Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

Chapter 102

There was a child.

Not one born into wealth, but still, one who lived happily enough in a home rich with love. The child had no mother. She had passed in an accident before the child had formed any lasting memories of her. There were two older siblings, but they were often away, focused on their studies and future, rarely returning home.

Yet, the child didn’t feel deprived. That was because the child’s father gave all his love and care, nurturing the child with everything he had.@@@@

"I'm home!"

"Dad!"

The father was a hunter. He would often return with serious injuries, which made the child wonder if something dangerous had happened. But the father always brushed it off, claiming that his job was simply hunting animals.

"You’re hurt again! I told you to stay away from dangerous places!"

"Ha! This is nothing! Just a scratch that'll heal after a night’s rest."

"Who’s the one groaning in pain all day, then?"

"Ahem, isn’t it a child’s duty to take care of their parent in times like this?"

"Oh, really! If it happens again, I’ll lock myself in my room all day."

"Ah, anything but that! Life without seeing your face would be worse than death!"

The child always sighed at the father’s playful attitude. But the love was mutual. Whenever they ate the game he brought home, the child was happiest.

"Are you doing well in school?"

"Of course. Unlike you, I have plenty of friends!"

"That’s good. I don’t need friends as long as I have my child."

"Oh, stop with that sweet talk already."

Their evenings together, filled with small talk and laughter, were the most joyful moments in the child’s life.

One day, all three siblings were home, and the house bustled with energy for the first time in a while. The child loved the lively atmosphere.

"Today’s your lucky day! I caught a moose!"

Their father returned, dragging a massive moose behind him, clearly excited. It was the biggest catch the child had ever seen—an animal much larger than the rabbits and weasels they usually ate. It felt like one of those rare days of pure happiness.

And that’s when tragedy struck, without warning.

The child returned from a walk to find their home in ruins. The house was demolished, the siblings’ bodies nowhere to be found, and their father—his chest torn open—was barely conscious, staring blankly ahead.

A passerby explained. It had been the work of a Foreign Entity, a human-sized monster that rampaged through the house in a fit of fury.

But where was the Knight Order? They had left Londan unprotected, focusing on hunting a Foreign Entity that had appeared near the Giant of the Snow Mountains, leaving the citizens vulnerable.

"Yes, of course, sir!"

Satisfied, they opened the gates with broad smiles. Simple-minded folk, really.

As I pushed Agarta into the domain, she shot me an incredulous look.

"Are you crazy?! How are you going to deal with the consequences of that?"

"At least we’re inside. Would you rather freeze to death outside?"

Agarta seemed to accept this point, but still grumbled under her breath.

"Lead the way now, if you please."

"Ugh! If this gets messy, don’t expect me to bail you out again!"

Smiling awkwardly, I followed her into the domain. Her pouting face reminded me of the time she sulked in the underground prison when I wouldn’t listen to her.

Finding a place to stay didn’t take long. A cloaked figure slipped Agarta some sort of voucher, which she used to secure a decent room for us. She always had ways of getting things done.

"There are two rooms. Perfect."

"Exactly. One for the guys, one for the girls."

I responded absently as I checked the room. The accommodations were surprisingly good, with comfortable beds. But as I turned to speak to Asti, I noticed she was staring at me, and I froze.

Whenever she looked at me like that, it was usually because she wanted something. I realized what she was thinking.

"Asti, no."

She continued staring.

"No matter how much you look at me, the answer is still no."

Her stare didn’t waver.

"Agarta, help me out here!"

I had no idea why she had suddenly become so clingy lately. I looked to Agarta for assistance, but she only smirked mischievously.

"Isn’t it just like you, Tanton, to charm even the Foreign Entities?"

...In the end, I managed to convince Asti to stay in Agarta’s room, though not without difficulty.

The next morning, the air was colder than usual. Though the knight’s uniform offered some warmth, it was unusually chilly. I wondered if this domain always had such harsh weather.

As I stepped outside to investigate, I heard a man running through the streets, shouting news that quickly gathered attention.

"The Hunter has failed his hunt!"