Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

A boy from the same tribe, a year older than Lily, showed her a huge shopping bag that was way too big for her size, speaking in a very aggressive tone.

He was probably still holding a grudge about the war game, because he pouted.

"You're the one who's so happy! What's making you so excited? You're grinning like a little devil."

Even Luan's sarcastic remarks couldn't anger Lily now.

She held the bag in one arm and tried to puff out her small chest.

"The expedition recently ended, and Lily has leveled up! Lily is now a Lv.2 member!"

"What—what did you say?!"

Seeing Lily's arrogant and proud demeanor, Boom! Lu An was severely shocked.

The peace-loving crowd gracefully ignored the farcical antics unfolding in the middle of the road, deftly slipping past the two figures.

"You...you're lying to me, right!? How could a dwarf race level up so easily...! And you seemed weaker than us before, didn't you!?"

"Because, Lord Luan, as you know, Lily knows 'magic'! This is the result of Lily's hard work and dedication in honing her 'magical power'!"

Luan was initially shocked, but perhaps seeing Lily's composed demeanor, he knew she wasn't lying and remained stunned for a long time.

Then, he slowly lowered his head.

His expression was distorted by his inferiority complex, and his eyes stared darkly at Lily.

"Damn it... Why can you... We, we're clearly just as..."

Upon seeing this, Lily immediately stopped what she was doing.

She recognized that look.

Just five months ago, she had the same look in her eyes.

Jealousy and envy.

She harbors envy and resentment for what she lacks, finds others' smiles tiresome, and possesses a prickly, porcupine-like nature.

At that time, Lily also felt a sense of "hatred".

Lily saw her past self through Luan, then regained her composure and retorted:

"Lily has also experienced terrible things, and she almost died from trying so hard. You have no right to be jealous of Lily!"

"Ugh... I... I know..."

Lily raised a finger in rebuttal, changing the atmosphere between the two.

Perhaps realizing that being jealous of Lily was a grave mistake—or perhaps feeling frustrated by his own pathetic lack of achievement—an awkward expression appeared on Luan's face.

Lily understood the feelings of someone with low self-esteem and realized she had gotten a little too excited and needed to reflect on her actions.

However, she did not try to comfort Luan.

Because she knew that for the "weak," it was more painful than anything else.

"...So what? What are you doing all by yourself? You're not going to report the [level up] to the guild, are you? Is that bag you're carrying...money?"

Lu An didn't dwell on it any longer and deliberately changed the subject.

Perhaps he heard the clinking sound of gold coins rubbing together, and he looked at the bag Lily was holding.

"Oh, this money is—"

then.

Just as Lily was halfway through her story...

"Lily!?"

She heard a "nostalgic voice" calling to her.

"────"

Lily stopped breathing.

The little people's eyes, with their exceptional vision, instantly spotted an "elderly couple" trying to run over from between the crowd.

She acted very quickly afterward.

Lily took advantage of the moment when the crowded people blocked her view to "chant".

"Your mark (scar) belongs to me. My mark (scar) still belongs to me."

This is a short poem that I've been composing for a long time.

The speed at which the "magic was initiated" was simply too fast.

No one saw it.

The "high-speed transformation" was concealed within the passing traveler's robes, carriage wheels, and the large bundle carried by the dwarf. Only Luan, standing before him, witnessed those moments when she donned the gray light membrane and transformed into "another person," causing his eyes to widen in astonishment. It was truly a feat of incredible speed.

Its magical speed is also evidence of the benefits brought by [leveling up] – the enhancement of abilities.

Most importantly, she only needed to shift her body half a step away from the crowd to ensure a "blind spot" position, thanks to the "commander's broad vision" gained from surviving the "expedition" in the face of death.

The "girl" ended her "transformation" without being noticed by anyone except Luan, and greeted the elderly couple who emerged from the crowd.

"Lily—huh?"

"What's wrong, grandpa and grandma?"

Seeing that the "elf girl" seemed to only now notice them, the elderly couple stopped what they were doing.

She has pointed ears that jut out from the sides of her face, and round almond-shaped eyes. Even her clothes have been changed to a red dress that is very similar to the original outfit of "Lilyluka Erd".

The elderly human couple, stunned on the spot, wore stiff smiles, whether out of embarrassment at mistaking someone for someone else or because they were too disappointed.

"I'm so sorry, it seems we mistook you for someone else... You look a lot like a girl we know, we got a little excited and..."

The old lady apologized, clutching the bouquet, perhaps because she was trying to sell it.

As the young "elf girl" looked up at her smile, Luan, who had been silent, spoke up:

"We just heard you call out 'Lily,' were you referring to Lilyluka Erd from the Hestia Familia?"

"...Yes, it's her."

She expressed her affirmation in a sad tone.

Her elderly husband continued on her behalf:

"We own a flower shop... A long time ago, when she lived with us, we did some very cruel things to her."

"..."

"No... We had no idea how cruel we were doing. We only thought of ourselves, never considering the burden that little girl was carrying, and then we kicked her out. We were only half-hearted in our good deeds; we ignored her whenever there was a problem..."

His tone sounded like that of someone confessing.

The elderly couple standing motionless in the middle of the road attracted annoyed glances or disdainful looks from passersby.

"People always leave money in front of our shop, like they're saying 'sorry'... At first, we thought it was some kind of harassment. But then, they also added flowers. Every time, they added the flowers we'd mentioned we liked..."

Hearing her elderly husband's choked words, Luan stole a glance at what the "elf girl" was holding.

In her small hands, she held a bag full of gold coins.

"...The Hestia Familia is already a well-known and established faction. You should be able to find out the address of their headquarters with a simple search, right? If you want to see her, you can go anytime."

Whether Lu An was speaking casually or considering the feelings of the girl beside him, he pretended not to know and asked the question on her behalf.

Ask the question that the "elf girl" would never dare to ask.

"We don't know how we should face her... no, we don't even know what we want to say or do when we see her..."

Those who unilaterally drive people out of their homes may not have the right to regret or apologize.

This was the old lady's unspoken meaning.

In stark contrast to the clear blue sky above, the elderly couple's faces were somber and heavy.

An awkward silence descended between them, heads bowed.

That was the last thing "Lilyluka Erd" wanted to see.

"Grandpa, Grandma."

and so……

"The Elf Girl" said it.

"Can I buy that bouquet of flowers?"

To dispel their gloomy expressions, the girl flashed a flawless and cheerful smile.

"what?"

"I want the beautiful bouquets you old ladies are holding."

The girl handed over a bag containing gold coins.

She pointed to the white bouquet in her wife's hand.

"This...this won't do! These are leftovers, and this is way too much money. This bouquet really isn't worth the price..."

"Something wonderful happened to me today. It felt like everything I've achieved so far has finally paid off."

At this moment, she was not "Liliruka Erd," but an ordinary "elf girl" who gently interrupted the elderly couple and told them:

"So, I want to use this money... and this sentiment, to buy flowers for you, old ladies."

This is the girl's true feeling.

Although the appearance is fake, what they say is the truth.

She hid her bitter feelings behind her eyelids and smiled at them.

The stunned elderly couple finally lowered their eyebrows and smiled.

It was as if, through the elven girl before him, he saw another person.

That smile seemed to convey sadness, loneliness—yet also carried a hint of joy.

"Thank you... little elf girl."

The elderly couple did not call out Lily's name.

But he treated her with the same tenderness as a granddaughter, patting her head.

The girl's cheeks flushed red, and she smiled like a sunflower.

"...Hey, is this okay?"

After saying goodbye, the elderly couple's figures gradually disappeared into the sea of ​​people.

Lu An spoke up during this exchange.

He must have figured out the whole thing by now, his voice mingling with the crowded people.

"It doesn't matter."

Lily was once again undetected by anyone, the "magic" was dispelled, and she returned to her original appearance.

She hugged the bouquet she had received, her gaze fixed on the road ahead where the elderly couple had left.

"Lily's existence will cause them both suffering. So, it's okay."

"..."

"Once we've compensated Lily for the damage she caused to their place... and paid off the damages for the trouble Lily caused, this relationship will be over."

At this point, as if trying to dispel the gloomy atmosphere with a bright smile, Lily said, half-jokingly:

"Besides, Lily is just like the old woman and the others. No, maybe Lily is still afraid. It seems that even after [leveling up], Lily is still a weak little person."

Hearing this...

After a long silence, Lu An said indignantly:

"No, that's not it."

The little people hesitated for a long time about whether to tell her, but in the end, without looking at Lily, they only told her:

"You're very strong, much stronger than us..."

Lily smiled.