Published: January 24, 2026
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Rain was sitting on the edge of the rooftop of the silver rabbits of the night sky’s main building, gazing up at the moon.
“So, you were here all along,”
a woman approached Rain—it was Selma, who called out to her.
“...Yeah. I was just looking at the moon.”
Selma looked up at the moon after hearing Rain’s words.
There, in the darkness, the full moon shone brilliantly, coloring the night sky.
“I haven’t looked up at the moon in a while, but seeing it again, it’s really beautiful.”
“Yeah, it is.”
Then the two silently gazed at the moon for a while.
“So, do you need something from me? Maybe some criticism or a scolding for killing everyone’s morale?”
Rain turned to Selma with a completely exhausted expression.
Since the day Orun told them he was leaving the clan, Rain had been listless ever since.
Though she still participated in the teams that traveled around to hunt down demonic beasts on the surface, she was far from her usual self, and the other explorers were also confused by her state.
“I can’t be mad at you when you look like that. It must be hard, but I’m actually grateful you’re helping with the demonic beast hunts. I can’t say this out loud, but even when you’re not at your best, you’re still hunting more demonic beasts than the other members.”
“I see. I know in my head that I can’t stay like this, but my heart just can’t keep up. Anyway, I’m sorry for causing trouble.”
Seeing Rain apologize with a weak smile, Selma showed a sad and helpless expression.
“Hey, Rain. Won’t you talk to me? You’ve been silent, thinking you could handle it all on your own, but instead of getting better, you seem to be suffering more and more. I can’t just stand by and watch you like this anymore...”
“I’m really sorry. But I’m a big sister (……).”
Hearing those words from Rain, Selma’s eyes shifted to a reproachful look.
“...Big sister, huh? So you mean you can’t show weakness to those younger than you? You’re suffering so obviously...!”
“Ahaha... I can’t really argue with that. Well, yeah. Big sisters are supposed to bear everything.”
Selma’s shoulders shook.
“Is that really the image of a big sister you have...? If so, that’s wrong! I’ve shown my weaknesses to my little sister countless times! I’ve even been embarrassing or frustrating! And still, my sister (Sophia) accepts me. Sisters show both their good and bad sides, don’t they!?”
“…………”
“I think of you as an important comrade, Rain! I rely on you like a big sister! You’ve always saved me. I want to be there for you too...!”
Selma spoke passionately, letting her emotions out.
Whether those desperate words reached Rain or not, tears streamed down her cheeks.
“...Is it really okay...? For someone like me to rely on others... I’m someone who shouldn’t be saved...”
Selma nodded firmly at Rain’s words.
“Of course it’s okay!”
Rain whispered a small “Thank you...” through her tears.
â—‡
After a while, Rain regained her composure and began to slowly share her past.
She spoke about how, as a unique mage, she had been pampered and got carried away in her childhood.
One day, a man with an eyepatch over his right eye asked Rain to teleport the people he led to the Village of Dawn.
Believing it was to help people, Rain teleported them.
A few days later, her sister Telshe revealed the truth.
Their goal was the opposite of helping people—they planned to destroy the village.
At the same time, Rain was told that because she had been indirectly involved, she would sooner or later be killed.
Shown the tragic state of the village’s site, Rain was given the bare minimum supplies by Telshe and told to leave the country, which she obeyed.
“The Village of Dawn...? I’ve never heard of that place,”
Selma murmured, listening to Rain’s story.
“...Yeah. It no longer exists. ...So, um, about that...”
Having decided to talk, Rain stopped just as she reached the core of the story.
She was terrified of Selma’s reaction after hearing it.