Yuda opened his eyes to the gentle sensation of a hand stroking his head. In his still-blurry vision, he saw Tia, her barely clothed figure gazing at him warmly without reservation. The touch he had felt in his half-sleep had been hers.
“Did you sleep well?”
Yuda nodded. Last night’s event wasn’t a dream. Though it had started with her overwhelming him, they soon indulged in each other with mutual pleasure. Yuda had confessed the words he had always wanted to say, and she had accepted him. The order might have been reversed, but the result was satisfying.
He wondered if her words had been spurred by alcohol, but seeing her clear-headed now, it did not seem so. It was a stark contrast to last year, when a single kiss in a carriage had left her utterly flustered.
“Are you okay?”
At Yuda’s words, layered with multiple meanings, Tia let out a small chuckle.
Was he asking about her hangover or about last night? Probably both. If she had to answer, it would be a “No.”
She was far from okay. Though she was smiling, her head was throbbing with a hangover, and deep down, she felt a slight guilt for having made love with her student while drunk.
But that guilt soon turned to pride. After all, she was a beast. She might look human, but at her core, she was a tiger. She did it because she wanted to, what could be wrong with that?
On the contrary, she was happy and relieved to have released the desires she had suppressed for so long. She had even heard Yuda whisper his love in a sweet voice. That was enough.
‘No, maybe it’s not enough?’
Tia stroked Yuda’s head, her eyes glinting seductively. The memory of his trembling voice, his melting expression, and the way he moved his hips with panting like an absolute beast replayed in her mind. She wanted to do it again. She was tempted to wrap her slender legs around him but held back. It was morning. She could wait until night. Hiding her intentions, Tia smiled innocently.
“I’m fine, perfectly fine.”
“It’s surprising. I never thought someone like Tia who always struggled to get up in the morning would be the first to wake up and watch me.”
At Yuda’s words, she stuck out her tongue and laughed. She had thought the same thing before he woke up. For the first time in her long life, she realized mornings weren’t so bad. Her eyes had opened naturally, and stroking Yuda’s head while touching his face and body had felt meaningful. Then, a small grumbling sound made her pause, puzzled, before she burst into laughter.
“You hungry, huh? Go wash up and tidy up. I’ll make something delicious.”
With an even softer voice, Tia spoke to Yuda before getting out of bed and leaving the room.
‘She should at least put some clothes on.’
Going to cook naked, Yuda was taken aback by the cartoonish situation and tilted his head. Something felt off, and he realized he was lying on a bed, not the sofa.
‘Strange. I’m sure we fell asleep on the sofa last night.’
It seemed she had moved him during the night. Yuda yawned, got out of bed, and went to the living room. The moment he stepped out, a musty smell hit him. Sniffing to find the source, he walked with a strange expression and stopped behind the sofa.
“Ugh.”
The traces of their lovemaking from last night remained. The sofa was all stained with fluid and semen, and recalling how she had even wet herself, it was no surprise it smelled. Wiping it with a damp cloth wouldn’t do; the sheets needed a full wash. Sighing softly, Yuda headed to the bathroom to wash up. After cleaning himself and changing into fresh clothes, he started cleaning while Tia cooked. He opened the windows wide for ventilation, replaced the sofa’s sheets and cushions, and wiped down the table and floor with a clean rag.
He scrubbed so hard the rag squeaked, replaced the sofa sheets with fresh ones, and sprayed air freshener bought from a general store. With proper ventilation, the smell was gone, replaced by a refreshing scent. Just as he finished cleaning and thought to rest on the sofa, he heard Tia calling from the kitchen. When he went, he saw she had prepared quite a spread for breakfast.
“What are you staring at? Come sit down.”
She spoke with a proud expression, hands on her hips. Yuda felt embarrassed seeing her still naked.
“Tia, put some clothes on first.”
“Oh.”
Tia looked down at herself. All she was wearing was a single apron. About to approach Yuda with a smile, she paused, nodded, and gave an awkward laugh. There was plenty of time. There was no need to entice him in the morning.
“Sorry, start eating. I’ll change and be right back!”
Watching Tia run to her room, Yuda smiled warmly. She was giving him unforgettable memories. A beautiful, fit woman cooking in nothing but an apron, something that might never happen again.
‘I need to remember this.’
Making a pointless resolution, Yuda sat at the table to wait for Tia. On the table was tomato pasta with sausage, grilled meats, and rice which was slightly heavy for breakfast. Spaghetti and rice….what a combination. Still, it looked appetizing, so it would probably taste good despite the odd mix. As he heard loud thumps from her hurriedly changing, Tia came rushing back.
“Huh? You didn’t start eating?”
“I had to wait. How could I eat first?”
Touched by his words, Tia sat beside him and they began eating. Feeding each other, the meal was filled with joy. Yuda felt a happiness he could say was his first in this world, spending the day in bliss.
It wasn’t just one day.
Until his coming-of-age ceremony, they spent three months in sweet intimacy.
They walked together, shopped together, slept together, and hunted together.
They did everything together. Outsiders, seeing them as master and disciple, sometimes remarked they seemed like lovers. Every night, moans escaped their lips. When he whispered his love, she smiled. When she teasingly asked what a young kid knew about love, he would always reply that wanting to be together forever was love.
Then, she had a surprised expression. But soon, a calm smile spread across her face as she pulled him into her embrace, as if handling something precious.
It was a happy time. Truly.
So happy it felt like a dream.
A single blink, and a day seemed to pass.
As sweet as it was, time flew by. Today was no different. Yuda sat leaning against her on the sofa, eyes closed, talking in her embrace.
“Yuda, tomorrow’s your coming-of-age ceremony. Is there anything you want?”
“Hmm, anything from Tia would be great.”
“Anything? What if I give you something you don’t like?”
At her giggling laugh, Yuda nodded.
“Even then, it’s from Tia, so I would treasure it.”
“Really? Then how about I give you a gift tonight?”
Her hands reached from behind, groping him. Her fingers danced ticklishly over his body, hardened from running through forests and training, like playing a piano.
“Sorry, but not tonight.”
“Why not!”
Seeing her speak in a seemingly annoyed tone, Yuda got off the sofa. When he turned back, he saw her, who had been happily resting against him, looking at him with dissatisfaction.
Sometimes as a great teacher.
Sometimes as a mature woman.
Sometimes like a cute child, pouting. He smiled at her.
“I want to sleep alone tonight. I’m feeling a bit sentimental-”
Tia’s expression darkened. He cupped her cheeks and kissed her softly. Their lips brushed lightly, parting with a lingering sensation. The brief kiss left a strong afterglow. Meeting her sad eyes, Yuda bid her goodnight and climbed the stairs.
Spending time alone in his room was rare. Walking to the window, Yuda exhaled deeply and opened it. Cool night air flowed in, along with the distant clamor of people drinking.
He looked up at the night sky. Countless stars twinkled, forming a Milky Way. This world’s night sky, free of pollution, was as clear as a quiet countryside.
“Tomorrow…”
Just a little longer, and June 25th, his coming-of-age ceremony, would arrive.
Yuda had been waiting for that moment. It was a special day. That’s why he had to decline her offer to sleep together. He opened his 〈Inventory〉and took out the pouch Sian had given him.
──────────────────────────────
[Name: Unknown Pouch]
[Grade: Legendary]
[Effects]
Experience Gain +20%, Physical Growth Rate +15%
[Description]
A mysterious pouch given by Sian. It looks like a lucky pouch, but… will it really bring luck? Something valuable seems to be inside, but it’s sealed with powerful magic, making it impossible to open.
-Seal (Passive): The seal will be lifted on the day of the coming-of-age ceremony.
-You’re Inside Me! (Passive): The item you desperately desire is inside. Probably.
└??? (Passive): Some of the sealed item’s power leaks out, affecting you.
-Faster Than Anyone, Better Than Others (Passive): This pouch, imbued with Sian’s power, is special. Merely possessing it grants its influence. It enhances your ability to learn and provides a bonus to developing talents.
──────────────────────────────
It was a magical pouch that wouldn’t open no matter how hard he tried or cut it with a knife. The small pouch, fitting in his palm, still wouldn’t open. Looking out the window, he turned and lay on the bed. Staring at the ceiling, he began to sink into sentimentality.
Honestly, it had been a long journey.
Summoned abruptly to this world by Sian, he was forced to kill and live alone without understanding why.
With no friends to rely on or confide in, he made books his companions in the library.
Knowing only strength could protect him, he trained his stamina daily and later sought out Kaseun for training.
He stayed wary of Kain, striving to surpass him.
After spending such a long time, he met Tia, Zentia.
He still remembered their first meeting.
He recalled her golden, tiger-like eyes with black pupils looking down at him with intrigue. She was the first woman he thought was beautiful, and he felt immense frustration at having the body of a child.
After a long time, he finally made love with her, and their whispered love deepened their bond. For the first time in this world, he felt happiness and cherished their time together. But now, that was coming to an end.
At most ten days, at least five, and he would leave Serenia Castle. The thought of leaving this place, full of memories, was bittersweet. But he had no choice. He needed to collect all 24 fragments to see the end.
He had considered staying here until he grew old and died. Settling down didn’t seem bad, but living a full life and dying of old age wouldn’t likely return him to his original world or bring an end.
Perhaps he would return to the day he obtained the fragment or to a saved point. It was an eternally repeating life. If so, seeing it through to the end was the best option.
“…”
With nothing left to think about, he stared blankly at the ceiling. Like waiting for a game update, he couldn’t sleep. He spent a couple of hours pathetically lost in thought.
The sounds from outside had stopped. In the silent atmosphere, he sat on the bed, gazing at the distant night sky through the open window.
Pop!
Suddenly, the string tying the pouch in his hand unraveled on its own. Startled by the sound, Yuda looked down to see the loosened string fall onto his hand.
[The seal on the Unknown Pouch has been lifted.]
The pouch, which wouldn’t open no matter what, finally opened on its own after years in this world.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
***Author’s Note***
No lie, it feels like two egos are fighting, and my headache hasn’t gone away since morning. Stay cool. I think all this is because of the heat.
TL Notes
Will change 24th to Twenty-Fourth from now on.
