Reincarnated as Itsuka Shido: Collecting Spirits as Lovers-Chapter 178: Back To The Inn

Seeing her begin to tear up, Shido knelt down on one knee and gently patted her head. His voice was soft, comforting.

"It's alright now. I'm here. I won't let you suffer anymore."

Tuare had been holding back her emotions, trying to stay strong, but his kind words pierced through the wall she had built around her heart. Warmth flooded the cold, broken part of her world, and the dam finally gave way.

"Uwaaah!"

She threw herself into Shido's arms, clinging to him tightly as her sobs burst free. Her body trembled with each cry, years of fear and pain pouring out at once.

Shido blinked, surprised by the sudden hug. But then he let out a faint, wry smile and wrapped his arms around her gently, patting her back in quiet reassurance.

"It's alright. You can cry as much as you need." Shido said softly.

As if his words had given her permission, Tuare cried even harder, releasing all the pain and fear she had buried deep inside. Thankfully, Shido had already set up a barrier around the house

so no one would be able to see or hear what's happening inside.

"W-Why?! I'm always unlucky?! I-I just wanted to live peacefully with my sister, yet why?!" Tuare began releasing all of her pent up frustration while crying. Her life was so miserable and wanted someone to talk to. Shido listened to her complains of her cruel life and comforted her.

"W-Why?! Why am I always so unlucky?! I-I just wanted to live peacefully with my sister... so why?!" Tuare sobbed, her voice breaking with every word. Years of suffering, hopelessness, and despair spilled out all at once. She clung to Shido as if he were the only thing anchoring her to reality.

Shido held her patiently, listening in silence as she poured out the cruelty of her life. He offered no hollow reassurances, just quiet comfort, letting her speak and letting her cry.

As for Staffan, the disgusting, pig-like man, they paid him no attention. He remained where Shido had left him, slumped against the wall, unable to move. A wheezing, pathetic heap of flesh, like a giant meatball sizzling in a frying pan.

After a few minutes, Tuare's cries began to subside, and clarity slowly returned to her. As the tears stopped and her breathing steadied, she realized the position she was in, wrapped in the arms of a stranger, having poured out her heart in front of him.

Her face flushed crimson. Embarrassment washed over her in waves as the memory of her breakdown came rushing back. She wanted nothing more than to disappear and never come back up.

"Are you feeling better now?" Shido asked gently. His voice was calm, patient—like he understood everything she had just gone through.

"...Y-Yes. Th-thank you very much." Tuare stammered, her cheeks burning. "A-and I'm sorry for crying on you... and staining your clothes with my tears."

Shido gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Don't apologize. A man's shoulders are there for women to lean on when they're having a hard time," Shido said with a light chuckle, amused by her flustered reaction. Still, he couldn't deny it, Tuare was really cute.

Hearing his words, Tuare bit her lower lip. For some reason, her heart fluttered. His words, though simple, felt unexpectedly warm and comforting.

"Let's wrap things up here," Shido said as he stood, shifting his gaze toward the groaning figure on the floor. "I still have to deal with this pig."

He reached out a hand to help Tuare to her feet. She tried to stand but her legs trembled, residual fear from her recent trauma still lingering. Without hesitation, Shido caught her and supported her gently.

"Easy now," he said softly. "Just lean on me for a bit."

Tuare felt a surge of shyness at their close interaction, her heart pounding from both embarrassment and something else she couldn't quite name. But she didn't resist. In fact, a part of her didn't want to let go. He was the only one that came to her help when she was at the end of her hope and show her the warmth that she had long lost. If possible, she wanted to repay him... with everything she had.

Shido gently helped her onto a nearby chair, making sure she was steady before turning his attention to the pathetic man still groaning on the floor.

Staffan Heivish glared up at him, a mix of fear and anger twisting his pig-like features. "D-Do you think you can get away with this?!" he barked, his voice trembling. "I am Staffan Heivish! An officer of the capital! I have connections with Eight Fingers! If you know what's good for you, then—"

Before Staffan could finish his threats, Shido calmly raised his foot and stomped, hard. A sharp crack echoed through the room, followed by a wet squelch.

Staffan froze, his anger vanishing into stunned silence. He looked up at Shido, who now wore a calm, yet coldly terrifying smile. Then his eyes drifted down, only to see blood pooling beneath him.

A beat passed.

Then...

"AAARRRGGHHHH!!"

Staffan's scream tore through the air like a wounded animal being butchered. His eyes bulged in horror as he realized what had just happened. Shido had stomped directly on his most vulnerable spot, crushing both his manhood and and eggs at the same time.

"Arrrgghhh!!! D-Damn you! Damn you!! You will pay for this! You will pay for-" Staffan was so angry and in pain so he let out all the curses from his mouth.

He wanted nothing more than to kill Shido right now. He wanted to find Succulent and find Shido again and take his revenge. Unfortunately for him, Shido had already ended his life. Shido pointed his finger at Staffan then a small black flame emerged from it and shot towards him like a small flame that was about to put off.

As Staffan continued to curse and howl in pain, the small flame that drifted from Shido's fingertip finally reached him.

The moment it touched his skin, it flared, silently and swiftly, engulfing him in black fire.

In less than a breath, his agonized shouts were cut off.

Seconds later, nothing remained of Staffan Heivish but a charred mark on the floor. His body had been completely incinerated, erased from existence.

Tuare stared in stunned silence, unable to believe how quickly everything had ended. Just moments ago, she had been on the verge of despair. Now, the monster who threatened her was gone, reduced to ashes.

"Let's go. I will take you to a safe place." Shido said and took Tuare on his arms, hugging her thin waist.

Tuare was dumbfounded and blushed, but she didn't push away Shido. Shido was her savior and she also had positive feeling for him so if he wanted to do that kind to her, Tuare wouldn't feel that much rejection.

Shido and Tuare's figures vanished from the scene in an instant, disappearing without a trace as they traveled toward the inn where he and Rumia had been staying.

Moments later, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the quiet streets. A group of guards rushed to the house, their weapons drawn and expressions tense.

"W-What happened here? Where is Staffan-sama?!" one of them exclaimed, eyes wide in confusion.

Inside, all they found was a shattered window, a disheveled bed, and a large, blackened scorch mark on the floor. There was no sign of a struggle, nor of the man they had sworn to protect.

They didn't know what happened as they had just woken up. They suddenly fall asleep making them confused. It wouldn't be until the following day that they would finally learn the truth: Staffan Heivish, one of the capital's corrupt officers, had been killed. And no one knew who was responsible.

...

Shido returned to the inn where he and Rumia were staying, gently carrying Tuare in his arms. As he stepped inside, both Rumia and Clementine looked up from their seats. The moment they saw him, their eyes lit up with relief, but their expressions quickly shifted to curiosity as they noticed the unfamiliar girl with him.

Before they could ask, Shido calmly explained the situation, how he had found Tuare, what she had been through, and why he brought her with him. As the story unfolded, Rumia's eyes softened with sympathy. Without hesitation, she walked over and embraced Tuare gently.

"You're safe now," Rumia whispered. "Everything will be okay."

Tuare, surprised by the kindness, slowly nodded, her eyes misty again but this time from warmth rather than despair.

Clementine on the other hand didn't share the same sentiment and came to Shido's side instead and grab his arms and put it between the deep gulf on her chest.

Shido glanced at the soft sensation against his arm, then looked at Clementine's playful expression. A sigh escaped his lips.

"Girl, you're playing with fire," Shido muttered under his breath, his gaze locked on Clementine without flinching.

"Fufu, try me." Clementine smile and thought that Shido would be tempted, however, Shido she didn't expect that Shido would slap her butt.

*SLAP!*

"What was that sound?" Rumia suddenly looked over, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.

Shido turned toward her with a perfectly innocent expression. "Oh, nothing. Just a pesky mosquito trying to get a little attention."

Rumia squinted at him, unconvinced, but let it go. Clementine, meanwhile, bit her lip and glared at Shido.

Clementine was left speechless by Shido's boldness. Her cheeks flushed as she grit her teeth, she hadn't expected him to actually slap her butt. For a moment, she wanted to pounce on him and fight Shido but she couldn't do that, instead, she felt a weird feeling when her butt was slapped.

She looked at Shido trying to see any change in his expression but she was disappointed to see that it remained neutral.

"Tch," Clementine clicked her tongue and crossed her arms, standing to the side with a pout.

When Rumia finished talking with Tuare, she called Shido and explain things to her leaving Clementine on the side.