NPC Fell onto My Bed C20

Chapter 20

The moment the word NPC left An Jeonghyeok’s mouth, Gu Taeheon’s head snapped sharply toward Noah. Noah, too, having clearly heard the voice through the intercom, stared back with his golden eyes widened in shock.

His fingertip hovered above the door release button, trembling slightly. Some visceral instinct told him that if he opened this door, he would regret it terribly. Taeheon’s intuition—sharpened by years of athletic training—had rarely failed him, especially when it came to ominous feelings.

“Who has come, Mr. Taeheon?”

Noah tilted his head as he watched Taeheon hesitate before the intercom for what felt like far too long. Though he had heard the same word—NPC—his greater concern was clearly Taeheon himself. Seeing the unease on his face, Noah rose from his seat.

“A friend came.”
“Ah, a friend. Please, don’t mind me. You may let him in, Mr. Taeheon.”
“…Haa.”

Letting out a long breath, Taeheon finally pressed the button. The door lock beeped open, releasing the entrance with a faint mechanical chime. Both men approached the foyer.

There stood a weary-looking man, one hand pressed to his throbbing temple. Without even glancing at Taeheon, he muttered,
“Taeheon, give me a glass of cold water.”
“Do I look like your butler?”

Taeheon’s gruff reply did nothing to deter Noah, who turned immediately and hurried toward the water dispenser. Having recently learned to use it, he returned with a glass full of chilled water and a bright expression.

“Here you go, Mr. Taeheon.”

It was at that moment that An Jeonghyeok—bent over to remove his shoes—saw Noah for the first time. As Noah passed the glass from Taeheon’s hand to his, their eyes met; Noah offered a polite, serene smile.

“…Who’s this?”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Hardiel Noah Hildegart.”
“Hil—Hildegart?”

All color drained from An Jeonghyeok’s face. He sank to the entryway floor with a blank stare at the ceiling.
“Oh, dear God. I must actually be insane…”
“What the hell’s he doing now,” Taeheon muttered.

“Is he also a priest?” Noah asked curiously, his eyes sparkling with the joy of recognition as Jeonghyeok muttered the word God. Perhaps priests existed in this world, too.

“A priest? Hell no. If he’s a priest, then the world’s full of lunatics.”

Realizing his mistake at once, Noah simply nodded lightly, his expression unchanged. He stepped toward the stunned figure and extended a gentle hand.
“Are you all right? Can you stand?”
“H-Hildegart… It’s really Hildegart…”
“If you’re that sick, get to a hospital,” Taeheon snapped.

At the sound of both their voices, Jeonghyeok scrubbed his face and removed his glasses, trying to ground himself. Finally, he staggered upright and clutched Taeheon’s shoulders.

“Taeheon.”
“What?”
“Are we the crazy ones? Or is the world?”
“What are you talking about?”

When Taeheon replied calmly, Jeonghyeok’s eyes bulged. His tone rose as he suddenly pointed a trembling finger at Noah.
“Then how is that NPC standing in your damn house?!”
“Put your finger down before I break it.”

Startled by Taeheon’s quiet threat, Jeonghyeok obeyed at once. Though they were both Alphas, bookish Jeonghyeok had learned long ago not to test Taeheon’s temper.

Meanwhile, Noah stepped forward and softly placed the glass of water into Jeonghyeok’s hand, his own palm brushing lightly against him. At once, warmth bloomed through Jeonghyeok’s arm, and he flinched.

“So you’re someone who knows that I came from another world,” Noah said gently.
“Ah… of course. Of course I do! My main character’s an Assassin—level 123—and my sub’s a Priest! How could I not know Hildegart’s face?”
“Then perhaps have a drink first. You seem terribly startled.”

With Noah’s kind urging, Jeonghyeok raised the glass and gulped down the cold water in one go, steadying himself with deep breaths. Noah accepted the empty glass again with a smile.

“So, Mr. Taeheon’s friend is also an adventurer from Last Chronicle. It’s an honor to meet you. May the serenity of Goddess Eir be with you.”
“Holy—wow! You really sound exactly like him!”
“Drop the ‘holy,’ idiot.”

Taeheon smacked the back of Jeonghyeok’s head. Unfazed, Noah smiled warmly at them both as he ushered them toward the living room.

Even as they sat, Jeonghyeok couldn’t keep his eyes off Noah—partly in awe, mostly entranced. As Noah carried the empty glass to the sink, Jeonghyeok spoke under his breath.
“Wow, Hilde looks even hotter in real life.”
“…Hilde?”
“Short for Hildegart. Every player knows that name.”
“Noah’s… famous?”

Taeheon sounded skeptical. To him, NPCs were background figures; he couldn’t imagine one being as popular as Jeonghyeok implied. But Jeonghyeok nodded so vigorously his glasses nearly slipped.

“Famous? He’s legendary. They had an entire forum debate about whether Hildegart was secretly a female character. I personally never doubted he was male—just look at those body lines.”
“…”
“And rumors said he’s actually a dev in disguise. The model’s too perfect for a normal NPC.”

Before Taeheon could respond, Noah returned from the kitchen and took his usual seat beside him.
“What are you discussing?”
“Uh—um—that is… damn, seeing you in real life is crazy. I can’t even find words.”

Jeonghyeok covered his mouth with his fist, still half-staring. Taeheon placed a firm hand on his thigh, his expression dark.
“So, why are you really here?”
“Ah—right!”

Clapping his hands as if startled, Jeonghyeok finally remembered his reason for coming. He’d been so shocked by Noah’s beauty that he completely forgot.
“An NPC fell into my house!”
“What NPC. Where’s this person now?”
“Ah, I told him to wait in the car for a bit. You know my temper—I hate when people bring strangers over without warning.”

Then—thud, thud.

A strange sound resonated from somewhere near the front door. Noah noticed it first; his eyes snapped toward it, luminous and intent. Taeheon followed his gaze and rose slowly. Jeonghyeok, oblivious, kept babbling.

“It’s Iron, you know? The Warrior Class Master NPC. Why couldn’t I get Hilde?! That guy eats like a damn bull!”
“Iron,” Noah whispered, his face suddenly alight.

Jeonghyeok grinned faintly, thinking Noah was merely echoing his words.
“Yeah, he’s probably down there waiting. Hard to miss—guy’s huge, like a circus bear—”
“No, he’s already here.”
“…Sorry?”

The words had barely left his mouth when a loud metallic screech tore through the apartment. The thick steel hinges of the front door twisted, groaning as the door crumpled and crashed backward.

Bang!

Heat poured into the room as a massive figure stepped over the mangled frame. His hair burned with the color of flame, his eyes a vivid red, and a broad greatsword hung across his back like a slab of metal alive with firelight.

Noah’s eyes widened in wonder, his expression softening—then a radiant smile bloomed across his face, fragile and glowing like a new leaf in the rain.

“Iron!”

Before Taeheon could stop him, Noah darted forward. Iron spread his enormous arms wide, and Noah threw himself into them without hesitation, their reunion collision shaking the air.

“Oh, my dearest friend!”
“Iron…!”

It was a reunion so heartfelt it made Taeheon’s entire face contort in disbelief.