IOC - 22

The sudden weight of the strange monster leaping into my arms left me as stiff as a frozen log. I wasn't the only one startled, the monster flinched as it looked at me, before eventually settling quietly into my embrace.

Watching this, Geoffrey muttered under his breath.

"It seems to possess some level of intelligence. I took it for a dim-witted specimen that knew nothing but mindless charging."

At those words, the monster let out a short huff through its nose, almost like a scoff.

…Wait, did it just snort at him? Worried that Geoffrey might have noticed, I quickly covered it up with a fake cough.

After a moment’s hesitation, I pulled the creature into a tight hug. It closed its eyes slowly and let out a tiny, resigned sigh.

"Hey, what’s with the sigh?"

As if determined not to listen to my grumbling, the monster whipped its head away. Geoffrey then reached out and placed his palm against its forehead.

"Just visualize the image you desire. That form will become the monster's outer shell."

A flurry of light suddenly erupted from Geoffrey's hand, and I instinctively squeezed my eyes shut against the blinding glare.

Anyway, an "image." It’s always harder to think of something when you're put on the spot. Besides, I had never been particularly interested in animals. The most familiar thing I could think of was... a dog?

So, what should I picture? A loyal Doberman? Or a friendly Golden Retriever? I couldn't quite grasp a clear memory or a specific image.

In the end, the image I managed to conjure up was a puppy I had seen at a hair salon a long time ago.

Back then, the "leaf cut" was the trend, so I had grown my hair out only to have it hacked into a disastrous "three-tier cut." I was feeling utterly miserable that day.

The puppy sitting in the chair across from me was the polar opposite of my gloomy self, it was smiling brightly at the world. That smile seemed to say, 'What's the big deal about a bit of hair?' For some reason, that image stayed with me for a long time.

A white body with ears tinged pink at the tips… it was probably a small Maltese.

Sensing the light fading, I cautiously opened my eyes.

A proper sealing collar now hung around the monster's neck, and as the light vanished completely, its form was revealed.

And yet.

…Uh, it looks exactly the same?"

Nothing had changed.

It was still the same dark-red monster with a small horn on its forehead.

I absentmindedly poked at the horn. Observing me, Geoffrey blinked once or twice before nodding.

"The magic was certainly successful. It simply seems that the illusion is invisible to you. There are two possible reasons for this…"

His violet eyes gazed deep into mine. Then, with a meaningful smile, he lightly brushed his hand against my cheek.

"It is likely because the creature has recognized you as its master."

"Is that so?"

I muttered as nonchalantly as possible, but inside, I was skeptical. The monster, seemingly annoyed by the collar, began scratching at it with its front paw. When I pressed down on its horn, it bared its teeth and swiped my hand away.

"You've got quite the temper, don't you?"

I grumbled while stroking its fur, but Geoffrey suddenly leaned his face in close.

"If you truly don't believe me."

"Ugh…!"

The sudden proximity made me jump, and I nearly bit my tongue.

I mean, I know he's handsome, but… I really wish he’d stop shoving his face in mine.

To be honest, if it were Theord approaching at this distance, his statue-like features would probably make my heart skip a beat out of sheer reflex. But not Geoffrey.

He was handsome, sure, but that "seen-it-all" look in his eyes, weathered by years of experience, always made tension hit me before any fluttering heart could.

As I tried to inch away, Geoffrey ignored my reaction and let out a playful smirk.

"Let’s walk down to the village together. It will be clear once we see how you appear in the eyes of others."

"……!"

He wasn't wrong. If the magic hadn't taken hold properly, I wouldn't have an excuse if I got hauled off later.

But walking into town with an Archmage and a monster in tow? Was he insane?

I wanted no part of that kind of fame. It was enough for me if customers just came to the inn for a bowl of soup. Was this how Gilbert felt about wanting to avoid the spotlight?

…No, that’s not it. Geoffrey’s intentions were far more suspicious from the start.

Look at him now. He was already back to fiddling with my cheek!

"I’m fine."

I said, hurriedly dodging his touch. Geoffrey tilted his head, his hair brushing against my skin with a ticklish sensation.

"Which part is 'fine,' exactly?"

"The magic. I think it worked just fine."

At that, he shrugged and slowly backed away. Just as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the monster in my arms began to flail its paws. When I tightened my grip, it bared its teeth at me.

Suddenly, its eyes went wide and round, and it let out a pained whimper as it curled its body inward.

Kiiiiing!

"Oh! What’s wrong?!"

Startled, I instinctively held the creature further away. For a second, I thought it had been electrocuted. I almost dropped it out of shock, but seeing it trembling and moaning so piteously, I ended up pulling it back into a firm embrace.

Geoffrey replied with his usual composure.

"A beast that defies its master needs to be taught a lesson. Especially if it's a monster, the discipline should be a bit more rigorous. I simply placed a spell on the collar to deliver a light electric shock upon any sign of rebellion."

"……."

So, it really was just a shock collar.

The monster seemed to realize this too, as it glared at Geoffrey with narrowed eyes. He simply smiled, as if he had found a fascinating new toy.

"What do you intend to do with it? It is quite the creature to fall into your lap."

…What am I supposed to do with this thing?

Searching for an answer, I suddenly thought of the dogs I used to see tied up in front of rural houses back home.

"I don't know... an inn guard dog?"

It has to earn its keep, after all. At my words, Geoffrey looked surprised for a moment before breaking into a bright grin.

"You'll need a leash then. If you wish, I can provide a sturdy one."

"That’s okay. I appreciate the thought, though."

What is he trying to give me this time? I was terrified he’d shove some eternal sealing artifact into the inn. Isn't that how the clichés go? Some object sits around for a thousand years and eventually turns into an evil spirit.

...Wait, this thing is already a monster. Does it even matter?

Regardless, I shook my head vigorously to decline.

Once again, I was certain. Geoffrey had a twisted personality. Or rather than "twisted," he was dangerously lopsided.

Even in the original story, his character was always described as peculiar.

He was hysterically sensitive yet lethally charming. Though his current demeanor was polite, since his illness hadn't worsened yet, the instability lurking beneath the surface was already quite evident.

I squeezed the still-aching monster tightly and glanced at Geoffrey.

"Is your shoulder alright?"

At the question, Geoffrey narrowed his eyes and traced his shoulder with his fingertips. He winced as if he had touched a blood-soaked wound and let out a low groan.

"It hurts."

Is he lying? Of course, pain can flare up again once you focus on a wound… but to my eyes, it looked a bit like an act.

As I stared at him skeptically, he let out a low chuckle.

"How unfair. I showed mercy even to the monster that lunged at me, and today, I have shared new knowledge with you. Yet, it seems you still do not trust me."

…When he puts it like that, I feel like the bad guy. Despite the lingering unease, I eventually gave a small nod.

It was in that moment. Geoffrey suddenly reached out and grabbed my hand.

"Wait?!"

The monster I was holding slipped right through my arms. While I scrambled to catch it with my other hand, his fingers interlaced with mine. He locked our fingers firmly and pulled me into his chest.

"Let this be today's payment."

"Huh? What… ack?!"

My words were swallowed in an instant. The moment his other hand cupped the back of my head, I was so startled that I finally dropped the monster. Thud! The creature hit the floor.

A short "eek!" escaped me, but before I could check on the monster, I felt the damp, soft sensation of lips pressing against mine with a soft chu.

"……?!"

I stood there like an idiot, hand to my mouth, unable to process the situation. Before me, Geoffrey narrowed his eyes with a smile and whispered.

"I have received a payment worthy of the service today."

His violet eyes sparkled with a secret intensity.

"Well then, I shall see you next week."

He casually placed a single gold coin on the table and walked out the door as if nothing had happened.

"…What was that…?"

Did that really just happen?

I stood there, tracing my lips with trembling fingertips, my voice sounding dazed even to my own ears.

Geoffrey was gone, but the lukewarm sensation still lingered on my lips. Because that warmth remained as proof that it wasn't a dream or a hallucination, I couldn't even deny it.

Drowning in a sea of confusion, the only thing I could squeeze out to soothe myself was a ridiculous piece of logic.

"Right. That... that can happen."

When Lionel tossed a gold coin and stuck his foot out, well, specifically, when he told me to kiss his foot, didn't I practically drool and dive for it?

So, this time too… I can just rationalize it as a business tactic, right?

It can happen. It totally can.

…But no matter how much I repeated it, my mind was a total mess.

Why? Because I knew perfectly well that something was very, very wrong.

A kiss as "payment"? Then what’s next? What if it turns into real kissing, and I end up crossing a line I can never come back from?