“Don’t you think your eyes are the same color as theirs?”
Because of those words, Will looked at his eyes properly in the mirror for the first time after combing his hair.
To be honest…
He knew his eyes were blue, but he hadn’t cared at all about what shade of blue they were.
How should I put it? You can’t expect an author to give a minor villain exceptionally beautiful eyes – because from the start, they never intended to shape anything by describing what’s seen in his eyes.
Oh, maybe there’d be something like, “He widened his deep blue eyes, staring at the Slime above him, then got hit right on the skull.”?
But…
Looking closely, it really doesn’t seem like they were just colored randomly. These deep blue eyes have a bit of character. He really has to thank Carver for having a good wife; he remembered Carver’s pupil color was grayer than his own, and not as appealing.
Still, it’s not like they’re as deep blue as the sea or sky, as Shuna said. They’re just… average.
It’s just that…
It feels like the first time he’s seriously looked in the mirror to see what his eyes are actually like.
Although he believed “Will Systom” was his true self now, his second life, he hadn’t really observed what he should look like.
“Are you done? Will, wow, are you that narcissistic just because I complimented you?”
“With a rigorous attitude, I need to confirm if my eyes are indeed like that.”
“We should be going!”
“Mhm.”
Will tidied up his things – well, there wasn’t much to tidy, because he had truly come out empty-handed.
Shuna was the same.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Will… are you really going back just like this? This place is beautiful, let’s stay a few more days.”
“Mmm… I’d like to see it a bit more, but… it’ll take almost four days just to get back. That’s a bit long for a vacation.”
The two walked on the street, searching for the carriage station to return.
Actually, Shuna had suggested they stow away on a train instead, since the train would get them there in a single day.
But!
Will sternly refused!
Stowing away was technically illegal. It was only because they were lucky last time, encountering the last Observation Car unguarded, that they managed to get away with it comfortably.
If they had encountered a guarded Observation Car, they probably would have been invited for tea.
Of course…
The current freight system was largely invested in by the Adventurer’s Guild, used to transport goods from Dungeons.
Most of it would probably be sent to his father, and a word from Carver would end it.
But…
Rather than being lectured by the cops, he was even more unwilling to be quizzed with a sarcastic smile by his own dad!
So!
No.
He had to reduce all external factors now. Before that Protagonist arrived, the situation couldn’t afford to become any more out of control.
As for Shuna…
She naturally didn’t want the person she had finally brought out to return to his four-person life so quickly.
If nothing could stop him from going back…
She’d have to find a way to join them.
“Alright, alright. Then I’ll go back with you~”
She hopped along beside Will, speaking.
“Don’t you have anything else to do?”
“Nope.”
Shuna stretched.
“I’m not like you; I don’t have a job. Hmm… you could say I’m a freelancer.”
She cocked her head, thinking.
“Oh right, when you wrote that letter before, you mentioned something about…”
Shuna began to imitate Will’s tone of voice:
“If anyone submits a resume for a logistics position during this period, and they are a black-haired youth who is exceptionally low-key and outstanding, please be sure to take them in!”
That sounded a bit familiar…
Will realized this was what he had written in his letter last night, describing the Protagonist, Xiu!
“You actually read my letter!”
“You asked me what to write, so I leaned over and looked. Getting your permission means it’s not spying.”
Shuna nudged Will with her elbow, then proudly patted her chest with her hand.
“See, black hair, youth, exceptionally low-key and outstanding, logistics! Don’t I fit perfectly? So? If I apply for a logistics position, I’ll come work in your team from now on. What do you say?”
“…?!”
Will had never considered this.
Er…
It’s strange, really. Ever since he met S, he seemed to have taken it for granted that S wouldn’t join his team, and he’d never thought about bringing S into the team.
Even after meeting Shuna in person, he hadn’t had this thought.
He didn’t know why.
Perhaps he was too fixated on the story of “the jilted lover defeating the main wife and original owner,” that Shuna, who “seemed to be outside the story,” wasn’t within his consideration.
“What’s wrong? Is your team too noble to welcome me?”
“No, no. It’s just…”
Will looked up and glanced at her.
Just Shuna’s attire gave her the aura of an elite Adventurer.
Shining Star was still a newly formed team. To put it mildly, Shining Star hadn’t even been ranked B yet.
“If you join our team now, I feel it would be an insult to you. It’s clear that with your level, there are many other places you could go, right?”
“I don’t care about the salary, and you’re not short on money.”
“Hmm… it just feels like Shuna is very strong and must have seen many Adventuring Teams far more capable than ours.”
“…”
Shuna frowned upon hearing this.
“Given it’s you, I’m sure you’ve been in many teams before. The kind of Adventurer who is highly sought after within Adventuring Teams!”
This was Will’s true thought.
Besides…
This team would fall apart within a year, according to “Fate,” due to internal strife. Then there would be the drama of the jilted lover’s blackening, which would be too messy.
It’s like a company that’s going to go bankrupt in a year – it kind of felt like his previous life’s company.
It’s better not to put Shuna in harm’s way.
However, to Will’s surprise, after he said this, Shuna earnestly looked up:
“No, I’ve never joined any Adventuring Team. I’ve been a freelance Adventurer since three years ago – though I don’t use that title anymore.
“The reason I didn’t join was probably because, compared to the strength of those Adventuring Teams, I valued other things more.
“So, Will, while the first half of what you just said sounded like a joke, I’m serious.
“I’ve taken a liking to you… to your Adventuring Team, and I want to join.”
Will stared at Shuna in shock as she finished speaking in one breath, her expression as serious as if she were proposing.
Is she serious!?
“But our Adventuring Team really can’t give you much…”
“Think about it, do I need what other Adventuring Teams can offer me?”
She spread her hands, quite frankly.
Will thought about it…
In terms of growth and training, Shuna had practically gone through every S Rank profession that could be graded.
In terms of earning money, just by virtue of her S Rank, she could take on various freelance commissions and live comfortably for the rest of her life.
Even if she had some ambition, like her greatest interest, Dungeons, at this level, she could roam freely and gather materials herself.
“That’s true…”
“Alright, your team certainly has something I want, it’s just that you never seemed to take it seriously~”
Shuna then, naturally and intimately, draped an arm around Will’s shoulder.
“Little Will, I want to watch you become stronger!”
