My Love Debts Are Everywhere! - Chapter 743

Chapter 743: Uncovering Identity

“Where is that man? Is he okay?”

Inside the cave, Ruri stood near the entrance, biting her lower lip. The rain was falling harder by the minute, and thunder rumbled every ten seconds.

A cold gust of wind blew in from outside, making her shiver. Still, she stood her ground, stubbornly waiting for his return.

Just as her eyes scanned to the right, ahead, and then to the left in search of Leon, she suddenly spotted a figure approaching from the front.

As he drew closer, she realized—it was Leon.

“He’s back!” Her eyes lit up with relief. But instead of rushing to greet him, she quickly sat back down at her spot, as if to show she hadn’t moved at all.

Moments later, Leon stepped into the cave. He gave a small nod of approval upon seeing Ruri still there.

He walked over and asked, “Did anyone attack while I was gone?”

Ruri shook her head and replied softly, “No one, sir. The cave is safe, and it’s just me here.”

“Good.” Leon nodded and slowly sat down beside her.

The campfire crackled warmly, casting a comforting glow over them both.

Neither of them spoke, and a quiet awkwardness filled the space.

Ruri glanced at him and noticed his robe was perfectly dry—no sign of rain or blood anywhere.

“What’s wrong? Are you curious about what happened to those two?” Leon asked with a playful smile as he turned toward her.

His eyes met hers—wide and innocent—as a faint smile played on his lips.

“Ah!” Ruri flinched and quickly looked away, as if too embarrassed to meet his eyes.

Still, she didn’t deny it and quietly admitted, “Yes… I’d like to know what happened to them, sir. Did they…”

Before she could finish, Leon shifted his gaze to the campfire and interrupted, “Yes, I killed them both. You’re safe now. You don’t have to worry about them chasing you anymore.”

His words caught Ruri off guard—but only for a moment. She let out a quiet breath of relief and turned to him with soft eyes.

“Thank you, sir. I owe you one,” she whispered.

If Leon hadn’t saved her last night, she might have died in the jaws of that bear-like monster.

And now, he had killed the two men as well—saving her once again.

That meant she owed him twice now, and she truly had no idea how to repay either debt.

Leon simply smiled and waved a hand. “No need. I just happened to have a personal grudge against them. So think of it as killing two birds with one stone.”

Anyone else would’ve probably felt relieved—not having to return the favor.

But Ruri wasn’t like that. She pressed her lips together, clearly dissatisfied with his answer.

Of course, Leon noticed—and it only made him like her even more.

Now he understood why Miranda once said the Spirit race was the most loyal of all.

They were pure-hearted and deeply responsible. Those traits might seem ordinary, but in today’s world, they’re becoming increasingly rare.

After all, humans were easily swayed by greed, envy, and resentment.

That’s why people who remained sincere—who didn’t take advantage of kindness—were few and far between.

Leon picked up the pot of hot water he had prepared earlier and poured it into two cups.

Originally, he had planned to enjoy the tea while casually extracting information from Ruri about the Spirit race.

Unfortunately, those two intruders had shown up and ruined his peaceful evening.

“Drink up—it’ll warm your body,” Leon said as he handed her a cup of black tea, thin wisps of steam rising from its surface.

“Thank you.” Ruri smiled sweetly and accepted the cup with care.

She took a slow sip, savoring the blend of bitter, sweet, and slightly tangy flavors as the warmth spread down her throat, easing the chill from her body.

Leon sipped his own tea, feeling much the same. The two of them sat in silence, quietly enjoying the warmth.

Eventually, Leon turned his head and asked, “By the way, can you tell me about the Spirit race—and why you’re in this forest?”

Had he asked this question when they first met, Ruri would’ve been cautious, perhaps even unwilling to answer. But things were different now.

He had saved her twice… even shared his food. At this point, Ruri’s trust in him had grown significantly.

And sure enough, she showed no hesitation.

She looked up, her gaze settling on the cave entrance where the rain still poured outside.

“There’s nothing particularly special about the Spirit race,” she said softly. “But if you truly want to know, I’ll tell you… including the reason I ended up here.”

And with that, she began to weave her story—speaking of the Spirit race, down to the smallest detail.

Leon didn’t interrupt—he was genuinely a good listener. Until now, his knowledge of the Spirit race had only come from Miranda’s stories.

But hearing it directly from a member of the race… was something else entirely.

An hour later…

“Ah!” Ruri suddenly gasped, looking at Leon with an embarrassed expression. “I talked too much… I’m sorry, sir.”

She lowered her gaze shyly, like a small hamster hiding from a predator.

Her endearing reaction made Leon chuckle.

“There’s no need to apologize. Honestly, I enjoyed hearing it,” he said gently.

Then he recalled what Ruri had mentioned earlier—about the reason she ended up in this forest. With a curious tone, he asked, “Does the magic circle still exist where you were before?”

Ruri had just explained that she ended up in the forest due to the sudden appearance of a magic circle, located south of the Valley of a Thousand Whispers.

In Leon’s opinion, it was most likely a teleportation circle. As for why it appeared, he didn’t know yet—but perhaps the answer would come in time.

“I don’t know… but I think it disappeared,” Ruri said uncertainly.

“It’s gone, huh?” Leon murmured, falling into thought.

If the magic circle had still been there, he might’ve been able to trace the location of the Valley of a Thousand Whispers using nature magic.

His control over it wasn’t as refined as Athena’s, but it was enough for simple spells.

“Do you know the way back home?” Leon asked.

Ruri was silent for a moment before giving a small nod.

“I know the way home. But it’s very far. If I go on foot, it might take a month—or even longer.”

“Perfect!” Leon clapped his hands, clearly pleased. “Then we’ll head to your place tomorrow. I’ll take you there.”

Ruri stared at him in disbelief. “Are you serious, sir?”

“I am,” Leon said with a nod and a faint smile. “It just so happens I have business with the Spirit race. I need to meet them.”

“Business?” Ruri blinked, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “What kind of business?”

Leon didn’t answer. Instead, he slowly raised his right hand and opened his palm.

In an instant, the Crystal Ball of Life appeared out of thin air, glowing with a dazzling blue light.

Ruri’s eyes widened, her mouth slightly open as her heart pounded in her chest.

“Th-The Crystal Ball of… Life!?”

The Crystal Ball of Life was one of the six sacred artifacts belonging to the spirit race. Yet, strangely, it vanished about a year ago, throwing the entire spirit race into chaos.

The truth was, it had never vanished at all. Her older sister had taken it—and entrusted it to a human.

Back then, when Ruri confronted her about it, her sister calmly replied that the Crystal Ball of Life had been given to the Fated One.

And Ruri knew exactly who the Fated One was—a prophesied figure destined to lift the Evil God’s curse and free her people from the Valley of a Thousand Whispers.

Now, however, the Crystal Ball of Life had suddenly appeared in Leon’s hand. Didn’t that mean… he was the Fated One?

Her body froze as she stared at Leon, who was smiling at her with playful ease.

“S‑Sir, you… you…” She tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat.

The Crystal Ball of Life was already undeniable proof that he was the Fated One—but still, she wanted to hear it from his lips.

Leon let out a soft chuckle and returned the Crystal Ball of Life into his consciousness.

Then, with a small nod, he admitted, “Yes, I am the Fated One. My name is Leon Kruger. I’m sorry for keeping this from you, Ruri.”

Without saying a word, Ruri suddenly prostrated before him and cried out, “Forgive me for not recognizing your identity, Fated One! It was my fault! I hope you’re not angry or offended!”

Her voice trembled with fear, leaving Leon stunned.

He quickly helped her sit up and looked at her with a frown of disapproval.

“Why are you suddenly bowing like that? I really don’t like it when people kowtow to me,” he said helplessly.

“But… but…” Ruri mumbled, nervously pressing her index fingers together. “I didn’t recognize you as the Fated One. I thought you’d be angry and…”

“I’m not angry,” Leon interrupted, rubbing the back of his head. “Honestly, who would’ve thought I was the Fated One in the first place? So there’s no need to worry about it.”

Hearing his words, a warm feeling bloomed in Ruri’s chest. Her affection for Leon quietly deepened.

“Alright, forget it,” Leon added with a gentle smile. “And stop calling me sir. Just call me the Fated One—or anything you’re comfortable with.”

Ruri blinked in surprise, then smiled sweetly.

“Thank you, Fated One!”