Chapter 77: Debt 77 - Emotions

The ten days had passed.

And just as Ryan had intended, his power was now that of an S-rank.

Perhaps even superior.

But now the subtle scent, so pleasant and recognizable, of his companions had crossed through the dungeon rift.

Ryan’s heart had quickened at the sight of them, filled with a mixture of joy and uncertainty.

’What if they don’t want to be with me anymore?’

’And what if they truly consider me a traitor?’

’Is this where it all ends?’

’What should I do?’

One thought after another processed through his mind.

So he, without looking away, responded to the question Mirian had asked.

"Yes, I’m an S-rank now, just like you." He said it with a forced smile, trying to appease whatever tension was lingering in the air.

He thought that perhaps acting normal was a better way than simply apologizing.

’Although... I really should do that...’

...

Mirian walked toward Ryan without taking her eyes off his.

"Huh... so you really managed it." She looked at him, and then directed her gaze toward Beatrice.

She said nothing more and continued walking toward Ryan.

A cold sweat ran down his cheek.

And she advanced without hesitating.

There was silence, and no one dared to offer an opinion or say a word.

’What is she planning to do?’

Beatrice stood motionless, as if she understood in some way that, no matter what happened, the best thing she could do was not speak up or interfere.

She likely still felt responsible and powerless.

When Mirian was close enough...

She lightly raised both of her hands.

Bringing them to the upper part of his body.

Ryan looked away and closed his eyes, expecting a heavy blow.

But...

Instead of that, he felt the warmth of Mirian’s body; she threw her arms around him and clung to him tightly.

"You idiot... you could have at least told us everything back then. Why did you act like that all on your own? We’re supposed to be companions, a team..."

Ryan felt his body go numb, and a strange sensation completely invaded him.

He couldn’t find the words to speak.

She looked up, and tears were streaming from her eyes.

"..."

Ryan placed his hands on her shoulders.

"I’m sorry... maybe I should have told you... but I also wanted to prevent you from getting involved."

Ryan paused.

"I also wanted to avoid people thinking that you had an alliance or were under the control of demons... after what I did... no one would expect someone to do that..."

"Shut up... we would have ended up involved regardless, don’t you understand?" She pressed her face against Ryan’s chest.

He looked at her and let out a faint smile.

Then, before either could say anything else.

Karol’s voice rang out.

When Ryan turned his gaze toward her.

Karol was standing behind Helen, pushing her.

"Go already!" Karol shouted while pushing her from behind.

Then she added.

"You wouldn’t stop saying how much you wanted to see Ryan before... just go already."

"Get off me!" Helen grumbled and began walking toward Ryan.

She took several steps while looking at the ground.

Then she looked to the right. And then at the ground again.

She stopped.

She took a deep breath.

Then she finally spoke.

"Listen... I don’t care if you interact with elves, dwarves, or demons... that isn’t what makes me angry... but rather the fact that you didn’t tell me anything."

She clenched her right fist.

Then she extended her arm forward and pointed her finger at Beatrice.

Staring at her intently.

"And you... your name is Beatrice, right?"

"Y-Yes," Beatrice responded.

"You... I won’t tolerate you being a burden to Ryan, do you understand?"

Beatrice’s eyes widened in surprise.

Then Helen continued.

"Ryan had to go through all of that just to protect you because you’re too weak, and I don’t intend to tolerate that..."

She lowered her hand and clenched both fists.

"Helen..." Ryan tried to interrupt but shut his mouth when Helen raised her voice again.

"If you intend to stay and be of use to him... you have to become at least as strong as Solaris!" Helen shouted without looking away.

Beatrice didn’t know what to say.

She was tense, shocked.

"But Solaris is..."

"Shut up! I’ll have to train you myself and make you into a powerful demon. I won’t allow you to get in Ryan’s way ever again."

Helen looked at Ryan for a moment; Mirian still hadn’t let go of him, and Karol was in total silence.

"And I hope you’re prepared because I won’t be soft on you. If you die, it will be only because of your own weakness."

Then Beatrice looked up.

Her violet eyes somehow seemed as if they were glowing.

"A demon, being trained by an S-rank hero?" she murmured.

"Do you have a complaint about that? Or would you prefer to leave? It would save me the trouble."

Beatrice took three steps forward.

"I have no complaints... I... I truly recognize that I am weak. I don’t want to be a burden, and I don’t want to leave either..."

Beatrice approached Helen, and now both were face to face.

Then she spoke with a smile that made her violet eyes shine even brighter.

"I’ll trust in that human audacity."

"Don’t call me that. From now on, you can call me Helen." As she finished the sentence, she extended her closed fist toward Beatrice.

Beatrice looked at the fist, and then looked her directly in the eyes.

She also extended her closed fist.

Then, both fists met in a bump, marking a sort of silent complicity between hero and demon.

Ryan was stunned watching the scene.

In all of his simulations of the things that could happen when meeting his companions.

This result would never have crossed his mind.

And now that he was seeing it, he could only think that it was the best possible outcome.

’There’s no doubt they are the best companions...’ Ryan now returned Mirian’s embrace. He held her tightly.

Then, he let her go and walked straight toward Helen.

Who, upon seeing him, couldn’t help but blush.

She tried to look in any other direction to avoid meeting Ryan’s piercing eyes, but...

He took her by the shoulders and without warning, he kissed her.

She closed her eyes and gripped the sleeves of his clothes.

And she returned the kiss passionately.

"Hey! We’re here too!" Karol grumbled.

"Ha ha, leave them be. After all, Helen was the one who was most worked up."

After the kiss, they pulled apart.

And Helen reached into one of her pockets.

And pulled out what looked like a scroll.

"By the way, look at this." She gave it to Ryan.

When he saw it, his eyes opened wide.

"Are you serious? Dead or alive?"