸 보니, 아무래도 그녀가 범인인 모양이다.

“이 은혜는 언젠가 꼭 갚을게요.”

“아니, 굳이 그럴 필요까진…….”

“그러니 앞으로도 잘 부탁해요!”

제멋대로 인사를 끝마친 뒤.

페르티샤는 다시금 활짝 웃었다.

이와 마주한 노아가 어색한 미소를 짓던 무렵, 돌연 무언가가 눈앞에 나타났다.

시스템 알림 메시지였다.

[알림]

*친밀도가 증가했습니다.

*대상: [페르티샤 이브 알 루벤]

*이제 ‘특징’을 열람할 수 있습니다.

아마도 이번 사건을 계기로 친밀도가 대폭 상승한 것이리라. 노아는 다시 울란에게로 돌아가는 페르티샤의 뒷모습을 바라봤다.

뒤이어 눈을 깜박였다.

그녀의 상태창을 보기 위해서.

[이름]: 페르티샤 이브 알 루벤

[나이]: 16세

[등급]: SS

[특성]: 정령의 가호

[특징]: 순수, 순결, 학습력, 이해력, 가창력, 악사, 무희, 정령 친화력, 심연의 정령, 애정결핍, 소유욕, 일편단심

그간 보이지 않던 특징이 개방됐다.

이를 쭉 훑어보던 때, 노아의 시선을 사로잡는 게 있었다. 바로 특정 조건을 만족해야만 얻을 수 있는 ‘심연의 정령’이었다.

‘저게 있다는 건…….’

용사의 시련을 통과했다는 뜻.

노아는 눈을 가늘게 떴다.

‘확실히 순서가 뒤바뀌었어.’

원작의 전개대로라면 페르티샤는 가장 마지막에 용사의 시련을 치른다.

대체 왜 이런 현상이 벌어졌는지는 모르겠지만, 분명 합당한 이유가 있으리라.

‘나중에 알아봐야겠네.’

푸른색 눈동자가 번뜩였다.

이후 노아의 시선은 이후에 나열된 특징으로 향했다. 바로 페르티샤의 페널티. 이를 주시하던 그녀는 원작의 정보를 떠올렸다.

‘애정결핍.’

어렸을 적부터 홀로 지냈던 페르티샤는 다른 이들보다 유독 애정결핍이 심했다.

그래서인지 일행과 함께 있다가 혼자 남겨지는 일이 발생한다면, 남들보다 몇 배는 외로워하며 힘들어하는 모습을 보인다.

‘단순히 이게 전부라면 괜찮지만…….’

문제는 홀로 남겨진 시간이 길어지면 길어질수록, 스탯이 점점 감소한다는 점.

여기에 만약 특수한 상황이 겹쳐 정령까지 그녀를 떠난다면, 페르티샤는 얼마 가지 못해 마음을 닫고 폐인이 된다.

그래서 용사 파티와 합류한 이후부터는 페르티샤를 혼자 둬선 안 된다. 그럼 어떤 형태로든 안 좋은 결과를 초래하니까.

‘다음은 소유욕(所有慾).’

이건 말 그대로의 의미다.

페르티샤는 종종 갖고 싶은 게 생기면 수단과 방법을 동원하지 않고 얻고자 한다.

물론 애정결핍에 비하면 까다롭지 않은 페널티였지만, 만약 물건이 아니라 생물을 소유하고자 하면 문제가 된다.

‘원작에선 주로 새(鳥)가 대상이었지.’

그렇기에 만약 소유욕이 발동하면 새를 죽이거나 박제해서라도 손에 넣었다.

제법 소름 끼치는 페널티였지만, 백 보 양보해서 여기까진 이해할 수 있었다. 진짜 최악의 페널티는 따로 있었으니.

‘……일편단심(一片丹心).’

노아는 마른침을 꿀꺽 삼켰다.

엄밀히 말하면 이는 양날의 검이다. 잘 사용하면 좋지만, 자칫 잘못 사용한다면 최악의 사태를 불러오는 특징이었기에.

‘원작에선 거의 발동하지 않았어.’

발동 조건이 까다롭기 때문이다.

이성이든 동성이든 상관없이, 진심으로 믿고 의지하며 사랑할 수 있는 상대가 나타나야만 비로소 발동하는 특징이니.

‘다만 예전에 한 번…….’

우연히 발동한 적이 있었다.

상대는 다름 아닌 라우레아.

당시 히든 피스를 찾아냈다는 흥분에 빠져 정확한 계기까진 기억나지 않지만, 어쨌든 발동하면 숨겨졌던 특징이 나타난다.

바로 지금처럼.

‘물론 잘 사용하기만 하면 좋긴 해.’

일편단심이 발동된 대상과 함께 있기만 해도 온갖 스탯이 대폭 상승하니까.

다만 대상과 조금이라도 멀리 떨어지면 역으로 스탯이 대폭 감소한다.

‘그리고…….’

만약 대상이 죽는다면?

그럼 비로소 깨닫게 된다.

일편단심이 왜 최악의 페널티인지.

‘Perticia also decided that there was no reason to stay alive any longer, so she committed suicide.’

Any penalty does not directly result in the owner’s death. Except for one penalty: single-mindedness.

So it was called the worst penalty.

After Noah had finished reminiscing and was sighing repeatedly, the sound of Ulan and Perticia’s conversation reached her ears.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Hehe, just.”

After putting a smile on my face.

Perticia stretched out her hands and lightly cupped her blushing cheeks.

“I feel like I am a flower from Romerna.”

“Romerna? “What is that?”

“It is a flower that blooms in the world of spirits.”

She answers with a confused look on her face.

At the same time, a more detailed explanation was heard from the spirits hovering everywhere.

『To be exact, it is a flower from a legend.』

『Staying in the state of a flower bud all along』

『It blooms when you meet your destined partner.』

Right. Ulan nodded his head.

As if I roughly understood it.

“Well, that’s what I’m saying.”

Then Perticia wiggled her fingers. It seems like she has something important to say. After a while, she mustered up her courage and opened her mouth.

“Can I stay by your side forever so that Romerna’s flowers can bloom?”

“Sure.”

Ulan answered willingly.

Anyway, until we stop the abyss, we have to be together whether we like it or not. Perticia smiled brightly at Ulan’s immediate response.

“yes!”

A smile of genuine joy.

Meanwhile, at that time, Ibella and Delia, who had been overhearing their conversation, finally became convinced. Perticia is their love enemy.

And that moment.

Noah was also sure of this.

‘Ah, I see.’

The worst penalty Perticia has ever had.

The target of single-mindedness is Ulan.

However, I wasn’t particularly worried.

‘Because I don’t think Ulan will die.’

Even if there is a certain fate, how will the current Ulan be able to get through it?

Noah believed so.

Chapter 47 Educational Travel

fantasy,