Chapter 1177. Lead and Supporting Roles (2)

“

Ah!

” Jung Ha-Yan exclaimed, and I saw her running toward Nam Goong-Seon and Lim Chae-Ryeong. Lim Chae-Ryeong seemed kind of scared of Jung Ha-Yan, but Nam Goong-Seon seemed happy to see her.

What surprised me was her attitude toward Nam Goong-Seon. Perhaps she reminded Jung Ha-Yan of her older sister back on Earth, but she seemed to like her. She didn’t jump into her arms like she would do with me or Han Sora, but...

“I-I-It’s been a while...” Jung Ha-Yan greeted.

“Yes, it really has been a while,” Nam Goong-Seon greeted back.

I was surprised to see Jung Ha-Yan walking toward her in a hurry and lowering her head before talking to her as if she were shy.

Nam Goong-Seon didn’t seem to have any intentions of pushing her away. Instead, she patted Jung Ha-Yan's head and hugged her as if she was looking out for her.

“Mr. Lee Ki-Young, have you been doing well too?” Nam Goong-Seon asked.

“Hope you’ve been well, Mr. Ki-Young,” Lim Chae-Ryeong said.

“Yes, I’ve been doing well, Miss Seon and Miss Chae-Ryeong,” I replied.

‘I wonder if Nam Goong-Seon is the same age as Ha-Yan’s older sister.’

I wasn’t sure, but I had a feeling they were around the same age.

Jung Ha-Yan didn’t really like talking about her family, so I never really asked for the details, but before she was abandoned, I heard her oldest sister had taken on the role of her parents. Perhaps they were similar, as even in my eyes, Nam Goong-Seon looked like a warm, caring guardian.

“A-About my friend S-S-Sora I told you about last time...” Jung Ha-Yan said.

“Yes, I remember.

Oh!

Can we meet her? I’m excited!” Nam Goong-Seon said.

“Yeah, I-I’ll introduce you to her... S-Sora. C-Can you come over here?” she asked.

“Okay, Miss Jung Ha-Yan,” Han Sora answered.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Miss Jung Ha-Yan. I’m Nam Goong-Seon,” she said, introducing herself.

“I’m... Han Sora. We were best friends before we came here... Anyway, it’s nice to meet you,” Han Sora greeted her.

I thought they’d have some sort of connection, but that didn’t seem to be the case. I could see Han Sora’s eyes narrowing, and I saw her quietly pulling Jung Ha-Yan toward her...

It was like she was trying to figure out what kind of person Nam Goong-Seon was. Considering the fact that there had been countless people trying to make use of Jung Ha-Yan, her reaction was to be expected, but...

‘That seems a bit too careless.’

I had taken my time picking them out.

“I heard a lot about you as well... Could I ask how you met Miss Jung Ha-Yan?” Nam Goong-Seon asked.

‘She’s being too overprotective.’

“So...” Han Sora started.

“Funny how you two met,” Nam Goong-Seon interrupted her.

“Yes, it was a... coincidence,” Han Sora mumbled.

It was clear that Han Sora was gathering information about how they met or what she did, but there was no need for me to feel bothered about it.

Moreover, I was busy dealing with Lim Chae-Ryeong.

“You are listening to me, right?” Lim Chae-Ryeong asked.

“Yes,” I answered.

“So we entered two dungeons. I can’t count how many times we went out to hunt... We just ended up sleeping outside. No! We didn’t even have time to sleep. He was really pushing us to our limits... I actually missed you, Mr. Lee Ki-Young.

"

Ah!

By the way, I saw it! The mainstream event, Army of the Forsaken Saint! You were the first one to clear it! You’re really amazing,” Lim Chae-Ryeong said.

“...”

“We had another raid scheduled, but after seeing that, Hyo-Yeol oppa suggested we head to Saint Bell right away. He looked so nervous, but he didn't know that. He’s not honest with his feelings...” Lim Chae-Ryeong revealed.

“Stop talking nonsense, you idiot,” Woo Hyo-Yeol joined in.

“Nagging as always,” she said.

“

Hahaha

...” I laughed.

“I get exhausted physically, but dealing with that personality of his is the most difficult thing to do ever,” Lim Chae-Ryeong complained.

“

Haha...

”

“But still... the result was pretty good,” Lim Chae-Ryeong added.

“...”

“What do you think, Mr. Lee Ki-Young?” Lim Chae-Ryeong asked.

“Pardon?” I asked.

“Do you think we’ve gotten a little stronger?” Lim Chae-Ryeong asked.

“...”

“...”

Her question made me raise my head to look at her.

I had actually looked at everyone’s stats before we left each other's side, and...

‘I can see that she has grown a lot stronger.’

I was honestly kind of surprised.

I disliked the fact that she was stuck at Level 3, but...

‘She intentionally refused to level up.’

She was like a weaker version of Woo Hyo-Yeol.

Of course, there was a huge difference between the two, but just like how Swordsman Kim Hyun-Sung and Assassin Kim Ye-Ri had a similar combat style, Woo Hyo-Yeol seemed to have had a huge influence on Lim Chae-Ryeong.

𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

I never really wanted to be blunt, but... if I were to evaluate how much she had grown, I'd say she was good enough to join the Black Swan Guild. Of course, I wasn’t overevaluating her abilities.

She was still young, and she had the potential to grow stronger, but the stats I was seeing weren't so bad. I liked her combat prowess, but I also liked the fact that she had skills that were often found on rangers, such as tracking and erasing traces.

“

Hehe

, I see that you’re surprised. It turns out I do have some talent, after all,” Lim Chae-Ryeong said.

“...”

Of course, she wasn’t good enough to move up to Tier 2.

Belier, the newest member of the Blue Guild, was recruited because of her natural talent and instincts, but the problem was that she never really had the chance to show her potential.

There was such a huge difference between them that I felt bad about comparing the two, but...

‘There’s no guarantee that she can’t be better than Belier.’

While the Blue Guild could easily handle a rare and unique job like Belier’s Magic Fist Fighter, most guilds, including the Black Swan Guild, would probably prefer a more conventional adventurer like Lim Chae-Ryeong.

“

Ah

, tell me already! What do you think?” Lim Chae-Ryeong asked again.

“You’ve changed a lot to the point that I’m kind of surprised,” I answered.

“I knew it! But there’s something even more surprising. Have you heard? Dam-Hye unni finally changed jobs as well! She even reached Level 5!” Lim Chae-Ryeong revealed.

“...”

“What was her job again...” Lim Chae-Ryeong mumbled.

No Dam-Hye, who was quiet all this time, chimed in.

“

Ah...

so... hold on. It was the Bard of Melodies.”

‘Yeah, you never really stood out, to be honest.’

Although she had a non-combatant job, she had always been a Level 5 adventurer, and her talent in magic surpassed most talented people. If I could just replace her starving musical GENIUS and give her a combat job, she could climb her way up on her own.

“I think I can... cast buffs... on you now,” No Dam-Hye added.

“That’s good news,” I told her.

“I’ve been feeling bad... because I wasn’t good at anything... so I’m glad I can start helping out...” No Dam-Hye mumbled.

“It’s amazing. Whenever Dam-Hye unni starts singing, there's always this surge of energy, and she can even heal my wounds. On top of that, she put the monsters to sleep... Honestly, it’s thanks to her that I was able to get through the tough raid schedule. You know, right?” Lim Chae-Ryeong explained.

‘Know what?’

“Even potions and holy power can't get rid of fatigue, but Dam-Hye unni’s spells can actually do that. How do you think we were able to keep going without getting any sleep?” Lim Chae-Ryeong asked.

'Yeah, I got it.'

“Of course, it’s also because of our passion and the will to keep going!” Lim Chae-Ryeong shouted.

It seemed that she had become more talkative in the meantime. Woo Hyo-Yeol had to have become used to it because he took out a pair of earplugs, plugged them into his ears, leaned on a pillar while crossing his arms.

“What about Miss Seon?” I asked.

“

Ah!

Regarding unni!”

While I let Lim Chae-Ryeong’s voice go in through one ear and out the other, I turned to look at the last remaining individual.

“What else is there to say about her? I can’t even beat her anymore, despite having a melee job...” Lim Chae-Ryeong mumbled.

‘She’s the most surprising.’

I already expected it, but it seemed like focusing on being a holy knight before leaving wasn’t a bad decision.

Her holy power wasn't enough for her to become a priest, so rather than keep attempting to increase that lackluster stat, it was better to focus on her other stats, and it truly led to a decent outcome.

Her Stamina, Strength, and Agility had increased significantly.

I could no longer see her poor equipment.

“Also, this is a secret... but I think Hyo-Yeol oppa likes her,” Lim Chae-Ryeong revealed.

“It’s not even worth responding to,” Woo Hyo-Yeol commented.

“What? I know I’m right! Who wouldn’t notice when you’re making it so obvious? You kept swapping her equipment! And you even got her a really good job! I’m still a Level 3 Dagger Rogue! Unni is a Level 4 Mysterious Holy Knight!” Lim Chae-Ryeong complained.

“I simply gave her equipment because she needed it the most,” Woo Hyo-Yeol told her.

“Even if that’s the case, it’s a huge difference,” Lim Chae-Ryeong said.

“I’m sure I told you that I would reward you based on your efforts, and in my eyes, she was working the hardest,” Woo Hyo-Yeol argued.

‘Why did he plug those earplugs if he was going to listen in anyway? He’s...’

I saw Nam Goong-Seon lowering her head slightly as if she was embarrassed.

‘Yeah, I can see it.’

'Just how hard you worked...'

I was not saying that Lim Chae-Ryeong and No Dam-Hye hadn't worked hard, but I could tell that Nam Goong-Seon had been working harder than the two.

Her hands, which had no calluses the last time I saw them, were now wrapped tightly in bandages. There were scars on her face as well. If I had seen her in this state the first time we met, I would’ve mistaken her for a veteran mercenary.

Obviously, I knew why she had been working so hard.

“I’m sure grandpa will be surprised as well,” I said.

It was because of

his

sacrifice.

“It seemed like yesterday when he offered to teach me how to use a shield...” Nam Goong-Seon said.

“You’re right...” I mumbled.

The mood instantly became gloomy. Everyone would never forget what happened that day, and they would also never forget the old warrior’s sacrifice.

The old warrior brought us together and gave us the courage to step into the outside world,

‘He’s probably doing well, right?’

“...”

“...”

“Hey! Stop being so gloomy! It’s been a while since we saw each other! Let’s talk about Gramps later and catch up for now. I’m exhausted since we ran all the way here as soon as the expedition was over.

"Let’s eat... or should we get a drink together? Maybe it’s too early to drink,” Lim Chae-Ryeong suggested.

“

Hmph

, you’re talking without a care in the world,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

“You’re always picking on me. Only me!” Lim Chae-Ryeong complained.

“We can catch up later,” Woo Hyo-Yeol told her.

“...”

Woo Hyo-Yeol looked at me quietly and asked, "Do you think..."

“Yes?”

“Do you think we finally reached the standards you had in mind?"

‘So he’s been thinking about what I told him before we left each other's side.’

It felt like I had no choice but to nod, so I nodded slightly.

I saw a tiny smile tugging at his lips.

“In that case, sign us up for the expedition,” Woo Hyo-Yeol said.

‘You sign up, you jerk.’

“Okay!” I answered. Of course, I answered energetically and nodded to keep up with my image as Flower Ki-Young.

However, I became hesitant when I heard his next question.

“Also...”

“Yes?”

“Where’s William?” Woo Hyo-Yeol asked.

“Why are you suddenly—”

“That’s none of your business. Just tell me where he is,” Woo Hyo-Yeol interrupted me.

Perhaps he thought he had gotten stronger and wanted to take this opportunity for a rematch to settle the score from back then...

‘But he’s just going to beat you again...’

He still wasn’t strong enough to face William, who had gone through more than five hundred regressions. William could now draw a crimson flower using nothing but his sword.

‘He can draw a crimson flower using nothing but his sword, damn it.’