Chapter 16
Kaizen said that and vanished like the wind, taking Hamma with him.
“…Hah.”
The house suddenly felt empty and silent. It was big—easily around fifty pyeong.
I’d built it spacious on purpose, thinking the three of us would live together. I’d even put up a log partition to make Kaizen his own space!
“And he just… leaves like that?”
I clicked my tongue as I stared at the wooden door that had slammed shut.
I knew Kaizen was unusual, but I never imagined he’d take Hamma with him.
“What is he, some nobleman from the Joseon dynasty?”
Sure, he’s used to camping, but still—there’s a house. Why go outside??
I walked quickly toward the door to call them back. Just as I grabbed the iron handle Hamma had installed—
‘I will follow you. But living together in the same house… I’ll need to think about that.’
Right before opening the door, I remembered what Kaizen said.
The strength in my hand slowly melted away.
“…He did say he’d think about it. He never said he’d actually live here.”
It had only been a few days since we agreed to travel together.
Honestly, the fact that Kaizen was following me at all was probably already a huge decision for him.
Right. Slow and steady. Slow and steady.
After hesitating in front of the door for a moment, I turned back.
From the small window, I could hear Hamma and Kaizen squabbling.
“I really don’t understand you at all, Hero!”
“I should be the one saying that. Do you not have a shred of moral sense in that tiny head of yours?”
“What are you even talking about? Are you out of your mind!?”
…Listening to that, I doubted they’d come inside even if I called them.
Giving up neatly, I lay back down.
“They’ll figure it out.”
The stacked logs released a faint forest scent. The phytoncides calmed my mind, and sleep slowly crept over me.
Exhausted from hard labor, I fell asleep instantly, without even a moment to worry about those two.
The next morning.
Warm southern sunlight spilled into the room through the window.
“Fwaaah… Slept so well.”
For the first time in a while, I slept without worries, no dreams—just pure rest. I stretched my sore body lightly and got up.
The clear weather outside made me smile.
Right in front of the house was a huge river, and just looking at it made my chest feel open and refreshed.
“The weather is absolute paradise.”
I stuck my head out the window and breathed in the fresh air. The warm spring breeze brushing my face lifted my mood.
“The location of this house is perfect~”
It’s rare to find a place with both ocean-view vibes and mountain-view vibes. I felt like rewarding myself for finding this location.
Behind the log house was a small forest leading to Hanak Village, and about two hundred meters ahead was the large river.
Which meant—meat and fish were both within reach.
I should ask Hamma to make some hunting tools and a fishing rod.
I was smiling at the shimmering ripples on the water when—
“…Add a burn-prevention function here like this…”
A small mumbling voice came from somewhere. I perked my ears and focused.
“…And coat this part so nothing sticks…”
It was Hamma’s voice.
Huh. Why is he awake so early in the morning?
Tilting my head, I stepped outside, walking toward the sound. Under the shade of a large tree, I saw Hamma hunched down.
I purposely stomped loudly so I wouldn’t spook him.
“What are you doing over there?”
“Uuueh… Lady Romi… you’re awake…?”
Hamma slowly lifted his head from the large sheet of paper he was scribbling on.
He looked so much like a zombie that I flinched.
“Hey. What’s with your face? Your dark circles are down to your chin.”
“H-hic… Lady Roooomiii… Can you build one more house for me…?”
He sluggishly gathered the papers and got up, handing them to me. They were filled with strange symbols and numbers.
“I didn’t sleep at all… The Hero kept glaring at me from the front, and the forest animals kept howling all night…!”
“So you stayed up drawing this?”
“Y-yes… It’s a blueprint… I’ll make something way better than that stainless thing, so please build a house… hhic.”
He looked so pitiful after a single night that guilt stabbed me. I reached out and patted his head—it even felt dry and brittle.
His red eyes were glistening with tears.
“…Fine, I’ll build it. Stop crying. Why are you acting pathetic over something like this?”
Hamma’s eyes brightened instantly.
“Really!? Really!? I was so worried when you said you’d never build a house again after the two days of work…!”
That was a vow meant for my next life, but apparently there was some misunderstanding.
His droopy face suddenly lit up. I gently rolled the blueprint so it wouldn’t crease and handed it back to him.
“Anyway, where’s Kaizen? Why are you here alone?”
“Behind the house. The sun’s been up for ages but he’s still sleeping. Hmph.”
He sounded clearly irritated—probably still sore about last night.
“You should cut him some slack. He’s cursed with lethargy.”
“You… Are you taking the Hero’s side in front of me right now?”
Hamma glared at me with sharp, pointy eyes.
Sigh. Calming down this little house-rabbit is such a struggle. My fate, truly.
“I’m saying you shouldn’t nag him over things like that. What if he gets stressed and just dies again? I only lose 30 days, but you have to wait another 7 years. So suck it up, got it?”
“Ugh seriously, he’s like a sunfish. I cook for him, manage his stress—at this point I’m basically his babysitter!”
Hamma was ranting intensely—very intensely—when…
“A babysitter is not used in that context.”
Kaizen’s voice appeared behind us, low and raspy, as if he’d just woken up.
Hamma flinched violently and turned beet-red.
“H-h-h-Hero-sirrr…! That’s not…!”
Kaizen didn’t even glance at him. He simply walked past, ignoring the flustered mess behind him. I couldn’t help but grin.
“Good morning. I was just about to wake you up.”
Kaizen still looked half asleep.
I waved my hand in front of his face on tiptoe. He frowned lightly, swatted my hand aside, and asked bluntly:
“Do we have a schedule?”
“Yup. Let’s go to Hanak Village. Need to buy food supplies and get a map.”
And honestly, there was something I needed to ask the village chief.
I remembered what he said in the previous timeline.
‘It was… a necessary choice to protect Hamma. I heard that forcibly breaking the brainwashing might drive him insane.’
‘From who?’
‘I cannot say.’
Something about the chief’s reaction kept bothering me.
He looked desperate to say more—but physically couldn’t.
If he really was bound by a restriction spell, then the solution was simple: remove it.
And for some reason, I felt like I could.
I was about to talk to Hamma when I noticed—he was already stuck to Kaizen’s side, rambling.
“Hero sirrr… I didn’t mean what I said… I didn’t sleep so I was sensitive…”
“Enough. I don’t care. I already knew you were a rabbit who talks differently front and back.”
“What!? Front and back!? What do you mean front and back!?”
“My ears hurt. Stop shrieking.”
Watching the two of them bicker side-by-side made one thing incredibly clear:
Their height difference was ridiculous.
Kaizen easily over 190 cm, and Hamma barely 130 cm.
I stared at them for a moment… then casually said:
“You two look like father and son.”
“W-WHAT!? Take that back!! Take it back!!”
“…Isn’t that a bit too unreasonable? Even from you, I won’t tolerate that insult.”
Wow. They even got mad the same way.
See? They really do look like a family.
