We burst into Darwin's office and he's already sitting there. No book or snacks this time just a serious expression on his face. Melody distances herself from me the moment I let go of her hand. She backs further away until she's in the corner of the room. She looks like a cornered animal. The sight alone feels like a dagger is thrust into my heart.
"Miss Goodwin, please don't be so tense. I can assure you that we only wish to talk to you."
"How can you say that! Are you a human turned monster too? Will you convert me too? Is that why you let me work here."
Melody seems panicked but I don't know what to do. So I just shut up and wait for Darwin to talk.
"Miss Goodwin, I assure you that no physical or mental harm will come to you nor will your status have changed once you walk out of this office. I'd like for you to sit down and listen to me for a while so that I may explain to you what exactly is going on."
At Darwin's calming words Melody settles down a bit. She looks around and after seeing nothing too threatening she takes a seat across from Darwin. I'm still standing next to the door and hesitate about what to do.
"Guy, be a man and sit down next to her. I don't need you to make things tenser than they already are."
I follow Darwin's words and take a seat leaving at least a meter between Melody and me. Darwin looks on in disapproval but doesn't comment.
"Now miss Goodwin-"
"I'm married to that guy over there thank you. But since you are technically my boss you can just call me Melody."
"Very well. Melody, as you seem to already have guessed, your husband isn't human anymore. He was killed during a delve into the dungeon and subsequently entered a contract with us in order to return to life and support his family. As stated in the contract he lost his human form and became a monster. His job now is to defend dungeons against any invaders.
"To be perfectly clear with you everyone who works here is either a human reborn as a monster or a real monster. So far you are the only exception and now you know why."
"Is it reversible?"
"Not to our knowledge. While we are able to temporarily return his human form that isn't a real solution since in his core he is still a monster."
"I get the feeling like there is more to this than you let on."
"There are some inner mechanics that I skipped but I assure you that we can discuss this in all detail later. For now, I think you should talk this out between yourselves. Guy, I grant you early leave so you can resolve this at home. This was after all partly our fault too."
The way home is paved by a heavy silence between us. I am too scared to talk to Melody so I try to distract myself by looking at my status.
Status Guy Lv.1 Goblin instructor
Mp 10+20+0
Strength 5+20+11
Constitution 5+20+13
Speed 5+20+8
Magic ability 0+20+0
Skills:
universal humanoid language, universal monster language, dungeon map
Sword use lv. 1; enhanced stamina lv. 3; dismantling lv. 5; breathing technique lv. 2; trap making lv. 4; dagger use lv. 2; throwing lv. 3; slash lv. 1; cleaning lv. 1; instructing lv.1; camp construction lv.1
My stats have risen from the training I put in over the last few days and from building the goblin camp I even gained a new skill. And trap making is now level 4.
No matter how I look at my skills I just don't seem to be a combat type. Both my highest skills aren't meant for combat. Given, my evolution into an instructor probably doesn't exactly favor combat either but I'd like a fee strong combat skills at least. After all, I still have to fight.
We arrive home and enter our apartment. Now, there is no excuse for me to further delay the conversation anymore. Melody seems to be thinking the same.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"You would think I'm a monster!"
"You are a monster. Remember the not human thing?"
"So, when are we telling Quinn and Cassidy?"
"Guy! We can't tell them. They'll think you're a monster."
"I am a monster."
"Tch. Don't repeat what I said earlier! We are not telling them!"
"Sure, sure."
"But now you tell me what exactly happened. I want to know everything or I will leave and take the girls."
"Woah there, no need to bring out such threats!"
So I spend the next hour or so giving Melody a rundown of what has happened since I died.
"So you are a goblin instructor now?"
"Yes, that is what's shown where my species should be."
Melody suddenly hugs me and softly cries into my shoulder. I don't really know how to react anymore so I go for the obvious choice and hug her back.
"You could have told me, you know. I wouldn't think any less of you just because you are not human anymore. We are there for each other remember?"
"Sorry, I should have told you."
We remain like that until the girls come home. Quinn notices that something is different but chooses to ignore it. Cassidy on the other hand notices Melody's tear-stained face and immediately wants to know what happened.
Melody shrugs it off as a couple-talk about sensitive matters and begins to cook dinner.
Don't give me that, Navi. Without you hiring Melody without telling me all this wouldn't have happened!
Aren't you just trying to get rid of your own work?
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