[ Companion's Stats ]
Name: Goldsky Luna
Age: 17
Race: Human
Rank: S
Level: 80
[ Physical & Energetic Stats ]
Physical Strength: 70
Endurance: 90
Speed: 57
Intelligence: 50
Luck: 20
Mana: 89
Aura: 74
Spiritual Energy: 68
HP: 100/100
Weapon: Scythe
Status: Asleep
What kind of power is this? If we ever get into an argument, she'll beat the hell out of me.
I guess that's enough for today.
I closed the system and drifted off to sleep.
...
The next morning, I heard knocking at the door while I was still asleep.
I slowly woke up from the noise.
Who could it be at this hour?
"Come in."
The door opened, and the one who entered was Luna. I forgot that I was married.
She was holding a tray with tea and some sweets.
She slowly approached and placed it beside the chair.
I kept watching her as she prepared everything. After she finished, she turned to leave.
"Wait."
She stopped in place and looked at me.
"Come sit beside me."
What the hell are you saying, you idiot?!
She stepped closer but sat on the floor. I rushed to my room to bring another chair for her to sit on.
Gyaaah! What an embarrassing situation!
I brought the chair and sat beside her.
Neither of us said a word. Silence filled the air for a long while until I tried to break it despite my shyness.
"Eat with me."
Luna shrank her hands and looked down, some of her gray hair covering part of her face.
"I can't do that, sir."
You're even more shy than me. I thought your cold demeanor was just pride in your strength.
"Don't call me formally. You're my wife, after all."
I swallowed my spit at the words that escaped my mouth.
I wished the ground would swallow me whole in that moment.
Luna slowly reached for the sweets and started eating, and I followed suit.
I ate with her, sipping the tea she prepared.
It was delicious, but I still felt a bit of bitterness. Even with the sweet honey flavor, I couldn't fully taste it because of the awkwardness.
We didn't speak for a long time until we finished eating.
"Thank you, Luna."
"You're welcome, sir—I mean, Klo."
Luna left the room and closed the door behind her, while I writhed in embarrassment over what just happened.
I tugged my hair and started pacing all over the room.
"Was I annoying? Too polite? I bet she hates me now because of this."
Knock... knock.
Who's knocking now?
"Come in."
The door opened, and Andrew entered.
I rushed to him and grabbed his hand.
"Sir?"
"Andrew, go to the city and get some fancy, elegant, or at least comfortable clothes for Luna."
Andrew turned away, wiping his tears of joy.
"The boy I raised with my own hands has grown into a responsible man who loves his wife!"
Don't you start now too!
"I'll get her the finest clothes, Sir Klo. Leave it to me!"
Andrew left and closed the door behind him.
I guess I'll head out for a bit.
I left my room and went down to the garden to clear my head for a while, until I met the trio—
Elithia, Nevin, and Lynette.
I sat beside them and asked why they were gathered there.
"Is there a reason you're all here?"
"Yeah, we got a message from a distant place. We're checking it out," Nevin said.
"And what's it got to do with me? Do they think I'm an insurance plan?"
"The reward is 15,400 Ban—" Elithia said.
"When do we leave!?"
I cut her off before she finished her sentence.
Everyone stood up, accepting the mission. Then I walked over to Lynette, placed a hand on her shoulder, and advised her not to go.
"Hey Lynette, I suggest you don't come. It'll be hard."
"I wield a top-grade spear from my family's lineage."
"Then let's go!"
Everyone went to prepare for this exhausting journey.
***
While I was in my room packing, Luna came in to ask about my departure.
"Where are you going, Klo?"
"On a mission."
"Can I come with you?"
"You can't. My wife's safety is my responsibility."
Even though you're strong, I still fear you'll get hurt.
"What if we spar so you can check my level?"
"Fine by me."
We went down to the garden to duel. She brought her massive scythe, and I drew my sword like usual.
We each took our stance, ready to fight.
And the moment we started—
She was gone before I could move.
Her scythe was already at my neck.
She had completely disappeared from my sight.
She really is S-rank.
Even my strength isn't half hers.
If I complete more missions and train, will I catch up someday?
Luna lowered her scythe and stabbed it into the ground, waiting for my reaction.
We stood there in silence for a while, her head bowed.
Is she waiting for a compliment?
Of course she is, idiot. She's a duke's daughter—unlike you, the son of two abusers who deprived you of your basic rights.
"That was amazing, Luna. I didn't expect you to be that skilled!"
Luna smiled and lowered her head again.
If I can make others happy, then I'll be happy too.
"Oh, your clothes, Luna—they're with Andrew."
"My clothes?"
"I bought you some new outfits. You might find them pretty. If you don't like them, just toss them out. It's fine."
"How could I throw away a gift? That'd be terrible when you thought of me while buying it."
She stepped forward, trying to justify that anything I picked for her wouldn't be bad.
She reminds me of a certain memory.
Luna realized what she had done and lowered her head again, clutching her dress tightly.
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."
I chuckled lightly and patted her head.
"It's okay. I was the one who misspoke and upset you."
I'm starting to get used to this.
"Alright, let's pack our things, Luna."
She nodded in agreement. Then we went to my room to prepare our luggage.
***
After Andrew prepared the carriage, we left for a journey that took us two days to reach our destination.
We arrived and stepped down from the carriage. The place we reached was called The Other City.
We took a few steps forward to enter, and the moment I set foot inside, the surroundings changed.
The green fields and peach trees vanished. They were replaced with violet grass and a green sky.
It resembled the effect in my castle, but this time it was in a big city.
We walked forward a few more steps, and then we encountered a girl wearing a black winter coat embroidered with a white spider.
We kept walking and didn't pay her any mind—
Until something completely unexpected happened.
Everyone except me collapsed on the spot.
I looked around and found them split in half, bodies severed.
I slowly turned my gaze back to the girl, who hadn't moved a single step.
I looked again at Elithia, Lynette, Nevin, and Luna—
They were all dying.
Alythia and Lynette were vomiting blood next to me.
Nevin's eyes were fading as she tried to raise a hand toward me.
Luna was on the brink of death, smiling at me with tears streaming down her cheeks.
From the horror I was witnessing, I couldn't move.
Each of them uttered their final words with great difficulty.
"Thank you for protecting me back then, Klo."
"I wish we could've worked together, Yuthnir."
"Continue down the path of kindness, my lord."
"Thank you for being my husband, Klo."
As I watched them exhale their final breaths, I felt a mix of rage and sorrow.
I bit into my hand to dull the pain inside—
But I felt no pain.
Until I felt something pierce my chest.
It was warm and soft, yet solid.
I slowly looked down and found it was the girl's hand.
I looked at her from behind, my hair falling over my eyes, my vision blurry.
Then I started laughing out loud.
"Hahaha...
We'll meet again soon—
And I'll drag you to hell, you damn bastard.
You messed with the wrong guy."