Chapter: 309
After hearing that it smelled like Sylvia, we gathered back in Yoon Si-woo’s room after finishing showering.
In the meantime, for some reason, there was a moment when Yoon Si-woo tried to jump out the window, but thankfully he seems calm now.
“Now that you’re all cleaned up, I guess it’s time to talk about what happened while Yoon Si-woo was out cold. You’re curious, right? About everything that’s happened.”
Anyway, the reason we gathered like this was to talk about Yoon Si-woo and the events that took place during his absence.
It wasn’t like Yoon Si-woo had been asleep for several years, but many things still happened during that time, right?
If I were to write down everything that happened, it would probably amount to around 100 web novel chapters.
“Hearing that makes me curious. What on earth happened while I was out…? No, more importantly, Sylvia, what are you continuously spraying in this room?”
Yoon Si-woo asked, appearing concerned about Sylvia’s ongoing spraying of something around the corners of the room while nodding, curious about the events during his absence.
Without stopping her busy spraying, Sylvia answered in a calm voice.
“Oh, this? It’s an air freshener. I changed the bed sheets and cleaned, but if the room smells bad, that’s a problem, right? I’m not blaming you, Yoon Si-woo, so don’t worry about it.”
Upon hearing that, I could only be horrified by such a cruel act.
Sylvia probably answered without much thought, but how could she dig up a wound that had just barely healed like that?
Look at Yoon Si-woo, sniffing his own body. Isn’t he driving himself crazy worrying whether he smells?
It’s hard to notice the smell coming from one’s own body, so that’s why he must be concerned.
Anyway, considering this, Yoon Si-woo might try to throw himself out the window again, so I needed to reassure him.
“Hey, Yoon Si-woo. What are you checking for? If you’re that worried, I’ll check for you.”
“Wha?! Wait, Scarlet…!”
“Come on, it’s fine. Just stay still. Sniff.”
Holding back the resisting Yoon Si-woo, I brought my nose close to his neck and took a big inhale.
Instantly, Yoon Si-woo’s face turned red, seemingly embarrassed, and he stiffened.
Why’s he so worried about the smell after just washing up?
Seeing his dazed reaction made me chuckle and say, “Pfft, hey. No need to worry. You don’t smell at all. So relax, okay?”
“Uh… uh-huh…”
After confirming that, Yoon Si-woo finally seemed relieved and nodded blankly.
Meanwhile, Sylvia still muttered, “I still feel like there’s a faint smell… or is it just my imagination?” while saturating the room with air freshener.
To be honest, I couldn’t help but think that Sylvia was being way too dramatic.
After all, I had just hugged Yoon Si-woo earlier and didn’t smell anything.
Hmm… Is it because elves have sensitive noses?
Or maybe I got used to the smell while being close to Yoon Si-woo and didn’t notice.
Now that I think about it, I had a similar experience in the army.
There was a time I couldn’t shower for about a week due to training, and when I got back, someone who returned earlier than the others made a fuss about how I smelled and told me to wash up quickly.
So I complained about what smell I had, but then I realized the awful smell coming from my uniform when I took it off.
Once you get used to a smell, your sense becomes terrifyingly dull.
Anyway, lost in thought, it seemed that Sylvia felt she was overdoing it with the air freshener and stopped spraying with a resigned expression.
Sylvia then walked over to where Yoon Si-woo and I were sitting on the bed and suddenly looked at me with a strange expression, mumbling.
“…By the way, Scarlet, I’m just curious, but why are you holding onto Yoon Si-woo’s clothes like that?”
“…Huh? Oh, sorry…! Why was I holding onto this?”
I was shocked at Sylvia’s words and checked my hand—it turned out I was holding onto the hem of Yoon Si-woo’s shirt.
Realizing that, I immediately released my grip and mumbled, “…Oh.”
As soon as I let go, a strange sense of regret started to emerge, so I cautiously asked Yoon Si-woo.
“…Um, if it’s okay, can I hold it again?”
“Huh? W-why…?”
Yoon Si-woo looked quite taken aback by my request.
It’s understandable—asking to hold onto the hem of his shirt like that would throw anyone off.
I knew it was a weird request.
Even so, hoping he would allow it, I gave him an explanation.
“Well, holding onto it makes me feel a bit calmer… You won’t be able to just disappear somewhere while I’m holding it, so it brings me peace of mind… Can I, please?”
“Of… of course!”
“Thank you!”
As soon as I got his permission, I immediately grabbed the hem of his shirt again.
And feeling that calming sensation right at that moment.
It felt like the anxiety and worries I usually had on Friday nights when lying on my bed melted away for a moment.
However, it seemed like Sylvia didn’t like my actions, as she had a pouty expression on her face when she mumbled.
“Is that so? So, Scarlet only wants to be close to Yoon Si-woo, huh?”
Seeing Sylvia’s childish attitude, I felt a sense of déjà vu.
I feel like I’ve seen that kind of expression on someone else before.
Oh, I remembered.
Yes, it was the day I met a close friend again after studying abroad when we were kids.
We were so happy to see each other again, asking when they returned, and a friend who was there reacted exactly like Sylvia.
That friend had said something like they could just play with that person if they liked them.
They probably said that out of feeling like they lost their close friend, but that was truly absurd.
How could that be the case?
“Just like Sylvia…”
I grasped the hem of Sylvia’s shirt with my other hand and said.
“Sylvia is also a precious and irreplaceable friend to me… If you just leave me, I won’t like it. Stay by my side, okay?”
“Eh, eh-heh…! O-of course! I’m Scarlet’s irreplaceable precious friend! So I wouldn’t dream of leaving Scarlet!”
At my words, Sylvia smiled brightly and sat right next to me.
She seemed a bit sulky just a moment ago, but seeing her smile, it seemed like her mood lifted.
Anyway, with both of their hems held tightly, I began to recount the events that happened while Yoon Si-woo was unconscious.
Starting from the day when Yoon Si-woo saved me as I escaped the city.
“I was misunderstood as someone who hurt you, and that was a big problem. If it weren’t for Sylvia and the others, it could’ve turned into a real disaster.”
“Glad it turned out well…”
“Well, I did work hard!”
As I began sharing the story of how the Astra hunting party pursued me and how Sylvia helped me along with the resurrection of the World Tree.
“Essentially, it was me who saved Scarlet from danger!”
“There’s no way I can thank you enough for that. Thank you, Sylvia, for keeping an eye on Scarlet while I was out cold.”
“Oh, hearing that makes me a bit embarrassed… To be honest, without Yoon Si-woo’s help, it would’ve been impossible.”
While telling the story, Sylvia saw the Holy Sword of Truth appear and sparkle, as if boasting about its contribution.
“My help? I don’t recall anything…”
“…Wait a minute, wasn’t it you who lent me the sword, Yoon Si-woo?”
“Ahaha… These guys may listen to me well, but they’re basically unruly…”
“Ah, is that so! I was really touched, believing Yoon Si-woo was helping even while you were out cold! Return my emotional investment!”
Sylvia expressed her disappointment when she realized the truth.
Given how eventful everything was, Yoon Si-woo’s reactions to my stories were quite passionate.
“Yes, it turned out everyone recognized that Scarlet isn’t bad… Truly, this is wonderful news…”
While I recounted how I was acknowledged as part of the city, he got emotional as if it was his own matter.
“Oh… Ms. Eve, Captain Leon, and Captain Natalia… I see…”
He also shed tears while feeling sad about the sacrifices made by Ms. Eve and other captains to seal the Witch of Gluttony.
Then, as we were busy chatting about everything up to that point…
-PWAH!
“Ah, Ari.”
The open window let in Ari, who flew over to my shoulder, and Yoon Si-woo stared in surprise as he asked.
“What’s with this bird…?”
“Oh, this little one? Her name is Ari—”
Just as I was about to introduce Ari to Yoon Si-woo, Sylvia interjected.
“Ah, Yoon Si-woo, you’re seeing this form for the first time, aren’t you? Can you believe it? This small, cute bird is the High-tier Beast of Wrath, the End of Days, Phinis!”
“…High-tier Beast of Wrath?”
“Yes. You’ve seen it before, right? When Scarlet was kidnapped by that witch, we all saw it together in the Northern Forest.”
“…This beast is that little one?”
Yoon Si-woo’s expression hardened as he comprehended Sylvia’s explanation.
And in that moment, I felt a strange sensation seeing Yoon Si-woo’s face.
What’s this…? I had a feeling I was forgetting something significant…
I looked back at Yoon Si-woo, feeling like I was on the brink of remembering something.
And then, the moment I saw the cold gaze Yoon Si-woo directed at Ari, a forgotten memory resurfaced.
Yoon Si-woo’s parents, the beings that killed them…
Ari cried out, “PWAH!” from my shoulder.
I felt darkness closing in around me, murmuring inside.
Shit, we’re screwed.
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