Chapter 111 -Two People Growing Together
Chapter 111
Two People Growing Together
Date : Day 16 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Morning came for Hyoren with his body feeling refreshed. Yesterday's training ache was almost gone—replaced by new power beneath. It was like a massage and good night's sleep adjusting his muscles to a new habit. The stiffness that had plagued him the evening before had faded—leaving only a pleasant soreness that spoke of progress.
He stretched—feeling the muscles in his back and shoulders flex and release. The sensation was satisfying—a reminder that his body was adapting to the new demands he was placing on it.
He nudged Elise who slept on his side to wake up. His hand found her shoulder—gentle but insistent.
"Good Morning, Elise. It's morning already."
Elise rubbed her eyes before sitting up on the bed. The blanket fell down from her body—revealing the simple green nightgown she had worn to sleep. Her silver hair was disheveled—falling across her face in loose strands. She pushed it aside with an absent gesture—her emerald eyes still clouded with sleep. Before finally she looked at Hyoren.
"Morning, Hyoren."
She yawned—a delicate sound that made her pointed ears twitch slightly.
Both of them then went into their morning routine in the bathroom, side by side. The space was small—but comfortable enough for two people who had grown accustomed to each other's presence.
Elise washed her face then fixed her disheveled hair. The water splashed against her skin—waking her up with its cool touch. Before she tied it on a practical ponytail. Her silver hair swayed—the strands catching the morning light filtering through the small window.
Hyoren washed his face, then he shaved his stubbles. The razor moved smoothly across his jaw—leaving clean skin in its wake. He tied his hair with a simple cord—keeping it out of his face for the training ahead.
Back in the bedroom, Elise changed her nightgown to more practical clothes—she decided to go out to Guild for information today. She picked from her storage bag. An emerald shirt and dark green trouser. The fabric was sturdy—meant for movement and activity. She draped a yellow blazer on top of them to complete the ensemble and to combat near-winter cold. The color suited her—bringing out the green in her eyes and the silver in her hair.
Hyoren wore another training shirt and sturdy clothes. He was going to train with Ronald and Reon again. The shirt was simple—grey and unadorned—but it was clean and would absorb the sweat that was sure to come.
Both of them left their room to eat breakfast in the communal room downstairs. The hallway was quiet—the sounds of the inn still muffled with the early hour. Their footsteps echoed softly on the wooden floor—announcing their descent.
Martha's heartwarming and motherly smile greeted them. The smell of fresh bread and simmering stew wafted from the kitchen—filling the common room with a comforting aroma.
"Morning, dears. Breakfast?"
Elise and Hyoren sat on the counter. The stools creaked beneath their weight—familiar sounds that spoke of many mornings spent in this same spot.
"Yes, Martha. Hyoren there needs energy to last for today's training. And I want to venture out to do stuff myself."
Martha nodded. Her hands were already moving—reaching for bowls and utensils with practiced ease.
"Please wait a bit. Ok?"
Martha came back with breakfast. Bread and stew. Simple. But filling. The stew was thick with vegetables and chunks of meat—the broth rich and savory. The bread was fresh from the oven—still warm and soft beneath the crust.
Elise and Hyoren quickly ate. The food was comforting—the warmth spreading through their bodies and chasing away the last remnants of sleep. When their last stew was gone, they stood. The bowls were empty—only traces of broth remaining at the bottom.
"Okay Hyoren. Good luck on the training. I will go to the guild. And depending on what kind of skill I think is good, I might spend the rest of the day training too. I would join you if the training could be done in the backyard."
Hyoren nodded. He touched Elise's arm—his fingers brushing against the fabric of her blazer.
"Okay Elise, but promise me. Don't push yourself too hard, okay? You just recovered from a near-fatal wound..."
Elise smiled and grasped his hand. Her fingers intertwined with his—cool against his warmer skin. The contact was brief but meaningful—a silent promise passing between them.
"I promise."
She waved to him—her silver hair catching the morning light as she turned. Then went out of the Inn. The door swung shut behind her—the sound of her footsteps fading as she made her way into the city.
After her figure was gone, he also went to the Inn's backyard. The path was familiar now—his feet finding the way without conscious thought.
***
The morning suns had barely risen above the horizon when Hyoren stepped into the backyard. The air was cool—carrying the scent of dew and fresh grass. The sky was painted in hues of gold and silver—the dual suns casting their first light across the city of Akela.
Ronald was already there. His broad frame cast a long shadow across the training ground. Reon stood beside him—her wooden practice sword and shield already in hand.
"You're early, Lad. Good."
Ronald's voice was gruff—but there was a hint of approval beneath it. He gestured for Hyoren to take his position.
Hyoren nodded. He took his position—grasping the wooden practice shield in his left hand. The weight was familiar now—less foreign than it had been yesterday. His fingers found the grip with more confidence.
Ronald circled them—his eyes sharp and assessing.
"As I said yesterday, Stance is everything for a tank. Your lifeline!"
He stopped in front of Hyoren—his large hand adjusting the younger man's posture.
"Feet wider. Shoulder-width apart. Back leg angled—ready to receive weight."
Hyoren adjusted. His feet shifted across the grass—finding the proper position. His back leg angled slightly—his weight settling into his hips.
"Better than yesterday. Much better. You're not fighting the stance anymore."
He moved to Reon—checking her posture as well. His hand adjusted her shield arm—moving it slightly higher.
"Good, Reon. Your form is solid. But don't let your shield drift too low when you're tired. That's when the enemy will find the gap."
Reon nodded. Her expression was focused—determined.
"Yes, Papa!"
The time passed slowly—marked only by the movement of the suns across the sky. When Ronald finally called time, Hyoren's arms dropped to his sides.
"Good. Both of you held your stance. Now we move to mock battle."
Ronald retrieved his own practice sword and shield—his movements casual but precise. He took his position across from Hyoren—the distance between them measured and deliberate.
"Yesterday, you kept retreating. Today, I want you to hold your ground. Don't step back. Absorb the impact and stand firm."
Hyoren nodded. His grip tightened on his shield—the wood smooth beneath his fingers.
Ronald attacked. Again. And again. Each strike was measured but powerful—the wooden blade crashing against Hyoren's shield with solid thwacks. The impacts jarred through his body—but he didn't retreat. His stance held.
He continued to attack while Hyoren took the attack with his shield. Ronald sometimes told Hyoren to counter-attack. He tried. But his posture and swing is still awkward
Ronald stepped back—lowering his practice sword. His chest heaved slightly—from exertion or approval, Hyoren couldn't tell.
"You're learning faster than I expected, Lad. Your body is adapting quickly. The way you hold your shield is already good. You still need to attack properly with the sword."
Ronald then asked Reon and Hyoren to do mock battle.
The mock battle with Reon was different. She was faster than Ronald—more agile. But her strikes lacked the veteran's raw power. Hyoren found himself adjusting—learning to read her movements and anticipate her attacks.
"Your form is getting better, Hyoren!"
Reon's voice was bright—encouraging.
The morning wore on—marked by the movement of the suns across the sky. Sweat dripped down Hyoren's temples.
The afternoon brought the mindless repetition of sword swings. A thousand practice swings—vertical and horizontal—over and over until the motion became second nature.
When Ronald finally called an end to the day's training, Hyoren's arms dropped to his sides. The practice sword slipped from his grip—clattering against the ground. His chest heaved—each breath visible in the cooling air.
"That's enough for today."
Ronald collected the practice weapons—his movements unhurried and efficient.
"Tomorrow, same time. We'll continue with stance and mock battle in the morning. Sword practice in the afternoon."
Hyoren nodded. His body ached—but it was a good ache. The ache of progress. Of improvement.
"Thank you, Ronald. For training me."
Ronald shrugged. The motion was casual—but his eyes were serious.
"You're learning faster than I expected, Lad. Keep this up and you'll have Sword Mastery and Shield Mastery in no time."
He clapped Hyoren on the shoulder—his large hand heavy but not unkind.
"Rest well tonight. Tomorrow will be harder."
Hyoren watched as Ronald and Reon retreated into the inn—their figures disappearing through the doorway. The sounds of the city drifted over the backyard—the distant chatter of vendors, the clatter of carts on cobblestones.
He stood alone in the fading light. His body was exhausted. His mind was foggy. But somewhere beneath the fatigue—something had taken root. A foundation. A beginning. And the quiet satisfaction of knowing he was getting better.
***
He entered the Inn. His fatigue was not as much as before. His muscles were still aching—but his steps were steady now. Not wobbly like yesterday. Two days of training had already acclimated his muscles into a new routine. The soreness was still there—a constant companion that throbbed with each movement—but it was manageable.
He sat on the counter. Martha put down the glass she wiped and approached him with the same motherly smile. Her round face was warm—welcoming.
"You look better than yesterday. Is training good?"
Hyoren nodded. He put his elbow on the counter—leaning slightly to take the weight off his tired legs.
"Yeah Martha. Ronald was still strict."
He flexed his fingers. The motion sent a dull ache through his forearm.
"But I think I've started to grasp it."
Martha smiled. The expression was genuine—pleased by his progress.
"That's good. Now you want to eat dinner or wait for Elise?"
He was so peckish. His stomach growled softly—an audible reminder that he hadn't eaten since breakfast. The sound echoed in the quiet inn—making Martha chuckle.
"I think I will eat now... I felt so hungry... I don't know when she's going back anyway."
Martha nodded then went to the kitchen to bring him his dinner. She returned with a hearty meal—stew thick with vegetables and chunks of meat, a loaf of fresh bread, and a mug of chilled beer that condensation beaded on the surface.
Hyoren ate quickly. He finished every last bite—scraping the bowl clean with a piece of bread.
Then he went upstairs to their room after thanking Martha. His footsteps echoed on the wooden stairs.. The door creaked open.
The empty room greeted him. But he was not bothered. He trusted Elise to be safe and will come back soon.
He quickly took a shower and then sat on the chair. The hot water had done wonders for his aching muscles—loosening the knots that had formed during the day's training.
He got free time. He decided it was a good time to start writing his journal. He took an empty journal and pen from his storage bag. The paper and fountain pen was the one he bought from Dandi's store. The leather cover was smooth beneath his fingers—the pages crisp and blank.
He started writing. The ink flowed smoothly across the page—leaving dark lines in its wake.
Day 13 Crownfire 1024 AY. I was transported into this World of Kresneger. In the middle of Forest of No Return.
He wrote about the 30 day survival period. The memories surfaced with startling clarity—the fear, the confusion, the desperate struggle to survive. He wrote about the first days—the disorientation of waking in an unfamiliar forest, the panic of realizing he was in absurd situation, the determination that had kept him moving forward. He wrote about finding the cave that would become his base—the relief of having shelter, the satisfaction of making it his own. He wrote about the endless cycle of grinding, hunting, and gathering.
Day 13 of Harvest Moon 1024. I left my base to head to civilization.
The decision to leave had been easy—he need to find civilization. He left monumen on the cave. He wrote about the journey downstream—entering territory of goblins, which he only know later as territory of Shadowden Collective’s Walock, Goblin King.
Day 20 of Harvest Moon 1024 AY. I met Elise.
He wrote about the encounter. He felt nostalgic. He was saving her from a goblins warband, risking his own life. And he found her inside a burlap sack. He wrote about her initial wariness.
Then he wrote about their journey together.
Elise was guarded at first. Then slowly she opened up and they became close. He wrote about the long days of travel—the conversations that had started stilted and become easy, the silences that had gone from awkward to comfortable. He wrote about the moments that had defined their relationship—the gradual realization that he had found something precious in this unfamiliar world.
Day 25 of Harvest Moon 1024 AY. We fought Alpha Green Wolf.
The desperate life-or-death battle with Alpha. The first time he met Luminara and Noctynara. He received Unique skill Berserker and Their blessing. He saved Elise for the second time. The memory was still sharp—the desperation of the fight and the strange encounter with the Twin Goddesses.
He then continued writing. They arrived at Akela. They went into Ghost Village. The Horror they saw on that village. About Voided Covenant. Until the date which became one of his fond memories.
Day 3 of Grimleaf 1024 AY. I confess to Elise. We became lovers.
The confession under three moons on the Whispering Forest. Beside the ethereal pond. The intimacy. His pen slowed as he wrote this part—the memory too precious to rush through. The confession. The intimacy of that night.
He couldn't help but smile. The expression curved his lips—a soft, tender thing that spoke of happiness found in unlikely circumstances.
He continued writing.
About them taking their second quest. Goblin Settlement. The war of attrition which was deceptively good at first. Until they entered the main tunnel of Old Quarry.
Day 11 of Grimleaf 1024 AY. We fight Hifoppe. Elise almost died.
The day which changed a lot of things. Encounter with servant of Demon God Gidol. Goblin Knight Hifoppe. The master of Iaijutsu.
He wrote about the discovery of the dungeon—the shock of seeing the archway, the realization that they had stumbled upon something far more dangerous than a simple goblin settlement.
Then about the fight with Hifoppe. Elise almost got bisected into two. His desperate fight using Berserker again. Then desperate and botched attempts to save Elise.
It was just four days ago. But it already felt like it had happened long ago. He felt it was a memory which he was never going to forget. The reason he decided to switch roles from speedy fighter to tank.
He set down the pen. The ink was still wet—gleaming softly in the lamplight.
He closed the journal. The leather cover was smooth beneath his fingers—still new, still waiting to be filled with more memories. He placed it back in his storage bag—careful to keep it flat so the ink wouldn't smudge.
***
Hyoren sat on the bed. Relaxing.
Not long after, the door opened. Elise entered. She looked exhausted—but satisfied. Her silver hair was disheveled—strands clinging to her forehead with perspiration.
He smiled looking at her.
"Welcome back Elise."
She smiled back at him. The expression was tired—but genuine.
"I'm back, safe and sound, Hyoren."
She put down her blazer on the chair. Before plopping on the bed. The mattress dipped beneath her weight—a soft sigh escaping her lips as she sank into the familiar comfort.
"How's your training?"
Hyoren leaned back into the headboard.
"Good. Ronald even praised me."
Elise's mouth curled even more. Her pointed ears twitched with amusement.
"Fufu. That was expected. Your determination is truly something Hyoren. It should surprise even veterans like Ronald."
She then stood. Fanned herself using her own green shirt. The fabric fluttered—creating a small breeze against her heated skin.
"Let me take a shower first. I felt icky..."
Elise then took her nightgown from her storage bag—the ethereal green fabric spilling over her arm. And went into the shower. The door clicked shut behind her—the sound of running water following shortly after.
Not long after she exited the bathroom, wearing her favorite green nightgown. The thin fabric clung to her still-damp skin—highlighting the curves beneath. Her silver hair was loose—falling over her shoulders in damp waves that caught the light. She plopped herself beside Hyoren on the bed. The mattress shifted again—accommodating her weight as she settled into her usual spot.
"Hyoren, you've already eaten, right?"
He looked at her. His eyes traced the lines of her face—the contentment in her expression, the relaxation in her posture.
"Yeah, after training, I felt so hungry so I decided to eat first. How about you?"
Elise smiled. The expression was mysterious—a hint of something playful lurking beneath the surface.
"I already eat with Ina. We discuss a lot of things. That's what makes me late. Fufu."
She looked at him with a mysterious smile again. And there was a glint of something on her emerald eyes—something he couldn't quite read. It was teasing—knowing—as if she were holding a secret that she wasn't ready to share.
Hyoren nodded. He noticed it, but it was not important for him, he would not pry. He knew there is something called girls talk. He decided to change the conversation
"So, tell me what you find in the guild reference room, Elise."
Elise shifted closer to him. Her body pressed against his side—warm and soft through the thin fabric of her nightgown.
"Yeah... I found something good. Ina showed me a book about dungeons. After discussing it with her, I decided to train one skill first... the most important one before any party enters a dungeon."
Hyoren tilted his head. His interest was piqued.
"What is it, Elise?"
Elise smiled. Her emerald eyes sparkled in the lamplight.
"It's called Mapping. A must-have skill for scouts or rangers like me. It will make dungeon diving much easier."
Hyoren's interest deepened. The name alone sparked something in his mind—a memory of games he had played before, mechanics that had made exploration easier.
Mapping. It sounded almost like something from a game. Was it what he thought it was? A skill that mapped the labyrinth automatically?
He needed to be sure.
"Mapping... what does it do? And how do you get it?"
Elise turned fully to face him. Her legs tucked beneath her—her posture attentive. The light caught the silver in her hair—making it shimmer.
"It's a skill that automatically maps the surroundings for us. A map appears in our mind. As we move, it fills in. And once we've explored a dungeon floor, it stays—stored as memory."
Her eyes brightened with excitement. The emerald depths seemed to glow with enthusiasm.
"It's mainly used for dungeons. It works outside too, but very limited. We can only see a small radius around us, and nothing gets stored permanently."
Hyoren nodded slowly, processing the implications of what she was telling him.
The ability to automatically map a labyrinth—to never get lost, to always know where you were and where you had been. It was invaluable.
"That's incredible. Exploring a labyrinth would be so much easier. No more getting lost... no need to leave markers..."
He looked at her. His dark eyes met her emerald ones—searching for more information.
"So how do you actually learn it?"
Elise began to explain. Her hands moved as she spoke—gesturing to emphasize her points.
"It's quite difficult... I need to perceive my surroundings as a three-dimensional image in my mind."
She continued, carefully. Her voice was measured—choosing her words with precision.
"The method is to build a mental map of everything around you. Using all your senses. The more complex the environment, the more maze-like it is, the faster you can learn the skill."
She told him about her practice. Walking through residential areas. Navigating narrow, winding streets. Trying to etch every detail into her mind. The turns, the landmarks, the distances—all of it had to be captured and held in her memory.
The walking itself wasn't tiring. But mentally—it was exhausting. The constant focus required to map her surroundings—to hold the image in her mind while simultaneously updating it with new information—was draining in a way that physical exertion never was.
"That sounds... tiring."
He smiled at her. The expression was soft—sympathetic. He understood the kind of exhaustion that came from mental strain. It was different from physical fatigue—but no less real.
"I think we both deserve rest, Elise. Let's sleep."
Hyoren then lay on the bed, and patted her side. Telling Elise to sleep too.
She then snuggled close to him. Taking her favorite spot. Her head found its place in the crook of his neck—her silver hair spilling across his chest like moonlight. She looked up, then kissed him. He kissed her back. The good night kiss. It was soft—brief—but filled with warmth. The kind of kiss that spoke of comfort and familiarity—of two people who had found each other in an unlikely world.
Then both of them sleep not long after. They were both exhausted. And in the quiet of their room, Hyoren and Elise slept.
***
Days passed afterwards for Hyoren and Elise. The routine became familiar—mornings spent apart, evenings spent together. The Inn became their sanctuary—their room a haven where they could shed the exhaustion of the day and simply be.
Elise would go out to train her Mapping skill. She left early each morning—her emerald shirt and yellow blazer a splash of color against the grey streets of Akela. Her silver hair was tied back in a practical ponytail—her emerald eyes bright with determination everytime she exited the Inn.
Meanwhile, Hyoren trained with Reon and Ronald. The backyard of the Wanderer's Rest became his second home—the grass worn thin from their constant footwork, the wooden practice weapons familiar in his grip.
They talked about their progress in their room at night while cuddling with each other. The three moons cast their colored light through the window—painting soft shadows across the bed. Elise would tuck herself against his side—her head resting on his chest, her silver hair spilling across his skin like moonlight. They spent the day separated. So the night became their comfort—a time to reconnect and share the small victories and frustrations of their respective trainings.
Elise talked about how she befriended some housewives in the Residential District. Her voice was soft—tinged with amusement as she recounted the stories.
"They kept asking if I was lost at first. An elf wandering through the narrow streets, stopping at every corner to look around. They thought I was a tourist."
She shifted against him—her fingers tracing idle patterns on his chest.
"But then they started recognizing me. Now they wave when I pass by. Some even offer me tea when I take a break."
Her progress was good. She now could walk properly, despite slowly, while trying to create a 3D mental image of her surroundings. The maze-like street definitely was the perfect place to train skill to map a labyrinth.
"It's getting easier… The mental image forms faster now. I can almost hold it while walking at a normal pace."
Hyoren talked about his and Reon's progress. They steadily became better. His voice was tired but satisfied—the exhaustion of the day evident in every word.
"Ronald didn't correct me as much today. He only had to adjust my stance twice during the entire morning session."
Elise looked up at him—her emerald eyes soft in the moonlight.
"That's good progress, Hyoren. You're learning faster than you think."
He kissed the top of her head—his lips brushing against her silver hair.
"I have a good teacher. And a good reason to improve."
The next day—3rd day of training—Hyoren could already hold his shield stance and sword swing without making Ronald correct himself every few minutes. The veteran's comments became fewer—replaced by occasional nods of approval. The stance that had felt so unnatural on the first day was beginning to feel almost comfortable. His body was learning—adapting to the new demands he was placing on it.
Elise said she started to get used to walking with normal pace and mentally noting the surroundings. Her face was flushed with excitement when she told him that night—the exhaustion of mental strain evident in her eyes but tempered by the satisfaction of progress.
"I walked through three streets without losing the image today. Three whole streets, Hyoren!"
She buried her face in his chest—her voice muffled against his skin.
"I was so tired afterward. But it felt good. Like something clicked."
On the 4th day, Hyoren said he could win over Reon. Once. But it was progress. The mock battle had been intense—both of them pushing each other to the limit. Reon was faster, more experienced. But Hyoren had held his ground. He had absorbed her strikes, countered when the opportunity arose, and—just once—managed to disarm her.
Ronald also praised him. The veteran's words were gruff—but genuine.
"Good work, Lad. You're starting to think like a tank."
The compliment had meant more than Hyoren expected. He repeated it to Elise that night—his voice carrying a hint of pride.
Elise said the people on Residential's District already knew her, even gave her a nickname. Her progress was also good. She almost did the mental image with second nature. She laughed when she told him—the sound light and musical.
"They gave me a nickname! The Wandering Elf! Can you believe it?"
Her pointed ears twitched with amusement—a habit he had come to recognize as a sign of genuine pleasure.
"I think it's because I walk the same streets every day, stopping at every corner to look around. They must think I'm lost all the time."
She snuggled closer to him—her body warm against his.
"But it's working. The mental image comes faster now. I can almost hold it without thinking about it."
Then on the 5th day of Hyoren's training, it happened. The dual suns of Kresneger had not even reached their zenith—the morning still young and the air still cool with dew.
He had just finished a mock battle with Reon. His chest heaved with exertion—sweat dripping down his temples and soaking through his training shirt. His arms ached from holding the shield aloft—his legs trembled from the constant stance work. But there was a satisfaction beneath the fatigue—a sense that something had shifted.
Then the notification arrived. The Voice of Aethell announcing he reached his current goal.
"Shield Mastery - Skill Acquired."
"Sword Mastery - Skill Acquired."
The words appeared in his mind—crystal clear and undeniable. A knowledge of how to properly wield a sword and shield came to his mind. It was like a door had opened—a flood of understanding that poured into his consciousness. The shield and sword in his hand now felt like an extension of his body. The weight that had once seemed foreign now felt natural. The balance that had always been slightly off now settled into place.
He stared at his hands—the practice weapons still gripped in his fingers. They felt different now. Familiar. Like they had always belonged there.