Eastern Ruins (Part 2)

"Why do you keep getting hurt like this? You should consider your age, Dad. These scars... What the heck..."

"Haha! A man can get hurt sometimes. And these scars... they are badges of honor, kiddo."

"Still, you need to be more careful. Honestly... I think your life should come first. That's not going to change anytime soon."

"Yeah, you're right. But, Noah, take a good look."

Dad rolled up his sleeve, revealing numerous scars I had seen countless times before.

"When you see these scars, what do you think of?"

"I just... think they're scars. I wish you'd be more careful."

"Well, to me, these scars make me think of the people living better lives because of them. People going to school, succeeding at work, experiencing failures, starting families, crying sometimes, laughing sometimes... living their everyday lives."

"Yeah... I know. You always say that. But aren't you afraid to jump into the fire like that?"

"Of course I am. I'm no Superman. But, even when I'm scared, looking at these scars gives me the courage to jump in. It gives me the confidence that I can save someone."

Dad paused and opened his wallet wide.

"And when I look at this picture, I feel a sense of responsibility. The duty to protect, and the determination to come back home, no matter what."

Inside his wallet was a faded, but still clear picture of our family.

"... I should get this photo replaced. It's all faded."

"The photo? What's wrong with it? It's nice and cozy. Oh, speaking of your mom..."

Dad brought his other arm up to my face.

"Take a look! This is the scar I got saving your mom. If I didn't have this, you wouldn't be here either, Noah."

"Sigh... Fine, I get it. But you should think about the people waiting for you, Dad... Take care of yourself. Like I said earlier, consider your age too."

"Haha, kid... I just told you. I always think about this photo. About you, Noah, and your mom. That's how I always manage to come back home."

I couldn't argue with him.

I just had to stay silent and look into Dad's determined eyes.

"Anyway, son, don't worry too much. No matter what, I'll come back. I'll protect our family, whatever it takes."

Dad patted my head.

"So, Noah, I hope one day you become a hero like your dad, just like your name implies—a savior."

"...I'll try my best."

"Haha! Good. Now, put some more ointment on these wounds before your mom gets mad."

"Dad, next week... it's my day off. Let's go take a family photo together."

"Sounds good! And we can grab some soju too while we're out!"

"You have work the next day, so no drinking. Let's just... have a meal. Treat me to some steak."

"Work, huh... Fine. A meal it is then, son."

I applied the ointment on the scars on Dad's back.

Hoping the ointment would stay on longer.

Hoping the wounds wouldn't fester.

Hoping the scars would fade away.

If they didn't, may they forever remain as Dad's badge of honor.

* * * *

"Noah."

Aileen's cold voice weighed down on me.

"Y-Yes...?"

"You know pouring the potion on like that will leave scars, right?"

"I... know?"

"And you're a girl! Look at these scars!"

"They're... badges of honor...!"

"Don't say weird things like that. And I was right behind you, too."

"There were gnolls everywhere in front of me..."

"Your healing should've been the priority."

"There were just... too many..."

"Sigh..."

Aileen's voice, which had been cold, softened a bit.

"...Why did you do that?"

"B-Because... it was my job..."

Smack!

"Ouch! It hurts...!"

"If you waited just a bit more, my... my abilities would've been enough to handle them."

"...Yes."

"And if things went wrong, we could've just run away."

"... Yes..."

"But... why... why did you do it?"

"Y-You said... it was urgent... We didn't even have time for a carriage..."

I'm not blaming Aileen.

It's just... it was the only excuse I could think of.

"Noah, do you think you're invincible? That you can't die? You're not. So please... don't do that again..."

Aileen's voice, now sounding damp with tears, filled my ears.

"Look... just look at this. How much it must hurt... stinging, burning..."

It does hurt.

The left arm that got bitten by a gnoll still throbbed. My shoulder that got hit by a mace, the leg that got pierced by a crossbow bolt. The side where a rusty sword dug in, the waist that got hit by a fire arrow. The pulled-out nails and broken bones in my left arm, among others.

Thanks to Aileen's healing and the potions, the wounds have somewhat healed, but it's like...

Is this what they call phantom pain? Something like that?

So how did I manage to win despite getting beaten up like this?

I don't know!

When hunting, whether it's adrenaline or dopamine, whatever hormone it is, it pumps through me, and I don't feel the pain!

It's more like it adds to the heat in my body!

When the tension eases up, yeah, then the pain is bad enough to make me want to pass out.

Even right now, it hurts so much that I could burst into tears.

But still.

What can I do?

I have to fight.

I have to survive today to see tomorrow.

Of course, I want to fight without getting hurt.

I usually try to dodge and fight as much as I can.

But just now, I had no choice...

If I didn't take the hits, those attacks could've hit Aileen instead...

So as the vanguard, I took them! No, I protected her!

Tanking is the role of the vanguard!

Hunting too, of course!

Scaredy-cat long-range dealers can just watch from behind.

If they don't like it, they should become melee dealers. Hmph.

Anyway.

It hurts, it's scary, and it's tough, but it's okay.

Because I saved Aileen.

So I...

"I'm not hurt at all..."

I patted Aileen's hand and gave her a big grin.

Aileen just stared at me in a daze before poking my left side with her index finger.

"Kyahhh?! W-Why?!"

Ouch! Ouch! It hurts so much!

It hurts to scream! It just hurts!

"You said it didn't hurt."

"T-That doesn't mean you can just poke it...!"

This is where I got stabbed with a spear!

You cruel woman...!

"Does it hurt or not?"

"I-It hurts, but... I can endure it... Let's just get up... More gnolls might be on their way."

Gnolls usually travel in packs.

They'll definitely come in droves.

The pack led by the leader gnoll.

With even more numbers than before.

"That's true, but... No, we can't. We have to go back to Alrba Village. We'll-"

As I listened to Aileen's words, I tensed up my stomach and shouted.

"No!"

For the first time, I cut Aileen off...! I really mustered up the courage.

"...Why?"

"Let's stick to your plan. I'm really okay, so let's go. To Cartia."

Going back two days after leaving home would be embarrassing. What would I tell Hermilla...?

After all that emotional farewell!

Absolutely not!

And besides, I have to get my 15 gold...!

"Don't be stubborn. How can we go in this state...?"

I took a deep breath and looked straight at Aileen.

Please. Please let her understand my resolve!

Please don't let me stutter!

"Aileen. I'm really okay. Let's go. To Cartia."

Yes!

No stuttering!

I spoke so well.

"...What?"

Aileen's body shifted back.

This is my chance!

I grabbed Aileen's body that had moved back and pulled her close to me again.

And with a deep breath, I opened my eyes that had been closed!

In the firmest tone I could muster, looking directly into Aileen's eyes.

In a tone imitating Aileen's, I spoke.

"Answer me."

"Ugh... Okay... But... promise me one thing."

I tilted my head.

If I say anything more, I feel like I'll stutter again, so I just... tilted my head.

Aileen, covering her mouth, turned her face to the side.

"Hah... There's a small village near the entrance of the Halbyon Plains. Let's take a break there for a bit. It's a quiet village... It won't be bad."

I nodded and let go of Aileen.

I finally beat Aileen for the first time!

"Hehe."

"Sigh... Seriously, I can't figure you out..."

As I was enjoying my victory with a silly smile, Aileen's voice came through, tinged with annoyance.

I... reflexively crouched down.

Is this some kind of Pavlov's dog response or what...?

"W-What is it...?"

"You. You... I just can't figure you out."

"...What...?"

Despite being drenched in sweat, her soft hand cupped my cheek.

"Most of the time, you're so... ditzy, foolish, cute, and silly... But at important moments, you turn into a completely different person..."

"I'm not ditzy... not foolish... not cute... and I'm not silly."

"Pfft- 'Not foolish,' huh?"

"Ugh... Anyway!"

I shook my head to shake off Aileen's hand.

"W-We don't have time for this. Let's move quickly."

"Alright... But are you sure you're really okay?"

"Yes. I'm really fine."

My body was screaming for mercy... but I had to move and change our position.

If we encounter more gnolls in this state, even as an 8-year veteran, I can't guarantee what will happen.

Also...

The blade of the greatsword was badly damaged.

The handle was shaky.

The hammer was shattered a long time ago.

My equipment was in a dire state.

And I couldn't just sit here to fix it, not that I knew how...

From now on, I need to avoid combat as much as possible.

I can do this.

I've been through situations like this countless times in games.

Even though this is reality, I have a wealth of experience, so it'll be fine.

I steeled myself and grabbed Aileen's hand.

So I wouldn't lose hold of her.

I tightly intertwined our fingers.

"Let's go, Aileen."

I'll save you, no matter what it takes.

You trust me, right?

I looked back at Aileen and smiled.

"...Y-Yeah, let's go."

Squish- Squish-

We walked forward, stepping on the ground soaked with gnoll blood.

Hehe, I saved Aileen.

Of course, if I weren't here, she would've run away right away...

But! If we ran away, it would delay us, mess up the plan, and cause all sorts of problems!

So! In the end, it's true that I saved Aileen!

"Heheh."

"Noah...? Why are you laughing like that?"

"Just... because I'm happy."

What kind of expression is Aileen making right now?

Is she smiling? Or worried?

Well, who cares?

We're alive!

Heh... If I ever get the chance, I want to see it for myself.

Aileen's expressions.

Her everyday life.

Neigh-

Crunch- Crunch-

"Eek! You're eating the gnolls... Hey! Uh... what was your name... Ah, I don't care! Horse! Horse! That's poop! You crazy thing! You're an herbivore...!"