HEO 85

Was it because the face resembling Wolf had asked back, “Who is that?” The shock wouldn’t subside, as if he had heard the answer from the real Wolf. He found himself ridiculous and pathetic for acting this way.

He had lied to Starry Eyes, claiming Wolf was “a bastard I’ve been saving to tear apart,” but Silver had a different reason for not seeking him out for three years. It was because he didn’t want to hear the answer, “Who are you?” If Wolf couldn’t remember Black Weasel and himself, his revenge would lose its meaning.

Because someone who cannot remember the past is not worth killing. It would be like shoving a mirror in the face of a blindfolded sinner.

Sinner.

Silver’s lips twisted. Come to think of it, it was funny. Was Wolf a sinner? His actions were nothing but self-defense. Hadn’t Silver himself boasted back then that “if I had the skill, killing Bingapsu right here wouldn’t be a problem”? (What a damn mouth!)

Who would have thought he would actually kill him?

You fucking bastard. Why wouldn’t you believe me when I said Bingapsu was my biological father?

Actually, lately his desire for revenge against Wolf had somewhat diluted (figuring out whether I even exist matters more!). It must be because his anger had slowly cooled down about two years after his biological father was brutally murdered (Honestly, you deserved it!). In any case, Black Weasel wouldn’t have expected to die of natural causes either (if he had even a shred of brains!).

Karma. That was a fitting end for you, Bingapsu.

If it is revealed that you are my biological father, I will definitely get revenge. Since he was the cause, let’s call it even if I just give the servant a permanent disability.

Separately, he was still curious about that moment when Wolf killed Black Weasel. What had happened? The explosive light and wind pouring out of Wolf’s body. The greatsword tearing through his palm.

When he described the situation, Starry Eyes said:

〔The berserker transformation might be the reward promised in our domain. However, I don’t know anything about the reward either. It is high-grade information that isn’t disclosed to the kitchen’s external tools.〕

A reward?

But that servant bastard said he wouldn’t take a reward even if they offered it. Besides, I haven’t received my reward yet. There’s no way he’d be the only one getting it quickly when we haven’t received it for three years.

Did the evil spirit possess the servant back then? Was it a Glamaugh’s trickery? Could it be that the evil spirit stole his body and has been impersonating the servant ever since?

“Aaaah!”

Silver ruffled his hair with both hands. He felt like a squirrel running on a hamster wheel. He’d been in this state for three years. Damn servant bastard, do you remember Bingapsu? Do you know someone named Silver? Ah, you do know me! Then why did you do that back then? Why did you suddenly transform into a berserker?! If you don’t explain it properly, you’re dead…

He repeated this idiotic fantasy–reuniting with Wolf, having his existence confirmed, and resolving his past curiosities–over and over again.

Stop with your stupid expectations! Do you think the servant is any different? He’ll just answer, “Who are you?” just like everyone else!

Fuck…

Silver slumped down and stared blankly down below. The lagoon beneath the cliff, where the remnants of the storm still lingered, was silent. Only dead fish floated on the waves. The wind carried the scent of pine resin, fish oil, and wet ropes. The sound of waves, the drunken ramblings of pirates, and crooked lyrics hung in his ears.

〔Ƨᴉɼʌԍʁ. Ƨᴉɼʌԍʁ! Let me out.〕

His belt pocket bulged. Silver suddenly came back to his senses.

“Sorry. Was it stifling?”

As soon as he opened his pocket, Starry Eyes flew right in front of Silver’s eyes.

〔I heard everything, Ƨᴉɼʌԍʁ. I’ll say it again: the mysterious human is not the servant. It is only natural that he doesn’t know you, so don’t be discouraged.〕

“…That servant bastard will say he doesn’t know me too.”

〔Even if he does, don’t mind it; take revenge. Don’t doubt your memories. I don’t know why, but one thing is certain: this world is persecuting you!〕

“Now you’re really making me sound like a lunatic.”

〔Believe in yourself, Ƨᴉɼʌԍʁ! You are the strongest Thunder in the world!〕

Silver couldn’t help but laugh. If it weren’t for Starry Eyes, who always comforted him, he would have made an extreme choice long ago.

“Starry Eyes. I feel like I’m trapped at seventeen.”

〔Why?〕

“I don’t know.”

Silver gazed at the sea. Darkness was seeping into the twilight.

Maybe, because people don’t remember me?

Because the last age anyone remembers “Silver” at… is seventeen.

Since then, he felt as though he had been cast aside by time. While the seasons for others kept changing, he felt as though he alone remained stuck in the cold winter of his seventeenth year. Silver’s hourglass had stopped, never dropping a single grain of sand.

“I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do.”

〔Why don’t you know? You have plenty to do. You have to find the one who hired someone to kill your mom’s lover and get revenge. You have to pay back your debt to the servant too. After that, you just have to roam the world doing whatever you want to your heart’s content.〕

“I have nothing I want to do.”

Silver and this world might just be a nonsensical delusion existing only in the head of some beggar bastard. Then everything would be meaningless.

A life devoid of purpose was like a jar. An empty jar that made nothing but a hollow noise when tapped.

〔You can just find something you want to do! You have plenty of time ahead of you.〕

“That makes it even more terrible.”

Silver replied dejectedly.

“The time remaining is the most terrible.”

Like a night that never ends. Like a nightmare he can’t wake up from.

Silver wiped the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand. After composing himself with his eyes closed for a while, he said,

“Starry Eyes. You might not understand, but to me, time is…”

Before he could finish, a gurgling sound interrupted him. Silver grimaced and clutched his stomach. Damn it, you really ruined the mood!

“Shit!”

Silver jumped to his feet. He roughly dusted off his pants and swung his arms.

“Let’s fill our stomachs!”

〔Alright! Get ingredients! Let’s go!〕

Starry Eyes scurried through the air as he shouted. Silver walked along a narrow mountain path leading deep into the valley. The ground was still damp, as the rain had stopped yesterday.

Not long after, there was a sound in the bushes. Silver quickly picked up a stone and pressed himself against a rock. Soon, a rabbit covered in dirt pushed its way out of the thicket. In an instant, Silver’s arm moved like lightning. The stone struck the rabbit’s head. Instant death.

〔A swift and merciful death! Another guilt-free meal today!〕

Starry Eyes clapped. Silver slung the rabbit over one shoulder and headed to the beach at the foot of the mountain. The meat was ready; next up was seafood.

Dozens of crabs crawled sluggishly on the rocks soaked by the waves. Silver picked up the two biggest ones. Ingredients ready.

He found shade by a cliff and stacked dry branches. When he lit the fire with a flint, the wood hissed, and a bonfire burst into flames. From the white smoke rising, the scent of burning wood and the saltiness of the sea billowed up. Silver skinned the rabbit with a dagger. As he sliced ​​the meat into chunks and skewered them onto a branch, Starry Eyes shouted.

〔Wait! If you put it directly on the fire, all the juices will escape!〕

〔Rabbits have little fat. Don’t put them in the center of the fire; roast them gently around the edge. That way, the juices won’t escape!〕

〔Bury the crabs with their shells on near the campfire. That way, the juices will collect inside!〕

Silver did as Starry Eyes instructed. He had never failed a dish prepared by following the fairy chef’s instructions. As the flames licked the meat, transparent oil seeped from the surface. Each time a drop of oil fell onto the firewood, the flames splattered, and a savory aroma spread throughout. The bright red flesh turned golden brown and puffed up.

〔Now! Flip it over!〕

Silver spun the branch around. A crunching sound emanated from the rabbit meat. The crab shells glowed red like the sunset.

Silver carefully dug out the crabs from the soil, which had grown hot in the meantime. White steam billowed from the shells. He tore off the shells, pulled out the pure white flesh, and put it in his mouth.

A salty aroma spread in his mouth, and the plump flesh was chewy. He then tore off a piece of rabbit meat as well. The juices burst out.

〔How about that? My cooking is the best, right? Tonight’s dinner was a huge success!〕

Starry Eyes puffed up and perched on Silver’s shoulder. With his stomach full, Silver, flopped down beside the bonfire. Should I just sleep rough here tonight? I don’t want to sleep shoulder to shoulder with that bastard who looks just like the servant.

Starry Eyes poked Silver’s cheek with his front leg.

〔Ƨᴉɼʌԍʁ. Today is medicine day.〕