Chapter 104
It happened then.
Auuuu—!
“Tch!”
Along with the loud howl of a wolf, I heard Estelle click her tongue from ahead.
And then, immediately, the sound of something springing off the ground followed.
Everything happened in a single instant. The very moment I squeezed my eyes shut.
I immediately opened my eyes, ready to run.
I knew I shouldn’t run, but I couldn’t just die like this.
I had to escape with Estelle before the wolf got any closer, even if it was just a second earlier.
But by the time I opened my eyes, it was already too late.
The wolf had sprinted over in an instant, baring its sharp teeth as it leapt toward us.
‘Insane… I’m going to die like this!’
I hadn’t even made Estelle an empress yet, let alone gotten her into the palace!
And this wasn’t some bad ending with Basago.
A meaningless ending where I got eaten by a wolf!
‘There isn’t even a game that ends like this!’
I could see the wolf’s jaws wide open, closing in on me.
At the same time, the warm breath from its massive mouth brushed my face.
In that moment, I grabbed Estelle in front of me with all my strength, pulling her into my arms.
And I silently prayed, shouting in my heart: if we’re going to die, let me die—at least spare Estelle.
Then it happened.
Thunk—!
Wham—!
A dull sound rang out right in front of me, followed by the wolf letting out a pitiful whine.
“What the…? Where did this come from?”
And then, not far away, a voice—light and effortless—carried over.
It was a voice that instantly changed the atmosphere.
I opened my eyes and looked forward.
Standing there was a tall, large-framed man.
“Ah, so there was someone here?”
A man with fiery red hair, like blazing flames.
The moment our eyes met, I drew in a breath.
Though his hair partially covered his face, his eyes were glowing.
A bright, yellow color.
“Hmm.”
He lifted his head and swept the hair falling over his forehead back.
Then he started moving toward Estelle and me.
Thud, thud, thud—
His steps echoed through the forest—not fast, not slow.
The sound stopped the moment he reached us.
Now that he was closer, I could see him in detail.
Starting from his shoes, my gaze slowly traveled upward.
Rounded-toe boots, pants slightly loose and tucked into the boots.
A shirt partially unbuttoned, revealing part of his chest, with a loosely worn vest on top. And behind that, a massive greatsword.
Finally, when I saw his face, my eyes widened in surprise.
Because I recognized this man—the one with long red hair and golden eyes.
“Oh my, that was close. Could have been bad if I were late.”
He was another target character from Raise Your Daughter, the Red Dragon playing in the human world.
The mercenary Vermilion.
Red Dragon Vermilion.
Like Basago, he’s a non-human character from the game Raise Your Daughter.
Among female players in their twenties, he ranks first in popularity. The reason was simple:
‘Just look at that body.’
Unlike other characters who hid their physique, Vermilion wore his shirt partially open.
Summer or winter, it didn’t matter.
‘Isn’t it official that Red Dragons have naturally high body heat because of their fire attribute?’
That’s probably why he doesn’t feel cold, even in winter.
Though he supposedly wears only a thin coat to not look odd.
Honestly, Vermilion wasn’t my preferred character in my past life.
Even if he had a great body, it was just a game.
Why care so much about a character that only exists on screen? I thought.
But…
‘Seeing him in real life feels completely different.’
Now I understood why he was the most popular among women in their twenties.
‘I was a complete fool.’
I admitted then that I hadn’t known anything before.
Other people’s choices always have reasons—and I had ignored them.
“Why so quiet?”
Vermilion frowned, noticing I was too stunned to react.
He strode toward me, then suddenly bent down, bringing his face close.
“…!”
I was startled when he leaned in.
His striking face was nearly touching mine, and when I lowered my gaze, I saw something I probably shouldn’t.
“Ugh, agh!”
His partially unbuttoned shirt opened wider as he bent forward.
Revealing not only his chest but also a solid set of abs.
Shocked by the sudden, intense sight, I hurriedly covered my eyes.
Then Estelle, who had been in my arms, slipped out and shouted in concern.
“What’s happening! Did he do something to you?”
She had been listening to everything—the wolf attacking, the stranger defeating the wolf, and him approaching us.
Of course, Estelle hadn’t stayed still in my arms either.
She had been struggling to get free.
But I hadn’t released her.
At first, it was to protect her from the wolf, and then I had simply forgotten in shock when Vermilion appeared.
“What the! I saved you and this is how you repay me? Is this how you return a favor with ingratitude?”
Vermilion frowned at Estelle’s outburst.
Then he leaned back, crossed his arms, and looked clearly displeased.
Seizing the moment, Estelle stood up in front of me, blocking the path.
“…”
“Oh? Look at this bold little lady.”
Vermilion’s frown softened as he looked at Estelle.
He scanned her from head to toe, then smiled with amusement.
“Wanna give it a try? I like it.”
He gestured toward her.
“Don’t underestimate me.”
Estelle, clearly offended by his dismissive attitude, bared her teeth and assumed a ready stance, as if about to attack.
“Good stance. Worth seeing.”
Vermilion smirked, clearly entertained, as Estelle readied herself.
But as she lunged, he wiped the smile off his face, becoming serious.
Perhaps fencing classes included martial arts?
Estelle, far from a beginner, launched at Vermilion with surprising skill.
Whoosh—!
Leaping high, she aimed a punch at him.
But her attack was easily blocked.
Vermilion sidestepped and lightly stopped her fist with the back of his hand.
“Oh! Sharp! Almost got me there.”
“…Tch.”
He taunted her, but Estelle didn’t take the bait.
Instead of attacking recklessly, she clicked her tongue and calmly prepared her next move.
Landing, she immediately extended her left hand, aiming at Vermilion’s waist with the edge of her hand.
But Vermilion was faster.
“Not close enough yet.”
He placed a hand on the ground, lowering his body.
Pivoting on his left foot, he extended his right leg and spun.
“Ugh!”
Estelle’s hand, aiming for his waist, cut through empty air.
At the same time, Vermilion’s right leg pushed against her grounded leg.
With the fast, strong force, Estelle instantly lost her balance and tilted sideways.
