Chapter 29: Then it’s settled
Erik and Felyn were in no hurry to head for the gate to the next floor.
After resting beside the stream, the two of them continued following the water downstream. The stream gradually widened, its water so clear that they could see the gray stones scattered across the bottom. Every now and then, small silver fish darted past before disappearing beneath the shadows of larger rocks.
Felyn was still holding Erik’s hand.
Compared to when they had first left the house, her steps had become much more natural. Whenever roots or uneven ground appeared ahead, Erik only needed to give her hand a light squeeze, and she would know to slow down.
What Felyn seemed to enjoy even more, however, was the way Erik constantly described their surroundings to her.
"There’s a huge tree on the left."
Felyn turned her face in that direction.
"How huge?"
Erik looked up at the trunk. It would probably take six or seven grown men joining hands to wrap around it.
"You could probably build an entire house out of the trunk alone."
Felyn laughed.
"That really is huge."
A little farther ahead, Erik noticed two small creatures chasing each other through the bushes.
"There are two rabbit-like creatures running around on the right."
"Rabbit-like?"
"Their ears are a little longer. Blue fur."
Felyn froze for a moment.
"Blue rabbits?"
"Mm."
"They sound ugly."
Erik watched the two pale-blue creatures leap over a fallen log. After thinking for a few seconds, he nodded.
"They’re not particularly cute."
Felyn burst out laughing.
Her laughter blended with the gentle rush of the stream, making the quiet forest feel much more alive.
During the fifty years she had lived here, Felyn had traveled through many parts of the Forsaken Forest. She remembered where the paths were, recognized the sounds of different streams, and could even distinguish certain trees by their scent.
But she had never known what any of them looked like.
Ever since she lost her eyes, Felyn’s world had consisted only of sounds, scents, and whatever her cane could touch.
Now, Erik was slowly filling in all the missing pieces.
"There are a lot of tiny white flowers floating on the water ahead."
Felyn immediately asked, "Like the flower you put in my hair?"
"Smaller."
"Are they pretty?"
"Pretty enough."
Felyn fell silent for a few seconds before asking again, "Prettier than me?"
Erik turned to look at her.
Felyn continued walking normally, as though she had simply asked the question out of idle curiosity.
Her ears, however, had already turned red.
Erik immediately understood.
Holding back a laugh, he answered, "No."
The corners of Felyn’s lips instantly curved upward.
"Good."
Erik shook his head helplessly at her pleased expression.
Outside the Trial Space, the noble ladies’ group chat had long since become lively.
[Lady Ravia: She asked that on purpose, didn’t she?]
[Sleepless Lady: Obviously.]
[Lady Ysera: She’s already learning how to take advantage of opportunities.]
[Lady Lilith: Living alone for fifty years doesn’t mean she’s stupid.]
[Lady Ravia: Erik answered "no" without even hesitating.]
[Sleepless Lady: I hate this scene.]
[Lady Ravia: Why?]
[Sleepless Lady: Because if I asked my husband that, he’d probably spend half the day deciding whether telling the truth was worth the consequences.]
[Lady Lilith: Then you should replace your husband.]
[Sleepless Lady: I’m considering it.]
Meira watched message after message appear on the screen, the corner of her eye twitching.
These women were becoming increasingly shameless.
And yet, when she looked back at Erik patiently describing everything around them to Felyn, even she found herself unable to look away.
...
The two continued walking along the stream.
Sometimes Erik would spot a red fruit growing on a bush. He would pick it, inspect it through his glasses, then let Felyn try it.
Other times, Felyn would hear the unfamiliar call of a bird. Erik would stop, search for it, then tell her where it was perched and what color its feathers were.
The final stretch was only a little over a kilometer long, yet it took them nearly an hour to cross it.
Erik wasn’t in a hurry.
And Felyn wanted the journey to end even less.
Her hand remained inside his, occasionally tightening without her realizing it.
Whenever that happened, Felyn would remind herself that this was real.
Erik truly was walking beside her.
This wasn’t some dream created by fifty years of loneliness.
Eventually, the forest ahead began to thin.
The stream curved away in another direction, while the route displayed on Erik’s glasses pointed directly toward a clearing.
There was a door in the middle of it.
Erik stared at it with a strange expression.
Compared to the enormous stone gates on the previous floors, the thing in front of him looked absurdly ordinary.
It was merely a wooden door a little over two meters tall, standing by itself in the middle of the forest. There were no walls attached to it, nor any other structures nearby.
Erik approached.
A notification immediately appeared.
[Forsaken Gate.]
[Key confirmed.]
[Participant may proceed to the next floor.]
Erik took out the bronze key.
But just as he was about to step forward, Felyn suddenly tightened her grip on his hand.
"Erik."
He stopped.
"What is it?"
Felyn lowered her head.
The smile she had worn moments ago had disappeared.
Only after a long silence did she finally speak.
"You can still change your mind."
Erik frowned slightly.
Felyn clasped his hand between both of hers, her voice growing softer.
"I’ve been thinking about it the entire way here. You still have more floors to clear, and I can’t help you fight. I’ve lost my eyes, my potential has fallen to Rank F, and there’s still a curse inside my body that we know nothing about."
She took a breath and forced herself to smile.
"You already gave me a wonderful day. Truly. Even if it ends here, I’m already very grateful."
Her hands trembled slightly.
"So if you regret your decision... there’s still time."
Erik didn’t answer.
The silence immediately made Felyn’s heart tighten.
She had prepared herself to say these words.
But now that Erik was actually silent, Felyn realized she wasn’t nearly as selfless as she had imagined.
She was afraid.
Afraid Erik really would let go.
Afraid he would say she was right.
Afraid she would have to return to that house and continue living the same days she had lived before.
Her fingers instinctively tightened around his hand.
Then she hurriedly relaxed them again, as if afraid her actions would make things difficult for him.
"I just—"
Before she could finish, Erik suddenly pulled her toward him.
Felyn was completely unprepared.
Her soft body stumbled forward.
"Ah!"
An arm wrapped around her waist.
Erik pulled Felyn firmly against him.
The distance between their bodies vanished instantly.
Felyn’s full chest pressed against Erik’s, her face almost touching the side of his neck. She instinctively placed both hands on his shoulders, her entire body going stiff.
His movement was nothing like the gentle way he had guided her through the forest.
It was almost rough.
The arm around her waist held her firmly in place, carrying an attitude that gave her no room to refuse or retreat any farther.
Felyn’s heart immediately began pounding wildly.
Her body trembled slightly, but instead of discomfort, an unfamiliar thrill ran from her waist all the way up the back of her neck.
This was the first time Erik had ever treated her so forcefully.
She could feel the heat of his chest, the strength of the arm wrapped around her waist, and his breath brushing past her ear.
She had absolutely no desire to push him away.
On the contrary, her fingers unconsciously tightened around the fabric covering his shoulders.
Erik lowered his head.
His quiet voice sounded beside her ear.
"Do you really think you’re that useless?"
Felyn’s face flushed.
"I..."
"Then it’s simple."
The corner of Erik’s mouth lifted.
"If you feel guilty about making me take care of you, then just make sure you perform properly in bed later."
Felyn’s entire body froze.
"W-What?"
Her already red face became so hot that it almost looked like steam might rise from her head.
Erik laughed.
"Was I not clear enough?"
"Very clear!"
Felyn practically shouted.
The moment she realized how loudly she had reacted, her face turned even redder.
Suddenly, something slipped out from beneath the back of her clothes.
Erik looked down.
A pale-golden Succubus tail had appeared behind Felyn, its tip shaped like a small heart.
And it was wagging furiously.
So fast that it looked almost like a dog greeting its owner after they returned home.
Erik fell silent for two seconds.
Felyn seemed to realize what was happening as well.
She hurriedly reached behind herself in panic.
"Don’t look!"
"I’m already looking."
"Erik!"
Felyn tried to hide the traitorous tail, but the more nervous she became, the harder it wagged.
Outside the Trial Space, the group chat immediately exploded.
[Lady Ravia: THE TAIL!]
[Sleepless Lady: I saw it!]
[Lady Ysera: Felyn, have some dignity!]
[Lady Lilith: Fifty years ago, she was so cold and aloof that even the men from the great families were afraid to approach her.]
[Lady Ravia: And now her tail is wagging like that.]
[Sleepless Lady: I understand her.]
[Lady Ravia: So do I.]
[Meira: ...]
Meira stared at the comments, then looked back at Erik’s arm still wrapped around Felyn’s waist.
Her eyes slowly narrowed.
She would definitely need to have a serious talk with Elowen later.
If Erik kept casually going around saving Succubi like this, she suspected they would have to expand the estate sooner or later.
...
Felyn had absolutely no idea that she had just destroyed whatever remained of her dignity in front of dozens of noble ladies.
She was still desperately trying to hide her rebellious tail.
Erik finally released her waist.
Felyn immediately felt a small sense of loss, but before she could react, his hand had already taken hers again.
"Then it’s settled."
Felyn blinked.
"What is?"
"You’re coming with me."
Erik inserted the key into the lock.
"As for repaying me..."
He turned and looked at her crimson face.
"We’ll settle that later."
Felyn parted her lips.
In the end, she didn’t argue anymore.
She simply lowered her head and obediently left her hand inside his.
Behind her, the little heart-tipped tail continued swaying happily from side to side.
Click.
The key turned.
The door slowly swung open.
A layer of white light appeared beyond it.
Erik held Felyn’s hand and stepped through.
The instant his foot crossed the threshold, every trace of color vanished from his sight.