Chapter 5: Departure!

The next day, when Violet opened her door, intending to go out and eat something, she found ranger Kars already standing in front of her, his hand lifted in a gesture that looked like he was about to knock on the door.

Indeed, he was knocking. Violet had risen much later than usual to Kars's surprise. This uncharacteristic delay worried Kars, and it also gave him an uncomfortable feeling.

By mercenary habit, she should have woken up at the crack of dawn.

The day before, Kars had followed Violet intending to explain something, but when he saw her return to her inn, he decided not to pursue her any further after much hesitation, and returned to his own dwelling, scratching his head in distress.

Behind his view, during the night, to figure out just how strong the skeleton monster's fighting capacity was, Violet had also investigated the monster, not going to sleep until late.

After all, as a soul of someone from the modern world, Lin Xiaozheng, who made staying up late a habit, had not adjusted to his biological clock yet.

So while Kars was waiting anxiously at the town gate, suffering in the chilly wind of early spring, Violet was still sleeping comfortably under her warm blanket.

After waiting for a long time, and growing increasingly restless at her absence, Kars gradually developed an ominous premonition.

Eventually, losing his patience, he went to Violet's door, resulting in the current scenario.

Seeing Violet suddenly appear, her attire disheveled and her hair messy, Kars awkwardly twitched his lips, instinctively looking over her shoulder to see if there was someone else in the room.

However, he had forgotten the basic gentlemanly rule: not to look casually into someone else's room.

The moment he made this instinctive action, he regretted it.

And Violet promptly asked him, "What are you doing?"

This invasion of privacy made her step back several steps instinctively.

In reality, all Kars wanted to confirm was whether or not there were others in the room— say, for instance— a man. It was only then that Lin Xiaozheng's soul had a belated realization, making his lips twitch.

There was no question; he was overthinking it.

All he was experiencing was the temporary discomfort of dealing with a female identity. So, there she was, standing at the doorway, her hair like a bird's nest.

So, it wasn't really strange that Kars had such a reaction.

Always appearing in front of him in a god-like attitude, Violet was, today, like a different person. Kars took a while to understand his own reaction and then shook his head.

He shifted his gaze, looking at a corner, then looked back at Violet, not knowing where to settle his eyes.

Eventually, he had to come up with an awkward excuse to flee the scene, telling her that he would wait for her at the town gate.

Watching Kars' retreating figure, a puzzled expression crossed Violet's face. But she, or rather 'he', quickly forgot about it.

Lin Xiaozheng, who hadn't eaten any food in this world yet, acted as if nothing happened at all.

When the aroma of greasy sausages being grilled wafted through the entire hall, no one could withstand its allure, especially Lin Xiaozheng, the foodie.

So, there was Violet, sitting by the window with bread and freshly squeezed milk, watching the rising sun, and enjoying her first meal in this world.

On the other hand, Kars, who was totally unaware his beloved goddess had been replaced by a male soul, was in a far more sour mood.

Moreover, if he ever found out the truth, his mood might get even worse.

No one would tell this poor chap what was happening in this crazy world or why it was torturing him alone.

In his helpless situation, he could only lean against the town gate, crouch by the roadside, he kept wondering, convinced something was not right.

Ever since the day before, when Violet had met the town mayor, there had been a significant change in her behaviour.

That change was something the soul of Lin Xiaozheng, hiding inside Violet's body, didn't notice since he never considered it in the first place.

He had never bothered to disguise his personality or pretend to be like a girl.

Yet, because of his disregard and his casual attitude, Kars was left in confusion.

Even with a little pretense, Lin Xiaozheng could have easily fooled him.

Though Kars knew nothing about magic, he was a man after all. At this point, he certainly felt something was off.

From temperament to daily habits, change wasn't so easy.

Having adventured with Violet for such a long time, Kars could easily analyze her usual state.

All was amiss, but he couldn't pinpoint what exactly changed, except that something had happened.

And just as he was grimacing with worry, Violet appeared before him with a large bundle. After breakfast, for various safety considerations, Lin Xiaozheng had brought virtually all his belongings when he came to meet Kars.

She dropped the bundle in front of him, crossed her arms in front of her chest, and flashed a grin.

Back when he was still a 'boy', Lin Xiaozheng had often been asked by girls to carry things. All the strenuous tasks naturally fell to him.

All because Lin Xiaozheng was a boy, he was expected to do the physical work that girls didn't want to do.

But now, everything was reversed beyond recognition. It was time to revenge all the unfair treatments he received in school. Violet curled up the corner of her mouth and gave Kars a suggestive look, leaving him dumbfounded.

He knew what to do, right?

Then she wouldn't need to say any more, right?

All her revenge and laziness made Kars feel even more uneasy.

But he didn't say much, just picked up the bundle, carried it on his back silently without uttering a word.

Then, they embarked on their journey to Black Crow Castle.

Neither Violet nor Kars had imagined that the news they'd unwittingly leaked would spread out so quickly.

Black Crow Castle was a taboo, a place every greedy mercenary yearned to explore.

Everyone wanted to know what lay within those walls, and the bounty offered by the Mercenary Guild was a vast fortune desired by all.

Neither Violet nor Kars, who had pursued the matter, knew their careless words had triggered such a big turmoil.