A single second stretched into eternity. At that one moment, everything else disappeared.

The moonlight showered her long black hair with a hint of chill, reflecting it back with an almost surreal luster. Her voice was small yet silvery, and it was more comforting to listen to than most sounds. And, most striking of all, her yellow eyes seemed to pierce through him like a needle. It was like a sunflower was staring at him.

The girl was wearing a filthy white dress. It wasn’t that it hadn’t been washed in a long time, but rather that the one doing the washing was clumsy at the job and couldn’t do it properly.

She was holding a map, which he’d marked for her.

“...Then, if the equipment shop is over there ... take a left, and then...” She twisted and turned the map around with a confused look on her face. “...Wait, that’s not right. This area over here should be the jeweler’s, not the apothecary’s. Are you certain this is correct?”

“No,” he replied bluntly. “I just guessed.”

She sighed. “I wish you said that before I spent five minutes trying to read these directions. But, well, I guess I can make do with this.”

He noticed the pendant that hung around her neck. It was a holy symbol, the one often used by clerics. The girl didn’t seem that strong or experienced, and most of all, it seemed that she was alone.

Usually, he’d just leave by this point. After all, he gave her directions like she asked, so there was no need for him to stay any longer.

But he wanted to know more about her.

“You an adventurer?” he asked.

“We, yes, but how did you—”

“It’s best you quit. Not worth it.”

The girl tilted her head. “Excuse me?”

“I said it’s not worth it. You’re young, so don’t go off dying early.”

The girl seemed to pout a little. “That’s a bit hypocritical, don’t you think? I mean, you don’t look that much older than me. Also, the way you said that was a bit too ... unenthusiastic. Almost like you don’t care if I do it anyways.”

“Because I don’t.”

“Hmm. Then why say it?”

“Habit.”

“Hmmm...”

The girl leaned forward and stared at him, as if looking for something in his eyes. Her scent drifted towards him, giving off a faint aroma of cinnamon.

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Then, she smiled.

“You’re pretty rotten inside, aren’t you?”

Something inside him broke. He didn’t know what it was, but he felt it.

“And if I am?” he replied.

“Hmm, now that I think about it, I recognize you. You’re that adventurer everyone’s been talking about lately. Uh, that dragon killer guy or something!”

“...And if I am?” He was starting to get annoyed. But, surprisingly, he didn’t feel the need to walk away just yet.

The girl held out her hand. “I’ve always wanted to meet a hero! I’m Nentonia, by the way. Nentonia Brava.”

He looked at her hand, then back at her. She gestured with her eyes for him to take it. Usually, he didn’t bother entertaining such things, but he felt like changing the pace this time.

He took her hand and shook it once, then let go. However, she went and grabbed it back.

“I thought it was customary to respond in kind,” she said. “I gave my name, so you give yours.”

Her hands were so small and fragile. They’d break if he gripped it with just a bit of force.

He forcefully pulled his hand away. “Kalaman Kampus.”

Nentonia nodded. “Mm. I knew that.”

“...Then why did you ask?”

“Habit.” She smiled cheekily. ”It’s customary, isn’t it?”

“The world doesn’t work the way your wet nurse taught you,” Kalaman said. “Rules don’t exist anymore.”

“I’ve noticed that recently. But doings things like this is less stressful for me, so that’s that. I mean, it must be the same for you right? You feel rotten inside, and yet you play the role of a hero.”

Rotten. That was the first time anyone’s ever called him such. Rotten.

“Why do you say I’m rotten?” he asked.

“You said you didn’t care, right? Even though you’re a hero. You’re going through the motions, doing things you don’t want to do just because people expect you to do them, right?”

She wasn’t entirely right, but not entirely wrong either. It was just a guess, but she got pretty close.

“I’m a hero because people call me that,” he said. “I don’t give a shit what they call me. I’m not doing anything for them.”

“And yet a hero you are. How did that happen?”

“Beats me.”

Nentonia giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.

“Well, you certainly feel rotten to me. I’d know. I’m rotten just like you.” She raised her marked map and began walking away. “Thanks for the help, even though it isn’t very useful.”

Her figure, getting farther and farther, was somewhat sad to Kalaman. He had a feeling that after this, the two of them would never meet again.

“Wait,” he called out.

Nentonia stopped and turned around. Those yellow eyes returned into view, staring back at him.

“You’re a cleric,” he continued. “As it happens, my party just lost their cleric. If you want to continue adventuring, then why not join us?”

Nentonia’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re asking me to join your team?”

“Yes.”

Kalaman didn’t understand what he was feeling. He’s never desired for anything in a long time. And yet, at this moment, he felt an inkling of desire. He wanted to understand it. If he talked to her more, then would he be able to?

Nentonia smiled softly. “Alright. If you’ll have me.”

He felt relief; something he hasn’t felt in a long, long time. It was strange that she didn’t ask him why, but it made things easier for him, so he left it at that.

“We meet at the pier tomorrow,” he said. “We’re going on a long voyage, so prepare accordingly.”

“Okay. Ah, in this case, should I say, ‘roger that, leader’?”

“No.”

Nentonia nodded with an “I see”, gave a polite bow, and went on her way. Once more, her figure became smaller and smaller as she faded into the distance.

“The shops are still closed,” Kalaman shouted to her.

She stopped for a bit, then turned around, bowed, again, and continued walking.

Kalaman took a deep breath. The sky was beginning to tint with red. The sun must almost be up. The cold wind blew, and for just a brief moment, the world was pretty alright.