Loen: Glittering Date/Memory

The danger you encountered and the pain you felt may have left some bad memories.
But haven't you also seen the beauty of this world?
▸ A perfect World.
Player
It is a very beautiful world in my mind.
Loen
Yes, Miraland is a very beautiful world.
As you know, I'm a mercenary and have been traveling through the Seven Nations.
I've been to many places, made many friends. I learned about numerous legends and have gotten just as many missions.
Most of those memories were trivial things, but they were also very precious to me.
The gift I want to give you has something to do with these memories.
The stories about the dawn, afternoon, and dusk.
If you're not in a hurry, take a seat and listen.

### Chapter 2: Glimmer of Dawn

About how long ago was it? I don't remember clearly, maybe in the last two years.
On my way to Lodden, I stopped by a Pigeon town for a few days to find some commissions and make more money. This town was small, of course. I wouldn't get any major tasks.
However, the locals were enthusiastic, waking up early in the morning, and were happy to accept me.
The white quilt was washed and hung on the clothesline. The morning dew shone brightly on the leaves of vegetables and fruits. In the vineyard not far away, the shelves full of sweet fruits were neatly organized.
The owner got up early and saw a new face. He clapped his hands in surprise and his beard trembled as he laughed.
Mayor
A guest! Welcome! Guests coming from afar or returning travelers, they all deserve a party!
Narration
In the melodious music, the girls danced hand in hand wearing fluffy skirts, and the young men cheered to the beat of the drums.
I was dancing with lovely girls and drinking one glass of wine after another.
While drinking heavily, I was invited by enthusiastic residents to stay for the night. In the house where I stayed, there were a hostess and a boy.
The hostess was a good cook and there was always wine in the house. The boy had a sister who worked as a very young model in Lodden.
Every morning, I woke up to this—
Hostess
Mok! Get up! You won't sleep on time or get up in the morning. Let's see what happens if you play video games again!
Why don't you say hello to your brother! Your room is a mess.
Clean it up in an hour! You're always outside all the time! What are you doing staying inside?!
Narration
Her voice was loud, almost deafening. Little Mok was annoyed.
Every time he was nagged by his mother, he would come to me and talk in the same tone.
Mok
Boring, this town is so boring… Plus… Mom isn't being reasonable!
Loen
My mother used to scold me when I was a child.
Loen, why don't you do your homework?
Loen, have you spent your allowance again? Although she wasn't as loud as your mother.
Um…
Narration
Putting aside the basket of grapes, Mok and I lay outside the vineyard to take a break. The boy's eyes lit up when he saw the map next to my hand.
Mok
Loen, you're going to Lodden, right?
Loen
Yeah.
Mok
My sister is there too! Do you think I can join you and become a mercenary?
Loen
Sure, what can you do?
Mok
1'm only 13 years old but I'm a good fighter! Let me show you my punches! For world peace!
Narration
Before he finished, little Mok was pulled back by his mother, who heard him.
Mok's Mom
You can't pick grapes but you're here messing with Loen... For world peace? You sure do like that, huh!
Mok
Mom! I mean it! I'm going to Lodden too!
Mok's Mom
Pick the grapes first!
Loen
How can we save the world if you can't even pick grapes?
Narration
I smiled, stood up, stretched, and went to pick some grapes.
Player Selection
▸ A very loving family.
Player
What a lovely family.
Narration
Yeah, I stayed here for three days, and I didn't want to leave.
▸ A bickering family.
Player
What a noisy family.
Narration
Yeah, but feels good, right?
Narration
Three days later, I set out with a heavy pack filled with scones made by Mok's mother, fruits, and new clothes.
But ever since I left town, I always felt like someone was following me.
I yawned and went into a bakery, walked around, and, as expected, caught Little Mok at the door.
He ran away from home with a simple pack.
Mok
Loen! Let me go!
Loen
It's dangerous. I can't protect you.
Mok
I don't need your protection! I can protect myself!
Loen
You'll be starving if you don't get a job.
Mok
I'll be fine!
Loen
...Oh yeah?
Narration
I looked at Little Mok skeptically.
Mok
Loen, I brought some wine from home. Look!
Narration
The red, mellow liquid shone and looked delicious in the sun.
Loen
...
Narration
I took the wine without thinking. Little Mok jumped with excitement.
Mok
Finally, I don't have to listen to my mother nagging or be scolded anymore. Aah! My life is about to begin!
Player Selection
▸ That’s not good, is it?
Player
It's not good to let Mok leave home like this, right?
Narration
I'm a mercenary. I get paid to do things, right?
▸ You were bribed with a bottle of wine?
Player
Did I see you actually get bribed by a bottle of wine?
Narration
Don't look at me like that. If you've tasted this, you'd understand!
Narration
I was going to take Mok for a walk around Lodden then bring him home.
Until then, I needed to find a way to tell his mother about it.
What? You didn't expect I could be mature too?
Player Selection
▸ Didn’t expect that.
Narration
It seems that you know too little about me.
▸ I thought you really were going to...
Player
I thought you were realty going to help Little Mok run away from home!
Narration
I'm a mature, kind, rational mercenary.
Narration
It was still daytime, and I wasn't drunk yet.
But when I opened the package that Mok's mother had prepared, I found money and a handwritten letter.
Mok's Mom
If Mok follows you, please take him to Lodden.
This kid, I knew what he was going to do with a single glance. He thought he had a great plan, didn't he?
The entrustment fee is in the envelope, and I don't know if it's enough.
Anyway, please, Loen.
When you get to Lodden, please leave Mok with his sister Serena and tell them I'll always be here when they want to come home.
Narration
Our truck staggered along the road, and the soft light of the stars and moon fell on Little Mok's face.
The next morning, when daylight broke, the truck stopped by the side of the road and the driver was resting.
After sitting in the car all night, I got up and stretched.
Little Mok, who used to stay in bed, even sat up rubbing his eyes.
Loen
You awake?
Mok
Uh-huh…
Narration
The glimmer of dawn shone on his blond hair and covered it in a warm and soft color.
Mok
Why didn't anyone wake me up....
Narration
Little Mok muttered to himself. He furrowed his eyebrows and tears fell from his eyes.
He seemed to realize that he had left home.
Loen
You want to go back? It's not too late.
Narration
Mok thought for a moment and gritted his teeth.
Mok
I'm not going back.
Narration
I patted his head and threw him my coat.
Loen
Let's get going.
Mok
Okay.
Narration
Mok held back his tears, jumped out of the truck, put on his own coat, and caught up to me.
The sun rose from the horizon, warm light embracing all things, like the hands of a mother soothing her young child.