Chapter 123 – A Storm Inside His Mind
Chapter 123
A Storm Inside His Mind
Date : Day 22 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Fiona turned toward the Freedom Party and the specialist team. Her posture was commanding—even in the simple act of addressing them, she radiated an authority that demanded attention.
"Good work. The information we gathered today is invaluable."
Her sharp gaze swept across all of them. There was no warmth in her expression, but there was acknowledgment. Recognition of a job well done.
"Now go rest. You all deserved it."
With one final curt nod, Fiona strode toward her office. Her heavy boots clinked against the stairs as she climbed to the second floor, leaving the others amidst the bustling noise of the guild hall.
Meanwhile, the four specialists from Harvengald also started preparing to leave. Rick, their leader, approached Hyoren and gave him a respectful nod. The gesture was brief but genuine—the acknowledgment of one professional to another.
"Goodbye, Freedom Party. Glad to work with you two."
Hyoren nodded back. The motion was reciprocated—the same level of respect returned in kind.
"Likewise. I learned many things from you all too. Goodbye."
The other three specialists also offered their own tired but appreciative farewells before the group finally dispersed, likely returning to their inn for a much-deserved rest after the long scouting mission.
Ina then gestured for Hyoren and Elise to follow her toward the counter.
"Let's process your earnings."
The two followed Ina toward one of the empty counters. It was manned by the bespectacled clerk Hyoren recognized as Rinne. Her blonde hair was tied into a neat bun as usual.
Ina leaned slightly against the counter.
"Rinne, could you process the Freedom Party's earnings?"
Rinne looked up from her paperwork. The motion was efficient—her pen pausing mid-stroke as she acknowledged the request.
"Understood, Senior Ina."
Ina gestured toward Elise. The motion was simple—a slight tilt of her head toward the silver-haired ranger.
Elise took out her storage bag and started placing their loot onto the counter one by one. Piles of magic stones and rusted weapons quickly accumulated.
She also handed over her Guild Card for processing.
Rinne first placed the magic stones onto the Guild's usual counting tool. The magic tools glowed faintly as it automatically measured the quantity and quality of the stones.
Meanwhile, the rusted weapons had to be counted manually before being placed into one of the Guild's storage bags for salvage processing.
After a while, Rinne adjusted her glasses and announced the final result.
"Level 10 Goblin magic stones totaling fifty-four pieces. Rusted weapons totaling twenty-five."
She glanced toward Elise's card.
"According to Guild rates, level 10 Goblin magic stones are valued at 10K Kres each. The rusted weapons add another 10K total."
She finished the calculation. Her pen scratched across the paperwork—the final numbers being recorded for the Guild's records.
"Grand total, 790K Kres. Please confirm your account balance."
Elise checked her adventurer card briefly before nodding. The motion was small—a slight dip of her chin that conveyed confirmation without words.
"Thanks, it was correct."
Hyoren quickly tried to interject. The words came out before he could stop them—his sense of fairness overriding his usual caution.
"Ina, please take a third of that. You earned it too."
Ina's amber eyes glinted with amusement while her cat tails swished lightly behind her. The motion was playful—a counterpoint to the serious tone of the conversation.
"Hyoren, I work as Guild Staff, not as part of your party."
She tapped the counter lightly.
"I already receive my salary from the Guild. Keep it."
Hyoren still looked unconvinced. His brow furrowed slightly.
"But..."
Ina suddenly placed a hand against his chest, stopping him. The touch was firm—not aggressive, but definite. .
"No buts."
Her voice softened slightly. The playfulness remained, but there was something else beneath it now. Something that sounded almost like affection.
"I really don't need it."
Elise also stepped in beside him.
"Hyoren, Ina takes pride in her work as Guild Staff. Don't undermine that."
After hearing both women, Hyoren finally relented and nodded. The motion was reluctant—his shoulders dropping slightly as he accepted defeat.
"...Alright."
Then he turned toward Rinne. The shift in his attention was deliberate—a conscious effort to move past the awkwardness of the previous exchange.
"Thank you for the help, Rinne."
The neat bespectacled girl gave a professional nod.
"Always glad to help you, Adventurers."
Afterward, Hyoren turned back toward the two women. His gaze moved from Elise to Ina and back again—assessing their states now that the business was concluded.
"Then we're done here. Ina, do you still have work left today?"
Ina shook her head.
"I still need to write the official notice about the dungeon restrictions and check the scouting report later."
She shrugged lightly. The gesture was casual—dismissively so.
"But I already handed most of the writing work to Sherly for now. I only need to review it afterward."
Her tails swayed lazily behind her.
"So I'm basically free today since we just returned from field work. Why?"
Hyoren scratched his cheek awkwardly. The gesture was self-conscious—his way of deflecting attention from his own uncertainty.
"What about... we eat together to celebrate?"
Then he looked toward Elise.
"Elise, are you okay with that?"
Elise's smile widened instantly. Her pointed ears twitched excitedly—the motion showing her enthusiasm even before she spoke.
"That would be great, Hyoren."
She looked toward Ina warmly. The expression was open—genuine in a way that seemed to come naturally to her.
"Come on, Ina. This is the first time the three of us celebrate together, right? Fufu."
Ina and Elise exchanged glances before smiling at each other again.
"That's true."
Then Ina turned toward Hyoren, her tails swishing with visible excitement.
"Let's go then. Where should we celebrate?"
Hyoren fell silent for a moment as he thought about it.
Truthfully, he barely knew any restaurants in Akela. The only places he knew were Bertho's Dining and The Silver Chalice. His experience with the city's dining establishments was limited to what Elise had shown him—and those excursions had been focused on practicality rather than exploration.
But The Silver Chalice felt far too luxurious for a simple celebration like this. The establishment was known for its high prices and refined atmosphere—not the kind of place you went for a casual meal with friends.
Meanwhile, Bertho's Dining would probably be overcrowded at this hour. The popular eatery was always packed during peak times.
He smiled wryly and scratched his cheek again.
"Actually... I don't really know any good places."
Ina immediately smiled.
"Then how about we go to my favorite place?"
Her expression softened.
"It's a simple and quiet place. Not many people know about it."
She glanced toward Elise as if asking for confirmation.
Elise answered with a small nod.
"That's fine, Ina. Let's go."
Ina beamed happily.
"Then let's go."
With that, the three of them exited the Adventurer's Guild together, led by Ina. Her tails swished behind her as she walked. The evening air greeted them as they stepped through the heavy ironwood door—cooler than the interior of the guild hall, carrying the scent of cooking food and the distant sound of the city's evening bustle.
To celebrate their latest small achievement.
***
They exited the guild afterward and followed Ina through the Adventurer's District. The heavy ironwood door swung shut behind them—cutting off the noise of the guild hall and replacing it with the sounds of the evening streets. The district was as lively as ever—perhaps even more so than usual.
Adventurers came and went through the busy streets.
Their footsteps created a constant rhythm against the paved street. Street vendors loudly shouted their wares from the roadside, trying to attract customers. The smell of cooking food drifted through the air—mingling with the scent of leather, metal, and the less pleasant odors of too many bodies in too small a space.
Taverns overflowed with laughter and noise, while inns remained crowded with travelers and mercenaries seeking rooms for the night. The evening rush was in full swing—the city coming alive as the dual suns began their descent toward the horizon.
Around them, conversations about the newly discovered Akela Dungeon could already be heard everywhere. Fragments of dialogue drifted past—snippets of excitement and speculation that seemed to permeate every corner of the district. The news had spread faster than Hyoren would have thought possible—carried by the same adventurers who had witnessed Fiona's announcement and now shared it with anyone who would listen.
Hyoren walked quietly behind the two women. And somehow, he felt warm inside. The sensation was unexpected—a gentle heat that spread through his chest without any apparent cause.
Before this, he had mostly walked side by side with Elise alone. But now, after spending two days together during the scouting mission, walking alongside Ina already felt strangely natural and comfortable.
His gaze drifted toward the two women chatting in front of him. Ina’s cat tails swished lightly as she talked, while Elise occasionally giggled softly beside her.
I never thought Ina would almost seamlessly join the two of us… Hyoren narrowed his eyes slightly in thought. I always thought Elise would keep her at a distance. She used to be so protective… jealous… territorial even. So what changed her?
The two women continued talking about mundane things ahead of him.
Food—the best places to eat in the Adventurer's District, the quality of the taverns versus the restaurants. Clothes—where to find good fabric, which shops offered the best prices for custom work. Dungeon supplies—what equipment would be essential for the Akela Dungeon, which items were luxury versus necessity. Simple daily conversations that carried no weight beyond their immediate subject matter.
Yet somehow, the sight felt oddly harmonious.
The three of them walking together—Ina in the middle with her swishing tails, Elise on one side with her emerald mantle catching the lamplight, and Hyoren slightly behind. It looked right. It felt right. And that realization sent a shiver down his spine.
And then Hyoren remembered the subtle hints Elise had shown him earlier.
The way she had smiled when Ina flirted with him—not the tight, forced smile of tolerance, but the genuine curve of lips that reached her eyes. The way she had giggled together with Ina rather than against her. The way she had asked if he truly only wanted Ina as a party member—as if the question carried implications beyond its surface meaning. There was no way he could miss them with how blatant her expressions had become.
His gaze lifted briefly toward the crowded streets where adventurers excitedly discussed the Akela Dungeon.
Did Elise really mean it…? Actually supportive of me acknowledging my growing feelings toward Ina? She definitely noticed already. Elise was sharp. Far too sharp not to notice something like this.
Hyoren slowly shook his head. The motion was small—barely perceptible to anyone who might have been watching. But it carried the weight of a decision made.
No. I shouldn’t keep making assumptions alone like this.
His expression turned more serious.
I need to talk properly with Elise when the time is right. Only guessing like this would end badly. Communication is important in a relationship.
His eyes softened slightly as he looked at Elise's back. The silver hair caught the lamplight—shimmering with each step she took. She was his partner. His lover. His anchor in this world. She deserved better than his silence.
I’ll be honest with her. About Ina. About these feelings growing inside me. I couldn’t let this continue. We are adults, we need to settle things properly.
He let out a quiet breath. It carried with it the tension he had been holding since the dungeon.
I might really like Ina… and maybe I do want her too.
The admission was difficult—even in the privacy of his own mind. It felt like a betrayal. Like a violation of something sacred. But the truth didn't care about such things. The truth simply was.
But I’ll respect Elise’s feelings first. If Elise says no… then I’ll bury these feelings properly. But…
His gaze shifted toward Ina this time. The Cat-clan beastkin was laughing at something Elise had said—her tails swishing with visible delight. The sound was musical—bright and warm against the evening air. She caught his eye for a moment and smiled—a genuine expression that reached her large amber eyes.
If Elise truly accepts it... Then whatever happens afterward... will happen. Though I need to brace myself first. Asking myself if this growing feeling was real or just... passing thought. I don't want to risk our relationship...
The admission was honest—perhaps more honest than he was comfortable with. He needed to be sure. Sure that what he felt for Ina was genuine and not simply the result of proximity and novelty. Sure that pursuing it wouldn't destroy what he already had with Elise. Sure that he was prepared for whatever consequences might follow.
Hyoren quietly made his decision as he followed the two women through the lively streets of Akela. The resolution settled into his bones—a weight that he would carry until the conversation finally happened. Until he could look Elise in the eyes and speak the truth that had been growing inside him.
Until then, he would watch. He would wait.
***
Ina led them away from the busy main streets of the Adventurer’s District toward a quieter side street named Goblin Street. The transition was gradual—the noise of the crowd fading into a more manageable murmur as they moved deeper into the residential area.
Compared to the crowded main roads, this place felt calmer.
Small houses lined both sides of the street. The structures were modest but well-maintained—grey stone walls with dark ironwood frames that spoke of practical construction rather than ostentatious display. Window boxes held small plants—hardy herbs and simple flowers that added touches of color to the otherwise uniform facades.
Hyoren could tell many of them were occupied by adventurers who were a bit more financially stable. Rented or owned, he didn’t knew, but they seemed financially stable enough to afford this kind of accomodations.
There were also a few modest businesses scattered around. A small tavern. A grocery store. Several workshops. The atmosphere felt more lived-in compared to the noisy adventurer district outside.
After walking for a while, Ina finally stopped before a small restaurant with a sign which said "Terry Ramen." The sign was simple—wooden with painted characters that had faded slightly from exposure to the elements. A warm light spilled from the windows—suggesting a cozy interior that contrasted with the growing darkness of the evening streets.
Hyoren looked at the sign with amusement.
He already knew ramen existed in this world thanks to Kotaro—a Spirited Away who had come before him. But he honestly did not expect it to become popular enough to have restaurants fully specializing in it.
Ina turned toward them proudly. Her posture shifted—shoulders back, chin lifted slightly. The expression of someone about to share a cherished secret.
“The ramen here is the best in Akela.”
Her tails swished lightly behind her.
“Bertho’s might come close, but they don’t specialize in ramen. This place carefully prepares the broth for hours, and the noodles are homemade.”
Then her expression softened slightly as she looked toward the shop.
“This is my comfort food.”
The admission was quiet—almost intimate. A small window into her life that she was choosing to share with them.
Elise looked genuinely surprised.
“I never knew a place like this existed…”
Her emerald eyes shifted toward the restaurant curiously.
“Is it really that good, Ina?”
Ina nodded confidently.
“Just wait until you taste the broth.”
A playful grin appeared on her face.
“Let’s go.”
She entered the shop first. The door swung open with a soft chime—a small bell that announced their arrival. Elise and Hyoren exchanged glances before smiling and following after her.
The moment Hyoren stepped inside, he froze slightly in surprise. The atmosphere almost resembled a ramen store back on Earth. For a moment, he felt as though he had stepped through a doorway that led not to another room in Akela, but to a small shop tucked away in some quiet Tokyo neighborhood.
Of course, the architecture still matched Akela’s style. Grey stone floors and walls. Dark Ironwood beams supporting the structure. Warm magic lamps illuminating the room with orange light.
But the arrangement. The open kitchen. The counter seating. The neatly organized condiments on each table. It all felt unmistakably inspired by Japanese ramen shops.
Hyoren quietly observed the details around him. Though one thing was missing. Chopsticks. Even if Japanese food culture had spread throughout this world thanks to his predecessors, it seemed the utensils never truly caught on.
The shop only sold a single type of ramen. Tonkotsu Ramen with Orc Chasu. Simple. A single option on a simple menu—no variations, no substitutions, no elaborate choices. But somehow, that simplicity alone made Hyoren trust the place even more. A restaurant that focused on one dish was a restaurant that had mastered it. They had no need for variety because what they made was already perfect.
The owner—supposedly Terry, based on the sign above the shop—greeted them the moment they entered.
He was a hulking human man with broad shoulders and ruffled brown hair. His frame was massive—the kind of build that suggested he could have been a warrior rather than a cook. Thick arms emerged from rolled sleeves—forearms marked with old burns and scars that spoke of years spent working over hot stoves. Despite his intimidating build, his expression was warm and welcoming. His face broke into a genuine smile when he saw Ina—the recognition of a regular customer.
“Welcome!”
His deep voice echoed through the small ramen shop.
“Have a seat. How many bowls?”
The three of them ordered three bowl of ramen immediately before taking one of the empty tables near the wall. Other than them, the only customers inside were two adventurers excitedly discussing the newly discovered Akela Dungeon over their meals.
Hyoren scanned the restaurant again before leaning slightly back on his chair.
“You are right. The atmosphere here is cozy and quiet. We could talk easily.”
Ina rested her elbow on the table proudly.
“Right?”
Her tails swished happily behind her.
“Mostly only residents around this area come here, so it stays pretty calm.”
Then she pointed toward the kitchen.
“But this shop still has many regulars from other districts. It’s famous enough because of the taste.”
Not long after, their orders arrived. Large bowls of steaming tonkotsu ramen were placed before them. The bowls were substantial—white ceramic that contrasted beautifully with the rich contents within. Steam rose from the surface in lazy curls—carrying with it the promise of warmth and satisfaction.
The thick slices of Orc Chasu were generous, nearly covering half the noodles beneath. Each slice was perfectly cut—thick enough to have substance but thin enough to be tender. The edges were slightly caramelized—speaking of careful preparation and attention to detail.
Rich broth shimmered under the warm lights, while fragrant steam rose upward and instantly filled the table with a mouthwatering aroma.
The smell alone was enough to make all three of their stomachs grumble. The sound was almost simultaneous—three bellows of hunger that echoed in the quiet shop. Hyoren felt his face heat slightly at the noise—though he took comfort in knowing he wasn't the only one affected.
Elise inhaled deeply. Her eyes closed as she drew in the scent—savoring it before she had even tasted a single bite.
“The smell is amazing…”
Ina giggled proudly.
“Just wait until you taste the broth.”
She immediately grabbed her spoon.
“And I can’t wait anymore. Let’s dig in, everyone.”
Hyoren and Elise nodded in agreement before finally starting their meal.
The moment Hyoren scooped the broth into his mouth, his eyes widened slightly. It was perfect.
The flavor hit his tongue with an intensity that surprised him—rich and complex and utterly satisfying. For a moment, he forgot where he was. Forgot the dungeon and the goblins and the complex relationship situation he was in. There was only the taste—familiar and foreign all at once.
It had already been more than two months since he last tasted proper tonkotsu ramen back on Earth.
The memory was distant—something he had almost given up hope of experiencing again. Yet this broth recreated it almost perfectly. Rich. Creamy. Full of deep umami flavor that coated his tongue and lingered on his palate. The pork bone broth—or rather Orc bone broth in this world—had clearly been simmered for an incredibly long time, just like authentic tonkotsu ramen. The hours of preparation were evident in every spoonful—the depth of flavor that could only come from patience and care.
The noodles were firm with perfect texture. And the Orc Chasu nearly melted inside his mouth.
Hyoren slowly lowered his spoon and looked toward Ina.
“Ina…”
He genuinely struggled to find better words.
“This is just… perfect.”
Elise took another sip of broth before closing her eyes happily. The expression on her face was one of pure contentment—her features softening as the flavor washed over her.
“Yeah, Ina…”
A small laugh escaped her lips.
“I think it’s stupid that I lived in Akela for years without knowing this shop existed. Fufu.”
Ina looked smug immediately.
“See?”
Her cat ears perked proudly.
“You two are definitely becoming regulars after this.”
Hyoren and Elise glanced at each other before nodding at the same time.
“Definitely.”
They answered in unison before laughing together. The sound was warm—filling the small shop with a joy that seemed to match the steam rising from their bowls.
Afterward, the three continued eating enthusiastically until their bowls were completely empty. The spoons scraped against ceramic—gathering every last drop of broth and every remaining noodle. The meal was consumed with an enthusiasm that bordered on reverence—each bite savored even as they reached for the next.
It was simple. Warm food. Comfortable atmosphere. Good company. The elements were basic—uncomplicated by grandeur or pretension. Just three people sharing a meal after a long day.
But somehow, it felt like the perfect way to celebrate their small victory.