Free Web NovelChapter 50: Hina calls again
AOI TACHIBANA’S POV
The car roared to a stop in front of my house.
"Thank you for the ride."
I said as I stepped out of the car and gave a slight bow.
"No problem, Team Leader. Just remember to continue treating us to lunch." The girl sitting in the front seat smiled.
My eyes twitched.
’With whose money?’
I thought to myself but still responded.
"Haha, no problem. Drive home safely."
As I waved them off, I turned and opened the door.
*Click*
The door opened with a soft click as I went inside.
I removed my shoes and entered the living room before immediately plopping down on the couch.
"Ahhh..."
I let out a long sigh of relaxation.
Today’s raid was good because of the new member on the team.
The Guild Leader’s daughter.
But she was such a pain in the ass.
"But thanks to her, I got new gear, hehe..."
I said as I looked at my new armor.
I was currently wearing the new standard armor made from tough wyvern scales and light metal, which was not only bulletproof but could also block strong attacks.
It was basically a tank in the form of armor.
Not to mention, the materials were surprisingly light, so they didn’t slow down my movements.
The inside of the suit was lined with something like cushions. I didn’t really know what the material was called, but when I wore it, it felt like I was wearing casual clothes.
It even had a cooling effect that helped keep me cool during intense battles filled with sweat and blood.
I rolled around on the couch, bubbling with excitement.
Though I hadn’t gotten the chance to test the armor in action because the Guild Leader’s daughter insisted on going shopping, tomorrow I was definitely going to try it out.
Thinking about it made me so excited that I rolled too much and fell off the couch.
THUD!
"Owwch!"
I rubbed my swollen head.
I had just slammed it against the leg of the table.
I stood up, still clutching the sore spot, and went upstairs.
After setting the armor aside, I entered the bathroom to take a hot bath.
Today had really been a long day.
But thinking about how I would be sponsoring dinner for the guild team members made another headache rise.
"But with the gear we have now, we could clear gates much faster," I muttered to myself.
"It wouldn’t take long at all. But after spending all the money we’ll get from selling monster cores, I would definitely have nothing left."
A sigh escaped my lips.
"And it might not even take long for her to invite some of our friends to join us, making me go completely broke."
I scratched my head in frustration.
"I really don’t want to go broke..."
Being financially unstable really sucked.
But being completely broke?
That sucked even more.
Then something crossed my mind.
I suddenly remembered yesterday when the military had come to Reiji’s apartment.
’But really, how was he not detected?’
’Mana scans could pick up even the slightest trace of a living being. Especially if that being possessed mana or had been exposed to someone or something with mana.’
I thought to myself.
The scene of his back entering the gate replayed in my mind.
I had learned that the awakeners sent to clear the gate never encountered the Boss Monster alive.
’That means he must be at least C-Rank since the gate was at the peak of D-Rank.’
A long breath escaped my lips.
I didn’t know if I should be angry, worried, or relieved that he wasn’t caught. "But if he wasn’t caught, does that mean it was all just my imagination?"
"Or was it something else?" I muttered to myself. "I need to find out for myself."
***
Meanwhile, inside the house across the street, Reiji was currently lying on the couch with a bored expression.
The television was on, atelenovela was playing. And beside him sat Vel.
The chubby yellow cat was staring at the television with surprising concentration.
"Wait... she has three husbands, meow?" Vel asked in disbelief.
"Four."
"What, meow?"
"Wait for the next episode."
Vel’s eyes widened. "Human relationships are terrifying, meow."
Reiji nodded in agreement. "They really are."
The two continued watching for several minutes before Reiji suddenly felt his phone vibrate.
~Ring! ~Ring!
Reiji glanced at the screen.
The moment he saw the name, a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.
Hina.
Reiji immediately answered.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Then a familiar voice spoke softly.
"Rei-kun..."
The smile on his face grew.
"Hina."
On the other side of the call, Hina was sitting inside a locked bathroom.
The sound of running water could be heard faintly in the background.
It wasn’t because she wanted a bath.
It was because she didn’t want anyone overhearing her.
"Are you busy?" Hina asked.
"No."
"Liar."
"I’m literally watching television."
There was a brief pause. Then Reiji heard a small giggle. Just hearing it made the atmosphere around him relax.
"How’s the trip?" Reiji asked.
"Boring."
"You’ve only been gone for a few days."
"I know."
"Then how is it boring?"
"Because you’re not here."
Reiji rubbed the back of his neck. Sometimes Hina could say things that caught him completely off guard. But that was one of the things he loved about her.
"You’re being dramatic."
"I’m being honest."
Her answer came without hesitation. Reiji could already imagine her pouting. The image made him chuckle.
"How is Mom and those two little rascals?" he asked.
"They’re doing well."
"And yours?"
"They’re doing well too."
A brief silence followed.
Then Hina spoke again.
"I caught Mom secretly crying."
The smile on Reiji’s face faded slightly.
"She really misses you."
Reiji lowered his gaze. He didn’t know what to say. The world believed he was dead. His mom believed he was dead. His friends believed he was dead.
Not that he didn’t want to tell them, but if too many people found out he was still alive and hadn’t disappeared like the other men, he wouldn’t stay free for long.
Now was not the time to tell them.
He needed to get stronger to protect himself and his loved ones.
Hina seemed to notice the change in his mood.
"I’m sorry."
"It’s fine."
"No, it’s not."
"It’s not fine at all."
Reiji let out a small sigh and quickly changed the subject.
"What did you do today?"
Instantly, Hina became animated again. For the next several minutes, she talked about everything.
The places they visited. The food they ate. The ridiculous souvenirs her mother kept buying. The arguments between their parents.
Even a dog she had seen earlier. Most of it wasn’t important.
But Reiji listened anyway.
For a brief moment, everything felt normal. As if they were just a normal couple having a normal conversation. freewebnoveℓ.com
Then Hina suddenly asked, "Did you eat properly?"
"Yes."
"Did you sleep properly?"
"Mostly."
"Mostly means no."
"I slept."
"For how long?"
"..."
"Rei."
"A few hours." Reiji immediately regretted answering. The lecture started instantly.
"You need proper rest."
"I know."
"You need to stop thinking so much. It will all get better eventually." Hina thought Reiji was still struggling with everything that had happened.
"..."
"Reiji."
"Fine."
Hina huffed. Even through the phone, Reiji could tell she wasn’t convinced. Beside him, Vel quietly lowered the television volume.
He somehow knew who was on the strange device pressed against Reiji’s ear. ’So when His Majesty said she was stronger than him, he wasn’t joking.’
Several more minutes passed before a faint voice suddenly sounded from the other side.
"Hina? Are you still in there?"
Hina immediately lowered her voice. "I have to go."
Reiji immediately understood and nodded. "Okay."
"Take care of yourself."
"You too."
A brief silence followed. Then Hina spoke softly.
"I miss you."
Reiji smiled.
"I miss you too."
The silence lasted another second.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Click.
The call ended. Reiji stared at the phone for several moments before placing it on the table.
The room became quiet again. Vel carefully glanced at Reiji.
"My Lord."
"Hm?"
"Was that her, meow?"
Reiji leaned back against the couch. "Yeah."
Vel nodded seriously. "I feel she isn’t that scary but truly remarkable, meow."
Reiji couldn’t help but agree.
No matter how dangerous Hina could be. No matter how crazy she sometimes acted. One thing had never changed. She would always be on his side.
Always.
Ding!
[Bonus Objective: Wear Mana Suppression Weights for 24 Hours.]
[17/24 Hours Completed.]
The smile immediately vanished from Reiji’s face. "Tch."
The peaceful atmosphere disappeared instantly. The damn system had successfully ruined his mood.
