Arc 1 Chapter 7  - Wounded Heart

s.h.i.+n was standing in silence. In front of him were three collapsed goblin babies.

Yuri was thinking while looking at those sight.

This forest was only a few hours away from the village.

It was near a river which is far from the highway.

If, she was thrown into this world by herself.

If, she walked around unnecessarily because she doesn’t understand the current situation.

If, she found the river and walked along it without thinking about the danger ahead.

-Surely, I’ll end up in here-

Yuri imagined vaguely about such things and send her gaze to Gain inside the tent.

“Forgive me”

Gain slashed his knife against the neck of the broken girl while saying that.

There’s no place where a woman with crushed limbs, pregnant with goblin’s child, and broken will can live.

That’s the sad reality of this world.

It makes her understand the feelings of women in this world better now.

Without strength, one can only seek protection from people with strength.

Or if possible, become the parent of a child with power themselves.

That’s the most reliable way for ‘people without it’ to ensure their safety.

-I’m being protected by s.h.i.+n-chan-

-I’m a Fallen, that’s why Shana-san helped us-

-s.h.i.+n is a Hero, that’s why Gain helped us-

s.h.i.+n and Yuri, and the future with their circ.u.mstances as the Fallen.

There’s no way a future where the two live their life as a couple by themselves would be accepted.

If only one children with Blessing will be born out of five child, surely people would want to use their body efficiently.

They were born in a peaceful world, they can’t live self-sufficiently even if they’re a Fallen, and there’s no way the village would guarantee their life free of charge.

That’s exactly why Yuri hesitates to take the next step

– If I put a chain on s.h.i.+n’s neck by giving him my virginity, is it truly the best for him ?-

Yuri and s.h.i.+n were sc.r.a.ping the goblin’s ear.

One right ear can be exchanged to additional one silver coin, or 100 coppers.

If there were several bodies, it will be the equivalent of a commoner’s one day earning.

Hearing that explanation, they are searching for a goblin head which still retained its original form.

While holding back their nausea, they’re collecting the ears frantically.

“Jou-chan, seems like you have a strong stomach”

“Because this is the only thing I can do”

While listening to Gain’s words, Yuri put the ear she just cut in the bag with a pale face.

Stripping the prey of their belongings, preparing meal, and other miscellaneous stuff like those are the responsibility of a Supporter.

“You too s.h.i.+n, you shouldn’t use your power too much and destroy the corpse unnecessarily. That’s why you learned to control your Body Reinforcement”

“I understand it more than anyone right now. I’m sorry Yuri”

“You don’t need to worry, this is also a Supporter’s job”

Yuri shakes her head after hearing s.h.i.+n’s words.

Because this is one of the only few works she can do, she doesn’t try give it a deep thought and continue to look for a goblin’s head and concentrate on her task of sc.r.a.pping its ear.

Even thought not much time has pa.s.sed, their agonizing task makes them think the time they spent was longer.

While holding a bag full with ears, they were standing behind Gain who has finished burying the victims.

“We’re finished”

“The girl’s burial is also over, let’s go back before it gets dark”

“”Yes””

And thus, s.h.i.+n’s first request is finished.

The two are leaving with scars in their heart.

After that, they went back to the village without any problems and make a report of their completion of the request.

The old man in the guild counted the number of ears by hand, he put the reward of silver coins at the counter and recommend s.h.i.+n to count its numbers.

Then at the same time, the old man listened to the description of the girl victims from Gain and promised to contact the appropriate party. However, his last words ‘It’s pretty common’ keep echoing in s.h.i.+n’s ears.

After returning to Shana’s house, s.h.i.+n immediately retreated to his room without eating.

Whether Shana has already predicted this situation is unknown, but s.h.i.+n was relieved he didn’t need to say anything.

While laying on the bed, s.h.i.+n raised his hands.

Even now, he still remembered the feeling of the goblin’s flesh in his hands clearly.

“They died so easily…”

The opponent was a goblin, and they were called small fry.

But, they were still much stronger than a commoner.

And he “trampled” such opponent easily.

“From now on, I need to keep going through these things”

His stretched palm is trembling.

He was reminded of the eyes of the goblin’s baby who kept staring straight at him.

He can feel the sensation of the moment he crushed it even if he didn’t want to.

“I want to go home… and forget everything…”

Yuri is standing quietly in front of s.h.i.+n’s room.

She raised her hand to knock on the door, stayed still, and lowered her hands back.

She keep repeating that act forever.

“Seems like you haven’t gathered your resolve”

A voice came from behind Yuri. Looking back, there was Shana smiling gently at her.

“It’s a partner’s job to comfort her wounded man you know ?

Embrace him in your chests, and let him indulge himself on you to escape from the painful reality.

If you keep repeating that, he will become first cla.s.s fighter in no time”

“But s.h.i.+n doesn’t wish for that”

Yuri knows that s.h.i.+n is crying now, because when he kept looking at the ground silently without making eye contact, he always cry alone later.

“But if you don’t do that, the two of you won’t be able live in this world.

Of course he can live by himself, but you cannot. The moment you left his protection, there’s only a life where you become someone’s possession and continue to give birth left for you.

“I understand it”

“No, you don’t understand. He is afraid that you will become unhappy or disappear from him above anything else”

Shana rejects Yuri’s answer.

“Let me say it clearly. If he wishes for it, he can just live his life peacefully in a city.

Just by sleeping with n.o.ble woman who will keep appearing one after another, he can live without needing to worry about his food. Such is the value of a Hero, and I already explained it to him.

“Then, why did s.h.i.+n become an adventurer ?”

“You know it already don’t you ? It’s for the sake of returning to earth, and for the sake of protecting you”

Shana closed her eyes and remember s.h.i.+n’s words.

“[I will always stay beside Yuri forever], He made that promise.

That’s why he can’t run away and will not run away”

Yuri opened her eyes, and came to her decision after thinking carefully.

“Then, I too, will not run away”

“Well, I prefer this to end in a happy note, but it’s no good.

If two people escaping from reality tied themselves up, it will only end in bad memory afterward”

While smiling at such Yuri, Shana put her hand on Yuri’s shoulder and moves her away from the front of s.h.i.+n’s door.

“I will support him for now. In addition, I will give him some lesson on a woman’s body”

“Eh?”

Hearing an unexpected words, Yuri’s line of thought stops.

“In earth’s saying, The first experience of a maiden and a virgin is going to fail.

That’s what they said, so I’m going to educate him a bit.

Don’t worry, Even if I look like this, I have a lot of experience with virgins, It won’t fail”

“Such proverb doesn’t exist!!”

“I’ll leave his virginity for you, but it’s better If I teach him about women even just a little.

Just so he won’t go berserk from a minor thing”

Shana said it jokingly, but her words were serious.

If a Blessed run out of control with its strengthened physical capabilities, they can slice off a normal person’s limbs easily.

Unless his heart is prepared to some extent, things might not ended with simple failure but a tragedy instead.

Instead of trying to explain it to Yuri, Shana just changed the subject.

“If you have calmed down and still want to embrace him, you should go confess.

No need to put it in beautiful words and just said it honestly, [I might be a burden, but please protect me forever]”

And then, Shana left the dumbfounded Yuri in her place, and disappeared into s.h.i.+n’s room.

“Shana-san ?”

s.h.i.+n raised his body from the bed and faced Shana who appears in his room without knocking.

The figure of Yuri standing outside the door is hidden behind Shana and cannot be seen by s.h.i.+n.

In front of s.h.i.+n who is wondering what she’s trying to do, Shana sits on a chair and gazes at s.h.i.+n before opening her mouth.

“How does it feel to take a life ?”

s.h.i.+n lost his breath hearing Shana’s words.

“This is a world where one cannot live unless they robbed another life,

Even for the weakest monster, the common people are just a prey to them.

If they don’t want to be violated or killed, they have no other choice but to live by selling favor with the Blessed who are superior to them”

“It burst like a balloon”

With Shana staring at him, s.h.i.+n replied back in small voice and bitter smile.

“Compared to an Ogre, a commoner is just a blood bag.

And from the viewpoint of commoner, a Blessed is just as monstrous as an Ogre.

The differences is, they can converse with a Blessed, and just by selling them a favor, the Blessed are going to protect them”

Hearing Shana’s words, s.h.i.+n thought for a while before opening his mouth.

“It’s really necessary to accept the concept of [Killing] isn’t it”

“Yes. You need to be ready to kill an enemy without hesitation.

Once, there was a certain hero. He spared the life of an orc begging for its life.

Then later, He learned that the village he guarded was attacked.

He went back in a hurry, but he couldn’t make it in time.

All the men in the village were killed. And the woman, from young to adult were violated.

The girl who sold fruits to him was forcibly screwed by an orc’s c.o.c.k, her v.a.g.i.n.a and a.n.a.l were torn and connected. The hero can only shed tears of blood as he put the womb ripped from her body in his hand”

s.h.i.+n listened carefully as Shana tells him a story with a look of someone recalling something far away in the past.

As Gain had said it repeatedly, if he showed mercy there’s a possibility that Yuri will be the one in danger next.

When s.h.i.+n thought the possibility of Yuri caught in the goblin’s camp like the other girls, he shook his head left and right with a pale blue face.

“Which is why, you must be capable of killing. Monsters, and then humans too”

“….Criminals, is it ?”

“Yes, criminals. If the barrier protecting a settlement cannot be used, usually Adventurers will stay for some time to fortify the defenses. At those time, the fields are going to be destroyed by the monsters, and when there’s not enough harvest to eat, they resort to thievery.

Because they cannot pay taxes, they become settler, but then they attacked innocent people because they have grudge against the country, what a selfish people”

Shana shrugs her shoulders, and s.h.i.+n stares at her silently.

“Gain is investigating a small thief group in the vicinity. When they’re found, you’re going to hunt them”

“It’s…necessary isn’t it ?”

“It is. The moment you hesitate, they will take Yuri as hostage.

When they make sure you cannot move, they’re going to violate her in front of you, that’s the kind of people they are. While Gain is helping with your education and escort, you’d better get used to ‘Deal’ with this”

“Under…stood”

Shana takes out a fruit from her bag and throws it to s.h.i.+n who have a hard time squeezing his words out.

“Is this an apple ?”

“Yeah, it has the same name with fruit from earth. It’s sweet and tasty as it is”

When s.h.i.+n asked about the apple in his hand, Shana continue to speak with mischievous             smile.

“Oh by the way, I found a young group of people planning to seduce….no, gang rape Yuri at night”

Simultaneously with Shana’s words, the apple in s.h.i.+n’s hand crumbles.

“I gave them a stern warning and forced some labor on them. The village also doesn’t want to have bad relation with me and you, a Hero.

“Is…that so”

s.h.i.+n squeeze out his words while trembling, he didn’t realize that he had crushed the apple in his hand.

“So, you’re still not aware ? that”

“Ah- Sorry”

After Shana pointed it out, s.h.i.+n hurriedly collects the broken fruit and discard it in the trash can.

Shana then speaks in low voice.

“I think it’s amazing to be able to activate body strengthening unconsciously within just one or two day, however, conversely it might be bad if you went out of control from excitement, those thing happen too”

“…Yes”

“Are you sure you can control yourself properly during your first time with Yuri ? It’s no joke if you make a mistake, she might end up dead”

When Shana pointed that out, s.h.i.+n’s complexion turned deep blue.

“That’s why, when a Blessed man embraces women commoners, usually the man lies on his back and the woman moves on top of him. There are over 100 instances of people doing that.

If it’s a Blessed couple, then at worst of the worst it will only end up with a fracture”

“Is…that so”

Understanding the situation, s.h.i.+n is getting more and more depressed.

Incidentally, even though Shana and Gain have been instigating those two since yesterday, they were convinced the two will probably keep their status quo. If they were to act out their love instead, they’re planning to stop them.

Shana then smiles and continue her talk.

“Well, neither me or Gain were hoping that the two of you will get it correctly for the first time, that’s why I’ll cooperate with you”

“Cooperate ?”

Toward s.h.i.+n who raises his face, Shana stand up from the chair and said.

“From today, I’m going to teach you everything except the actual act every two days.

From kissing, caressing, and the shape of female body. I’m going to use my body to teach you everything. Oh, and if you cannot hold it in anymore, it’s also fine to attack me”