<Abduction – Interlude Story Episode 2>
Episode 2
* * *
“i know! I know!”
A dark alley in the city.
With a bonfire lit, Iolka shouted in a twisting voice.
“It’s different from back then!”
Suddenly, the city got dark.
There was no distinction between day and night in this place, but at some point the sun rose and the moon rose due to a subtle magic principle.
“Oh, I don’t know!”
Beep beep.
Swallow the contents of the glass.
golden liquid. It was beer.
“Sister, are you okay?”
“Ah, whoever sees it will know that I’m not crazy. I’m fine, I’m fine.”
Iolka wiped the foam from her mouth.
beer.
In Valhalla, it’s ridiculously expensive.
I had to shell out my emergency fund for a few beers.
“If you have money for a drink, you can find an inn.”
“Oh, noisy! you can drink it too Let’s spend money, boom, boom, boom!”
“I’m out of my mind. So, are you homeless again today?”
“I guess that’s how it should be. My sister has a lot of heartache.”
“I know.”
said Iolka.
There was a huge crowd in the plaza.
I wouldn’t have been able to pretend to know it openly in front of others.
‘But those eyes… … .’
It was the eyes of a complete stranger.
Iolka felt her stomach boil.
‘It’s different from before.’
In the days of Taoni, they were comrades crossing the battlefield together, but now it’s different.
Remnants who do not stand out in Valhalla.
That man is being praised as a king or something.
‘I didn’t come here to be like this.’
Court mage days.
Everyone praised their talent.
Proud nobles used to bow their heads to themselves in order to borrow the power of magic. But here, the bottom of the bottom.
‘What? This is it.’
This place is strange.
Because all the strong people of Moebius are gathering.
They are all human beings who were praised for their genius or skill in their own place.
‘Did I lack my talent?’
Burr.
I don’t even want to imagine.
no. It can’t be. that the situation is strange A world that doesn’t give you a chance is bad!
“Yes! If you’re going to brag about being a king, then you’re going to have to make this place well! A world where only those who came first are treated well! Kicking latecomers like me on the ladder or at random!”
Give me a chance too!
Iolka stirred her limbs as she emptied her beer clean.
“Wizard, you’re not looking good.”
“Heh, so are you. We all do. dust! gentle! larva! They are all the same scum!”
The hem of the dress was reflected in the field of vision.
It was treated magically, so it was clean no matter what.
Now it is terribly dirty. As if looking at her own circumstances, Iolka felt that her tears were about to come out.
“Anyway, it’s time to come.”
Jenna scratched her cheek.
“What are you doing! huh? Is there a dark future coming? Are you now a beggar and begging on the street? I hate it, I hate it!”
“Are you drunk?”
“Kheuk! Coke!”
cough several times
Iolka had a weakness for alcohol.
A bitter aura rose from within.
“Damn it, you looked at me funny. don’t go over like this Proving my talent in a great way… … .”
“I wish you would.”
“Hey, I’ll do it anyway. Who am I? I am… … .”
“Before that, sober up.”
“What, are you ignoring me? Even a hangover can be blown away with magic. I am… … hmm?”
Iolka looked to the side with her eyes wide open.
Someone is standing between the blurred vision.
The owner of that voice covered his whole body with a long black cloak.
“Ah, brother. came?”
Jenna waved at the cloaked assailant.
“I’m late, old man. Look at this wizard. Ugly.”
“huh?”
“it’s okay. I didn’t even expect it.”
What are you not expecting?
Iolka blinked open her eyes.
The assailant removed the cloak behind his back.
His distinctive eyes and black hair were revealed.
“Poop!”
Iolka poured out the remaining beer in her mouth.
“All, you… … .”
“What? That kind of thing.”
“Oh, no… … ?”
One Israt clicked his tongue.
“Have you been drinking until just before meeting time?”
“No, meeting time? what sound… … .”
Iolka glanced back at Jenna.
Jenna laughed lightly.
“Aha, I couldn’t speak.”
“Eh?”
“Your sister went first and didn’t know, right? An errand boy came after the event. I want to meet you later at night with my brother.”
“… … .”
“Oh, I was going to say it, but the timing wasn’t easy.”
silence.
“Kuhm.”
Iolka cleared her throat a couple of times before putting down her beer mug.
After brushing off the dust on the dress, she stood up.
And I started to look at my clothes to see if there were any wrinkles.
“… … What are you doing?”
Belquist tilted his head.
Iolka straightened her disheveled hair, took a fan from her pocket, covered her mouth, and laughed.
“Oh, ho-ho-ho… … .”
It was an awkward laugh.
Han looked at Iolka and smiled.
“It’s been a while, Iolka.”
“Yeah, you too.”
“I didn’t know you would come this far.”
“That, that’s my heart! Director Nam.”
“It’s not like that. Whatever you do, it’s your heart.”
Instead of the flashy midday uniform, Han was wearing gloomy casual clothes.
Then he said right away.
“There is something I want to say.”
“What, what?”
“At that time, I’m sorry.”
Iolka’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.
“It was my mistake that you lost your life there. When we meet again, I wanted to apologize for what happened then.”
“Uh, uh… … .”
an apple?
Who is this?
Iolka licked her lips like a carp.
“So, what is the answer?”
“Oh, eh?”
“If you apologize, isn’t it your duty to receive it?”
“Therefore?”
“sister.”
Jenna jabbed Iolka’s side with her elbow.
Iolka came to her senses.
good!
She unfolded her fan and laughed.
“Whoop, whoop! great. You are very polite. I will accept that apology.”
“Okay then, then the story is over.”
“yes? It’s done?”
“I apologized, and you accepted it. Then it’s over.”
“Is that over?”
“end.”
what.
This feeling of being lost.
Iolka stiffened with her fan open.
“So brother, long time no see! how have you been doing?”
“so so.”
“Are you okay or not?”
“Okay.”
Jenna and Han exchanged greetings.
In terms of time, it’s been a long time since we met, but there was no awkwardness or notice between the two.
“I knew you would come here.”
Han’s gaze turned to Belquist.
Belquist said flatly.
“I’m sorry. Because I couldn’t betray my senior’s expectations.”
“Hmm.”
Han closed his eyes.
“I will not apologize. What are you doing here?”
“I know, brother.”
“It’s okay if you know. Did you learn enough to get bored? The Taoni way.”
“If you feel unfair, be strong.”
Belquist replied with a smile.
Han opened his eyes.
“However, there seems to be a problem with equality of opportunity.”
Han put a hand on his chin as if thinking about something.
“Certainly, the response to latecomers was insufficient. Stagnant water is bound to rot. I’ll take this opportunity to overhaul the system once more.”
“So, is there a chance for us too?”
“It will be so. On that occasion, I will invite you first.”
“Can we, too, become stronger?”
Jenna’s eyes twinkled.
Han smiled.
“According to what you do. But you know what? The days of following me like before are over. i’m not there You guys have to do well.”
“I know, brother. We just need to do well together!”
“okay.”
said Han.
“So, this is the first and last time I meet you informally.”
“Is this the last time?”
said Iolka, startled.
“why?”
“No, the last one… … .”
“Well, then it’s not a social club, so let’s get together once a month? What class reunion is it?”
Jenna added an explanation.
“Today’s thing is that my brother did a particularly hard job. Wouldn’t it be easier to sneak out? If my brother is a very important person here, then every single person he meets becomes very important.”
Every person you meet becomes important.
In other words, if the king of Valhalla meets with low-level heroes who have no power or ability, that alone can cause controversy over equity.
“So that’s what I’m saying. This will be the last time we meet informally.”
“then… … .”
“Give me a chance.”
Han said while looking at the three of them alternately.
“Come up. to where I am To the extent that we can’t even meet informally. Your chance will come soon.”
“Haa, senpai is sometimes late. Did you just start?”
“I’m very busy with work.”
“Okay, now it’s a start!”
The two of them conspired.
Iolka was staring blankly at the three of them.
“Sister, sister?”
“… … ?”
“Answer, answer.”
Iolka shuddered.
“Ooh, whoops! okay. A chance, a chance. I was waiting. A battlefield to prove my talent!”
All the hardships so far have been waiting for this.
Power went into Iolka’s hands.
“By the way, that man isn’t there.”
Belquist looked to Han’s side.
“You mean Aaron?”
“exactly. Aren’t we from the same origin? I thought you would come with me.”
“Ah, come to think of it, Aaron is gone. Here, the 1st Taoni language meeting was finally held!”
“Are you completely connected to Niflheim?”
“That can’t be! They are our rivals!”
“rival?”
Iolka’s eyes widened.
During the victory ceremony, I thought of the heroes standing side by side behind Han.
The prestigious five knights of Valhalla.
All but one said they were from Niflheim.
In other words, they are sacred bones among sacred bones.
“They… … our rivals?”
“Right, sister. Are we following you? Because they took my brother away from us.”
“Take it?”
“is it so!”
Jenna clenched her fists tightly.
“We’ll become stronger, so we can get our brother back from them!”
“That, can you?”
“of course!”
Han laughed.
“Do it if you can. I won’t stop you.”
“Uhuhu, wait and see. So, what about Aaron?”
“That guy… … I’m missing something. I need some time.”
“lost it? what?”
“Don’t worry too much. will get it back soon Yes, make sure to have Aaron join us at the next ‘official’ meeting.”
formal meeting.
Jenna opened her eyes.
If you become strong, if you become strong enough that no one can ignore you, no one will say anything even if you formally form a meeting among the Taoni tribes.
“Right. also.”
Belquist laughed grimly.
“It feels better to steal than to be taken away.”
“You’re taking those scoundrels out of their place! The seat next to you is ours!”
“huh?”
For some reason, it seemed that things were progressing without Iolka’s opinion.
‘okay.’
If so, just like then.
you can fight side by side
“By the way, if this happens, brother Aaron becomes important? Aaron oppa has to come this way to get the right number of people. It’s just 4-4.”
“The man will decide for himself. He just needs to be strong from himself.”
“… … okay.”
Iolka muttered blankly.
Soon, the movement of the hand holding the fan took power.
In no time, her expression and eyes returned to her usual confidence.
“People here, they were afraid of my talent, so they never gave me a chance, right? Whoa, how naive!”
Iolka had a smile on her face.
“Okay, let me show you. My real skills!”
“I’m back.”
“It’s simple and easy to handle.”
“What did you say?”
“It is nothing.”
joy.
Iolka snorted at Belquist’s words.
Then he pointed at Han with a folded fan.
“Leave it. I will make you regret it!”
“What are you making me regret?”
“Uh, that… … Oh, anyway! I will make you regret it!”
Declaration.
Yes.
This was a declaration of war.
It is to get revenge on the man who left him here without recognizing his worth.
‘joy. I can prove it when I get a chance.’
Only now did I realize why I came to Valhalla.
It was to prove his worth.
That he is the strongest wizard in the universe!
‘There’s nothing wrong with condescending as a starter.’
After all, talent differences are irreversible.
Hehehe. Iolka gave an evil laugh.
“then. It goes slowly.”
“Oh, are you going already?”
“Did you say everything?”
“Oh, yes, but.”
Han put the cloak on again.
It melted into the darkness of the night.
before leaving.
“me.”
said Han.
“Don’t make me wait too long.”
The three of them couldn’t help but open their eyes.
“Wow!”
Jenna’s whole body trembled as if she had goosebumps.
“They made you weak.”
Belquist’s eyes grew cold.
“… … ?”
Iolka had no idea.
In any case, after the uproar, silence lingered again in the alley.
widely. tadak.
The light of the campfire drove away the shadows.
‘I broke all the alcohol.’
The hangover flew away as if washed off.
Only one thought was clearing his mind.
“It starts tomorrow!”
“No, from now on. Excuse me first.”
Belquist disappeared into a back alley.
You must be looking for a suitable training location.
“What do you think, sister?”
“Me?”
The two warmed up by the campfire while clinging to each other.
Jenna’s face was illuminated by the fire.
“Do you think coming here is a good thing? My sister was a court mage. If she had been there, she would have eaten and lived well.”
“I told you. There is no fun there.”
A genius is a way to stand out in difficult times.
In such a peaceful world, heroes cannot emerge.
Iolka muttered to herself.
‘But, what about in reality?’
I decided to ask myself.
‘Do you regret coming here?’
of course… … .
“I have no regrets, I am.”
“is it so?”
“Whoop whoop! You said there was a wizard among those men there, right? How good is it? How genius is that? I’ll jump over it like I’m showing off. Don’t fall behind either.”
“Okay!”
The two looked at each other and laughed.
“Where, I’m going to tell people here who I am!”
“Then you should tell me my name too!”
“You don’t have to tell me the name of that ignorant man!”
“Why, only brother Bell is pitiful.”
“anyway! Whoops, that’s good. great! Let’s start tomorrow!”
Iolka laughed out loud.
Jenna looked at her.
‘It’s happiness.’
a long time ago
Jenna remembered what her father had said.
Happiness is living each day to the fullest.
If you live like that, you can find light anywhere.
‘It starts tomorrow.’
Real life in Valhalla.
The archer girl made up her mind again.
‘People there, if you do it roughly, you’ll really catch up.’
That’s how the three people’s resolution began quietly.
<Pick Me Up! Side Story – Interlude story> complete
<Pick Me Up! Aaron’s side story>.
