Amelia Rainwales.

An elite talent capable of using Aura and even possessing the ‘Guide’ aptitude.

Her class is…

‘Probably something like a Clone Rogue.’

Anyway, her current level is 8, and she has one empty essence slot. Originally it was full, but she removed one just before descending to the basement first floor.

[Affinity]

An essence of the grade 5 monster Caprabara, granting a passive that prevents monsters from attacking first.

It was quite useful when she moved alone, but now that she travels with us, it was an unnecessary essence.

Well, there was another essence with a similar effect.

“Emily, when we return to the city, remove the Essence of Esgen as well.”

“Essence of Esgen…?”

“Why the surprised look? Like I said before, the days of going solo are over.”

“…I’ll think about it.”

Thinking about it…

With the [Source of Immortality], even if you bring a priest, you won’t get a proper heal.

‘Why is she so reluctant to remove it?’

If you have companions, the Essence of Esgen can easily be substituted with potions or other things.

But why is she so fixated on this essence?

‘…Maybe she still doesn’t fully trust us?’

Hmm, that might be the case.

She must have overcome several near-death situations using that skill while alone.

She probably needs more time to adapt.

“…Fine, think about it. After all, we haven’t really accepted a priest into our clan yet.”

We decided to persuade her Novelight (Exclusive on Novelight) gradually and ended the conversation.

Just as we were about to shift the topic to the boss…

“So… it seems things were resolved well?”

Amelia suddenly said.

When I gave her a questioning look, she cleared her throat and spoke quietly.

“About Misha Kalstein.”

Ah, that was what she meant.

Well, since I hadn’t explained properly afterwards, she must have been curious about my situation.

“Thanks to that, it was resolved well. We confirmed there’s nothing left to hide–”

“…A confession.”

“…Huh?”

“There’s talk she confessed to Kalstein.”

Uh…

I couldn’t help but be genuinely flustered.

“Judging by your expression, it must be true.”

“True or not, how do you even know about that?”

“I heard it from Tersia.”

“From Elwen…?”

“She overheard the conversation when she was looking for you that day.”

“Ah…”

I was dumbfounded, mouth agape, when Amelia cautiously asked.

“So… what did you say in reply?”

Was it right to talk about that without Misha’s permission? Despite such doubts, I honestly recounted the events of that day.

Besides, Amelia had helped me with this matter.

“We’re friends…”

“Yeah, it was wrapped up neatly like that. So you don’t need to worry–”

“It’ll turn into a mud fight.”

“…Huh?”

“Nothing, just talking to myself.”

Her words were so meaningful that when I asked what she meant, she wouldn’t answer.

Avoiding the topic, Amelia changed the subject.

“Yandel, I’m asking just in case.”

Her voice became serious, and I already felt uneasy about what she was going to say–

“Do you like men by any chance?”

“…What?”

“Don’t worry. I have no prejudice. I’ve met people like that several times in Noark–”

What is she saying now?

“Watch your words, Amelia Rainwales.”

I barely restrained the boiling sensation in my dantian and spoke.

“I like women. Very much.”

“…Oh, I see? Though I didn’t realize it was that much–”

“So never say that in front of me again. It was more humiliating than when you mistakenly called me ‘Hans.'”

“…Sorry. I’ll be careful. It won’t happen again. I swear on my older sister.”

Amelia’s prompt and sincere apology made me sigh and calm down.

“Hoo…”

It’s strange.

I’m not particularly against homosexuality, so why am I this angry?

I don’t know, but Amelia, glancing at me nervously, continued.

“Anyway… that’s a relief.”

“Relief?”

“You’re a noble in this world, right?”

“Huh?”

When I tilted my head, Amelia averted her gaze for some reason.

“Well… no matter what your original world is like… it means it’s okay here.”

“…”

“Even if you like women very much.”

How on earth did the conversation come to this?

I couldn’t understand, but I gathered my voice from the dantian.

Even for dear companions, it had to be said.

You must scold when it’s necessary.

The spirit of Hongik Ingan and Confucianism.

A person who inherits both.

Also, a pureblood Korean born into the Joseon royal family’s Lee clan.

Korea, Korea, and nothing but Korea.

In other words, a KKK-Barbarian.

“That’s–!!!!”

This is something unacceptable.

“That–…?”

It was probably the first Confucian shout Amelia had ever heard.

I hastened to explain the meaning of the cry, which is a duty to widely benefit mankind.

“It’s what we say when scolding someone.”

“…So, I said something worthy of being scolded?”

Haha, still not realizing it?

I could have yelled a threefold curse, but since she’s a companion, I spoke calmly.

“Of course. Our royal family doesn’t have such decadent culture.”

Amelia feigned surprise at my words.

“Our royal family…?”

“I didn’t tell you to avoid burdening you, but my surname ‘Lee’ means I’m descended from the Joseon royal family.”

“You’re saying you’re royalty?”

“…Yes, a collateral branch.”

I felt guilty but it wasn’t a lie.

There’s room to interpret it that way in documents.

Due to single-ethnicity traits, some blood mixing is highly likely.

“…Royalty. That’s surprising.”

Surprisingly, Amelia accepted it readily.

But maybe she had one question.

“Didn’t you say your country was Korea?”

“Joseon is already a fallen ancient kingdom.”

“Indeed… So you’re a descendant of a fallen ancient kingdom.”

Uh…

“Yes.”

That’s another way to interpret it.

A status that looks somewhat cooler than a commoner A named Lee.

“Now it makes sense why you were so obsessed with survival… It must have been the only way since childhood. You must have had a sense of duty.”

“…”

I chose to stay silent.

But maybe revealing my status sparked her curiosity.

Amelia started asking various questions.

“Joseon was a peculiar country. Even royalty couldn’t have multiple wives?”

Again, I had no reply.

Actually, Joseon had polygamy.

Not just wives but concubines too.

…Many of them.

‘Polygamy might actually be a deeply rooted social system?’

I suddenly thought so but shook my head.

No, that’s impossible.

The current royal family and K-government, inheriting Confucianism, practice monogamy.

‘…But this world is different?’

Thinking about it, even murder is a capital crime in K-government-ruled Korea.

And I am a murderer who killed hundreds.

‘But is there any reason to be bound by that?’

Suddenly, the demon in my left arm whispered, but I covered my ears and closed my eyes.

No need to make excuses about Confucianism or social systems. I simply grew up in such a world, so I naturally have physiological aversion to such topics.

Did she notice that expression?

“…It must be a sensitive topic for you. Sorry.”

Amelia apologized again, and since I reacted somewhat sharply, I accepted her apology.

Of course, accepting the apology and doubting were separate things.

“It’s fine. But why bring it up suddenly?”

When I asked, Amelia said she just thought I needed advice, then muttered quietly.

“I didn’t expect it wouldn’t turn into a mud fight.”

Her voice sounded solemn.

“In the end… blood will be spilled.”

“…What are you saying repeatedly?”

“Ah, just talking to myself. Don’t mind.”

No, I do mind even if you say so.

After the conversation with Amelia that made me ponder what truly fits the KKK spirit, we finally discussed the boss strategy.

And…

“Can we really just jump down?”

We finally arrived at the boss room…

Or rather, the entrance to the boss room.

Swaaaaaah-!

A cliff blowing cold air.

Below was only darkness like a bottomless abyss.

“Don’t be afraid. There’s no fall damage.”

“Fall damage…?”

I kindly explained.

Still, Amelia didn’t quite understand and seemed a bit reluctant about falling.

So I just picked Amelia up and jumped down.

“…!”

A normal person would scream, but Amelia was different. Though she tugged at my hair in resistance, she didn’t utter a single groan.

Boom-!

A heavy impact echoed as we landed at the cliff bottom.

After a moment, Amelia got off my shoulder and sighed while glaring at me.

“You could be more delicate, why are you always…”

“What did you say?”

“…”

“Enough, barbarian. So where’s the enemy?”

Since she called me barbarian instead of Yandel, she seemed a bit miffed, but that’s a problem for later.

“It’ll come out soon.”

As I raised my shield to warn, the whole space trembled.

And it appeared.

Boom-!

A body bigger than most ogres.

Three horns growing on its forehead and a cyclopean eye.

Its chest was torn open as if rotten, ribs fully exposed…

Slurp.

A grotesque tongue flicked out from between.

Like it was eyeing prey.

Ah, such details didn’t really matter.

‘…It doesn’t speak either.’

Originally, it had been running away throughout the rift, but now that we’d successfully lured it, it got cocky.

“Get ready, Amelia.”

“You’re calling me–”

“There are only two of us here anyway.”

“Yandel, mistakes always happen that way.”

She said so much.

It’s been a while since she used my real name.

“This is all for your sake–”

“Behel–laaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

I activated [Gigantism] before her nagging got longer and charged forward.

When I collided and held the enemy, Amelia stopped talking and began her job.

“Amelia Rainwales cast [Self Replication].”

True to a clone rogue, she first summoned clones, then attacked from both sides as if to make up for the lacking numbers.

Like twin swordsmen who have perfected their technique over many years, smoothly and naturally.

“Amelia Rainwales cast [Asura Form].”

She kicked the much larger monster’s head.

“Amelia Rainwales cast [Abyssal Power].”

Using Aura, she slashed through the tough skin.

Compared to when I came with the mage Raven, the difference was striking.

While the mage took a long time to land a big shot, Amelia output continuous high DPS like a melee.

And…

‘Because her value is high, her damage expectations are also high.’

Even calculated by time, Amelia could put in much more damage than Raven.

Well, that’s assuming full DPS output during that time.

‘The biggest problem is resources…’

Amelia’s burst damage is second only to Elwen.

However, the duration of her damage output is overwhelmingly short. Due to essence combinations, MP runs out quickly…

‘Having to deal damage alone like now makes this flaw even more apparent.’

[Self Replication] consumes an enormous amount of MP.

Because when clones use skills, the cost increases fivefold.

Until now, she had survived with the MP boosted by [Abyssal Power]…

‘This is a problem that should have been solved long ago.’

The only reason this flaw hasn’t surfaced is purely Amelia’s physical prowess.

Look at this.

“Amelia Rainwales cast [Switch].”

The clones only distract, and she hits with the main body.

She carefully targets vital points and maintains her own pace to keep MP above a certain level.

So she only briefly uses costly Aura when needed.

Like this.

Swoosh-!

After a long fight, Amelia’s Aura cut the enemy’s neck.

If she looked exhausted, I would actively intervene.

‘To think such a half-developed character can perform like this…’

I couldn’t help but grin.

“Defeated Hell Giant Herja. EXP +6”

“Guardian defeat bonus. EXP +3”

It’s always a joy to see companions grow stronger.