To be honest, I still can't fully believe that I have entered the novel that I like the most. The characters I read about, those I could only imagine in my mind, were now sitting with me and enjoying roast deer together.
It feels strange.
Even though I always imagine their looks in my imagination, I still think of them as unreal novel characters. But what is in front of me now is a 'real' human being, even though I still think of them as novel characters.
Even though we are both humans, it is as if there is a wall separating our worlds. The fact that I think of myself as a real person, and not a character.
"What's wrong, Kim? Don't you like the food?"
Eve looked at me in surprise. Without realizing it, I daydreamed so much that I forgot to eat my food. It felt strange to see an important character in this novel being worried about me, even though I was also a little happy.
I smiled faintly at Eve. "I was just thinking about some things."
"Thinking about what? About the coming disaster?"
"That counts too." I took a small bite of the venison that had been cut for me. My eyes successfully widened, it felt much better than I expected.
I've never eaten deer meat before, I didn't expect it to be this delicious.
Eve chuckled softly, looking at me who was eating greedily. "You seem to really like it, huh?"
"I didn't know deer meat was this delicious."
Eve smiled, about to speak up, but Lei immediately interrupted her. "How a tacky."
Damn. My appetite suddenly disappeared because of his teasing.
"Damn...! Do you often eat this yourself?!" I replied with an annoyed snarl.
"Of course. This is like daily food." Lei grinned, looking at me pettily.
My jaw tightened, I could feel the veins on my face struggling to show themselves. Putting aside his trust in me, he was a very annoying character from the start. No wonder Kael immediately killed him at the beginning of the story, he deserved to die.
"Oh? Kael!" Liam smiled brightly, waving at Kael who had just arrived. "Come here! You like roast deer, right?"
Good grief! My beloved Kael has come!
Kael didn't reply, and immediately sat next to Liam.
"Here, try it. You'll really like it." Liam offered a skewer of venison, and Kael immediately took it.
Liam and Eve seem to have accepted his presence. I can understand Liam being Kael's old friend, but why does Eve also look like a big fan? His sparkling gaze seemed to be looking at his favorite idol.
Is it because of my story earlier? He seemed to enjoy the cliche scene where the male lead coldly acts indifferent to the female lead.
Among the three of us, only Lei still hasn't accepted Kael's existence. I can understand his feelings, but what do I care? The attitude itself is very annoying. He is not worthy of pity.
"Why stay overnight and enjoy venison? You're just wasting your time here," said Kael coldly while enjoying the venison given by Liam.
Aren't his words and actions completely contradictory?
Wait.
Kael is eating? Good grief! Why did I just realize this?! My dear Kael is enjoying the same venison as me. Look at how his jaw moves as he chews that meat! His gaze is very cold, but his expression when eating is very adorable!
Handhone! Where's the handphone! I need that!
"Tch!" Lei suddenly got up and walked away from us.
"Lee!" Liam, who was confused, suddenly got up and followed him.
"I-I also want to catch up with Lei." Eve also got up. "You guys just enjoy the food. I want to talk to Lei and Captain."
I smile. "Okay. Don't worry about us."
Eve nodded and ran towards Liam and Lei. I hope this problem can be resolved well. I also can't keep forcing Lei to accept Kael, he also has a heart and principles. Worst of all, Lei could choose to separate from us.
Even though he was annoying, I didn't expect him to leave.
Kael suddenly sighed and took another piece of venison to eat.
My body suddenly stiffened. I just realized that the figure in front of me is the person I like most in the universe.
My beloved Kael!
It feels strange. The person who had only lived in my head, was now standing right in front of me—breathing, moving, and capable of being hurt.
My heart was beating fast. It felt much different when I was in the tent earlier, my body was shaking, this time not because of fear but nervousness.
The cool night breeze, combined with the campfire which makes the air around it warm, plus Kael's favorite deer meat. Isn't it a bit like dating?!
"Do you know my relationship with Liam?" Kael suddenly spoke up, still chewing his food.
Aw... how cute...!
I took a breath. This time I couldn't hide anything anymore. "Yeah, I know."
In anyone's eyes, I do look very suspicious. I know about future disasters, and also stories of their past.
Kael suddenly stood up, spontaneously making me stand up too. "Where are you go?"
"Tonight is not necessarily safe. The monsters have not been completely wiped out." Then, he walked away.
"I am coming along!"
Kael stopped, and glanced at me briefly. "I'm not responsible for your life."
I smiled and approached him. "I didn't expect that."
.....
...
We had walked quite far into the forest. The surrounding atmosphere also turned colder and more tense. The silence I felt was not a sign of calm, but of alertness.
"What is your reason for following me?" Kael asked, cold and sharp.
I didn't follow him for no reason. The forest we entered was not just any forest. This is the place where the monsters called night hunters will appear.
In the novel it is also said that Kael killed all the monsters on his way to the west. Even though the plot has changed slightly, there are still a few similarities.
"I just want to accompany you."
My answer just now immediately earned a piercing stare from him. It was clear he really hated my answer.
My heart hurts.
"This forest is full of monsters. You could die."
...!
Is he worried about me? How sweet...!
"Well, that's also good because the contract will automatically be void if you die."
I take back what I just said. Damn.
[Main Quest has been updated!]
The system screen suddenly appeared, along with that, I heard a noise from a distance. It was like the sound of a pack of animals running.
"They're coming." Kael drew his sword. His gaze was sharp and alert.
I could see it, there were lots of black wolves running fast towards us. There was no mistaking it, they were night hunters, monsters who survived the remnants of the First Disaster.
+
[Main Quest Updated!]
Quest: Kill the Night Hunters
Rewards: 4000 gold
Penalty: Die
+
"Stay here." Kael stretched out his hand, leading me to hide behind him.
My heart was beating fast again. Is it just my feeling? Kael's actions just now seemed to want to protect me.
As the distance between the wolves got closer, Kael immediately shot towards them and slashed their bodies from all sides. His movements are very agile and fast, especially his reflexes.
He could have killed all the wolves as written in the novel. But that doesn't mean I'm going to let him struggle alone like that.
I took three pills from my pocket, then swallowed them all at once. It was a pill I bought at the Item Shop.
[You took rasaka pills]
[You took rasaka pills]
[You took rasaka pills]
[Your strength and agility drastically increase by 60% for 10 minutes due to the effects of the pill!]
I felt a great power surging within my body. My body feels lighter and easier to move. My muscles felt hot, as if my blood was boiling and forcing my body to move faster than usual.
"Inventory."
The system screen appeared in front of me, and displayed a list of the items I had. I was lucky to find a very useful hidden feature.
I chose the Blue Magical Sword that I bought for 5,600 gold in the Item Shop. Miraculously, the sword came out of the system screen, just like what happened to Bong Bong when it surprised me.
Thanks to the effects of the pill, I had no trouble wielding a sword that was quite heavy. I can feel quite a strong magic aura from this sword.
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. This will be my first time fighting against a monster. I can't be afraid.
[Special skill 'Reader Protection' active]
Good.
[Special skill 'Reader Protection' increases your senses]
I clearly felt the movements of the wolves around me, not only that, the air around me became sharper, and Kael's presence was also very clear. How far has my sense actually improved? The effect is extraordinary.
One of the wolves suddenly jumped at me.
"Watch out!" Kael shouted, but I managed to turn around and swing my sword just before the wolf's attack hit me.
[You have successfully defeated the Black Wolf!]
[Your leveled up!]
I exhaled a short breath, then turned to Kael who was shocked with wide eyes.
I smiled crookedly. "I told you that I would help you, right?"