“…No…”

My consciousness was gradually fading, just like when I was swept away by the water on the stepping stone. This was dangerous. Unlike that time, this place was a black lake that sapped away life force. If I were to lose consciousness here, death would be a certainty.

It seemed too late to swim to the other side. Rather than trying to muster strength in my limbs, the best I could do was to relax and float, creating a breathing space.

Then, the remaining method is…

“Please, just one more time…”

I squeezed my eyes shut and gathered all my holy power with the strength of a nursing infant. The basic principle of purification was to push away the demonic energy. I had to counteract it with the intention of pushing the demonic energy dissolved in the water as far away as possible.

As my body tensed, I naturally began to sink. Taking one last deep breath, I repeatedly visualized pushing the black demonic energy away with a white light in the cold water.

Light. Darkness.

Growing light. Diminishing darkness.

Bright and warm light. Gradually fading black aura.

At some point, the cold sensation subsided, and I felt as if I were enveloped in warm water. When I slowly opened my eyes, I saw a bright light emanating from my body, driving away the surrounding darkness.

As my consciousness returned, the pain from the suffocation sharply pierced me. I urgently kicked my feet and surfaced.

“Ha!”

As I broke the surface and exhaled the breath I had been holding, cool air rushed into my lungs. I took a moment to catch my breath until my pulse returned to normal, then looked around. The water, now much clearer, rippled beneath my neck with each movement of my arms.

“…It’s really purified.”

I thought the first time might have been a coincidence, but now, the second time, I was confused. Did I really have such immense holy power? Since when?

“This should have been witnessed by another priest to be credited.”

Grumbling in frustration, I swam toward the shore. Though I felt an overwhelming fatigue, I had to endure it somehow and find a way to reunite with my comrades.

But when I finally reached the shore, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

“……”

It was only after staring blankly at my feet that I realized it was the familiar sensation of triggering a trap formation.

The ground trembled slightly, and an ominous wind echoed. As I lifted my head, I saw the cave corals swaying from the ceiling.

Ah, this cursed cave.

Even without foresight, I could see the future. Those corals would soon fall like a shower, no doubt.

The relentless traps were driving me crazy. Just when I thought I had crossed a mountain, it felt like there were dozens of peaks left.

The problem was that having just purified the black lake, I had no energy left to erect a barrier. Still, I was determined to survive somehow.

One of the cave corals, shaped like a chestnut, fell towards me. Unfortunately, the barrier magic was not completed in time. At that moment, there was nothing protecting me except the arm I reflexively raised to shield my head.

Pop!

A barrier I hadn’t cast appeared. Along with a sharp noise, the corals attached to the ceiling fell all at once.

Boom!

Each coral was like a small grenade. I closed my eyes and covered my ears as the barrier and the ground were relentlessly attacked. Fortunately, the mysterious barrier was strong enough to absorb the shock beyond the vibrations.

Suddenly, I felt warmth on the hand covering my ear. Someone with a large hand covered mine and pulled me into their embrace.

Only then did I realize there was another person within the barrier besides me.

Bang! Boom!

While the outside was still bombarded with corals, inside the barrier, there was a strange peace. With my face buried in the comforting embrace, I stayed silent. Despite my still body, my pulse raced as if I had run for miles.

Contrary to my racing heartbeat, my mind found calm faster than ever. The baseless belief that I was now safe brought a warm sense of relief to my chest.

I’m alive. I’m really alive now.

“I’m sorry I lost you.”

“……”

I looked up at the kind voice. Through tear-blurred vision, familiar eyes came into view. Swallowing heavily, I gripped his clothes, and he gently cupped my cheek.

“Was it very scary?”

“……”

I slowly nodded, keeping my tearful gaze fixed, as if seeking comfort.

“You did well. You were amazing, Du.”

He said, pulling me into another embrace. His hand on the back of my head pressed my cheek slightly against his firm chest. As I quietly sniffled, he gently patted my back with his other hand.

That strange comfort continued for quite some time. When my heart, which had been racing anxiously, returned to normal and the corals stopped falling, I regained some composure and pushed him away.

I hadn’t noticed earlier, but the dampness from the lake had completely disappeared. When had he even used cleansing magic?

“Shouldn’t you conserve your magic? You never know what might happen.”

I asked, lifting my now dry hair, and Keene chuckled, playfully tapping my nose.

“It’s more important that you don’t catch a cold, Du.”

“……”

Ignoring his usual teasing, I stared into his violet-tinted eyes.

Suddenly, I wondered. Did you think of me in this place too?

It was a silly question. Shaking my head, I brushed off the unnecessary curiosity.

“Has the exploration team scattered?”

He nodded.

“Mostly. But some have regrouped. I know roughly where they are, so don’t worry. I’ll take you there.”

As he spoke, he extended his hand to me, as if inviting me to hold it. I stared blankly at the hand that held familiar warmth.

I mustn’t get too accustomed to that hand.

I know that.

“Du?”

“……”

I keep wanting to rely on him. I keep wanting to lean on that man who appears at every moment I need him.

“Du, are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere?”

“……”

For a fleeting moment, I thought.

Wouldn’t it be better to like this person, who has nothing to do with the original story, rather than the male protagonist I can never have?

.

.

.

Chapter 2. Dangerous Contact

Mattnum Possun is a famous tea house that every traveler visiting Rotricia must stop by. Known for its expensive but luxurious afternoon tea service and deep, smooth black tea, it was also popular among the locals, making it always bustling with customers.

Today, among the crowded visitors, there was one particularly noticeable guest. A tall, handsome man with black hair. His elegant figure, selecting tea leaves while turning the round shelf, created a spectacle that slowed the steps of passersby who stopped to watch him.

Many of the reserved guests who came for tea glanced at him and lingered around instead of heading straight to the tea room inside. Some even stood opposite him, trying to catch his attention. However, the man’s focus remained fixed on the tea, barely shifting.

His hands moved meticulously over the various products on display. From colorful tins to luxurious boxes covered in intricate vine patterns. The numerous types of tea were enough to make one’s head spin, but the man carefully checked not only the names of the tea leaves but also the detailed information on the back before putting them down.

After a lengthy selection process, he chose a hexagonal tin and a box of biscuits. Satisfied with his choice, he smiled and headed towards the counter, causing those who had hoped he would turn around to sigh in disappointment and go on their way.

When the man reached the counter and gave a brief nod to the staff before presenting the tin and biscuits, a woman standing diagonally next to the new product display paid the silver coins instead.

As the man sent a puzzled glance at the sudden intruder, the woman, with her long pink hair tied up high, stepped aside to allow the next customer to pay and said,

“I know who you are.”

It’s a common phrase used when showing interest in someone. The beginnings vary, but the endings are mostly the same.

Even if that wasn’t her intention, it didn’t matter. It was all equally worthless. There weren’t many words that held meaning for him anyway.

Keene chuckled and turned to brush past her. But he had to stop after a few steps. Because of the two-syllable title that called him.

“Master.”

“……”