Chapter 1150. The Unavoidable Cliche of Splitting Up to Pursue Individual Goals (1)

I decided to change my outfit, as it was the easiest way to show that I had overcome my sadness and had grown mentally to the next level.

Normally, I’d change my hairstyle as well, but all I could do was get a trim. No matter what anyone was going to say, changing one’s appearance was important if one wanted to show that one had overcome grief and sadness.

I got rid of all the gear that could remind people of the naive Flower Ki-Young. I equipped myself with items used by typical mercenary priests to show that I was going to start anew.

Of course, I couldn’t forget Raymond Bolt’s inheritance. I couldn’t forget the cheap necklace of unknown origin. The necklace hanging around my neck showed that I wasn’t going to forget his sacrifice.

‘This... This is what’s important.’

Overall...

‘It’s not so bad...’

It wasn’t too fancy, and it felt like the necklace stood out as the focal point.

The necklace could be seen even from afar.

Contrary to its simple design, the robe's inner pockets offered plenty of extra space, making it perfect for storing miscellaneous things. Our most recent dungeon raid was a success, so I managed to get pretty fancy items, along with a robe.

‘I didn’t go overboard with this, right?’

Of course not.

Changing my appearance was necessary to show that I was no longer sad.

“...”

“...”

“It looks like you managed to overcome your sadness,” William mumbled upon seeing me.

After looking at him sternly, I said, “Honestly, I feel like I haven’t. Whenever I think about Grandpa Raymond, I still... feel sad... I still feel like falling apart... but I can’t keep feeling down.”

“...”

“I showed a pretty disgraceful side of myself... and didn’t thank you for the things you’ve done... Thank you very much for taking care of me, Mr. William,” I said.

“It’s fine,” he said.

“Regarding the offer you made, I don’t think I can accept it. I know I should be grateful for even receiving an offer like that, but...” I paused.

“

Ah!

You don’t have to worry too much. I am kind of disappointed... but I expected this kind of response... If you had accepted my offer, I would have kept questioning myself if I had made the right choice by offering it to you,” William explained.

Yeah, like he said, a warm environment didn't suit Flower Ki-Young at all.

Rather than being displayed in a display case, I had to live in the wild. I was a wildflower, after all.

‘Will... you noticed. I didn't even have to explain it to you.’

William's assumption was exactly the image I wanted to create for myself.

“I’m actually relieved that it turned out this way... so you don’t have to worry too much,” William reassured me.

“I feel kind of relieved hearing you say that. I was worried that I was being too rude...” I revealed.

“That’s not the case. You're not part of our

familia,

but you’re a member of our

family.

I want you to feel more at ease here. Consider this as a house you can return to any time you wish and a place you can rest,” William offered.

‘You...’

I saw Will smiling quietly. I smiled back upon seeing his genuine smile.

I wanted to ask if he could share the goods that were in the safe, but for now, I had to say something else.

“There’s actually something I want to tell you. I actually feel bad because the request I’m about to make is a shameless request,” I warned him.

“Pardon? What do you...”

“Actually...”

Just then, I saw some people outside.

“Sir!”

“Mr. Lee Ki-Young.”

‘Oh, you guys are here.’

They were Lim Chae-Ryeong and Nam Goong-Seon. They sounded extremely happy to see me, and it was actually hard to believe that we had met each other recently. Of course, I didn’t question the sight, as it was all part of Raymond Bolt’s legacy.

‘We experienced the same pain and felt the same sadness together.’

I wouldn’t say that they were overly energetic, but I could tell that they were trying hard not to show their sadness. They also managed to overcome their pain.

Obviously, they changed gears and were now equipped with items they had obtained from the dungeon raid as well as from the Flower and Fertility Familia.

However, the look in their eyes was more impressive than their equipment.

They no longer looked like rookie adventurers.

‘Pain is needed for growth.’

And I wasn’t talking about their levels or stats...

They had the winner’s mentality—I could tell that they had grown mentally.

‘They’re even asking me if I’m okay.’

“I’m glad to see that you've recovered, Miss Chae-Ryeong and Miss Goong-Seon...” I greeted.

“Of course! My health is my greatest asset. I think I've fully recovered, Mr. Ki-Young. I don’t have any issues moving around now,” Lim Chae-Ryeong said.

“It’s thanks to the people in the Flower and Fertility Familia...” Nam Goong-Seon said.

“So what’s next? Hurry up and tell us!” Lim Chae-Ryeong asked.

‘Why is she in such a hurry? She wants to know my next plan already.’

Still, I liked that she was motivated.

Woo Hyo-Yeol was actually leaning on the wall with his arms crossed, watching us from the sidelines. “

Hmph.

”

No Dam-Hye was no longer questioning why she was here, while Ha-Yan was seated quietly. Now that all the party members were here, it was time for me to apologize. It seemed like no one wanted to bring it up, but I couldn’t keep ignoring it.

“First, I’d like to apologize to all of you,” I said.

“...”

“...”

“

Huh?

What do you...”

“It’s regarding the incident that happened before coming here. It was clearly my mistake,” I clarified.

“Th-That wasn’t your fault, Mr. Lee Ki-Young. That was... an unavoidable... accident... right?” Nam Goong-Seon asked.

“Regardless of the reason behind it, the commander is to be blamed for an operation's failure. I thought I knew all of you well, but that wasn’t the case. I didn't consider your stamina and mental health when I ordered you around,” I said.

“No, that’s not—”

“It’s also my fault that we lost Grandpa Raymond. Had I been paying closer attention, we would have escaped Harizel without sacrificing anyone,” I interrupted her.

The party members were at a loss for words upon hearing my stern words.

When Nam Goong-Seon tried to say something, I quickly cut her off.

“Also... I promise never to let something like this happen again.”

“...”

“No matter what. I won’t make the same mistake again,” I promised.

“...”

“...” “

Hmph

. You look a lot better than before,” Woo Hyo-Yeol commented.

“...”

“You’re a little bit more useful now,” Woo Hyo-Yeol added.

“

Geez

, you could’ve said it more nicely. You always have to say it so rudely to make yourself feel better. Hyo-Yeol oppa is already—”

“Since when did I become your oppa?” Woo Hyo-Yeol interrupted her.

“It happened yesterday. Yesterday,” Lim Chae-Ryeong answered.

“You’re the one who told us that we're going to get busy starting tomorrow once Mr. Ki-Young has recovered. You see, Hyo-Yeol oppa borrowed a party house yesterday,” Lim Chae-Ryeong revealed.

‘What?’

“Nonsense. I simply borrowed a small mansion. Our belongings have been piling up for no reason, so I wanted to find a place where we could put our stuff,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“Yeah, right...” Lim Chae-Ryeong scoffed.

“More importantly, I thought we needed a place to do your training. We needed a place to focus on your poor weapon technique and find ways to improve it. If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn’t have a reason to borrow a mansion with a training hall,” Woo Hyo-Yeol explained.

“Mr. Hyo-Yeol, you have a tendency... to be dishonest from time to time,” Nam Goong-Seon remarked.

“...”

Perhaps it was just me, but even Nam Goong-Seon seemed to be scolding him.

“The management of the party house was given to the children from the orphanage.

Hehe

...” Nam Goong-Seon added.

“

Hmph

. I mentioned this yesterday, didn’t I? I just didn’t like seeing those brats eating and playing around without contributing anything. Also, let me say this again. This isn’t a party house. All I did was borrow a mansion,” Woo Hyo-Yeol reminded us.

‘Raymond Bolt really influenced him a lot.’

I felt like Woo Hyo-Yeol would become an even better person if we were to gather three or four more veteran warriors and send them to the afterlife.

If we were to send a hundred more people to the afterlife, I felt like he would easily save Rohen.

The situation was

that

surprising.

He said he had rented a place, but the fact that he hired staff members from this place meant he was forming a permanent party or even a familia. It was such a big change that I questioned whether he was the same Woo Hyo-Yeol who hated being locked up or tied down.

“It’s cheap labor. It’s perfect for this party since our situation isn’t the greatest right now,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“But...”

“I won’t talk about this anymore. Don’t we have more important things to worry about?” he asked.

“What?”

“I don’t want to repeat what that troublemaker said, but it’s regarding our next move,” Woo Hyo-Yeol clarified.

‘Yeah, that is important. I was actually going to talk about it.’

“The most important thing is the party’s growth. Dungeon raids, hunting named monsters, and taking on high-level quests. If there’s a way to grow, we have to do it. We can’t be picky about it. And...” I trailed off.

“...”

“Miss Ha-Yan and I won’t participate in any expeditions for the next three months,” I announced.

There was a moment of silence.

As expected, I heard a certain someone's voice not long after.

“What did you say?” Woo Hyo-Yeol asked.

‘This jerk looks anxious.’

“I was about to say that to Mr. William. I’m sorry for having to say it to you like this,” I said.

“

Ah

, so the request you wanted to make earlier,” William said.

“That’s right. Miss Ha-Yan and I will leave the party and work on the front line with the Flower and Fertility Familia for the time being,” I requested.

“Are you crazy?” Woo Hyo-Yeol questioned.

“No one is saying anything about it, but it’s related to the angels we encountered. They clearly called me their father. Did you guys not hear them say that?” I asked.

“...”

“I don’t know why, but they called me 'father,' and they were apparently looking for me,” I said.

“...”

“Time is short, but I still want to uncover the secret behind it. More importantly, if I work with you, I’ll most likely run into them again. I can’t become a burden to a party that has to grow as fast as possible. I should be able to grab their attention, and all of you will have an easier time growing stronger,” I explained.

“That’s...”

“The second reason is that I realized my shortcomings. I...” I paused.

“...”

“I need experience,” I explained.

“What?”

“I need experience so that I won't make the same mistake again. I need to be more logical and more level-headed. I need to be able to make reasonable decisions no matter the situation I’m in, and I must not waver as well.

"I... can’t learn that while in this party,” I added.

“What are you talking about?” Woo Hyo-Yeol asked.

“It’s exactly as I said,” I replied.

'Hyo-Yeol, you’re not... upset, are you?'

“I need experience,” I repeated.

'You’re not feeling hurt by this... are you?'