Elsword – Time Trouble
Chapter 14
4. To the next
Midday. After finishing lunch, Add stood on the beach only wearing shorts. Although the correct
term wasn’t actually shorts.
“It’s apparently called a swimsuit.”
“It’s rather comfortable.”
Elsword standing beside him lookrf intrigued as he tried pulling on the swimsuit he was wearing. His
expression was still gloomy but it looked like his feelings settled a bit after sleeping.
“Why did you tell me come out wearing this?”
“There’s no problem swimming in the sea if you wear that. I heard that it’s a clothing made for that
purpose in the first place.”
“Oh, really? So they can get wet?”
Elsword quickly lowered his body to get some sea water on his swimsuit then exclaimed.
“I heard there were clothes for swimming but I didn’t know there were ones that stick so close to
your body.”
“I only found out yesterday myself.”
Swimsuits that Aisha had brought out were very surprising. They were indeed a collection befitting
of a magician.
“So you called me out here to swim and play with me?”
Elsword asked calmly as he splashed sea water on his body. He had realized that Add didn’t call him
out without any reason at all. Good, because the story will go faster this way.
“You’re stupid.”
“…….”
“You’re stupid but you have a use. So I’ll make use of you.”
Elsword looked at Add with a not too angry expression for a while then he sighed.
“From how I see it, Big Brother Add is more stupid…..”
“What?”
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No, what it the world?! To actually hear that I’m stupid from Elsword?! Add’s face got distorted in
fury.
He couldn’t accept this. Even if Elrios was to be destroyed right now, he didn’t want that kind of
evaluation, at least from Elsword!
“Aren’t I right? If you want me to do something for you then you should just ask normally. Do you
really need to say it like that?”
“…..”
Add was about to burst out in temper but stopped to think for a moment when his conversational
skills got pointed out. So that probably means he should try to manipulate Elsword using smooth
words….But Add had never done those kinds of things before.
He would have rather threatened him with a display of skill.
“I don’t mind anyways. So, what should I do? I’ll do it since its Big Brother Add that’s asking.”
“I’m not asking you. I’m ordering you.”
Add spoke haughtily. Elsword nodded with an expression as if he was looking at someone really
pitiable. Then he sighed.
“This is why you get in fights with Eve.”
“……What?”
Add ended up showing a startled reaction due to the unexpected name that popped up.
Add and Eve had almost never talked with each other after the incident where Eve told Add let’s
never see each other again after the business with Elesis was over. Well they didn’t have any leisure
to talk after because everyone was so soaked in sense of defeat…..but even if they had some time,
Add didn’t have any idea how he should proceed with the conversation.
Leaving that aside, how did Elsword know that they were in a cold war like state? Eve should be the
type that hides these kinds of things.
“Because Eve keeps changing the topic whenever your name comes up. It’s bothersome for me too
so make up with her already.”
“Kukukuk, we’re not kids. Since when did we fight?”
Add hid his inner thoughts for now and let out a laugh. Although Elsword still didn’t withdraw his
gaze that looked like he was looking at someone really pitiable.
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“I explained it well to Eve. But Eve is also very stubborn so she probably won’t talk first. So try
better on your side. Call me if it gets difficult.”
“…..That’s a needless meddling.”
Add replied bluntly as he abruptly turned his head away. Getting Eve’s hostility due to painting over
time was within his calculations. He just hadn’t thought of how to deal with it after.
He could somewhat bring out some words of apology due to being harshly(?) educated by Ara…..
But it didn’t seem that would be enough this time.
Elsword silently watched Add then changed the topic back to normal.
“So what should I help with?”
“Swim.”
“Alright, after that?”
Add put strength in his voice as he spoke.
“Swim enjoyably. So it looks fun.”
“…..Is that it?”
“It just has to look stupidly fun. Do it now.”
When Add urged, Elsword scratched his head then asked.
“Let me just ask one thing, why do I have to swim? Couldn’t you swim instead?”
“I’ve never swam before. Also getting inside water will only make me cold.”
When Add crossed his arms and insisted to ask if something was wrong, Elsword laughed slightly.
“Alright. Then I’ll go swim your part as well.”
Elsword replied energetically then immediately jumped into the sea. He refreshingly cut across the
approaching waves.
The scene refreshed your heart just by watching.
“That should be good enough…..”
Well, Elsword’s swimming did look extremely enjoyable even for Add who was an indoors person.
His form as he cuts across the waves so clear that you could see the sea floor, this should attract
everyone’s attention.
Then he heard footsteps walking on the sand.
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“Oh, you were here before us.”
“Elsword probably didn’t even warm up. Wasn’t warming up essential for humans before going into
the water?”
“Is, is it really okay to wear something like this?”
Add heard the voices coming from behind him and turned around then got startled a bit. Eve, Rena
and Ara were approaching in their swimsuits. Everyone had an outfit that revealed their figures well.
Especially, seeing Eve with her prefect design revealed made his head dizzy. Add deliberately turned
his gaze around and gave his evaluation.
“Hmm, good. There’s no navel.”
“Umm, Add? I’d like you to refrain from saying those kinds of things.”
Rena’s voice sounded soft on the surface but it contained a stern message telling Add that she won’t
allow any objections. Add quietly shut his mouth when Rena got serious from something he said
without any thought.
Rena’s gentle reprimanding gaze, but it was kind of difficult to say something to apologize to Eve
right now….. Add’s gaze as he struggled in his thoughts remained behind Rena.
“Why are you hiding?”
“…..I, I’m not sure.”
Ara looked like she was embarra.s.sed of her swimsuit attire and was hiding behind Rena. She looked
like she wouldn’t dare come out. She had been so enjoyably running along the beach yesterday and
now she was reacting like this.
The plan will go wrong if Ara is acting like this. But the problem was…..Add didn’t have enough
data on how to handle this kind of situation.
“Come on, Ara. Don’t be so embarra.s.sed.”
Rena tried persuading Ara.
“……It’s my first time showing this kind of appearance to a male person other than Elder Brother.”
“Then I’ll leave. You guys play much as you want by yourselves.”
Add’s objective wasn’t to enjoy playing in the water himself anyways. The mood should go up more
if Ara acted like she normally did.
Add was about to turn around without any regrets when Ara urgently stopped him.
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“Ah, No you can’t! There’s no need for Mr.Add to be like that when I’m the one who lacks training.”
“…….You’re making me waste my time.”
Add spoke stiffly but still stopped. Rena smiled as she pulled Ara’s hand in towards her. But when
Ara tried to resist and didn’t come out, Rena mischievously embraced Ara in her arms.
“M, Ms Rena! Please let me go!”
“Nope, you can’t hide when you’ve got to dress up so prettily right?”
After she got caught by Rena, Ara realized it was too late and gave up resisting. Ara’s face turned
bright red as she nervously looked around at Rena, Eve then finally Add.
“Umm, d, don’t I look strange?”
“She’s very pretty, right?”
Eve nodded when Rena asked for agreements. Add tried to ignore but couldn’t continue to ignore
anymore when Ara sent him a desperate gaze as if she was waiting for an answer. Add went into his
thoughts.
Red bikini did go well with Ara’s white skin. Not only that, Ara’s face looked young despite her age
but her body was quite mature. Well, she still didn’t compare to Rena but she did boast outstanding
proportions.
Add made his academic evaluation then nodded.
“Well, I’ll compliment you at least for your appearance.”
“Thank you very much.”
It seemed Ara could finally ease her mind. Her face brightened as she smiled sweetly and Rena
patted Ara’s head as if she was glad for her.
And Eve stared at Add with an extremely cold gaze.
“Are all human males’ vocabulary this lame?”
“Don’t be like that, Add put in his efforts too.”
“…..”
Why is she reacting like that when he actually managed to give a compliment? Add was at a loss for
words as he stared at Eve, but she turned her head right away to avoid his gaze.
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“She’s very pretty, right?”
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He got completely ignored. But Add didn’t yield and brought up the main topic.
“We came to a sea for a change. Why don’t you all enjoy yourselves?”
“What are you planning?”
Eve replied coldly. She was already wearing a swimsuit but her expression seemed to say she only
did so because Rena had requested her to.
“Come on, don’t be like that. Let’s go in together Eve.”
“Rena, stop pulling me. You should also warm up before you go in…..Ah!”
Eve had been getting pulled towards the ocean by Rena. But she must have made a wrong step as
she slightly staggered. Just when Add was about to fly his Dynamos towards her, Ara quickly came
running sploshing through the water and grabbed Eve before she fell.
“…..Thank you, Ara Haan. But the floor here isn’t very stable. Be careful.”
“No problem …..Owie!”
Ara must have stepped on something because she fell on her bottom. Eve questioningly looked at
Ara who had instantly become drenched all the way up to her hair. Eve then sighed as she held out
her hand. Ara who had been rubbing her bottom smiled joyfully as she grabbed Eve’s hand and
stood up.
Add watched this scene and carefully brought his Dynamos back to where they were. A voice came
from behind him.
“There, it roughly turned out as we planned right?”
Aisha also had a swimsuit on like the other girls as she stood beside Add. Add gazed piercingly at
Aisha’s chest zone.
Aisha got dumbstruck as she slowly covered her chest with her arms then took a step back.
“…..Isn’t the stare way too open?”
“I’m not interested.”
Add finished his observation then snorted as he turned his head around without any regrets. Aisha’s
expression turned extremely unpleasant when he did this.
“……I don’t think it won’t be a crime even if I smashed you down the ocean trench right now.”
“I only made an academic comparison. Forget it.”
“Don’t you know that’s even ruder? How discourteous…..”
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Aisha clicked her tongue as she expressed her displeasure. But Add was really deep inside his
thoughts right now. Aisha and Eve had similar chest sizes. So then why couldn’t he avert his gaze
from Eve?
“……Hmm.”
If you discarded the subjectivity, it was quite obvious for males to be conscious of female’s bodies.
Although Add wasn’t too interested, and although he got into various troublesome situations
because of Eun’s hara.s.sments, that was not related to this.
Of course, Eve was a Nasod. But she was indeed a female if you considered her gender. Just like
how if you saw a drawing of a female then you won’t consider the drawing as a male, all intelligent
life forms were designed to recognise each other’s genders by their appearances.
Add deliberated as he made his conclusion.
“……Is it because of the difference in designs?”
That’s right; there were differences in designs in Aisha and Eve’s swimsuits. Add had never paid
attention to girls’ attires but who knows? There could be some hidden preference that he had never
realized.
He couldn’t avert his gaze from Eve because a taste that he hadn’t been conscious of before had
come up!
Good, that’s a perfect explanation!
“Are you only going to watch from the back? I thought you wanted to make them cheer up. Then
shouldn’t you also join in and swim together with them?”
“Hmph, there’s no reason for me to step up. Kukukuk.”
“Ah, come to think of it. You…..couldn’t swim right?”
Add unknowingly winced at her low voice. Aisha was smiling brightly.
It was an extremely ominous smile. Add unknowingly stuttered his words as he stepped back.
“W, wait.”
“The sin of looking at a lady rudely is a big one.”
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When Aisha swung her arm lightly as she spoke this, a cyclone appeared near Add. No way. She can
even perform magic with bare hand? Putting that aside…..this cyclone was surrounding Add’s body
and trying to drag him towards the sea!!
Add got startled and activated his Dynamos. He successfully escaped the cyclone’s radius by using a
short distance s.p.a.ce warp. Aisha opened her mouth in surprise slightly from this feat then she
smiled violently right after.
“If it’s a contest of strength, I’ll accept it any time. How long do you think you can avoid using
s.p.a.ce warp? Aren’t you tired of using such an old method?”
“Uh…..”
It felt like he had lighted a wick of a bomb. This purple magician showed good will toward the El
Search Party but she seemed to have a very strong sense of not wanting to acknowledge defeat.
When Add dodged, she immediately thinks ‘Oh, you actually dared to dodge?’.
What an emotional magician. Anyways, when Aisha swung her arm again, four cyclones got created
and prepared to jump at Add.
“All you had to do was willingly fall into the sea. Do I have to really bring you there myself?”
“Come to think of it, you appeared using s.p.a.ce warp before. How’s that possible?”
“That’s because I’m Dimension Princess. Didn’t Big Sister Elly call me that? I told her to call me
Void Princess but the name stuck because demons kept calling me that on their own. Well, I gave up
trying to fix it in the end.”
Aisha was acting like it was nothing special but this wasn’t something Add could just pa.s.s over.
“Distance should be possible if you calculated precisely. But you could also move other people.
Furthermore, you could move us whom you’ve met only yesterday without any consent. How is that
possible?”
“That’s because life forms or not, aren’t they all just collections of information? In science they call
this basic unit of information the atom or the particle, and in magic they have a vintage name for it
called the fragment of a soul. But in the end, they are both same in that clumps of information come
together to become an ent.i.ty.”
It seemed that Aisha had forgotten the situation right now and started explaining with a simple tone.
She spoke smoothly in an easy way to understand like a teacher who was asked a question from her
student.
“For example, that Void Impact you use. Doesn’t it shake the s.p.a.ce, that is, you change a constant
into a variable. Then you use the self restoration property of that variable trying to go back into a
constant to cause a shockwave. Am I right?”
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“…….”
Add could only nod when the key factor of his skill got a.n.a.lysed so quickly. He had figured Aisha
had been observing the El Search Party since long ago. But he hadn’t known that she knew not only
their names and achievements but their skills in such a detail as well.
“Oh, and Void Double Impact. You’re using it in a stupid way again. Why are you using parallel
calculations when you can just use serial connection?”
“…..What do you mean?”
“Here, look at this.”
Aisha waved her hand to clear away the cyclones as if she had just remembered something. Then she
started to write down a formula on the sand.
It was a calculative formula for Add’s Void Impact.
“……How do you know this?”
“Is it so strange for Void Princess to explain about Void Impact?”
He was about to faint from surprise. How did this magician know so much in depth about
everything?
Aisha didn’t mind Add’s surprised face and continued to explain in detail.
“Right now, you delete the load prevention formula here, and then reduce the casting time by firing
a Void Impact two times as you remove the safety mechanism right? That’s why you are getting
feedbacks on your body. You’re losing out because you’re using it with the mindset of using Void
Impact two times.”
“…..Then what’s the proper way?”
“Combine the two into a single calculation. Don’t calculate two times. Instead, fire it as if you’re
firing a one large Void Impact in two slices. The original values will still change the moment when
s.p.a.ce coordinate’s constant turns into a variable. So there shouldn’t be any problems if you
calculated beforehand how the first Void Impact would change the original constant.
The main point in Aisha’s explanation was to throw the first punch while keeping in mind how to
throw the second punch.
She was even writing up the follow up formulas and the concise load prevention formulas as well…..
Even in Add’s eyes, it was a formula that had more output and stability than the one he had been
using before.
“…..”
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Add didn’t want to admit it, but he felt a sense of defeat as an engineer. Add had a huge pride in his
Dynamo and battle methods.
But they were being completely treated like a child’s play in front of Aisha.
Aisha finished explaining then got up as she tapped the dirt off her hands. Then she burst out
laughing after seeing Add’s face.
“You look extremely vexed. That’s unexpected. I didn’t think you knew how to make such a face.”
“……I’ll thank you for your a.s.sistance.”
With his pride hurt, Add responded while suppressing his feelings. He had thought he was the
smartest in the world, but for there to be someone that was above him… Separate from how Aisha
was a powerful magician, Add was extremely vexed that he got treated like a kid in his own field of
expertise.
“Well, I’d like to brag that I, the Great Aisha figured this out all on my own because I’m smart.
But….that’s not actually true.”
“What do you mean?”
Aisha smiled bitterly.
“This isn’t a formula that I came up with. It was taught to me. I was able to awaken because I was
taught not only this, but many other things as well. That’s why I started to be called Dimension
Princess by the demons and even became number 1 in the demons’ list for dangerous individuals.”
“……”
“I told you this double formula because it will be of help to you from now on. Don’t thank me and
thank the diabolic foregoer person that taught me this instead. Hmm, should I just shorten that
description into a diabolic person because it’s too long?”
This simultaneous calculation, Double, wasn’t something that was pioneered but instead was a thing
that someone else had already achieved? And that person is Aisha’s mentor?
There was someone so exceptional in this age?
“Who is this? Can you let me meet this person?”
If it was someone even Aisha would seek knowledge from, Add could learn endless amounts of
things from this person. When Add asked greedily from his l.u.s.t for knowledge, Aisha lightly shook
her head.
When Add was about to beg again, Aisha smiled prettily.
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“By the way, aren’t we forgetting something?”
“Hm?”
The wave that just came into the sh.o.r.e erased half of the formula that Aisha had written. But it
didn’t matter. Add had already understood and memorized everything soon as he heard and saw it.
Aisha lightly waved her hand as she smiled.
“Okay, go flying!”
Cyclones got created again.
He’s falling.
“Uwaaaaaaaah!!”
Add was freefalling as he screamed. He quickly moved his Dynamos but the fall speed was too fast.
Water’s surface was right in front of him.
But Add clenched his teeth as he barely managed to stop a few centimeters above the water’s surface.
Add breathed out a sigh of relief.
Trying to plunge someone into water for real. What a violent girl.
“Phew…..”
“M, Mr.Add!! Watch out!”
In that moment, a scream came from behind Add’s back and he thoughtlessly tried turn around. But
Add was pushed up by a powerful impact. The feeling of getting rammed by an enraged bull, Add
couldn’t breathe as his eyes started going dark. Add had fallen down so abruptly from the sky that
Ara who had been running wasn’t able to dodge in time and had directly run into him.
Splash!!
Water splashed up irregularly as Ara and Add got lumped together and fell into the water. Add got
completely drenched and muttered as he frowned.
Thankfully, this place was only a shin deep so he didn’t need to flutter.
“Look in front of you when…..”
“…..”
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Add was muttering then he realized the situation and couldn’t say anything. Ara’s face was way too
close. It had turned into a position where Ara was pressing down on Add as they fell into the water
together.
“Uh….”
“……”
Add didn’t know what he should say. He quickly turned his head around to avert facing Ara directly.
Then Ara looked like she abruptly came to her senses then removed her hands from Add’s
shoulders as she stood up.
“U, umm I’m sorry Mr.Add.”
“I’m sorry for falling so suddenly too…..”
Add apologized unlike himself. The position just now was a bit startling but he felt like nothing
good would come from bringing up this incident anymore.
He should just talk naturally as usual. As if nothing happened…..
“Uh, umm….. I’ll go running for a bit!”
“……”
But that was only possible with the other person’s cooperation. Ara whose face had turned red
looked like she didn’t know what to do then she suddenly shut her eyes and ran away.
Although Add’s eyes couldn’t quite believe it, she was literally running on the water’s surface. Ara
was fast as the wind when she started running, she was kicking the surface with her right foot just
before her left foot sank.
Well, she could also run across the air so it wasn’t surprising….. But it seemed there was a limit
because she was slowly sinking into the water. Add saw Ara continue to run to the point where she
sank down up to her neck then turned his head around with a sigh.
“So meaningless….”
“I ended up seeing everything.”
Add winced at the voice that came from behind him but managed to look back with a blunt gaze.
Rena was facing him while smiling.
“If you saw, then you should know that it was an accident.”
“Yes, I know.”
“……I told you it was an accident.”
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Add frowned and spoke once more when Rena continued to smile warmly. It didn’t feel too good to
get mixed up with that scatterbrain. But Rena changed the topic with a tone as if she didn’t care too
much.
“Since we came to the sea, let’s swim together Add.”
“I don’t feel like it.”
He actually didn’t know how to. But it felt like things would get annoying if he revealed this. Rena
would probably try to care for Add by telling him something like she’ll teach him how to swim.
Although her meddling was tiresome, it didn’t feel bad…..
“You should relax too.”
“Yea, since Add did this much for our sake.”
“…..That magician over there had a change of whim. I don’t know anything.”
Rena nodded when Add sulked and objected.
“Yes, since Add went out of his way to even ask other people.”
“…..”
It was no use no matter what he said. But Add didn’t speak anymore when Rena approached him
with light steps.
Rena was truly beautiful. Her long light green hair and body that drew feminine curves, he would
have believed that she was a sculpture if he hadn’t seen her walk and speak.
She became a beautiful piece of painting even though all she was currently doing was standing with
her forelegs slightly inside the water. He didn’t want to make any careless dent in this painting.
“I organized my thoughts a bit as well. Let’s talk again during the evening. So let’s forget everything
for now and play.”
Rena offered with a smile as if she knew what Add was worried about. It was difficult to refuse
when she asked like this.
Just when Add was about to reluctantly agree, Rena suddenly looked behind her.
“Ah, I asked Eve to swim together as well but she refused. Wouldn’t she be bored by herself?”
“……”
“Why don’t you go and keep her company?”
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Just as she said, Eve sat alone on the sand and was quietly watching Elsword who was swimming far
away. When Add realized why Rena was doing this and frowned, Rena also added an excuse.
“Since I’ll have to call Elsword if Add refuses. But Elsword is swimming so cheerfully right now.”
Just like Rena said, Elsword was now busily racing with Ara. He was really having fun although Add
had pushed him to do it.
“What will you do?”
“…..I’ll go.”
Add didn’t like how Rena was smiling but he walked towards Eve regardless. He had to do this
eventually anyways.
Add walked out of the sea and was about to talk to Eve who was sitting on the sand with her knees
joined together. But he paused. Rena did push him to come, and it was something he had to do
eventually. But he just couldn’t think of how to start this conversation.
Then Eve raised her head and they ended up making eye contact.
Add instinctively realized he couldn’t go back or stall now. He sat down beside Eve naturally as
possible, while hoping it looked as natural as possible.
“…..”
It was at least encouraging to see that Eve didn’t show any reaction of standing up. They sat side by
side for a moment and looked across the horizon. But when the silence continued, Add started to
open his mouth.
“I’m telling you now but….”
“I cannot accept it.”
Add looked beside him after getting his words s.n.a.t.c.hed up. Eve was still looking at Elsword who
was swimming energetically.
“I get why you did such a thing. Elsword and Rena also told me. But I still cannot accept your
method.”
“……”
Eve was saying that she found out why Add had spoken harsh words to Elsword before the day that
they fought Elesis. But she was still being stubborn by saying that she had no intention to apologize.
Well, it didn’t matter since Add had never expected her to understand in the first place.
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“Then what are you going to do from now on? Elsword won’t stand still after knowing Elesis’
whereabouts. Are you two planning to go back to fight Elesis?”
“……”
It became a pushy tone as Add started talking, but this was a problem that had to be resolved. The
El Search Party lost to Elesis.
What should they do now? What were Eve’s thoughts on this?”
“What do you plan to do now, Add?”
“…..It won’t be a problem long as I don’t cross paths with you guys right?”
He hadn’t intended it, but it became a sarcastic tone.
Add hadn’t realized it himself, but what Eve said about never seeing each other’s face again….. Must
have become a lump in his heart and remained there ever since.
Who did she think he was doing this for? He even painted over time in order to fight...
It was illogical to ask Eve to understand in the first place, but he couldn’t prevent his emotions from
twisting.
“Don’t worry. I’ll do my best to not show even a single speck of my hair to you.”
“What I said that time was…..”
Eve seemed to hesitate for a moment then suddenly lowered her head. She hid her expression by
covering her face slightly between her knees.
“I made an error in my judgement. I’m sorry, Add.”
“……”
Add’s heart that wanted to continue being sarcastic got wiped clean. His blood pressure went up at
this unexpected words and he couldn’t even make any judgements anymore.
No, why was his blood pressure going up? But his face turning red was clearly a symptom of high
blood pressure right?
For Eve to apologize, and so honestly too, not for any other reason…… She was purely apologizing
for saying harsh words to him.
Without Elsword or anything! Purely! To him!!
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“I apologize for saying something so harsh.”
“…..Uh, yea.”
Add was so surprised that he couldn’t even answer properly. He repeatedly opened and closed his
mouth then scratched his head in frustration. He was an engineer, but his feelings couldn’t be
expressed logically right now.
For that pompous and prudish Eve to apologize this honestly. This was completely outside his
calculations.
Every feeling that had been piled up within him disappeared and no thoughts came into his mind.
But Add felt Eve move her eyes slightly to look at him so he hurriedly tried to reply with whatever
words that came out of his mouth.
“I, I see. I’m glad you realized your mistake. As expected of the Queen of Nasods, you have a
sufficient will of wanting to improve yourself. I should work harder from now on too. Kukuk.”
“I’m sorry if that offended you.”
“…..No, offended? Who said I was offended? Kukukukuk, there’s no way a cold-minded engineer
like me would care about a mere Nasod’s mistake. Isn’t that right?”
Add blabbered without knowing what he was saying. He didn’t know what he was doing because his
feelings of wanting this moment to continue and wanting this moment to end got mixed up from
within his head.
He couldn’t even tell if this place he was sitting on was the sand or the clouds.
“I realized later that you had put quite a bit of your own consideration into what you said.”
“……..”
Such an honest apology. Add closed his mouth shut after hearing these honest words.
Eve had never reacted even once like this before. He wanted to open his ears and remember every
single word she spoke.
Since this kind of moment probably won’t ever come again.
“Will you forgive my mistake?”
“……Of course.”
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Add had been looking straightly at Eve but he quickly turned his head forwards when Eve turned to
look at him. Ara, Elsword and now Rena were swimming together but none of those came into his
eyes.
“Thank you.”
“……”
No way, he finally won. He finally achieved everything. Add unknowingly clenched his fists and
screamed out a cheer inside his mind. Great, everything is perfect now.
He finally made Eve who only looked at Elsword turn around to look at him.
Then has the time finally come?
“……”
Has the time to steal Eve’s Core come? Add’s face that had been startled by the success he hadn’t
imagined slowly stiffened. Just when Add was slowly turning around to look at Eve, she murmured
in a low voice.
“You spoke those harsh words because you were worried about Elsword as well. I can’t accept your
method but those remarks were rather valuable.”
“Hey, wait.”
Words trying to stop her from talking came out unconsciously. But Eve calmly continued her words
as if she hadn’t heard anything.
“I don’t know when the two of your relationships became like that, but let me make this one thing
clear.”
“Hey…..”
He had so much he wanted to speak out but Eve didn’t even pretend to listen and spoke sternly as if
there was nothing else in this world that was more important than this.
“I’m the one who got the request to become friends by Elsword first. Do not forget this.”
“……Ah.”
His head was dizzy. Add couldn’t stand it anymore so he gave up sitting upright and dropped down
on his back. Add covered his face with his arms and only exhaled absent-minded sighs.
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What it the world? Isn’t this a bit too harsh? It was to keep me in check? She’s doing this right now
so she can keep me in check?
“Is there any problems? Ask Elsword yourself if you are suspicious.”
“…..Kukukuk.”
There were so many things that he didn’t know what to point out first. Add felt so absent-minded
that he only let out a laugh. Eve was right now…..thinking that Elsword and Add had become
friendly with each other and she was being jealous!!
No, he could tell what kind of series of logic brought her to this conclusion. But isn’t this a bit too
much? Possessive desires amongst friends? I’ve been friendly with this guy but he’s been recently
playing with some other guy? Is that what this is? Is this really coming out right now? Isn’t this way
too harsh?
His brain could understand but his heart felt stifled and his sight was spinning so dizzily that he
couldn’t even breathe.
“Should I call Rena if you’re not feeling well?”
When Add stayed down without saying anything in order to suppress his stifling heart, Eve tried
placing her hand on Add’s forehead.
Then all of various emotions that had been boiling up from within him disappeared as if they had
all been lies.
“You don’t seem to have any fever. Is there something else that’s wrong?”
“……I’m just lying down because I’m tired.”
“Then you should go back to the lodge and rest.”
Add shot back bluntly to Eve’s serene words.
“I don’t know what might happen if I were to do that so I’ll stay like this for now.”
“?”
When Eve tried to pull back her hand as if she couldn’t understand, Add grabbed her hand.
“Let’s stay like this for a bit.”
“Is this some new illness you get from being in the beach?”
140
“Let’s stay like this for a bit.”
141
“…..Yea.”
Eve looked like she couldn’t comprehend when Add replied bluntly. But she didn’t withdraw her
hand. With his eyes closed and Eve’s hand on top of his forehead, Add let out a long sigh.
Eve’s misunderstanding. He was so dumbfounded after realizing what she had been thinking of
that he couldn’t even speak properly.
If it’s like this, his plan to make Eve turn around to look at him…..would probably take much
longer.
Well, it doesn’t matter that way.
“Hmph……”
It didn’t feel bad right now at the least.
Eve stayed and guarded beside Add for a while then she got up from her spot when Elsword called.
They must all be playing volleyball.
But Add didn’t join in by saying he wasn’t feeling well.
“Okay, here I come! Hiyah!”
Instead, Aisha had joined in and was displaying fancy skills. Appearing from the left, appearing
from the right….she was. .h.i.tting scary spikes by restlessly teleporting.
“…..Isn’t that cheating?”
“We should limit the amount.”
They were playing far away enough that you couldn’t even tell their expressions clearly, but Add
could hear their conversations because he had sent one of the Dynamos.
Eve on the opposite team gave an overwhelmed reaction and even Elsword who was on the same
team as Aisha gave a same reaction as Eve. But Rena was responding to Aisha’s spikes easily as if
they were no big deal. Well, even as how Add saw it, while Aisha’s teleports were dizzy, it was
merely a trick to distract the eyes. It might be useful for defense, but it wasn’t a very effective
maneuver for offense.
Aisha herself should know this as well since she’s smart. It looked like she was merely running wild
because she was having fun and wasn’t doing this particularly because she wanted to win.
“She looks normal when you see her like this.”
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Add sighed as he went over in his head the improved Void Impact that Aisha had taught him. If
you followed her formula, not only Void Impact, but outputs of all the other skills that used s.p.a.ce
and shockwaves would improve greatly.
After being taught by Aisha, Add could confidently say that he became 1.5 times, no to exaggerate,
even 2 times stronger. But even so….
“I don’t know.”
He couldn’t think of a way to defeat Elesis. They needed the entire El Search Party’s full efforts to
even defeat the form before she transformed. He couldn’t even begin to imagine how powerful she
became after she transformed.
“We can’t win right now…..”
No matter how much he repeated his calculations, this wasn’t the time to fight. When Add was
putting his hand on his forehead and letting out a sigh, he could feel a presence beside him. He
turned around to see Ara who had brought a sunbed and was opening it.
White hair, and cute twitching fox ears on top, it wasn’t Ara. But she didn’t have tails for some
reason.
“What?”
When Add asked displeasingly, Eun looked around then slightly pulled on her swimsuit’s bottom
piece to adjust its position. Add watched blankly at her finger’s movements then abruptly averted his
gaze.
Eun didn’t mind Add’s reaction and smiled beamingly. She then stretched out her arms and legs as
she laid down frontwards on the sunbed. Looking at how she covered her mouth with her hand as
she yawned, she looked very leisurely.
“Everyone is playing, why doesn’t boy go join them as well?”
“Things that require me to move are tiresome. Also, what happened to your tail?”
“It gets heavy when it gets soaked in water. I’ll put it on right now if boy needs a pillow though.”
“Don’t make me laugh.”
Add instinctively let out an enraged voice. Then Eun who had been enjoying bathing in the sun
opened one eye to look at Add.
“It looks like you are quite mad at me.”
It was obvious. According to Add’s deduction, Eun would have at least known about Elesis’ true
abilities. That’s because….
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“Didn’t you say that you’d trust me if you could win safely? I’d like boy to meekly open his heart to
me now.”
He indeed did say something like that before. When Add stared coldly, Eun spoke as she smiled
beamingly.
“Isn’t everyone safe? Boy’s objectives have been accomplished.”
“…..You didn’t come out even when Ara was in danger.”
“That was something Ara asked me separately. She said she wanted to handle much of the fight by
herself as possible. I usually only lend my strength with Celesital Fox state.”
“I said, don’t make me laugh.”
When Add violently cut her off, Eun sighed then closed her eye.
“Getting so angry when we actually got to have a vacation for a change. Did boy develop a hobby
for treating me with contempt?”
“About how Elesis wasn’t revealing her true abilities. You hid that from me even while I time
traveled two times.”
“How can you say that? I might not have known. I’m telling you, it’s not like I…..”
“You would have at least known that. Why don’t you try recalling what you said?”
Add showed his teeth.
“Didn’t you say that you’d even take over Ara’s body and evacuate if her life was in danger? But you
only watched even when Ara’s was in danger. That’s because fighting with Elesis’ 1
st form wasn’t
really dangerous.”
“…..”
“You would have expected that her 2nd form, where she released her true powers was the true
danger. That we could somehow beat the 1st form but the 2nd form will be waiting for us right after,
that if you really had to take over Ara’s body and evacuate, it’ll be because of the 2nd form.”
Add had thought from the start that they couldn’t even defeat the 1st form with just Ara’s strength
alone. That’s why he thought he should bring Eun out instead.
The result was obvious after combining the fact that how Ara had decided to fight much as
possible with her own strength and the Celestial Fox state’s mechanism where you could recover
while fighting the enemy.
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“That theory still has room for interpretations. I could have stayed back in order to improve Ara’s
skills.”
“If you stepped up, there would have been numerous chances to defeat the 1st form much easily.”
Actually, Add wasn’t interrogating with a clear cut evidence either. He was basing this on
circ.u.mstantial evidences. But what Eun said about how they weren’t guaranteed to defeat Elesis’ 1
st
form even if she had joined in was nonsense.
If Eun had helped as well, defeating 1
st Elesis would have been much easier.
Thus, what Eun said about how she couldn’t grantee a victory can only be seen as her putting the
2
nd form into her calculation as well.
“Didn’t you say it yourself? That we couldn’t guarantee a victory against Elesis even if you stepped
up. But only two conclusions can come from this if you restrict Elesis’ abilities to only her 1st form.
Either what you said about not being able to guarantee a victory was a lie, or you knew that the 2nd
form was waiting for us.”
“…..”
Eun didn’t speak anymore. Add revealed all the rage he had withheld up till now.
“In the end, you knew that we would lose. That we could defeat the 1st form but would lose against
the 2
nd…..”
“According to the times.p.a.ce coordinates, that form of Elly is called Crimson Avenger. It’s hard to
understand when you’re speaking in terms of 1
st and 2nd
.”
“…..That means you only stood by and watched even though you knew that we’d be driven into
danger!”
Add ignored the nonsense she spoke and exploded in anger. But Eun replied calmly to Add’s
interrogation.
“So, is there any problem with that?”
“….”
Add got up from his spot immediately.
He had tried to avoid forceful confrontations with Eun so far, but it was difficult to restrain
himself anymore. Electric currents started flowing through the Dynamos. He was going to fight
today without any restraints since he also got a formula boost recently.
I’ll hang you upside down and make you beg for your life!! When Add enflamed his will to fight,
Eun opened her eyes narrowly to look at him then moved her hands.
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Just when Add was about to quickly move his Dynamos in response, the attack that Eun launched
surpa.s.sed his imaginations.
Snap!
Her swimsuit’s top piece, she had unhooked the back hook of the swimsuit that had been covering
the b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Amidst the sound of electric currents, Add blinked while thinking if his hearing was
mistaken.
Just what was she doing in this volatile situation?
“A mark would remain on the back if I tanned like this. It would be a bad thing to do to Ara.”
“…..Hey”
“Hmm? Why is boy standing like that? So you want to have a go without any restraints? Well,
there’s no reason not to play along with some anger venting.”
“What are you doing?!”
Add got fl.u.s.tered and backed off when Eun tried to get up from the sunbed as she was now. But
he backed off around two steps then got his cool-head back. He glared at Eun with displeasure and
rage. Eun had gotten up barely to the point where it looked really dangerous and was smiling
sluggishly while observing him with narrow eyes.
“You……”
“Is there any problems, boy?”
Eun was acting slyly as if she didn’t know anything. But there was no way she actually didn’t know.
If he attacks Eun now….her upper body that’s not wearing anything will get revealed.
No, why was someone who even has the skills escaping with this kind of shameful method? Add’s
blood boiled but he withdrew his Dynamos.
First of all, it was something he couldn’t do to Ara. It was annoying to the point where he wanted
to hang Eun upside down and pull out the hairs on her tail one by one. But he didn’t have any
particular grudge against Ara.
“That’s enough, stop going so far with Ara’s body.”
“That’s why I’m only moderately exaggerating the b.r.e.a.s.t.s. It’s much more amazing if I do it
properly.”
“……”
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Let’s just stop talking. When Add displeasingly continued to glare, Eun laughed slyly as she nodded
slightly.
“That’s right, boy. Boy’s a.s.sumptions are all correct. I knew beforehand that Elly hadn’t released
her true powers. Boy’s judgemental ability in figuring this out just from couple circ.u.mstances and
words pa.s.sing by is quite surprising. It’s as expected of a brain of the El Search Party.”
“Stop playing innocent, why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”
“Let me ask you instead, what would have changed if I told you?”
Eun withdrew her mischievousness then asked. Add was about to answer then paused.
“The result wouldn’t have changed. Boy should already be feeling this as well. That no strategies
will work on Elly’s true abilities. That no matter how superior boy’s brain is, no matter how many
times boy challenged by rewinding time, that he wouldn’t ever have been able to surpa.s.s that giant
wall.”
“…..”
“Doesn’t boy know down to his bones already? That’s why you would have been tempted by the
choice of joining the demons.”
“I would have just made use of the demons if necessary.”
Add answered bluntly but her indication was correct. Soon as Add witnessed Elesis’ skills…..he
couldn’t even think about how to handle her.
Others could do their best in their positions, but coming up with their plan was Add’s task.
If the El Search Party loses, that’s because Add had made an error in his plan.
“d.a.m.n…..”
It had become like this even before he had realized. This was partly because Add’s brain was
superior, but it was also because he knew what would happen already. If Add wanted to prevent the
undesirable future that was approaching them, it was correct for him to take the strategist role by
coming up with plans and making the Search Party listen to his plans.
Wasn’t it because the other members had unquestionably listened to Add’s request that they could
give up the diversionary tactic with the Velder Liberation army and focus on Elesis?
Although they still lost in the end.
“…..Kugh.”
147
Add felt vexed and rolled his hands up into fists. Just like Eun said, it wasn’t something that would
have changed even if he knew beforehand. At first, he was angry that Eun had kept her mouth shut
despite knowing everything. But he had no choice but to accept it now.
Nothing would have changed.
“So there was no way for us to win against Elesis.”
“At this point, yes.”
Add raised his head. Eun was resting her chin on her hands while lying on the sunbed with her
back completely exposed. She was looking at him with a bewitching smile.
Add knew that he would get dragged around by her again if he asked this. But he couldn’t help but
to ask.
“Is there a way for us to win from now on?”
“It’s difficult to tell you without anything in return.”
Eun spoke this then held up some tube with her thumb and index finger.
“Rub some sun cream on the back. Then I’ll listen to your request.”
“……”
He shouldn’t have asked.
“Why are you saying you’ll tell me if I do something like this?”
“Shall we say that it’s a type of ceremony for reconciliation? I want to loosen boy’s anger a bit.”
“…..”
Add reluctantly grabbed the sun scream. He knew how to use it…… But was she really telling him
to do this?
“You have to do it using your hands. Don’t think of doing it half-heartedly. Please put it on every
inch, without any missing spots.”
“…..”
I should just splash this on her head. Add even got an impulse of wanting to do this as his insides
boiled up… But even this whitely dyed hair was actually Ara’s.
How dumfounding would it be if something like that happened to you when you were asleep?
148
“Rub some sun cream on the back. Then I’ll listen to your
request.”
149
“Phew….”
In the end, the fundamental problem as to why Add always got dragged around by Eun was
because Eun didn’t care at all about Ara’s well being. No, it did look like she cared…..but she
glosses over parts that she should be concerned about. There were much more cases where Add
who was watching got startled instead and didn’t know what to do.
If the person that was lying on the sunbed revealing her back right now was Ara, it wouldn’t have
been strange for her to faint from embarra.s.sment.
Since it was to a point where she couldn’t even step out easily because she was quite embarra.s.sed
about wearing a swimsuit.
“I’ll request you to put it on every inch carefully.”
“Don’t make me laugh.”
Add made his decision and threw the sun cream back at Eun. Eun caught the sun cream flying at
her without even looking properly then narrowed her eyes.
“Doesn’t boy want to know a way to win?”
“That’s Ara’s body. Stop fooling around with it so much.”
“Hmm, boy is caring about Ara’s well being now? How condescending of you after pushing her
into the perilous front line.”
“Having Ara in the front line is what I ordered Ara to do. If you have any complaints then say
them separately. Don’t mix them up.”
Add clearly drew the line then glared at Eun. If he gave into Eun’s enticement right here and
obediently followed her instructions….well, he could probably obtain the information he needed.
But wasn’t that touching someone’s body while its owner was asleep? Ara, or anyone else, he didn’t
want to commit such thievery.
If he really needs to, he’ll take them fair and square. Hiding and stealing like a cowards wasn’t
Add’s way of doing things!
“If you really hold Ara dear, then you shouldn’t be offering this kind of deals. It seems you lived
for too long that you don’t know about human embarra.s.sment and humiliation. Should I educate
you straightly so that even a fox can understand?”
“Hmm, boy getting serious has a different taste to it.”
Eun didn’t show particular unrest even though her offer got refused. Rather, she seemed to be glad
by Add’s serious reaction and was even making a satisfied smile.
150
“Fine, good. Why shouldn’t I speak a word for the boy when he treasures Ara this dearly? Alright,
what do you want to find out from this fox Celestial Spirit who’s lived for thousand years that she
can see through the order of heaven and earth?”
“…….”
Wasn’t this the first time she was so pleased like this? Add looked at her very suspiciously but it
looked like she was really overjoyed.
……He didn’t know why, but getting mad must have brought out a positive result.
Anyways, this was the first time Eun was saying she’d give out information this freely. When Add
hesitated to think about what to ask, Eun pulled out one of her tails to tickle his stomach.
Add got distracted during his thought so he twitched his fingers. Then the Dynamo fired a
shockwave towards the tail. But the tail Eun had pulled out had already disappeared without a trace.
“Don’t distract me in my thoughts. It won’t end with just the tail next time.”
“I did it because I’m feeling joyful. You should just play along too. Boy is way too finicky. You’d be
a lot cuter if you went along with my jokes accordingly.”
Eun muttered but didn’t tease him anymore. She narrowed her eyes then spoke with a tone as if
she was reminiscing about a far past.
“We lost…..huh? Boy became able to say some good words now.”
Ignoring Eun’s unknown words, Add repeatedly struggled in his mind then finally made his
decision. There were many things he needed to know but let’s first deal with the problem that’s right
in front of him.
“So, how can we defeat Elesis?”
“Yes, the answer is simple. You just have to become strong enough to beat Elly.”
“I’ll rip your ears off if you are joking around.”
“Didn’t boy already become sufficiently stronger after getting taught from Aisha?”
She already knew. She’s really a ghost after all.
“Boy right now can probably deal with Shadow Master by himself easily. You’re lacking selfrecognition
that you became stronger.”
Eun spoke tiredly while still lying down forwards with her back bathing in sunlight.
“Other members are the same. They all have a chance to become stronger. All you have to do this
grab that chance…..then fight. Just like how Elsword became stronger.”
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“I’m asking for a definite answer.”
Add’s voice heated up.
“You’ll find out about the big picture soon. I’ll tell you about the small pictures from beside you.”
“…..Is that all you’re going to tell me?”
“Don’t be so hasty. You can’t expect the rice to cook without lighting the fire.”
Add couldn’t understand what Eun was muttering about. It seemed for a moment that Eun’s heavy
lips had finally opened, but all that came out were bizarre words.
Should he at least be glad that she did somewhat answer like she said she would?
It felt enraging since the answer was below his expectations. But there was no particular choice. If
there was someone that can see out into the future, the best course of action would be to listen to
that person to overcome the events to come.
Eun must have read Add’s thoughts because she shook her head.
“Don’t try to rely on me too much. Boy is already doing plenty well.”
“Who said I’m relying on you? I only bothered myself to chat with you for a bit.”
“Yes, that att.i.tude right now is perfect. If you cling to me too much….. You’ll regret it enormously
later.”
Eun’s bitter words, her words continued even before Add could question her about what they
meant.
“I’m doing this to not make anyone cry. So don’t be so mad at me.”
“…..”
“It doesn’t matter if you hate me because I keep talking in circles or because I always joke
around….. But it’s kind of sorrowful seeing boy show this much hot tempered reaction.”
Her drooped down fox ears were conveying her feelings.
“Do you think I was overjoyed to see you all lose to Elly? Do you think I had no desires of wanting
to get out there myself and swing the spear as well?”
“If you really were, then give some proper information…..”
“Boy’s action changes if I reveal information. Then the future I’ve seen becomes useless.”
Add was about to refute but paused. What Eun said was pointing at a dilemma.
152
“Wait, then, could it be…..?”
“Didn’t I say from the start that the future isn’t something that’s set in stone? We are merely tossing
dices.”
Eun let out a tired voice.
“Being suspected by people that I’m plotting something against them, that I’m an evil Specter, this
happened almost more times than the amount of hairs on my tail. Well fine, but I didn’t tell them
everything even if I knew. Even this time, I wanted a result where everyone was still alive even if we
were to lose against Elly. That’s why I hid Elly’s true might from the boy.”
“…….”
“Why do you think that is?”
When Add didn’t answer, Eun answered her own question.
“If boy knew that there was no chance to win and only a chance of total annihilation awaited, then
he would have tried with all his might to avoid the fight itself. You wouldn’t have accepted easily the
words telling you to fight in order to lose. Especially since it was a fight where everyone’s lives could
be in danger.”
“…..”
“You have to beat the iron to make it strong.”
Unlike the usual Eun, it somehow felt like she was putting in a lot of effort to justify herself. It felt
like she was examining Add’s thoughts. And Add also….thought that Eun’s words were reasonable.
Add had desperately tried to defeat Elesis and wouldn’t have easily accepted it even if Eun had told
him he couldn’t defeat her. Even if he accepted it, then he would have prioritized a method that
didn’t confront Elesis.
Eun was probably reluctant about her choice as well.
“I have nothing else to say if boy still hates me after this ….”
“I don’t have any emotions to waste on you. I only prioritize in my goal.”
“Does boy still desire the girl’s Core?”
“Do I have to explain that in detail to you?”
Eun would have normally replied with a tease but she didn’t answer for some reason this time.
That bothered Add so he spoke strongly.
153
“You should know that this is something inevitable if you already know about my goal. I’ll end this
time in a way that I can accept it. That’s all there is to it. Is there something else you want to say?”
“Ah, come to think of it…..”
Eun who looked like she had been listening quietly suddenly smiled enchantingly.
“The way for the girl to become stronger than right now is…..”
“……”
“What was it again? I think I can almost recall it.”
Eun bit her index finger then sent him a provocative gaze. Add clenched his fists then suppressed
the desire of wanting to hit her. He couldn’t help but to get angry when someone who’s been acting
as if she was begging him to understand her was now provoking him like this.
He was dumb to have tried to understand her even by little. Add suppressed his temper then spoke
with a lowest voice possible.
“What do you want now?”
“I can’t reach so please on the back……”
“I’ll refuse. Don’t bring that up again. More of all, Eve getting stronger will only get in my way.
Don’t you think that the condition of this deal is strange?”
Add spoke strongly.
“Eve is fine as she is right now. I just need to solve things myself by becoming stronger.”
“Huhuhu, you’re correct. How could I have made such a mistake?”
Eun seemed to nod in agreement then smiled beamingly.
“Let’s consider this negotiation broken.”
Woosh, a sudden cold wind seemed to breeze by then Ara’s hair got dyed in black. Then an
innocent gaze looked at him, Add froze after making eye contact.
“Huh…….”
“M, Mr.Add?”
Ara got startled then looked around. She then turned her head to look at Add again then got even
more startled. When Ara hastily tried to get up, Add turned his head around abruptly then shouted.
“Don’t get up like that!!”
154
“Pardon? Kiiiiyaaah!!”
Ara finally realized that the top piece of her swimsuit was unhooked then covered with her arms as
she sat down on the sunbed. It would have been better if she just dropped on the sunbed instead
but it seemed her thoughts couldn’t reach that far and she was covering with her arms instead.
“…..I’m telling you this right now. This has nothing to do with me.”
“I, I know. B, but can you not look this way?”
Add turned around like she said, no he even covered his face with his palm and let out a sigh.
There had been various circ.u.mstances with Eun before. But there were no cases where Ara had
found out. How was he going to wrap this up now?
Sound of moving was heard from behind him then Ara spoke with a quiet voice.
“…..It’s fine now, Mr.Add.”
“…..”
No, wouldn’t it be better to just leave this place? Well, it’s too late to run away now. Add thought
this as he turned around. Ara bowed her head politely.
“I’m sorry, Lord Eun must have played some kind of prank. You must have been really troubled.”
“…..”
“I’ll get mad at Lord Eun later. So please don’t mind it.”
Add sighed then shook his head when Ara looked like she didn’t know what to do. It was very
obvious that this wasn’t something to scold Ara for.
Also, Ara went through so many hardships during the struggle against Elesis. Add had made an
unreasonable request to her by having her face Elesis alone until Elsword made up his mind and
Add did feel a bit sorry for this.
“It was nothing. You should not mind it as well. Since its going get annoying otherwise.”
“It seems you kept Lord Eun company.”
Ara had a bit of fearful expression then as