If it were a comic book or a novel, he would’ve thrown it away while cursing. The Hidden Golden Mole tribe had awakened their instincts due to the collapse of their underground kingdom and the help of their old king, who had a wealth of knowledge. At the end of a wonderful scene, the king was slain by monsters that had arrived without warning.
“They sent a vanguard, so that’s not accurate, junior.”
“No, I know that. Still…something like this…”
“It’s my fault.” Claire bowed her head to Shin Eunah and Kang Shin-hyuk. The funeral had already ended, all of the moles were milling about listlessly.
“I knew that the monsters would begin their activities soon, but I couldn’t quit in my studies…I sensed it and ran for it straight away, but I was too late.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s not like we were on an escort quest for the king.” Shin Eunah’s words sounded cold, but she was trying her best to comfort her friend.
“The quest was to complete the claws, the remaining two months of our stay here was like a bonus.”
“But you…no, no.” Claire tried to refute the remark but instead went quiet. She knew that Shin Eunah was the first to face the threat that had arrived, stopping Jormungand’s invasion. It hadn’t just been for this world, but also to protect her friends. However, her efforts couldn’t be denied.
“In the end, these guys just depended on their king. They do nothing now that he’s gone.”
“They haven’t learned all they could from him…I don’t know what they’ll be able to do.” Kang Shin-hyuk spoke up for Claire, but Shin Eunah’s attitude didn’t change.
“That’s just an excuse. In the first place, it was strange that everyone rushed to the king, saying they would help. They have claws, so they can dig. Artifacts should be something you consider after the fact, not before.” She wasn’t wrong. The tribe relied on the king because they felt uneasy, challenging the ground with nothing more than their body.
“The monsters in this world are starting to move, it’s no excuse to sit down like that just because their leader died. Even after reaching this point, their mental state is too much like a child’s.”
“Eunah…that’s not convincing at all, even if you say so.”
“Anyway! Claire, you have nothing to feel guilty about. If these guys die, that’s their own fault.” That was also true. Shin-hyuk didn’t know what happened when the king died, but it was enough for the moles to recognize the existence of monsters. They had to deal with it in some way, whether they were brainstorming or simply moving around, but now they were rolling around like they had given up even thinking.
‘It’s because the king was too big of a presence. He solved everything quickly…’ Even after they had awakened their instincts to dig, the king had led them. They were now in a new environment where he wasn’t there to help them, so it was understandable that they were so devastated.
“I think they need time to take control. Senior, can you protect them for at least three days?”
“Three days?” Shin Eunah’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded.
“If there is no change by then, we will leave them.”
“Then, what are you planning for those three days?” Claire spoke up, a curious look on her face. He replied with a faint smile.
“I think I’ll be able to complete all of the claws in that time. I hope they’re not useless.”
“You always have one thing on your mind.” She laughed, looking a bit more cheerful.
“Okay, your sister will give you a present in that case.”
“A present?” She seemed to have liked what he had said, as she jabbed him in the shoulder with a smile.
“This is perfect for our cute Shin-hyuk, who’s working so hard.”
“Hm.” Shin Eunah glared at Claire, her eyes flashing dangerously. Shin-hyuk wondered if his eyes flashed like that when he used his trait. That would be a little scary.
“Yes, okay, space. Some space…”
“Good.” Shin Eunah stepped back, relieved with Claire’s response.
“Three days. Okay, in the meantime I will protect them. Claire, protect Shin-hyuk.”
“Eh? I have to…?”
“Yes.” Shin Eunah left without another word.
“It was surprisingly easy to convince her. She felt so cool.”
“Wasn’t she just convinced by what you said? She’s not a kid with a lot of thoughts, though even I have to admit it if these guys stay this way after three days.” Outside the workshop, you could still see the moles screaming and rolling about.
“I hate to see it either way…”
“Alright, then let’s start working. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Ah, yes. Thank you, sister.”
“I’m going to make you work hard as a bartender in the future, so I should help this much.”
“…Bartender? Sister, were you thinking of making me a bartender?”
“It’s good to have a variety of skills. I’ve been training you so far, haven’t I?”
“So far?!” Claire might not have been useful for the actual forging process, but she was still a craftsman. Preparing molds and pouring molten metal into them was enough for her to speed the process up. She even engraved some sigils onto the mold, reducing the time needed for the metal to cool.
“I think this will take less than two days, not three.”
“Okay, then the rest of the time will be practice for your bar work.”
“You really intend to make me a bartender…” He should’ve noticed that from the beginning, when she brought him in as a server. But there was no way for him to escape now. Rather, he didn’t want to escape either. She was a clever woman, taking advantage of his crush to bring him into her hobby.
“Of course, you’re a minor, but when you are at the bar you’re Shin Eun-hyuk. Ugh…as expected, that name is a bit ridiculous.”
“Could you please not use that name anymore?” Kang Shin-hyuk complained, staring at Claire. His eyes lingered on her as he thought of his feelings. After they finished their work, he decided he would speak up.
“Sister, can you really not become younger?”
“Wow, that’s bold.” Kang Shin-hyuk almost thought he had made a mistake, but Claire laughed and responded calmly. He wasn’t willing to let it go so easily, however.
“The more I hear it’s impossible, the more it hurts.”
“Well, you are currently in school.”
“I hate giving up.” He stared into Claire’s red eyes, drawing up the resolve of a warrior who aimed to grasp a miraculous victory from the jaws of defeat. “I like you a lot.”
“Thank you very much, but I can’t.”
“Is it not possible? You can be honest with me.”
“Even if I have another reason, wouldn’t it just hurt you to hear it?”
“Maybe.”
Claire grumbled that he was a troublesome guy before continuing.
“Shin-hyuk, it’s best if you hang out with students the same age as you.”
“Is it a matter of age after all?”
“It’s a difference in experience.”
“That’s perfectly fine.” It wasn’t, but he decided that he wasn’t going to push any further. Claire stood up with a smile.
“That’s why kids shouldn’t get so hot under the collar. You’ll regret it later.”
“…” Claire cleared her throat at Kang Shin-hyuk’s blank expression, deciding to be a bit more serious.
“I’m sorry, maybe I’ve been too friendly. Still, I’m not trying to seduce you, I’m really just comfortable around you, so forgive me.” Kang Shin-hyuk thought about how complicated topics like women and relationships were. His words flowed out of him before he could stop them.
“It’s alright. I think it’ll work out in the future.”
“No way.” That was as far as he could go. He was worried being persistent would only make him a nuisance to Claire.
“I’m a little tired from work, so I’ll head off to rest first. Tomorrow, we’ll finish it all and have a bartender class, so be prepared.”
“Yes, got it.” Kang Shin-hyuk was forced to retreat.
“See you tomorrow, sister.”
“Huh.” Even though he had tried repeatedly, his face had remained calm the entire time like he had been expecting this outcome. Claire waved her hand at the cold boy and left the building.
‘I almost passed out. No matter what, if we started a relationship at this stage, Eunah would murder me…!’
She was trembling with fear