CHAPTER 271: BESIDE A SPIRIT, BEYOND THE WORLD ( 271 )

That night...

Hazuki lay sprawled out on the cheap bed in the modest dwarven inn, the rough mattress creaking under him.

The room was dim, lit only by moonlight streaming in through the open window.

Outside, the town had already gone quiet.

No more hammering.

No more shouting.

Just a peaceful silence that wrapped around the stone walls like a blanket.

On the pillow beside him, Ridan had already dozed off—

a puffy, misty cloud tucked neatly into a dent in the pillow, faintly snoring with a soft fwoosh... fwoosh...

Hazuki turned his head and stared at the stars.

The night sky stretched endlessly, uncaring, distant.

And somewhere in that silence... his thoughts stirred again.

"Why was I even isekai’d here?"

"For what purpose?"

He sighed through his nose.

"Seriously... the other isekai protagonists... they got divine titles. Chosen by gods. Given overpowered skills. Legendary weapons."

"They build harems like it’s a side quest. Every girl throwing themselves at them. They’re out here marrying princesses left and right, making entire royal families call them son-in-law."

"They enjoy their nights in lavish beds. Sharing it with someone new every Chapter. Making babies without a care in the world."

He slowly tilted his head sideways, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion.

"And me?"

"I can’t even stare at a girl’s cleavage for more than three seconds without thinking I’ll get smited by the pinky promise curse."

He glanced at his hand, the ring still there—silent, glowing faintly in the dark.

"If I even try to sneak a peek..."

"I feel like lightning will just drop from the sky and fry me where I stand."

He pulled the pillow over his face, groaning.

"What a mess..."

He stared up at the ceiling, arms folded behind his head now, pillow pushed aside.

The stars were still visible through the window. The wind was cool.

And as his eyes slowly blinked, he muttered to himself.

"Well..."

"This world isn’t bad."

He let the words hang for a moment.

No glowing lights. No dramatic music. Just quiet.

"There’s no need to wake up early just to rush for the train."

"No packed stations full of tired faces and fake smiles."

"No boss yelling over things I didn’t even do."

He exhaled.

"No pressure to meet deadlines no one actually cared about."

"No useless meetings. No fake laughter over forced after-work drinks."

He looked toward the sleeping Ridan, curled up like a puffball.

"I still don’t know what I’m supposed to do here."

"No hero prophecy. No system message. No chosen one title."

"But at least..."

He smiled faintly to himself, eyes closing halfway.

"At least... I don’t feel like I’m dying inside anymore."

Silence settled again. The stars twinkled. Somewhere far off, a night bird called.

Hazuki smiled faintly.

His gaze drifted to the side—where Ridan was still curled up like a misty ball on the pillow, rising and falling with each gentle breath of mana.

Even if he’s annoying.

Even if no one else can see him.

Even if people think I’m crazy for talking to thin air...

At least...

Ridan was there.

Always floating. Always teasing.

But always present.

Not just as a spirit.

But as something Hazuki hadn’t had in a long time.

A real companion.

He entertains me. He annoys me.

He doesn’t hold back. He doesn’t sugarcoat things just to get along.

If Ridan doesn’t like something, he says it.

If he’s bored, he doesn’t fake a smile—he complains outright.

Hazuki chuckled softly under his breath.

Unlike those ikemen back in my old world...

Always smiling. Always polite.

Only hung around me because I scared off their bullies.

They liked me. But not for who I was. For what I could protect them from.

But Ridan?

Ridan didn’t care about appearances.

Didn’t flatter. Didn’t pretend.

He was annoying.

Honest.

Blunt.

And real.

Hazuki pulled the blanket up to his chin and whispered, mostly to himself.

"...You’re a pain in the ass, Ridan. But thanks for being here."

He lay there in silence.

The rough blanket barely warm.

The stone walls around him cold and still.

And for the first time in a while—

Hazuki wondered.

Really wondered.

Will Ridan... stay with me?

Till I die in this world?

Would he still be floating nearby if Hazuki aged and wrinkled, if one day he collapsed somewhere forgotten?

Would that annoying, smug spirit still call him names?

Still insult his taste in food?

Still nag him about being boring?

Hazuki turned his head slightly, looking again at the puffball on the pillow.

"Will you really stay... even to the end?"

The thought wasn’t loud.

It wasn’t desperate.

It wasn’t even sad.

It was just... real.

Because Hazuki didn’t know how long he’d live here.

Didn’t know if he’d ever go home.

Didn’t even know if there was a home left to return to.

But he knew—

Having someone by your side matters.

Even if it’s someone only you can see.

Someone who mocks you half the day, and floats in boobs the other half.

It still mattered.

"...Don’t ditch me, okay?" Hazuki muttered softly.

Hazuki slowly drifted to sleep.

The distant noise of the town faded.

His thoughts softened.

His breathing evened out.

And then—

The dream came.

Warm wind brushed against his face.

Golden sunlight spread across an open field of green, dotted with small flowers swaying gently.

A small house stood not far, humble but warm, with smoke curling lazily from the chimney.

Children’s laughter echoed in the air—bright, high-pitched, full of life.

Tiny feet ran across the grass.

Golden-haired children with tails flicking behind them.

Some with his eyes. Some with hers.

Ellyn, in her adult form, stood at the door, smiling.

Her hair shimmered under the sun.

Her eyes soft, loving.

Wearing a simple dress. No crown. No burden.

She looked at him and whispered—

"Welcome home, Uncle."

Hazuki’s chest tightened.

Not with fear.

With something warmer.

Then—

Ridan.

He was there too, floating in wide loops, chasing after the children like a puffball on a mission.

"You little goblins! Come back here—no flying on the dog!!"

The kids laughed louder, scattering.

And beside Ridan...

Another spirit.

Soft. Small. Round.

A girl-shaped mist, her hair flowing like misty threads, her form gentle and light. Her eyes glowed faintly blue—but kind.

She floated near Ridan.

And laughed.

Laughed.

Hazuki blinked in the dream.

Who...?

But the answer didn’t come.

Just more warmth.

More wind.

More peace.

Until—

A child tugged his hand.

"Papa~ come play!"

He smiled.

And ran.

( End Of Chapter )