Former Hero, Solo Play Oriented-Chapter 131

"Grrrr!"

The elf holding Rain smiled with amusement as she watched Chris, who had started growling and sidestepping cautiously.

The elf chuckled and then gestured for Chris to come closer.

"You're Chris, right? Come here and take a look at this."

"..."

How does this insufferable elf know my name?

Still growling at the unfamiliar woman who had taken Rain from her, Chris cautiously approached, her guard still up.

"Heh."

A stupid giggle slipped out of Chris's mouth as she saw Rain’s sleeping face, causing her expression to soften.

Soon, both women were seated side by side, gazing lovingly at the slumbering Rain.

"Isn’t she adorable?"

"Sigh... Right? She’s like a little angel, isn't she? ...Ah!"

Chris snapped out of her dreamy admiration when she realized what she was doing and shot a wary glance at the elf again.

The white-haired elf gave a polite nod and introduced herself.

"I apologize for the late introduction. My name is Igraine."

"Igraine?"

"Yes. I was once the Priestess of the World Tree."

At the mention of her title, Chris’s memory flashed back to a moment when Rain, drunk and among the gathered Crimson-White guild members, had muttered those very words.

Priestess of the World Tree, Igraine.

The person Rain had mentioned was now sitting here before her.

Is this a coincidence?

A character from the game world. AI. NPC.

If I just brush this off as part of the game, I may never understand Rain fully.

Whether or not Igraine noticed Chris’s complex emotions, the elf continued to stroke Rain’s hair, her face holding a gentle smile.

"I understand. From the perspective of higher beings, this world might seem like nothing more than a fleeting amusement."

Igraine’s gaze turned slightly sorrowful as she looked down at Rain’s face.

"I wish Rain could see it that way too."

At that moment, Chris realized she had no choice but to accept it.

Understanding could come later—acceptance was the first step.

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Igraine.

Chris decided to stop seeing her as just an NPC from the game, but as someone connected to Rain's past.

With her mind set, Chris asked what she had been most curious about.

"...What is your relationship with Rain?"

"Hmm... We're comrades."

"Comrades?"

"Yes, companions who gathered a thousand years ago under the mission to defeat the Demon King, alongside the hero."

"The hero’s companions."

The Demon King. The mission.

Rain’s past.

The part of Rain’s history that could never be found in reality was now revealed in this place.

Chris and Igraine spoke at length.

Igraine, the elf and priestess of the World Tree.

She had met Rain, traveled with her and her comrades, fought the demon race, and ultimately defeated the Demon King.

And in that process...

"..."

Chris recalled what her guild leader had once mentioned.

The hero’s past.

Today, that story felt more real than ever to Chris.

Should I be amazed at how advanced AI technology has become?

But why does this game world tie so closely to Rain?

Chris shook her head vigorously.

I decided not to think about that for now, didn’t I?

Right now, I need to understand this continent and Rain better.

"But... it’s been a thousand years since the hero’s party fought the Demon King, right? And during that time, your comrades... Oh no, that means...! Are you a ghost?!"

Chris recoiled in shock, but Igraine chuckled softly.

"Just as I heard, Chris, you’re quite the entertaining person. I don’t know as much as you might think. Most of what I know comes from being a spirit of the World Tree."

Igraine’s expression turned wistful.

"This world lost its god long ago. It’s just an empty shell now, drifting outside the flow of absolute time. A lower dimension’s fate is heavily tied to the divinity of its goddess, and from what I’ve heard, only about two years have passed in the upper dimension."

"Two years..."

"And how is Rain’s body in that world?"

"...Her legs."

"..."

Igraine’s expression filled with deep sorrow. A green light shimmered from the spirit’s eyes as she gently embraced Rain in her arms, calling her name over and over.

"Rain, Rain."

Two years ago.

That was when traces of Seulbi Lee—Rain—began to surface on Earth.

Rain’s past.

Another world that truly exists.

The world the game is based on.

If I accept this, so many questions will be answered, and everything will fall into place.

But.

Chris tightly closed her eyes.

"This isn’t right."

The story that clashed with her understanding of the world—something she wanted to cover up.

A story she wished was a lie.

A mentally fragile young girl, given the mission of the hero, had fought while being hurt and wounded.

And in the end, she lost everything.

She lost her comrades.

She lost her legs.

Her mind broke.

She turned away from the world she lived in and retreated to her own.

It was a miracle that she hadn’t completely shattered before meeting me.

Chris and Igraine’s conversation came to a halt.

For a while, they simply watched the sleeping Rain in silence.

Chris gently stroked Rain’s hair, and the girl mumbled, snuggling deeper into Igraine’s embrace. Chris’s face contorted with mixed feelings, while Igraine looked both amused and sympathetic.

They started to share memories of Rain little by little.

"...Rain was such a curious child. Even at an age where she could barely hold a sword, she was always deep in thought."

"..."

"Sometimes, she acted incredibly mature, other times like a quiet child. Always looking somewhere far away. When she clung to me, she wore this confused yet kitten-like expression."

"A kitten...! Haha, I think I know what you mean."

"Right? Like a little baby kitten. It was heartbreaking, though, because she seemed to have grown up without receiving love. She didn’t seem to know how to accept kindness."

"..."

Chris could relate to that, thinking about how much effort she had put into breaking through Rain’s emotional barriers.

Igraine suddenly had a puzzled expression.

"I remember something I still don’t quite understand. It was when I was bathing Rain. She let out these cute whimpering sounds and covered her eyes, trying not to look at me."

"You... bathed Rain?!"

Chris’s alarm bells rang again. She chewed nervously on her sleeve in frustration.

"I—I’ve bathed Rain too, you know?!"

Don’t you dare think you’ve won!

Igraine tilted her head, confused by Chris’s reaction.

"Oh!"

Then she let out a soft exclamation.

A mischievous glint appeared in Igraine’s eyes.

"Is that so? Well, whenever Rain talks about you... Hmm, hmm. Though her body is still small, she’s already at the age where she’s becoming aware of such things..."

Chris glared sharply at Igraine, who was nodding to herself.

What’s with that expression?

Ygraine smiled softly and continued.

"Rain is very pretty, isn’t she?"

"Uh, uh-huh. Yes, she is."

"Even by the standards of the elves, known for their beauty, she’s an extraordinary young girl. I imagine she’s turned many heads, hasn’t she?"

What’s this? Suddenly complimenting her looks?

Well, Rain is indeed beautiful, but still...

"The reason I became more vocal among my comrades was to protect Rain from Melissa and Elena’s advances. I kept telling them she was too young, but they were relentless."

"Melissa? Elena?"

Chris’s danger radar went off again.

Who are these people now?

"Don’t worry. I’m more like... hmm, how should I put it? I guess I’m like Rain’s mother."

"Her mother!"

Thunk!

Chris smacked her forehead against the floor of the World Tree.

---

As they shared memories about Rain, time passed warmly between the three women.

But the look of sorrow on Igraine’s face grew deeper.

"I am a person from the past. Someone who shouldn’t interfere with Rain’s present life. I’m just grateful to have had this chance to see her again."

"What do you mean?"

Chris looked at Igraine with a blank expression, confused by her words.

"Rain seems to be living well in that world, right? From the way she smiles, I can tell how much you care for her."

"Yes. I-I’m doing everything I can to make her happy!"

"I’m someone who needs to leave. For Rain to live happily in another world, I can’t stay by her side."

Chris felt a growing sense of urgency.

Rain was sleeping in Igraine’s arms with a peaceful expression she had never seen before.

Wouldn’t it be good for Rain if she could visit her from time to time, even if not every day?

"Why... Why do you have to leave?"

Ygraine didn’t answer that question, but she looked Chris straight in the eye.

"Chris, what is Rain’s name in that new world where she’s living?"

"...Seulbi."

"Seulbi."

Igraine repeated the name softly, gently stroking Rain’s hair.

"Mmm."

At that moment, Rain’s eyes fluttered open.

Her lovely, obsidian eyes, filled with confusion, flicked between the two women’s faces.

Then, she smiled brightly.

"Wow, both of my big sisters are here."

But despite Rain’s radiant smile, the sadness in Igraine’s eyes remained.

"Rain, I’m sorry."

"...Why? Yg

raine, why are you apologizing?"

Rain’s eyes began to show hints of anxiety.

Igraine stroked her hair and spoke with difficulty.

"I have to go."