Chapter 419: A Problem From Above (2)
A new message seemed to have popped up, but I couldn’t seem to afford to pay attention to it.
Not only was the seed of doubt already in my mind, but a flower bud had already formed as well.
Even though I was trying to block my thoughts as hard as possible, the situation wouldn’t even let me stop it.
If I was feeling kind, I could probably take out a little bit of suspicion, but the truth was that I wasn’t kind enough to cancel what I was preparing.
‘Do you think I would be that stupid?’
Naturally, I couldn’t believe anything until I could check it with my own eyes. That message was one-sided. I didn’t even know whom it had come from. They had stopped creating quests for unknown reasons.
It was only proper for their credibility to decrease.
[Quest creation has been temporarily suspended due to an unknown reason.]
‘Unknown reason, my ass…’
Perhaps, after getting their problem solved, they were now thinking about stabbing my back.
I didn’t know about Benignore, but I wouldn’t put it past Elune.
The probability of Benignore, who believed in herself and lived for herself, abandoned me didn’t feel low after I’ve witnessed Elena being abandoned.
They’re like peas in a pod.
From the very beginning, these fallen gods had no recognition and loyalty. They were just mischievous parents, ready to backstab their sons and daughters for their own greed and gain.
‘I’ll let you go comfortably on your way.’
I hated the wrong custom of Goryeojang (an ancient burial practice whereby a dying elderly was left to die in an open tomb). Still, at that time, I had no choice but to decide to go up the mountain with Benignore loaded on a carrier.
Of course, doing so required very careful planning.
I hadn’t pressed the play button yet, but I was already nervous about the safety device I prepared if the worst came.
Considering that the opponent was a fallen god, it still didn’t feel enough.
I wrote a separate manual for Lee Jihye and checked my belongings in an instant. First, I had to be able to protect myself.
I had Juliana, who had become quiet due to the aftereffects of being forced awake and due to potions and, of course, the legendary shield Aegis. I began to check my weapons’ condition in preparation against the worst.
It looked like I was leaving for an expedition.
I exaggerated my preparations a bit even though I was just visiting the capital, but doing so relieved me a little.
I felt like I had become a local. As I was looking at myself quietly, once again, I started to hear a knock on the door.
It was obvious as to who it was. As I opened the door with a wide smile, I saw a familiar face.
“Hayan?”
“Oppa, did you call me?”
“Oh. Please wait for a second. I’ll be out soon. Have you heard the news already?”
“Yes. That w-we’re going to the capital. That something urgent has happened…”
“Yes. Other people will also go with us. That’s fine, right?”
“Yes. O-Of course.”
“Hee-ra is going too, as well as Elena and Hyejin.”
“…”
At this, Hayan’s expression dimmed.
She must have already heard about the selection, but it looked like it upset her when she heard it again directly from me.
“Don’t let it bother you too much. It’s because of work.”
“Yes…”
“Who’s my favorite person?”
“Ah!”
As I opened my arms widely, she went closer and quietly hugged me. Although it was cringing to say those kinds of lines, the recipient at least enjoyed them.
It was important to fill the collar with the taste of the customer.
Jung Hayan was also one of those who could be classified to have an important role, just like Kim Hyunsung.
Jung Hayan, a wizard with overwhelming and irreplaceable talent, was the kind of human coveted not only by humans, but also by the gods. I had taken good care of her, and in that situation, I thought it was only mandatory to comfort her.
She was doing a good job at taking charge, and she had alleviated her anger control using the marriage as a stabilizer.
Her self-esteem that hit bottom recently was also rising to the point of breaking through the sky.
The new Jung Hayan, who had become tremendously strong, and had changed by receiving a proposal, grew to the point where she could finally stand talking with others.
It was a bit sad to think that the result obtained from risking my life would be barely enough, but nobody knew how much I missed that mental stability.
Although the prologue was long, the important thing was that Jung Hayan’s current mental state was very stable.
“But what happened? It would be nice if you had a little more rest. You weren’t lying down the past couple of days…”
“There seems to be a problem at the Church. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but I don’t know what would happen. Didn’t Elena come with you?”
“She’s getting ready to leave outside with Hyejin. Because you said we would be there for a week, the guild employees are also packing the luggage. S-so, oppa. If we go to the capital, will we sleep in the Church?”
“Yes. Probably so. Or maybe we could rent a separate building. It will depend on the situation. Shall we go out?”
I didn’t know why the place I slept in was an important factor, but she didn’t seem very happy about the idea of sleeping at the Church.
That kind of behavior felt ominous, and I felt like an animal upon sensing it.
I looked at Jung Hayan, who held one of my arms tightly, as I expected. I felt a bit embarrassed since I felt that she would never let my hand go, but I was still forced to move silently.
Even if I hinted at it, she would never let go, anyway.
In time, the guild’s griffon take-off area came into view. I could see two other people already there.
There was Cho Hyejin, taking the griffons out of the feedlot, and Elena, looking at them from a few steps away.
The elf smiled and waved at me upon seeing me, but her expression stiffened when she saw Jung Hayan clinging onto my side. Cho Hyejin simply bowed as usual.
‘Gosh…’
I could see Elena’s face looking emotional. I was afraid that if she bit down on her lips too tightly, she would explode.
I didn’t think Elena, who’s weak-minded, would show any behavior like (old) Jung Hayan, but I thought she might have a side that I didn’t know about.
The proof was that she was there even though the Eberian Kingdom opposed the notion. In fact, she was someone that could be called my colleague.
She laughed as if she felt carefree, but in reality, she was someone abandoned by the fallen gods. She was like a missile pad that was all ready to launch a ballistic called resentment towards the sky.
Since then, since she could showcase a big performance in swaying public opinion, she required special management and treatment.
As I smiled slightly and waved, she greeted me with a gloomy smile. Seeing this reminded me of the time Elune had abandoned her, and my hostility to the sky’s existence rose again.
‘To such delicate elf…’
No wonder my lips remained tightly closed.
Whether she knew what I was thinking or not, Elena began to greet me hesitantly.
“Should I call you Vice… Guild Master?”
“No, Elena. You don’t have to call me so stiffly. Haha.”
“Ah…”
“You’re indeed a member of the guild, but with Elena-nim’s status, it’s difficult to treat you as a common guild member…”
“You don’t have to give me special treatment. Please…”
“No. It’s not special treatment. Blue is not that rigid, and… We are personally acquainted. I’m also trying not to be stiff with the other members and Hyunsung. You can also act as usual. Anyway, it’s a bit late, but welcome to the Blue Guild, Elena. Take good care of us.”
“No. I should be the one saying that. Take good care of me, Lee Kiyoung. And… Jung Hayan too.”
“Yes, yes… Please… Take good care of me. A-A-And welcome to Blue.”
“Thank you.”
“Are we ready to go, Hyejin?”
“Yes, Vice Guild Master. When Cha Heera arrives, I think we can leave immediately. Dialugia decided to join later, and Yuno Kasugano will meet you at the capital…”
“Oh, I see. Thank you for your hard work.”
“I just did what I had to.”
It was nice to get things done quickly.
The news that Hee-ra was also going was something to be cheerful about.
Just as I was thinking about her, I saw a doll with red hair coming towards us. She was definitely her usual self with some of the Red Mercenary’s attendants.
“It’s been a while, honey. No, I can’t say it’s been a while since we met a few days ago.”
After the war, I talked with her right away, but somehow it felt like I hadn’t conversed with her in a while.
Her hair, which was rough like her, was not tidy, reminding me of a red lion’s mane.
What was a little different was that there were dark circles under her eyes.
“Are you sick?”
“Stressed out due to frustration.”
“…”
“…”
“Don’t let it bother you. As you already know, I’ve gone crazy for quite a while. You can think of this as the aftereffect of that. It’s been a long time since I’ve been out of my mind for so long, and recently, it feels like it’s getting worse. Still, I can’t adjust to it. Sh*t. It’s ten times more painful than having a hangover. I shouldn’t have worn that.”
“The Berserker Set?”
“Did you see?”
“I didn’t see it in person. I only heard about it. You were apparently wearing armor and had a weapon. Is that a legendary-grade item?”
“Yes.”
“I want to see that at least once.”
“Do you really want to see it?”
“No…”
“That’s a good call. I don’t want to show that much, either. More importantly… Why did you even gather us all? You’re too heavily armed for a picnic. Did you find a dungeon in the capital?”
“No. It’s nothing like that. Just think of it as thorough preparation.”
“Well, I trust your judgment. but hmm… I want to take a relaxing break this time around. Can we do that, honey?”
The way she looked at me with an innocent smile somehow felt terrifying.
She wasn’t openly threatening me, but I felt like a herbivore in front of a carnivore.
No, it’s not my imagination.
The way she looked at me from head to toe was like a wild beast looking at prey.
It was then that Jung Hayan grabbed my collar tightly.
‘You guys… don’t do that again.’
I knew better than anyone else what would happen if those two confronted each other.
It somehow ended well last time, but there was no guarantee that it would end so well if it were to be repeated. In the end, I had to be careful with my answer.
“It’s important to take a break. Oh, it’s already this late. Let’s get on the griffon. I think it would be better for you to ride with Hayan and Elena, and I will go with Hyejin. Right, Hyejin?”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“Now then. Come up quickly, Hyejin.”
“…”
“Quickly.”
“This feels quite uncomfortable, Vice Guild Master.”
“It’s the same for me, so just get on.”
Immediately taking a seat, I held on to Cho Hyejin’s back.
The three women were showing a little flustered expression, but fortunately, they didn’t show any jealousy.
When I saw them riding on the griffon together, I thought it was only proper that I wasn’t there.
“Don’t hold on too tightly, Vice Guild Master. It feels really uncomfortable.”
Of course, taken in a different context, I felt hurt upon hearing this.
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