Kael's first instinct was—Amber's still outside!
Worry flashing through him, he rushed out of Angel's Share to check on her.
The moment he opened the door, a wave of heat blasted him in the face.
The ground outside the tavern was scorched black, and the air was still thick with lingering fire elemental energy.
Amber stood in the middle of it all, bow drawn, an arrow nocked and pointed with deadly intent.
Kael followed the direction of the arrow—
There, not far away, stood a man with long crimson hair tied in a ponytail, dressed in a black-and-gold formal coat.
Frozen in a defensive stance, he looked back in stunned confusion.
Wait… that's—Diluc?!
Kael was utterly baffled. How the hell did these two start fighting?
But when he glanced at Amber's face—he saw it.
Her eyes burned with a deep, seething hatred.
You've got to be kidding me.
In his second life simulation, Diluc was the one who killed him.
And now—
Not only had Amber's feelings for him bled into reality…
Even her hatred for Diluc had followed?
"Amber, what's going on?"
The moment Kael's voice reached her ears, it was like someone had pressed pause.
She froze.
The hatred in her eyes slowly dissolved into confusion.
Her arms lowered the bow, her fingers loosening as she stared at the ground, lost.
"…I… What happened? Why was I attacking Master Diluc…?"
Diluc, seeing that she'd stopped aiming at him, walked forward cautiously.
"Amber. What's wrong? Why did you suddenly attack me?"
"I… I don't know…"
Amber couldn't explain herself.
The moment she saw Diluc, a blazing hatred had erupted in her heart—
So intense she didn't even think—just threw Baron Bunny straight at him.
If it hadn't been for Kael calling her name…
She would've fired that shot.
Even now, though she'd stopped, that lingering anger kept boiling beneath her skin.
It felt like Diluc had taken something from her—
Something precious.
Something more important than her life.
But what was it?
Amber stood trembling in confusion.
She used to admire Diluc—young, talented, running the entire Dawn Winery on his own.
Someone capable, driven—a true noble.
So why…
Why did she want him dead?
Why was she suddenly drowning in emotions that didn't even match her memories?
Kael watched her struggle, a pained look twisting her expression, and internally went ballistic:
"You damn system—get out here and explain this mess! Amber's breaking down!"
But of course, as always, the system gave zero response.
Amber clutched her head with both hands, trying to suppress the tide of emotion crashing inside her.
Diluc still looked completely lost, so Kael stepped up to explain.
"Amber's... not in the best mental state today. I think she mistook you for someone else.
Please, don't take it personally."
Diluc nodded calmly. "It's fine."
He knew Amber—she was a loyal member of the Knights of Favonius.
There was no way she'd attack him without reason.
It must've been some kind of mistake.
Kael glanced around at the scorched mess outside the tavern and sighed.
He felt partially responsible for what Amber had just done.
Turning to Diluc, he spoke up, "You're the owner of Angel's Share, right?
Amber caused this damage, so I'll take responsibility.
I brought three wild boars with me—could we use those to offset the cost? If not, I'll pay the rest in Mora."
"Wild boars?" Diluc blinked in confusion.
"They're right over there—"
Kael turned to gesture toward the three boars he'd left right outside the tavern, the ones Amber was supposed to guard.
The ones that had just—
been caught in an explosion caused by Baron Bunny.
Completely charred.
Kael stared silently at the three blackened lumps of meat in front of him.
"…Never mind the boars. I'll just pay in Mora."