Crying, "Wu" could clearly hear the conversation in the corridor—
"Here it comes! I want the strongest!"
"Dream on. I'm only treating you to the cheapest."
"How can you be like this?"
"I can sell it to you at the highest price!"
"That's why I'm treating you to a drink—the cheapest one."
"You miser, Grandet!"
"Thank you for the compliment."
The voices gradually faded away, while "Wu's" sobs grew louder and louder. Even when the tavern owner entered, she showed no sign of stopping.
"Don't pay those guys any mind."
"They never understand a woman's heart. They only know how to selfishly do whatever they please."
The tavern owner comforted "Wu" as though she deeply empathized with her.
However, "Wu" did not hear any of it.
She had long since sunk into her memories.
In the pitch-black room, a figure darker than the night was packing up various pieces of equipment. Faced with her attempts to dissuade him, he spoke with righteous conviction.
"I'm used to fighting alone!"
"Why? Having someone to work with is best!"
"That's exactly why you don't understand my romance!"
Faced with that figure, she chose to compromise.
Because of love.
Love made people blind—blind enough that she had ignored some truly crucial details.
And then...
She reaped the cruelest outcome.
Now, the choice had appeared once again.
Having made the wrong choice once, how could she make the same mistake again?
She wanted to correct her mistake.
She wanted to change his fate.
"Romance?"
"Romance my ass!"
"I made the mistake once. How could I make it again?!"
"Wu" shouted as she wiped away her tears.
She rose from the sofa chair and looked at the tavern owner with red, swollen eyes.
The stubborn, resolute look in her eyes made the tavern owner's heart