Chapter 1353. Visit (3)

“...”

“...”

“Mr. Ki-Young?” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“Oppa!”

The first one to rush toward him was Kim Ye-Ri.

“Guild Master!”

Then, Jo Hye-Jin rushed toward Kim Hyun-Sung as well.

The other guild members also showed obvious delight on their faces. It was only natural. Some unavoidable circumstances forced them apart, but they still spent a long time together, sharing joys and hardships.

On the continent, they were close enough to consider each other family. Of course, Kim Hyun-Sung was the one who had chosen to distance himself, and all the guild members had agreed with his decision.

However, just because they agreed with his decision didn't mean that they no longer cared about him. Everyone had been cheering for him and had been missing him.

“Bro, you look great. Seems like life’s been treating you well, huh?” Park Deok-Gu greeted.

‘Yeah, damn it. He really does look good. This bastard.’

“Been taking it too easy all by yourself, haven’t you?” Park Deok-Gu asked jokingly.

“

Ha... hahaha...

Mr. Deok-Gu, you haven’t changed a bit,” Kim Hyun-Sung laughed.

“I-It’s been a while, Hyun-Sung oppa,” Jung Ha-Yan greeted.

“It has, Miss Ha-Yan. Have you been well?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

“Guild Master, have you been doing well?” Sun Hee- Young asked.

“I've been doing well, Miss Hee-Young,” Kim Hyun-Sung answered.

All the guild members gathered around him. When Park Deok-Gu laughed heartily and patted Kim Hyun-Sung on the shoulder, Hyun-Sung revealed an awkward smile and scratched his cheek.

“You look well. I’m glad,” Elena commented.

“Yes, you, too...” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

Kim Hyun-Sung calmly exchanged words with each of them, looking as composed and dignified as possible.

“Guild Master, this is a gift,” Alps said.

“Thank you,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

He accepted Alps' gift and patted Kim Ye-Ri’s head. Realizing she had overreacted, Ye-Ri blushed and backed away with her usual blank expression, but she clearly still enjoyed his touch, which was proven by how she stayed within a comfortable distance from him.

What was a bit unexpected was that Lee Chang-Ryeol and Park Lian were still slightly wary of him. Considering what had happened in Rohen, it was understandable, but such caution probably wasn’t good for Kim Hyun-Sung’s mental state.

When he glanced at Lee Chang-Ryeol and shook his head, Lee Chang-Ryeol finally relaxed.

When Kim Hyun-Sung began walking his way toward me, the guild members bombarding him with questions finally stepped back.

“Mr. Ki-Young,” Kim Hyun-Sung greeted.

I finally managed to take another look at him. His face seemed to be smiling more brightly than usual. A light breeze blew in, making his hair flutter.

'Is he filming a soda commercial or something?'

If I were planning an ad, I would hire him as the model no matter what. Seeing him smiling amidst the green meadow made me think that way. His slightly hesitant look and the way he was surrounded by his comrades looked picturesque.

'Or maybe like a coming-of-age type drama or something.'

Meanwhile, Kim Hyun-Sung was hesitating to come this way.

The one who finally gave the regressor a push was that sly, grinning pig.

“What are you doing, man?”

“...”

“Not going to say hello?” Park Deok-Gu asked.

“Ah...”

‘Yeah, damn it, hurry up and come. You’re the one who should come to me, not the other way around.’

At that comment, Kim Hyun-Sung gathered his courage, nodded, and began walking forward with firm steps. Perhaps it was because it had been so long, but he looked strangely awkward.

Still, his familiar stride told me that he was still the same old Kim Hyun-Sung.

“...”

“...”

He walked over and stopped right in front of me.

“So... Mr. Ki-Young...” Kim Hyun-Sung mumbled.

“...”

“...”

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” I asked.

‘Why are you acting so awkward?’

He definitely seemed more cautious than usual. It made sense, as he had been holed up here because he was afraid of possibly hurting me. I could understand that, but even so, he was

too

careful.

Hence, the distance between us felt greater than what it actually was.

He seemed wary of getting too excited or making another ridiculous mistake like last time. Even though his mental state had improved, it seemed like his communication issues hadn’t quite gone away.

When I saw him fidgeting, I reached out toward him.

Kim Hyun-Sung smiled and grabbed my hand.

‘Let’s hug as well and not only do a handshake.’

The height difference made it awkward, but I could feel how relieved he was.

It could be a short while or a long while, depending on one's perspective, but either way, our bond hadn’t changed. The hardships we’d been through together and the connection we built based on them... it was still there.

Kim Hyun-Sung seemed satisfied just knowing that our bond hadn’t changed.

“Yes. It’s really been a long time, Mr. Ki-Young,” Kim Hyun-Sung answered.

“How have you been?” I asked.

“As I mentioned in the letters I sent from time to time—”

“It must’ve been boring,” I interrupted him.

“I’m not sure if ‘boring’ is the right word. Of course, I was lonely, but... it wasn’t such a bad time. It was a period of reflection, after all. I’d been working nonstop since then, so I thought I needed time like this at least once.

"How about you, Mr. Ki-Young?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

“Well... you know....” I mumbled.

“Hey, bros. I get that you’ve got a lot to catch up on after so long, but spare a thought for the rest of us, will you? You too, hyung-nim!” the pig shouted, chiming in.

“

Hahaha

... yeah, you’re right,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

‘Yeah, there’ll be other chances to talk.’

It was just like Park Deok-Gu said. Everyone had gathered here, after all.

“Alright then, let’s hurry up and get ready to eat. I’m starving over here,” Park Deok-Gu said.

It seemed that was his real goal, after all. I nodded slightly in agreement with his words, and everyone moved in perfect sync.

When Han Sora stretched out her hand, a table and neatly stacked dishes appeared in midair. Next to her, Jung Ha-Yan was quietly trying to assist, but she looked awkward, and there was no hiding it.

Apparently, she was more of a hindrance than a help, and it was proven by how Han Sora decided to stop her from doing anything.

“P-please just sit down, Miss Jung Ha-Yan,” Han Sora stuttered.

“I-I can help too,” Jung Ha-Yan insisted.

“It’s fine. Chang-Ryeol oppa will help me,” Han Sora told her.

“

Uh...

o-okay,” Jung Ha-Yan said.

“Please stay with the Sub Guild Master,” Han Sora told her.

“I-is that really okay?” Jung Ha-Yan asked.

“Yes,” Han Sora answered.

In the end, Han Sora rejected Jung Ha-Yan’s help. While Jung Ha-Yan clung to me, chatting about this and that, I saw the guild members moving around.

Just as Han Sora said, Lee Chang-Ryeol was helping her set up the table in the middle of the meadow, while Alps and Belier were nearby, looking restless and unsure of what to do.

It was a sight to see things appear one by one in a place where there had been nothing at all. The once-empty meadow was turning into something that resembled a high-class outdoor restaurant.

A makeshift kitchen was set up, and everyone naturally fell into their roles. It almost felt like we were on an expedition. Of course, the dinner party being prepared under the lead of Sun Hee-Young was different from the ones we had held before, but it was clear that every guild member was genuinely enjoying themselves.

Hwang Jung-Yeon always loved to cook, and it was not strange that she had already claimed her spot in the temporary kitchen.

Surprisingly, even Colonel Smith put on an apron and was cooking alongside her. Their teamwork was surprisingly great. Park Deok-Gu volunteered to handle the meat with his own barbecue grill. He was sweating profusely as he placed some meat on it.

“You want to know something, bro? These days, our hyung-nim is crazy about hambier skewers,” Park Deok-Gu told him.

“

Huh?

You mean hambier skewers? Mr. Ki-Young is?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

“Yeah, I’m telling the truth. At first I didn’t get what the big deal was, but man, the taste is out of this world. It became a huge hit at Stragglers’ Lane in Lindel. A massive hit. You’d love it if you tried it too, I’m sure of it,” Park Deok-Gu said.

‘This guy’s really talking nonsense again.’

𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Of course, not everyone was busy doing something productive.

“Guild Master, can we fish in that lake over there?” Ahn Ki-Mo asked.

“Yes, Mr. Ki-Mo. We usually...”

“

Ah

, then how about we go fishing right now, Guild Master?” Ahn Ki-Mo suggested.

“...What?”

“Well, we did bring ingredients with us, but nothing beats something caught fresh on-site, wouldn’t you agree?

Hahaha

. Fresh fish, imagine that...” Ahn Ki-Mo said.

“...”

“Mr. Ahn Ki-Mo.” Sun Hee-Young called out.

“Miss Sun Hee-Young?” Ahn Ki-Mo said.

“I have a separate task for you. Please come this way,” Sun Hee-Young told him.

“O-okay,” he answered.

Of course, what awaited the poor guy was the most difficult job of all. It couldn't be helped. He was already in Sun Hee-Young's grasp, after all.

‘What, is she planning a bonfire or something?’

Grunting and struggling, Ahn Ki-Mo was hauling massive rocks and logs to make something far too large to be called a campfire.

Belier and Alps quietly moved closer, but they still looked restless and unsure. Even so, Sun Hee-Young refused to let the rookies take on any of the work. They had grown far too much to be called rookies anymore, but her nature wouldn’t allow her to assign them any tasks.

‘That looks seriously uncomfortable...’

Wouldn’t it be easier to just make them fight monsters instead? They seemed to be thinking that they ought to

do something

, so they were moving about restlessly, but there was nothing they could easily help with and no good way to step in.

In the end, all they could do was shuffle around helplessly, watching their seniors hard at work. Even Jo Hye-Jin, who usually took good care of Alps, was busy manning the barbecue grill with Park Deok-Gu.

Meanwhile, Elena hummed cheerfully as she meticulously made a salad. It wasn’t exactly a

work

atmosphere. It was more like a cheerful camping scene, but still, there was no way those two rookies felt at ease.

Eventually, they clung to Yoo Ah-Young, who was carrying a huge barrel of liquor, and they practically begged her for something to do. After being assigned to move bottles of alcohol, they got so nervous that they dropped a bottle on the ground.

Naturally, Sun Hee-Young’s cold gaze fell upon them.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” the girls shouted.

‘That was expensive...’

Of course, Sun Hee-Young didn’t scold them aloud. It was supposed to be a fun occasion, after all. She just sighed deeply and walked past them, but Belier already looked completely shattered.

“Here, try this,” Kim Ye-Ri said.

In the end, Alps was assigned as Kim Ye-Ri’s personal food taster.

Of course, Shiro looked extremely happy with the role.

“Hey! Bring the seasoning over here! Quick, quick! Speed is key!” Park Deok-Gu shouted.

Park Lian dashed forward.

“

Um

... c-could someone please help me over here?” Ahn Ki-Mo asked weakly. He was still struggling with his grueling task. It would be strange if he weren't struggling. After all, he was by himself.

“

Oh

, this is so good! Even though I made it myself...” Hwang Jung-Yeon remarked. She was chatting with Colonel Smith.

Everyone was taking turns saying something to Kim Hyun-Sung. He wasn’t exactly working in one spot, but he was moving around, talking with everyone. At one point, he stood with Park Deok-Gu in front of the barbecue grill, asking about the hambier skewers. Then, he walked over to Jo Hye-Jin, asking her about everything that had happened in the world while he was away.

He had a bite of the ambitious dish Kim Ye-Ri had made, eliciting an awkward smile to tug at his lips. Afterward, he walked over to Elena and handed her a bottle of salad dressing before asking about the Kingdom of Everia.

It seemed that his connection with Colonel Smith was basically nonexistent, as he merely nodded at him. When it came to Park Lian and Lee Chang-Ryeol, however, he had a long conversation with them. He was probably asking about what had happened to me while he was away.

‘Yeah, it really has been a long time.’

It was an unfamiliar yet familiar sight.

“...”

“Y-You look happy, O-Oppa...” Jung Ha-Yan commented.

“...”

“...”

“Yeah. I am,” I replied.