Chapter 116 – That’s Secret
Chapter 116
That’s Secret
Date : Day 21 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren woke up from his sleep. The light from the small Sol was low, while the bigger silver Luna was more pronounced. It washed the room with a silverish hue—casting soft shadows across the bedsheets and illuminating the dust motes that drifted lazily in the air.
He felt the weight of Elise, a warm, soft blanket draped across his chest, her silver hair tickling his chin. Her body was pressed against his—her breathing slow and steady.
He sat up. Remembering they need to go to quest today. He nudged Elise.
"Elise, wake up. We need to prepare. Scouting dungeon, remember?"
As if in response to his call, Elise stirred. She let out a pained whimper and burrowed deeper into his side. Her arm tightened around his waist—pulling him closer as if seeking refuge from the light. Slowly, reluctantly, she opened her eyes. For a moment, she just blinked, her gaze unfocused.
"Ugghhh my head hurt... My body feels heavy..."
She sat, the blanket fell to reveal her form. Evidence of what had happened the night before was visible. Hurt from hangovers, her fingers pressed against her temples.
Hyoren touched her arms, trying to anchor her to reality.
"Elise, you should not drink too much next time. You were so... crazy... last night. I was worried you going to wake up entire district..."
Hyoren's words finally woke her up completely. Still hurt from hangovers, but memory flooded back in.
She made a small, horrified sound and immediately slapped a hand over her face, hiding behind it as if she could physically block out the recollection.
"Oh, gods, I didn't. I didn't actually... scream, did I?"
Hyoren smiled wryly. The expression was fond—tinged with amusement at her expense.
"You did. Loudly."
She shook. Her body shivered—not from cold but from the sheer weight of embarrassment. Her pointed ears drooped—flattening against her silver hair in a way he had never seen before.
"By Sylvana's. My ears... It was too sensitive... I couldn't help it... the scream..."
She couldn't even finish the sentence, the mortification too great.
Hyoren's practicality took over. He touched Elise's shoulder. Trying to remind her about reality.
"You fine, Elise? We need to go to guild in the morning, remember?"
The mention of guild finally made Elise stop shivering. Realization dawned over her. She put down her hand covering her face. She was still flushed. But tried to recompose herself.
But as she turned to face Hyoren, her head throb again.
"Ugh. My head..."
She pointed at table, where they put their storage bag. Her finger trembled slightly—the aftereffects of the hangover still lingering.
"Hyoren... please... potion..."
Hyoren nodded, quickly fetched potions from storage bag. The green liquid sloshed inside the glass bottle. He gave it to Elise who quickly emptied it.
The effect was almost instant. Her wobbly body and furrowed brows receded. She stopped clutching her head too.
"Oh... this is better."
She put down the glass and looked at Hyoren. Her emerald eyes were clear now—sharp and focused once more.
"Please... stop me next time if I start drinking too much, Hyoren."
Hyoren smiled wryly. The expression was knowing—he had already lived through the experience of trying.
"I already tried. You couldn't be stopped."
Elise flushed, clearly embarrassed. Her pointed ears twitched quickly.
"I don't even know how, but just... stop me next time, okay? I don't want to go through that embarrassment again..."
She quickly slipped off the bed and grabbed a bathrobe from a nearby chair. The movement was swift—almost frantic. As if putting distance between herself and the bed would somehow erase what had happened there.
Her emerald dress and the sheer silk robe lay scattered across the floor—silent evidence of what had happened the night before.
She wrapped the robe loosely around herself.
Then, without lingering, she made her way toward the bathroom. The hangover was gone, but the memory wasn't—so she chose the easier path. Move on and pretended it didn't happen.
Just before entering, she paused and glanced back.
"Come on, Hyoren. Why are you standing there like that? We still have Harvengald's scouting party to meet."
Hyoren let out a quiet chuckle, amused at how quickly she had recovered—or rather, how quickly she pretended to. Shaking his head, he pulled on his pants and followed her toward the bathroom.
They did their morning routine with quick and practiced motion.
Not long after, Hyoren was already back in his adventurer outfit. Durable tunic and trouser. And his trusty Ramtauro Armor draped over them. His new sword and shield was still in storage bag. Ready for when they exit the town.
But Elise was different. Hyoren couldn't help but stare.
She wore the new leather armor she had gotten from Jena the night before. The leather was supple—hugging her form in a way that was both practical and striking.
It was a deep green—matching the tone she favored in her clothes and accessories. Subtle accents of lighter green and yellow traced along the trims and seams, drawing the eye to certain lines of her form.
The outfit consisted of a fitted tunic and trousers, tailored to her body. It followed her silhouette closely—practical for movement, yet impossible not to notice. The leather moved with her—flexing and bending as she shifted her weight. Every curve was accounted for. Every line was deliberate.
Around her hips, a short, pleated layer of fabric hung like a small skirt. It offered modesty, but with every step it fluttered lightly, hinting at movement beneath and pulling attention without trying. The fabric was the same deep green as the rest of the armor—but the pleats caught the light differently, creating subtle variations in shade.
The armor covered her fully—appropriate for the approaching winter. Her arms were protected. Her legs were sheathed in the same supple leather. Her torso was encased in the fitted tunic. Nothing was left exposed to the cold.
And yet, not all of it was opaque.
Certain sections were crafted from a different material—fine, almost translucent, like a delicate mesh. Along the upper chest and parts of her abdomen, it concealed without truly hiding.
It revealed nothing outright. But suggested enough.
A faint glimpse of toned skin beneath. The subtle lines of her body, visible only when the light caught it just right.
A balance between protection and allure.
Over her shoulders, an emerald mantle draped and flowed with her movement—adding a final touch of elegance to the otherwise practical armor.
She turned—and caught him staring. Her emerald eyes sparkled with amusement—the earlier embarrassment forgotten in the face of his obvious admiration.
“You’re staring, Hyoren. Fufu.”
She spun lightly in place. The mantle and skirt-like fabric fluttered along with her silver hair, catching the light as she moved.
“So? How’s my new armor?”
Hyoren blinked, snapping out of his daze.
"It looks good on you, Elise. Actually... better than your last one. You look... graceful. And... Beautiful..."
The word felt inadequate—too small to capture what he was seeing. But it was the best he could manage.
Elise's smile widened. She touched the edge of the skirt-like fabric, clearly pleased.
"I'm glad you like it. Jena and I designed this together. She took most of my ideas and turned them into this. Fufu."
Hyoren's gaze drifted again—this time toward the sections that weren't fully opaque. The mesh that suggested more than it revealed. The areas where protection seemed secondary to aesthetics.
He frowned slightly.
"But... is it really fine? Some parts don't look like they offer much protection. From the cold… or from attacks."
Elise followed his gaze, glancing down at the area he meant.
"Don't worry. Jena already accounted for that."
She tapped lightly against the armor.
"Remember the runic inscriptions she mentioned? This has two. One was a temperature control rune—similar to our cloak, just a bit weaker. The other is an enhanced defense rune."
She gestured toward the window.
"Of course, I'll still need the cloak when it gets really cold, or when it starts snowing. But for mild weather, this is more than enough."
Then she looked back at him, confidence clear in her eyes.
"And don't worry about protection. This is Aerostag leather. It's actually sturdier than my old armor."
Hyoren nodded in understanding. Jena already accounted for everything. A balance of aesthetic form and functionality.
Elise approached the door. Her hand found the handle—her fingers curling around the metal with practiced ease.
"Let's go, Hyoren. Time for breakfast then we will go to guild."
Hyoren fixed his posture and followed her.
"Let's go."
***
Elise and Hyoren quickly went downstairs. Into the communal room of Wanderer's Rest. The communal room was quieter than usual—a few patrons nursing their breakfasts, a couple of adventurers hunched over their meals. The atmosphere was—different. People glanced their way. Quick looks that darted away the moment they were noticed.
They sat at the counter. The wooden stools were worn smooth from years of use—comfortable in their familiarity. Elise greeted Martha. Her voice was steady—carefully controlled.
"Martha, please. Breakfast for us."
Martha's mother's smile was a bit different. It was still mother-like. But the mother who caught her kids was misbehaved. The kind of smile that promised consequences—gentle but firm. Her eyes held a knowing glint that made both of them want to sink through the floor.
She quickly went to the kitchen without words.
Hyoren and Elise exchanged glances. Knowing what caused this. Their ears were matching red now. The flush spread from the tips of their pointed ears down to their cheeks—a mirror image of mortification.
After a while, she appeared again. With a large, steaming platter of meats, beans, and toast in her hands. She slammed it down on the table with a little more force than necessary. The plates rattled—the silverware jumped.
She put her hands on her hips, her frame a formidable obstacle between them and escape. Her stance was wide—her expression uncompromising. This was not the Martha who fussed over them. This was the Martha who had something to say.
"Morning. Hope you two had a restful night."
The emphasis on restful was unmistakable. Her tone was sweet—but the sweetness had edges.
Hyoren just stared at his plate. Elise seemed to be trying to phase through her chair. Her hands had come up to cover her face.
"Because the rest of us? The rest of us got to listen to a wraith getting exorcised for an hour. Old Man Hemlock in room 201 thought a goblin had gotten loose. He nearly took a chunk out of his bedpost with his axe."
Elise let out a small, strangled squeak from behind her hands. The sound was barely audible—more of a whimper than a word.
Martha leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that was somehow more intimidating than her shout.
"Look, I'm all for young love. And I'm glad you're celebrating being alive. But for the love of Luminara, woman, next time, just... bite a pillow. Or your man. I don't care which. Just give the rest of us a break."
She straightened up, her expression softening slightly. The scolding is done. The mother comfort came back. Her eyes lost their sharp edge—replaced by something warmer.
"Now eat your breakfast. You look like you both need it."
She turned and stomped back towards the kitchen, leaving them to die of their combined mortification.
Slowly, Elise lowered her hands from her face. Her skin was the color of a ripe tomato. The flush extended from her cheeks down her neck—visible even above the collar of her new armor. She looked at Hyoren, her eyes wide with horror. The emerald eyes were bright with embarrassment.
"I would never drinking too much again."
Her whisper voice filled with utter conviction.
Hyoren smiled. He reached for her hand. His fingers found hers—warm and comforting against the chill of the morning.
"It's okay. I thought it was... kind of amazing. Next time, drink four bottles, okay? Haha."
He teased her. The grin on his face was impossible to suppress—the mischief in his eyes genuine.
“Mou… stop that... I don’t want to feel this embarrassed again!”
Elise poked at her meat with a fork, her appetite still waging a war against her profound embarrassment. She could feel Martha's eyes on her from across the room and was convinced every patron in the tavern was mentally replaying the sounds from the night before. Every clink of silverware. Every murmur of conversation. They all seemed to carry hidden meanings.
Hyoren watched her. He took a sip of water, then leaned forward, lowering his voice. And he grinned. The expression was boyish—playful in a way that made her want to throw something at him and kiss him at the same time.
"You know. For all your complaining... I think I'd like to see drunken Elise again."
Elise's head snapped up, her fork clattering against her plate. The sound was sharp—drawing a few glances from nearby tables. Her face, which had just begun to return to a normal color, flushed anew.
"Hyoren! Don't you dare! That was... that was a complete loss of control! It was mortifying!"
Hyoren chuckled. His smile was unwavering. The sound was warm—affectionate rather than mocking.
"It was honest. And uninhibited. And... very, very enthusiastic."
He let the last word hang in the air, enjoying the way it made her squirm.
"I liked it."
Elise opened her mouth to retort, but no words came out. She was flustered, torn between her lingering shame and the undeniable warmth that spread through her chest at his genuine appreciation. Her lips parted—then closed—then parted again.
Seeing her, Hyoren decided to change the subject, offering a new, practical distraction.
"Besides. If we're going to be staying here for a while, we're going to need a better solution than an inn room. This will solve the problem of your 'scream'. Haha."
Elise was mortified when he mentioned the scream, but she latched onto the new topic with a new feeling. The embarrassment was pushed aside—replaced by curiosity.
"What do you mean?"
Hyoren put down his fork. And turned to Elise. Explaining what is his mind. His posture shifted—becoming more engaged. More focused.
"The dungeon. If this new dungeon is as good as we think it is, it could be our primary grinding spot for months. We don't need to rush to Harvengald's dungeon to grind. We could still live in Akela for a while."
He gestured vaguely around the tavern. The motion encompassed the worn wooden tables, the clinking mugs, the murmured conversations, the thin walls that had proven all too transparent.
"Living out of an inn, even a good one, isn't sustainable. It's expensive for the long run, and it's... loud."
He shot her a meaningful glance. The implication was clear.
Elise tapped her chin. The gesture was thoughtful—her mind already working through the possibilities.
"So what's the alternative?"
Hyoren smiled. The expression was confident—like he had been thinking about this for a while.
"We rent a house. Find a small place here in the district... A place with a kitchen, a proper bath, storage, yard for training maybe, and most importantly, thick walls."
The idea was so simple—so domestic, that it caught Elise completely off guard. She had been living out of inns and tents for decades. The concept of having a permanent, private base of operations in a city was a luxury she had only ever considered for retired adventurers. Her fork paused halfway to her mouth—forgotten in the wake of this new idea.
"A house?"
Hyoren laid out the plan. His voice was enthusiastic. The words came faster now—propelled by excitement and genuine belief in the idea.
"Yeah. We could come and go as we please, without having to worry about waking up the entire building."
He looked at her, his dark eyes locked into her emerald eyes.
"We could build a home base. For us. For the Freedom Party. We definitely have a budget for that, right?"
Elise stared at him. The mortification of the morning melted away, replaced by a warm, blossoming hope. A house. A home. With him.
It wasn't just about convenience or privacy. It was about what it represented. Stability. A place to return to that was truly theirs. Somewhere that was more than just a room they rented by the night. Somewhere that was theirs.
A slow, brilliant smile spread across her face, chasing away the last of her blush. The transformation was remarkable—the embarrassment replaced by something brighter. Something hopeful.
"A house for us. I like that. I like that a lot."
She leaned forward, her emerald eyes sparkling with a new excitement.
"And yeah. We still have about 10 Million Kres after our gear upgrade. We could buy a small house, or rent a big one. Alright, Hyoren. After we explore this new dungeon, if it's as promising as we think... we'll find ourselves a home."
Elise's smile bloomed into a full, radiant expression of delight. The last vestiges of her morning embarrassment had vanished, completely consumed by the exciting, tangible vision of the future he had just handed her.
***
Hyoren and Elise quickly finished their breakfast and parted with Martha. She had given them a knowing nod as they left—her earlier scolding forgiven but not forgotten.
They exited the Wanderer's Rest The morning air was crisp—the kind of cold that bit at exposed skin and made breath visible in small puffs. The dual suns had started to peeked from the horizon. The Adventurer's District was waking up—vendors setting up their stalls, adventurers stumbling out of taverns with bleary eyes, the smell of fresh bread drifting from a nearby bakery.
They started walking, And after a while, they arrived at their destination, Adventurer's Guild HQ. The building rose before them. A two-story structure made of Ironwood and stone. The walls were thick and sturdy—built to withstand more than just weather.
The sign above the door depicted two swords crossing with a shield behind them. The symbol of the Adventurer's Guild. This was an organization that took pride in its appearance and its purpose.
Hyoren pushed the heavy Ironwood door and they entered. The door swung open with a familiar creak—the sound of well-maintained hinges moving smoothly despite the weight.
Inside, the guild hall was still sparse. They were still early. The morning light streamed through the narrow windows—casting long shadows across the wooden floor. Adventurers on the multiple counters taking quests. Some on the wall near the quest board deciding which quest to take. The murmur of conversation filled the space—a low hum of activity that would grow louder as the day progressed.
Hyoren scanned the surrounding, and his eyes found the Cat-clan beastkin clerk slash Vice Guild Master—Ina—waiting near the stairs to the second floor. She waved at them. Her arm moved in an exaggerated motion—the kind of wave that demanded attention.
"Hey, Hyoren! Come here!"
They walked to her. Ina smiled brightly. Her cat ears perked up—the triangular shapes rotating toward them like small radar dishes. Her tails swished quickly. The motion was unmistakable, a display of genuine excitement.
"Hyoren! Long time no see. It's been over a week since we parted on Oria's."
She definitely ignored Elise. Her amber eyes were fixed solely on Hyoren—as if the silver-haired elf ranger beside him simply didn't exist. Her attention was laser-focused—unwavering in its intensity.
Elise's eyebrows twitched. The movement was subtle—but telling. A vein seemed to pulse at her temple—the only outward sign of her mounting irritation.
Hyoren smiled wryly. The expression was familiar—resigned. He had seen this interaction play out before. He knew better than to intervene.
"Long time no see, Ina."
Ina leaned forward and looked up. Because she was short, her face was close to Hyoren’s chest. Her large amber eyes were upturned.
He could almost smell her fragrance. It was floral—sweet and intoxicating. Her hands wandered to his chest. Her fingers traced the leather of his armor—seeming to find any excuse to maintain contact.
"I missed you..."
Her voice was low—husky. The words were breathed rather than spoken—intimate in a way that felt deliberately provocative.
And in a heartbeat, Elise cut them off. She stepped between them—her body a physical barrier that forced Ina to retreat. Her movement was swift—decisive. The kind of motion that brooked no argument.
"Ina, you... We discussed this before! We agreed to…"
Her words trailed off, it seems there was an unspoken agreement between the two that she didn’t want Hyoren to know.
She shook her head, then her emerald eyes looked at the cat beastkin.
Ina finally realized Elise was also present. Or pretended she just noticed. She giggled. The sound was light—musical. Her cat tails swished faster—the motion almost hypnotic in its rhythm.
She looked Elise from top to bottom. Her amber eyes traveled slowly—taking in every detail of the new armor. The fitted leather. The deep green color. The translucent mesh sections. The emerald mantle.
"Ooh, Elise, you are here too. I just realized. And wow, your new armor was fancy."
Elise's expression was stern. Her pointed ears were still—frozen in a way that betrayed her irritation. She didn't take the flattery. The compliment rolled off her.
Ina gave up, she stepped backward and fixed her posture. The shift was visible—her body language changing from predatory to conciliatory. Her tails slowed their swishing.
"Fine. Fine. I understand. I will hold back..."
She paused. The hesitation was deliberate—a moment of suspense before the inevitable qualification.
"For now."
And she smiled mischievously and giggled. The sound was knowing—a promise wrapped in amusement. Her amber eyes sparkled with mischief—the look of someone who had no intention of keeping her word for long.
"I will wait patiently."
Elise heaved a relieved sigh. The tension in her shoulders released slightly—though not entirely. Her pointed ears twitched once before settling back into their usual alert position.
"Good if you understand."
Hyoren was bewildered.
He had no idea what had just passed between the two of them.
They had clearly decided something—but the exchange had been subtle, almost coded. Full of implications he couldn’t quite grasp.
His dark eyes flicked between them, trying to catch the meaning that seemed to slip right past him.
“What are you two talking about?”
Ina’s mischievous smile widened, the corners of her lips curling with quiet satisfaction—like someone holding onto a delicious secret.
Elise’s expression softened into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
Then, in perfect unison—they said.
“That’s a secret.”
Hyoren blinked, caught off guard. His brows rose, his mouth parting slightly in surprise.
The synchronized answer—along with the shared amusement between them—threw him off more than the words themselves.
Just moments ago, Elise had been tense around Ina. Now, they were in sync. It didn’t make sense.
But Hyoren let out a quiet breath and chose not to press further. He understood enough about women. Girl’s Talk. Girl’s Secret. He know when he was out of his depth. Some things simply weren’t meant for him to know.
“…Fine.”
He then decided to go into practicality. To erase the curious thought. His expression shifted from bewildered to businesslike—the transition smooth and deliberate.
"Okay Ina. What about the scouting party?"
Ina clapped her hands. Remember why they were here in the first place. The sound was sharp—a physical punctuation that marked the shift from personal to professional.
"Ah right. Yes. Scouting dungeon. A Guild scouting party from Harvengald arrived at Akela last night. And Guildmas decided to not delay the scouting anymore. And we will depart to Old Quarry to scout the new dungeon this noon. We will use this morning for preparing and exchanging information."
Elise nodded. Her silver hair which was tied in a practical ponytail swayed with the motion. The strands caught the light—shimmering.
"I see. So, where are they?"
Ina gestured to follow her. Her hand swept toward the stairs—a graceful motion that was almost theatrical in its execution.
"They are already in the Audience Room."
She started climbing the stairs. Her tail swished with every motion—the appendage seeming to have a mind of its own as it moved with the rhythm of her steps.
"They were professional. Two of them were runic specialists. We need them to determine the dungeon rank and if it was safe or dangerous to enter. They were a team of four."
Hyoren and Elise followed closely behind her. Climbing the stairs. The wooden steps creaked beneath their feet—the sound familiar from their previous visits.
Ina continued. Her voice carried easily—floating back to them as she climbed.
"They will study the runic writing on the archway… the dungeon portal. Those runes could tell what kind of dungeon was inside. The level of the monster inside. The type of dungeon, is it a labyrinth, or vast field. And what kind monsters populate it."
They arrived at the second floor. The corridor stretched before them—doors lining both sides. Ina turned her head to see if they followed before continuing. Her amber eyes confirmed their presence.
"Of course it was a rough estimate, and some info might be wrong. But it was good preliminary information before we entered the dungeon for the first time. We could avoid going inside unprepared."
She gestured vaguely. The motion encompassed the uncertainty of dungeon exploration—the inherent risks that came with venturing into the unknown.
"If the runic specialist determines the dungeon rank was Silver or above, we won't enter and will call backup from Harvengald. But if it was Bronze or lower, Akela's adventurers would be enough to deal with it."
Hyoren nodded. The logic made sense—a measured approach that prioritized safety over glory.
"I see. That's actually good. Going into the dungeon blind was truly dangerous."
Elise tapped her chin. The gesture was thoughtful—her mind working through the implications.
"So that's how the guild determined the dungeon was low rank or high rank before it even opened huh. I never cared about dungeons so this is new for me too."
Ina smiled at them. Her large amber eyes were soft—the predatory flirtation from earlier replaced by something more professional.
"Okay, let's start the meeting."
She then approached the room which had a sign of 'Audience Room'. It was the same room as when Hyoren and Elise reported about their Old Quarry quest. About the Hifoppe. About the Demon Core. About the dungeon.
Hyoren and Elise followed her, and watched the door knob turned by Ina, and the door was opened for them.