“So?” Woo Hyo-Yeol questioned.

“So that’s how we met. It was aincidence. After that, we headed south, gathered those herbs, and returned. The things Raymond was worried about didn’t happen… but thanks to him…” I paused.

“Is that all you have to tell me?” Woo Hyo-Yeol asked.

‘This jerk is being a huge asshole. Why does hemplain about every single thing?’

“Once he's officially registered as part of our guild’s party, he won't be active out there, but he’ll bme the vanguard of our party.

"Gramps… I mean, Mr. Raymond Bolt is kind of too old to be active in the field, but he has a lot of experience and knowledge. In addition to battles, I think he can be really helpful in other fields. Ofurse, his overallmbat prowess is pretty good, so… you shouldn't look down on him,” I explained.

“And?”

“Well, what about you? Did you manage to take care of your business?” I asked.

“Why do I need to tell you that?” Woo Hyo-Yeol questioned.

‘If you don’t want to tell me, then just leave me alone. Why are you sitting around here? It looks like you’re done eating. I really want to flick his forehead.’

If he weren't a pessimist,uld it be that he had some kind of disease that forced him to make negativemments? Iuldn’t get a positive answer from him, and I felt like throwing myffee at his face.

‘No, no. He did change a lot.’

I tried my best to look at the positive things, which helped me calm my anger a bit.

Actually, the fact that he was still in the room right now proved that my work so far had been effective. Although he talked like an asshole as if it were a passive skill, he listened to me in the end.

‘It’s because I haven’t seen him in a while. I knew this was the kind of person he was, but I must’ve stopped getting used to it.’

Despite being far away, he had yet to leave Harizel, and it was surprising that we were staying in the same inn. In his past life, I was sure there wasn’t really a place heuld go back to and call it a day. It wasn't like he would go to a different city and return.

He would just stay at an inn in that city.

When going on an expedition, he would get a separate room, and he was used to sleeping outside when necessary. Seeing that he attended these small meetings was proof that Woo Hyo-Yeol was going to return to the inn in Harizel.

I somewhat succeeded in providing a house that the wild doguld protect.

“Let me tell you something while we’re talking about it,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“Yes?”

“Just because I’m here spending time with you doesn’t mean that I’m going to listen to you. Just because I’m playing along with you right now doesn’t mean I’m going to do things with you,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“...”

“Yeah, a chance. I’m giving you a chance,” Woo Hyo-Yeol added.

‘Even now, he’s trying to give mentrol little by little.’

I clearly remembered him saying that he had business to take care of when we first arrived in Harizel, but now he was giving me a chance. I remembered him warning me a few days ago that we weren’t working together, but now, he wanted us to try working together.

If Woo Hyo-Yeol had any plans of doing what he had been saying to me, he would have gotten up and left a long time ago to take care of them.

Iuld exclude the possibility of him moving around busily because he regretted the time he had lost due to the academy and Harize. If he really were thinking about escaping, he wouldn’t say those things to me.

‘He would just stay quiet.’

Guys with no intention of leaving in the first place tended to talk a lot.

“What? A seventy-one-year-old grandpa?” Woo Hyo-Yeol questioned.

“...”

“I’m not here to watch you guys play house. Executing that grand plan of yours will be hard even if you manage to gather the top players on thentinent right now.

"And you want to recruit who? It’s none of my business, but if you’re trying to recruit him out of pity, then I want you to keep me out of it. If you want to play as his grandson, then go do it elsewhere,” Woo Hyo-Yeolmplained.

“That’s not it,” I said.

“What?”

“I’m not recruiting Mr. Raymond Bolt out of pity or because of thennection we made in that short period of time. He simply meets all thenditions. It’s not like he doesn’t have any weaknesses, but he met mynditions,” I told him.

“...”

“...”

“I know you’re more experienced than players who have recently graduated from the academy. You may think that you don’t need him, but it’s rare to find people with the same level of experience as Mr. Raymond Bolt.

"You can’t ignore the wisdom of a veteran who had been surviving on thisntinent for such a long time. A tank capable of doing ranged attacks is rare as well. He’s also a Level 4 veteran warrior. As a Level 3, do you really think you’re qualified to judge him?” I questioned.

“...”

“You don’t have to worry about hismbat skills. His stats are decreasing, but it’s not very noticeable, and since he’s a Level 4 warrior, his basicmbat skills are pretty high.

"I think it’s better to recruit him than someone with no skills. At least… at least Mr. Raymond Bolt’s stats won’t decrease further within the next three years,” Intinued.

‘I’m not trying to help him grow stronger. I’m just using him temporarily. It’s not like our party is going to stay together forever, so what are you worried about? You weren’t thinking about staying together for a long time, were you?’

“And… I’m sorry… for calling him Gramps. He just reminded me of my grandfather… so I said it without realizing it…” I added.

“...”

“My grandfather raised me… because I didn’t have parents,” I revealed.

The atmosphere became awkward.

“...”

“I failed to keep my personal and professional life separate,” I said.

“...”

“...”

“

Hmph.

”

“...”

“You can call him whatever you want, and I don’t care if he reminds you of your dead grandfather. What I’m worried about is the atmosphere,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“...”

“Let me make myself clear. I wasn’t worried about that in the first place,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“I won’t make unreasonable decisions under the swaying of my emotions. I’ll keep things professional,” I reassured him.

“I’ll hold you to that,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“

Ah!

There’s also something I forgot to mention… I’m thinking about going on an expedition soon,” I informed him.

“...”

“It’ll be a dungeon raid,” I revealed.

“...”

“I think doing a dungeon raid will give us more noticeable results than taking onmmissions or going hunting… I already looked at potential places, and I’mllecting the items we need and pieces of information. We’ll need more people, though…” I informed him.

“And the date?” Woo Hyo-Yeol asked.

“As soon as possible. At least in a month, no, within a week…” I replied.

“That’s not bad. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be getting up now,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“S-Sure, and also—”

“Damn it.

Whoo…

do you have more things to talk about with me?” Woo Hyo-Yeol asked.

“It’s about potions,” I told him.

“...”

“I made one with the herbs I got recently. It seems to be more effective than the ones sold in the market, so you should take it,” I said.

“...”

Woo Hyo-Yeol stared at the potion that thentinent’s best alchemist had shyly offered to him. After a moment, he accepted it and placed it into his bag.

‘We talked a lot today, right? I think we made annection, too.’

Obviously, he didn’t thank me, but…

“If I find someone decent, I’ll bring them,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“What?”

“Someone who will be useful as a party member,” he clarified.

“...”

“Don’t expect too much,” Woo Hyo-Yeol added.

With that, he slammed the door shut and left, ending our short meeting.

Soon, I heard a voice from upstairs.

“

Tsk.

What a rebellious young man,” Raymondmmented.

“...” “

Ah!

Gramps!” I greeted.

“Is that the young man you told me about?” Woo Hyo-Yeol asked.

“Yes. His name is Woo Hyo-Yeol. He’s a Level 3 swordsman and—”

“Why…” he interrupted me.

‘Why did I make a party with him? I don’t know either.’

However, I had to answer him "properly," as Woo Hyo-Yeoluld be listening to us from outside. Actually, he was definitely listening to us. Iuld imagine him actingol by leaning on the wall.

“He's a little rough around the edges, but he’s a kind person. He just isn’t the type to express his emotions…” I explained.

“

Haha…

”

‘Pretty ridiculous, right? I know.’

“He just needs some time. More importantly, take this. You said you were going hunting today, right?” I asked.

“...”

“It’s a potion. It’ll be more effective than the ones sold in the market,” I told him.

“Thanks for this… but is it okay for me to just take it…” Raymond asked.

“You said you would help me for the time being, so it’s my way of returning the favor. Consider it a bribe,” I answered.

“

Haha

. This is such a cute bribe,” Raymondmmented and lowered his head in apparent embarrassment. So far, we had worked together for a grand total of once, but he reached for my head and patted it as if he had long gotten used to it.

I was surprised that we managed to build a bond this deep just by harvesting some herbs, but it was all thanks to my warm-hearted nature.

Talking about many different things whilempleting themmission was a bonus.

Based on my lore as Flower Ki-Young, I had no parents, and my grandfather raised me by himself. In other words, Raymond was the only person Iuld rely on. When we were talking about our life back on Earth, I was sure Raymond’s heart broke.

Ofurse, I had to make the stories sound dramatic. The boy was bullied at a young age for not having parents, and he had to work many jobs to support his younger sister.

He matured at a young age, but he didn't lose any hope in the world.

After meeting a sponsor… I mean, a trustworthy friend… I worked hard and studied, got a scholarship, and was accepted intollege.

When the story ended, I was already Raymond Bolt’s grandson.

“By the way… you haven’t changed your mind? Are you sure?” Raymond asked.

“Yes,” I answered.

“...”

“Ofurse, I’m grateful that you’re worried about me, but I’m just doing what’s right…” I added.

“But-”

“I’ll avoid danger as much as possible, so you don’t have to worry. I cherish my life as well. Expeditions with no ample preparation rarely go well, and I also know about the high death rate among players who had just graduated from the academy.

"In addition, we have… you,” I explained.

“

Hahaha

. You’re just showering me withmpliments. I’m not

that

amazing,” Raymond said.

“You’re amazing in my eyes,” I argued.

“

Haha

… well… if you say so… How will you form the party…” Raymond asked.

“I’m not sure…” I answered.

“Do you want me to see if there’s anyone I can rmmend?” Raymond offered.

“No, you don’t need to do that,” I replied.

“...”

“I already checked the Adventurer Guild and…” I paused.

There was actually one person I had my eyes on.

Their job wasn't ambat-type job. I was talking about that woman Iincidentally saw on my way back to Harizel. She had decent Magic stats and special skills. She was also working as a bard.

Iuldn’t really understand it, but the fact that Iuldn't caught my attention.

“Is there someone you have in mind?” Raymond asked.

“Yes, Grandpa. Do you remember the bard we saw on our way back to Harizel?” I asked.

“

Ahh…

”

“Yes, the woman who was playing the piano,” I said.

“You mean at the three-way intersection outside the castle gate? I’m sure that woman—”

“Yes, she doesn’t have ambat-type job,” I interrupted him.

“Right. I think her name was…”

“...”

“No Dam-Hye,” Raymond said.