TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 187
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Job: Orphan
Favorability: 0
Favorite conversation topics: Mother/Teddy Bear/I Will Definitely Come Back./I Wasn’t Abandoned./Fairy Tale/Prince.
Disliked conversation topics: Orphan/Abandonment/Loneliness/Bad Words
The encounter with the Hero in the novel was unexpected.
I never thought I would meet him underneath the bridge.
Underneath the bridge where dirty water flowed, there was a Silver-Haired Boy exhaling steady breaths.
Although hugging a Teddy Bear tightly made him look like a Girl, I could conclude that the Silver-Haired Boy named ‘Mikhail’ was the only one I knew of.
The Boy in front of me was the Hero ‘Mikhail,’ who becomes the strongest character in the latter part of the novel.
I was flustered.
It was inevitable to feel flustered.
Because I never imagined the Hero from the novel would be lying in a shabby slum.
Even though the novel mentioned in one line that Mikhail was of Slum Origin, it never specified that he came from the slums of the capital city, so I was quite surprised.
While the story about being abandoned by Mother and being taken in by the Nunnery to learn the sword was described in detail, the slum period was so briefly mentioned that it left me quite baffled.
“What the…”
It was the first time meeting a main character from the novel, other than the Young Lady.
“Is this a Fortuitous Encounter?”
Although I had seen Yuria, the Protagonist, once, it wasn’t enough to say we had met, so I skipped over that. This was the first time meeting a main character.
“Oh…”
I poked the sleeping Mikhail with a Tree Branch.
“Did I finish him off?”
“…”
It would be troublesome if I actually finished him off.
“Mother…”
Thankfully, hearing Mikhail’s sleep talk while he was still breathing allowed me to sigh in relief.
“Phew… That’s a relief. But why are you like this, scaring people?”
Looking at Mikhail, who was tightly hugging the Teddy Bear, I fell into deep thought.
A complexion that looked like he hadn’t eaten for days.
Clothes that were grimy and tattered.
I was convinced.
This guy was a Beggar.
As I wondered what to do from now on, selfish thoughts of trying to gain benefits from this encounter filled my mind as I contemplated.
‘Mikhail, huh…’
The Undefeated Sword Saint who wields the Holy Sword and slaughters Demonic Beasts.
How meaningful it would be to make someone like that owe me a debt.
The fact that my Grand Plan to naturally get close to Mikhail at the Academy and reap the Scraps of Fortune had been expedited made me nod in satisfaction.
No matter what, the unchanging truth was.
“Ah… Fortuitous Encounter acquired.”
That I had stumbled upon an incredible Fortuitous Encounter.
How fun would it be.
Living a Homeless Life together with the Hero of the novel, I mean.
Being able to witness the Protagonist’s growth up close, and if luck was on my side, I could follow Mikhail to the Nunnery where Pretty Older Sisters were, and even become Mikhail’s best friend, potentially dating the beautiful women he rejected….
With a Satisfied Smile, I squatted in front of Mikhail. Then, I began poking Mikhail’s cheek with a Tree Branch to check if he was alive or dead.
“Are you dead or alive?”
“…”
“Don’t die. It would be troublesome for me.”
“Mother…”
“He’s alive.”
About 30 minutes passed.
Mikhail’s Golden Eyes slowly began to appear.
The moment the Golden Eyes described in the novel emerged from beneath his eyelids, I waved my hand slightly and greeted Mikhail.
“Mother…”
“I’m not Mother.”
I threw away the Tree Branch and pressed Mikhail’s cheek with my finger to confirm one last time that this wasn’t a dream.
The soft texture gently felt under my touch.
“It’s real…”
“…”
“This is a Fortuitous Encounter, right?”
“…Mother?”
“I’m not Mother, but I’m not Father either… Hmm.”
Smiling at Mikhail, I said.
“Then, am I your brother?”
Stretching out my hand toward Mikhail, I said.
“Nice to meet you.”
“…”
“My name is Lee Minhyuk.”
Mikhail, who had just woken up, hastily moved his body and hid under the Pillar. I didn’t know why he was making such a fuss when I hadn’t done anything, but since I had to maintain my good first impression, I smiled kindly at Mikhail, conveying a sense of reassurance.
“Hello!”
“…”
Mikhail glared at me while holding the Giant Bear tightly. Feeling displeased by his gaze, which seemed to reflect a strong sense of Social Status discrimination, I endured with the mindset of an elder.
I had a staring contest with Mikhail for quite a while.
The rain, which showed no sign of stopping, amplified the Silence between us, and Mikhail, like a drenched Street Cat, raised his claws defensively.
Retracting my awkwardly extended hand, I spoke to Mikhail.
“It’s awkward because it’s our first meeting, right? I’m also feeling very awkward.”
“…”
“Could you at least respond? I may not look like it, but I’m a very shy person, so this is quite embarrassing.”
“…”
“Well, I guess it’s not something you should care about.”
After about 30 minutes, unable to overcome the awkwardness, I laid down the Cardboard Box tucked under my side and said.
“This is a bed. Aren’t you jealous?”
“A box is not a bed.”
“Oh my, you’re quite spoiled.”
Looking at Mikhail, I gave a small Smile. I wondered if he was finally willing to respond.
Knowing everything, I found it quite cautious to approach Mikhail.
There was a risk of a Slip of the Tongue.
If I recklessly approached him as if I knew him, the already wary Mikhail might draw a line.
I sat a little distance away from Mikhail and observed him closely.
Since I had to put my utmost effort into hunting Fortuitous Encounters, I carefully assessed the movements of my prey.
-Growling Stomach Sound…
I instantly figured out what my prey wanted.
Rummaging through my Pocket, I began pulling out cookies stolen from the Bakery. Seeing the edible food, Mikhail’s eyes gradually grew larger.
Looking at Mikhail swallowing his saliva, I quietly said.
“Do you want to eat this?”
“…”
“I’ve eaten plenty, so I don’t need it.”
“…”
Holding the Teddy Bear tightly, Mikhail began to take cautious steps toward me.
Watching Mikhail hesitantly approach as if ready to run at any sudden movement, I gave him an awkward Smile and, seeing him reach for the Cookie, asked in a Small Voice.
“You still haven’t told me your name…”
“I won’t tell you.”
“Don’t you want the Cookie?”
“…Gulp.”
Mikhail began to step away from me, one step at a time.
‘He’s really Overly Scrupulous.’
The Mikhail in the Novel was quite Sweet and Considerate—The Man full of kindness. But whether it was due to Gender Discrimination ingrained in him or Personality Reconstruction at the Nunnery, he showed no warmth toward me.
“Just eat it.”
I handed over the blood-like Cookie to Mikhail and spoke curtly.
“Then I’ll call you ‘Hey’.”
Mikhail, with Cookie crumbs all over his mouth, answered without looking at me.
“Do as you please.”
“Haha… Not easy, huh.”
The rain continued to fall.
After finishing the Cookie, Mikhail curled up again in the Corner of the Pillar, and the Teddy Bear he clung to began to get soaked.
‘He’s going to catch a Cold like that.’
“Achoo.”
‘I was right.’
Mikhail’s body temperature started to drop gradually.
As if the Teddy Bear was so precious, Mikhail showed no intention of letting it go, and whenever I glanced at the Teddy Bear, he hugged it tighter as if to protect it.
Seeing Mikhail’s gaze, as if looking at a Pervert, I let out an Empty Laugh and said.
“I’m not going to steal it.”
“…”
“I prefer curvy Older Sisters over Teddy Bears.”
“…”
“If you keep holding onto that, you’ll catch a Cold, so just put it down for a while.”
Mikhail completely distrusted my words.
Watching him remain on guard against me, not knowing how kind and polite I was, left me feeling like I had eaten a Frustrating Situation.
Even as a Possessor who could endure considerable Cold, I was freezing, so I couldn’t even imagine how cold this Kid must be.
Looking at Mikhail’s pale lips, I removed the Cardboard Box I had draped over myself and said.
“You’ll catch a Cold like that.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Your tone is quite arrogant.”
“You’re more arrogant.”
“That’s true.”
Mikhail didn’t lose a word and ignored my remarks.
Honestly, I wanted to return to a warm place, but I couldn’t leave him behind….
This place, while it wouldn’t Overflow unless it rained heavily, was dangerous in terms of safety, so I couldn’t leave him alone.
I let out a deep sigh and spent Time sitting near Mikhail.
Even as night fell.
Even when Mikhail woke up because of passing Bugs.
I brushed the dust off my pants and caught the Bugs for him, then sat back at a distance. I simply stayed near Mikhail, trying to ease his fear.
Underneath the Bridge, I built a small Bonfire and looked at Mikhail as I spoke.
“Ta-da. Look at this.”
Mikhail’s surprised expression seemed to ask how I managed to make a Bonfire on a rainy day, but I shrugged and smiled.
Possessors were always well-prepared.
Gesturing to Mikhail, I said.
“Your name. Are you still not going to tell me?”
“…”
“This is really hard.”
What should I do with this Fortuitous Encounter?
I looked at the Night Sky after the rain had stopped, closed my eyes, and stayed by Mikhail’s side until his trembling breaths turned into soft snores.
And so, morning came.
“Cough… Cough…”
As expected, Mikhail had caught a Cold.
“Idiot. I told you to let go and sleep.”
-Shake, shake.
“Sigh.”
I took care of Mikhail.
To bring down his rising fever, I picked up a Towel from the Trash pile and placed it on his head.
“Get that dirty thing off me!”
Thanks to Mikhail’s dog-like personality, I struggled in vain and began to slowly extend my hand toward him.
Mikhail still didn’t tell me his name.
He just stayed silent, dragging his sick body to the top of the Bridge, holding onto the Teddy Bear and standing guard.
“What are you doing?”
“…”
“Sigh, I don’t know anymore.”
“Why are you sitting next to me?”
“You have a fever.”
“…”
Like a Puppy waiting for its Master, Mikhail sat pitifully, staring across the Bridge.
Though I pretended not to know, I could tell who Mikhail was waiting for.
And I even knew the Ending of this waiting.
So I said to Mikhail.
“Let’s go.”
“…”
“I know a warm place.”
“Don’t force me when you know nothing.”
“Is that so.”
I continued to stay by Mikhail’s side.
Occasionally meeting the Young Lady to earn money.
-Damn it! Where were you yesterday!
-You didn’t come.
-I was late because I was grabbing an Umbrella!
-Is that so. You should’ve come earlier. I made an Umbrella out of a Cardboard Box.
-It’s your fault for leaving early. Here! Take this.
-What’s this?
-An Umbrella!
I returned to the spot Underneath the Bridge and stayed with Mikhail.
Sometimes saving Mikhail from being swept away by the River Water and scolding the Foolish Mikhail.
“Are you insane!”
“…”
“Are you so desperate to die…!”
“…”
“Do you have any idea how worried I was…! With this much rain, why were you even there!”
“I’m sorry…”
“Sigh… You almost died.”
Slowly, Mikhail began to open his heart to me.
Very slowly, little by little.
Though he never left the Bridge, he began to talk to me and even started to learn how to Joke.
“What’s your name?”
“Me…?”
Mikhail fidgeted with his fingers and looked at me. After biting his lips and contemplating, Mikhail smiled faintly and said.
“I am Mikhail.”
Recalling the name of the cool Protagonist from the Fairy Tale Book Mother used to read to him.
Mikhail had told a Lie.
“My name is Mikhail.”
Because he wanted to appear strong.
And because he wished Mother would call his name for the first time.
Mikhail had told a Lie.