Knight from the North

It had been a long time since I'd seen another village—ever since I lost my party during that last mission. I didn't think I'd be back this soon, back at the edges of Corn Hill, seeing people and hunters around again… Still, it was a familiar scene. And I missed it.

That was our second-to-last stop before heading toward The Platinum Keystone

Even after all the days I'd spent with him—the knight

I didn't know where he came from, not even his real name.

He didn't hide it because he didn't want to share—it's just that, as he told me once, he couldn't

"Runa, look over there… beautiful, isn't it?"

That's what he said, pointing toward the golden cornfield. I couldn't see his face behind that dark armor helmet, but his tone was soft. It reminded me of my little brother, and I felt grateful to him again—for saving me from the goblins the day we met.

We walked into the village after passing the bright fields, with the wind calm and steady. A few villagers greeted us, and some rookie hunters too. The knight stood out, of course—his armor covered in dirt and dried blood. And me? I didn't exactly look polished either… Maybe I still looked like a kid.

So I suggested we head to the public bathhouse to clean up and change. I saw it as a chance to finally get him to take off that gloomy armor—maybe I'd finally see his face.

So far, his features had been a complete mystery. He always refused to take off the helmet.

I had imagined it a bunch of times… Maybe he had a shy face, or some kind of scar. I even said that out loud to myself as we walked toward the bathhouse near the tavern and the Hunter Guild building.

When we got there, it was still early morning. Not many people around. So, I took the chance to speak.

"Excuse me…" I called

to him in a feminine voice. He turned to me, his armor twitching nervously... That's when I knew.

"Since we're going to bathe here, we'll split up from this point. You go to the men's section, I'll go to the women's."

He stared at me for a bit, then started heading in—without saying a word. I quickly stepped in, trying to stop him. Maybe… just maybe, he'd consider removing that cursed helmet. I really wanted to see what he was hiding.

"Wouldn't it be better to take your armor off before going in? It might get damaged," I said, trying to sound convincing.

"Why?" he mumbled.

"Because it could break! Do you want that? And how are you supposed to bathe with it on, anyway?"

He replied quietly, "Ha… it's crack-resistant. And maybe… I'll just wash it a bit, too."

Then he walked in, leaving my words hanging in the air. He said his armor was "crack-resistant"… So how the hell did it get like that? Cracked, dark, full of scratches… I felt a flash of irritation.

But I quickly forgot about all that once I took off my clothes and stood there completely naked. Cold water from the bath fountain hit my bare skin, washing over me with a sharp sting. Even though the bathhouse was almost empty that morning, I still felt a bit uneasy—there were a few other girls around.

My body was slim, balanced, and pretty—delicately feminine for my age... except for my chest. It looked small compared to the other girls around. They were fuller, wider… While me? My "little oranges" barely showed. Still, I didn't really care.

I went on washing my hair carefully, running my fingers through it slowly, nearly done scrubbing my body—when a girl walked up and started talking without warning. I usually hate chatting while bathing… even with Marlin.

"Hey, are you the little witch traveling with that tall knight?" she asked playfully, her chest gleaming under the steam.

I looked up at her. Her hair was long, wavy, a honey-brown color, and her eyes were confident but warm.

"What about him? You need something from me… or him?" I asked with a flat tone, but her curiosity didn't fade.

"No, no, my friend," she laughed. "See, I have a party—there's four of us. We're heading into an old dungeon tonight for some loot, and… well, my friend said he'd prefer if the fifth member was a mage."

She made her offer clear. But I politely turned her down. Told her I wasn't up for it. My body barely survived death a few days ago—thanks to massive wolves… and a crazy woman.

She seemed to understand and smiled, then told me her name: Sofija. Said she hoped I'd change my mind soon… But I hadn't even considered it, not for a second. Sure, she was fun, athletic, and her figure was… impressive. But I wasn't in the mood for any more adventure.

When I finished bathing, I dried off carefully and put on a dress—tight around the chest, wide at the legs, blue and white with decorated edges. I was back to being clean, neat, elegant… All that was left now was to wait for him. The knight.

But he took way too long.

I thought to myself: Isn't it supposed to be the girl who takes forever, not the knight?

And when he finally came out, his armor wasn't shiny like I imagined. It looked like he hadn't even taken it off… or maybe he had, but put it right back on after washing.

"No way…" I whispered to myself in annoyance.

He walked up to me and complimented me—said I looked bright and beautiful. His voice was hesitant, nervous, shy… How could a man in such fearsome armor sound so bashful?

What he said made me blush. I'm… well, I'm a sensitive girl, easily flustered, not very good at pretending otherwise.

We started walking toward the nearest tavern—somewhere we could eat and maybe rent a place to sleep for the night.

Our walk was kind of random, just wandering around the edges of the small village, which didn't really have many open places for rent. It got boring after a while.

So, I started entertaining myself by trying all sorts of ways to get the knight's helmet off…

None of them worked.

I even threw a wind spell at him, hoping it would knock his helmet off or at least make him stumble and drop it… but nope.

I began wondering: was he dodging them on purpose?

Even the group of kids who ran into us while playing didn't help. Not even when I faked falling in front of him and reached up to snatch the helmet…

Didn't work. Not even close.

I got tired of trying. Ended up making a mess—for him, for me, for the villagers. I had to apologize more than once.

He probably kept thinking to himself, "What is this useless girl doing in my way?"

We passed by the local Hunter Guild building. Hunters were coming and going—registering missions, getting promoted, collecting rewards.

The knight walked in slowly, looking unsure, asking about how to join the guild.

A young woman at the desk, dressed real sharp, started explaining. The rules were simple—just had to meet the age requirement.

She explained the ranking system: from E up to S, and even higher than that.

And I thought to myself in shock: Wait… could it be… after everything we've been through—goblins, wolves, the crazy maid—he's not even a registered hunter?

I asked him directly.

He replied with a blank face and a dull "yeah." Confirmed it.

I was stunned. Couldn't even respond. Not even my usual ranting came out.

I asked if he planned to register. He looked interested, so I went ahead and signed him up myself, even paid the stupidly expensive fee.

Grumbling, I muttered, "What a stingy clerk…"

The process was easy.

They pulled him into a testing room, where they figure out what class you belong to—Swordsman, Assassin, Mage.

I already knew—he's definitely a swordsman. I'd seen him fight.

Then came the Awakening Test.

He placed his hand on a dark crystal stone—every guild has one. It shows your unique skills, mana levels, and starting rank.

As soon as he touched it, the stone flashed red—then went dark.

The atmosphere got heavy. The clerk stared, totally focused, as the data started printing out on thick leather paper.

His rank appeared: E+

Expected. Most beginners or non-talented hunters start there.

But… the mockery started.

Some guy laughed: "All that scary armor… and he's just an E+? Trash-tier rank!"

I leaned over and whispered to my knight, "Don't listen. They're idiots."

He didn't.

The clerk kept reading, her voice steady:

"Rank: E+. Type: Awakened Hunter. Mana detected. Ten unique skills registered."

The murmurs around the room got louder. Some were shocked. Some didn't believe it.

Ten skills?! That's not normal.

But the clerk clarified:

"The skills aren't active yet. But based on the system, they'll activate soon."

She looked confused.

"What's strange is… the names of the skills aren't readable. They're written in heavy script—in an unknown language. Could be a glitch… I'm not sure."

In the end, she handed him the report and a rank ring—shows a hunter's current skills when worn.

But he didn't wear it. Just held it in his hand.

We walked out of the building together, away from the crowd.

I watched him quietly, the ring still in his hand.

I saw him… happy.

Yes, I couldn't see his face behind the helmet, but the gleam on his armor and that slight tremble in his stance told me everything.

Even if there was no clear reason for it, I knew.

I congratulated him too—genuinely, with warmth, and with a smile I didn't even know I had in me.

Then Sofija called out to me, even though I hadn't told her my name before.

She stood with a few members of her team—armed and ready to go.

She greeted me like we were old friends, even though our only interaction was a short moment in a steamy bathhouse.

She asked if I'd changed my mind.

I said no.

She insisted again.

This time, I refused with a shrug, almost playfully.

That's when a handsome young man stepped in. He introduced himself as Grivor—apparently the leader of their group.

He shook my knight's hand firmly, grip to grip, and asked if he'd be willing to join them on a short dungeon raid—promising rewards and loot.

I tried to step in fast.

Said he was tired. That he needed rest.

But the knight stopped me.

He stepped forward and said calmly,

"Maybe I should go… No, I want to."

I was upset.

Not at his choice—but at myself.

For not knowing him.

For realizing I had no right to speak for him… even though he'd saved me and stayed with me this whole time.

Before walking off, he placed his rough, metal-gloved hand on my head and said:

"Wait for me… until I return, and find you fully healed."

I don't know why… but tears suddenly fell.

Maybe because it felt like goodbye.

Like the moment had come.

But it wasn't.

I quickly wiped my tears and told him, my voice trembling:

"I'll wait… I'll be right here."

I don't know why I felt so emotional—he insisted on going with them.

Maybe I'd grown attached to him during all the time we'd spent together.

And in the end… I remember.

He came back.

Late at night, after the dungeon mission.

His armor was dirty—just like always.