Rumination

There is no 'What If?' in the tapestry of reality, and what has transpired is irrevocable. Youngwoo understood this truth, yet his mind remained ensnared in the web of possibilities.

What is stopping him from intervening in Doran's fate? There were many opportunities for him to help Doran; the first one was to stay by his side and help him fight Yura, and the second one was that after he left the Yatan Temple, he could stay logged in and help Doran when Doran successfully rescued Irene.

But why didn't Youngwoo do just that?

"Because I'm afraid..." Youngwoo confessed, despite all his previous bravado, that he was still afraid. Especially toward the unknown. What will happen when he largely defies the canon storyline? He was still afraid of uncertainty.

What if he didn't get Yura's favor? Would she still join his guild in the future?

And if he doesn't make a big impression on Yura, would she still deny changing her race to half-demon offered by Amoract? And if there is no Demon Slayer Yura in the future, what will happen to the world? The thought sent a shiver down his spine.

So much could go wrong if Youngwoo chose a different route. Each decision felt like a delicate thread, and he was terrified of unraveling the intricate tapestry of fate that had been woven around him. The stakes were higher than he had ever imagined, and the consequences of his actions loomed like dark clouds on the horizon.

He could almost hear the echoes of the future whispering warnings, reminding him that every choice carried weight. The fear of making the wrong decision paralyzed him, leaving him caught in a web of doubt and hesitation. What if his desire to help Doran led to a chain reaction that spiraled out of control?

Yet, a thought flickered in his mind.

'But if that happened to Kaela...' Youngwoo didn't need to voice out his answer because he knew he would definitely help her at all cost.

But that raised another question. Why was he so willing to help Kaela while hesitating with Doran?

"Is it because I know Kaela isn't an original character from the novel?" Youngwoo pondered, feeling the contradiction gnaw at him. Even if Kaela hadn't appeared in the original story, the Kaela he knew possessed talent that rivaled legends.

"No... comparing her to a legend is a stretch," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. Kaela still needs a lot of room to grow to be comparable to a legend. The title of a legend does not just mean a strong person. A legend is someone who 'goes beyond strength' and shows 'something that cannot happen' or 'something that should not happen.' A legend is the personification of a miracle.

Still, the point remained, with her talent alone, Kaela would undoubtedly shape a future he hadn't anticipated. How many people have Advanced Blacksmith Craftsman in the Eternal Kingdom? It was so low that it could be counted on one hand. And yet, despite her age, Kaela was already an Advanced Blacksmith. It alone speaks about Kaela's talent.

With a heavy sigh, he lay down on his bed, running a hand through his hair. "I think a few more hours of rest will calm my mind down..." He closed his eyes, hoping that sleep would bring clarity to the turmoil swirling within him.

***

Despite the weight of his decision, Gilgamesh chose to remain silent as he logged into the game.

After returning to Bairan, he immersed himself in his work, spending his days forging in solitude. Each strike of the hammer was a cathartic release, a way to channel his turmoil into something tangible. The rhythmic clang of metal against metal became a soothing mantra, drowning him.

He also sold most of his Jaffa Arrows, knowing that the Tzedakah Guild was preparing to raid the Guardian of the Forest. The arrows, with their unique ability to ignore defenses, would be invaluable in such a confrontation.

Throughout the day, he wore a facade of normalcy, engaging in small talk with Kaela. But despite using all his power to hide it, Kaela saw through his facade with an uncanny clarity.

"Gilgamesh... we need to talk." Kaela stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her expression firm yet concerned.

Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, surprised by her formality. Usually, she would shorten his name to 'Gil' when addressing him. "Yeah, what's up?"

Kaela approached him, her expression a mix of concern and understanding. "Gilgamesh," she said softly, her voice cutting through the air, "You're not fooling anyone, you know."

Gilgamesh tilted his head, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. "What do you mean?"

"You're carrying something heavy," she replied, her gaze unwavering. "I can see it in your eyes. You don't have to hide it from me."

Gilgamesh sighed, the weight of his unspoken regrets pressing down on him. "It's nothing," he insisted, but the tremor in his voice betrayed him.

Kaela stepped closer, her presence warm and reassuring. "It's not nothing. Now tell me, what's clouded your mind lately?"

Gilgamesh looked at Kaela, her eyes unwavering. He sighed before spilling the beans. "Just somewhat regretting the decision I made..." He trailed off, the words hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

"And?" Kaela asked, urging him to continue.

"...especially if choosing otherwise could have changed someone's life?"

A moment of silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken emotions. Kaela took a deep breath, recalling her own past. "We all have regrets, Gilgamesh. I've had my share, too..."

She thought back to the time when a large horde of monsters attacked her village. Just days before, she had noticed a sharp increase in monster activity and had rushed to report it to the village elder, only to be dismissed, saying that the defense of the village was enough to repel the monster.

She had tried to convince her parents to leave for a while, but her warnings fell on deaf ears. she then gives up and tries to live her life as usual. If only she knew it would cause the destruction of her village...

"I believe we've all regretted a decision and had to find a way to live with it. That's all I know to do—have the will to go on with your life and find a way." That was what Kaela did, after Gilgamesh saved her, she tried to live her life by following him while also remembering the legacy her family left behind.

"Always look forward..." Kaela said, her forehead gently touching Gilgamesh's. Her breath tickled his skin, a comforting warmth amidst the turmoil. "...don't look back. It just makes you feel worse. Learn the lesson. The mistake teaches you. Don't repeat it."

Closing her eyes, Kaela allowed herself to drift back in time, reminiscing about her life as a simple village girl. The memories washed over her like a gentle breeze, filled with the laughter of her friends, the warmth of family, and the simplicity of days spent under the sun.

But now, as she stood in the present, her heart swelled with a mix of gratitude and determination. In front of her was Gilgamesh, her savior. Yet, she could see the shadows of doubt and turmoil clouding his usual demeanor. He needed a helping hand, a reminder that he was not alone in this journey.

"And what if I can't see the lesson?" he asked, vulnerability creeping into his voice.

Kaela smiled gently, her eyes filled with empathy. "As time passes, you may have experiences that put things into perspective for you. You'll realize you wouldn't be who or where you are without that mistake. At that point, the clouds will part, and you just may end up being glad for it."

He met her gaze, feeling the warmth of her words seep into his heart. "You really believe that?"

"Absolutely," she replied, her conviction unwavering. "But remember, you're only human. You're not all-seeing and all-knowing. Lots of times, I've learned what to do by learning what not to do. Have some faith as well. Things have a crazy way of working out as they should."

Gilgamesh felt the tension in his shoulders ease slightly. "I've made the best decision I could at the time. But it's hard to forgive myself."

Kaela placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "If that's the case with you, then forgive yourself. Don't beat yourself up over things you didn't know then when they come to light later. We all stumble, but it's how we rise that defines us."

At that moment, Gilgamesh felt a flicker of hope ignite within him. Kaela's words wrapped around him like a warm firelight, washing away the chill that had settled in his bones..

He took a deep breath, allowing her wisdom to sink in.

"Thank you, Kaela," he said, his voice steadier now.

Unexpectedly, Gilgamesh drew his lips closer to Kaela's, his heart racing as he leaned in, the world around them fading into a blur.

He kissed her.

It was a gentle yet fervent kiss, one that spoke volumes of gratitude and unspoken feelings that had been building between them. Kaela's eyes widened slightly in surprise, her breath hitching in her throat, but as the warmth of the moment enveloped her, she instinctively reciprocated. Her hands found their way to his shoulders, pulling him closer, deepening the connection that sparked like a flame igniting kindling.

In that instant, a rush of energy surged between them.

[You feel a deep bond beyond liking with 'Kaela.']

[A new system is opened!]

[Bond]

[A list of targets you currently have deep bonds with.

★ Kaela ★

Bond Lv. 1.

All stats will increase by 1% when you are together.

-Can detect if the health of the bond target is at a dangerous level.]

They lingered in the kiss for a few more seconds, a delicate thread of connection forming between them, until they finally separated, a trail of saliva connecting their lips like a fragile bridge of intimacy.

"W-what was that for?" Kaela stammered, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson as she wiped the corner of her mouth, her fingers trembling slightly. The sight of her flustered expression was enough to make Gilgamesh's heart swell with affection.

"Kaela." 

"Yes?" she replied instinctly, her eyes wide and sparkling as if she were a deer caught in the soft glow of moonlight.

"I love you."

Those three words slipped from his lips as naturally as breathing, yet they hung in the air like a sweet melody. Kaela's face turned an even deeper shade of red, resembling a ripe tomato, her eyes sparkling with a mix of shock and delight.

Her heart raced, and she felt as if she might float away on a cloud of happiness. "Y-you love me?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper, as if saying it too loudly might shatter the magic of the moment.

"Yes," he affirmed, his gaze unwavering, filled with sincerity. "I love you, Kaela."

In that moment, the world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them suspended in a bubble of warmth and affection. Kaela's heart fluttered like a thousand butterflies taking flight, and she felt a giddy sensation bubbling up inside her as if she were about to burst.

Her hands instinctively covered her cheeks, which felt impossibly warm.

"Yes, yes, YES!!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of excitement and disbelief. The confession spilled from her lips like a sweet nectar, and she couldn't help but giggle, her laughter ringing like the soft chime of bells.

In that moment, the bond between them felt unbreakable, a connection forged in the fires of their shared experiences and emotions. As they stood together, hearts intertwined, the world around them faded into insignificance, leaving only the sweetness of their love—a love that promised to grow and flourish, just like the most beautiful of blossoms in the spring.

(A/N: Guys... I think I get diabetes...)