A Horror Novel’s Supporting Character Wants to Live as a Human

Chapter 234

He had told Tika to find a 'strong being' as powerful as Idra, but he already had something in mind.

In fact, in this situation, there was nothing to trust other than 'that thing.'

He wanted to find 'it' as soon as possible, even a day sooner, before Tika's mutation progressed further.

But since it seemed inappropriate to suggest this while Shan still hadn't regained consciousness, he decided to wait and see for the time being.

Fortunately, the dwarfs had scattered in all directions starting from that night,

And they didn't come looking for Tika and Shan, who still bore the marks.

Just in case, he went around the area at night with a stone in one hand, but he couldn't see hide nor hair of them.

During this time, Tika felt relieved and took turns with him nursing Shan.

Under their devoted care, Shan's wounds gradually healed.

From a modern person's perspective, it was a wound that wouldn't be surprising if it caused instant death.But being healthy and sturdy might have been a common characteristic of the Shambhala people, who were Yurik's cloned life forms.

On the day Shan opened his eyes, he and Tika were so excited they boasted, "It's thanks to our quick herbal treatment, we might be geniuses after all."

But one comment from Shan, who saw the grass applied to his wound, ruined the whole mood.

-This is for reducing swelling. Tika came before with a sprained ankle, remember? Why did you put what was left over from her ankle here...

-...S-sorry. I didn't know, so I just used everything we had.

No wonder there were herbs in the house out of nowhere.

Indeed, he and Tika had no aptitude as healers.

Still, Shan worked hard to eat well and recover his strength.

It might have been because Tika was wholly helping with Shan's rehabilitation,

But the two spent more time together than before.

Then, somehow feeling like he was in the way, he naturally started going outside.

How had it come to this?

One day.

As usual, while basking in the warm sunlight nearby and habitually scribbling in his diary,

He could see Tika and Shan slowly taking a walk in the distance.

He thought about whether he should vacate the spot since they seemed to be coming this way,

But he didn't want to spoil the mood by being noticed by the two right now.

He went around behind the rock where he had been sitting and crouched down low.

He was thinking he should leave when the two passed by here.

"...is that?"

"No, it's not like that."

"Good thing it's not. Don't scare me."

...The two came over and sat down amicably on the rock where he had been sitting just moments before.

Well, that rock was shaped just right for sitting. But why here of all places?

Should he get up? Or should he just stay like this?

While he was rolling his eyes, a quiet voice could be heard.

"Tika, so what did you want to say?"

"Hm?"

"You've been worrying while looking at me for days. I can tell just by looking. How many years have we been friends?"

"Ah, that. Actually."

Tika started and waited a moment before answering.

"I might have to leave Theem'dra for a while. I'll go with Yesung."

"Where are you going with Yesung? What's the reason?"

"I was there too on the day that happened to you."

He had roughly explained to Shan what had happened while he was unconscious,

But the meeting between Tika and Idra hadn't been mentioned yet.

Because Tika had asked to tell Shan herself.

Of course, if he told Shan, Shan might understand more easily,

But he remembered her saying she would tell Shan directly because this was important.

"I met something strange then."

"...Something strange?"

"Yesung said it was something scary. One of the reasons Anutara crossed the desert with the Shambhala people. He said it was changing me for the worse. Look at this. ...My nails have gotten really long. They're turning black too."

"I thought you were growing them to suit your taste. I deliberately didn't say anything."

"You fool! That's not it. This is part of the change. It's my nails now, but he said it might be somewhere else later."

"What does this have to do with leaving Theem'dra?"

"If things continue like this, I'll become like that thing too. But I don't want that. So Yesung said I need to find a being as strong as that thing and receive protection."

"You're not going back to Anutara?"

"He said it's stronger than Anutara and Yesung."

"Stronger."

Shan's silence continued. It was a silence that conveyed disbelief.

Cold sweat was gathering in his palms.

Finally, Shan spoke.

"So you're leaving Theem'dra with Yesung to find that thing?"

"I'll come back someday. But since I don't know when I'll return, I wanted to tell you in advance."

"You mean there's no set date."

"Yeah."

Another silence followed.

Since he couldn't see their expressions, he couldn't even guess what the atmosphere was like.

"...You say that so easily?"

Ah, he could tell without looking.

Shan was hurt.

Tika had probably delivered the news very carefully for his sake, but Shan, who was receiving it, clearly couldn't understand even that.

He felt like he was watching a romance reality show he hadn't been able to see since falling into this world.

Woman A, no, Tika began to soothe Shan.

"Shan, that's not it. I'm doing this because I'm worried about you-"

"Don't say it's out of worry. You're just saying to leave Theem'dra, and since you don't know when you'll come back, I should wait here quietly."

"Shan!"

"I can't do that."

A voice that was firm beyond measure answered.

"If you're going to leave me here, then why did you do that? When we first came to Theem'dra, why didn't you answer when I asked what number husband I could be? Why did you just laugh?"

"That's not it!"

"If you were going to be like this now, you shouldn't have said that then. It was always like that. You want to see outside Shambhala, and I reluctantly follow along. We came all the way here like that, and now you're saying you'll leave me in Theem'dra and go. Will you really come back? Are you sure you'll come?"

"Shan."

"You always talk like it's so easy. Without even knowing what I'm thinking."

"Shan!"

"I at least thought you wouldn't-"

"Let's live together."

"-make everything so easy, huh?"

Huh?

Whether he covered his mouth with both hands or not, above, Tika was delivering a finishing blow to the stunned Shan.

"Let's get married. Since Yesung is here, we can't live together just the two of us, but I want to live with you."

"What, what?"

"This isn't a joke. It means exactly the same thing people commonly talk about in Shambhala! You'll become my first husband, and I'll become your first wife."

"What the!"

"If we live together, where you are will be where I return to. It's okay if you're not in Theem'dra. Wherever you go, I'll follow you."

"You..."

"This is what you wanted, Shan. Now I understand. You want me to always come back to your side, right? I like that too. Even if I go far away, I always want to come to your side."

Even he was bursting with dopamine.

Man B, no, no! Shan seemed to be stunned by Tika's merciless confession.

Taking advantage of that gap, Tika spoke in a confident, gentle, and loving voice.

"Five children would be good after all."

"What, what are you saying such things for now?"

"Your mother said it's better to make child-rearing plans as early as possible. Isn't that right? If we have one every 100 years, it should be manageable, don't you think?"

"...I want to go back to Shambhala right now and confront her."

"Yes, yes. Anyway, you'll live with me now, right, Shan?"

"..."

"Hm?"

The voices gradually died down.

Uh, wait. Here? Now?

Thinking that his ears would be in danger if he left things as they were, he used all his strength to jump up and shout.

"Stop-!"

"Aaaaah!"

"It's, it's Yesung! How long have you been there!"

When he separated the two who were about to stick together like a pair of slugs, Tika questioned him furiously.

Her cheeks were also as red as ripe apples.

"How long have I been here? I was here before you two came! How dare you come to my spot and do such things!"

"We haven't done anything yet!"

"That's right! Because I interfered! Anyway, congratulations, you two. May I go live somewhere else? I really don't have the confidence to endure such things in the future."

"That's why I said we haven't done anything yet!"

"You might do it in the future! Think about this side too! I don't want to do this either!"

Was this how Harry felt watching Hermione and Ron's romance? Damn.

While arguing with Tika, who was protesting angrily, Shan, who had been sitting quietly, said.

"I haven't said I'd live together yet."

Oh.

At those words, Tika and he stopped arguing and exchanged glances.

Whether they did or not, Shan stood up, dusted off his clothes, and began walking normally toward where the house was.

Watching his retreating figure, Tika muttered helplessly.

"Earlier he was asking me to support him because he felt like he might collapse..."

...A person who was a bear yesterday becomes a fox today - that's romantic relationships.

He gently patted the shoulder of Tika, who was left alone without even hearing an answer to her proposal.

*

"I've been thinking about it for several days, and one similar being came to mind who could block Idra's influence."

"Then isn't that good? It would be better than wandering around aimlessly."

"In that respect, yes. But there are a few concerning points in other aspects."

"What are they?"

"First, that being doesn't exist here like Idra does now. So there's the trouble of having to summon him."

"Mm-hm."

"Second, to summon him, we need to offer sacrifices he likes in a place he prefers. Even if we somehow solve the sacrifice problem... the place he likes is very cold."

"Colder than here? Then..."

"Yes, we might have to leave to find a place with lower temperatures. It might not be connected to this continent. Since the temperature got lower as we came up, we might have to cross this sea."

"Mm-hm."

"And third, to cross the sea, we need a vehicle large enough to carry food and water along with the three of us. It's difficult for the three of us to make such a thing."

"So in the end, you're saying it's impossible to meet the being Yesung mentioned."

Tika's lips protruded like a duck's bill.

Shan, who had been listening seriously beside her, also seemed a little disappointed,

But he shook his head.

"It's not that there's no way. I'll cross the sea first as an advance party. Crossing the sea alone would actually be easier. And then I'll come back to get you two later."

"But... would it be meaningful if you go alone? With us not there, and also crossing the sea, how would you plan to come back?"

Shan asked worriedly.

Of course, Shan was worried because he couldn't see into his mind.

"Of course. The meaning would be overflowing. If I'm alone, I can move faster. I can also help you two cross the sea later. Instead, there's something I'd like to ask before I go."

"What is it?"

"Please make a small boat and oars that can float on water. That's all I need. I don't need food or water."

Shan and Tika were a little puzzled but nodded.

Tika asked.

"But, Yesung. You said the being I met before was Idra. Then what's the name of the being you're talking about now?"

"Ah, that. He's also called 'Living Ice' or 'Gray Flame.' When speaking with respect, we call him by his epithet, but if we're talking about his other name."

An old memory came to mind.

The faintly flickering flames that swayed beyond the ice crystal.

The story from long ago that it had whispered.

"-He's called Aphoom-Zhah."

It was a dear name.