Chapter 626: Continent’s Real Darkness (2)

“Vice Guild Master? Are you awake? Vice Guild… Master?”

“Why… are you holding my hand?”

“Who… Who… Who’s holding your hand?”

“I’m not dead… Calm down.”

“…”

“Hyejin, are you crying right now?”

“You’re playing around… Stop joking around. Why would you prank me right now?”

“No, who said that I was playing a prank? I’m just telling you the truth.”

“Last time too… Didn’t you make fun of me like that? I didn’t cry. So… don’t say that.”

‘If I really decided to mess with you, I wouldn’t stop here.’

I remembered what she just said to Raphael.

‘What do you know?’

and…

‘Don’t tarnish his pride.’

‘Ahh… Hyejin, sh*t… Hyejin… I didn’t expect you to think that much about me, man.’

The scene was so great it almost made me burst into tears.

My face even turned red while I was lying still.

I was pretty sure that was the final blow I needed for that project. Of course, it was the biggest crisis ever…

I had long thought of the idea of building a beautiful friendship with Cho Hyejin, but at that moment, our friendship was complete.

Of course, I felt a little sorry that I had to bring Cho Hyejin to the stage. However, it still made me smile warmly.

The most important thing in the Holy Sword project was realism. It was no exaggeration to say that Cho Hyejin actually saved the show.

‘What’s Raphael going to do now?’

I thought he was a wall that would be hard to take down, but look at how easily he fell.

When I remembered the voice of a man that burst into tears and called me Hyung, I felt like I was a fool for preparing so much.

‘I shouldn’t have asked you to prepare the Light Kiyoung card.’

Lee Jihye was interested in what I was doing and said that she would prepare something for it…

‘Well, whatever. All I need is a good result.’

It was a huge success.

He wasn’t aware of it, but he was suffering because of his own mistakes. Based on the response he showed at the end, I thought he would feel guilty for his actions sooner or later.

Of course, he wouldn’t reveal that he was a demonic contractor.

Still, it was undeniable that I would be surrounded with tears of sympathy.

From my perspective…

‘It would be better not to reveal anything.’

It was a lot easier to control someone who had a lot of burden on their mind.

Wouldn’t the fact that he partially disabled me make him feel guilty for the rest of his life? I thought I didn’t have to help him feel less guilty.

If he showed signs of confessing to me, it would be better to leave the site right away. His circumstance was different from the lovely regressor’s, after all.

It wouldn’t be a problem to smile if there were good results.

‘Phew… Phewhhh.’

I was finally done organizing things in my mind.

I wanted to make a toast, but I didn’t think my precious friend in front of me would allow it.

‘It’s so nice to see your face. It’s so heartwarming. Thank you, Hyejin. Seriously, your part played a big role. When you’re done with your busy work… I’ll utilize Cho Hyejin’s avatar again in your pursuit for Kim Hyunsung. It’s time for you to be rewarded.’

“Why are you laughing so unpleasantly?”

“It’s nothing. I just know I have someone to rely on now. I feel better. I’m a human being, too… I can be happy sometimes.”

“Your memories… Are they okay?”

“Yes, it doesn’t feel blank. I think I remember everything. Even the scene before I collapsed. Has it been a week since I woke up… Or something like that?”

“No, it’s been less than three hours. You don’t have to worry.”

“What about Raphael…?”

“I’m sorry.”

‘No, there’s nothing to be sorry about. Hyejin, you are incredibly responsible… Are you apologizing for breaking your promise? But there was nothing we could do about it, right?’

“He knows about me.”

“I’ve got a definite promise that he won’t say anything. Since he swore to the Holy Sword, nothing that you’re worried about will happen, but…”

“What?”

“How long are you going to hide it?”

“Haven’t we already had this conversation?”

“Don’t end the conversation as you please. I made it clear. I’ll report to the Guild Master as soon as anything serious happens to you.”

“Oh, is that so. I don’t remember it very well…”

“Don’t play around like that. I’m serious about this.”

‘Hyejin…’

“Since nothing serious has happened… You won’t tell him, right?”

“No, this is serious.”

“No, it’s not. I won’t deny that I had a little headache, but I woke up right away. There’s nothing wrong with my body and my head. I’ve been having a hard time lately, so I’m just a little tired. There’s a better way to handle this. I’ve been experiencing symptoms, but there’s nothing wrong with me. You don’t have to worry.”

“…”

‘I’m not lying.’

“I’m telling you. A bottle of fatigue recovery potion will solve everything!”

“You have a lot to say for a person that can’t live without the fatigue recovery potion. Anyway, I’m serious about this. This is the last time.”

“What?”

“I’m letting you off just this time.”

‘That’s good.’

“I assure you, if this happens again next time, I will inform the guild immediately. And I’m not sure if I can keep watching you, Vice Guild Master. I can’t stand it because I’m nervous. What would you do if you collapsed in my absence? What would you have done if an enemy confronted you while you’re weakened, and I wasn’t around? What if… what if…”

It wouldn’t happen. Cho Hyejin would’ve already calculated the time she would arrive at where I was by that point, and she would’ve already thought of all the possible

I wanted to refute that everything would be okay, but I thought it would be better to listen to Cho Hyejin for the time being.

I just had to be careful not to let that happen again.

If the others really found out, there could be a problem. Anyway, since there was nothing wrong with Benignore either, it was best to enjoy the moment.

“No matter how close Li-ahn is… This is too dangerous. If you’re on Earth in the same situation, they would have dissuaded you from doing dangerous activities. What more the continent? What if this happened while you’re in a situation where you’re riding a griffon or in the middle of a potion experiment? Even small activities can lead to a terrible accident. I hope that you don’t think being blacked out is a small deal, Vice Guild Master.”

“I understand. So… well, stop the nagging. Didn’t I tell you? I’m the one who takes care of myself better than anyone else.”

“Whoa… I know that, but… How… is there any improvement in the 5th District study? Are you sure it’s helping you? Do you think we should continue?”

“Yes, it’s better to do so. Don’t worry. Hyejin shouldn’t worry about someone like me.”

“Don’t say that. Do you think I enjoy worrying about you? Anyway… I think we’d better stay together for the day.”

“You’re not asking me out, are you?”

“You crazy bastard.”

“Don’t swear at me.”

“Don’t say anything offensive, then. I’ll cancel all my schedules today. I’ll call the Guild Master and come back to you.”

“…”

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m just telling him that I can’t make it back today.”

“Yes, if he’s worried about useless things, please tell him I’m going to see him soon.”

“Okay.”

After Cho Hyejin nodded slowly and went out of the room, I clenched my fists and celebrated my small victory silently.

I was a little sad that all of today’s schedules were canceled, but I also needed time to rest.

I wanted to rest a little more on a day like that as well.

Wouldn’t it be best to enjoy a party with Cho Hyejin and spend the day leisurely?

‘Raphael’s gonna need some personal time, after all…’

In other words, he seemed a little down mentally, but he didn’t have to be afraid. It was almost like I was already done preparing him.

He could act a bit tender. He could say, “I’m fine.” I could give him a pat on the head and tell him to be brave, and he wouldn’t have a problem returning to his daily life.

Come to think of it. I didn’t ask Cho Hyejin what he was doing.

‘I wonder if he’s sleeping.’

I thought it was most likely that he would be sleeping, so I nodded and picked up the Goddess’s Mirror, but I couldn’t see anyone.

‘The personal gymnasium? Is he already feeling better? He’s planning to kill the demons, isn’t he? As expected, our grey light warriors are different.’

The problem was that he couldn’t be found in libraries, private gardens, restaurants, or anywhere else.

I thought it was nothing at first, but I couldn’t help but feel anxious.

He seemed okay, but wasn’t everything he believed in so far proved to be wrong?

‘No… No matter how hard it is, that’s not it.’

I didn’t remember raising him as irresponsible enough not to pay for his crimes.

Cho Hyejin entered the room at an excellent time because I thought she might have tweaked his schedule.

“I’ve got permission. Since the Guild Master seemed worried, I told him that you’ll see him soon. I want you to stop by at your convenience. And he told you to take care of your health.”

“Good. Hyejin, by the way…”

“What?”

“Where’s Raphael?”

“I didn’t tell you. the Holy Sword’s owner asked me if he could do his own training. He’s probably heading to Lindel by now.”

“Lindel…”

“Yes, the Guild Master has decided to spare him some time.”

“Does Hyunsung have enough time?”

‘What… you’re not trying to talk to Kim Hyunsung, are you?’

A strange nervousness of unknown identity began to arise. However, I shook my head immediately.

Didn’t he swear to the Holy Sword that he wouldn’t reveal my secret?

There had to be another reason.

‘I’m sick of lying around.’

I couldn’t stand it. I needed to do something.