As Lin cleared the first chapter and moved on to the second, he found himself instantly transported to the city with just a few lines of dialogue. 

He wondered if, back then, he had also traveled through Lucy’s leaps five times.

No, he thought. Although their affinity was high within the system, Lucy must have traveled normally, either walking or riding a carriage, since she was in a stable condition.

More importantly, “Ugh!”

“Lin, are you okay?” Lucy asked.

Unlike the game, where the porter didn’t suffer from nausea, Lin found himself retching after the journey.

“Should I pat your back?” Lucy offered.

“No, no… if you did that, I might spill my guts,” Lin thought. 

Despite Lucy’s incredible strength, which had only increased since regaining her limbs, she wasn’t a hero because she was chosen by the holy sword.

Rather, she was strong enough to be chosen by the holy sword in the first place, which selected its bearer based on their beliefs and values rather than physical prowess.

Yet, Lucy was considered the strongest hero among them all. 

She had accomplished the unprecedented feat of defeating the Demon King, making her not only powerful but also infamous for her eccentric behavior.

But who would have guessed? 

The hero, known for her might and status, had set aside her holy sword for just one person. 

Even Lin didn’t know this yet, though he might faint from shock if he did. 

For now, Lucy was no longer a hero; she was just a girl chasing after her unrequited love.

Unable to bear the dizziness, Lin collapsed far from the city. 

Normally, he would have pushed through the exhaustion, but covering a month’s journey on foot in just half a day with five leaps meant he could afford to rest. 

Lucy gently laid Lin’s head on her lap, stroking his hair.

“We need to move…” Lin muttered before falling asleep, overwhelmed by dizziness and a pounding headache.

Lucy tenderly wiped the sweat from his forehead with a cloth, her face radiating satisfaction. 

Not long ago, she had clung to Lin wrapped in a bundle, but now she cradled him with her newly restored limbs.

“Ugh… huff…!” She bit her finger, trying to contain her pleasure. 

Lin’s touch on her newly formed body made her feel hot all over.

“Haa… haa…” 

She wanted to kiss his lips and forehead right away, finding his closed eyelids incredibly cute. 

Struggling to suppress her desires, Lucy pulled out a strand of her vivid red hair. 

Infusing it with magic, it glowed even brighter, extending to Lin’s pinky finger as a thin red thread.

“Fufu,” she chuckled.

From the day she regained her body, Lucy had woven the red thread while Lin slept. 

At first, she feared he would wake up, but he had developed a habit of sleeping deeply since his revival.

Today, she wove the thread again, knowing it would not break easily. 

No matter how far apart they were, she could always find him. 

If the thread broke, it meant Lin was in grave danger. 

It was the best way to keep him under her protection.

The red thread of fate, an ancient legend told by Arsil. 

Though she hated the saint, Lucy believed in the legend. 

She was convinced that this red thread would eventually lead to their marriage and family.

Lucy didn’t worry about competition. 

Despite her past misdeeds, she planned to heal Lin’s wounds and win his heart slowly. 

She had plenty of time, now that the holy sword had vanished, and she was no longer a hero. 

If Lin wished, she would accompany him to battle demons, but her primary focus was finding a place for just the two of them.

“My only ally, my best companion, my Lin,” she murmured.

Even though they had plenty of time, she had no intention of wasting a single moment.

Surprisingly, Lin woke up earlier than expected, meeting Lucy’s blushing face with a slight smile.

“…Lin, can I eat you?” she asked.

“No,” he replied firmly.

Living closely together, Lin had noticed Lucy’s peculiar habit of puckering her lips as if to kiss the air. 

Despite his warnings, she continued to do it, even asking if she could eat him, making it hard to tell if she was naive or just teasing him.

“Is your headache better, Lin?”

“Yes, thanks to you. Your lap pillow helped a lot, Lucy.”

“I’ll do it anytime you want.”

“I’ll let you know when I need it.”

“No, I want to do it whenever I feel like it.”

“You’re really free-spirited, Lucy.”

“Not at all,” she replied with a bashful smile, hugging his arm tightly.

“I can’t live without you, Lin.”

Without any argument, Lin patted her head as if soothing a temperamental cat. 

Then he asked, “How do we enter the city?”

“We have nothing to worry about. We just walk in,” Lucy grumbled, though reality was different. 

They had to avoid detection, revealing their route was out of the question. 

Being caught by the hero party would force them into an immediate confrontation, skipping crucial bonding events, item collection, and power enhancements specific to Lucy’s events.

They couldn’t hide Lucy in a bundle as they did with Ephalter. 

Nor could they attempt a direct approach; Lucy’s distinctive red hair was too recognizable.

There was only one option, though Lin dreaded it. He and Lucy, hooded, stood at the end of the inspection line at the city’s gate. 

Waltercrua, a bustling trade city governed by guilds rather than the empire, had strict inspections.

As Lin looked around, his eyes fell on a man eating rice balls by the bushes.

Despite his scruffy appearance, he scrutinized the inspection line keenly.

“Lin?” 

Lucy called out, but Lin ignored her, stepping out of line to approach the man.

“Actually…”

His tongue twisted. “Sassoon…”

He stammered, prompting the man to scowl and throw down his rice ball. 

Lin steadied himself and finally managed, “I’ve been waiting for someone like you.”

Lucy was shocked. “Huh?”

The man replied, “Honestly, so have I.”

“Really?” Lin felt like vomiting.

“Kidding,” the man said, looking equally uncomfortable. 

“Damn, you know the code. So the boss was right.”

“Boss?”

“Yeah, the only person who knows this code.”

Feeling queasy from the cheesy password, Lin maintained a serious demeanor.

“We’re lucky. The boss returned recently.”

“I’d like to go now if possible.”

“Follow me,” the man instructed, walking briskly.

Lin hurried after him, but not before grabbing Lucy’s arm. 

“Lucy, come on.”

“Lin…” Lucy whimpered. 

“Do you like men?”

Lin closed his eyes in exasperation for the second time that day.