Childhood Friend – A Different Lena
“Lena! What are you saying?!”
Monk Lesley jumped to her feet.
“This is such a good opportunity... Lena, dear. Tell her you’ll go.”
“I don’t want to go. I’m staying with Leo.”
Lena declared boldly.
Her expression was resolute. Leo, feeling guilty that his selfishness was holding Lena back from such an opportunity, lowered his head.
Monk Lesley tried to persuade her with grand gestures, but Lena wouldn’t budge.
“...We have to leave early tomorrow morning. If you change your mind, please come find me then.”
The unknown priestess who had tried to recruit Lena led the others away, seemingly resigned. The village priest consoled the distraught Monk Lesley, who kept looking back as if unable to let go of the matter before finally disappearing inside.
Only Lena, Leo, and the cold autumn wind remained at the village entrance.
“Lena… I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for? I wasn’t going to go anyway.”
“But…”
His throat tightened. He knew how much Lena had wanted to be a priestess.
She always worked and studied diligently. To think he was ruining her dream just to live a comfortable and happy life… Shame welled up inside Leo, bringing tears to his eyes.
Lena embraced the self-deprecating Leo, accepting his selfishness.
“I’m happy as long as I’m with Leo. That’s all that matters.”
It was as if a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a childhood dream had vanished into thin air, but it was okay. She would live happily ever after with Leo.
The two lovers, locked in an embrace, didn’t seem to want to let go.
* * *
The next morning, afraid that her resolve might waver, Lena didn’t seek out the priestess. The priestess and the old man drove their carriage away, taking Lena’s dream with them.
The news that Lena had given up her chance to join the Holy Cross Church because of Leo spread like wildfire.
Lena’s parents were both regretful and happy. Leo had been with their daughter since they were children. He was a diligent and upright young man—a trustworthy husband.
They hastened the marriage, and Leo’s father quickly consented.
Lena’s parents brought out all the money they had saved, which wasn’t much. But the villagers helped out generously. After all, they reasoned, they would all be sharing the food and drink.
Leo’s father also helped a lot with the wedding preparations. He sold the leather he had stored in his mountain cabin and gave the saved jerky to the village hall.
After the marriage was settled, Lena and Leo started holding hands again without hesitation. The village elders, who remembered the two holding hands as they ran through the village as children, reminisced and showered them with blessings.
The wedding took place before winter arrived. The village priest officiated, and all the villagers gathered in front of the Holy Cross Church to bless Lena and Leo’s marriage.
Monk Lesley, seemingly over his initial disappointment, gifted Lena a book and a red ribbon. Hans spat in a corner of the church.
Before the vows, Leo held Lena’s hand. He vowed deeply that he would make her happy for the rest of their lives.
“…I present the birth of this couple to God.”
As soon as the priest finished his vows, Lena rushed to Leo and hugged him tightly.
“Leo! I love you!”
Leo smiled brightly. At that moment,
[ Lena is married! Congratulations. ]
Text appeared, obscuring Lena’s bright face.
The Lena in front of him was getting farther away.
“Lena? Lena!!”
Not only Lena, but the church and the villagers also faded into the distance, and darkness fell. In the empty space, his body no longer existed. Only monotonous letters appeared one by one in the darkness.
[ Thank you for playing Raise Lena. ]
Final Job: Village Wife
Spouse: Leo
- Born in Demos Village, Lena enjoyed a happy childhood. Although she was poor, she received warm attention from her parents and, along with her childhood friend, Leo… (Excerpt) …Lena did not leave for the Holy Cross Church and married Leo, having two children and living happily ever after. -
Final Job: Hunter
Spouse: Lena
- Born in Demos Village, Leo enjoyed a happy childhood. Although he lost his mother at an early age, Leo, along with his father, who was an excellent hunter… (Excerpt) …Leo married Lena. He became an excellent hunter and lived happily ever after with Lena, his son, and his daughter. -
[ Childhood Friends Ending: Peace of Demos Village ]
Her last image. A picture of Lena, happily smiling at the wedding ceremony, came to mind. Below it was a short story summarizing Lena and Leo’s life.
‘What in the world just happened?’
Leo was bewildered.
Just a moment ago, he was holding Lena’s hand. He could still feel her warmth… It was as if he had been caught in some unknown, grand magic.
Leo tried to swing his arms and legs to break free, but his bodyless mind wouldn’t budge. He could only watch as the photo slowly disappeared upwards.
As Lena’s picture vanished and their story faded, Leo’s, no, Minseo’s mind gradually became clearer.
‘Was that really a game?’
Goosebumps erupted on his skin at the unreal feeling of his mind floating in the air.
At the same time, anger surged within him.
Who is controlling my life like this? And why?
I was Leo. I met someone I wanted to spend my life with, and I wanted to be with her even if it meant crushing her dreams.
He already missed Lena. He wanted to see her chattering happily beside him. He wanted to hold her hand, rough with minor scars. He had planned to become an excellent hunter so that her hands would never be scarred again.
He wanted to live happily ever after, atoning for his selfishness.
When Lena and Leo’s story completely disappeared, only empty darkness remained.
Only then could Minseo break free from Leo’s emotions.
As the faces of his parents and Chaeha, whom he had forgotten, came to mind, Minseo was horrified and panicked.
‘I have to get out of here somehow!’
Guilt washed over him for forgetting Chaeha and truly loving another woman. He felt like he couldn’t endure this state of mind any longer.
As he struggled, text reappeared before his eyes.
[ You have failed to clear Raise Lena. ]
[ Leo, you became an excellent hunter and lived happily with Lena. For this achievement, a portion of Leo’s Hunting ability will be inherited. ]
[ Restarting. ]
Wait, whaat?
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