Chapter 100

### Chapter 2

(Hmm...)

I open my eyes in a state of complete grogginess.

(Did they change the sheets...?)

My blurry vision is very dark, but a faint light seems to be seeping in from the window, making everything appear slightly white.

I realize it’s the sheets, but I notice they are much smoother than usual.

And they have a fresh, pleasant scent.

Ah... so comfortable...

If I move my face a little, whether to the right or left, my cheek feels smooth and soft.

Right...?

Left...?

It feels so good, it doesn’t matter...

By the way, how did I get back here...?

I don’t remember from the middle part.

I was drinking with Ferin... Yes, I was drinking with Ferin.

So, did Ferin bring me back?

If that’s the case, how embarrassing, even though I’m a guy.

I can only blame my age, but I wish I could have stayed conscious until the end.

It was so much fun that I couldn’t control my drinking pace...

If that’s the case, is this a better inn than where I usually stay?

I’m surprised Ferin knew such a place, but... well, it’s so comfortable, I don’t care right now.

Since it’s still dark, I might as well go back to sleep... I’ll thank Ferin when I see him.

Hmm... hmm...?

Why can’t I turn over...

Hmmmm!

What... is this?

My brain starts working rapidly as I realize the situation.

A warning bell rings in my head, telling me this is an "emergency."

What’s happening...?

Why is someone pressing their hand against my back...?

My body... it’s no good.

I can move my hands and feet, but they are firmly held down by the hands on my back.

When I wiggle my feet... sure enough.

There are someone’s feet.

I realize my breathing is getting heavier.

At the same time, the scent of the sun strongly tickles my nose.

The culprit of this pleasant smell is—

"F-Ferin...?"

"..."

There’s no response.

But he’s awake.

I can tell because I can hear his heartbeat clearly.

And that heartbeat is much faster than before.

If I move my face a little, I can vaguely feel that my head is being held by an arm, and the sensation is incredibly soft.

So... this is the situation...

The moment I realize this, all the strength leaves my body.

There’s no reason to resist.

I don’t mind this situation, and if the other person doesn’t reject it, I’ll accept it.

...How long has it been since I’ve relied on someone like this?

I used to be the one being relied on by a few girlfriends, and I can’t even remember the last time I relied on my mother.

I’ve never tried to rely on someone since I grew up.

But— isn’t it okay?

The other person is a god.

Thinking that, I naturally wrap my hand around the person’s back.

"Ferin... I’m sorry for passing out. Thank you."

As I hug tightly, the hand that was on my back starts stroking my head.

I feel so happy... I want to stay like this forever.

In a mix of excitement and relaxation, I fall asleep again.

---

### ▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽

"I did something terrible."

Sitting on the bed in the room where Ferin is no longer present, I scratch my head and mutter.

I vaguely remember last night.

I was in a state of great excitement at one point.

I couldn’t forget it.

The fact that I could fall asleep again must be due to that smell.

Hmm...

I can’t help but rub my cheek as I look around.

My face right now is probably not something I should show anyone.

(I was sandwiched... no, buried...)

That position, that stance.

There’s no other way to think about it.

It was a truly sublime moment.

Even the time when Feeril gave me a lap pillow was a blissful moment, but yesterday’s experience was different—

Phew...

I shouldn’t be imagining this too much.

It will interfere with my plans for today.

I try to convince myself of this and head downstairs for breakfast.

---

### ▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽

"Hello~"

"Oh, Loki! Welcome! Did you come to see Mei?"

"No, no, I also wanted to check if you have any nourishing pills."

I first greet the church, which is already active early in the morning, and then visit Mei’s family’s pharmacy.

If there are any pills, I want to restock them, and if I can confirm Mei’s hunting schedule, that would be great.

"Ah! It’s Loki! Welcome!"

"Mei! Don’t eat while standing!"

Mei is there, eating bread with bedhead.

"Good morning, Mei. It’s good to see you. Are you taking a break from hunting today?"

"The ground is all muddy from yesterday’s rain, so I’m taking a break today! Hey, listen, listen! I got the [Exploration] skill that you taught me! And it’s amazing!"

"Wow! I don’t really understand what’s so amazing, but it’s great that you got it, Mei."

"I tried the goddess’s prayer and it worked! Now I can find the location of the Air Mantises and the herbs I need! This skill is amazing!"

Ah, I see.

It’s not just for hunting but also for gathering herbs.

That makes sense if Mei was aiming for it.

It was a question of whether Jink would take it or Mei during the bath event.

So, Mei ended up getting it.

Even though it involves an extra step of communicating to Jink, who is the attacker, it’s still a useful skill for Mei, who plans to run a pharmacy in the future.

"If you can find the Air Mantises, that’s convenient. Your income must have increased, right?"

"Hehehe! It’s amazing! I can earn about 60,000 Beke per trip!"

"Wow... that’s really impressive!"

"Thanks, Loki! It seems like I’ve been giving a lot of advice... Thanks to Mei’s hard work, we’ve been a big help."

"I didn’t do much. It’s all about the motivation of the three of you."

This isn’t just modesty; I really think it’s about motivation.

Even the adults hunting in the Locker Plains usually earned around 100,000 to 150,000 Beke per party, prioritizing safety.

But a party of three, including 10-year-old Mei, is exceeding the average.

The [Exploration] skill is certainly a big help, but more importantly, the attitude of moving on to the next target as soon as they find a monster is what’s increasing their income.

Thinking about it, the temporary party I joined in the Locker Plains, where I (verbally) pushed them along, might have had some meaning.

This makes me feel more at ease about my upcoming journey.

"By the way, Mei, do you have any hunting plans for tomorrow?"

"Nope~ It seems Potta has some work to do at home, so I think I’ll probably take a break."

"Hmm, I see..."

That’s a bit of a problem.

The only other day available is tomorrow.

The day after tomorrow, I’ll be busy with weapon enchantments.

"Is something wrong?"

"Ah, I have something important to talk about. It would be better if Potta is there too..."

"Hmm~ How about we bring Jink and go to Potta’s house or the field?"

"Ah, that’s a good idea!"

"Potta’s work will be done before it gets dark, so if you go to the field around evening, you’ll probably find him!"

"Can I ask you to do that? I don’t know where the field is, so I’ll wait around the North Gate."

"No problem! Jink is probably free anyway, but I’ll let him know today!"

"Thanks a lot! If your mom allows it, I’ll treat you to dinner tomorrow! Whatever you want!"

"Yay!! Mom, is it okay? Can we eat out tomorrow!?"

As always, it’s so lively.

But this way, I can just barely secure some time with the three of them.

I thought about spending a whole day somewhere, but it would be unfair to leave Potta out.

Besides, the main topic I need to convey can be done in a few minutes.

I don’t know how they’ll feel about it...

But I need to properly convey my gratitude and the important matters.

And I almost forgot about the other thing I need to do.

This is also important, so I need to confirm it properly.

"So, Mei and your mom, do you have any of the pills from before? I want to buy as many as you have!"