Chapter 29

The world was shaking.

No—more precisely, the bed was.

And not just the bed. The furniture, the clutter—this entire house trembled as if it might collapse at any second.

‘What is this?’

I jolted awake and scrambled out of bed, rushing for the door. The moment I flung it open, my forehead slammed into something solid.

“Ah—!”

As I staggered back with a yelp, two large hands shot out to steady me by my shoulder.

“Muriel!”

Lycian’s voice. The thing I’d just headbutted was his chest.

‘What kind of chest muscles are those….’

Rubbing my throbbing forehead, I looked up. His face was swallowed in darkness, hard to make out.

“Muriel, are you okay?”

“This is an earthquake, right?”

We blurted our questions at the same time. When I nodded to say I was fine, Lycian let out a quiet breath.

“It is. Just in case, we should go outside.”

“Okay… What about Ninabel?”

“Master! I’m right here!”

As if summoned by name, the dewdrop rice cake zipped over and circled me in a flurry.

Since spirits could float, the shaking ground didn’t affect her much.

The moment that clicked, a brilliant idea flashed through my mind.

‘I can put her on patrol!’

I grabbed the top of the dewdrop rice cake and gave my order.

“Nini, go make a round of the area. See if there’s anyone suspicious, check on the monsters’ movements. You can do that, right? I’m counting on you.”

“…!”

At the words I’m counting on you, Ninabel’s bean-sized eyes sparkled. She bounced into the air.

“Yes, Master! Leave it to me!”

Then she shot up through the kitchen chimney and flew off into the distance. A simple creature—praise her once and she’d follow you anywhere.

“Let’s evacuate too.”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

With an arm around my shoulders, Lycian guided me outside. I made a quick detour to the barn and brought out the rabbit.

Then the two of us crouched in the middle of the wide front yard. The rabbit, fearless as ever, loafed calmly on my lap.

Honestly, the rabbit was more composed than I was. Stroking its back, I muttered under my breath.

“Why is there suddenly an earthquake? The house better not collapse….”

“It won’t, don’t worry. And even if it does… we can just build it again.”

“Right….”

The system wouldn’t make me homeless. Probably. Thinking that, I tried to steady my racing heart.

“A dungeon might have appeared not far from here. The quake could be the aftermath.”

Lycian spoke without taking his eyes off me. I glanced toward the vegetable patch as I answered.

“If a dungeon appeared in the Winterberg territory… Raul would be pleased. It’d be a nuisance, sure—but once a dungeon hub city forms, the economy booms.”

At the mention of that name, Lycian faltered almost imperceptibly.

A moment later, I sensed him shift. Then, from behind me, two strong arms slipped forward.

Startled, I turned my head—and met his golden eyes at once. Lycian had moved behind me, sitting close and pulling me into his chest.

His arms wrapped around my shoulders. His legs bracketed me on either side. I was completely boxed in.

Flustered, my mouth opened and closed uselessly.

“W-What are you doing?”

“Let’s stay like this for a bit. Until the quake stops.”

“Why—?!”

“You’ll be safer this way.”

“No, there’s really no need to go this far—”

As I stammered, he tightened his hold.

I flinched.

His breath fell against the bare skin of my shoulder. The ticklish warmth made me purse my lips and squeeze my eyes shut.

“Hey, I don’t think this is—”

“Why not? Just think of me as a blanket.”

“…….”

It was true—his embrace was as warm as one.

But it wasn’t good for my heart. It was pounding so hard I was afraid he’d hear it.

Maybe that was why my thoughts grew hazy. Words tumbled out without warning.

“You’re… really warm.”

“My body temperature runs about a degree higher than average.”

“Seriously?”

“Mm. Just how I’m built.”

When I stared at him with wide eyes, Lycian smiled softly. Pale moonlight washed over his face.

‘Higher body temperature than normal… Could he be a beastkin? If Lycian were one….’

I’d bet anything he’d be a fox.

His fur would probably be platinum, like his hair.

Cream-colored ears twitching atop his head. A lush tail swaying behind him.

The image popped into my mind so vividly that I burst out laughing.

Lycian looked puzzled.

“You look like a fox,” I said bluntly. “Your face. The way you act.”

He seemed faintly incredulous, but then nodded as if conceding the point. Not to be outdone, he fired back—

“And you look like a hamster.”

“What…?!”

I gaped at him.

A hamster? In what universe?

‘A hamster and a fox…? That’s a one-bite snack!’

Why did that feel so unfair? Even the animal I resembled was bottom-tier?

“…If I’m a hamster, at least I’d be good at running away.”

I muttered in resignation.

Lycian burst out laughing. The sound skimmed over my heart like a feather.

‘What kind of voice is that….’

The thought slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.

“You’re popular, aren’t you?”

He was obviously the type to have admirers lined up in droves. Handsome, capable, and blessed with a voice like that.

Instead of answering directly, he tilted his head.

“What do you think?”

I gave it to him straight.

“…I think you are.”

“Haha.”

He laughed lightly, then continued.

“Being popular isn’t necessarily a good thing. You can have the attention of many, but if you can’t win the heart of the one person you truly want—what’s the point?”

I considered that, then nodded.

“That’s true.”

“It’s far better to have the one person who’s my only choice like me… than to be liked by a crowd.”

“That kind of person….”

Do you have one? The question hovered on my tongue.

I swallowed it.

No matter what answer he gave, I wasn’t sure I could handle it.

Perhaps sensing that, Lycian smoothly changed the subject.

“The earthquake seems to have stopped.”

“Oh… You’re right.”

And with that, there was no reason to remain like this. I tapped his arm a few times, meaning let go.

He withdrew without making things more awkward—but there was a faint trace of reluctance in his expression.

When I looked up, dawn was beginning to break. The vast sky and drifting white clouds were slowly dyed in soft orange light.

‘At least the house is fine. And no dungeon popped up in the front yard.’

Maybe it really had just been an ordinary earthquake.

Or maybe somewhere nearby, a dungeon had risen from the earth.

“Master~! Cute Nini is back~!!”

Right on cue, Ninabel returned.

She circled me, chattering in her lively voice.

“I didn’t find anything suspicious in the forest or along the road near the farm! And I didn’t see any buildings that looked like dungeons!”

“Got it. Good work.”

“Hehe.”

When I praised her and gave her a pat, the dewdrop rice cake quivered, giggling like a little pervert.

Lycian watched that spectacle, one corner of his mouth twitching sharply upward—then abruptly grabbed Ninabel and flung her into the vegetable patch.

After that, nothing else happened, and the earthquake faded into a mere incident.

But four days later, an unexpected visitor arrived at the farm.

Allen—the adventurer we had saved.

“G-Good heavens… How is this even possible…?”

He stared at the lush crops thriving in the field, muttering in disbelief.

Facing him, I was just as flustered.

How on earth did he find this place?

‘Well… it’s not like our farm is hidden away. I figured this day would come eventually….’

Still, I never expected it to be someone I’d crossed paths with only a few days ago.