Honestly, I still couldn't fully believe that I had truly entered the novel I loved the most.
The characters I had only ever read about, those who existed solely in my imagination, were now sitting beside me, sharing roasted venison together.
It felt strange.
Even though I had always imagined their appearances in my mind, I still considered them fictional characters, people who weren't real.
Yet the ones in front of me now were real humans. And still, deep down, I continued to see them as characters from a novel.
Although we were all human, it felt as if an invisible wall separated our worlds.
The difference lay in one simple fact, I alone saw myself as a real human being, not a character.
"What's wrong, Kim? Don't you like the food?"
Eve looked at me with concern. Only then did I realize I'd been lost in thought for too long, forgetting to eat. It felt strange—seeing such an important character from the novel worrying about me. Still, I couldn't deny that it made me a little happy.
I gave Eve a small smile. "I was just thinking about a few things."
"Thinking about what? The Cataclysm that will coming?"
"That too," I replied, taking a small bite of the venison that had already been cut for me. My eyes widened instantly, it tasted far better than I had expected.
I had never eaten venison before. I never imagined it could be this delicious.
Eve chuckled softly as she watched me eat with enthusiasm. "Looks like you really like it."
"I didn't know venison tasted this good."
Eve smiled and was about to say something, but Lei cut in abruptly. "Such a bumpkin."
Damn it. My appetite vanished instantly.
"Bastard…! Do you eat this all the time or something?!" I snapped back irritably.
"Of course," Lei sneered, looking down on me. "This is basically everyday food."
My jaw tightened. I could feel the veins in my face threatening to pop. Setting aside the trust he had shown me, he had been irritating from the very beginning. No wonder Kael killed him early in the story, he truly deserved it.
"Oh? Kael!" Liam smiled brightly and waved at the man who had just arrived.
"Come here! You like roasted venison, right?"
Oh my god—my beloved Kael has arrived!
Kael didn't respond and simply sat down beside Liam.
"Here, try it. You'll definitely like it," Liam said, offering him a skewer of venison. Kael accepted it without hesitation.
Both Liam and Eve seemed to have already accepted Kael's presence. I could understand Liam, he was Kael's longtime friend, but Eve too? Her eyes sparkled as if she were looking at her favorite idol.
Was it because of the story I told earlier? She seemed to be enjoying the cliché scene of a cold male protagonist acting indifferent toward the heroine.
Among the three of us, only Lei still hadn't accepted Kael. I understood his feelings, but honestly, I didn't care. His attitude was unbearable. He didn't deserve sympathy.
"What's the point of staying here and enjoying roasted venison?" Kael said coldly while eating. "You're all just wasting time."
Weren't his words and actions completely contradictory?
Wait.
Kael… is eating?
Oh my god! Why did I only realize it now?! My beloved Kael was eating the same venison as me! Look at how his jaw moves as he chews! His gaze is icy, yet his expression while eating is unbelievably cute!
My phone! Where's my phone?! I need it!
"Tch!" Lei suddenly stood up and stormed off.
"Lei!" Liam, clearly confused, stood up immediately and followed him.
Was he angry?
"I—I should go after Lei too," Eve said as she stood.
"You two enjoy the food. I want to talk to Lei and the Captain."
I smiled. "Alright. Don't worry about us."
Eve nodded and ran after them. I hoped things could be resolved peacefully. I couldn't keep forcing Lei to accept Kael, he had his own feelings and principles. Worst case, he might choose to part ways with us.
Even though he was annoying, I didn't want him to leave.
Kael suddenly let out a sigh and took another piece of venison.
My body stiffened.
Only then did it truly sink in, the man in front of me was the person I loved most in the entire world.
My beloved Kael.
It felt surreal. Someone who had lived only inside my head was now right in front of me, breathing, moving… capable of getting hurt.
My heart pounded wildly. It felt different from earlier in the tent. This time, my trembling wasn't from fear, it was nervousness.
The cool night breeze, the warmth of the campfire, and Kael's favorite venison.
Wasn't this basically a date?
"You know my relationship with Liam, don't you?" Kael suddenly asked, still chewing his food.
Ah… so cute…!
I sighed. This time, I couldn't hide anything. "Yes. I know."
To anyone else, I must have looked incredibly suspicious. I knew about future Cataclysm, and their pasts.
Kael suddenly stood up, making me rise as well.
"Where are you going?"
"Tonight may not be safe. The monsters haven't been completely eliminated." With that, he turned and walked away.
"I'm coming with you!"
Kael stopped and glanced back at me briefly. "I won't take responsibility for your life."
I smiled and walked toward him. "I don't expect you to."
_________________________
______________
We had walked deep into the forest. The atmosphere grew colder—more ominous. The silence wasn't peaceful; it was filled with tension.
"Why are you following me?" Kael asked, his tone cold and sharp.
I wasn't following him without reason. This forest wasn't ordinary, it was where the monsters known as Night Hunters would appear.
In the novel, Kael slaughtered all of them during his journey west. Though the plot had changed slightly, some things remained the same.
"I just want to keep you company."
My answer earned me a piercing stare. It was obvious he hated that response.
That hurts, you know.
"This forest is full of monsters. You could die."
…!
Is he worried about me? How sweet…!
"Well, that wouldn't be so bad. The contract would automatically be void if you died."
I take that back. Damn it.
[Main Quest Updated!]
The system screen appeared suddenly. At the same time, a loud noise echoed from the distance, it sounded like a pack of animals running.
"They're coming," Kael said as he drew his sword, eyes sharp with vigilance.
I could see them, countless black wolves charging toward us. There was no doubt about it. They were Night Hunters, monsters that survived the remnants of the First Catastrophe.
+
[Main Quest Updated!]
Objective: Kill the Night Hunters
Reward: 4,000 gold
Failure: Death
+
"Stay here." Kael reached out, guiding me behind him.
Once again, my heart raced. Was it just my imagination? His gesture felt protective.
As the wolves drew closer, Kael dashed forward, cutting through them from every angle with incredible speed and precision.
He could have killed them all on his own, just like in the novel. But that didn't mean I'd let him fight alone.
I pulled three pills from my pocket and swallowed them at once, the ones I had bought from the Item Shop.
[You have consumed Rasaka Pill]
[You have consumed Rasaka Pill]
[You have consumed Rasaka Pill]
[Your strength and agility have increased by 60% for 10 minutes!]
A powerful surge coursed through my body. I felt lighter—faster. My muscles burned as if my blood were boiling, forcing my body to move beyond its limits.
"Inventory."
The system screen appeared before me, displaying my list of items. I was lucky to have discovered such a useful hidden feature.
I selected the Blue Magic Sword I had purchased for 5,600 gold. Miraculously, it emerged from the system screen, just like when Bong Bong had startled me earlier.
Thanks to the pill's effects, the sword's weight didn't hinder me. I could feel a strong magical aura radiating from it.
I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. This was my first time fighting monsters.
I couldn't be afraid.
[Special Skill 'Reader's Protection' Activated]
Good.
[The special skill 'Reader's Protection' enhances your senses]
I could clearly sense the wolves' movements around me. The air felt sharper, and Kael's presence stood out vividly. How much had my senses improved? This was incredible.
One of the wolves suddenly lunged at me.
"Watch out!" Kael shouted. But I had already turned, swinging my sword just before the attack could reach me.
[You have defeated a Black Wolf!]
[You Level Up!]
I let out a short breath and turned to Kael, who stared at me with wide eyes in shock.
I smirked. "I told you I'd help you, didn't I?"