I Was Reborn in Another World, But I Awoke Inside a Corpse

Chapter 118: Braver Than Most

The moon was rising—wide and pale over the snow-veined ridge—and the camp had quieted for the night.

Sylvalen was seated near the edge of camp, her gaze trained upward, where stars began to dot the sky one by one. A faint aura still clung to her, the lingering resonance of a god-killer's presence, but she had learned to wear it lightly.

Just beyond the firelight, Lira stood motionless.

She had paced past the same crate three times already. Boot-heel. Turn. Boot-heel. Turn.

Her heart wouldn't settle.

Sylvalen noticed, of course. She always did.

"You're going to wear a path into the stone," the elf called gently.

"I've paced worse," Lira muttered.

She turned to face the fire—and saw Isaac sitting alone beside it.

No armor. No cloak. Just a man in a worn tunic, quietly watching the flames with a look that was neither distant nor present. Somewhere in between.

Lira clenched her fists.

'I don't get to be a coward forever.'

She inhaled once, then walked forward.

Isaac didn't flinch when she dropped beside him.

She didn't say anything at first. Just warmed her hands by the fire, pretending she wasn't holding her breath.

Finally, he spoke.

"You're quieter than usual."

"Yeah, well." She shrugged. "Kinda tired of hiding behind noise."

He glanced over at her. His eyes were gentle. Open. That made it worse.

"Isaac," she said before she could stop herself. "I need to tell you something."

He straightened slightly, brows rising. "Alright."

She looked at the fire instead of him.

"I've been with you since the beginning. Before the world saw you as anything special. Back when you were just… weird and pale and angry all the time."

"That's not entirely inaccurate," he said softly.

She smiled, but it faded quickly.

"I watched you grow. I saw you die and come back. I saw you care for people, even when you didn't think anyone noticed. I was there when no one else was."

He was silent. Not cold. Just listening.

She finally looked up, her voice fragile.

"And somewhere along the way… I started wanting to be the reason you smiled. Even just once."

His expression shifted—but not in the way she expected.

No horror. No rejection.

Just a quiet, pained stillness.

Then he looked away.

Lira's heart dropped.

"I see," she said quickly, forcing a smile. "I get it. Sorry. That was stupid. Forget I said anything."

She turned to stand—but Isaac grabbed her wrist gently.

"No. Wait."

She froze.

He looked into her eyes, and there was nothing cruel in them—only regret.

"I'm not rejecting you," he said softly.

"Then what—?"

He hesitated.

Then asked the strangest question she could imagine.

"…Lira. How old are you?"

She blinked. "What?"

"Just… humor me."

"…Seventeen," she said slowly. "Why?"

Isaac exhaled, dragging a hand down his face. "Where I'm from—my original world—seventeen's too young. There are rules. Laws. And I've lived with those boundaries my whole life. Where I come from, even if two people care about each other… it has to wait."

Lira stared at him, stunned.

Then snorted.

"You're turning me down because you're too ethical?"

He gave her a lopsided smile. "I'd say 'honorable,' but sure."

From the shadows nearby, Sylvalen's voice floated in—dry, knowing.

"At least now I know why you looked like you swallowed a blade when she confessed."

Lira flushed scarlet. "You were listening?!"

Sylvalen stood, walking toward them with quiet poise. "I listen to many things. Especially people I care about."

She stopped beside Isaac and folded her arms.

"I was worried you were hesitating because of me. That you felt caught between us."

Isaac shook his head. "No. You've never made me feel trapped."

Sylvalen nodded slowly. Then turned to Lira.

"I meant what I said. If his heart holds space for more than one, I won't fight it."

Lira opened her mouth. Then closed it again.

She looked at Isaac.

He looked at her.

"…So what now?" she asked.

Isaac's voice was calm.

"You wait. Just a little longer."

She hesitated.

Then, with a crooked grin, she said, "Alright. But I expect the most dramatic kiss in history when the time comes."

Isaac chuckled. "Deal."

And for the first time in a long while, Lira's heart felt light.