[Day Four: Day of Awakening]
 
An adventurer party finds itself surrounded by monsters. A horde of drooling orcs attacks, overwhelming their defenses.
 
“Quit gawking! Fire your bolts!”
 
A broad-chested man roars at his timid companion. The younger man’s body trembles momentarily before he fires his crossbow with shaking hands. The bolt strikes an orc, drawing blood—but it’s a drop in the ocean.
 
“Tch!”
 
“Waaah!”
 
The veteran adventurer kicks the red-haired boy after clicking his tongue. As the boy tumbles, his “companions” use him as bait for their escape.
 
“—!”
 
Death. The primal … Read the rest

“You carry gems around? You’re a strange one.”
 
“There’s a limit to how much money one can carry. Isn’t it more efficient to convert it into gems like this?”
 
“…Tch. What an unlikable brat.”
 
Once Mordred finishes the payment, Fei quickly heads for the hut’s exit.
 
“Dear Fei? Are you leaving already?”
 
“…Yeah.”
 
“Ah, Dear Fei, to jump straight into action right after enduring that agonizing surgery… How thrilling♪”
 
Fei reaches for the door, about to step out. Then, barely glancing back, he mutters:
 
“Thanks for everything.”
 
With just those words, … Read the rest

Fei and Mordred finished their morning training, drenched in sweat. As usual, Fei collapsed, ending up with his head on Mordred’s lap. Having lost his left eye, Fei’s narrowed field of vision left him struggling to move as he wished.
 
“……”
 
“Good morning, Dear Fei. As promised, let’s head to the prosthetic eye shop.”
 
“…Yeah.”
 
Fei, Mordred, and an extra—Alicia—set off for the prosthetic eye shop. Along the way, Mordred clung to Fei’s arm. Her voluptuous chest pressed against him, but Fei remained utterly unfazed. Meanwhile, the male adventurers around them bit their lips in envy.… Read the rest

Chapter 4: The One Who Visits an Prosthetic Eye Shop Like It’s a Bar Hangout
 

[Day Four: Peak of the City]
 
A divine morning sun peeked through the window of a certain inn room. The light was warm and pleasant, yet oddly harsh to someone still asleep.
 
“Ugh… mmm…”
 
A sleepy voice mumbled, and the sleeper pulled the blanket over her head to block the sunlight. But once sunlight hits you, it’s hard to forget, so she threw off the blanket and let the sun in again. Sitting up and stretching her back—
 
“Hmm… guess … Read the rest

“I… I’m truly sorry… I’ll do anything… Money, whatever you want—I’ll get it—”
 
“You fool… Do you really think that’s enough?”
 
“N-No… I know nothing could ever repay someone like you… But I have to atone—”
 
“…You just want to escape the weight of your guilt.”
 
“Eh—?”
 
He saw right through him. Tork realized—Fei had glimpsed the ugly, selfish fear he’d buried deep inside.
 
“I won’t take a thing from you. You’re worth nothing to me as you are now.”
 
“Ah…!”
 
Words failed him. What could he even say? No apology could … Read the rest

He was weak. A coward. A pitiful, talentless boy.
 
He shouldn’t have had any aptitude for magic. Yet, he couldn’t give up. He clung to a hazy dream.
 
A dream where everyone acknowledged him, praised him—where he was the hero.
 
But reality was cruel. Before he knew it, he was the butt of jokes. Of course he was. He was always afraid. In his dreams, he was brave, admired.
 
But in truth, he was too scared to even approach monsters. Swinging a sword? Impossible. So, he chose a crossbow—keeping his distance, firing from safety. His aim … Read the rest

“He… won.”
 
“Of course he did♪ That’s Dear Fei for you♪”
 
“Hey, earlier… you called me a ‘duck.’ What’d that mean? Related to him winning?”
 
“Ah, yes♪ That monkey behind you was peeking at your hand and signaling the mustache guy which card to play. Exactly the kind of cheap trick a bug like him’d use. But Dear Fei saw right through it—as expected♪ Anyone who loses to that is below a monkey♪”
 
“B-Below a monkey…? Me? Wait, but… even if he figured out the cheating, he couldn’t guarantee a win, right? The opponent’s plays were … Read the rest

 
“Sorry, but I’ll pass. I don’t have time for games like that.”
 
“……”
 
“Well, if you’re that scared, no worries. We’ll just ask someone else. You seem pretty shaky anyway, huh?”
 
“Yeah, yeah. Too chicken—what can ya do?”
 
Provocatively spitting out their taunts, the two thugs gave up on persuading them. Annoyed at their failed recruitment, they threw in a petty insult at the end.
 
“Excuse me?! Who the hell is ‘chicken’?! Hey, Fei?!”
 
“……”
 
“Huh?! Ignoring me—ahem. Fine then! I’ll take you up on that stupid bet! I’m not scared, and … Read the rest

 
“Fufu, after seeing each other naked in the morning and sharing such a passionate embrace, don’t you think we’re a couple guided by fate?”
 
Nah, not really… Or should I reconsider? Whatever. Focus on training first!
 
“Entertain me for a bit. You’ve wasted enough of my time. I need to make up for my training.”
 
“Fufu, your cold logic is charming too♪”
 
“Charming”? Has anyone ever confessed this bluntly? Whatever.
 
“Let’s fight!!”
 
Whoa, she’s fast—Arthur-tier. Great training, but too many questions!
 
Focus, damn it! PUNCH!
 
Oh? Finally locking in!
 
“Yes, … Read the rest

Fei’s eyes sharpen into a glare at Mordred for calling him “sweet.” A faint pressure radiates from him, sending a chill down Alicia’s spine. His intimidation was that overwhelming. Yet Mordred remains unbothered, looking delighted.
 
“Yes~ If you really wanted me off, you could’ve just slashed me with your sword, no? Like that time—you could’ve headbutted me and forced me away. But you didn’t.”
 
“……I’m shaking you off right now.”
 
“But not seriously, are you? In a real fight, you’d cut down anyone—women, children—you’re a madman. But outside of battle, even when someone clings to you like … Read the rest