Chapter 33

The wolf pack couldn’t even put up a proper fight and was completely slaughtered by us.

It wasn’t even a warm-up level.

A few of them, realizing something was wrong, tried to run away but were caught by Abelin’s overwhelming speed and completely wiped out.

“Wow…….”

Abelin honestly marveled while roasting meat on the tip of her sword.

While the meat was cooking, she watched me skillfully skin the wolves.

“Phew, this should cover my allowance.”

“You can do that too? Not just carving the meat but skillfully skinning them? You seem better than most hunters.”

“Of course. My father was a hunter.”

“……? That can’t be. Weren’t you from a knight’s family? The Ilrinads have produced outstanding and renowned knights for generations. Your father must have been one too, right?”

“Haha, seems like I got you this time? Half right, half wrong.”

Thanks to that, it came back to me more vividly.

A somewhat sad memory.

“I was actually born and raised in the mountains. I had a free and abundant childhood. My father was a skilled hunter, so he always brought back plenty of food whenever he came down from the mountains. But that was the problem.”

“Having plenty of food was a problem?”

“On days when meat and fur sold well, he would buy lots of good fruits. My parents were in such a good mood they even drank and fell asleep. But the fruits were too sweet, and their scent spread through the forest.”

“The sweet scent spreading through the forest……. Could it be?”

Abelin’s expression darkened.

“A bear from the forest caught the scent and came into our house. It’s ironic now that I think about it. My parents, who were excellent hunters, were helpless against a bear they had hunted countless times.”

“……. I’m sorry. At least you survived.”

“Hmm, I wouldn’t exactly say I survived.”

“What do you mean? Did the bear spare you?”

“I woke up to the commotion and saw the bear attacking my parents. What do you think most people would do?”

“Run away……. No, most would freeze in front of such a terrifying beast.”

“I did the opposite.”

I still vividly remember that thrilling moment.

“I grabbed a small axe hanging on the wall and charged at the bear.”

“……. And you’re still alive? Are you a demon?”

“I was confident in my movements. I had even survived being chased by wolves when I was younger.”

“What? How on earth…….”

“Of course, I got hit a few times by the bear. I didn’t win the fight. But as I kept charging at it despite being battered, it got tired of fighting and ran away.”

“To drive away a bear at such a young age, that’s an incredible story…….”

Abelin trailed off.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had such a childhood. But how can you be so calm about it? You even seem somewhat cheerful.”

“Living deep in the mountains, it was something that could happen at any time. And it was my parents who taught me that. They said if I survived, I should live gratefully and happily.”

“They definitely weren’t ordinary people. Oh…….”

Abelin burned the meat while listening intently to my story.

“Don’t worry about it. There’s plenty more. Just a bit more prep and it’ll be fine.”

“Your positive attitude is truly admirable. Can I ask one more thing?”

“Depends on what you want to ask.”

“I’m curious. How did the son of a hunter end up winning the Continental Swordsmanship Competition?”

“Haha, you’ve done quite a bit of research on me, but you don’t know everything, do you? Like my childhood.”

“……. I’m not a god, you know.”

“Well, then I’m not obligated to answer all your questions either. I’m not a merciful god, after all.”

“Tch……. Don’t be so evasive.”

“Instead, I’ll propose a deal.”

Like before, this was another good opportunity.

“I’ll tell you the story you’re curious about, and you tell me one thing I’m curious about. How about it?”

“Deal.”

Abelin, without hesitation, turned towards the campfire, discarded the burnt meat, and skewered a new piece on her sword.

She was curious about my story but determined not to share hers.

Even I would get annoyed at this point.

“Stop. Freeze.”

“Why freeze?”

“Who prepared that meat?”

“……. Ugh.”

Abelin flinched and stopped skewering the meat on her sword.

She muttered under her breath.

“Stingy.”

“Stingy? You’re the stingy one, Abelin. Who do you think knows more about each other between us?”

“…….”

Abelin pouted, but despite her cute, childlike pout, her expression was firm.

It seemed she thought she had shared enough for today, considering she had already told me about being kicked out of the house.

I didn’t want to pressure her into sharing more if she didn’t want to.

“Fine. Go ahead and skewer the meat. I was being stingy.”

“……. One thing.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll tell you one thing.”

Abelin slowly looked up at me.

Her gaze was strangely soft.

Then she carefully spoke.

“It’s because of you. That I keep holding onto my sword.”

“Because of me? Wait, you said ‘because,’ not ‘thanks to.’ That sounds a bit off, doesn’t it?”

“So be prepared.”

Abelin’s eyes showed a mix of complex emotions.

“I’ve never had a goal I couldn’t achieve. But there’s one, only Kairon, that I haven’t surpassed yet. But that’s only ‘for now.’ I’ll catch up soon.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad. Being someone’s goal. Feel free to catch up.”

“I will. So be prepared.”

Abelin said as she placed the meat back on the fire.

With only a bit of salt for seasoning, the wolf meat roasted over the campfire in the middle of the snowy field was special.

“Mmm, this time it’s not burnt! Here, try some.”

Perhaps it was the pretty woman’s smile as she handed me the meat, but even though the wolf meat was tough and gamey, it was perfect for enduring the cold.

But the problem came after eating.

Unless we kept moving, the place we were staying, though sheltered by trees, was still in the middle of a snowy field.

Even with the campfire and fur clothes, it was impossible to completely block out the cold.

“Ugh…….”

Abelin shivered and tried to warm herself using mana.

“Don’t do that. Here.”

I handed her my outer coat.

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“Wrap yourself in it. Then you won’t need to use mana to warm up.”

“But what about you?”

“I’ll keep watch. In the snowy field, it’s not just the wolf pack we need to be wary of.”

“Thank you. Then I’ll sleep first. Will you wake me later?”

“Sure. Sleep well.”

Abelin buried herself in the sleeping bag after seeing me channeling mana throughout my body.

“……. Kairon.”

“What?”

“You won’t touch me while I’m asleep, right?”

“Come on. Say something sensible.”

“Haha, just checking.”

Abelin laughed playfully and turned her head to sleep.

How long had it been? Abelin tossed and turned, finally lying on her back.

Only her round face was visible from the sleeping bag.

With nothing else to look at but the snow, trees, and clear sky, it was natural for my gaze to linger on her face.

It made her cheeks and lips, slightly red from the cold, stand out.

‘……. Come to think of it, those lips touched my face, didn’t they?’

The memory I had tried to forget resurfaced.

It was vivid, but I couldn’t help doubting if it really happened.

I impulsively stood up from my seat.

And cautiously approached Abelin…….

Squish.

Her lips, gently touched by my finger, felt just as I remembered.

Though back then, they were moist with blood.

I hurriedly returned to my seat.

“Sigh…….”

I had broken my promise without realizing it.

Even if it was just a light touch with my finger, I had touched her despite saying I wouldn’t.

“Damn. What will I say when she wakes up…….”

Trying to calm my complicated feelings, I focused on my watch duty.

Abelin, who had slept soundly, was angry that I hadn’t woken her, but…….

It didn’t matter, and for some reason, I felt proud, which was strange.