"During training, he who was initially far below me slowly surpassed me."
Hasya chuckled.
"Damn man, I still remember the pain I received from his punch.."
Hasya touched his own cheek, his fingers pressing gently as if remembering the pain of the punch. "He’s a monster disguised as a human."
"Regardless of what he’s been through..."
"I’m grateful he didn’t lose himself and remained the Fathir I know..."
Lose himself? Does he mean become evil or crazy? Fyar muttered inwardly, his brow furrowing slightly.
"What do you mean?" Zaefal asked. He leaned forward slightly, his face curious.
"How should I put it..." Hasya continued, massaging the back of his neck.
"You might think Fathir leveled up normally... like kill monsters, level up, ritual, level up, dungeon, level up..."
The smile on Hasya’s face faded, replaced by a serious expression. "But unfortunately not..."
"Many tragedies befell him to make him as strong as he is now..."
"But well, well, well," Hasya smiled again. "Based on your story of meeting him in the dungeon..."
"He’s still the Fathir I know."
"I’m curious about Zikri..." Zaefal said, leaning his back against the pool wall again.
"Who is he, Zaefal? Do you know?" Fyar asked.
"The second strongest adventurer after Fathir... his whereabouts are currently a mystery..." Zaefal recalled, his eyes staring at the cave ceiling. "At the academy, we studied the way he fights and his lifestyle..."
"Hmm, is that so..." Fyar said.
"Ohhh so he’s number 2, huh." Hasya laughed lightly. "Heh, well I figured as much... I’d be disappointed if he just died like that..."
"Alright, I’ll tell you guys, as long as you tell me about Rasie."
Hasya extended his hand toward Fyar and Zaefal. "Deal?"
Meanwhile, in the women’s bath.
Rasie, Illya, and Cyhas sat soaking. Hot steam enveloped them.
Rasie submerged her face up to her nose in the water. Air bubbles appeared as she exhaled. Her face was still slightly red.
"He... is so weird," Rasie muttered. "W-why did he suddenly call me an angel, huh?"
"And did you see? He-he-he touched my hair... my ear... and c-called me darling? W-what is he thinking! Aah I dnnkw!" Rasie submerged her face in the water again, making air bubbles appear again.
Illya smiled teasingly while wringing out her wet green hair. "It seems he likes you quite a bit, Rasie...."
"I think... he’s a good person..."
Illya looked around the bathhouse, observing the natural stone walls. "He saved us... provided a place to bathe like this... joined our party, fed us, and will also train us..."
"All that because he likes you, Rasie."
Cyhas nodded. "Yes... I agree... I think he’s truly a good person... regardless of his strange personality..."
Cyhas recalled, her index finger tapping her chin. "Ah... he’s also similar to your ideal type of man, right?"
"Hu-huuh? What are you talking about, stu-stupid!" Rasie protested, lifting her face from the water.
"Ah yes, yes, I remember," Illya said with a wide smile.
Illya smiled gently at Rasie. "Strong... weird like you... wild... likes to socialize... active... and, and hmm..."
"Active and wants to fight with him, Illya," Cyhas added.
"Yees right?!" Illya said a little enthusiastically.
Cyhas and Illya then high-fived above the water.
"Huuh?! No! No! Noooo!" Rasie immediately lifted her face completely out of the water, water splashing onto her face.
"See that! The way she said no, her tone was kinda similar to Hasya!" Cyhas said, pointing at Rasie.
"I mean... Argh stupid stupid stupid!! Shut up shut up shut up!!"
"But you agree, right?" Cyhas asked innocently.
Rasie was silent. "T-that -that..."
"Aghhh noisy noisy!" Rasie submerged her face in the water again.
"I wonder how strong he is..." Illya said seriously. "His power doesn’t make sense. You saw how he killed that Monster, right?"
Rasie touched her own lips, remembering when Hasya kissed her hand. "Yes... he’s strong. And annoying."
Rasie then remembered something. "Oh yeah! The crystals!! From the monsters he killed, weren’t they taken?"
Illya sighed. "You, Rasie..."
After bathing and changing into clean clothes prepared by Vakmi, they gathered in the dining room.
A large round table made of black wood was neatly set. Silver plates and crystal glasses sparkled under the light of the chandelier.
Vakmi served the dishes. Large cuts of meat cooked in thick sauce, fragrant mushroom soup, and crystal fruits.
The aroma of the food made their stomachs growl loudly.
Hasya sat in his chair. But he didn’t take a plate.
"Vakmi, wrap up some bread and a bottle of warm wine for me," Hasya ordered.
"You’re not eating here, Sir?" Vakmi asked.
"No." Hasya looked at Rasie. "I have business."
Vakmi deftly put several pieces of bread and a bottle into a small basket.
Hasya took the basket. He stood up and walked toward Rasie.
Rasie, who was just about to eat her meat, stopped. She stared at Hasya warily.
"Are you full?" Hasya asked.
Rasie swallowed. "I-I haven’t even taken a bite!"
Hasya pulled Rasie’s chair back. "Later, with me, over there."
Hasya extended his hand.
"O-over there?!" Rasie was confused. "Oi what do you mean? Where?!"
"Just come on!"
Fyar, Zaefal, Illya, and Cyhas just stared at them silently while chewing their food. Fyar signaled Rasie with his eyes while smiling.
Zaefal also nodded while smiling.
The purple-haired guy and Zaefal’s faces look more relaxed than before the bath, huh? What happened? What did they talk about? Did this guy hypnotize them?!
Rasie sighed in resignation. She put down her fork roughly.
"Fine, fine, hold on hold on!" Rasie grumbled.
She accepted Hasya’s extended hand hesitantly.
Hasya smiled widely. He pulled Rasie up, then wrapped his arm around the girl’s waist with one hand.
"O-oi!" Rasie was startled, her body tensed.
"I’m heading out, Zaefal, Fyar, Illya, Cyhas!" Hasya said to Fyar and the others.
Hasya led Rasie toward the large balcony that opened to the night sky.
They stepped out, and their figures disappeared behind the darkness of the night and the aurora light.