Chapter 78 – Crisis
Chapter 78
Crisis
Date : Day 5 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren walked quickly through the Adventurer's District. His steps held purpose. The familiar streets blurred past him—booths selling weapons, potion shops with their faint herbal scent, the occasional blacksmith's hammer ringing in the distance. He barely noticed any of it.
Not long after, he arrived. The Wanderer's Rest stood before him, its wooden sign creaking gently in the evening breeze. He pushed open the door.
A busy communal room greeted him. The warmth of hearth-fires washed over his skin, carrying the smell of roasted meat and ale. Laughter and conversation filled the air. He scanned the room, then let out a quiet breath of relief. Elise wasn't there yet.
He made his way to an empty stool at the counter. Martha looked up from the glass she was cleaning, her eyes brightening.
"Welcome back, Dear. Where's Elise?"
She tilted her head slightly. The gesture was small but telling—she had clearly expected them to return together.
Hyoren settled onto the stool and offered Martha a smile.
"We split up this morning. Each had our own errands."
He put his arms on the counter. Resting them.
"She should be here shortly, I think."
Martha's motherly smile widened. She understood. She set down the glass she had been polishing.
"I see. Alright then… want something to eat now, dear?"
Hyoren shook his head.
"Just ale and snacks for now. I'll wait for Elise before eating properly."
Martha nodded and turned toward the shelves behind her. She returned moments later carrying a mug of ale and a small bowl of roasted nuts, their surfaces glistening with oil and salt.
"Here you go, dear. Enjoy."
Hyoren wrapped his fingers around the mug. The ceramic was cool against his palm.
"Thank you, Martha."
He took a long sip. The ale slid down his throat—cool, slightly bitter, refreshing. It calmed the dryness that had built up from walking. He set the mug down and reached for a handful of nuts, tossing them into his mouth one by one as he glanced around the room.
There were many guests tonight. All adventurers. Some gathered around tables, talking loudly about their successful hunts—boasting of goblin and wolf. Others spoke in hushed tones about the growing goblin population in the Forest of No Return, their voices tinged with concern. A few just laughed loudly, trading stories about their favorite brothels and the women who worked there.
It was a calm atmosphere. Comfortable.
Then the bells clinked. The door swung open. Hyoren turned instinctively, expecting Elise's familiar silhouette. But the figure that stepped through wasn't her.
It was a group of four. They moved like veterans—confident, unhurried. The one in front was a rugged middle-aged man with bulging muscles and a face marked by old wounds. A shield was strapped to his back, a well-worn sword hung at his hip. A Tank, clearly. Behind him stood an archer, a priest, and a mage. A balanced party.
The group made their way toward the counter. Hyoren watched with mild curiosity—until Martha's face lit up with genuine joy.
"Ronald, dear! You're safe!"
The rugged man—Ronald—smiled. It transformed his stern face into something softer.
"Yeah, Martha. Just got back. Reon still awake?"
A hurried patter of footsteps echoed from the kitchen. Before anyone could react, a blur of motion shot past the counter—and a young girl launched herself at Ronald.
"Papa! I missed you!"
Ronald caught her effortlessly. His large arms wrapped around the girl—Reon—and he held her tight against his chest.
"Yeah, my lovely daughter. I'm back."
He hugged her close, one rough hand patting her head with surprising gentleness.
Understanding settled over Hyoren. So this was Martha's husband. Reon Powell—another bronze-ranked adventurer of Akela. Elise had mentioned him once.
Reon finally pulled back from the embrace. That was when she seemed to realize what she had done. The entire communal room had gone quiet. Dozens of eyes watched their reunion with warm smiles. Her cheeks flushed pink.
"Umm... I need to... the stove. Papa, welcome back. I'm happy you're safe. Umm—please excuse me."
She stammered through the words, then hurried back toward the kitchen, her footsteps quick and light.
Ronald laughed—a deep, rumbling sound. He glanced at his party members.
"Terry, Digo, Richard—you all deserve some rest. I'll tell Reon to bring food to your rooms soon."
The three adventurers thanked both Ronald and Martha with tired nods before trudging up the stairs.
Ronald's gaze drifted across the room. It landed on Hyoren. A flicker of interest sharpened his eyes. He approached the counter slowly, his steps heavy against the wooden floor.
"Hmm. New face."
Ronald's voice was low but not unkind.
"Haven't seen you before."
He looked Hyoren over—not with hostility, but with the careful assessment of a warrior measuring another warrior. He noted the build, the scars, the way Hyoren sat. Then he gave a slow nod.
"But you look strong enough. Who are you, young man?"
He extended a calloused hand.
Hyoren smiled and clasped it. The grip was firm. Strong. The kind of handshake that spoke of years holding weapons.
"I'm Hyoren. New to Akela… arrived last week."
He released the handshake.
"I'm alone right now, but I'm Elise's partner."
Ronald's expression shifted. The mention of Elise's partner caught him off guard. He knew Elise. Knew her as the solitary elf ranger who never partied with anyone. His gaze darted to Martha, seeking confirmation.
Martha simply smiled and nodded.
Ronald turned back to Hyoren. He stroked his jaw thoughtfully.
"I see..."
He folded his arms across his chest.
"Don't know what happened to make that elf actually form a party. But I won't pry... Nice to meet you, Hyoren. I'm Ronald. Martha's husband. Bronze-ranked adventurer. Our party just finished an escort quest today."
Hyoren picked up his mug again, took a short sip, then set it down.
"I see. Nice to meet you, Ronald."
He gestured toward the kitchen with a slight tilt of his head.
"Martha and Reon have been good to me and Elise. It's my pleasure to finally meet you."
Ronald smiled—a genuine thing—and turned toward the kitchen.
"Alright then. I'm hungry and tired. See you later, Hyoren."
Hyoren raised his mug in a small salute.
"See you later, Ronald. Let's chat sometime—if time permits."
Ronald waved a hand and disappeared into the kitchen. Martha followed close behind, her hand briefly touching Ronald's shoulder as they went.
Hyoren watched them go. A warm feeling settled in his chest. They were a family. And families deserved time together.
***
Hyoren sipped his ale slowly. He ate the nuts one by one, savoring the crunch of salt and oil. The communal room continued its steady hum around him—laughter, clinking mugs, the scrape of wooden chairs against worn floorboards. He waited.
When the nuts had dwindled to scattered shells and the mug sat nearly empty, the door bell finally clinked again.
He turned quickly. A familiar figure appeared in the doorway. Nostalgia washed over him—a strange warmth in his chest. They had been separated for only half a day. Yet something in him had already missed her.
A silver-haired elf stepped through. She wore a green leather tunic beneath a dark cloak that draped past her shoulders. The fabric swayed as she moved.
Her eyes scanned the room, passing over tables and patrons. They landed on him. Her face brightened immediately, and she crossed the room with quick, purposeful steps.
"Hyoren! Sorry for the wait..."
Hyoren shook his head and smiled. The gesture was small but genuine.
"No worries, Elise. I didn't wait too long."
Elise let out a relieved breath. Her pointed ears twitched slightly—the motion almost imperceptible.
"Okay then. I'm glad."
Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her cloak.
"I was afraid I'd kept you waiting..."
She slid onto the stool beside him. Her silver hair fluttered with the movement, catching the warm light of the hearth.
Hyoren turned to face her, resting his forearm on the counter.
"So—did you have fun with Jena?"
Elise beamed. She nodded with an enthusiasm that made her seem younger somehow.
"Yes! We talked a lot. Really a lot."
Her hands moved as she spoke, gesturing expressively.
"To be honest, time wasn't enough. She even offered to let me spend the night at her place. Fufu."
A soft laugh escaped her lips.
She leaned forward, propping one arm against the counter. Her eyes sparkled with the remnants of joy.
"But I already promised to come back. So I declined. We promised to talk again later, though!"
Hyoren nodded slowly. A quiet warmth spread through him. He was happy for her—genuinely.
"I'm happy for you, Elise."
He glanced down at his empty mug, then back at her.
"You hungry? Want to eat here or in our room?"
Elise tapped her fingers against her chin. Her gaze drifted toward the ceiling in thought.
"Hmm. Let's just eat here, Hyoren."
A small smile played on her lips.
"I want to hear about your day first. Fufu."
Her voice dropped slightly. Softer now—almost a murmur.
"I might not be able to hold myself back if we're alone..."
Hyoren caught the words. He chuckled low in his throat. He didn't need to ask what she meant. He felt the same. If they retreated to their room now, food and conversation would dissolve into something else entirely.
Martha emerged from the kitchen at just the right moment.
Elise raised her head slightly.
"Perfect timing, Martha. Two portions of dinner, please."
Martha's smile was warm and knowing.
"Welcome back, dear Elise."
She nodded to her.
"Alright… just a moment."
She turned and disappeared behind the door. Not long after, she returned carrying two wooden bowls of hearty stew. Steam rose from the surface, thick with the scent of cooked meat and root vegetables. A fresh mug of ale accompanied them.
"Enjoy your food."
Martha headed back toward the kitchen. She seemed eager to return to Ronald.
Hyoren and Elise ate in comfortable silence. The hunger won out—spoons lifted, stew disappeared, and the warm weight of food settled in their stomachs.
After a few moments, the bowls sat empty. They drank the last of their ale, the cool liquid washing down the lingering taste of stew. Elise turned on her stool to face Hyoren properly.
"Hyoren. Tell me what you did today!"
Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
"I'm curious. Did you get lost? Or did a knight want to arrest you for inappropriate conduct?"
She chuckled—a soft, knowing sound. She was well aware of Hyoren's tendency to let his curiosity lead him into strange situations. His odd knowledge had a habit of surfacing at unexpected moments.
Hyoren scratched his cheek. A reflex.
"No, Elise! Nothing like that! My day was peaceful."
Elise laughed softly. Her pointed ears twitched with amusement.
"Really? Why do I doubt that? Fufu."
Hyoren turned to face her fully, his expression earnest.
"It's true! Okay, let me tell you."
He paused, gathering his thoughts.
"After we parted, I decided to visit the bookstores you recommended."
He began recounting his day. His voice settled into a steady rhythm as he described the Gentlemen's Knowledge bookstore—its narrow shelves, the smell of aged paper and leather bindings.
He told her about Dandi, the wolf Beastkin owner with gentlemen looks and moustache. How he had purchased two books and an empty journal for his own writing. The promise to meet again—a possibility, he explained, of genuine friendship. Their personalities had matched in an unexpected way.
Elise's eyes widened slightly. Her brow lifted.
"Wow…"
She leaned back on her stool.
"That was outside my expectations. You found a friend the first time I leave you alone."
Hyoren reached into his storage bag. His hand disappeared into the void for a moment before pulling out the books one by one.
"This gourmet journal is interesting, Elise."
He flipped it open to show her the pages—ink illustrations of dishes, notes, maps marked with recommendations.
"When we travel around the world, this will be a useful guide for us!"
His voice carried genuine excitement. The pages rustled as he turned them.
Elise looked amused. A soft laugh escaped her.
"Fufu. You're right."
She leaned closer, her shoulder brushing against his as she examined the pages.
"This is going to help us a lot. Let's eat some delicious food, Hyoren!"
His enthusiasm spread to her like warmth from a hearth.
Both of them spent the next few minutes browsing through the journal together. They pointed at illustrations, exchanged comments, and imagined the flavors described on each page. The prospect of trying countless dishes across distant lands filled the air between them with quiet anticipation.
Eventually, Hyoren closed the journal and slipped it back into his storage bag. The void accepted it without resistance.
"Then I also tried to start my magic training, Elise."
He told her about Aethell Sense—how he had activated it in the middle of the city. The overwhelming flood of information that crashed against his mind. The headache that followed. And his solution, using it on a sparse, quiet place to practice in smaller increments.
Elise tapped her fingers against her chin. Her gaze drifted in thought.
"I see. I never expected the skill to have side effects like that."
She turned to look at him directly.
"I guess you're right, Hyoren—use it in sparse places, at least until you're used to the load of information the skill gives."
Hyoren nodded. A quiet satisfaction settled in him. Elise's acknowledgment meant more than she knew.
Elise shifted on her stool. She tilted her head slightly.
"So, did you go to the Guild Reference room afterwards, Hyoren?"
Hyoren nodded. But his gaze drifted for a moment—just a fraction of a second. He weighed his options. Should he tell Elise he had been with Ina? Or hide that fact to keep her from worrying? The consideration lasted only a heartbeat. He decided. He would not let Elise know he had spent nearly half a day with the guild clerk.
"Yes, Elise. Just like you said."
He kept his voice steady.
"The Guild Reference room is really useful. I got a lot of information I needed."
Elise smiled—a bit wry, a bit embarrassed.
"Right? I never actually went there myself, but many people say it's good."
Hyoren nodded in understanding. Most adventurers relied on brawn over brains—libraries and reference rooms rarely crossed their minds.
He smiled. His voice carried an edge of enthusiasm.
"Yes, Elise. I learned about the geography of the surrounding area. A journal by Gregorius. And important information about our path going forward."
Elise's eyes lit up with curiosity. She leaned slightly forward.
"Hmm. Interesting. Do tell, Hyoren."
He began recounting what he had read. The Gregorius Journal—a record of the adventurer's early days. How the man had sought rapid strength by throwing himself into dungeons. Hyoren explained the concept of dungeon diving, how these underground labyrinths were perfect for raising one's level efficiently. He mentioned Dungeon City Harvengald, a city nearby built around such challenges.
Elise nodded slowly. She lifted her mug, took a small sip of ale, and set it back down.
"Right. I kind of remember hearing about this Gregorius before."
Her fingers drummed lightly against the counter.
"He was a famous Platinum Rank Adventurer. So he explored dungeons to become stronger."
She crossed her arms. Her brow furrowed in thought.
"Dungeons never really went into my head. I never cared much about getting stronger quickly. But I guess you might be right. We should consider going to a dungeon after this."
Hyoren nodded. The motion was quick—eager.
"Yes, Elise. My plan for now is to keep doing subjugation quests until I'm strong enough to tackle the dungeon."
His hands moved as he spoke, outlining the idea in the air between them.
"Then we'll go to Harvengald."
He laid out the plan piece by piece. Grinding through the surrounding areas of Akela first. Meeting the requirements to enter a dungeon. Moving to the dungeon city afterward. Every step mapped out in his mind.
Elise smiled. She reached up and tucked her hair behind her pointed ears—a gesture that had become familiar.
"That sounds good, Hyoren. Let's do that."
Hyoren smiled back. Warmth spread through his chest.
"Okay then—how about we take a subjugation quest starting tomorrow, Elise?"
The eagerness in his voice was unmistakable. He could barely contain it.
Elise rested her fingers against her chin. Her eyes moved slightly as she considered the proposal.
"Your spear is already done. And we rested enough today."
She lowered her hand.
"I guess that's a good idea, Hyoren. Let's do that."
They set down their empty ale mugs. The wooden counter caught the faint light from the hearth. The discussion had reached its end. Tomorrow, they would venture out on a quest again.
Elise stood from her stool. She smiled down at him.
"Okay, Hyoren. Let's head back to our room."
She stretched her arms briefly.
"If we plan to go on a quest tomorrow, we need to rest early."
Hyoren stood as well. The legs of his stool scraped softly against the floor.
"Right, Elise. I agree."
They turned toward the counter. Hyoren caught Martha's attention and raised his hand in quiet thanks. They left a few copper coins on the wooden surface—payment for the meal and drinks. Martha nodded from the doorway of the kitchen, her smile tired but warm.
Then they climbed the stairs. Their footsteps creaked against the old wood, rising higher into the inn. They retreated toward their room, the day settling behind them like a closed chapter.
***
Hyoren and Elise climbed the stairs in silence. Their footsteps creaked against the worn wood. The sound echoed in the narrow stairwell. They reached the third floor shortly after and made their way to their room. Elise pulled an ornate brass key from her pocket and slid it into the lock. A soft click, and the door swung open.
Both of them stepped inside. The door clicked shut behind them.
And at that moment—Hyoren finally felt something was wrong. A chill crept up his spine. Cold. Unmistakable.
He turned around. His eyes widened.
Elise stood frozen just inside the doorway. The air around her had shifted. Her pointed ears lay still. Her eyes had darkened. Her jaw was tight. Her lips pressed together in a thin line.
A chilling aura seeped from every inch of her body.
He knew something had happened. He knew he had made a mistake.
He waited. Elise said nothing. The silence stretched between them. It lasted only a few seconds, but for Hyoren, it felt like an eternity.
He gulped. His throat felt dry.
"Elise... Is something wrong?"
Elise's body shuddered. Her emerald eyes flickered with something—hurt, anger, betrayal. Her lips moved, as if forming words, but no sound came out.
Hyoren's back was now damp with cold sweat.
"Sorry, Elise…what was it?"
Elise stood still. The silence stretched again. Then, finally, words spilled from her mouth.
"Why did you lie?"
The four words cut through the air. Each syllable landed heavily, an accusation that pierced Hyoren's chest.
Hyoren gasped. He tried to defend himself.
"Elise? I don't know what you mean. I didn't lie about anything."
Technically, he was correct. He had simply omitted the truth. But that omission now felt like a fatal mistake.
Elise's hands slowly rose. Her finger extended toward him—shaking.
"Why were you not honest with me?"
Her words were more direct now. She knew. She knew Hyoren was hiding something.
Hyoren still tried to defend himself.
"I truly didn't…"
His words died in his throat. Elise suddenly stepped forward. Her hands clutched his sleeve, fingers curling into the fabric.
"You didn't know?"
Her voice trembled.
"Then whose makeup is this? And whose perfume have I been smelling since we climbed the stairs?"
She released her grip. Her face turned away from him. She looked so hurt—the kind of hurt that ran deep.
"Do you think I wouldn't know, Hyoren?"
Her voice cracked.
"Think you can hide it from me? This scent is so familiar to me. I've known it for years!"
Hyoren quickly checked his own sleeve. A trace of makeup was indeed etched into the fabric. And the smell of women's perfume lingered—on the exact place where Ina had pressed herself against him earlier.
Realization crashed over him.
Elise mumbled, still averting her face. Her voice was thick with sobs.
"Was that thieving cat truly that tempting? Are you not satisfied with me?"
Tears began to fall down her cheeks. She finally turned to face Hyoren. Her face was wet—tears she could no longer hold back.
"What did you do with Ina, Hyoren?"
Her voice shook.
"Please... just be honest with me."
She took a deep breath. She tried to steady herself.
"If you choose her over me... I would gladly accept it. And I will leave..."
Her words caught in her throat.
"Just... be honest with me..."
***
Words caught in Hyoren's throat. Elise stood before him, waiting. Her tear-streaked face held steady despite the anguish in her eyes.
His mind churned in chaos. He hadn't expected Elise to notice. He hadn't done anything with Ina—she had simply latched herself onto his arm.
But how could he make Elise believe him? She already assumed the worst. She already believed he had fallen to Ina's temptation, that he had betrayed her trust.
His omission had become a fatal mistake.
Finally, he decided. He would tell her everything.
"Elise... it's not like what you think. You're misunderstanding."
Elise lashed out instantly. Her voice cut through the air like a blade.
"Not what I think?"
She stepped closer.
"So what part am I misunderstanding? Are you saying you just casually collided with that thieving cat so your body is now covered in her scent?"
She spat the words. Each one dripped with venom and hurt.
Hyoren raised his hands. Open palms. A gesture of surrender.
"It's true, Elise. Please—just hear my explanation first."
Elise turned her face away. Her jaw tightened. She clearly didn't believe this was simply a misunderstanding.
"First, I apologize."
Hyoren's voice dropped. Sincere.
"I wasn't honest with you. I met Ina today. But we didn't do anything you think we did..."
Elise snapped her head toward him. Her eyes still burned with accusation.
"Lies. Excuses."
She averted her face again. Her shoulders trembled.
"Elise. But it's true..."
He took a breath.
"I met her coincidentally in the Adventurer's District. She was on her day off."
He explained everything. The chance encounter. Ina offering to help him find books in the reference room. She had taught him about dungeons, about leveling quickly. And then—her prank. The way she had latched herself onto him, rubbed against him before he could pull away. The deliberate marks she had left behind.
Elise listened in silence. But her shuddering began to recede. The frozen atmosphere around her thawed, slowly. Still cold—but no longer frozen.
"I swear that's what happened, Elise. We didn't do anything."
His voice was steady now.
"She didn't seduce me. I didn't fall for her. I'm not cheating on you."
He bowed his head. Sincere.
"I tried to hide the fact that I met Ina to avoid making you suspicious. But it turned out to be a fatal mistake instead."
He reached out and placed his hands on her shoulders. Holding her gently. She tried to look away, her tear-filled eyes averted.
"Elise, look at me."
She finally met his gaze.
"I love you, Elise. More than anything in this world."
His grip on her shoulders remained firm.
"I can't live without you anymore. I will never cheat on you."
Elise's eyes widened. Her lips parted. Silence stretched between them for a moment.
"Really?"
Her voice came out small. Fragile.
"Are you telling me the truth?"
Her shoulders shuddered beneath his grasp.
"You're not cheating on me with that thieving cat? You truly didn't do anything with her?"
Hyoren looked deep into Elise's emerald eyes. His gaze did not waver. She searched his face—looking for any sign of dishonesty. She found only honesty staring back at her. But her heart remained uneasy. The doubt lingered.
"Please swear under Noctynara's and Luminara's names..."
She spoke her requirement. Swearing under a goddess's name—especially one's patron god—was significant in this world.
"If you lie, they will give you divine punishment."
For people of this world, especially those blessed by the gods, lying under a god's name invited consequences beyond mortal understanding.
Hyoren nodded slowly.
"Elise. I swear under Luminara's and Noctynara's names. I didn't do anything with Ina today. We just talked together at the guild. I didn't cheat on you."
His words settled into the room. A heavy silence followed.
Then—the three moons outside the window began to glow. Azure. Crimson. Ebony. Their light intensified for a brief moment, casting colored beams through the glass. Then the glow receded, returning to its normal soft luminescence.
Elise looked at the moons. Her breath caught. She finally nodded.
"I see."
Her voice was quiet.
"Noctynara actually accepted your words. You weren't lying."
A long moment passed. Elise's chaotic heart finally began to calm. The icy atmosphere around her faded, replaced by something softer. Warmer.
Hyoren waited. Every second stretched like eternity.
Elise finally exhaled. A weary sigh escaped her lips.
"Okay, Hyoren... I forgive you."
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
"It seems that thieving cat has never changed."
She remembered the cause of all this. Ina's teasing. Her prank. The deliberate marks—makeup and scent left behind on purpose. Ina had known Elise would catch it. She had done this intentionally.
"I'll strangle Ina next time I meet her."
Hyoren finally let out a relieved breath. The crisis had passed. His apology was accepted. The burden of guilt shifted to Ina.
Elise looked up at him. Her eyes were still red, but the tears had stopped.
"But Hyoren."
Her voice firmed.
"Please never lie to me anymore. No matter what."
She paused.
"I would rather hear a hurtful truth than glazed-over lies."
Another pause. Her voice grew quieter.
"What hurt me the most wasn't the thought of you cheating. It was that you were dishonest with me."
Hyoren nodded.
"I understand, Elise. I promise I will never lie to you again. No matter the reason."
Elise finally smiled. Her shoulders dropped. The tension drained from her body.
The room's atmosphere shifted. The chill receded entirely.
Hyoren pulled her into his arms. She hugged him back. They shared each other's warmth—counteracting the cold that their argument had created.
The couple's first crisis had been resolved. Something had changed between them. They had grown closer. A higher understanding now bridged their consciousness.
Hyoren decided then and there—he would never lie to Elise again. She was too perceptive. Lies would only complicate things further.
Elise accepted Hyoren's apology. But she realized something—something he wasn't even aware of. Despite Hyoren not falling for Ina, she was certain something had shifted between the two based on his words. She was perceptive. She could sense it—feelings that Hyoren himself hadn't yet recognized.
She turned her gaze toward the window. The three moons hung in the night sky.