The Witch Who Can Heal

I was barely conscious, my body wracked with pain.

Even though I couldn't see or move, I felt the sharp sting of the blade, the heavy impact of each blow.

The poison coursing through my veins felt like fire, its torment gnawing at me relentlessly.

But I couldn't express it. I was trapped in this agony, bound by a silence that echoed louder than any scream.

The bad memories... they swirled around me, relentless, like a vicious cycle that refused to let me escape.

Arthur had taken my place as leader of Venganza.

He was leading our team, searching tirelessly for a witch who could cure me.

In a peaceful land, far from the chaos we were used to, a group of people worked desperately, each searching for a solution.

"Any luck?" Arthur asked, his voice sharp with concern.

"No, nothing yet," Oris replied, shaking his head.

"I found a few, but they're useless," Lycaon growled, frustration evident in his tone.

"Yeah, they're all trash," Zack chimed in, his arms crossed.

Arthur let out a frustrated sigh.

In his mind, there was only one witch who could help me—Elaina.

He thought of her often, wishing with every part of himself that she were here right now.

"If only she were here..." he muttered softly to himself.

At that moment, Murphy and Valeria arrived, their footsteps swift.

"Arthur, I have news," Murphy said, his voice carrying a hint of urgency.

Arthur immediately turned to him, eyes narrowing. "What is it?"

"There's a witch who lives on the hill. The villagers say she's a great one," Murphy explained.

"If anyone in the village needs help, they go to her."

Arthur's eyes lit up with hope. "Let's go meet her."

With a firm nod, they set off toward the hill, the journey long and taxing, but they didn't falter. They couldn't afford to.

And finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached their destination.

Arthur knocked on the door. 

For a moment, there was silence. Then, a sudden commotion—shuffling footsteps, the sound of something falling, a muffled curse—before, finally, the door creaked open. 

A figure stood in the doorway, draped in a white blanket with two crude holes cut for the eyes. 

"Is there something you need?" a voice asked, muffled yet unmistakably female. 

Arthur didn't hesitate. "Are you a witch who can cure someone?" 

The figure tilted her head slightly. Through the eye holes, sharp black eyes gleamed with curiosity. 

"Hmm… I suppose you could say I have some knowledge in that area." 

She crossed her arms, the blanket shifting slightly as she regarded Arthur with mild interest.

"What exactly is the issue you seek to resolve?" 

Arthur shifted his grip on me, lifting my unconscious body slightly.

His expression was tense, his voice firm. "He was poisoned—badly. He's been unconscious for almost five days now." 

For the first time, the witch's posture changed. The lazy amusement in her eyes was replaced by something sharper. 

"Five days, you say?" she echoed, the curiosity in her voice deepening.

Then, she turned on her heel, gesturing toward the interior. "Bring him inside. Lay him on the couch." 

Arthur wasted no time. He stepped in, carefully lowering me onto the worn sofa.

My pale complexion and unmoving form seemed to catch her attention. 

"Can you cure him?" Arthur asked, his voice carrying the weight of hope and urgency. 

The witch didn't respond immediately. Instead, she studied me with narrowed eyes, her gaze flickering across my face, my breathing, the faint traces of the poison still lingering in my veins. 

For a moment, the room was silent—save for the soft rustling of her blanket as she moved closer. 

"Hmm… this is quite a severe case," Catherine murmured, her gaze scrutinizing my pale, motionless form. 

"I'll need to assess the extent of the poisoning and prepare the appropriate antidote." She let out a small sigh before adding.

"I can't promise anything for certain, but I'll do my best." 

Arthur nodded, his expression firm. "Thank you, uh..." He hesitated, realizing they still didn't know her name. 

The witch blinked, then let out a soft chuckle. "Ah, my apologies. You can call me Catherine." 

With that, she clapped her hands together and took a step back. "Now, please step aside and give me some space to work." 

Without waiting for a response, Catherine moved swiftly across the room, her fingers gliding over the spines of old tomes and the smooth surfaces of glass bottles.

She hummed under her breath, muttering indecipherable words as she selected a small vial filled with a shimmering, golden liquid. 

Returning to my side, she knelt down, her movements precise and deliberate.

With a practiced hand, she gently parted my lips and carefully drizzled the contents of the vial onto my tongue. 

A moment passed in silence as she observed me, watching for any immediate reaction. Then, she turned toward the others. 

"I need more details," she said, her tone serious. 

Arthur and the others quickly recounted what had happened—where I had been, the symptoms I had shown, everything they knew.

Catherine listened intently, nodding occasionally as she pieced the information together. 

Finally, she exhaled softly. "I see… that explains a lot." 

Catherine studied me for a moment before sighing. "This… isn't a poison I can cure with the materials I have." 

She turned to the others, about to continue, when— 

Whoosh—

Her foot caught on the edge of her blanket. 

"Ah—what—!?" 

With a yelp, she tumbled forward, her blanket twisting around her as she crashed into a stack of books, knocking over vialsm a candleholder, and—somehow—a broom that had been innocently leaning against the wall. 

Arthur, Lycaon, Zack, and Murphy all watched in stunned silence as the blanket finally slipped off, revealing Catherine's true form. 

A young woman with long, messy hair and sharp black eyes. 

For a second, there was nothing but the sound of rolling bottles and a single, dramatic creak from a chair that had nearly tipped over.

Then—realizing she had been completely exposed—Catherine gasped and dove behind the cauldron, her face burning red. 

"U-Uh… you okay?" Arthur asked, blinking at the sudden chaos. 

"I-I'm fine!" Catherine's voice was high-pitched, laced with pure embarrassment.

She clutched the cauldron as if it were a shield, only her flustered black eyes peeking out.

"I just… lost my footing for a moment. U-Um… please don't stare too much." 

Arthur nodded, ever the gentleman. "Okay, sorry." 

Lycaon, however, squinted at her. "She's younger than I thought. I figured she was some thirty-year-old hag." 

Catherine froze. Then, slowly, she narrowed her eyes. "...Thirty years old?" she repeated, her voice dangerously flat. 

Lycaon shrugged. "Yeah. I mean, with that blanket and all, I thought you were some old hermit." 

Catherine sucked in a sharp breath, adjusting her glasses as she shot him a glare from behind the cauldron.

"I might be a bit reclusive, but I am not that old yet!" 

"So, you're saying you can't cure him with the ingredients you have, right?" Zack asked, arms crossed. 

Catherine let out a quiet sigh, her expression turning serious as she gave a small, reluctant nod. 

"Yes, that's correct," she admitted, her voice softer than before. 

She hesitated for a second before continuing, glancing at the group as if unsure how they'd react.

"The poison he ingested requires a very specific antidote."

"I have some of the necessary ingredients, but… not all of them." 

Murphy adjusted his sunglasses, exhaling through his nose. "That sounds troublesome." 

"That's right," Valeria chimed in, arms crossed. 

"So, what exactly do we need?" Zack asked, his tone steady but expectant. 

Catherine flinched slightly at the direct question, shifting her weight uncomfortably before mumbling,

"H-Hm? Oh, uh… not much." 

She fidgeted for a moment, then finally rattled off the list, her voice a little too quiet. 

"Phoenix Flower, Dragon Tears, Divine Honey, and Ancient Mandragora Root…" 

There was a pause. 

"...What kind of materials are those?" Murphy muttered, blinking in disbelief. 

"We're trying to make a healing potion here, not some ultimate enhancement elixir," Valeria added, shooting Catherine a skeptical look. 

Catherine stiffened, shrinking slightly at their reactions.

She crossed her arms and turned her head away, a defensive pout forming on her lips. 

"H-Hey! I'm dealing with a rare and powerful poison here," she huffed, her voice growing smaller near the end.

"If you want a simple healing potion, then… um, j-just go buy one from the closest store…" 

Her confidence wavered as she glanced at them, then quickly looked away again. 

"B-But if you actually want to save this guy's life, then you'll need to get me those ingredients," she added, clutching the hem of her robe.

"I-I mean, trust me, it's worth the trouble…" 

Arthur, who had been listening quietly, finally nodded. 

"I accept." 

Catherine's shoulders tensed. She had been bracing for more objections, so Arthur's immediate agreement seemed to catch her off guard. 

"A-Ah… y-you do?" she stammered, blinking rapidly. 

Arthur gave a small smile. "Yeah. If that's what it takes, then we'll get it." 

Catherine's face turned slightly pink, and she quickly hid behind her cauldron again. 

"R-Right… I-I'll be here then… waiting… quietly…" 

Murphy sighed again, adjusting his sunglasses once more. "This is gonna be a pain." 

Arthur turned to the group, his gaze sweeping over his teammates before settling on his choices. 

"Lycaon, you're coming with me. And… Chronia!" 

His eyes landed on the blue-haired girl, who had been completely silent up until now. She blinked at him, but said nothing. 

Arthur then turned to Catherine. "Catherine, you're coming with us too." 

Without hesitation, she flatly responded, "No." 

"Eh?" Everyone froze. 

Catherine puffed up her cheeks and crossed her arms stubbornly. 

"No way! No way! No way!" She whined, stomping her foot like a petulant child.

"This place is my sanctuary! My most comfortable place! I don't want to leave!" 

She hugged herself dramatically, as if the very idea of stepping outside physically pained her. 

"I can't even remember the last time I left this house! The sun is too bright! The wind is too unpredictable! The outside world is chaotic!" She waved her arms frantically.

"No, absolutely not!" 

Arthur sighed, rubbing his temples. "Catherine—" 

"NO!" 

Zack, watching this spectacle unfold, sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Then, casually, he said, "If you come with us and help find the ingredients, we'll pay you extra." 

Catherine's body went completely still. 

Her eyes, once filled with panic and dread, now shimmered with the unmistakable glow of greed. 

"...Extra?" she echoed. 

"Yeah," Zack confirmed, smirking. "Extra compensation for fieldwork." 

A dramatic silence followed. Then— 

Catherine's internal battle: Comfort vs. Money. 

The struggle lasted all of three seconds before she cleared her throat, smoothed out her clothes, and adjusted her glasses. Her expression shifted into one of forced professionalism. 

"Well," she coughed, straightening up, "I suppose I could be useful in locating the correct areas for gathering these ingredients…" 

She paused, pretending to think it over for dramatic effect before finally nodding. 

"Very well, I accept." 

Arthur raised an eyebrow at how fast she flipped, but before he could say anything, Catherine lifted a finger. 

"But let's make one thing clear—" she declared, eyes sharp. "I am here to locate the ingredients and assist." 

She jabbed her finger at them. "Fighting or physical labor is out of the question. Understood?" 

Arthur exhaled, deciding not to argue. "Alright, fine. The rest of you, stay here and look after Arche." 

As the team prepared to leave, Catherine grabbed a small bag and muttered under her breath, "Ugh… I swear, if I get sunburned, I'm charging double…"

As they made their final preparations to depart, Catherine mumbled to herself, her curiosity getting the better of her. 

"I wonder… just what could've caused such a powerful poison in the first place…" 

Her voice was soft, almost like she wasn't expecting an answer. 

"He was poisoned by someone who is very skilled in poisons," Lycaon replied matter-of-factly. "His heart was shot with it." 

Catherine froze mid-step. 

Her eyes widened in shock, the color draining from her face. "His heart?" 

She turned to face them fully now, her previous reluctance momentarily forgotten. 

"Poison… through the heart? That's… that's insanely dangerous." 

Her fingers clutched at the fabric of her sleeve as she processed the information. 

"Whoever did this isn't just skilled—they're an expert in poisons."

"If they knew how to strike directly at the heart with it, that means they knew exactly what they were doing…" 

She glanced at Arthur, her expression growing more serious. "We need to act quickly."

"If we don't get the antidote in time, his condition might become irreversible." 

Arthur gave a firm nod, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. "That's why we need to move now. Let's go." 

As they stepped outside, Lycaon stretched lazily. "So, where to first?" 

Catherine furrowed her brows, tapping her chin as she mentally sorted through the locations of the necessary ingredients. 

"Hmm… The forest," she finally said. "We can find Ancient Mandragora Root and Divine Honey there." 

Arthur nodded. "Alright. Then that's our first stop." 

Catherine sighed, pulling the hood of her robe up as if it would somehow shield her from the horrors of the outside world. 

"Ugh… I just know this is going to be exhausting…" 

And with that, their journey for the antidote began. 

The group entered the forest, and almost immediately, an eerie chill settled in.

Unlike an ordinary forest, this place felt wrong. The towering trees loomed ominously, their twisted branches forming claw-like silhouettes against the dim sky.

The air was thick with an unsettling aura, as if the forest itself was watching them. 

Arthur's gaze swept over the surroundings before he cautiously turned to Catherine. 

"…Catherine, this is a forbidden place, isn't it?" 

"Yeah, it looks like one," Lycaon muttered, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows. 

Catherine nodded stiffly, her hands clutching the edges of her cloak as her eyes darted around nervously. 

"Y-Yes. This is indeed a forbidden place," she mumbled, clearly uncomfortable.

"But it's also the only place where we can find the ingredients we need…" 

She took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for the nightmare ahead. 

Then, suddenly, she inched closer to Arthur, whispering as if afraid the forest itself might overhear. 

"…B-By the way, why is your friend so quiet?" Her black eyes flickered toward Chronia, who had barely spoken since they arrived. 

Arthur hesitated for a moment before sighing. He lowered his voice to match hers. 

"Well… a few days ago, there was a little fight between the members," he admitted. 

Catherine blinked, absorbing the information before nodding in understanding. 

"I see… A fight between members, huh?" She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I suppose tensions can run high in groups like yours…" 

Arthur glanced over at Chronia and Lycaon, both walking in tense silence.

He had brought them along on purpose—hoping that maybe, just maybe, facing danger together would force them to reconcile. 

For a while, the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the distant cries of unseen creatures.

Catherine's hands remained clenched near her chest, her paranoia evident as her eyes darted around at every little noise. 

Then— 

"AH! THAT!" 

Catherine suddenly screamed, making Arthur nearly jump out of his skin. 

"What?! What?! What is it?!" Arthur snapped, instinctively reaching for his weapon. 

Catherine dramatically pointed at a cluster of leaves nearby. 

Arthur followed her gaze, still on high alert. "...Is this what we're looking for?" 

Without waiting for an answer, he crouched down and grabbed the plant's stem, pulling at it. But the root wouldn't budge. 

"Tch—this thing is tougher than it looks," he muttered. 

Lycaon stepped forward, rolling up his sleeves. "Move." 

He grabbed the plant alongside Arthur, both of them pulling with all their strength.

"...Ugh, this is exactly why I never go outside," Catherine mumbled to herself. 

"Stop! Careful! You'll break the roots if you're not gentle!" Catherine shouted, waving her arms frantically.

But before anyone could respond, the root suddenly wriggled free on its own.

And then—A face appeared on it.

For a split second, silence fell upon the group.

Then—

"AAAAAHHH?! THEY'RE ALIVE?!"

Arthur's scream set off a chain reaction as everyone instinctively bolted.

Even Lycaon, the tough werewolf, had his hackles raised in shock.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Lycaon roared, nearly tripping over himself.

"WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?!" Catherine yelled in exasperation, watching the so-called warriors flee in terror.

She facepalmed so hard it hurt, groaning as she watched them scatter.

"Oh, come on! They're plants. Of course they're alive! What did you think, they were just lying around for decoration?!"

Lycaon, despite his usual bravado, was visibly unnerved. "That's not what I meant! What do we do?!"

Catherine threw her hands up. "I don't know, maybe stop screaming and do something?!"

"Chronia!" Arthur shouted.

Chronia, who had remained eerily quiet the entire time, took a slow breath. Without a word, she raised her hand, and the air around her shimmered.

"...Time Stop."

The wriggling roots froze mid-motion, as if the world itself had hit pause.

"Take them now!" Chronia said flatly.

Arthur didn't waste a second. "Nice!" He shot her a thumbs-up before quickly grabbing the immobilized roots.

Catherine, who had been watching with mild irritation just moments ago, suddenly looked like she had seen a ghost.

Her mouth fell open.

Her brain short-circuited.

"D-Did... did she just STOP TIME?!"

Her black eyes sparkled with curiosity, her previous annoyance instantly forgotten.

Then, before anyone could react, she rushed straight at Chronia, practically vibrating with excitement.

"HOW did you do that?! Are you a time mage of some sort?! Can you really CONTROL TIME?! What are the limitations of your ability?! Can you only stop time or can you rewind it too?! Are there OTHERS like you?! What happens if you stop time while sneezing?! Do you age normally?! CAN YOU FREEZE A WHOLE CITY—"

Catherine's questions poured out at the speed of light, her eyes gleaming with unfiltered fascination.

Chronia, meanwhile, just stared at her.

Then, without a word, she turned around and started walking away.

"...H-Hey! Answer me!!" Catherine called after her.

"...No," Chronia muttered.

Catherine slumped in visible disappointment.

Arthur just laughed awkwardly. "Ah… yeah, she's not much of a talker."

Catherine pouted, crossing her arms. "Hmph… rude."

"Hey, you guys can talk later," Arthur said. "Let's look for the other ingredients."

Catherine snapped out of her moment of excitement so hard she nearly stumbled.

"R-Right! Of course! Priorities!" She adjusted her glasses in an attempt to look composed, but her slightly flushed face betrayed her lingering curiosity.

She cleared her throat and fidgeted, trying to physically shove her thoughts about Chronia's time magic into a mental storage box.

"Since we're already here, we should look for Divine Honey next," she said, quickly shifting the topic.

"Divine? That sounds very hard to get," Lycaon remarked.

Catherine bobbed her head in quick agreement. "Oh, it is! Very hard. Unreasonably hard, even."

"Actually, I would say—wait, never mind, that's not important."

She shook her head rapidly. "Ahem. Divine Honey is highly sought after for its powerful healing and restorative properties."

"It is produced by bees that live only in sacred tree groves."

"Very specific, very rare, very... uh, stingy bees."

Arthur frowned. "Stingy? You mean, like... territorial?"

Catherine hesitated. "Er… Yes. That." She suddenly looked very nervous.

Arthur narrowed his eyes. "...You got stung before, didn't you?"

"N-No! I mean—okay, maybe! But that's irrelevant!" Catherine blurted out, flailing slightly.

"...Right," Arthur said, unconvinced.

"A-Anyway!" Catherine cleared her throat again, eager to move on. "I know where we might find some."

She turned and led them deeper into the forest. Soon, they stopped in front of a massive tree. A very massive tree.

And hanging from one of its limbs was an equally massive beehive.

Catherine pointed up at it, her expression a mix of confidence and mild internal screaming.

"Ta-da! This tree is known for its sacred properties, and its honey is considered divine," she said, her voice only slightly shaky.

"But, uh... small disclaimer!" She coughed into her fist. "The bees are, um… extremely protective of their hive."

"And their honey. And their personal space. And their dignity. And their entire existence, really."

Lycaon crossed his arms. "So what you're saying is—"

"If we mess up, they will violently swarm us," Catherine cut in, nodding grimly.

Arthur sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "...Great."

Catherine, fidgeting again, gave them a sheepish smile. "O-On the bright side… at least we know where the honey is?"

Her voice cracked slightly at the end.

Arthur and Lycaon exchanged glances.

This was going to be a problem.

"Lycaon," Arthur called out, signaling him.

With a deep breath, Lycaon shifted. His body expanded, muscles stretching, bones cracking—within seconds, his human form was gone, replaced by a towering, two-meter-tall werewolf.

Catherine immediately froze.

Her brain, already overwhelmed by today's events, decided to shut down for a moment.

She slowly pointed at Lycaon, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

"Wha—He's a werewolf??"

Her voice cracked halfway through the sentence.

Lycaon glanced at her and raised an eyebrow. "What? You didn't know?"

"N-No?! Of course not!" Catherine stammered, still gaping.

"Why would I just assume that someone can suddenly turn into a giant werewolf?!"

Arthur crossed his arms. "I mean, you are traveling with us now. You'll see crazier things soon enough."

"Crazier—?!" Catherine clutched her head, looking thoroughly overwhelmed.

"How many extraordinary people are in this group?!"

"Every time I think I've wrapped my head around things, someone else does something insane!"

Arthur blinked. "...You okay?"

Catherine exhaled sharply. "I am not okay, but I will pretend to be."

Arthur shrugged, then turned to Chronia. "How many members do we have in total?"

Chronia, still as composed as ever, answered, "Eight."

Arthur turned back to Catherine. "Eight."

Catherine stiffened. "Eight?!"

She quickly counted in her head—Arthur, Chronia, Lycaon, Zack, Murphy, Valeria… her eyes darted back to Arthur.

"So all of you are just... absurdly powerful in different ways?!"

Arthur only grinned.

Catherine groaned, rubbing her temples. "I—I need to sit down for a moment."

"No time for that," Arthur said. "Here's the plan."

He quickly explained his strategy to the group. Catherine, still mildly overwhelmed, forced herself to focus.

"Ah, I get it," she said after a moment, nodding along.

"Lycaon will distract the bees by agitating their hive, giving us a chance to swoop in and collect the honey while they're busy trying to rip him apart—wait."

She suddenly processed what she just said. Her eyes darted back to Lycaon. "...Are you okay with this plan?"

Lycaon shrugged. "I'll be fine."

"...I f-feel like you won't be fine," Catherine muttered, but no one seemed concerned, so she sighed in resignation.

"Good plan," she said flatly, adjusting her glasses. "Let's just try not to die, please?"

Arthur smirked. "No promises."

Catherine groaned. She had a bad feeling about this.

Arthur, Catherine, and Chronia hid behind a tree, peeking out cautiously.

Lycaon, standing boldly in front of the massive hive, took a deep breath before yelling,

"BEES! CHASE ME!"

The hive exploded into chaos. A loud, furious buzzing filled the air as an army of bees swarmed after Lycaon, who bolted into the forest, laughing like a lunatic.

Arthur nodded. "Alright, that's our cue."

The three of them moved quickly toward the now-unprotected beehive, ready to collect the divine honey.

Then, Arthur suddenly stopped, looking up at the enormous tree.

"...Wait a minute." He blinked. "How are we supposed to reach that? This tree looks impossible to climb."

Chronia sighed. "You just realized it now? Arche would've figured that out ages ago."

Arthur scratched his head, embarrassed. "Okay, okay, my bad. But I bet Arche would just knock the whole hive down by force."

"Hey! Don't forget about me!"

Arthur and Chronia turned to see Catherine hovering beside them—on a broomstick.

Arthur's brain stalled for a second.

"Oh! That's right! You're a witch!"

Catherine's eye twitched. She puffed out her cheeks in frustration, clearly offended.

"Of course I'm a witch! What did you think I was?!"

Arthur and Chronia gave her a slow once-over.

Catherine, in response, looked down at herself—oversized t-shirt, loose shorts, and slippers.

"...Oh."

Arthur coughed. "Uh, yeah. You're a witch. Definitely a witch."

Chronia nodded. "I'll allow it."

Catherine groaned, facepalming. "Look, don't judge me by my clothes! Not all witches wear long robes and pointy hats, okay?!"

Arthur raised his hands in surrender. "Yeah, yeah, fair enough. Now, can we get that honey?"

Catherine sighed, deciding to let it go. "Fine. Let's do this."

She gripped her broomstick tighter and hovered toward the hive, stretching out her hand to collect the precious divine honey.

"Are you done yet?!" Lycaon's voice rang out from the distance, his figure barely visible through the swarm of bees. His arms were covered in angry red spots.

"Uh… we just started!" Arthur called back.

"Seriously?!" Lycaon growled, swatting at the bees.

Arthur turned to Chronia. "Chronia, help him!"

"Huh?! Why me?!" Chronia shot back, glaring.

"What am I supposed to do? You're the one with the ability to stop time! Just freeze the bees or something!"

Chronia let out an exaggerated groan, dragging her feet. "Ugh… Fine, BOSS!" she grumbled, stomping off like an annoyed part-timer forced to work overtime.

Catherine, still hovering on her broomstick, watched the exchange in silence before mumbling to herself, "They are so weird, aren't they…?"

She carefully sealed the divine honey inside a jar and gave it a satisfied nod.

"Their friendship is… kinda fun to watch, actually."

"Got it, Catherine?" Arthur asked.

Catherine held up the jar proudly. "Yep! Mission accomplished." She carefully tucked it into her bag, patting it as if it were a delicate treasure.

Meanwhile, a few feet away, Chronia lazily lifted a hand.

"…Time Stop."

The buzzing of the bees suddenly ceased, the entire swarm frozen in place like an eerie statue. Lycaon, now free, blinked in surprise.

He glanced at Chronia, who stood there with an unreadable expression.

"...Thanks," he muttered, shifting back into his human form. Without another word, he walked past her.

Chronia let out a quiet sigh before turning around and trudging back to Arthur and Catherine.

"Okay, so we just need to find Dragon Tears and Phoenix Flowers, right?" Arthur confirmed, glancing at Catherine.

"Yes," Catherine nodded, adjusting her glasses. "But… we have to climb a mountain to get them."

Arthur groaned. "Ugh… A mountain, huh? That sounds… exhausting."

"Don't be lazy," Chronia deadpanned.

"Do you think I want to climb a mountain either?" Catherine huffed, crossing her arms. "But we have to."

"Anyway, we should hurry," Lycaon cut in, his voice firm.

Catherine sighed, knowing he was right. "Yeah… it'll take time, so the sooner we start, the better."

With that, they set off toward the looming mountain in the distance.

But after what felt like forever…

"This is taking too long," Chronia said flatly.

She turned to Catherine. "Take out your broomstick."

Catherine blinked, confused. "Huh?"

Then Chronia turned to Lycaon. "Lycaon, transform into your werewolf form."

Lycaon grunted but complied, his body expanding as fur rippled across his skin. In seconds, he towered over them, standing at three meters tall.

"Arthur, ride him," Chronia said casually.

Arthur did a double take. "E-Eh?! What the—Why do I have to—"

"Just do it," she said, completely unfazed.

Lycaon, now on all fours, shot Arthur a look that practically screamed, Just get on already.

With clear reluctance, Arthur awkwardly climbed onto Lycaon's back. "This feels so wrong…"

Meanwhile, Catherine hesitantly took out her broomstick. "Uh… alright, I guess…"

Chronia mounted her own broom effortlessly. Then, raising a hand, she muttered:

"…Time Acceleration!"

A wave of energy pulsed through the air. Suddenly, everything around them blurred, and the next thing they knew—

They were moving fast.

"Wh-Whoa—!"

Catherine gripped her broomstick tightly, heart pounding as she soared through the air at an astonishing speed.

"This is… This is amazing!" she exclaimed, caught between exhilaration and mild terror.

Meanwhile, on the ground, Arthur clung desperately to Lycaon's back, the wind whipping against his face as they surged forward at breakneck speed.

"Why didn't you use this ability earlier?!" Catherine called out, glancing at Chronia.

Chronia, flying effortlessly beside her, shrugged. "Because I overused my abilities in the past. Now they're… a little damaged."

She added nonchalantly, "Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don't."

Catherine blinked at her, processing the information.

"…Unique," she muttered under her breath.

Before she could question further, their journey came to an abrupt halt as they reached the mountain's peak.

And there, bathed in the golden light of the sun, was a single, breathtakingly beautiful flower.

Their breath collectively hitched at the sight. "Wow…" Arthur murmured in awe, taking a step closer.

"Is that a Phoenix Flower?" Chronia asked, her voice quieter than usual.

Catherine nodded, slowly dismounting her broomstick. With delicate fingers, she reached out and gently plucked the glowing petals.

"We've got it." She exhaled, her voice tinged with both relief and determination.

"Now… all that's left is the Dragon Tears."

"This is the most troublesome ingredient… How exactly do we get these Dragon Tears?" Lycaon asked, his arms crossed.

Catherine pulled out the crumpled paper containing the ingredient list.

Her finger traced the worn parchment, stopping at the entry for Dragon Tears.

She read aloud, "Dragon Tears… can only be obtained from a dragon willing to give them…"

A brief silence followed.

"Great. What could possibly make a dragon willingly cry?" Lycaon muttered, rubbing his temple.

Catherine furrowed her brow, deep in thought. "Dragons are usually stubborn, proud creatures."

"They won't just give their tears away without reason…" she murmured, contemplating the possibilities.

"Maybe…" She looked up, adjusting her glasses. "Maybe we have to offer them something valuable?"

"Ugh! We're thinking too much!" Chronia suddenly snapped, crossing her arms in frustration. "If this keeps up, Arche's life will be in danger!"

Lycaon gave her a flat look. "His life has already been in danger for days now."

"You've been completely silent this whole time," he added sarcastically. "And now you're suddenly yelling in frustration?"

"Calm down, both of you," Arthur cut in, trying to defuse the tension.

"H-Hey, hey, cool it a bit. N-No need to fight amongst ourselves," Catherine chimed in, her voice steady but firm.

"Shut up! Outsiders don't need to interfere!" Chronia snapped at her without hesitation.

Catherine froze.

A heavy silence fell over them.

"…Chronia!" Arthur snapped, his tone sharp with disapproval.

Chronia huffed and immediately turned away, her annoyance evident.

Catherine stiffened.

Her breath hitched slightly, her fingers twitching as if they wanted to grasp onto something—anything—to steady herself.

She had been caught off guard by Chronia's harsh words, but more than that, by the feeling that settled deep in her chest.

A hollow, aching feeling.

She took a shaky step back, swallowing the lump forming in her throat.

"O-Of course. I shouldn't have spoken. This is their group. Their problem. Not mine."

"...Forgive her, okay, Catherine?" Arthur's voice was gentle, but it barely reached her. "She's been like this lately."

Catherine forced out a chuckle, though it sounded weak even to her own ears. "Oh, uh, it's alright… Everyone has their moments…"

She nodded quickly, pretending it didn't sting. Pretending it didn't feel like she had just been reminded of something she always knew deep down—That she was just there.

Arthur's gaze lingered on her, as if he could see past the flimsy mask she tried to hold up.

He had known from the moment they met—Catherine was someone who had always been alone.

She had always kept her distance, never expecting much from others.

And yet… for the first time in a long time, while gathering materials with them, she had forgotten that.

She had actually had fun.

But Chronia's words—harsh, dismissive, like she didn't even matter—had dragged her back down. Reminded her of her place.

She clenched her fists, biting her lip. It's fine. It doesn't matter. It never did.

And yet—

Her body moved before she could think, as if searching for a way to atone for her mistake.

Then—

A gust of wind tore through the air.

A massive shadow loomed over them.

Catherine's eyes lifted, her breath catching in her throat.

High above them, wings spread wide, scales glinting under the light—

A dragon.

"Is that… a dragon?!" she blurted out, her voice cracking between awe and panic.

Catherine barely had time to process what she had done before Arthur's voice rang out—

"Wait—!"

But it was too late.

The magic had already left her wand, slicing through the air like a fatal mistake.

It hit the dragon squarely.

For a brief second, everything was silent.

Then—

A roar.

A deep, earth-shaking, fury-filled roar.

Catherine's breath hitched, her hands turning ice cold.

Her heart pounded so violently against her ribs that she thought it might burst.

The dragon's eyes locked onto hers, and in them, she saw nothing but rage.

"Oh no..." Her voice cracked, barely more than a whisper.

Then the beast charged.

"Oh crap!" Her knees wobbled, her entire body freezing in terror.

This was bad. No—this was worse than bad. This was entirely her fault.

The dragon's chest expanded, a deep, molten glow forming in its throat. Fire. It's going to breathe fire.

Catherine tried to move—run, dodge, do something—but her legs refused to listen.

Her brain screamed at her, but her body was useless, paralyzed in pure, suffocating fear.

"No no no no no!"

Then—A shimmering force enveloped them.

The fire never touched them.

Time had stopped.

Chronia.

"You're a witch, aren't you?!" Chronia's voice cut through the silence, sharp and venomous.

Catherine barely turned her head before—

"Why can't you cast magic to protect us?!" The words struck harder than a slap.

Catherine flinched.

"You really can't do anything in a fight, huh?!"

Her chest tightened, her stomach twisting into a painful knot.

"You should just hide behind that rock!"

Chronia's voice was filled with frustration, but to Catherine, it sounded like disgust. Like ridicule.

Like the exact thing she had been afraid of.

"Rather than you being a burden to us!"

Catherine's breath came in short, uneven gasps.

"I—"

She wanted to say something. Anything.

But her throat had closed up, her mind going blank except for one, painful truth hammering into her skull—

"..I really am a burden, aren't I..?"

She bit her lip, hard enough to taste blood, but it didn't stop the stinging in her eyes.

She had to hold it in. She had to.

Because if she broke down now—

Then maybe, just maybe—

Chronia would be right.

As the fire vanished, smoke curling into the sky, the dragon hovered above them, its presence still oppressive, still furious.

"Get lost!" Chronia snapped, her voice dripping with irritation.

The words cut deeper than Catherine expected.

Her chest tightened.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she forced them back. She refused to cry, not in front of them.

"I was just trying to help…"

But no matter what she did, it wasn't enough. She was never enough.

Chronia's frustration had made that painfully clear.

Maybe… maybe she really was better off hiding.

"I..." She tried to speak, but her voice came out weak, frail—barely even a sound.

She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms.

Lycaon shifted into his werewolf form. This time, he was even bigger.

His massive frame loomed over them as he let out a thunderous roar at the dragon.

Arthur unsheathed his sword, standing tall beside him.

Then, his eyes flickered toward her. "Catherine, if you can't fight, you better hide."

Her breath hitched.

There was no mockery in his voice, no cruelty. But somehow… that made it worse.

Because even when he wasn't trying to insult her—He was still telling her the same thing.

She was useless. A liability. Someone who needed protecting, not someone who could stand beside them.

"Right." She forced out the word, swallowing the lump in her throat.

She turned away, shoulders shaking slightly as she moved, distancing herself from the battle.

She ran.

She hid behind a nearby rock, curling into herself as she watched them take on the dragon—

While she sat there, utterly helpless.

Her hands trembled in her lap, frustration and shame eating away at her.

"I should be out there with them."

"I should be helping them."

"But instead—"

She was cowering.

Just like Chronia said she should.

Just like everyone seemed to expect her to.

But the dragon gave them no time to breathe. Its massive wings beat with terrifying force.

It opened its maw, and a torrent of fire erupted—a wave of pure devastation. 

Arthur lunged to the side, narrowly avoiding the searing blast, while Chronia rewound time by a fraction of a second to escape. 

Lycaon leaped high, claws outstretched, aiming for the dragon's body, but the beast swung its tail with brutal force, sending him crashing to the ground. 

"Damn it!" Lycaon snarled, blood seeping from his shoulder. 

Chronia thrust out her hand, trying to freeze the dragon's time—but something resisted. 

This creature was too strong, too massive. Manipulating time on such a scale would come at a grave cost. 

"Argh, this isn't enough!" she cursed, eyes narrowing as the dragon struck again. 

Arthur surged forward, his sword flashing, aiming for the beast's wings. 

But its scales were like reinforced steel, his blade barely leaving a scratch. 

In an instant, the dragon twisted, its enormous claws slamming into him. 

Arthur was sent flying, crashing into the ground with a sickening thud. 

"Arthur!" Lycaon and Chronia shouted in unison, but neither could break away from the fight. 

The dragon soared higher, its throat glowing with molten fury. 

They had seconds to react. 

Catherine watched with a mixture of fear and helplessness from behind the rock.

She desperately wanted to help, but Chronia's earlier words echoed in her head.

Reminding her of her own inadequacy in facing such a powerful enemy.

"No... no no no!" she whispered to herself, her heart hammering in her chest.

"I have to do something...I can't just hide while everyone's in danger!"

She gritted her teeth, her mind racing to think of a way to contribute.

Catherine stood there, her heart torn between her desire to help and her fear of making things worse.

She silently questioned her own abilities. She wanted to be brave and useful, but compared to the others, it felt like she had nothing to contribute.

She clenched her fists, frustration and helplessness gnawing at her.

"What can I even do," she muttered to herself, her voice trembling.

"I'm just a ordinary witch... and an inadequate one at that. Is there truly nothing I can contribute..?"

She had been alone for so long, her loneliness a constant companion.

Until now, she hadn't truly realized just how much she had longed for connection, for companionship.

"All this time I've been alone..." Catherine mumbled to herself, the weight of her isolation settling heavily on her shoulders.

"And now I finally have the chance to be with others, but I can't measure up."

"Why am I so useless...?"

Catherine's eyes hardened, a newfound determination welling up within her.

She had to do something, had to prove her worth somehow.

Despite her doubts and insecurities, she couldn't stand by idly as others fought.

No, she had joined this group for a reason and she was going to make herself useful one way or another.

"No more hiding..." She mumbled, her voice filled with renewed resolve.

"I may not be strong, but I won't be useless." With a deep breath, Catherine stepped out from behind the rock, her wand clutched tightly in her hand.

Because the dragon's maw was already opening once more—And hell was about to rain from the sky.

But before the blazing inferno could reach them, a golden magic circle flared to life in the air. 

In an instant, the fire that should have reduced them to ashes twisted in midair, sucked into a swirling vortex of energy that had appeared from nowhere. 

"What—?!" Lycaon gasped, his eyes snapping toward the figure now standing atop a massive rock. 

Catherine. 

Her oversized t-shirt billowed in the wind, and her long hair shimmered under the sky. 

With a single movement, she raised her staff, and the flames that had threatened to consume them transformed into nothing more than a harmless breeze. 

"L-Let's do this together," Catherine said, her voice calm but carrying an unmistakable sharpness. 

Arthur let out a faint smirk, despite the pain still wracking his body. "Took you long enough, Catherine." 

"Apologies for the delay," she replied smoothly before turning her gaze to Chronia and Lycaon. 

"Let's work together!" 

Both of them clicked their tongues in irritation, but at least they had stopped snapping at each other. 

The dragon let out a deafening roar, clearly unsettled by the sudden shift in battle. 

It beat its wings with renewed fury, trying to ascend higher, beyond their reach.

But Catherine simply flicked her staff, and a violent gust of wind slammed into the beast, forcing it back down onto the jagged ground. 

"Alright," Catherine said, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Let's end this dragon."

Arthur adjusted his grip on his swords, steadying his breath.

Blood still trickled down from the gash on his temple, but his eyes burned with fierce determination. 

"Alright," he muttered, glancing at Catherine. "Are you leading, or—" 

"I-I'll just create an opening!" Catherine interrupted. "You all have to strike!" 

Arthur grinned. "Good. I prefer it that way." 

Without wasting another second, Catherine slammed her staff into the ground, and a glowing magic circle flared beneath her feet. 

From the sky, streaks of violet-blue lightning crashed down, wrapping around the dragon's legs like chains of pure energy. 

The beast roared, thrashing against its bindings—But Chronia was already moving. 

With a flick of her wrist, time froze around the monster for a split second—just enough to give Lycaon an opening. 

"Lycaon, now!" Chronia shouted. 

The werewolf leaped into the air, his muscular frame stretching as he made an inhumanly powerful jump. 

His razor-sharp claws gleamed in the moonlight as he drove them deep into the dragon's back. 

Dark blood erupted from the wound, and the beast's agonized scream shook the mountains. 

But it still wasn't finished. 

With sheer, terrifying strength, the dragon spread its wings, shattering Catherine's chains and breaking free from Chronia's time hold. 

In a split second, it twisted around, its massive tail whipping straight toward Lycaon. 

"Lycaon, watch out!" Arthur shouted. 

But before the impact landed, Catherine raised her hand, conjuring a shimmering barrier just in time. 

The force of the blow sent shockwaves through the ground, but Lycaon managed to land safely. 

Arthur saw his chance. 

With blinding speed, he surged forward, both blades flashing under the moonlight. 

The dragon sensed the danger—But it was too late. 

With a single, devastating slash, Arthur drove his sword deep into the beast's neck, forcing a monstrous howl from its throat. 

It wasn't enough to kill it, but the wound was deep. The dragon was weakening. 

Chronia raised her hand, time pulsating around her. "I'll slow it down for longer. Catherine, can you unleash something big?" 

Catherine nodded, and a massive magic circle materialized in the air. 

The atmosphere trembled, thick with overwhelming magical energy. 

"Make sure it doesn't escape," Catherine said, her voice razor-sharp. "We ending this."

"Hurry up!" Chronia urged, her voice sharp with urgency. "We have to save Arche!"

"I'm working as fast as I can!" Catherine shot back, frustration laced in her tone. "Just give me a second, damn it!"

The tension in the air was thick, the battle still unfolding—Until suddenly, the dragon froze.

The enormous beast, moments ago filled with wrath, now fell eerily silent.

Then, with slow, deliberate movements, it descended, its massive claws digging into the earth as it landed before them.

And then—

"...A...r..ch..e?"

The dragon spoke.

Catherine's breath hitched.

Her fingers instinctively tightened around her wand, but shock made them tremble.

"D-Did the dragon just… talk?" she whispered, barely able to believe what she had just heard.

Arthur's brows furrowed. "It… it said Arche's name, didn't it?"

"Yeah… I heard it too," Chronia confirmed, her voice unusually serious.

Lycaon crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "Tch. That guy has too many weird connections."

Catherine, however, couldn't shake the unease curling in her stomach.

Why?

Why would a dragon—one that attacked them without hesitation—suddenly speak his name?

A chill ran down her spine.

Something wasn't right.

She swallowed hard, trying to push down the creeping anxiety clawing at her thoughts.

"Is… is there any way we can communicate with it?" Catherine asked, a nervous edge to her voice.

Arthur took a step forward, inhaling sharply before speaking.

"Hey… can you understand me?"

For a moment, there was only silence. Then—The dragon nodded.

Arthur blinked. "Oh. Uh. Okay."

He quickly regained his composure. "Are you… friends with someone named Arche?" He hesitated before adding,

"He's, uh… a guy with emerald green eyes." The dragon nodded again.

A wave of shock passed through the group.

"So, the dragon does know him. But how?" Catherine murmured, her mind spinning.

"What's their connection?" Lycaon narrowed his eyes, trying to piece together the puzzle.

Arthur shook his head, pushing the questions aside for now.

"Uh! Sorry! Actually—Arche's condition is really bad right now!" he blurted out, urgency creeping into his voice.

"We're gathering ingredients for a potion to help him. One of them is dragon tears."

He swallowed hard before meeting the dragon's gaze. "So—please! Can you give us your tears?"

The dragon remained still, its piercing eyes scanning them, as if testing their sincerity.

Arthur, desperate, fumbled into his pocket and pulled out something—

A photo.

In it, he and me stood side by side, grinning like idiots.

"Look! I'm his best friend!" Arthur declared, holding the picture up like a sacred artifact.

A heavy silence followed.

Lycaon pinched the bridge of his nose. "I guess you didn't need to go that far…"

As they waited for the dragon's reaction, Catherine found herself silently praying that their plea would be met with cooperation.

The dragon nodded, Catherine's breath caught in her throat as the dragon nodded in agreement.

She quickly approached the beast, her heart racing with excitement and a touch of relief.

Carefully, she held a glass bottle under the dragon's eye, catching the precious golden tears as they trickled from its tear ducts.

"Thank you!" Arthur bowed, relief washing over his face. "Uh… do you have a name?"

The dragon, still as regal and imposing as ever, lowered its head slightly.

"Wobblekins," it rumbled.

Silence.

An eerie, suffocating silence.

Arthur's mouth twitched.

Catherine blinked, her mind short-circuiting for a moment.

"Did… did I hear that right?"

"Wobblekins?" she repeated, barely able to suppress the laughter bubbling up inside her.

"That must be Arche's doing…" Arthur muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples.

Catherine covered her mouth, trying—and utterly failing—to keep her expression neutral.

"W-Wobblekins? That's quite a… unique name…"

But before the absurdity of the moment could fully sink in—SNATCH.

Chronia moved like a blur, yanking the bottle of dragon tears from Catherine's grasp.

"We don't have time for this!" she snapped. "We need to cure Arche now!"

The weight of her urgency crashed down on them, immediately snapping them back to reality.

Then—

"I've been holding it in for a long time," Lycaon muttered darkly, his voice a low growl.

He shifted back into his human form, rolling his shoulders.

And the atmosphere—Shifted.

What was once a moment of ridiculous levity was now thick with tension.

Catherine swallowed hard, a shiver running down her spine.

Something was about to happen.

And whatever it was—It wouldn't be a joke anymore.

"I'm curious," Lycaon said, his voice deep and relaxed, as if discussing the weather.

"You're smart, strong, and have everything… but why is your feeling for Arche so delusional?"

Chronia raised an eyebrow. "Delusional?"

"Yeah," Lycaon smirked. "Because it's obvious—he doesn't like you."

"In fact," he continued, "Arche already has someone he likes, and it's not you."

Chronia clenched her fists. "Feelings don't always have to be reciprocated!"

"I care about him because I want to, not because I expect anything in return!"

Lycaon let out a short laugh. "Oh, so now you're trying to say you're selfless?"

"Come on, Chronia. I'm not blind. Your feelings for Arche? They're selfish."

Chronia's eyes narrowed. "Selfish how?"

"Because it's always about you." Lycaon leaned in. "When he's kind to others, you get jealous."

"When he's in danger, you want to be the only one who can save him."

"You want to be special in his life, even though he never asked you to be."

Chronia's face hardened, but she didn't respond immediately.

"And you know what's even more ironic?" Lycaon continued.

"You know he doesn't love you back, yet you keep forcing yourself into his world."

"Not because you want him to be happy, but because you want him to be happy with you."

"And that's not love," Lycaon grinned. "That's obsession."

Chronia exhaled sharply. "I know my feelings might not make sense to others."

"I know Arche likes someone else, and I don't expect him to suddenly fall for me."

"But I do know one thing, Lycaon." She met his gaze, sharp and unwavering.

"I may be selfish, but at least I have the honesty to admit my feelings."

Lycaon fell silent.

"What?" Chronia smirked. "Don't tell me you've never felt the same?"

For the first time since their conversation began, Lycaon was at a loss for words.

Chronia lowered her head, hands trembling, shoulders rising and falling with each unsteady breath. 

"I don't care," her voice cracked, eyes glistening with unshed tears. 

"I don't care if my feelings are selfish… I don't care if I look pathetic…" 

Lycaon remained silent. Arthur and Catherine could only watch, feeling this was not the moment to interrupt. 

"I just don't want to lose Arche again…" Her voice quivered, and a single tear slipped down, shattering against the floor. 

"I've already lost him in my world… I've already watched him disappear from my life… and I couldn't do anything!" 

Her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms. 

"I can't… I won't go through that again. I don't care if he loves someone else."

"I don't care if he never looks at me the same way…" 

She lifted her face, locking eyes with Lycaon—red, shimmering, filled with raw, unfiltered pain. 

"As long as he's here, as long as I can still talk to him, see him, laugh with him…" 

"That's enough. I won't let this world take him from me too." 

Lycaon's face remained unreadable, but there was something—hesitation, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. 

Maybe he wanted to throw another jab, maybe he wanted to push his argument further—but in the end, all he did was exhale quietly. 

"Tch… You're a real pain in the ass," he muttered, his voice softer than before. 

"If your feelings are that strong, then don't just stand here crying."

"Make sure he stays alive. Make sure you don't repeat your mistakes." 

Chronia took a deep breath, wiping her tear-streaked face with her hands. 

Her eyes were still red, but her gaze was sharper now—steadier, more resolute. 

"You don't understand," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it cut through the silence like a blade. 

No one spoke. 

"None of you understand what it's like to lose someone so precious…" 

"Only to be given a second chance to see them again—only to watch them slip away from you all over again." 

Catherine bit her lower lip. Lycaon remained still, his eyes narrowing slightly. 

"You don't understand how much that hurts…" Chronia lowered her head, fingers gripping the fabric of her clothes tightly. 

"I don't need you to understand my feelings. I just… I just want Arche to stay. That's all." 

Silence. 

Arthur glanced at Lycaon, waiting for him to say something. 

But Lycaon only scoffed under his breath and looked away, as if the argument no longer interested him.

Suddenly, Catherine stepped forward. 

"I understand… quite well," she said softly. 

All eyes turned to her. 

"Huh?" Chronia blinked in surprise. 

Catherine took a deep breath, gripping the hem of her cloak.

"I used to like someone… We were close, and I wanted to confess to him..." 

She hesitated for a moment, her voice tinged with bittersweet nostalgia. 

"But before I could… I found out he was going to marry another woman." 

A faint, sad smile crossed her lips. "Hearing that… it hurt. More than I ever expected. And that pain… made me lock myself away from everyone." 

She glanced at Chronia, her gaze warm yet understanding. 

"I know it's not the same, and I can't pretend to fully understand what you've been through… but, even if just a little—I think I can relate to you." 

The air grew still. 

Chronia's breath hitched. 

She remembered—every harsh word she had thrown at Catherine. Every time she pushed her away. 

Yet here Catherine was, extending a hand of understanding instead of resentment. 

Without thinking, Chronia stepped forward and pulled Catherine into a trembling embrace. 

"...I'm sorry… Catherine," she whispered, her voice cracking. 

"A-Ah…" 

Catherine froze for a moment, completely caught off guard. 

Arthur and Lycaon exchanged glances, equally stunned by the sudden shift. 

"C-Chronia?" Arthur muttered, his eyes wide in disbelief. 

But Chronia didn't pull away. 

"I was too hasty," she admitted, her voice raw with guilt.

"I was rude… unfair… and I pushed you away when I shouldn't have. I should have seen how much you were trying…" 

Catherine hesitated—then, slowly, a small, gentle smile formed on her lips. 

"...It's okay," she murmured, returning the hug. 

And in that moment, something between them changed. 

The beginning of a real friendship. 

Catherine wasn't sure how to respond at first. Chronia's sudden sincerity had caught her off guard. 

But as she looked into her eyes, she could see it—the genuine regret, the honesty behind her words. 

Catherine took a slow breath before offering a small, understanding smile. 

"It's… it's alright," she said gently. "I understand where you're coming from." 

Chronia let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, her shoulders finally relaxing. 

With the tension between them eased, they wasted no time.

Mounting Wobblekins, they soared through the sky, racing against time toward Catherine's home. 

As soon as they landed, Arthur gave Wobblekins a grateful pat on the head. 

"Thanks, Wobblekins," he said sincerely. 

The dragon let out a low, pleased rumble before spreading its massive wings and taking off into the sky. 

But there was no time to watch. 

The moment their feet touched the ground, they rushed inside—only to be greeted by a chaotic scene. 

Murphy, Valeria, and Oris were standing guard around Arche's unmoving body, their expressions tense. 

"You guys!" Valeria's voice rang out in alarm. "He's starting to make weird noises!" 

"Did you get it?!" Murphy demanded, his usual composure cracking with urgency. 

Oris, ever the calm one, adjusted his glasses and nodded. "Judging by the look on their faces… it seems like they did." 

There was no time to waste. 

Without hesitation, Catherine sprinted to her potion-making area, her heart pounding. 

This was it. 

They had the ingredients. 

Now, it was up to her to save me. 

Catherine stood before a massive cauldron, the eerie blue flames beneath it casting flickering shadows across the stone walls. 

With practiced hands, she flipped open an ancient tome, its pages fragile with age. 

"Phoenix Bloom, Dragon's Tear, Ancient Mandrake Root… Everything is here," she murmured, double-checking the ingredients. 

On the wooden table beside her, rare components were meticulously arranged.

She reached for the Ancient Mandrake Root, inhaled deeply, and carefully placed it into the bubbling liquid. 

The root trembled for a moment before dissolving into the potion. 

Next, her slender fingers grasped the Essence of Sacred Light—a transparent liquid that shimmered like moonlight. She poured it in slowly, drop by drop. 

A faint white glow rippled across the surface. The process was working. 

"Almost there," she whispered, reaching for a vial of Divine Honey. 

The moment the golden nectar dripped into the mixture, a soothing, sweet aroma filled the air.

Catherine watched intently as the potion's color shifted—golden light blooming from within. 

But it wasn't finished yet. Carefully, she added Fairy Core Dust, Elixir Leaves, and the Heart of Eternal Ginseng. 

With a crystal spoon, she stirred clockwise, ensuring the elements blended perfectly. 

Ten minutes passed—ten minutes of binding nature, magic, and the sacrifices she had made to craft this elixir. 

Finally, she pulled out a small velvet pouch and loosened its drawstrings. Inside was Lunar Dust. 

She sprinkled it over the potion, and instantly, a fine silver mist rose from the cauldron. 

Gold and silver swirled together, intertwining in a mesmerizing dance. 

Then, without warning—BOOM! A blinding flash illuminated the chamber, forcing Catherine to shield her eyes. 

When she looked back, the potion had transformed into pure, liquid gold, shimmering like the first light of dawn. 

She exhaled slowly. 

It was done.

Catherine stepped back, wiping the sweat from her forehead, her heart thumping with both relief and anticipation.

She had successfully created the healing potion.

But doubts and fears still gnawed at her. What if it doesn't work? What if it's too late? 

She clenched her fists, forcing her insecurities away.

Now was not the time for doubt. I needed this potion, and she had to believe it would work.

"It has to work," she whispered to herself, her voice filled with a mixture of determination and trepidation.

Catherine knelt beside my motionless body, the golden liquid in the vial shimmering under the candlelight.

She took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly.

Carefully, she lifted my head and gently parted my lips.

Holding the vial to my mouth, she poured in the potion, one drop at a time.

Catherine watched anxiously, her heart beating loudly in her chest.

"Please work… please work," she whispered, over and over.

For almost five days, I had been trapped in a storm of pain, reliving every terrible moment of my life over and over again.

But now, for the first time in what felt like forever, the pain was fading. 

The darkness that had weighed on me so heavily was lifting, replaced by a warmth I hadn't felt in so long.

The bad memories no longer haunted me. 

Slowly, I felt my consciousness return. 

My eyelids fluttered open, the blurry figures around me coming into focus. 

The first thing I saw was my team—my family—their faces filled with relief, joy, and even a little disbelief. 

Catherine leaned in closer, a soft, kind smile gracing her face. 

"Can you hear us, Arche?" she asked gently, her fingers resting lightly on my shoulder. 

I stared at her, trying to place her face. But… I couldn't. I had never seen this woman before in my life. 

"...Who are you?" My voice was hoarse, uncertain. 

A flicker of surprise crossed her face, but it quickly softened into something understanding. 

"I'm... I'm Catherine," she said softly. "You're in my house. We… we brought you here to help you." 

Before I could process that, familiar voices called out to me. 

"Arche!" 

I turned my head just in time to see my team—Murphy, Valeria, Oris, Lycaon, Arthur, Chronia. 

Each of them smiled, their eyes filled with relief. 

They had been worried about me. They had fought for me. 

"...You're finally awake, huh?" Oris smiled, relief evident in his voice.

"Luck is on your side, Arche," Murphy added with a smirk, crossing his arms.

"It's great that you woke up! Otherwise, this 'Best Boss in the World' glass would've been a waste," Valeria teased, holding up the cup dramatically.

"You really made us worry," Lycaon said, though his usual stoicism was softened by genuine concern.

"A-Arche..." Chronia's voice trembled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Thank goodness," Arthur sighed, nodding as if a weight had finally been lifted from his shoulders.

And then, as if on cue, they all spoke in unison—voices filled with warmth and relief.

"Welcome back, Arche!"

Laughter and relieved sighs filled the room. It was warm. Comforting. Home.

Yet, amid the joy, one person remained quiet.

Catherine.

She stood slightly apart from the rest, watching the scene unfold with a small, almost hesitant smile.

She was happy. Truly. Seeing me alive, seeing them all relieved—it made her heart feel light.

But at the same time, there was a quiet loneliness creeping in.

They were celebrating together, their bonds unshakable, their relief shared. But her place? It wasn't quite the same.

She bit her lip, trying to shake off the feeling. "This is enough," she told herself. "Seeing them happy should be enough."

Yet, despite her best efforts, a small frown tugged at the corners of her lips.

Here's a more light novel-style version

I turned to Catherine, my gaze meeting hers. "You were the one who helped me, right?"

Catherine's breath hitched. She hadn't expected me to acknowledge her so directly.

Her fingers curled slightly, her heart pounding against her ribs.

"Y...Yes," she stammered softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I was the one who made the potion... that saved you."

I gave her a small, genuine nod. "Thank you for saving me."

Catherine felt something flutter in her chest—an unfamiliar yet pleasant warmth spreading through her.

"Y-You're welcome," she replied, her cheeks tinged with the faintest blush. "I'm just... glad I could help..."

I tilted my head slightly, a faint smile playing on my lips. "You're a great woman, aren't you?"

Her breath caught again.

Catherine had never been praised like that before.

Her face turned an even deeper shade of red, her fingers gripping the fabric of her sleeves as she struggled to maintain composure.

"I... I'm not that great," she muttered, looking away. "It was just a potion, really..."

As the conversation continued around us, Catherine found her gaze drifting toward the rest of the team.

The room was filled with laughter, teasing remarks, and relief—Venganza's camaraderie was unmistakable.

Their bond was unshakable, their connection seamless.

And yet, she stood on the outside, watching.

A small pang of longing settled in her heart.

She wanted to be a part of that warmth, to belong the way they did.

But for now, she simply smiled, pushing the feeling aside, content with just being able to help.

Even if her heart still ached for something more.

Catherine clenched her fists, steeling herself. She had spent too long standing on the sidelines, watching from afar.

No more.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward.

"A-Arche," she called hesitantly.

I turned to her, tilting my head slightly. "Hm? Yes?"

Catherine's heart pounded against her ribs.

This was it—her moment.

Her fingers fidgeted nervously with the hem of her shirt, but she forced herself to speak.

"I... I was wondering if..."

She hesitated.

No turning back now.

Catherine took another deep breath, gathering the last of her courage.

"Do you think... Do you think I could... join you all?"

The room fell silent.

I blinked, processing her words.

Then, a small smile formed on my lips.

"Of course. You seem like someone we can rely on."

Catherine's breath caught.

"Welcome to Venganza," I continued, my voice warm. "You can think of this as your new family."

Her heart skipped a beat.

She had braced herself for rejection.

For skepticism.

For someone to tell her she didn't belong.

But instead—She was welcomed.

Her chest tightened, emotions surging inside her.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but this time, they weren't from sadness.

For the first time in a long while—Catherine felt like she had finally found a place where she belonged.

"You... you're serious?" Catherine's voice trembled with hope and disbelief.

"I... I can really join? I can be part of your team?"

I nodded. "Of course."

She stared at me, her eyes searching for any hint of hesitation. But there was none.

After a brief moment of thought, I smirked. "Alright, then. Every member of Venganza gets a nickname. Let's see..."

"She's the type who likes to be alone and shuts herself away," Lycaon noted casually.

I snapped my fingers. "Got it. How about... Catherine the Lonesome Witch?"

Catherine blinked.

"Catherine the Lonesome Witch..." she repeated softly, the words rolling off her tongue with a mix of surprise and melancholy.

"Is that... how you all see me?"

"Don't take it too seriously," Oris chimed in, pointing at me. "His nickname is 'Arche the Fool Hero,' after all."

"You're not the only one with a ridiculous title," Oris added with a teasing smirk.

Catherine's eyes widened—then, unexpectedly, a small laugh escaped her lips.

The weight in her chest lightened.

"T-That's a relief," she murmured, a genuine smile forming on her face.

"I suppose I'm not the only one stuck with a... silly nickname."

Before the moment could settle, Arthur suddenly clapped his hands.

"Alright! Now, Chronia and Lycaon—your turn!" The two turned their heads, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"You two, apologize to each other," Arthur commanded.

"Huh? Since Arche is already conscious, you're not the boss anymore," Chronia shot back.

I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow. "Are you two fighting? Apologize."

A heavy silence fell over them. Then—

"Tch."

"Ugh, fine."

They both complained in unison, reluctantly turning toward each other.

The rest of us?

We just watched in amusement.

The two stood facing each other, an awkward silence settling between them. 

Lycaon was the first to move. He let out a small sigh before extending his hand. 

"Sorry. Maybe I overdid it," he muttered, turning his face away like a stubborn kid forced to apologize. 

Chronia hesitated for a moment before sighing as well. "...Me too, and I also want to apologize to the others.."

She reached out and took his hand. 

They shook hands—grudgingly at first, but it was enough. 

As Chronia and Lycaon shook hands, the tension in the room finally lifted.

"And also!" Arthur suddenly declared, puffing up his chest like he was about to drop the most important announcement of the century.

Everyone turned to him.

He froze. "…Uh… umm…"

The dramatic silence dragged on. Someone coughed in the distance.

Finally, Arthur bowed so low it looked like his spine gave up. "I—I want to apologize! For yelling at you guys… and, uh… saying rude stuff a few days ago."

The room went silent.

"Eh? Arthur said something rude?" I blinked, tilting my head. "No way!"

Murphy chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment. "Yes, Arche. You'll have to hear the full saga later."

"Murphy!! Don't tell him!!" Arthur panicked, flailing like a drowning duck.

"Oh, I will, Arthur. I will," Murphy grinned like a villain in a second-rate novel.

A warm atmosphere settled over us, like the sun breaking through after a storm. 

I stretched my arms and let out a deep sigh of relief. "Well, now that everything's settled, we can finally get back to our journey."

The others nodded, a renewed determination in their eyes.

Our mission wasn't over yet—but this time, we were stronger, together. 

Catherine, who had been standing quietly, watched us with a soft smile. 

For the first time in a long while, she felt like she belonged somewhere. 

She wasn't just an outsider anymore. 

She was a member of Venganza. 

"Alright, everyone! Let's move out!" I declared, turning toward the door. 

"Arche! You just got better!" Arthur approached me. "And, Catherine! Come on, don't just stand there!"

As we stepped forward, Catherine hesitated for just a moment. Then, gathering her courage, she followed. 

And as she walked beside us—no longer watching from the sidelines—she realized something. 

She wasn't alone anymore. 

She had found her place. 

Her new family. 

And with that thought, Catherine smiled. 

A real, genuine smile. 

One that came from the heart.