Chapter 167 – A Welcomed Change
Chapter 167
A Welcomed Change
Date : Day 15 of Lunaeve 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren, Elise, and Jackey finally turned onto Wyvern Street from the Adventurer's District's main road.
As they crossed into the livelier part of the city, the atmosphere changed immediately.
The sounds of the Entertainment District spilled into the street. Laughter echoed from taverns. Music drifted through the cool evening air. Tankards clinked together. Drunken adventurers sang loudly as they stumbled from one establishment to another. Escorts advertised their service.
It was a chaotic symphony of life.
And standing just beyond the center of that chaos, beside the largest, flashiest, and busiest brothel on the street—Succubus Lust—stood their manor. Dark. Quiet. Unmoving. A silent sentinel overlooking the vibrant nightlife surrounding it.
The moment Hyoren saw it, a sense of relief washed over him. It wasn't merely a building. It wasn't simply the place where they slept. It was their home.
A place they had built for themselves in this unfamiliar world. Proof that they had finally planted roots here.
Hyoren pushed open the heavy wrought-iron gate. The hinges groaned softly. The familiar sound made him smile.
“Finally home.”
He reached beneath his shirt and took out his watch. With a soft click, he opened it.
20:41.
He closed it again.
“The others probably had already finished dinner...”
Jackey's shoulders immediately slumped.
“Nooo...I'm so hungryyyy...”
Elise couldn't help chuckling.
“Don't worry. Lena should still be awake. I'll help her prepare something simple for us.”
Jackey instantly perked up. His tabby cat ears stood straight, and his tail swished excitedly.
“Thank you, Elise! You're the best!”
Hyoren and Elise smiled at the enthusiastic beastkin.
Together, they walked toward the entrance.
Hyoren pushed open the heavy wooden door. The warm air inside welcomed them. A moment later. The door closed behind the Freedom Party with a satisfying sound.
***
The heavy wooden door had barely closed behind them when footsteps echoed from deeper inside the manor.
A few moments later—the older fox-clan beastkin emerged from the kitchen.
She immediately bowed politely.
“Master Hyoren... welcome back...”
Hyoren almost answered out of reflex.
He wanted to remind her again not to call him Master. He had told Lena countless times already. To him, she and Vina weren't servants—they were family.
Caretakers of the manor. People he trusted.
But, he had already corrected her so many times. Every time, Lena would obediently stop calling him Master. Only for the honorific to quietly return a few days later.
Eventually, Hyoren simply gave up.
If Lena truly felt most comfortable calling him that. Then he would let her. After all, family didn't always address one another the same way. There was no point forcing her to change.
Hyoren simply smiled and nodded.
“Yeah, Lena. We're back. Our schedule was thrown off. Rather than spending the night at the Tent Inn in Dungeon Town, we decided to hurry back home.”
Lena glanced briefly toward the kitchen.
“I see...”
She lowered her fox ears apologetically.
“But I'm sorry. We thought you wouldn't return until tomorrow. So... there isn't any dinner prepared.”
She hesitated before adding,
“Lady Ina and Vina have already gone to sleep.”
Jackey's shoulders immediately drooped.
“Nooo...”
Hyoren chuckled before lightly patting his shoulder.
“Don't worry. We already expected something like this. We bought some snacks before. So we don't need anything fancy.”
Elise stepped forward with a gentle smile.
“Yeah, Lena. Don't worry. I'll help prepare something quick.”
Hyoren then looked back at Lena.
“Ina's already asleep? That's unusual. She normally stays up much later.”
Lena nodded.
“Yes. She said she was exhausted today. So after dinner… She retired early.”
Hyoren nodded in understanding.
“I see.”
Without another word, Elise walked toward the kitchen.
“Come on, Lena. Let's make something quickly.”
Lena gave Hyoren another respectful bow.
“Excuse us.”
She then followed Elise into the kitchen.
Before long, the sounds of pots, utensils, and quiet conversation drifted from the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Hyoren and Jackey took their seats at the dining table. Patiently waiting for their late dinner.
Dinner was ready not long afterward.
With Lena's help, Elise quickly prepared a simple fried rice using the leftover rice and whatever ingredients remained in the pantry.
Nothing extravagant. Just eggs. A few vegetables. Small pieces of diced Horned Rabbit meat. The familiar aroma of fried garlic soon filled the dining room.
To the exhausted adventurers, however, it smelled better than any luxurious banquet.
The four of them quietly took their seats. For a while—only the soft clinking of spoons against wooden bowls could be heard. The warm meal eased away the lingering chill from their journey back.
Every bite soothed both body and mind. No one spoke much. Eventually, the last spoonful disappeared.
Jackey put down his plate before slowly standing. The warmth of the meal spread throughout his body. Only then did he truly realize how exhausted he was.
His shoulders sagged. His tabby cat ears drooped slightly.
“Big Bro… I'm sooo sleepy...”
He opened his mouth in a huge yawn.
“Yaaawn… I'll retreat early.. Night!”
Hyoren smiled warmly.
“Good night, Jackey.”
Jackey lazily waved one hand before dragging his feet toward the staircase. Not long afterward, the sound of footsteps echoed from the wooden stairs. The beastkin was already making his way to his room on the second floor.
Once he disappeared upstairs, Lena quietly began collecting the empty dishes.
Her movements remained as neat and efficient as ever. After placing the bowls onto a tray, she returned carrying a teapot. The fragrant aroma of warm tea drifted through the room.
She carefully poured a cup for Hyoren. Then another for Elise. Steam slowly curled upward from both cups.
Neither Hyoren nor Elise showed any intention of retiring just yet.
Lena noticed. So she quietly remained standing nearby. Ready in case either of them needed anything else.
Hyoren accepted the cup before smiling gently at her. Only now did he notice something. Lena had been suppressing several yawns. Every so often, she subtly covered her mouth before composing herself again.
The signs of fatigue were obvious. Yet she continued standing there. Waiting.
Because, in her mind—her master had not yet gone to bed.
Hyoren put down his tea cup.
“Lena.”
She immediately straightened.
“Yes, Master Hyoren?”
Hyoren smiled at her.
“You can go to sleep too. We can take care of ourselves from here.”
Elise also looked toward the fox-clan beastkin. She tucked a strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear before smiling softly.
“Yeah. I've noticed you've been trying to hide your yawns. You've worked hard today. So please… Go and get some rest.”
Lena blinked in surprise.
For a brief moment, she seemed at a loss for words. Then she lowered her head into a respectful bow.
“Thank you very much, Master Hyoren... Lady Elise. I sincerely appreciate your kindness. Please forgive me for retiring before you. I wish you both a pleasant night.”
Hyoren nodded.
“Good night, Lena.”
Elise raised her hand with a smile.
“Good night, Lena.”
Lena bowed once more.
“Good night, Master Hyoren. Good night, Lady Elise.”
Only then did she quietly leave the dining room.
Her footsteps gradually faded toward the servants' quarters. Silence settled over the manor once again.
***
Hyoren slowly lifted the warm teacup.Steam curled upward before disappearing into the quiet dining room.
He took a small sip. The warmth spread through his body.
“We're alone, Elise. Now that i think again... It was rare situation…”
Elise set her own cup down with a gentle click.
“You're right… Fufu...”
Her emerald eyes wandered across the dining room.
The long oak table. The neatly arranged chairs. The warm glow of the magic lamps.
Everything felt peaceful.
“Before… This was our normal. Just the 2 of us. Every time after adventuring. On the quests… At inns...”
Hyoren rested both hands atop the heavy oak table. His gaze drifted toward the window. Beyond the glass—the three moons quietly illuminated Akela. Yet, it wasn't the night sky he was truly looking at.
It was the memories.
“Yeah… It was...”
He smiled faintly.
“I was transported to this world on the 15th of Crownfire.”
He briefly counted the months in his head.
“Today is the 15th of Lunaeve. So… It has been exactly 3 months.”
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
“Only 3 months, huh? Why does it feel like years have already passed?”
Elise giggled.
“You're right. Only 3 months… But it feels much longer.”
She leaned back slightly.
“Maybe because… So many things happened.”
Her gaze also turned toward the night outside. For a while, neither of them spoke. They simply watched the quiet city together.
Then Elise's voice broke the silence once more.
“Remember what I told you before? I was slowly rotting before meeting you. I wasn't really living. I was only... existing.”
She smiled bitterly.
“I only accepted enough quests to survive. I never tried to advance beyond Bronze Rank. I never cared about becoming stronger. There wasn't anything I wanted anymore.”
Hyoren quietly nodded.
He remembered. Kael. Her fiancé. The man she had lost. The wound that had stopped her life long before they met.
“Yeah, Elise...”
Elise slowly turned toward him. Their eyes met.
“But these past 3 months...”
She smiled.
“They were full of things.”
Her expression softened.
“I was captured by goblins inside the Forest of No Return. You saved me.”
Her pointed ears twitched slightly.
“We traveled together. We left the forest. Then we encountered the Alpha Green Wolf.”
She smiled warmly.
“You saved me... again.”
She unconsciously placed a hand against her chest. Her fingers slowly traced the long scar beneath her armor. The scar left behind by the Servant of Gidol—Goblin Knight Hifoppe. Inside the Main Tunnel of the Old Quarry.
“And then… You saved me for the 3rd time. At that place.”
Her emerald eyes gently met Hyoren's again.
“Then… We settled down in Akela. We welcomed Ina. And Jackey. Then Lena and Vina joined us too.”
Hyoren slowly nodded. A small smile appeared on his face.
“Now that you mention it… A lot really has happened over these past 3 months. We met so many people. And little by little… They became our family.”
He let out another quiet chuckle.
“I've written all of this in my journal. But hearing it spoken out loud… It feels completely different.”
Elise giggled.
“Right?”
She looked outside once more. The city remained peaceful beneath the moonlight.
“I wonder who's going to join us next. What kind of person will become part of our family?”
She smiled mischievously.
“What kind of mage will join the Freedom Party? Fufufu...”
Hyoren smiled softly.
Freedom Party truly did need a mage. Not just any mage. Someone they could trust with their lives. Someone willing to face an impossible battlefield beside them.
Several familiar faces surfaced in his mind. The mages he already met. The mages of other parties.
Dennis. Jigor's party quiet mage. A man who rarely spoke. Yet his reliability had never once been in question.
Then—the Runic Specialist from Harvengald.
Robert. The endlessly curious runic specialist whose jokes somehow never stopped. And Fris. Bright. Energetic. Always eager to discuss theories and research.
Each of them was different. Each mage possessed strengths of their own.
Which only made Hyoren wonder even more. What kind of mage—would become the newest member of the Freedom Party?
***
As they finished the last sip of their tea, Elise stood first.
She gathered both cups before carrying them toward the sink. The quiet clink of porcelain echoed gently through the silent manor. After rinsing them, she turned back toward Hyoren.
A gentle smile graced her lips.
“Hyoren.”
She clasped her hands behind her back.
“Care to join me in the bath? I still feel a little sticky after 6 days without a proper bath.”
Hyoren smiled back.
“Sure, Elise.”
The lingering warmth of the tea still remained inside them as they left the dining room together.
After nearly a week of dungeon diving, hurried washes with cold water, and slept inside tents. The thought of soaking in a proper bath inside their own home felt almost luxurious.
They quietly entered the manor's bathing room.
The sight that greeted them remained just as impressive as the first day they had seen it. The entire room was built from polished black granite. The dark stone reflected the gentle glow of the pale blue magic lamps, giving the room a calm, elegant atmosphere.
The faint sound of flowing water echoed softly throughout the chamber. The air smelled fresh. Clean. Relaxing.
Yet—nothing inside the room drew attention more than the massive bathtub at its center. It was enormous. Large enough for 5 or 6 people to comfortably soak together.
Its polished surface gleamed beautifully beneath the light, while subtle veins of lighter stone naturally ran through it.
Beside the tub stood an elegantly carved statue of a petite woman. Water continuously flowed from her palms into the tub below.
In front of the bathtub lay the washing area.
Three shower heads had been installed neatly along one wall. Below each sat matching faucets together with small wooden stools and buckets. Everything had been carefully arranged.
A proper bath always began with washing oneself first. Only afterward would one enter the tub.
Elise hugged the towel against herself as she slowly looked around.
“No matter how many times I bathe here...”
She smiled softly.
“I'm still amazed every time. Fufufu...”
Hyoren nodded in agreement.
“Yeah. I never imagined We'd have something like this.”
Back on Earth, a bath this size would have belonged only to wealthy people. Here, It had somehow become part of their everyday life.
Hyoren walked toward the washing area.
“Let's wash up first. Then we can enjoy the bath.”
Elise nodded.
“Okay.”
The two of them quietly began washing away the dust accumulated over their 6-day expedition.
Warm water flowed continuously from the shower heads. The dust from countless dungeon corridors disappeared down the drain. Along with the lingering grime. Much of the fatigue seemed to melt away as well.
Neither of them hurried.
After spending nearly a week inside Akela Dungeon. Simply standing beneath warm flowing water already felt wonderfully refreshing. Eventually, once they had thoroughly rinsed themselves clean. They stepped toward the waiting bath.
Gentle steam rose from the surface. The water looked perfectly clear.
Hyoren slowly lowered himself into the tub. Warmth immediately embraced his entire body.
A contented sigh escaped him almost instinctively.
“Ah… this feels incredible.”
Elise smiled knowingly before slipping into the bath beside him. She also released a quiet sigh.
“Mm… I've missed this.”
The bathtub was spacious enough that they could easily have sat on opposite sides.
Instead, without either of them saying a word. They naturally drifted closer together.
Elise leaned comfortably against Hyoren's chest. He gently wrapped his arms around her waist.
Neither of them spoke. After everything they had experienced over the past 6 days. The peaceful silence itself felt comforting.
Hyoren's gaze slowly drifted downward.
Toward the scars on Elise's body. His fingers gently traced the long scar running diagonally across her torso. From her left shoulder. To her right flank. The reminder of the battle against the Servant of Gidol.
His hand then slowly moved to another place—her left wrist. There, the bracelet made of scar was still clearly visible. A permanent reminder that her left hand had once been severed cleanly. His desperate attempt to reconnect it had saved the arm.
But his clumsy technique had left it completely paralyzed. Only after Archbishop Sherine healed her had the hand become fully functional again. His thumb gently brushed across the familiar scar.
“Elise...”
His voice was quiet.
“This wound… It's really alright now?”
He carefully held her left hand.
“It never throbs? No numbness? No delay when moving your fingers? Please tell me if there's even the slightest discomfort. Maybe we should visit Archbishop Sherine again. Just to have her examine your arm one more time.”
Elise lowered her gaze toward her left wrist. Then she smiled. A warm. Gentle smile.
“No, Hyoren. It's perfectly fine.”
She slowly opened and closed her fingers. Then rotated her wrist. The movements were smooth. Natural.
Without the slightest hesitation.
“If it wasn't… How could I use my bow like I do now?”
She giggled softly.
“Silly Hyoren. Fufufu...”
Hyoren gasped slightly.
“Ah… You're right.”
He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“Talking about our memories together… Made me remember the horror of your left hand's stillness again. Haha...”
Elise quietly turned around inside the bath until she was facing him. She gently cupped both of his cheeks.
Her emerald eyes met his dark ones. They stayed there. Steady. Unwavering.
“Don't tell me… You're still feeling guilty.”
Hyoren remained silent. He didn't answer. He didn't need to.
Elise already knew. She gently shook her head.
“Don't. My left hand is still here.”
She slowly raised it between them.
“And it works flawlessly. Thanks to you.”
She smiled proudly.
“And remember… I'm proud of wearing this scar.”
She lightly touched the scar herself.
“It's proof that we survived. We faced a Servant of Gidol… And lived.”
Her expression softened.
“And...”
She giggled.
“It's also proof that you desperately tried to save me... Fufufu...”
She intertwined the fingers of her left hand with his.
“They're not scars that remind me of despair. They remind me that someone refused to give up on me. So… Don't feel guilty anymore, okay?”
Her emerald eyes never left his. Filled only with warmth. And gratitude.
***
They returned to their previous position.
Elise rested comfortably against Hyoren's chest. His arms naturally wrapped around her waist once more. Neither of them spoke. There was no need.
The warm water quietly embraced their bodies as they continued soaking together. The heat seeped deep into their tired muscles. The lingering soreness from 6 days of dungeon diving slowly faded away. Every tense muscle gradually relaxed.
The bathing room became wonderfully quiet. Only the gentle sound of water lapping against the polished black granite tub disturbed the silence.
Elise's silver hair spread gently across the water's surface. Like a delicate halo floating around her.
Hyoren quietly held her. Not tightly. Just enough for both of them to comfortably feel each other's warmth. He closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Simply enjoying the peaceful silence.
After everything they had experienced. The endless dungeon corridors. The elite goblins. The impossible sight of the Goblin Ruler leading an army of over 1000 goblins—this moment felt precious. A place where neither of them needed to stay alert. Where they could simply exist. Together.
Time quietly passed. Eventually, the water no longer felt quite as hot as before.
Elise slowly turned her head. Looking up at Hyoren.
“I think we should get up, Hyoren.”
Hyoren opened his eyes before nodding.
“Yeah. The night's already getting late. And our bodies are exhausted.”
Reluctantly, the two of them rose from the bath.
Warm water streamed down their bodies before dripping back into the tub below.
They reached for the towels neatly prepared nearby. Soft fabric quickly absorbed the remaining moisture from their skin. Once they had dried themselves, they quietly walked into the adjoining changing room.
Just like the bathing room itself—everything had been prepared with meticulous care.
A wooden cabinet stood neatly against one wall. Inside, several clean bathrobes had already been folded. Ready to be used. Lena always made sure fresh ones were available. No matter how many had been used the day before.
Hyoren couldn't help smiling slightly. That level of thoughtfulness was simply part of who Lena was.
The two of them each picked up a thick bathrobe. The soft fabric immediately wrapped them in comforting warmth. After tying the sash around her waist, Elise stretched both arms high above her head.
Several joints gave quiet pops.
“Ahh...”
She smiled contentedly.
“I really needed that bath.”
Hyoren finished putting on his own bathrobe before nodding in agreement.
“Yeah...”
He flexed his shoulders once. The stiffness that had lingered since leaving the dungeon had almost completely disappeared.
“Nothing beats taking a proper bath after a dungeon dive.”
Elise giggled softly.
“I completely agree.”
As Hyoren finished tying the sash of his bathrobe, his eyes naturally drifted toward Elise.
He couldn't help but pause. Her cheeks were still slightly flushed from the hot bath. Tiny droplets of water remained upon her fair skin. Her damp silver hair clung softly against her shoulders and neck. The warm light of the magic lamps gave her pale skin a gentle glow.
Breathtaking...
Elise noticed him staring. She tilted her head slightly, causing her silver hair to cascade over one shoulder.
“Hmm? What is it, Hyoren? Why are you frozen?”
Hyoren blinked. Only then did he realize he had been staring.
He awkwardly scratched his cheek.
“Elise...”
He hesitated.
“Could we... sleep together tonight?”
He stopped there.
The rest no longer needed to be spoken aloud. After spending 6 days inside the dungeon. After witnessing the impossible sight of the Goblin Ruler commanding an army of over 1000 goblins. After constantly forcing himself to remain calm for the sake of everyone else.
He simply wanted his anchor. The warmth of the woman he loved—Elise.
Elise's emerald eyes narrowed slightly. Then, she giggled.
“Fufufu...”
She slowly looked him up and down before a teasing grin appeared.
“Is this really you, Hyoren?”
She stepped closer. Close enough that only a small distance remained between them.
“The man who never takes the initiative?”
She wasn't wrong. Although Hyoren now had 2 lovers—Elise and Ina—the decision of who would spend the night with him was almost always made by the two women themselves.
Even on the occasional nights when all 3 of them stayed together. Hyoren had never been the one to suggest it. He had always been passive.
Hyoren scratched his cheek again.
“I don't know myself...”
A faint warmth crept across his face.
“Maybe… I just really want you... tonight.”
The confession came out quietly. Honest. Without embellishment.
Elise's teasing expression gradually softened. A gentle smile appeared.
“Sure. I'd love to.”
She reached out and gently took his hand.
“Let's forget those 6 days inside that stale, cold labyrinth.”
She squeezed his fingers lightly.
“And forget about the Goblin Ruler's army…”
For a brief moment—the two simply looked into each other's eyes.
Then something unexpected happened. A grin slowly appeared on Hyoren's face. One Elise had almost never seen before. There was confidence in it. Even a hint of mischief.
Before she could ask what he was thinking.
Hyoren suddenly bent down. And with one smooth motion—he lifted her onto his shoulder in a fireman's carry.
“Eepp...!”
A surprised squeal escaped Elise.
Only for it to dissolve into uncontrollable laughter.
“Hahaha! Hyoren! Put me down, you brute! What possessed you?”
She lightly pounded her fists against his back. Not hard enough. Only enough to show playful protest.
Hyoren himself wasn't entirely sure why he had done it. Perhaps, Elise's teasing had awakened something inside him. Perhaps—for once—he simply wanted to be the one taking the initiative.
He adjusted her carefully to make sure she was secure.
Then grinned again.
“Ssh. Be quiet, Elise. You're the one who said I never take the initiative.”
He glanced upward with an amused smile.
“So… Tonight… I'll prove you wrong.”
Elise could only laugh harder.
“You're unbelievable, Hyoren… Fufufu...”
Still carrying the laughing silver haired elf over his shoulder—Hyoren walked out of the changing room, leaving the warmth of the bath behind as the quiet manor welcomed them once more.
The corridor was quiet. Only the soft glow of the pale blue magic lamps illuminated the manor's hallway. Their footsteps echoed gently against the polished floor as they walked toward the grand staircase leading to the second floor.
Just as they reached the first step—a door near the servants' quarters opened—Vina stepped out.
Her fluffy fox ears twitched as she rubbed one sleepy eye.
Apparently, she was heading toward the kitchen for a late-night drink or snack. Then—she noticed them. Her eyes widened. Her jaw slowly fell open. Her sleepy mind completely froze.
There stood her master, Hyoren. Carrying Elise over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. And, Elise was laughing uncontrollably.
Hyoren merely glanced at Vina for a brief moment. He didn't stop. He didn't explain. Nor did he seem embarrassed.
He simply continued walking toward the staircase as though nothing unusual had happened. One step. Second step. Another step. The wooden stairs creaked softly beneath the combined weight of two people.
On his shoulder—Elise's face had become bright red.
“Hyoren! You're impossible!”
She buried her burning face against his back. Trying—and failing—to hide from Vina.
“Vina saw us! You're being so bad!”
Hyoren only grinned.
“Let her see… The man who becomes a beast tonight.”
Elise burst into another fit of laughter.
“You really are impossible tonight, Hyoren!”
The playful pounding of her fists against his back gradually slowed. A small smile appeared on her lips.
“But...”
She giggled.
“Maybe this change is actually something I am going to love… Fufufu...”
Hyoren didn't answer. He simply continued climbing the staircase.
Soon, they reached the second floor.
The manor remained quiet. But, from the room at the far left, Jackey's thunderous snoring echoed through the hallway. Hyoren couldn't help smiling faintly. Still the same as usual Jackey.
In the room between Jackey and the master bedroom, Ina's room remained completely silent.
Remembering Lena's words earlier, Hyoren knew she had retired early after an exhausting day. He had no intention of disturbing her rest.
Without slowing down, he walked toward the room in the middle of the hallway. The Master Bedroom. His own room.
He opened the door.
By now, Elise had completely stopped struggling. She simply remained resting across his shoulder, smiling to herself.
Hyoren stepped inside. Then gently closed the door behind them with a satisfying sound. The sound echoed softly through the quiet hallway.
Outside of the manor. The three moons of Kresneger— Azure, Crimson, and Ebony—hung high above the night sky. Their mixed glows bathed the manor in a gentle glow. And once again, they became silent witnesses of a small change in a man from another world.
Not a change that made him someone else. Nor a change that made him worse.
Simply— a man who had finally learned to take the initiative. One small step closer to becoming a worthy man.