Chapter 629: Continent’s Real Darkness (5)

I had a lot to say, but my words wouldn’t be able to do much. In fact, it wasn’t natural to question what kind of person Kim Hyunsung was.

When the Blue Guild was still developing, they had been introduced to several powerful people, but it was different.

He asked a completely different and more implicated question than before.

What Raphael was asking was what kind of human Kim Hyunsung was like. I thought about it for a moment, but I didn’t think it was a bad answer overall.

It might’ve been because of the first round, but although he sometimes looked cold, he was actually affectionate and warm. Just listening to the first part of the story I heard from Kim Hyunsung, anyone could quickly answer what kind of person he was.

It was reasonable to think that 22-year-old Kim Hyunsung was a real person.

Although he had changed a lot over the years, human beings’ innate nature didn’t change so easily. Even though he had become strong, he was still scared, cherished human relationships, and tried to fulfill his responsibilities for the given tasks.

He was stupidly tactless, and he didn’t hesitate to take a step toward what he believed in.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

It was also a good thing that we met. I said that Hyunsung was a trustworthy person, and it felt like he was warming up while talking.

‘Oh, my Hyunsung. What would I have done without you…’

Just thinking about what it would have been like if I hadn’t met him during the tutorial dungeon made me dizzy. I never would’ve reached so far.

It was no exaggeration to say that the best thing I did since coming to the continent was meeting Kim Hyunsung. When I saw the luxurious dinner in front of me, I felt like I was being rewarded for the relationship I had been raising, thinking that it was gold.

Of course, Raphael was acting timid, but the corners of his mouth went up.

Honestly, it was hard to hide my expression in a situation where I kept smirking.

‘You don’t know how hard I’ve worked, really…’

In the past, I did everything I could to heal the frozen heart of our lovely regressor, who was backstabbed in the past.

The efforts, years, and hard work that I put into getting a confession to dispel my doubts had finally been rewarded.

If I had a single mistake in the middle, I could bet that I wouldn’t be able to build the relationship to what it currently was.

“As time goes by, you’ll begin to understand. You definitely will.”

‘He can be a little shy, but I’m sure you’ll know when you approach Hyunsung gently. To be honest, you won’t become as close to him as I am. No, it’s impossible, but still, you should try to get along. It will be more helpful for you. He’s not the type to approach first. If you stick to him a little more actively, he’ll warm up to you, and he’ll realize your true worth.’

“I’m…”

“Yes?”

“I’m not sure what kind of person the Blue Guild Master is. I’m not sure if my thoughts are right.”

‘You must have suffered a lot from him.’

“When you train, you get a little more sensitive, and you often misunderstand things. Of course, I’ve done that before. But it’s all for you, Raphael. I’m sure Hyunsung wants you to be stronger than anyone else.”

The stronger he became, the more helpful he would be in realizing the dream we had in the first round.

No wonder he felt anxious. I was like that at first, too. It was so bad that I worried that Kim Hyunsung would slit my throat.

“Maybe…”

“What?”

“Maybe Kim Hyunsung isn’t… The person you’re thinking of…”

“…”

“No, nothing… It’s nothing. Now you’re feeling better, aren’t you?”

“Yes, of course. It doesn’t matter. I just collapsed because I was tired.”

“I’ve already heard from Hyejin that it’s not because you’re tired.”

“Haha…”

“But are you really alright?”

“It happens often, so you don’t have to pay much attention to it. It’s not as serious as you think it is.”

“I never thought you would be in such a situation…”

‘I don’t want to talk about this right now…’

Since Kim Hyunsung was outside, who knew how the words would leak out?

From the time I felt a strange sensation, I used magic to prevent our voice from leaving the room, but that alone could raise suspicions.

“If the symptoms get a little worse, it’s natural to worry, but there’s no reason to take it seriously at the moment. On the contrary, I’m sorry. I think that must’ve shocked you. I heard from Park Li-ahn that you were confused.”

“No, that’s…”

“Thanks to me, all of your reservations were canceled, and your appointments seemed to have been ruined. I truly apologize. I’ve caused you a lot of trouble.”

“You don’t have to say that. I…”

“It’s really not a big deal. I’m healthy. I’d rather talk about Raphael than myself, though. Have you overcome all your worries? Not long ago, you didn’t seem to be able to concentrate, but you seem different today. Hyunsung is just too strong, but you were very impressive in the recent training…”

I already knew, but I still asked.

He was no longer afraid of anything. Realizing that Light Kiyoung was suffering from a chronic disease, he decided and vowed to face his fate.

Of course, I thought a positive answer would come out.

However, his reply was ridiculous and unexpected.

“I’m not sure either. I’m just moving my body thinking I shouldn’t be like this…”

“…”

“What do you think… About running away?”

“What?”

“It’s a little out of the blue, but you can go where nobody is and wait for this crisis to pass… What do you think? Why don’t you live in a place where you’d have peace?”

‘You punk, what are you talking about? Why didn’t I throw everything away and left? You’re still sane, right?’

I had no choice but to cut it short. “We don’t have that option.”

Of course, there was no such option.

If the war was on the verge of being pushed back and the entire continent was about to collapse completely, people would most likely commit such cowardly acts, but we had to resist as much as we could first.

Raphael looked worried as if he were thinking about something else, but like Cho Hyejin, he seemed to be worried about my memory loss. He also seemed to be thinking that the condition might get worse after some time.

I didn’t make a frightened face. Rather, I showed him my determination to resist.

“I understand. It’s natural to be confused, it’s natural to be afraid. I was the same as you before. I was scared. I know what Raphael, who was living normally, had in mind and how much he thought. He’s confused by a lot of problems.”

“…”

“But you don’t have to worry too much. What you’re thinking of won’t happen, and the continent will get out of this crisis without a hitch. I’m certain of that.”

“What about you? What would happen to you?”

“It’s the same for me. I’ll be able to get back to a normal life. I’ll come back here and spend time with the people I love.”

“…”

“You must be nervous. It’s okay to think about whether you’ll do well, whether you’ll be able to fulfill your mission, or if you’ll meet an unexpected accident, but you should trust yourself a little bit more.”

“…”

“You’re a strong individual. I’m sure the Holy Sword would agree with me. If you weren’t, then it wouldn’t have chosen you.”

“The Holy Sword … Why did it choose…?”

“Yes, I’m certain there’s a reason why it chose you.”

I said that with the intention of shaking everything off and getting up, and Raphael nodded in reply.

“Thank you, Hyung.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I was being too childish.”

“No, it’s something anyone would think of at least once.”

“You don’t have to worry about anything else now.”

‘Really? You sure about that?’

“I must…”

“…”

“I must protect you, Hyung.”

‘He’s come to his senses.’

It was a little strange that the target of his protection wasn’t the continent. Still, he seemed to have solved all of his problems.

Protecting me was the same as protecting the continent. At least there was no shaking in his eyes. There was even an oddly bizarre desire in it.

I expected the medicine to be good, but I didn’t think the effect would be so dramatic.

I unknowingly gave him a cozy smile.

“Yes, then I’ll leave my back to you, Raphael.”

‘This bastard is done.’

Everything was over. I thought it would be okay to concentrate more on the angels by that time.

Of course, I should avoid ending it altogether, but I didn’t have to treat it as a treasure. Wouldn’t it be best to stop by only once a few days to adjust his condition?

Of course, watching his growth as a player was one of the most important aspects of my plan.

‘Tactic Raphael…’

The name I couldn’t let go of, Tactic Raphael.

Honestly, I couldn’t help but feel skeptical, but if he could meet my expectations for even just a few hours, we would have a huge advantage.

It would also reduce the burden on Kim Hyunsung and allow him time to rest.

I couldn’t deny that he was going to be strong, anyway.

The pace of his growth so far had been disappointing but considering that it had only been three days since he returned to his senses, it wasn’t enough to say that it was abnormally fast.

It was no exaggeration to say that he was already out of the ordinary adventurers’ league.

What was lacking was his experience.

‘But that’s not extremely necessary for Tactic Raphael…’

However, the fact that he needed experience was undeniable no matter how I looked at it.

After all, if I wanted to use him, he had to have hands-on experience.

I made a proper judgment and nodded.

“I know it’s sudden, but why don’t you go to a dungeon for now?”

“A dungeon?”

“Yes, you’re still doing great, but you lack experience in the field… As I said, you’re doing great, so you don’t have to worry too much, but I’m sure that would help you.”

“Are you coming with me?”

“Well, I’m running out of time, but…”

‘I think a few visits would be fine…’

Actually, it would be more helpful for me to go together with me. If I gave directions and acted as the tactician, Raphael’s experience would build up faster.

I didn’t think it’d be bad to see his face lighten up a little.

“I don’t know. I can’t go with you every time, but…”

“I’ll go, then. I want to do everything I can.”

For the time being, I had no choice but to nod.

“…”

“You’ll be stronger than you are right now.”