That day, Unknown and Alice successfully hunted down four Earth Dragons. They could have continued, but when Unknown noticed Alice was exhausted, he decided it was time to stop and rest.
After all, he didn't want all the effort spent recovering her to go to waste.
As the fire crackled softly in the dimming light of the dungeon, Unknown sat down, preparing their meal. Tonight, fried eggs were served with Earth Dragon meat. While the taste of the meat was fine, it wasn't his favorite. Too soft. Too slimy. He preferred something with a bit more texture.
But Alice liked it, so he put his personal preference aside, reluctantly accepting it as their meal.
'Come to think of it,' he thought while cooking, 'lately, it's all just meat.' It had become routine, a constant part of their diet during their travels.
So to add a bit of variety, he also made a bowl of herbal soup. It wasn't just healthy—it also changed up the flavors of their meals. Even Unknown, who had never been fond of vegetables, found it surprisingly delicious.
As he finished preparing the meal, Eclipse spoke up, breaking the silence. "Hey, master, you seem to care about her a lot, huh?"
Unknown's hands stilled for a moment, the question catching him off guard. Eclipse had a way of sensing things, the things he didn't always want to confront. She knew him too well.
"Can you tell me why?" she pressed, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"Why?" Unknown asked, his tone deliberately neutral, though a flicker of unease stirred within him. He hadn't expected this conversation.
"Simple," he finally replied, his voice steady but with an edge of reluctance. "Alice is cute, don't you agree?"
It was blunt, straightforward—perhaps too much so—but Unknown didn't mind being direct with Eclipse. Still, he would never voice these thoughts aloud to anyone else. He kept them buried, locked away in a part of him he didn't want to touch, not even with Alice.
It was easier that way. Keeping the thoughts to himself kept the emotions from rising to the surface. They were simpler that way.
"I see," Eclipse said after a brief pause, her voice laced with amusement. "If I looked beautiful like that, would you love me?"
"Yes," Unknown answered without hesitation, his response straightforward and honest.
It wasn't said with any particular emotion, just a simple acknowledgment of the truth, but it wasn't meant to be uncomfortable or awkward.
Eclipse's reaction was immediate. "Oh, really? My Master being so sweet suddenly is so strange!" She laughed lightly, the sound ringing through the quiet night.
Unknown remained unfazed, continuing to prepare the meal. He glanced over at her, then added with a small, casual smile, "But I'm fine with you as you are now."
The words lingered in the air for a moment—simple, yet sincere. There was something in the way he said it, unforced and genuine, that conveyed a quiet acceptance.
He didn't need Eclipse to change for him. In her current form, as she was, she was more than enough. And that, perhaps, was the truest form of affection he could offer.
The thought of Alice, though, was different. There was an emotion to it that Unknown wasn't ready to explore just yet. But Eclipse's teasing had lightened the mood, and for now, he liked it.
The delicious smell of food hung in the air, tempting Alice's senses. Earlier, she had been too weak to even move, let alone help with anything.
But now that she was starting to feel better, she couldn't help but watch curiously as Unknown worked on preparing the meal.
"You've been watching for a while now," he remarked, his voice calm but with a hint of amusement as he noticed her gaze lingering on him.
Alice blinked, a little embarrassed at being caught. "Leonore, where did you learn to cook?" she asked, her curiosity piqued by his skill and ease.
"I taught myself," Unknown responded without missing a beat, his voice casual.
"Taught yourself?" Alice tilted her head, her interest deepening. If she didn't know him, she would doubt. But from seeing his care and capable personality, she believed it.
"..."
For a moment, Unknown said nothing, as if considering whether he should share anything more. Alice thought he might simply leave it at that, but then, to her surprise, he spoke again, his voice quieter this time, as though he was revealing something personal.
"Did you know," he began, his tone distant, "when I was little, my parents were often not home. It was just me and my little sister."
Alice listened intently, sensing that this wasn't a story he often told. She wasn't sure what he was about to say, but she could feel the shift in his voice.
"The responsibility of taking care of her... it fell on me," he continued, his voice more detached now. "As a good older brother, I had to do everything I could to make her happy. Cooking well was one of those things."
Alice's heart softened at the vulnerability in his words. She could almost imagine the young boy he was, trying his best to care for his sister, to provide for her when there was no one else. She didn't say anything right away, letting the silence stretch as she absorbed his story.
"Oh, I see," Alice finally said, her voice gentle, not wanting to pry too much into something clearly difficult for him.
Alice listened quietly, unaware that this story wasn't entirely true. Unknown had fabricated it, using bits and pieces of his actual past with Eclipse, though he wasn't about to admit that.
It was an approximation, a way of creating a connection through a lie that wasn't too far from the truth.
At that moment, she thought that perhaps she was learning more about Unknown than anyone had before. It felt like a rare window into his past, something that might be buried under layers of indifference and harshness.
"So, what happened to them, your family?" she asked, her voice soft with concern.
Unknown's face hardened slightly, and for a moment, Alice thought he might not answer. His eyes, which had been briefly vulnerable, now became cold, distant.
"They're dead," he replied, his tone flat, almost emotionless. The finality in his words was chilling, and it was clear that he didn't want to discuss it further.
"...They're dead..."
The words hung in the air, their weight sinking into the silence between them.
Alice was stunned, but in some ways, not entirely surprised. In a world like theirs, the idea of losing everything—family, friends, loved ones—was something she had grown accustomed to.
Death loomed over every person, waiting to claim them, and for someone like Unknown, it seemed like just another part of the harsh world they lived in.
Still, despite the inevitability of death, Alice couldn't help but feel sympathy for him.
Losing everything, especially at such a young age, was a loneliness she had felt briefly. So she could understand the pain it must have caused him.
The campfire crackled in the background, and as the quiet stretched on, Alice felt an overwhelming desire to be close to him, to provide some comfort—though she didn't know if he would accept it.
Without saying a word, Alice moved closer to him, sitting by his side and gently leaning against him. She was tired—exhausted from the day's battle and the emotional weight of everything they'd been through.
More than that, she wanted a moment of softness, a moment where she wasn't alone.
"You're too close," Unknown said, his voice still cool, but with an edge of something else—something that was hard for Alice to place as he stared intently at the fire.
"Am I bothering you?" Alice asked, her voice quiet but earnest. She didn't want to push him if he didn't want this, but she couldn't stop herself from seeking the warmth of his presence.
"Aren't you bothered?" Unknown asked, raising an eyebrow, but there was no real anger or irritation in his words. Just his usual indifference.
"No, I like being close to you." Alice's voice was soft, honest, and without hesitation. She had grown to trust him in ways she hadn't with anyone else.
Despite the coldness of his exterior, there was warmth in the way he acted, even if he didn't show it.
"..."
For a moment, Unknown didn't respond, and Alice wondered if she had overstepped. But then, he sighed and muttered, "Alright, it's up to you."
A small smile tugged at Alice's lips. She could feel his warmth, even if it wasn't a physical thing. His harsh words and cold demeanor didn't bother her.
If anything, they made the moments when he showed warmth feel all the more special. It was a stark contrast to the people who had confessed to her before—those who had been too kind, too soft, always trying to please her.
With Unknown, it was different. His words were sharp, his actions often blunt, but when he did show kindness, even in small ways, it felt genuine—something that meant more than all the empty sweetness others had offered her.
She leaned against him a little more, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment as the warmth of his presence wrapped around her, comforting her more than any words could.
In this world, they didn't need the soft pleasantries others clung to. Just being there for each other in their own ways was enough.
After their meal, Unknown took out a map from his pack. He began scribbling something on it—notes or markings, Alice couldn't quite decipher what it was.
He muttered to himself, nodding as though satisfied with his work. It was a habit she had noticed many times before. Unknown often spoke to himself, as if he was solving some complex puzzle in his head.
His words were mostly indistinguishable, but she had grown accustomed to hearing him mutter under his breath.
"What's up? Why are you grinning to yourself?" Alice asked, noticing the faint smile on his face.
"It's nothing, don't mind it," he replied quickly, his voice flat but not dismissive. He wasn't one to open up easily, especially about the smallest details.
"Really? I feel like you're hiding something from me." Alice's voice took on a teasing tone, but there was a hint of concern in her words.
"Everyone has their own secrets, Alice," Unknown answered, his expression turning more serious.
As they continued to talk, Eclipse's voice cut through the air, her usual tone sharp with urgency. "Master, a group of people is approaching. It seems like they are Alice's teammates."
Instantly, the change in Unknown's demeanor was palpable. His face hardened, his previously casual expression shifting into something colder, deadlier.
His eyes—those lifeless, emotionless eyes—returned, and for a moment, Alice could see the immense edge he carried with him, a weight that made his gaze like a blade.
"Leonore…?" Alice hesitated, sensing something was off in the way he reacted.
"Alice, your teammates are nearby. I don't think they should see us so close," Unknown stated, his tone suddenly sharp and unyielding.
Alice's heart sank as the reality of the situation hit her. She knew the complications that would arise if they saw her here, with Unknown, especially in the condition she was in.
There were so many things to explain, and so many things she hadn't yet worked through with him.
'If they find us now, it'll be really bad. I'll have to explain everything to them.' She thought, her mind racing. 'And I still haven't convinced Leonore. I can't go back just yet.'
Without a second thought, Alice reached for his hand. "Let's run away from them now."
"..."
Unknown's eyes narrowed in suspicion, his voice low and cold. "…Are you planning to betray them?"
Unknown hated traitors. It wasn't just a disdain; it was a deep, seething loathing.
If Alice even entertained the idea of abandoning her teammates, of betraying them, Unknown would sever all ties with her without hesitation. His deep-seated hatred for traitors left no room for forgiveness or understanding.
No matter what feelings he might have developed for her, his loathing for betrayal would always overshadow them.
Don't let the warm affection he gave Alice fool you.
Behind his occasional moments of care, Unknown was a man whose moral compass was defined by ruthless logic and cold conviction. He was capable of moments of tenderness, but they were fleeting and never enough to change the truth about who he was.
He was hateful, indifferent at best, and downright evil at worst. His actions were calculated, his kindness almost always tempered with a cold distance.
Anyone who crossed the line of loyalty, even in the smallest way, would find themselves abandoned, discarded without a second thought.
The very idea of betrayal was one he could never tolerate, and it would be the one thing that would tear apart any bond, no matter how genuine it seemed.
Because how could you believe a certified betrayer? No matter how much affection they showed, no matter how deep their feelings might seem, the truth remained clear: betrayal was part of their nature.
Once a person had shown that they were willing to betray others, trust became a fragile illusion.
Even if they loved you in the present, there was always the lingering fear that, when faced with a better opportunity or a more advantageous situation, they would betray you without hesitation.
Love, in the face of betrayal, became nothing more than a convenient tool to manipulate or justify their actions. The person you trusted could very well turn on you when it suited them, and that was the reality Unknown understood all too well.
It wasn't the warmth of affection that mattered; it was the certainty of loyalty, or the absence of it, that defined relationships in the harsh world he lived in.
Loyalty was the only thing that could be counted on. And once betrayed, it was lost forever, as trust, once broken, could never fully heal.
Alice swallowed hard, sensing the danger in those words. "No, I'm not betraying them. I just don't want to meet them in this pathetic state." Her voice softened, her sincerity clear in her eyes.
"..."
For a moment, Unknown said nothing. Then, with a simple motion, he activated the Cloak of Concealment. His form blurred, his presence dissipating as he became one with the shadows. His eyes glinted in the darkness as he turned to face her.
"I think you should talk to them," he said quietly, his tone carrying an unexpected weight of guidance. "And make your own decision."
With those words, he vanished, leaving Alice alone in the growing darkness. She reached out, but it was too late. He was gone, leaving only the sound of distant footsteps drawing nearer.
"Hey, don't go!" Alice called out, a mix of frustration and desperation in her voice. She wanted him to stay, to take her with him, but she knew it was pointless. Once Unknown made a decision, nothing could sway him.
Alice stood frozen for a moment, her mind racing. Her heart beat loudly in her chest, a mixture of confusion, fear, and something else—something she couldn't quite name.
She had been left with a choice, one that she had to make on her own. The path before her was unclear, but there was no turning back now. The footsteps were getting closer, and she knew she had to decide quickly.
In that moment, she realized just how much she had relied on Unknown, despite his cold demeanor and brutal nature. And now, with him gone, she was forced to face the reality of her own life, the choices she had made, and the team she had been a part of.
The questions she had about her future were no longer just abstract thoughts; they were now a pressing urgency.
The footsteps grew louder. Alice's heart raced as she realized the voices were closer than she'd expected. As the figures emerged from the shadows, her eyes locked onto them.
The first to approach was a wolf beastman, his scarred hands clenched into fists as he took in the sight of Alice. His shock was evident as his eyes widened in disbelief.
"Alice? Is it really you?"
Lagon, he's here.