Chapter 51: Payment
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POV – Tobias

I gradually thought over my experience in the Dream Realm while I waited for Rin to wake up.

Honestly, I wasn’t prepared for such an experience.

Will this happen every night? I hope not, otherwise I’ll have to mourn the loss of my beautiful dreams…

Sighing to myself before grabbing a drink from the canteen of spiritual recovery. I felt a cold and soothing sensation as my soul began to heal.

Depending on how dangerous the future Dream Realms are, I might be using this far more often than I intended.

Actually, considering the difficulty in healing the soul, if someone without such a soul healing artifacts gained access to this Dream Realm, it would be extremely dangerous for them.

I think I mentioned this before… but, finding artifacts or items that heal injuries to the soul is actually extremely difficult. In fact, If I didn’t have it, this item would probably be another death sentence. Sure, technically, it’s less dangerous to acquire than God-hunter was... however, since soul injuries take a long time to heal and potentially become unhealable if the soul is too damaged.

This wristband might be just as dangerous, or potentially more dangerous, than god-hunter in the long-run. The person who acquired it would have to deal with constant soul injuries gradually being worn down every time they slept. Every death in the dream bringing them closer to a very real death.

It’s terrifying to think about.

Rin’s wolf-ears twitched, before she began to slowly move around. The sun hasn’t risen quite yet, but since both of us are awake, we should be able to head toward the cave that contained the artifact.

Rin gently rubbed her eyes before opening them. Noticing I was awake, she silently stared into my eyes.

She really is cute…

Still, before I lose the opportunity, I should probably question her. “If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly were you crying over?”

Rin simply stared at me quietly. Beginning to feel awkward from the lack of response, I opened my mouth to tell her to forget it.

Watching her gaze turn resolute, Rin stated in a determined voice, “I won’t reload again. Unless there is no other choice.”

Wait, what?

First of all, what does that have to do with you crying?

Secondly, why? That makes no sense. Strategically, her power is best when abused in any situation. It can reduce unnecessary movement and the collection unnecessary artifacts along with preventing certain disasters.

“Why?” I asked, after deciding the second question was more important and less awkward.

Instead of answering, Rin responded to with a question, “Do you act the same as when you were a kid?”

“No…” I cautiously answered, unsure where she was going with this.

I might be similar in some ways, but I’ve changed dramatically in the time I’ve been alive. People grow up and, at thirteen years old, act differently compared to when they were five years old.

Time changes people.

Rin softly asked another question, “Would you still be the same person if you lost all your memories except those you had as a kid?”

This time I didn’t respond.

Rin has been pondering the question that’s been subconsciously running through my head since I’ve arrived here.

The question I’ve purposely avoided actively thinking about.

The question I never want to think about.

If Rin uses her ability and reloads far enough back, could the two people she meets be considered the same person?

Isn’t that similar to dying for the future version, or at least amnesia?

This isn’t something Rin normally has had to worry about as the person who is travel back… but for everyone else, isn’t it similar to dying? I’m vastly different than the person who first met Rin.

The various dangers and existence crisis’ that correspond to that question are terrifying. That’s why I’ve completely ignored it. After all, I can’t do anything to stop Rin from reloading. Nor would I want to prevent Rin from using her power according to her will. Thus, I’ve elected to completely ignore the question.

However, the reason Rin is asking this now… Did she travel from far in the future?

Sighing softly, I replied, “I don’t know.”

Does that mean last nights’ crying is not my fault? Well, it’s still probably my fault… but, it would be the fault of a future version of me.

Another tear dripped out of her eye, but Rin wiped it away. She stood up, turned her gaze into the distance and said, “Neither do I.”

“How far…” I started, before continuing, “How far back in time did you travel?”

“Three years.” Rin quietly responded.

Feeling a pang of pain my chest.

Three whole years? That… that must feel horrible.

“Why?” I asked, with the sinking feeling in my chest. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to travel that far back in time. More importantly to have someone you like forget spending that much time with you.

I couldn’t even imagine how I would react if I was in that situation. Why would she travel this far back?

Rin turned back toward me and replied with a single word, “Payment.”

My face had a portrayed a confused and partially shocked expression. “What?”

“My payment for the information.” Rin expanded unhelpfully.

Since when did she implement a system of payment for information. What kind of payment could I even give her?

“Payment? What do I pay you with?” I said, still confused about the situation.

Still, it’s better to find out now. I didn’t want to be left uninformed. If I need to start collecting a currency or item to pay her with, it’s best to find out now. Although, I’m surprised that Rin would implement such a system with her character.

Rin frowned, clearly busy thinking of something. After several seconds of silence, she stated, “I hadn’t implement the payment system this far back?”

Shaking my head, I answered, “At the very least, I haven’t heard anything about it.”

“We haven’t kissed yet then?” Rin directly asked.

“Not from my perspective. I assume that means we have in the future?” I inquired, wondering about our relationship in the future she’d experienced.

She didn’t respond to my question, but I continued thinking about the topic and realized something.

What does us kissing have to do with the payment system? Unless… “The payment for the information is a kiss?”

Rin directly nodded, affirming my statement. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. What kind of payment is that?

How did that payment system make any sense? It sounds like it can be easily abused and sounds extremely embarrassing.

Kissing in exchange for information?

Attempting to get her to give up on that payment system, I probed her bottom-line, “I don’t suppose you can just tell me why and ignore the payment for now?”

Rin simply shook her head, apparently unwilling to let go of her payment system.

Wonderful. Maybe I can get away with kissing her on her forehead or something similar. Although I’m no expert at negotiations, she hasn’t mentioned that kissing elsewhere is banned.

Approaching her, I leaned down slightly and kissed the top of her head.

Rin stared at me dissatisfied, but spoke anyway. “You asked me to reload.”

“Okay, but why did I do that?” I asked, curious as to what was so important that I had Rin travel three years back in time.

“A proper kiss this time.” Rin resolutely insisted.

The two of us gazed into each others eyes, before I ended up backing up slightly and adverting my gaze.

How can she say that with a straight face? That sounds too embarrassing. Maybe from her perspective it’s normal and something she does often.

Still…. I suppose kissing her properly wouldn’t hurt.

I mean, I’m already her fiancé and, considering she’s from three years the future, it shouldn’t be the first time we kissed from her perspective.

“Fine…” I reluctantly agreed. Truthfully, I don’t particularly mind the idea of kissing Rin. Other than the embarrassment.

Rin didn’t show any particular reaction to my statement. She didn't seem surprised with the result.

Attempt to clarify, I added, “But, I want you to tell me everything relating to the topic! No demanding additional payment afterward.”

Rin wolf-ears twitched slightly from in an unknown emotion, but she agreed through a small nod.

Okay, Tobias, you can do this.

Your lips on Rin’s lips.

Simple, quick, and easy.

Approaching Rin, I leaned down. I manage to get around halfway to Rin’s face before my heart began pounding and nervousness took over.

No, I don’t think I can do this. I don’t need this information anyway.

Rin, though, never intended to leave the option of backing out. When I slowly leaned down, Her face shot forward until her lips pressed against mine.

Her hands pressed against the back of my head, simultaneously preventing my escape and locking me in the kiss.

Despite her forcefulness, the feeling was indescribable. Even without anything particularly special happening it felt like thin waves of electricity were shooting throughout my face.

Opening my mouth instinctually from the sensation, Rin force her way through the gap. The resulting sensation caused me to jerk backward in response.

However, with Rin’s hand pressed against the back of my head, I had no chance to escape.

Locked in this odd cycle of pleasure and anxiety that I was unable to stop, nor was sure if I wanted to stop.

Through the several seconds of kissing, I decided I didn’t want the sensations to stop and began reciprocating the kiss more actively. Moving my hands to the back of Rin’s head.

Apparently, at that point, Rin decided that was enough and began to slowly pull away from the kiss.

Somewhat unsatisfied by the abrupt ending to the kiss, I realized why people kissed each other. It felt good.

Rin seemed to ignore my facial expression and began explaining. “There were several reasons why I reloaded to this point. The most pertinent is that you wanted me to prevent you from acquiring the void flower.”

“Wait, why?” I said, flustered by the reason Rin had returned.

The void flower was the easiest item to acquire in the Hell Difficulty’s tutorial, at least it would be if you were prepared to acquire it. That’s why I chose it.

Essentially, as long as you prepared a charm resist and sleep resist artifact, it would be easily acquired. Otherwise it would be incredible difficult to acquire due to it’s location.

The secondary reason is the spatial manipulation ability simultaneously provides defense, offense, and mobility.

“The void flower’s ability is bait to trick people into eating it. Honestly, are you incapable of thinking anything through?” Rin scolded clearly expressing anger toward my carelessness.

The void flower is a trap? How is that possible?

Pacing back and forth as I pondered the situation, I realized the problem.

The danger from acquiring the void flower is entirely from the environment it’s in. The flower itself didn’t create any danger toward the person acquiring it.

However, this is a flower from the Hell Difficulty tutorial! How could anything exist in Hell Difficulty without a level of danger? That’s impossible.

As I stated before, the safest Hell Difficulty is willing to provide is ‘relatively safe’.

Meaning danger that exists on the void flower is hidden or unnoticeable.

I’d gotten so stuck on the power level of the ability that I’d forgotten the danger that come with acquiring such an ability.

Realizing the problem, I apologized to Rin. I hadn’t considered every scenario and let myself get trapped in linear thinking.

And, more importantly, because of this Rin had been forced to travel far back in time to save me.

As Rin walked away in the direction of the temporary camp, I realized I never asked her about the wristband. Considering she didn’t mention it, I doubt it’s too dangerous to me.

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