Chapter 1138: Fallen King’s Tomb (4)

Naturally, I had to quickly turn away because I didn’t want to show any signs of weakness. This wasn’t the reason I was here.

Woo Hyo-Yeol knew that my time was limited. He knew that I only had two to three years left, but just because he knew that didn’t mean that I would show him my weakness.

I was using my terminal illness as a weapon.

I told Woo Hyo-Yeol about my remaining time not because I wanted him to pity me or because I wanted special treatment from him. It was a promise and a contract of sorts. It was my way of promising him that I would live each day to the fullest and would never waste even a single moment.

It was both a warning and a display of determination.

I didn’t know what Woo Hyo-Yeol thought about it, but I believed that by telling him my secret that I had been keeping to myself, I had formed an unspoken agreement with him.

I was thinking that I was negotiating with him using my limited time remaining as a weapon, which was why I couldn’t show him my weakness because my terminal illness was a strength, not a weakness.

‘Since I’m short on time, I need to cut this short.’

Originally, I had two to three years left, but my lore had changed thanks to Kim Hyun-Sung's arrival. I had about a year and a half left. It was probably even shorter than that.

On the outside, my declining lifespan was due to me overworking myself, but the truth was that I was determined to spend each day to the fullest rather than wasting time.

I stopped coughing as if it was nothing serious and looked back at Woo Hyo-Yeol.

Perhaps it was because of the flickering flames, but it seemed like his eyes were shaking, but he showed no other reactions. He glanced at the bloodstains on the palm of my hand and immediately looked back at the flickering flames as if he didn't want me to think that he was worried about me.

“You…” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“Yes?”

“…”

“…Never mind. It’s nothing,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

‘Tsk, how anticlimactic.’

“More importantly, what were you saying earlier?” I asked.

“…”

“I think I asked what you thought of the party. Didn’t you give me an answer?”

“…”

Woo Hyo-Yeol frowned before saying, “As I said, they didn’t seem that bad."

“What?”

“Weren’t you talking about the party?” Woo Hyo-Yeol questioned.

“Oh… yes, I was,” I answered.

“I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied, but it would be more accurate to say I can see their potential. Of course, minus that reckless idiot,” Woo Hyo-Yeol added.

“You say that, but you put in a lot of effort into training her,” I commented.

“It was just to shut her up, and to be exact, I wouldn’t call it training because she’s the only one who benefited from it,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“But…”

“I don’t know what it is you want me to say, but that’s my honest opinion. The majority of them aren't good at the basics, but I can see what kind of party you’re trying to create. Don’t misunderstand, though. I’m not saying that I’m going to keep this party together forever,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

‘Come on, I know you like them.’

When excluding all the other factors and looking at only efficiency, working as a party was undeniably more efficient than working alone. I still didn’t know the reason he failed in his first life, but I was sure his stubbornness was one of the reasons for his failure.

Even Kim Hyun-Sung had limitations on what he could do alone.

It was no coincidence that he had chosen to descend on the Rohen Continent with the members of the Blue Guild.

I was sure he had realized that others could cover the parts he was lacking and offer insight into things he couldn’t see, and it had to be an eye-opening experience for Woo Hyo-Yeol.

‘It was pretty comfortable, wasn’t it?’

“I’m glad you think so. At least that means they didn’t get in your way…” I said.

“There’s no need to be modest,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“What?” I asked.

“I hate to admit it, but you’re competent,” Woo Hyo-Yeol answered.

“…”

“I understand why they're calling you a genius,” Woo Hyo-Yeol added.

‘Wow, he’s actually complimenting me.’

And that was when he said something unexpected...

“How much time do you have left?” Woo Hyo-Yeol asked.

Despite the fact that he had already asked the question, he seemed to be regretting it.

He looked like he had asked something unnecessary.

“I already told you,” I answered.

“How absurd. You really think you can fool my eyes?” Woo Hyo-Yeol questioned.

“…”

“…”

“I honestly don’t know,” I told him.

“I’ll be straightforward,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“What?”

“Whether you die tomorrow or the day after, it will have nothing to do with me. How much time you have left has nothing to do with me. At least, that’s how I used to feel. Now that we’re in the same boat, though, things are going to become complicated if you end up dying just like that,” Woo Hyo-Yeol explained.

‘You…’

“I don’t know what kind of contract the GENIUSES have decided to offer you, but I've already changed many of my plans because of your ridiculous persuasion,” Woo Hyo-Yeol continued.

“I’m sorry about that, but…”

“What I’m trying to say is that if you’re going to die… die after you’ve completed everything,” Woo Hyo-Yeol added.

‘He’s such a big asshole.’

Whether he meant it or not, his words could be considered encouragement. It was just a matter of interpretation. Of course, being an optimist, I interpreted his grumbling as encouragement.

Perhaps it was just my imagination, but it felt like he was telling me not to die so easily.

“You don’t have to worry. I’ll complete everything I need to do before I die, even if you don’t tell me,” I told him.

“

Hmph.

”

“You’re the one who shouldn’t be making a fool of yourself. I’ll pave a way so radiant that it’ll leave you speechless,” I added.

There was some weight behind my words. It was part rivalry, part camaraderie.

Although I grumbled as if I were in a bad mood, there was a faint smile on my face. It felt like the two people who wouldn’t acknowledge each other were starting to open up to each other. Even I thought that perhaps it was too soon, but Woo Hyo-Yeol and I were beginning to acknowledge each other.

‘I swear… you’re smiling a little, too, aren’t you?’

“Just wait and see,” I told him.

‘Come on, I know you want to smile too. It's a beautiful rivalry, isn't it? Isn't this the moment when we're finally acknowledging each other? I'm not the only one who thought that way, right?’

“

Hmph.

”

I looked at Woo Hyo-Yeol nervously, and perhaps because it was early in the morning, but I could see the corner of his lips slightly going up.

‘Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about.’

“I’ll be watching,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

I wasn't sure how deep our bond was, but I was sure that it was getting deeper.

‘This is why private counseling is important.’

It felt like a fresh start, and it was like we had another goal.

I got the feeling that both Woo Hyo-Yeol and I were starting to work even harder.

I had always been a hard worker, but he seemed a little more motivated than before, even though this dungeon raid was meaningless in his eyes. People unfamiliar with him wouldn't notice the change, but I could see it clearly.

Afterward, he started talking a little more.

“It looks like you’re not taking advantage of your talents, you troublemaker. Your role isn’t to fight the monsters head-on,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“What are you talking about?!” Lim Chae-Ryeong shouted.

“

Whoo…

”

“What is it?! You need to explain better so that I can understand,” Lim Chae-Ryeong exclaimed.

He would talk to Lim Chae-Ryeong during a hunt or training.

“The Fallen King’s Tomb is just a Level 3 dungeon. Even if the undead monsters are equipped with weapons from the Golden Civilization era, it doesn’t change the fact that this is still a Level 3 dungeon,” Woo Hyo-Yeol explained.

“…”

“Pathetic,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

Naturally, the silence lasted longer.

As usual, I was the one leading the expedition, but Woo Hyo-Yeol would join the conversation and speak more frequently. He seemed pretty engaged when we were testing out a new formation, and I was surprised when he started commenting on the party members' equipment.

Just like now...

“It’s too weak.”

“Are you going to nag again?” Lim Chae-Ryeong complained.

“I'm saying that your equipment is too weak. There’s no rule saying that rogues can’t equip shields.

“Especially for someone as inexperienced as you, a small shield might actually be good for you. And you, the priest, the same goes for you,” Woo Hyo-Yeol explained.

“Me?”

“Nam Goong-whatever-your-name-is. Yeah, you. You should also consider equipping a shield. The mage over there is fine without it, but your spell-casting speed is too slow.

"If you enter a Level 4 dungeon, you won’t be able to cast your spells properly. If you make a mistake, you’re the one who's going to die,” Woo Hyo-Yeol warned.

“…”

“You should at least prepare a way to defend yourself,” Woo Hyo-Yeol added.

“Thanks… for the advice,” Nam Goong-Seon mumbled.

“I only said it because I simply couldn’t ignore it,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

Regardless of his intentions, it was clear that Woo Hyo-Yeol was interested in turning this party into a proper party.

“

Ugh…

do you agree, Mr. Lee Ki-Young?” Lim Chae-Ryeong asked.

“Yes. I actually heard that rearguards are starting to equip basic defensive equipment these days as part of a growing trend. This applies to you, Miss Lim Chae-Ryeong, since you fight as a vanguard.

"Later on, once your level increases, you might not need the basic defensive equipment at all, but for now, having one will definitely help,” I answered.

“But still, a rogue with a shield?

Ugh…

” Lim Chae-Ryeong grumbled.

“A small, palm-sized shield should be enough to start with,” I recommended.

“Well, if it’s that small…” Lim Chae-Ryeong mumbled.

“How about we test it in the next stone chamber? Mr. Woo Hyo-Yeol will not be attending,” I informed them.

“Whaaat? But isn’t the next one the first boss room?” Lim Chae-Ryeong asked.

“I told you that this was just a Level 3 dungeon, troublemaker. You’re not fighting a dungeon master but a mini boss in the dungeon, so if you’re afraid of that…” Woo Hyo-Yeol trailed off.

“Who said I'm scared?! I’m only Level 2, so I'm wondering if it's even possible,” Lim Chae-Ryeong argued.

“Did you forget who the party’s vanguard is?” Woo Hyo-Yeol asked.

Lim Chae-Ryeong quietly looked at Raymond Bolt—a Level 4 warrior and a veteran who had survived countless life-or-death battles.

Although he was no longer on the front lines due to his advanced age, his experience and his title as a Level 4 warrior still made him powerful.

He had a massive physique, sculpted by decades of rigorous strength training. Despite being equipped with heavy armor, a large crossbow, and an even larger shield, he showed no signs of fatigue.

He looked as if he were wearing everyday clothes.

I was sure Woo Hyo-Yeol had already realized it. He had to have realized that I hadn't brought Raymond Bolt here because he was the senior member of the party. Actually, anyone with eyes would be able to see that.

‘A pretty experienced veteran among veterans.’

He was a bit smaller, but he was a perfectly balanced tank.

His high sense of strategy was something even I couldn’t help but acknowledge.

“I’ll leave it to you, Grandpa,” I said.

“Hahaha,” Raymond laughed.

“…”

“Haha… well then, let’s see if I still got it,” Raymond said.

[You have encountered the king's knight, Hartel Herich, the first boss of the Fallen King's Tomb.]

A giant bolt from a massive crossbow was shot, signaling the start of the battle. It struck the knight's shoulder plate, and a

crack

echoed as the javelin shattered it, piercing the knight.