It was a busy day at the inn.
Voices overlapped.
Plates moved from table to table.
The warm scent of food filled the air.
At the counter—
Madam Da-li sat quietly.
A book rested in her hands.
"Black Bang in the Mediaeval Times."
Her eyes moved calmly across the pages.
Unbothered by the chaos around her.
Beside her—
Yuna observed the hall.
Silent.
Attentive.
Then—
The door opened.
A group of adventurers stepped in.
Not as heavy as veterans.
Not as reckless as rookies.
Balanced.
Yuna stood up immediately.
Graceful.
Composed.
"Welcome, adventurers."
A polite bow.
"We are honored to have you."
A small pause.
"Would you like rooms… or are you here for food?"
The man leading the group stepped forward.
Bright energy.
Confident smile.
"Oh dear lord—what a cutie!"
Yuna blinked once.
He continued without hesitation:
"We'd like separate rooms for the men and women in our party."
A sniff of the air.
"And whatever you're cooking here—"
A grin.
"—we're definitely eating that too."
One of his companions suddenly jabbed him in the side.
Hard.
"—Ow! What was that for?!"
The man didn't respond.
He was staring.
Past Yuna.
At the counter.
At her.
"…She's… beautiful…"
Andrew frowned.
"What are you talking abou—"
He turned.
And froze.
Three emotions crossed his face—
One after another.
Confusion.
Recognition.
Shock.
"…No way…"
At the counter—
The book closed.
Softly.
Da-li placed it down.
Then—
She looked up.
A gentle, elegant smile formed.
"Sandrew."
A pause.
"You've grown."
Andrew's soul left his body for a second.
Then—
"…IT'S ANDREW!, Lady Da-li you still can't get my name right"
He stepped forward quickly.
Eyes wide.
Almost emotional.
"Lady Da-li…!"
Yuna's gaze shifted between them.
"…Mother?"
Andrew laughed nervously.
Still trying to process.
"You—you're actually here…"
A breath.
"Running an inn?!"
Da-li rested her chin lightly on her hand.
"It's peaceful."
A pause.
"You should try it sometime."
Andrew shook his head.
Still smiling like he just met a legend.
"Peaceful… she says…"
He turned to his party.
"You have no idea who you're standing in front of."
One of them blinked.
"…We're starting to realize that."
Another whispered:
"Wait… that Da-li?"
Andrew nodded.
"SSS+ rank."
A pause.
"The kind you only hear about in stories."
Yuna's eyes widened slightly.
Her gaze slowly returned—
To her mother.
Da-li sighed.
"You're being loud again."
Andrew scratched the back of his head.
Laughing.
"Some things never change…"
Then—
more respectfully—
He straightened slightly.
"It's good to see you again… Lady Da-li."
A small bow.
Not exaggerated.
But sincere.
Da-li smiled faintly.
"Welcome."
A pause.
"Now sit down before you start embarrassing yourself further."
The party laughed.
The tension broke.
They moved to their seats.
The inn returned to life.
But the atmosphere had shifted.
Because now—
They knew.
At the counter—
Yuna slowly sat down.
Still looking at her mother.
"…Mother."
Da-li picked up her book again.
"Yes?"
A pause.
"…You never told me you knew people like that."
Da-li turned a page calmly.
"I know many people."
Yuna leaned slightly closer.
"…He called you SSS+."
Silence.
Da-li looks at her with love—
"It's just a title sweetheart."
Yuna stared at her.
More curious than ever.
Yuna leaned a little closer.
Her usual calm composure… slightly broken.
"Mother…"
A small pause.
Her eyes sparkled faintly.
"Tell me about your adventures."
Da-li glanced at her—
And for a moment—
She saw not the composed young woman…
But her child.
A soft chuckle escaped her.
"Hehe… alright—"
"Lady Da-li!"
The voice cut in.
Both of them turned.
Andrew stood from his table, slightly awkward but smiling.
"Would you… join us for a while?"
A small scratch behind his head.
"It's been years… and the others would really like to hear your stories too."
A brief silence followed.
Da-li looked at him.
Then—
At Yuna.
Yuna didn't say anything.
But her eyes…
Held expectation.
Just a little.
Da-li smiled gently.
"I'll tell you later, alright?"
A soft tone.
Warm.
Reassuring.
She leaned forward—
And gently patted Yuna's head.
"I promise."
Yuna nodded.
"…Okay."
She understood.
Of course she did.
But still—
As Da-li stood up and walked away—
Her gaze followed her.
Just for a moment longer than usual.
At the table—
Da-li approached.
"Of course."
A faint smile.
"It would be rude of me not to join you after all these years."
Andrew grinned.
"That's more like it!"
The group welcomed her in.
Chairs shifted.
Voices rose again.
Back at the counter—
Yuna sat quietly.
Her eyes still on them.
Watching her mother laugh lightly—
Speak casually—
As if she belonged to that world too.
A world Yuna had never seen.
Her fingers rested on the counter.
Still.
"…Adventures…"
A quiet whisper.
Not jealousy or sadness.
A growing curiosity.
And something else.
A small desire—
To know her mother more.
The table settled into a comfortable rhythm.
Food arrived.
Drinks were poured.
Andrew leaned back slightly, looking at Da-li with a nostalgic smile.
"When I was just a rookie adventurer…"
A soft chuckle.
"Lady Da-li was kind enough to take me along on a few of her expeditions."
The others at the table leaned in.
Listening.
"I learned a lot from her."
A pause.
"Honestly… most of what I am today—"
He shrugged lightly.
"…I owe a big part of it to her."
Da-li gave a small, calm smile.
"Don't exaggerate."
Andrew shook his head.
"I'm not."
A brief silence.
"Over time… she became more than just a mentor."
He glanced at her.
"It felt like…"
A small, genuine smile.
"…the elder sister I never had."
For a moment—
Da-li's expression softened.
Just slightly.
"You always were dramatic."
But her tone was gentle.
"You had the potential from the start."
A calm pause.
"All I did was push you."
She leaned back slightly.
"You adapted."
"You learned."
"You survived."
A faint smile.
"I'm not an easy teacher."
A quick glance toward the counter—
toward Yuna.
"…and I'm even harsher with my children."
Yuna, still watching from afar, didn't react outwardly—
But she heard it.
Andrew chuckled.
"Yeah… I can believe that."
Then—
He glanced toward Yuna.
"Speaking of…"
A small grin.
"She looks exactly like you."
Da-li followed his gaze.
"She does."
A pause.
"But unlike me…"
A faint, knowing smile.
"…she prefers silence over people."
At the table, a young mage girl hesitated—
Then spoke up.
"Madam Da-li… may I ask something?"
"Of course."
The girl looked a bit unsure.
"Mr. Andrew said he's known you since his rookie years…"
A pause.
"…but he's in his late thirties."
Another pause.
"Then how do you still look… this young?"
Silence.
Andrew blinked.
Then leaned forward.
"…Wait."
A slow realization.
"That's actually a good question."
The whole table turned to Da-li.
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
She took a sip of her drink.
Calm.
Unbothered.
Then—
She smiled.
A little mischievous.
"Because…"
A pause.
"…I hunt and drink the blood of young virgins."
Silence.
The mage girl froze.
Andrew choked on his drink.
One of the party members dropped his spoon.
Da-li leaned slightly toward the mage girl.
"…like you."
The girl's soul left her body.
The table was still recovering.
The mage girl hadn't fully come back to life yet.
Andrew was rubbing his forehead.
Da-li took another calm sip—
Then smiled lightly.
"Relax."
A small chuckle.
"I was joking."
The tension dropped instantly.
The mage girl let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"T-That's not something you joke about…"
Da-li tilted her head slightly.
"Is it not? I look the same because…"
A small pause.
"…that's simply how I age."
Silence.
The group exchanged looks.
Confused.
Then—
The healer girl leaned forward, eyes narrowing slightly.
"…Wait a moment."
Everyone looked at her.
"That kind of aging pattern…"
A pause.
"…You're not fully human, are you?"
The mage girl blinked—
Then suddenly lit up.
"Oh—!"
"That makes sense!"
She leaned forward excitedly.
"You must be of mixed lineage!"
"A dual-species!"
Andrew froze.
Slowly—
Very slowly—
He turned back toward Da-li.
"…You're a dual species?"
A pause.
"…You never told me that."
Da-li rested her elbow on the table.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"Because you never asked."
A small sip of her drink.
Then—
almost casually—
"Besides…"
A faint smile.
"…that's not entirely true."
The table went quiet again.
"I'm not a dual species."
A pause.
"…I'm a pure breed."
Silence.
The group looked at each other.
The mage girl blinked.
"…Pure… breed?"
The healer frowned slightly.
"That doesn't make sense…"
Andrew stared at her for a second—
Then suddenly laughed.
"There she goes again."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Still messing with people after all these years."
The others relaxed slightly.
"…So she's joking?"
Andrew leaned back comfortably.
"Most likely."
A small grin.
"Her mother or father was probably something like an elf or a high-born race."
He shrugged.
"She just likes being dramatic."
Light laughter returned to the table.
But—
For a brief moment—
The healer glanced at Da-li again.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Because Da-li…
Wasn't laughing.
She simply sat there—
Calm.
Composed.
Watching them.
As if she had said something completely normal.
Then—
She smiled again.
Andrew leaned forward slightly.
"Lady Da-li… you were an SSS+ Rank Adventurer."
A pause.
"You must have made a great deal of fortune."
His brows furrowed in curiosity.
"You could have retired… so why do you run this inn?"
Da-li didn't answer immediately.
She rested her chin lightly on her hand.
"Something… how do I say this…"
A small pause.
"More than anything, I can't imagine waking up in the morning and wondering what I'm going to do till evening…"
Her gaze drifted slightly across the inn.
"…and then just go to bed again."
A faint smile appeared.
"I've always been a social person."
"I like being around people."
Her fingers tapped lightly on the table.
"So I opened these inns and restaurants around the country."
Silence.
Andrew blinked once.
Then twice.
"…Wait."
He leaned forward abruptly.
"Did you just say—"
A pause.
"…inns and restaurants around the country?"
Da-li nodded slightly.
"Yes… I own quite a lot of them."
Andrew blinked.
"You own all these businesses…"
A pause.
"…and you live in a small town like this instead of an imperial city?"
Da-li leaned back comfortably.
"Yes."
A faint smile.
"It's cozy… peaceful."
Her gaze drifted across the inn.
"People here are genuinely kind and well-mannered."
A small pause.
"An ideal place to raise my children."
Then—
just slightly—
her smile turned playful.
"And…"
"I have the biggest residence here."
A brief pause.
"…so I can flex my wealth too."
Silence.
Andrew stared at her.
One of the party members choked on their drink.
Another whispered:
"…Did she just say that out loud?"
Andrew slowly leaned back.
"…Yeah."
A small exhale.
"She hasn't changed at all."
At the counter—
Yuna lowered her gaze slightly.
"…Mother…"
But there was the faintest hint of a smile.
Because that part—
was very much like her.
Andrew let out a small laugh.
"You really are a joy to be around…"
The rest of the party nodded in agreement.
Da-li smiled faintly—
Then suddenly stood up.
Andrew blinked.
"…Wait."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Did I say something rude?"
Da-li didn't answer.
She simply turned—
And slightly raised her arms.
A brief silence.
Then—
THUD—!
A blur shot across the room—
And slammed straight into her.
"Mother—!!"
Eunha wrapped her arms tightly around Da-li's neck.
Da-li didn't even move.
She caught her effortlessly.
Perfectly balanced.
As if she had been expecting it.
Andrew stared.
"…What the hell—?"
One of the party members blinked.
"…Did that child just—fly?"
Eunha buried her face into Da-li.
"Mother, I'm hungry!"
Da-li gently patted her head.
"You're always hungry."
Eunha looked up immediately.
"I'm growing!"
A pause.
"…Emotionally."
Andrew stared at the child in Da-li's arms.
"Dear Lord…"
A pause.
"There's another one!?"
Da-li smiled faintly.
"Yes."
She gently adjusted Eunha in her arms.
"And unlike my sweet elder daughter…"
A small glance toward Yuna.
"…this one is the exact opposite."
A slight playful tone entered her voice.
"She has my chaotic nature…"
A pause.
"…multiplied by a hundred times."
The party went silent.
All eyes—
On Eunha.
Da-li gently turned her slightly forward.
"Everyone…"
A soft smile.
"Meet my younger daughter, Eunha."
A brief silence.
Eunha looked at all of them.
Unbothered.
Then raised her hand casually.
"Yo."
Silence.
One of the party members whispered:
"…Yo?"
Andrew slowly leaned back.
"…Yeah."
A small exhale.
"Definitely her daughter."
At the counter—
Yuna didn't even look up just laughed a little.
Eunha slipped down from Da-li's arms.
Her eyes immediately locked onto the table.
Food.
Lots of food.
She walked straight toward it.
No hesitation.
Andrew blinked.
"…Uh—"
Eunha grabbed a piece of meat.
Took a bite.
Sat down.
Like she belonged there.
"…Who are you people?"
Silence.
The party looked at each other.
Andrew pointed at himself.
"…We're the guests?"
Eunha nodded slowly.
"Hmm."
Another bite.
"Good."
The mage girl whispered:
"…She just approved us…"
Andrew sighed.
"Yeah, apparently we passed inspection."
Eunha suddenly leaned forward.
Staring at one of the warriors.
"…You're strong."
The man stiffened.
"…Thanks?"
A pause.
Eunha tilted her head.
"…But you'd lose."
Silence.
The table froze.
Andrew blinked.
"…Lose to who?"
Eunha took another bite.
Didn't even look up.
"…Me."
The warrior laughed awkwardly.
"…That's a good one—"
Eunha finally looked at him.
Smiling.
Her eyes—
for just a split second—
shifted.
Something darker.
Something wrong.
The warrior's smile dropped.
His body stiffened.
A cold feeling ran down his spine.
Then—
Eunha blinked.
Back to normal.
"…But I won't fight you."
She smiled again.
"I only fight bad people."
Silence.
The mage girl leaned toward Andrew.
"…Why did that feel like a threat?"
Andrew whispered back:
"…Because it was."
Eunha suddenly turned toward the healer.
"…You heal people?"
The healer nodded nervously.
"…Y-Yes."
Eunha leaned closer.
Too close.
"…Can you heal everything?"
A pause.
"…If someone is broken… really broken?"
The healer hesitated.
"…I can try…"
Eunha stared at her.
For a moment—
too long.
Then smiled brightly.
"Good!"
She leaned back happily.
"Then you're useful!"
The healer froze.
"…Useful…?"
Yuna finally looked over.
"…She's behaving."
A chair cracked slightly under pressure.
Yuna closed her eyes.
"…I take that back."
Da-li watched quietly.
A faint smile on her lips.
Completely calm.
Da-li stepped forward and gently picked Eunha up.
"Now, now…"
A soft smile.
"Since you ate so much, it's time for your nap."
Eunha rubbed her eyes.
"Yeah… I feel sleepy, mum…"
She leaned in—
And hugged Da-li tightly.
Da-li patted her head gently.
"Good girl."
She turned back toward the table.
"Sorry about that."
A calm tone.
"She gets a little mischievous sometimes."
A faint smile.
"Enjoy your meal, everyone."
She walked away—
Eunha resting quietly in her arms.
The table remained silent for a moment.
Andrew let out a breath.
"…A little?"
One of the party members whispered:
"…If that's 'a little', I don't want to see 'a lot'…"
🌙 Later That Night
The inn had gone quiet.
Only the faint sound of wind outside remained.
Andrew lay on his bed.
Arms behind his head.
Staring at the ceiling.
"…Eunha…"
A small exhale.
"…That kid…"
His eyes slowly closed.
And then—
A memory surfaced.
A younger Andrew—
Running.
Panicked.
Through a dense forest.
Heavy footsteps behind him.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
A massive shadow closed in.
An A-rank Minotaur.
Towering.
Furious.
Andrew screamed as he ran—
"LEAVE ME ALONE—!!"
"I thought cows and bulls were vegan—!!"
"I'm not even tasty—!!"
The Minotaur roared.
Closing the distance.
Andrew stumbled—
Fell—
Turned in fear—
The Minotaur lunged.
A roar tore through the forest—
And then—
A blur.
Something moved past Andrew.
So fast—
He didn't even see it clearly.
A figure leapt from behind him—
Straight toward the Minotaur.
Slash.
A single sound.
Clean.
Sharp.
Silence.
The Minotaur froze mid-motion.
Its body trembled—
Then—
Thud.
Its head slid off.
Crashing onto the ground.
The massive body collapsed.
Dust rose.
Andrew sat there.
Frozen.
"…What…?"
His breath uneven.
Slowly—
He looked up.
A young girl stood there.
Back facing him.
A katana in her hand.
Dark blood—
Dripping from the blade.
Drop.
Drop.
Drop.
The night was quiet again.
The girl didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Just stood there—
Calm.
Unshaken.
Andrew's voice trembled.
"…Who… are you…?"
The girl tilted her head slightly.
Just enough—
To reveal a glimpse of her face.
Cold.
Composed.
Unfamiliar.
And yet—
Terrifyingly calm.
The blade lowered slightly.
Blood still dripping.
The wind passed through the trees.