It's Christmas. One of the days and nights where children are the happiest, receiving presents and playing with their family, eating sweets and staying up late, but it was also a mark of victory for many.
Ever since coming to the dungeon without her consent, it has been roughly a month, despite it not being an accurate guess. Even then, the experiences she had, the pain she had suffered and the achievements all led to this moment where the halberdier could completely relax her strained muscles and have fun with everyone.
Even today, she slept past six in the morning, despite waking up that hour anyways, took a warm and long bath and just for once, skipped her routine to meet with Hae and her husband after lunch.
From then until night arrived, they spent the day shopping for various food that could be cooked and planted, clothing for children and adult women, books, toys and many essentials for daily life. Most of her money went to what was meant for the orphanage and the party, totaling two hundred credits spent.
Naturally, it would not be enough for the party, since most of it went for the children, but luckily the other members liked the idea and chose to help in the expenses.
Now at night, the orphanage had been cleaned, decorated and lit up with new warm lights, tables and food. The pine tree outside had also been decorated and filled with a variation of presents in the bottom.
Every raid member was out of their armor into normal clothes, with no exception to Jae-Hwa, happily laughing and talking with each other, glass of wine in hand.
The children ran around and played with each other or just admired the many fighters present.
In the midst of the loud chatting, the white hair beauty walks down to the fireplace that warmed the place, grabbing a drink and stopping in front of the heat.
With a light tap of a spoon a few times to grab everyone's attention, she clears her throat and starts her speech.
"Everyone, thank you for coming. I want to thank the orphanage director for allowing us to use the dining hall for the party and obviously, for all of you with helping clean and decorate everything. Also, for paying for things too..."
Jae-Hwa breathes in, attempting to find the right words despite her strangeness to these events. Her pale green eyes close for a brief moment, letting air in and remembering all the troubles she had to overcome until now.
"...To be honest I'm not used to this, I'm not to party, formal or informal, but I believe this was needed. Even if at different times and scales, we have suffered from the point we arrived to this new world where fantasy meets reality, and I am sure it will not end any sooner— However, that is in the past and the future to come! Today, let's forget everything and have fun!"
Just before they could cheer, one of the raid members takes the lead and brings Hyeong Hae. It was her husband, Myo Dong-Sun, that seemed to proud and mischievous for the girls' liking.
"Let's not forget, the ones we truly have to thank today are the raid's saviors! The Thunder Valkyrie Hyeong Hae and the Elegant Berserker Cho Jae-Hwa! For them and all of us, cheers!"
Glasses clinked against each other, laughter rose loudly, but someone did not remain satisfied.
"W-What are you talking about, Mr. Dong-Sun? Who gave us that title!?" Cho Jae-Hwa responded with both cheeks as red as tomatoes.
"Ah... Sorry, someone brought it up and we all decided it was only proper for your achievements in this battle." Myo responds, looking afraid for his life with the glare he is receiving from behind his shoulder.
"Be that as it may, why berserker!? Yes, I try to be as elegant as possible to also not embarrass myself, but I'm not a battle-crazed soldier!"
Jae-Hwa hides her expression behind her large braided hair, only for Hyeong to move it away right after kicking her husband's foot with embarrassment.
"Honestly, honey, I think the enemy would say the contrary. I also don't like that they just gave us these titles without our consent, but truth be told, they are kind of fitting... Especially yours."
Followed with a lack of words to express her emotions, the halberdier had no choice but to accept the facts and move on with the festivity. At some point, those who had them had started to exchange presents, which caused her to hold her drink back and do the same.
She had a simple dark gray box decorated with a red ribbon and inside was something she had to sneak away to obtain without the married couple noticing.
Naturally, Hyeong Hae and Myo Dong-Sun also had something for her.
"A ring?" Jae-Hwa asked, perplexed by the slightly odd present, a silver ring with a purple gemstone on top, wider than it is larger, finely cut to look flat but with enough thickness and detail to be three dimensional.
"I know it's strange, but honestly we didn't know what to get you, so this was our best choice. This is a ring that apparently can neutralize most poisons, all you need to do is kiss the purple gem."
This might be useful against that poison lady from the Howling Claw.
"Well then, this is mine." The halberdier hands them the box, which they take their time opening.
"A pair of necklaces?"
The jewelry was very simple, two locket pendants made of some kind of ordinary-looking steel and as it opens, a pitch-black stone.
"I don't want to sound insensitive, but I also didn't know what to choose, so I went to Reggie for some advice and... Well, this stone can record memories, you touch it and the dear memory in your mind will be presented in it, so... You know..."
There were not many words that could possibly describe the moment unfolding, it was pure silence and some undecided breaths until the couple looks at each other and nod, closing their eyes as they open the locked and touch the stone with their thumbs.
Seconds after, the texture on top peels itself on its own and the picture of a young boy with light brown hair appears on the pieces of jewelry.
Tears stream down Hae's eyes and Dong-Sun smiles sweetly as he hides his tears quickly, bringing his wife closer to his warm embrace.
"Thank you." Although muffled and mixed with many sobs, the heartfelt gratitude was something Jae-Hwa did not know that felt so good to hear.
As some loud steps approach, Myo Dong-Sun and his wife move slightly to the side and let the next conversation happen.
"Just please wait a little." The halberdier whispered, a comforting smile unconsciously forming. "What do you need, Sangwook?"
The giant bulky man steps forward, bowing to the MVP of the raid, almost dropping to his knees even. The lack of respect was also not a problem for him as after finding from some small talk, he was actually younger than her.
"I should have said this sooner, but from the bottom of my heart... I apologize! For my lack of leadership skill and for the problems I caused near the end of battle."
It wasn't enough of a problem where an apology of this caliber would be needed, but there also wasn't any chance that he would accept a half-assed forgiveness.
Instead, Jae-Hwa chose to take a sip on her drink and be as blunt and direct as possible.
"You're right, it was quite the problem. If we had a proper strategy and stopped relying solely on our defense and resources, we wouldn't have had that much of a problem. But— at the same time, the Domain Ruler was most likely different because of the quest I did, so it's as much of my fault as it is yours."
The man's arms drooped down with lack of confidence, but even then he was able to accept the reality and take the blame. "No, if anything I could have done better. I should have been prepared for a different outcome..."
Truly, a gentle giant.
"Ah... On that note." Sangwook returns to his normal demeanor, continuing the conversation. "Are you perhaps interested in joining a clan? Miss Hae too, after that battle, I can't let both of you escape as easily. There's also nothing to worry as I will protect you even if I'm not a leader."
Now this is bad...
The offer was quite good as battling with a team would be easier than the usual one-versus-many, but it was also not as easy for Jae-Hwa as it sounded.
Although unofficial and against her will, she technically is part of Howling Claw, with enough to prove it, which seem to be enemies of Dragonspine. If both clans ever met, there's no telling what would happen, besides them revealing the truth about her. Even if it was against her own will to be part of them.
Thankfully, the Howling Claw had many different names spread around, the more common being Howling Den, so she was safe from being revealed for possibly a long time.
"I'm sorry, I will have to pass that offer." She states after drinking the rest of the wine.
It makes me feel like a criminal on the run... I hate this.
Following her friend, Hyeong Hae also refuses, wishing to stay with her husband. Despite being completely rejected, Sangwook managed to laugh and even apologize.
"I'm sorry, although the offer was true, it was also a test to see whether the rumors about Miss Jae-Hwa being part of a criminal group were true or not."
The halberdier hesitated for a moment, she has to think. If she appeared too calm, it would be suspicious, but if she defended herself without thinking, there was the slight chance of blurting out something she didn't want.
Even if it was hard to manage, her best bet was to calmly be anxious, look almost desperate enough to beg but be able to still think straight.
"Of course not! I've also noticed lately that the people around are always looking funny at me, even thought I haven't done anything wrong! I mean, it's criminals for goodness's sake! The last thing I want is to kill someone!"
No need for screams or tears, just an uneasiness in her voice was enough to pretend.
"There is someone similar to you, apparently, but don't worry. Someone as compassionate for her teammates as you could never be a killer." The giant shield bearer states with a warm smile.
It's nice thats he knows, but I hate that I can't exactly confirm his words... After all, I'm just surviving, so someday I might have to choose between me and another person's life...
"People call us wannabe heroes, since Dragonspine goes after criminals." He continues, "However, honestly we— or at least I don't want to see anyone die, so don't worry. We will believe in you. Although... If you could participate in the domain raids, we would appreciate it."
"Why is that? Your clan should have some more stronger players, right?" Jae-Hwa questions, now genuinely confused.
"Well yes, but it's best to have as many numbers as possible and if we do get to the fifth domain, we will most likely need all hands available since th frontline is still stuck there."
"What, why? Is the Ruler really that difficult?"
"Even worse, they can't find it. They have checked nearly every nook and cranny, but none of the top players have found it."
Both become lost in deep thought with serious expressions, enough to cause the third party to intervene.
"Let's leave it at that then." Hyeong interrupts the conversation, having recovered from the tears of mourning and love that afflicted her. "We will think about it when we get there."
"You're right, that's a problem for the future... Come here, Mittens."
Nodding to each other, Jae-Hwa then calls out to the cat she had previously taken care of and is now also residing in the orphanage. It wandered around, rubbing on to people's legs and asking for headpats until it finally reached the white haired girl.
After some more conversation, Pak Sangwook left to his team members' side and the party continued with giggles and fun.
The children laughed and played with each other and even some of the adults, every member was able to finally take a well deserved rest and even Mittens received a package filled with cat food and dried fish, pairing with a tiny christmas hat as its present.
The night was continuing and the only thing left was to enjoy and perhaps think about what comes next.
The fifth domain will come someday, until then, I just have to keep moving forward.
"Next up will be the third domain, huh... Well, I'm sure until I reach the frontlines, nothing bad will happen... Surely."
—CURRENT STATS——————————
PLAYER NAME: CHO JAE-HWA
LEVEL: 10 <0/570 EXP>
BLESSING: Phantasmagoria
TITLE: Giant Slayer
HEALTH: 200/200
DAMAGE: 53 (+28) // DEFENSE: 45 (+15) // ENERGY: 55/55
WEAPON: Ceremonial Nanite Halberd
ARMOR: Reinforced Hunter's Garb
ACTIVE SKILLS:
PASSIVE SKILLS:
CREDITS: 97