Corresponding episode: 83, 84
Esil opens her eyes to a night sky, the flying embers swaying in the breeze like dancing stars. Despite the late hour, the blazing city hasn't fallen asleep. The glow of the flame-engulfed buildings rivals the shine of the blood-red moon piercing through the dark clouds, and the smoke keeps on rising from shattered windows, covering the sky in a thick blanket. The growls of low demons rummaging through the city have quieted down to let the crackling of the constantly burning capital fill the warm air like the buzzing of night crickets.
"Would you look at that? Our first Sleeping Beauty has woken up!"
The demon flinches at the unfamiliar voice. She jolts up to see a hyakki sit right next to her, offering her lap as a pillow to an unconscious friend. A braid running down her shoulders, leather clothes worn like armor, and piercing blue eyes staring back with distrust—Esil instantly recognizes the elf as the one she fought before the two scumba—sorry, intruders—stepped in. But... Did she just call her...
"S-Sleeping beauty?" the demon repeats, a faint pink tinting her pale cheeks as a flattered smile plays with the corners of her lips.
The hyakki rolls her eyes. "It's a human tale our queen once told the children. Not the best story, but I liked the part with the dragon—though I'm fairly sure she added it just to keep us awake."
"Oh."
Then that mustn't have been a compliment. Esil shakes the thought away.
"Anyway, what happened?" she asks.
"Like I know. You collapsed while answering a few questions."
"I did?"
Esil's eyebrows knit together as she digs into her memory, unveiling memories shrouded in mist. She talked about the preparation for war. She talked about the demon realm. But was that really enough for her to faint so suddenly?
Her gaze lands on the girl lying in the hyakki's lap—another elf with softer features, her long white hair strewn with numerous thin braids falling in waves over her friend's legs. Her eyelids are shut close in a peaceful expression. Contrary to the elf warrior's sharp mana, hers ripples in soothing waves.
"And what about her?" the demon asks, reaching for the unconscious girl.
The hyakki smacks her hand away with a scowl. "Don't touch her. Did you think I'd forget how many wolves you and your soldiers killed?"
"But... Your leaders forgave me, didn't they?" Esil reminds her, her eyes filled with practiced false innocence.
"Just because they let you live doesn't mean they did. I'd resume our fight here and now if Queen Hee-Jin didn't trust you. So don't cross the line. And give that back." The hyakki snatched the sweater Esil used as a pillow from the ground, brushing pieces of coal and ashes off the cloth with a frown. "I'll have to wash it before returning it to my queen."
"I'm not that dirty," the demon pouts.
"You reek of smoke and sweat."
"Like you're any better!" Esil points an accusing finger at the elf's arm, where the sleeve has been torn, its edges coated by a crust of dry blood. "You're the one who has blood on her arm."
"Are you serious? I bled because you cut me!" the hyakki fires back, offended.
"Well, you cut cracks in my armor! Look, my chestplate's almost falling apart!"
The girl's scowl deepens as she watches Esil gesture toward rifts that spread on the white metal like spiderwebs.
"Because you attacked me!" the elf insists.
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The all-knowing Player (Solo Leveling)
FanfictionHe stares at me from the side, his strong gaze adding weight to his words. He seems to want to add something else, but it doesn't come out. I direct my gaze towards the line of horizon hidden behind the unending hills of sand. We stay silent for a m...
