Let’s Not Write A Novel Recklessly

⟨6⟩ The Oldest and Youngest

As they approach the Killain Mountain Range, the appearance of monsters increases. 

“They’re trolls. Everyone, get ready for battle.”

At Se-ho’s command, everyone began to prepare for combat. At least thirty of them. In a typical party, even one troll would be a formidable enemy, but everyone was relaxed.

“Be careful, everyone.”

Tae-ram mechanically encouraged everyone to engage in battle. Initially, Tae-ram had found facing monsters daunting as well. But now, his expression contained even boredom, as if wondering where he had gone.

The orcs were defeated just a while ago, the goblin horde was vanquished yesterday. And now, facing the group of trolls before him, Tae-ram realized that the scope of his imagination was limited. Should he have introduced more creative monsters?

Lost in thought, Tae-ram heard Fran’s urgent voice in his ear.

“Tae-ram! Retreat backward!”

One troll that had separated from the group was charging toward Tae-ram with a menacing roar. Tae-ram quickly evaded the troll rushing toward him. However, he couldn’t see a suitable place to escape to. In a moment of crisis, Fran shouted again.

“Kairan! Clear a path, please. Tae-ram is in danger!”

“Got it, I’ll do it quickly!”

Kairan unleashed a large ball of fire, blasting away the monsters. Fran chanted a spell and rushed toward Tae-ram.

“O divine Lian, grant me a spear that pierces enemies!”

Dozens of shining spears impaled the troll that was targeting Tae-ram. The troll staggered and then collapsed. It was a rare respite.

“Thank you, and I’m sorry.”

“I’m the one who should apologize. I failed to handle it properly and put you in danger, Tae-ram.”

“It was my fault for just standing there…”

“…As always, you’re kind, Tae-ram. Just in case, I’ll cast a protective spell on you.”

“But won’t you run out of mana?”

“Don’t worry. You can drink the prince’s potion.”

Did Se-ho approve of that? Fran is a formidable person.

“May the protection of the divine Lian be with you!”

A transparent curtain of light appeared around Tae-ram. Suddenly, Tae-ram felt a tinge of envy towards Fran. It seemed so convenient to have access to holy magic that could be used for both healing and attack. It’s a fantasy world, but it’s a shame that he can’t use magic. Tae-ram couldn’t sense any mana at all. He even tried to learn swordsmanship, but no matter how much he trained, his skin would just get sunburned, and his muscles never developed.

“Then I’ll go support the other three.”

“Yes, I’ll stay here quietly.”

“Don’t worry; it’ll be over soon.”

Fran smiled beautifully as if trying to reassure Tae-ram. His expression softened slightly in response to his still innocent and beautiful smile. If only his personality were ordinary, that would have been great.

Tae-ram hid in the bushes and watched the four of them in battle.

The trolls were so repulsive that the orcs would seem cute in comparison. Their grotesque faces seemed to melt away with a disgusting liquid as if they had suffered burns from their glowing red eyes. The rough and sturdy surface resembled rock, and their veined areas regenerated in a squirming manner, making one’s stomach churn.

“You clean up the mess!”

“Yes, understood!”

Kairan mainly worked together with Amil. When Kairan used wide-range magic, Amil would take care of the surviving monsters. Amil occasionally watched over Kairan, who was chanting long spells. But Amil, with his twin swords, was quite impressive, slashing through the trolls. 

It’s amazing how he doesn’t get overwhelmed even next to a dragon. 

Amil was introduced as a top graduate of the Empire’s most prestigious training academy. Still, there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do. 

Tae-ram sighed as he looked at his soft and flabby arms.

At that moment, Amil failed to avoid a troll’s attack and injured his arm slightly.

“Amil, what should we do? It must hurt.”

Responding to Tae-ram’s concern, Fran immediately healed Amil’s wound.

“May the grace of divine Lian be upon you!”

Fran mainly took on the support role. While he also had offensive magic, it was not as powerful as Kairan’s, and he didn’t have any area-of-effect spells suitable for large-scale battles like this.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll also cast auxiliary magic. May the blessing of divine Lian be with you!”

A white light emanated from Fran’s hand and enveloped Amil. Se-ho, who was a bit further away and had suffered more severe injuries, wasn’t given any attention by Fran. Tae-ram felt a bit upset about that.

Even though Se-ho’s regeneration is zombie-like, it’s a bit much. Tae-ram wanted to ask Fran to heal Se-ho, but he was too caught up in his main role, so he couldn’t do anything about it. All he could do

could do was smile at Fran, who looked at him for a compliment.

Se-ho seemed familiar with this situation. He licked his lips and charged toward the group of trolls again. 

“Amil! Gather the trolls in one place.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Upon receiving Se-ho’s command, Amil swung his sword to push the trolls into a corner.

“Kairan, start casting area-of-effect spells from now on.”

“Sure! Leave it to me. I’ll blast them all at once with a massive spell.”

There were about ten trolls left. Se-ho seemed to be planning to wipe them out all at once.

“I’ll help too. Oh divine Lian, grant me a mace that will annihilate the enemies before me!”

Dozens of small hammers made of light appeared in Fran’s hands. Most of the hammers flew toward the trolls, but a couple of them accidentally hit the back of Se-ho’s head. Se-ho, who was struck by the light hammers, staggered for a moment but quickly regained his balance.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness! I’m not very skilled at offensive magic since I don’t use it often.”

Fran wore an apologetic expression, but it was clear to Se-ho, Fran, and even Tae-ram that it was intentional. Besides, Fran attacked Se-ho skillfully during the battle whenever he found an opportunity. 

Tae-ram found it suspicious that Fran was cooperating so smoothly this time, and the result was as expected. Yes, he had even pretended to cast supportive magic as an attack spell before. If Se-ho weren’t a Swordmaster, he would have been seriously injured…

Se-ho wasn’t just on the receiving end either. In the next moment, a troll’s head that was cleanly cut by Se-ho’s sword landed on Fran’s head. Caught off guard, Fran couldn’t avoid it, and his body was covered in the sticky blood of the troll.

Se-ho spoke with an expression that showed no remorse.

“Are you alright? Looks like my hand slipped.”

“I’m fine, Your Highness.”

Fran smiled cheerfully as always, but his eyes didn’t share the same joy.

The situation became a mess from that point on. Fran blatantly cast attack magic on Se-ho, and Se-ho, without giving in, pretended to slash through the monsters while attacking Fran with his sword. Only Kairan and Amil didn’t know about this secret fight happening amid the battle.

“It’s all over!”

“Great job, everyone! Ah, I’m hungry.”

As the last troll fell, Amil and Kairan announced the end of the battle with a refreshing tone. While the two were filled with camaraderie, Se-ho, and Fran turned away from each other, wearing expressions of indifference. They were in a disarrayed state compared to the two in front of them.

Tae-ram silently thought that it served them right, but he couldn’t help but worry. He carefully examined Se-ho and Fran to see if they were injured anywhere.

Se-ho, with his astonishing regenerative ability, didn’t have any wounds other than his torn clothes. However, he seemed quite exhausted, probably due to overexertion. Se-ho exhaled heavily and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Fran also didn’t have any injuries, but his originally white priestess robe was now stained red like blood. He also seemed worn out, possibly from excessive use of magic.

“Is everyone alright?”

“Yeah! We’re fine. I wanted you to pet me if my body wasn’t dirty, but oh well…”

“After we eat and clean up, I’ll do it for you.”

“Tae-ram, me too!”

“Of course. I’ll take care of you too, Amil.”

“Tae-ram. I’m fine. But I wouldn’t mind having a knee pillow later.”

“…Ah, okay.”

“I don’t have any injuries, but there’s nothing I want. I’m sorry for worrying you, Tae-ram.”

“You’ve worked hard, Fran.”

“……It’s a shame. This was a perfect opportunity to clean up properly.”

Fran’s murmured words were barely audible, and they sent a chill down Tae-ram’s spine. Fran’s cold gaze was directed at Se-ho, and Se-ho also glared intensely at him. An uncomfortable atmosphere formed between them as they exchanged hostile energy. Tae-ram’s head started to ache.

Amil’s lively voice broke the heaviness.

“I’ll prepare the meal! Rest for a while, everyone!”

“I’ll join you. I’ll help.”

Kairan, who said that, approached Amil.

“If you insist, I’ll be grateful. Thanks to your magic last time, things went much smoother.”

“Yeah! But in return, I want lots of food.”

As Tae-ram saw the two people who had been responsible for the energy leaving, he felt an immediate sense of crisis. It was evident that staying there would only result in him being caught in the crossfire between Se-ho and Fran and ending up in a precarious situation.

“I, I’ll help too!”

“It’s okay! Tae-ram, you rest!”

“Yeah, I guess. You must be tired. I can’t give work to a fragile human like you.”

Despite Tae-ram’s urgent plea, Kairan and Amil coldly left anyway.

“Don’t make that face, Tae-ram. You are precious to me. There’s no need for you to do anything troublesome. Besides, you would only get in the way.”

“Even though Tae-ram may be utterly useless, there’s no need to point it out like that.”

Someone once said that it’s more frustrating to be nagged by your sister-in-law than to be hit by your mother-in-law. Tae-ram felt that Fran, with a knife hidden beneath his kindness, was more intimidating than the naturally kind Amil or the cold Se-ho.

“Yeah, Kairan would be much more helpful than me…”

Tae-ram grumbled and plopped down on a rock. Then, the two of them took seats on either side of Tae-ram. Upon reflection, he realized he had been worried about leaving just these two behind. If they fought again, he would be the only one exhausted. Tae-ram let out a small sigh.

“Tae-ram, are you okay? Yeah, that’s right. I should’ve said it more politely because you’re like a prince.”

“You’re just stating the facts.”

“Even though it’s true that Tae-ram may be utterly useless, there’s no need to poke at it like that.”

While analyzing Fran, Tae-ram’s blood boiled, but he held back. In the time they spent together, he realized that although Fran was genuinely kind and dedicated, he spoke bluntly without hesitation. 

It seemed to be an instinctual tendency for him to speak without hiding his true thoughts. Although he had been hurt quite a bit, he couldn’t show it. After all, in the original story, the main character never got angry with Fran… 

Maybe Fran came to like the main character because he was by his side without any conditions. He didn’t know. No matter how pretty his face was, with that kind of personality, anyone would run away.

As Tae-ram analyzed Fran, the tension between Se-ho and Fran grew stranger.

“Tae-ram may be weaker than a child in the capital, but he’s cute.”

“Even though Tae-ram has no skills, he’s cute.”

With the two subjects right in front of him, a competition arose to describe Tae-ram as more incompetent. Frustrated, Tae-ram just laughed. Damn it, say whatever you want.

The one who saved Tae-ram, who was testing the limits of his patience, was Amil, who wore a cute apron.

“Everyone, let’s eat!”

“This tastes so good, hurry up and come!”

On the small table, there were delicious braised meat and wheat bread. While Tae-ram chatted with Amil, Se-ho, and Fran silently tore into the braised meat. After all the chaos, they were hungry.

“We’ll enjoy it.”

As Tae-ram grew tired of watching Se-ho and Fran eat aggressively, he stabbed a piece of meat with his fork. Just as he was about to put it in his mouth…

“Ah! Tae-ram, wait a moment!”

“Why?”

Amil’s subsequent statement shocked everyone.

“The finger went in whole. I should have been more careful when cutting.”

Tae-ram dropped his fork. No way, right? Looking closely at the braised meat, it did seem to have a greenish tinge. With a bad feeling, Tae-ram cautiously asked Amil,

“Amil… Is this troll meat?”

“Yes! It’s troll meat. The ingredients I brought got messed up in the fight earlier. Fortunately, we can eat troll meat. I used the Empire’s special secret sauce, so there won’t be any foul smell. I learned it in survival class.”

Amil smiled cutely, but Se-ho and Fran’s faces turned pale. Both of them had already eaten more than half.

“I’m more in the mood for bread than meat today…”

Tae-ram smiled and ate small pieces of bread.

“Tae-ram, it’s not good to be a picky eater. This is so delicious, why aren’t you eating?”

“Yeah, it’s even more delicious than what my mother used to bring.”

While Amil and Kairan enjoyed the braised meat with gusto, Se-ho and Fran remained stiff and unresponsive for a long time. It felt as if their souls had left their bodies.

Tae-ram, who initially thought it was savory, ended up comforting Se-ho and Fran, who couldn’t regain their composure until the end. For once, in his party where there was never a quiet day due to the quarrels between the two, Tae-ram was able to spend a peaceful night.

* * *

After overcoming countless monster obstacles, Tae-ram’s party finally arrived at the Killain Mountains.

The densely packed trees seemed endless, and the vast mountain range stretched out before them. It was lush and majestic, especially the large golden barrier that enveloped the entire mountain, overwhelming the group.

“Is that the rumored barrier?”

“It’s so beautiful, shimmering like waves!”

“To think that such powerful magic can encompass such a wide area, it’s impressive.”

It’s cute how it ripples. Tae-ram, out of curiosity, tapped the barrier with his hand. In response, golden sparks flew, and an invisible force pushed him back. It felt like he had received the same amount of force he exerted.

“What are you doing dangerously!”

“Tae-ram! You must approach the barrier carefully! What if you get hurt?”

Startled, the two rushed forward and Tae-ram felt embarrassed. But seeing their worried expressions, he felt a warm sensation in his chest.

“It’s okay. It just stung a bit.”

“Are you injured? Should we get you some treatment just in case?”

“Would you like to drink a potion?”

The two meticulously examined Tae-ram’s body. Wait a minute. Although he didn’t know who it was, someone kept touching strange places. The warm atmosphere broke, gradually becoming uncomfortable. Eventually, Tae-ram pushed the two away.

“Stop touching me!”

“It’s not me.”

“I just looked, that’s all.”

Avoiding Tae-ram’s gaze, the two pretended not to know. These two! Just as Tae-ram was about to say something sharp, Amil intervened.

“Come to think of it, where is Kairan? Where did he go?”

Since a while ago, the place had been one-sided. Tae-ram thought that Kairan had moved to keep his promise. 

Was he asking Tae-ram to come somewhere? Tae-ram became excited with enthusiasm.

“He couldn’t have gone far. Kairan is a powerful magician, so he should be fine.”

“But I’m still worried.”

“He’ll come back when the time is right.”

“Yeah, animals have their instincts to return home.”

Naturally, Se-ho and Fran, who treated Kairan like a dog, were perplexed, but Tae-ram didn’t point it out and changed the subject.

“Let’s think of a way to break through the barrier.”

As Tae-ram pushed everyone forward, each of them began to investigate the barrier in their way. Fran used magic, Se-ho used his swordsmanship, and Amil used his quick wit to find weaknesses in the barrier. Tae-ram, who didn’t have anything special he could do, simply watched.

According to the original novel’s setting, no one could undo dragon magic. Moreover, Kairan was the strongest Dragon Lord among the dragons. The only one with a possibility was Se-ho, but he was still at the beginning stage of becoming a Grandmaster.

The party tried various attempts to break the barrier, but it didn’t budge, and they couldn’t move forward.

“We’ve explored as far as we can, but the response is the same.”

“Indeed, it seems like the barrier has the same strength throughout.”

“The divine power didn’t work either. The mage of the Killain Mountains may have reached the rumored 10th circle.”

Fran marveled again.

“That’s a dra… Agh!”

Tae-ram swallowed hard in pain as the words slipped out of his mouth. Without realizing it, Se-ho, who had approached, pinched Tae-ram’s side. It was a pain as if his flesh was being sliced, and tears welled up in Tae-ram’s eyes.

“Tae-ram, are you alright?”

“Did you touch the barrier again?”

Startled by Tae-ram’s scream, Fran and Amil approached him.

“It’s, it’s nothing. I almost tripped over a rock, but the prince caught me.”

Tae-ram pretended to laugh it off casually, but his side still stung. It was true that he was at fault, but the punishment was too harsh. Tae-ram glared at Se-ho with resentment. In response, Se-ho whispered in a cold voice.

“What makes you think I’m going easy on you?”

“You pinched me too hard.”

“It was a light touch with a warning.”

“Light? It was totally sincere.”

“If I were sincere, you would already be dead.”

“If you’re going to kill me, go ahead. Stay alone and cry yourself to sleep every night.”

“You’re an annoying person, senior.”

“Who asked for your opinion.”

“Think before you act, especially when touching the barrier and making careless remarks.”

“Well, someone had to find out! I also thought and acted in my way!”

“Is that how someone who claims to think behaves?”

While Tae-ram and Se-ho were engaged in a quiet argument, Amil shouted as if he had discovered something.

“I found a barrier stone!”

What Amil had found was a gem the size of a fist. The gem, with its swirling red light, resembled a garnet. Ignorantly speaking, it was quite big. If they could take it off, it would be a great find.

“It’s truly a beautiful gem.”

While Tae-ram was having worldly thoughts, Amil reached out towards the gem as if possessed. Suddenly, Tae-ram’s stomach churned. Along with an instinctive aversion, an indescribable sense of unease began to haunt him.

“Amil! Wait! Don’t touch it recklessly…”

“I-I’m sorry. I already touched it.”

As Amil apologized, the sound of something breaking could be heard. The golden barrier rippled and engulfed the group, and Tae-ram’s vision was consumed by darkness.

* * *

When he opened his eyes, a very familiar place appeared. Tae-ram was sitting in a university lecture hall. Why? Confused, he looked ahead and saw Se-ho giving a presentation. Unlike usual, Se-ho had neatly combed hair and was wearing a well-fitted suit.

“That concludes my presentation.”

“Well done. It was objective and logical.”

Se-ho received applause and returned to his seat.

What is this? Why is he here? Tae-ram tried to leave the lecture hall to understand the situation. However, his body wouldn’t listen to him. No matter how hard he tried to move, it was in vain. He was forced to attend the lecture.

“That’s all for today’s class.”

Finally, the class was over. As Tae-ram was about to sigh in relief, his body moved on its own and approached Se-ho. Tae-ram didn’t want to say anything, but his mouth opened automatically. It felt as if he were riding in a robot.

“Hey. Why are you dressed up like that today? Do you have an interview or something?”

Tae-ram was bewildered. Seeing his friendly tone towards Se-ho felt unfamiliar. Were they friends? No, they were sworn enemies. Maybe things were different now, but…

“It’s you again, senior?”

Se-ho looked down at Tae-ram with a stone-like expression, just like when they first met. It was so annoyingly effective that it made Tae-ram uneasy. Tae-ram, or rather the entity controlling his body, continued to confront Se-ho without hesitation.

“Why do you always act so stiff?”

“It’s unrelated to being a senior.”

Once again, Tae-ram’s mouth opened involuntarily. Even though it was his own body, he couldn’t move it as he wished.

“Is it a blind date, by any chance?”

“Yes.”

Se-ho let out a sigh that seemed tired, then gave a positive response. Tae-ram became increasingly frustrated. Just shut up. Why is he so bothered by him going on a blind date?

The scene transitioned, and Tae-ram, or rather the presence that was and wasn’t Tae-ram, was trailing behind a couple. It was Se-ho and a woman he had never seen before, the one he had met on the blind date.

Crazy. What the hell, him? No, robot-Tae-ram. Is he stalking them? He doesn’t want to do this!

Tae-ram silently screamed, but nothing changed. Robot-Tae-ram remained impassive, solely focused on them.

“Should I give you a ride today too?”

“It’s alright.”

Se-ho’s use of casual speech, despite not being a prince, was intriguing. Memories of their encounter at the temple came to mind, and it felt unnecessarily embarrassing. The casual speech mode was nice, though.

“Still…”

“It’s okay. I can go alone.”

“I just wanted to see you more.”

“Even seniors can be… I understand.”

The woman shyly smiled and approached Se-ho, crossing her arms. The robot-Tae-ram, hidden behind a tree, stiffened considerably. Even Tae-ram himself felt uncomfortable for some reason.

“Shall we go then?”

“Yes!”

Lost in thought, the robot-Tae-ram hurriedly followed them as they started moving. In his haste, the robot-Tae-ram tripped clumsily in front of them. Se-ho coldly looked down at the fallen robot-Tae-ram. Tae-ram felt a sense of humiliation even though he hadn’t done anything, and he wished he could turn into dust and disappear.

“Do you know him?”

“No, he’s a stranger.”

Se-ho turned his back coldly, leaving the fallen robot-Tae-ram unable to even get up, closing his eyes. 

The strong sadness from the robot-Tae-ram was transmitted to Tae-ram himself. It was difficult to distinguish whose emotions were whose now. 

Tae-ram felt as if his chest was tightening, just like when he went outside in a T-shirt during the middle of winter. His eyes welled up.

Why is he so angry?

At the moment he felt intense anger, Tae-ram finally regained control over his body from the robot-Tae-ram. Taking advantage of his newfound freedom, Tae-ram energetically got up and approached Se-ho.

“Hey!”

“Senior?”

Se-ho turned around with a puzzled expression.

“You know me.”

Se-ho looked genuinely perplexed. Tae-ram felt as if a screw had come loose from Se-ho’s expression, and his frustration exploded.

“You’re probably not the Se-ho I knew. But let’s just start with a punch.”

Tae-ram grabbed Se-ho by the collar. The height difference made it a bit awkward, but he managed to raise him by his collar. It was the moment just before Tae-ram was about to strike Se-ho. Suddenly, a burst of lively laughter could be heard.

“Sorry. Sorry. You’re just so cute…”

Time froze, and the screen distorted before fading to white. The buildings, trees, cars—everything disappeared. In a pure white space, a man suddenly appeared. It was Kairan, dressed in modern attire.

“I was late because I was wandering in someone else’s dream.”

“A dream?”

“More precisely, it’s a fantasy that represents your deep subconscious. It’s constructed based on your strongest emotions. It’s almost like a nightmare.”

“…A nightmare?”

“Yes. The things you are most concerned about and afraid of are projected here.”

Tae-ram was confused and disoriented, but he had some grasp of the situation.

Is he most afraid of being ignored by Se-ho? No, they don’t have any relationship at all… Could it be that he like Se-ho?

Tae-ram’s face turned red.

“Your place of residence is fascinating. Even though there’s no mana, it feels like you can use magic. And your clothes are peculiar too. You’re cute as well.”

“To me, Kairan’s magic is even more fascinating.”

“But wait, the prince is from that world too? That’s unlikely…”

“Exactly! That can’t be right. Maybe I unknowingly set it up that way.”

“That’s strange. That world, constructed with such delicacy, is the first of its kind.”

“Well… I’m a writer, you see. So maybe it’s because I have a rich imagination.”

“You write?”

“Yes…”

“The ability to construct worlds through your imagination. You also have a unique presence. By any chance, are you…”

As Kairan made his deduction, Tae-ram became anxious. He was convinced that he had to cut off those thoughts quickly.

“Instead of that, please keep your promise. I heard that the magician of the Killain Mountain grants wishes when you meet him.”

“If we get technical, I came to find you directly… But what is your wish? I’ll grant it.”

“Really?”

“Yes! I won’t lie.”

“Before me, did anyone else make a wish?”

“The last person was probably thousands of years ago… I don’t remember.”

Thousands of years ago? So how many centuries ago was that? That’s a surprise. Tae-ram was genuinely astonished. Although he had forgotten due to his youthful appearance, Kairan was the eldest member of this party. 

The Dragon’s Polymorph was a setting that manifested his inner self. Anyway, he was a sacred dragon, but he still seemed inexperienced in his current form.

“Will you like me more if I grant your wish?”

“I already like Kairan.”

“Do you like me enough to marry me?”

“Well… not to that extent, but if Kairan helps me, I would also like to help him in the future.”

“Help me?”

“Yes, that’s right. By building trust between each other, we can develop a better relationship.”

“…Trust?”

Kairan blinked his eyes as if he had heard a word he had never heard before in his life.

“It’s difficult, indeed. Everyone around me always did as I commanded…”

“Perhaps it’s because you were scary?”

“Aren’t you afraid of me?”

“No, I’m not afraid.”

“Even if I told you I would kill you?”

“If you had that intention, you would have done it already, right? But I don’t think you would. But if Kairan were to harm me, I would become a ghost and curse you for the rest of your life, following you everywhere.”

Kairan burst into laughter. He even rolled around, shaking his shoulders.

“Ah… that’s funny. It’s been a hundred years since I laughed. Just like before, Tae-ram, you’re interesting. You would even be cute as a ghost.”

“That’s a scary joke.”

“It’s not a joke, though. Anyway, fine. I’ll grant your wish.”

The atmosphere around Kairan suddenly changed. His mischievous smile disappeared, replaced by a somewhat imposing presence.

“I am Kairan, the magician of the Killain Mountains and the Dragon Lord. I made a vow a long time ago to grant one wish to the person I meet. So, go ahead and tell me.”

“Anything, really?”

“Within my capabilities, of course. But remember, I’m not just a dragon, I’m a Lord! Speak without any hesitation. I can do many things.”

“Is that a promise?”

“Yes!”

He had to say that he wanted to go back to the original dimension, as the original story dictated. However, Tae-ram hesitated for a moment. 

If he followed the original story, his wish would be granted. But perhaps it would be better to click here and buy lottery tickets, pretending that he wished for money. But Se-ho wouldn’t let it go. And in the end, he might regret it. 

Tae-ram decided to follow the flow of the story, abandoning his strange thoughts.

“I want to go back to the original dimension.”

As if it wasn’t the answer he expected, Kairan’s round face contorted with surprise.

“Nothing else?”

“No, nothing else.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Is there something you can’t do? I thought dragons were capable of anything.”

“Well, I can do it!”

Kairan exclaimed loudly.

“But it’s difficult to do it right away.”

“Why? You said you can do anything.”

“Dimensional travel has never been successfully done before… and it requires a powerful medium.”

“Like a dragon heart, for example?”

Tae-ram glanced at Kairan’s chest with twinkling eyes.

“Not mine, though…”

Kairan slumped his shoulders weakly. Although Tae-ram felt a slight pang of guilt, he firmly made up his mind. Sorry, Kairan. It’s all for the sake of the story.

“Kairan, you just made a promise, didn’t you?”

“It will take time, but I can do it. Although I do need a medium…”

Kairan’s voice grew fainter. Tae-ram started feeling uneasy.

“After all, if Kairan takes out his heart…”

“I can’t do that!”

“It was just a joke. Since there’s no other way, let’s find an alternative.”

“Tae-ram, you’re cruel.”

Kairan clenched his fists and bit his lips. Tears seemed like they could overflow from his round eyes at any moment. From his soft-looking cheeks to his cute nape that Tae-ram wanted to pat. It was adorable. Before things got too out of hand, he had to stop tormenting him.

“Is Kairan crying?”

“I’m not crying!”

“You’re so cute that I couldn’t help it. I’m sorry.”

Tae-ram reached out his arms and hugged Kairan. He gently stroked his head. The soft, downy texture felt good. Although it was an uncomfortable position because Kairan was taller, Kairan himself seemed to be feeling a bit better.

“Let’s think of a good solution together. Shall we start by undoing the barrier?”

“Okay, I’ll do that.”

When Kairan gestured, the two of them were back in their original location.

“It’s already nighttime.”

“Ah… I’m hungry. Should we go back then?”

Kairan smiled brightly and reached out his hand to Tae-ram. Tae-ram took his extended hand. His hand, held face-to-face, was big and warm. Before he knew it, a smile appeared on Tae-ram’s lips.

“Kairan, please continue to help me from now on. I hope you become a true ally, not just temporarily.”

“A true ally?”

“Yes, someone we can trust, a true ally who doesn’t lie to each other.”

Although Tae-ram was hiding the fact that he was the original author, his face revealed a determined expression.

“Alright, I understand. Then let’s hunt dragons together. If it’s a dragon heart, it can serve as a medium.”

“Just as I thought, Kairan! You quickly find solutions.”

Kairan regained his vitality as Tae-ram hesitated for a moment.

“Yes! I’ll reveal my true identity to everyone. But I can’t let the game end, so I’ll continue to act as the court magician publicly. But as allies, we must not lie!”

“Yes! I’m counting on you.”

“Yes! I’m counting on you too!”

Oh, Kairan. He’s amazing even without saying a word.

Tae-ram obtained a pet dragon that would obey him unconditionally.

* * *

Kairan looked at Tae-ram with a satisfied smile, reminiscent of a satisfied cat.

What kind of complex thoughts was going on in that small head?

Since their first meeting, Tae-ram had been hiding many things. Despite knowing that, he kept being deceived. Strangely enough, he didn’t dislike it.

The peculiar human descended into Kairan’s monotonous dragon life. Kairan thought that if Tae-ram regarded him fondly, he could do anything for him.

But he would never let him go. His elder brother said that the one who perseveres becomes the ultimate winner. He will live for a very long time. Wherever he goes, he will chase him until the end, so look forward to it.

Kairan firmly grasped Tae-ram’s hand.

* * *

With Kairan fully joining the party and the story direction of dragon hunting established, Tae-ram felt secretly proud of his achievement. Tae-ram walked confidently, with Kairan sticking to his side like a perfect fit. The group who had noticed them approached from a distance.

“You’re both safe!”

“I’m relieved. Tae-ram. You’re safe…”

Amil, as always, had a courageous demeanor, while Se-ho and Fran wore less favorable expressions. Especially Se-ho, his expression seemed as if his soul had left his body.

What kind of fantasy did he see to make him look like that? Tae-ram was concerned, but introducing Kairan to the others was the priority. It couldn’t be helped. He would ask later. Tae-ram put his worries aside and introduced Kairan to the approaching comrades.

“Please greet each other. Kairan, the court magician who has been with us on our journey, was a magician from the Killain Mountains.”

“What? Kairan is a magician from the Killain Mountains?”

Amil’s eyes widened as if in shock.

“Yes. He had reasons to hide his true identity and couldn’t reveal it while dealing with the barrier.”

“Yes! And I’m a dragon. Don’t tell anyone else. Otherwise, my game will end.”

“K-Kairan is a magician from the Killain Mountains? The one who broke the barrier? No, more importantly… a d-dragon? I don’t understand anything.”

“Don’t think too hard about it. Just treat me like before.”

As Amil stammered in astonishment, Fran, who was standing behind him, stepped forward. Fran also seemed surprised, but compared to Amil, he was more composed.

“I knew that Kairan was hiding his true identity. A normal court magician couldn’t be that strong, and he didn’t oppose the prince or the regent.”

“Fran knew! I must be so clueless.”

“Amil is a swordsman, and I use magic, so it was easier for me to understand. Still, I didn’t expect Kairan to be a magician from the Killain Mountains. It’s been a legendary existence for hundreds of years. As for being a dragon, it makes sense now. But Kairan, how old are you exactly?”

“It’s been a while since I was hatched… Around a hundred years?”

“Surprisingly, please take care of me in the future. I’m Fran, the first disciple of the bestowed Lian. If it’s alright with you, please teach me barrier magic later. I think I can become stronger by combining it with my guardian magic.”

“Yes! I’m counting on you again!”

Contrary to Tae-ram’s concerns, Fran naturally accepted Kairan.

“Oh, let me introduce myself again! I am Amil, the court servant of the Runever Empire. Thank you for giving me a good dream earlier. I was really happy to see so many diverse couples!”

“I also liked your straightforward and cheerful nature. You were faithful to your desires and cravings.”

“Haha… that’s a little embarrassing.”

Amil treated Kairan as usual. It was when Tae-ram let out a sigh of relief. Suddenly, Se-ho, who had been looking unwell, became startled.

“Stay away from Tae-ram. Dragon.”

The cheerful atmosphere was shattered by Se-ho’s cold words. Tae-ram saw his trembling eyes and became worried. Was it because of the illusion? He seemed more agitated than usual. For now, let’s calm down! Tae-ram called out to Se-ho in a gentle voice.

“Prince, Kairan has no intention of harming us. We have been cooperating well all this time.”

“But… because of that dragon, Senior…”

This time, Tae-ram was genuinely surprised to the point of forgetting to act. Se-ho had removed the prince’s mask. It was the first time something like this had happened.

“Wow, Prince… Should we talk about it later? Everyone is tired today…”

Kairan interrupted Tae-ram’s attempts to resolve the situation.

“Se-ho, don’t act petty. I like Tae-ram. I’ve decided to listen to him from now on.”

“Se-ho? Wasn’t that the nickname given by Tae-ram? I haven’t seen you use it recently…”

“Well, I saw the prince in my illusion!”

The impact of Tae-ram’s words, spoken in an attempt to resolve the situation, was far greater than expected. Fran’s gaze turned cold. It seemed that even his vitality had diminished. Tae-ram remembered that Fran’s condition was just as serious as Se-ho’s.

“Kairan told me. Illusions show a person’s most intense emotions. Tae-ram, you’ve been constantly thinking about the prince.”

While Fran’s gaze grew darker, Amil, on the other hand, had a sparkling look, as if he was unfolding the wings of imagination in his world. He was probably lost in some delusion. It wasn’t like that… Tae-ram decided to act without Amil’s help for now. They had to resolve this situation somehow!

“If more time had passed, Fran or other colleagues would have appeared as well. Kairan found me too quickly, and that’s why this happened…”

It seemed that Fran was no longer listening to Tae-ram’s words.

“Your first was always the prince. After all, I don’t have a nickname.”

Like Se-ho earlier, Fran also revealed stronger emotions than usual. Tae-ram could somewhat anticipate the illusion he had seen. What should he do? Did he see an illusion where Se-ho took him away?

“If the prince disappears, will I have a chance too?”

A golden aura appeared around Fran as he murmured. The surrounding air began to change, and Tae-ram was engulfed in a strange sensation.

“The prince died after a battle with the magician of the Killain Mountain Range.”

“Huh? Me?”

“Wait a minute, Fran!”

In the next moment, dozens of condensed golden masses flew toward Se-ho with a sharp sound.

“Prince, watch out!”

Upon hearing Tae-ram’s voice, Se-ho quickly created a Mana Blade to block Fran’s attack. The golden masses were perfectly blocked, but their momentum did not diminish. Se-ho frowned with a pained expression.

“What is this?”

Se-ho’s expression became as ominous as Fran’s. 

“This is cleaning up. I don’t want to lose anything anymore.”

“…If you wish, come and face me.”

“Fran! Prince! Stop it!”

Tae-ram’s shouts did not reach the two who were already engaged in battle.

“Sometimes I wanted to cut you down.”

“That’s a coincidence. I felt the same way!”

Fran mercilessly poured out his magic toward Se-ho, and Se-ho infused his sword with energy to counter his attacks. Tae-ram was at a loss. He couldn’t interfere in this monstrous duel, and it seemed like there was nothing he could do. 

In this situation, the only one who could help Tae-ram, the culprit of this turmoil, was Kairan.

“Kairan! Stop the two of them!”

“Kids grow up by fighting. They’re overflowing with energy.”

Kairan, who entered observation mode, showed an inappropriate mature reaction for his age.

“It seems like everyone has been affected by the barrier, and Kairan is also responsible for it.”

“I’m so tired today because I used up too much energy.”

“If someone gets hurt, I feel like I’ll be hurt too. I might not be able to comfort Kairan forever because I’m so sad.”

When Tae-ram half-threatened, Kairan finally reacted.

“W-Well, I don’t like that…”

“Then please help me.”

“What should I do?”

“First, spray water on Fran without any hesitation.”

Tae-ram thought that when Fran calmed down, Se-ho would soon regain his senses. It would be difficult for both of them to deal with each other, even if it was Kairan…

“Step back so you won’t get wet.”

“Thank you, Kairan.”

When Kairan recited the spell, a small cloud formed above Fran’s head, and then a downpour began. Fran tried to get rid of the cloud as if it was bothersome, but the cloud dispersed and then gathered again.

After several attempts to disperse the cloud, a weary Fran stopped attacking. As expected, Se-ho also stopped attacking. The fight finally ended.

“Listen to me, Fran.”

“Tae-ram…”

Only now did the drenched Fran look at Tae-ram. Tae-ram, who was about to say something, lost his train of thought when he met Fran’s sorrowful eyes. The power of a drenched handsome man was tremendous.

Let’s calm him down gently without getting angry. In the end, it’s because of the illusion caused by the barrier…

“Fran, what makes you so anxious? Tell me what you want.”

“I wish you could be mine, Tae-ram.”

“I’m not something to be possessed.”

“I know.”

“I can’t just tamper with Fran’s heart as I please, but you like me, right? That’s why you were jealous of the prince.”

Fran nodded obediently at Tae-ram’s words.

“But Fran, aren’t those feelings too uncertain?”

“What?”

“I don’t believe in love. Liking someone, saying you love them, in the end, people always change. I think there’s a more wonderful relationship than that.”

“What is it?”

“Friendship. If hearts match without any conditions, friends can stay together for a lifetime, right?”

“Friends…”

Although Tae-ram was babbling as much as he could, he was half sincere.

“What do you think, Fran?”

“…If you allow me to be by your side, I want to be anything.”

“We’re already friends, so there’s nothing to allow or not allow.”

“We’re already friends?”

“Yes! I think of you as a friend, even the prince. So I hope friends don’t fight. Please, I’m asking you.”

“If that’s what Tae-ram wants, I’ll do it.”

Fran still looked hesitant, but he seemed to understand Tae-ram’s intention.

“It’s okay. Everyone makes mistakes when they have wrong thoughts. It’s the job of friends to catch them.”

Fran still disliked the prince, but he felt relieved when he saw Tae-ram’s smile return. It was the first time he felt a sense of stability since he was born.

* * *

Fran thought he was destined to die miserably on the streets.

A worthless life with no friends or family, where it didn’t matter if he died at any moment. That’s why he acted without hesitation.

Whether it was luck or misfortune, his divine power manifested. Fran, who was a poor individual, became a noble person with divine will. However, Fran was still alone, and the world was absurd. The contradiction of being able to use divine power without faith. The authorities looked down on him, a former nobody. Everything was disgusting.

Tae-ram appeared to Fran as if he was dispatched by a god.

Naturally entering his heart, he was a unique and lovely person in this strange world. How many times is this now? Once again, he has shattered his world.

* * *

“I’m sorry for today’s events.”

“No, it’s because of the illusion.”

“Thank you, Tae-ram. Good night.”

“Sure. See you tomorrow.”

Fran entered the magician’s hut, and Tae-ram, who judged that the situation had calmed down to some extent, approached Se-ho.

“Are you okay?”

“…I’m fine. I made a mistake.”

Although Se-ho said he was fine, his face was paler than before.

“The illusion you saw… No, now you can rest too.”

“Yes. Senior, please rest as well.”

As Se-ho entered the hut, Tae-ram let out a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to take a break, Kairan came running towards Tae-ram.

“Tae-ram! I tried my best today, so reward me!”

Kairan was cute, but Tae-ram, who had been struggling, was too tired.

“Kairan! If you’re okay, please show me a magical item. I think you have something special that humans don’t have.”

“Well, sure! What kind do you want to see?”

At Amil’s words, Kairan’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and the topic shifted. Tae-ram sent a grateful look to Amil, and Amil smiled reliably.

“I’m interested in magic swords.”

“Magic swords, huh? Come here. I’ll show you.”

As everyone entered their respective huts, only Tae-ram was left.

“Wait, if things go on like this, I’ll be the one to get scolded today.”

Today, Tae-ram thought that Se-ho was unusually fierce.

* * *

『The Delicious Man』 page 73

I was so surprised to hear that Kairan was the magician of the famous Killain Mountain. He’s the first foreign public figure in my life. As a dragon who has lived for over ten thousand years, he must have rich experience, right? 

Although I’ve always thought that Tae-ram is the most suitable for Kairan, he gets tired of eating bread every day, so he sometimes needs to eat something different, right? I think 4p is fine for now. 

I’ve got Fran, the neat little beauty, and Kairan, the innocent little man! They both fit well together! 

But if Tae-ram has to deal with three people, Tae-ram’s stamina won’t be able to handle it. He’s already fragile, so what should he do? It won’t work. From tomorrow, I have to make more nutritious food. Goblins are said to be good for stamina, should I go and catch one even if I’m alone?

* * *

Tae-ram stared blankly at the campfire as it flickered. 

He had been shaken several times by Se-ho in the illusion that Kairan showed him. He felt frustrated and upset by Se-ho’s cold attitude and was hurt. 

He even did foolish things. Like stalking, not being able to walk properly. A bruised ego that was not crushed but pressed into the ground. When he thought about it again, he felt so embarrassed.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t Tae-ram, but the tingling sensation he felt at that time was real. If it had been the reality, he might have never seen his face. Thankfully, it was all happening in front of a fake Se-ho.

Tae-ram had to admit it. He was attracted to Se-ho. Along with admitting his feelings, doubts arose. Is it right to simply like Se-ho? Or is this also a feeling that has arisen under the influence of force? Maybe it’s like being stranded on a deserted island, a shaky leg effect.

Mixed with various thoughts, Tae-ram’s mind became complicated. He felt like holding onto someone and seeking advice. It was impossible to ask his colleagues, and it was not appropriate to ask Se-ho, the person involved. He briefly thought of Yellow but quickly erased the thought. It was desperate to even think about relying on a non-human creature.

At first, Tae-ram found this abnormal situation horrifying. But now he was afraid of it coming to an end. The end… 

If it’s because he’s the main character that he started liking Se-ho, what should he do? When the page is filled and he returns to the original world, will his emotions also be reset? Or were the memories from this place will be reset?

The questions tangled up and grew longer. Tae-ram didn’t want to think about the headache-inducing thoughts, but the worries kept popping up in his mind. In frustration, he absentmindedly threw a stick into the campfire. Then the dying embers flared up again.

“Ugh, it’s annoying. I wish all these unnecessary thoughts would burn and disappear.”

How much time had passed? With crackling sounds, someone came out from inside. Unfortunately, it was the person Tae-ram least wanted to face. It was Se-ho, the source of his worries.

“Senior, I’ll change the watch rotation.”

Tae-ram thought of the fake Se-ho and his anger from that time, and his boiling anger resurfaced. Without realizing it, he blurted out words that were a bit rude.

“Is it so difficult for you to call me brother?” 

Se-ho seemed taken aback by Tae-ram’s words and mumbled at the end.

“I’m not used to it yet…”

Seeing Se-ho’s gloomy expression, Tae-ram felt a pang of regret. He shouldn’t have gotten irritated. Maybe he’s still under the influence of the illusion. That wasn’t the real Se-ho.

The Se-ho that Tae-ram knew wasn’t as mean as the fake Se-ho. He was a junior who was reserved and blunt to the point of frustration, but he was diligent and polite.

Well, he does have a somewhat irritable personality. When Se-ho believed he was right, he couldn’t compromise or let it go. Once he made up his mind, he wouldn’t bend, though he wouldn’t break either. 

He’s stubborn too, but he’s not easy to handle. So they fought a lot. But even in those fights, there were times when Se-ho showed his inexperience and looked awkward, and Tae-ram found that cute.

While thinking about Se-ho, Tae-ram unconsciously let out a soft laugh.

“S-Senior? No… Brother?”

Se-ho immediately corrected his address, observing Tae-ram’s reaction. There was a hint of a feeling in his eyes as if he was wondering if Tae-ram had lost his mind.

Although Tae-ram was briefly annoyed by Se-ho’s probing, when he switched perspectives, he found an answer.

It would be scary if this Se-ho suddenly started acting affectionate. He must have done something wrong.

“Sorry for acting cold. Just call me senior or brother, whichever you’re more comfortable with.”

“To be honest, I was a bit surprised by your sudden change.”

“I said I’m sorry.”

“Do you have any trauma related to titles? If so, I can be more careful…”

“It’s not that.”

“You don’t have to hide it from me. We’re stuck together, whether we like it or not, right?”

Se-ho’s persistence in digging deeper when they could have just let it go was frustrating. Ugh! Let’s not get worked up. Tae-ram was slightly annoyed, but seeing Se-ho act like that was so typical of him that it also gave Tae-ram some relief.

“Let’s put it aside. The patient should go inside and rest.”

“I’m not a patient.”

Se-ho’s face, which had been noticeably pale, had improved somewhat. But Tae-ram couldn’t help but worry.

“Take a break when you can.”

“You’re the one who seems tired, senior.”

“I’m really fine. I didn’t even participate in the battle. Sometimes it’s embarrassing how easily I get exhausted.”

“But it’s still better for you to get some rest. We’ll continue the forced march from tomorrow.”

“It’s okay. I’m completely out of energy anyway. I just want to offer some small help.”

Se-ho seemed like he wanted to say something more but stopped himself. Instead, he plopped down next to Tae-ram without any intention of going inside. It seemed like he had no plans to enter after all. In the end, Tae-ram gave up on urging him to go inside.

“Do you have something to say to me, by any chance?”

“Nothing special.”

With Se-ho’s words, a heavy silence fell between the two of them.

This is so awkward. Why is he even here if it’s going to be like this? Tae-ram thought he might suffocate if they stayed like this until morning, so he made an effort to say something.

“I took out the book earlier, and it’s about halfway filled.”

“Yes, I saw it too.”

“It feels like there’s not much left.”

“That seems to be the case.”

“How was it where Fran hit you?”

“I’m all healed.”

“You still have the recovery ability of a monster. But I’m glad. I was really worried.”

“Thank you.”

“Will Amil make another monster dish tomorrow? I really can’t eat it.”

“I don’t know.”

“‘Prince! It’s orc soup!’ I’m scared he’ll say that, right?”

“That’s right.”

With Se-ho’s brief answers, the conversation didn’t continue, and an uncomfortable silence quickly returned. Tae-ram, once again, thought that he and Se-ho didn’t get along. They were fundamentally too different. If it weren’t for these circumstances, they would have been enemies for life.

“Senior, do you have any intention of learning swordsmanship?”

“Huh?”

Because Se-ho initiated the conversation for the first time today, Tae-ram was a bit late in responding. Se-ho calmly brought up the topic again.

“Do you have any intention of learning swordsmanship?”

“Suddenly, swordsmanship?”

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while.”

“I’m really weak, as you know. You’ve seen that I can’t even ride a horse.”

“I know. But from now on, there will be more and more battles. Although Fran takes care of you as much as he can, there were many close calls during the troll incident because he was a little late. If you, a senior, have at least the basic evasive skills, the risks will decrease… So, um…”

“Wait, wait! Hold on.”

Tae-ram was tired of Se-ho pouring out words and couldn’t take it anymore.

“I understand what you’re saying. But Kairan is also here. I think things will work out somehow.”

“I feel uneasy because you always act so carelessly.”

“I appreciate your concern, but please stop with the careless remarks.”

“I’m thinking about your safety, senior…”

“If you’re going to worry in that tone, who would appreciate it? And isn’t it a little too late for that now? It’s already been proven that I’m useless.”

“It’s not too late. I’ve been thinking about it all along. How you, as a frail senior, can have basic stamina.”

“You won’t know unless you try.”

“Do you know how anxious I feel watching you, senior?”

Tae-ram held back his urge to raise his voice.

“You’ve been doing well so far. I dealt with the Kairan incident alone. It’s already difficult for me to move around without basic stamina. If it were my original body, it might be different. But with this body, it’s impossible.”

“Your original body was just as frail as it is now! You’re just lazy.”

In the end, Tae-ram’s patience snapped.

“You’re a prince with good stats! Do you know how difficult it is for me? You haven’t experienced it yourself!”

“You haven’t experienced it either, senior! Do you know how much effort I put into mastering these abilities?”

“I don’t know! I don’t want to know!”

Tae-ram abruptly stood up, trembling with anger.

“Senior, please listen to me.”

Se-ho rushed forward and tightly embraced Tae-ram from behind. It may have appeared romantic on the surface, but it was far from it. Under Se-ho’s tremendous pressure, Tae-ram felt like he was suffocating.

“Let go of me!”

“No, I won’t let go until you take me seriously.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

Tae-ram screamed and struggled, but Se-ho didn’t budge.

“You’ve ruined everything by not seeing things in a positive light.”

Even Tae-ram realized that Se-ho’s actions were fueled by worry about himself. Still, he thought it wasn’t necessary to react so sensitively. It was the moment when he was about to bite or scratch, to showcase his skills.

A drop of water fell on Tae-ram’s shoulder. Rain? No, it couldn’t be…

Surprisingly, Se-ho buried his face in Tae-ram’s shoulder and silently cried.

“I saw you dying right in front of me.”

As Se-ho’s trembling transmitted through his back, Tae-ram stiffened like a statue.

Se-ho’s grip loosened and he became weak, but Tae-ram couldn’t move away from his embrace.

“Don’t… don’t cry.”

“…I’m worried about you, senior.”

Tae-ram was filled with a strange sense of unease. But even so, he thought he didn’t need to overreact like this. He wanted to engage in a power display, biting or scratching.

Tae-ram remembered an unnatural phenomenon. He had even considered staying here when making a wish to Kairan. The desire to return had diminished.

Is his memory gradually disappearing? Tae-ram felt a horrifying sense of emptiness. Even in Se-ho’s eyes, confusion began to take hold.

“If you remain like this in this world, then I…”

Tae-ram became extremely anxious, but looking at Se-ho’s expression, which was even more miserable than his own, he regained his composure.

“It’s okay. We’ve already filled more than half.”

In the fading, hazy memories, Tae-ram recalled Se-ho’s face. It’s somewhat reassuring.

If he wavers now, Se-ho, who is already anxious, will have an even harder time. Tae-ram clenched his fist and regained his weakening resolve.

“Don’t take it too seriously.”

“Why only you, senior? I want to share your pain too…”

“What pain? Anyway, I’ll remember everything later, so what’s the big deal? It’s better this way. I have many friends.”

“But…”

“If it were you, you would have already become a prince, right?”

“I will find a way to alleviate the symptoms.”

“Sure. I’m okay. Don’t make that face.”

“I’m sorry. You must be more anxious, senior…”

“Now, you go inside.”

“You should go inside first, senior.”

“Oh, come on! I also need some time to think alone.”

“…Alright.”

Tae-ram reluctantly prevented Se-ho, who kept looking back as if hesitating, from entering the barracks.

“Still, I’m glad I’m not alone.”

Tae-ram muttered quietly, gazing at the spot where Se-ho had passed by.

* * *

The sleepless night passed, and morning arrived. Tae-ram decided to temporarily set aside the problem that had no solution no matter how much he pondered over it throughout the night. For now, he would focus on what’s ahead.

“Everyone, have breakfast!”

At Amil’s words, everyone reluctantly came out of the barracks.

Except for Tae-ram, who had been standing guard, the first person to arrive at the dining table was surprisingly Fran, who usually slept in and came out late. Rubbing his half-closed eyes, he greeted Tae-ram.

“Good morning, Tae-ram.”

“Good morning, Fran.”

Tae-ram felt a sense of danger from Fran, who seemed drowsy. The way he swayed and shook his tousled hair with his hand resembled a Persian cat with a bloodline certificate. Although he usually had a pure and innocent appearance that could be in a refreshing drink advertisement, today he looked somewhat alluring… 

Tae-ram’s mind wandered as he imagined all sorts of things. As he did, someone suddenly rushed towards him from behind.

“Tae-ram! Good morning!”

“Good morning, Kairan.”

“Do that thing again today!”

With a confident voice, Kairan blinked his round eyes and quickly leaned towards Tae-ram as if asking to be petted. Tae-ram affectionately stroked Kairan’s head with his familiar touch. Despite Kairan’s hair being quite disheveled, it felt incredibly soft to the touch.

Our Kairan, why does he keep acting more like a dog? He wonders where he sold off his dragon identity… It doesn’t matter because he’s cute. If they consider his breed, is he a Cocker Spaniel? 

Considering his personality, maybe a Golden Retriever?

While Tae-ram was contemplating the breed that suits Kairan while stroking his head, Se-ho, with a cold expression on his face, passed by Tae-ram and Kairan without a word.

“Good morning, Tae-ram.”

“Hello, Prince.”

Se-ho’s hair was neatly groomed, and his face was smooth. He was already handsome, to begin with, but with his grooming, he was truly a heart-throbbing beauty. As Tae-ram was admiring Se-ho’s beauty, Amil called everyone once again.

“Don’t just stand there, sit down. Today’s menu is skewered meat.”

On the dining table, there were neatly sliced and nicely grilled skewered meat and salad. At first glance, the dish looked similar to chicken skewers, and Tae-ram was excited. It was monster meat, no doubt about it.

Objectively speaking, there couldn’t be any meat on the table. They had lost most of their provisions in the previous battle. 

In reality, for the past few days, they had been surviving on tree fruits and the remaining dried meat. Tae-ram didn’t want to eat monster meat, but he couldn’t ask Amil what kind of meat it was. Even if it was indeed monster meat, he couldn’t say he couldn’t eat it in front of Amil. 

Tae-ram decided not to touch the skewered meat. Glancing to the side, he noticed that Se-ho and Fran seemed to share the same thoughts and refrained from touching the meat as well.

“What’s this? Why aren’t you eating the meat? It’s the main dish.”

While Kairan was enjoying his meal, with a satisfied expression on his face, the three of them awkwardly smiled.

“This is also incredibly delicious!” 

Stars seemed to descend into Kairan’s eyes. Tae-ram felt a strange déjà vu. Kairan reminded him of a character from a cooking cartoon he used to enjoy when he was young. He felt the urge to jump up from the table right away and shout out how delicious it was.

“It’s worth it to see Kairan enjoy the meal.”

“The best! It’s even more delicious than what our dad used to grill for us!”

“That’s too much praise.”

“Is this a different meat from what we had before? The subtle aftertaste, is it orc? No, it has a slightly nutty flavor… perhaps goblin?”

“That’s correct! Kairan, you’re a gourmet!”

Tae-ram was amazed by the lively and terrible conversation between Amil and Kairan. His already nonexistent appetite plummeted. Crazy! What kind of gourmet is this? Maybe it’s a monster gourmand.

“What kind of monster dishes did Kairan’s father usually make?”

“He used to make a lot of roasted wyvern wings. They were especially chewy and tender for the ones who moved a lot.”

“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“He also made a delicious lizardman tail stew. I heard that my mom fell in love with the taste and started considering marriage.”

“Lizardman, huh? That’s an ingredient I’ve never tried. But getting married because of a dish is romantic.”

Tae-ram wanted to say that romance had frozen to death, but he held back since it might end up forcing him to eat the meat.

“Now that you mention it, I’m craving it. When my dad wakes up, I’ll ask him to make it.”

“Did he go into hibernation?”

“Yes, he and my mom went into hibernation together. It’s been about a hundred years since I last saw them, I guess.”

“Come to think of it, we’ve never talked about our families. Do you all have siblings? I’ve always been envious of friends who have siblings since I’m an only child.”

The topic smoothly shifted to family stories.

“I didn’t have a family from the moment I was born. I was an orphan.”

The air grew heavy with Fran’s words.

“The Runever Empire is in the midst of a succession crisis. I have many siblings, but I can’t say we have a good relationship even in empty words.”

As Se-ho joined the conversation, the atmosphere became even more somber. Tae-ram finally mentioned a family he couldn’t remember.

“I’m also an only child like Amil, but my parents are ordinary. How about you, Kairan? Didn’t you have an older brother?”

“Ah… I forgot.”

“You forget about your family?”

“My brother is still sleeping because he’s extremely lazy. It seems like it’s been thousands of years since I last saw him.”

“I see. I thought you met him often. You said he gave you advice when we first met.”

“Yeah, I owed him a bit during one incident. He taught me a lot about humans.”

“Your first meeting! I want to know!”

Amil’s eyes were filled with a burning desire and murky longing as he excitedly asked. In no time, Fran also joined the conversation.

“I’m curious too. I want to hear the detailed story.”

Although Fran was smiling, his gaze was chillingly cold. Feeling a shiver, Tae-ram signaled to Kairan. Kairan, be careful with your words. If you make a mistake, you might end up with morning poison too. But Tae-ram’s intense gaze didn’t reach Kairan.

“We happened to meet Tae-ram on the way, and I thought he was special. His soul was truly beautiful.”

“That’s right. Tae-ram, your soul must be beautiful too.”

Feeling embarrassed by Amil’s flattery, Tae-ram lowered his gaze under the table.

“The first time we faced each other was at the banquet hall. I proposed to Tae-ram then.”

As Kairan spoke, Fran’s face stiffened, and he murmured in a low voice.

“How strong does a dragon’s poison have to be to kill?”

Sensing Fran’s hostility towards himself, Kairan became gloomy and said, 

“Fran… Do you hate me?”

“It’s not like that…”

“If it’s not that, then what is it? Suddenly, do you hate me? I don’t know much about humans, so I’d appreciate it if you could enlighten me.”

“Just promise me one thing. Don’t be opportunistic.”

“Yeah! I’ve never been opportunistic in my life!”

“…Just eat your food.”

Tae-ram witnessed the scene where Kairan’s innocence dispelled the darkness, or rather, calmed Fran’s anger. Kairan, you are just light. Light.

“Looks like we’re running out of meat. Since there’s still a lot left, I’ll go get more.”

With Amil’s declaration of additional meat, Fran and Se-ho stood up with pale faces, tired of it all.

“I’ll get up now. Maybe it’s because it’s morning, but I’m already full.”

“I think this should be enough for me too.”

Rarely, the two of them had the same opinion.

“There’s still a lot left…”

“Don’t worry, Amil. I’m still hungry, and Tae-ram didn’t eat much, so we can eat it!”

“What?”

Tae-ram, who was trying to slip away discreetly, was caught red-handed.

“It’s a shame, but it looks like we have to eat among ourselves.”

“Huh? No, I’ll just…”

“Tae-ram, are you going to eat together?”

“Tae-ram, I really worked hard to make this. Nutritional supplementation is important for the future!”

Amil looked pitifully at Tae-ram, while Kairan looked at him with expectant eyes. Tae-ram missed the time to escape and ended up eating goblin meat with tears in his eyes.

Tae-ram reluctantly sat back down and reluctantly ate the monster dish. It was strangely delicious, and he felt somewhat annoyed.

 These two are truly the strongest in this party. But it’s still tasty.