Chapter 9: Pure things are easily dyed

“Wizard.”

“Umm…”

“W-Why not Commander…”

Both of them reacted pretty similarly.

Park Deokgu looked really disappointed. Kim Hyunsung was obviously a little dejected, but otherwise didn’t seem to think it was a bad decision.

Although an [Archer]’s ability to use bows was very attractive, my low agility wouldn’t allow me to utilise it well. I didn’t know if changes could happen in the future, but right now my ability stat had little potential for growth.

There was no point in forcing myself to do something that didn’t suit me.

Naturally, even if I had chosen [Archer] and became a [Thief] later on, I would still have to worry about this very same thing.

In fact, the same could be said about the [Wizard] class. I already knew that I wasn’t going to be a skilled magic user, but…

‘I have to take advantage of my strengths.’

I figured that the best path forward would be to make use of my high intelligence. Considering the various ways this class could branch out, there had to be a class where high mana wasn’t a barrier to growth.

“May I ask why you chose Wizard?”

I shook my head slightly, and said,

“Just a hunch.”

I had no other choice.

Even if I had chosen [Commander], I would’ve only gained 1 extra stat point.

Gaining a three point boost to mana, which was still uncharted territory to me, seemed like a boon in comparison.

“I see.”

He seemed to have been convinced.

I felt a little bitter. If only he could see my growth potential, he would know there was no hope for me.

[Acquired basic knowledge of elementary magic.]

[Due to the effect of the class, the mana stat increased by 3 points.]

[Checking the status window and talent levels of the player Lee Kiyoung.]

[Name: Lee Kiyoung]

[Title: None. You should try a little harder.]

[Age: 25]

[Disposition: Careful Strategist]

[Class: Wizard]

[Class Effects: Basic Magic Knowledge]

[Stats]

[Strength: 10/Growth potential: common or lower]

[Agility: 11/Growth potential: common or lower]

[Vitality: 12/Growth potential: common or lower]

[Intelligence: 19/Growth potential: heroic or higher]

[Endurance: 12/Growth potential: common or lower]

[Luck: 21/Growth potential: heroic or higher]

[Mana: 03/Growth potential: common or lower]

[Equipment: None]

[Attributes: Mind’s Eye]

[Overview: You’re still hopeless. But I applaud you for getting a class. Selecting [Wizard] may well be a very good choice for you. If you hadn’t, it would be difficult to feel magic given your talent. The extra 3 points of mana may look promising, but I recommend that you don’t raise your hopes on being a good Wizard. You will only be left with disappointment.]

‘This son of a bitch…’

For some reason the overview message didn’t criticize my choice as much as I thought it would.

It was still insulting, but at least I got an approving nod for learning to use mana.

There were many changes to my status window.

I also felt like I roughly understood what it meant to acquire knowledge on the basics of magic.

New knowledge poured into my head.

All of it was literally only foundational knowledge, so there was nothing too complicated. It explained the concept of magic, how to move mana, how to cast spells by using mana, and it also provided an introduction to the concepts of chimeras and incantations.

“It’s not that bad.”

It was a little different from what I had imagined.

I couldn’t quite pin it down in words, but I felt like I was solving some formula I’d never seen before, or like I was building a tower with my mana.

Knowledge of things that were completely unfamiliar to me, such as chimeras and incantations, continued to accumulate in my mind.

‘For now, at least, it seems like it was worth it.’

Unlike the benefits of the [Commander] class, I could use this power as soon as I adapted to it.

When I slowly closed my eyes and felt the mana inside me, it welled up immediately.

My level of mana was only in the single digits, so I felt really grateful that it moved according to my will.

While I was still operating mana in my mind, Kim Hyunsung, who had been observing me, opened his mouth.

“Let’s go back then. We’ve already been delayed by a lot. As for food…”

“Two bags are enough for us.”

“Alright.”

After packing up two bags, Park Deokgu handed the rest over to Kim Hyunsung.

He nodded, and revealed a look of gratitude.

Perhaps he thought we were being considerate of him.

We had retrieved about 12 leather bags full of food from this starting point. If you thought about Park Deokgu’s contribution in attracting the monsters’ aggro, only asking for 2 bags was a bargain.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Well, there’s no need for thanks. Without Hyunsung-ssi, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to even get these two bags… Given everything you’ve done for us, it’s only natural that we repay your help in kind.”

“But…”

“Alright, let’s go feed the people.”

“Okay, I understand.”

“What are you going to do about the others, by the way? We can’t keep helping them like this.”

“Those who aren’t willing to fight would only get in the way. I don’t want there to be any unnecessary victims… It may be good to put them through training to adapt to the circumstances then take them to hunt monsters one by one.

“I don’t think that would work.”

If you thought about it, Park Deokgu had also completed this kind of training to adapt.

But I didn’t bother to say this out loud.

“It might not work. But for now, I think we could try it out with just one other person, with your permission of course. Would you guys be okay with that?”

“I don’t mind… But how about you, Hyung-nim?”

“I’m also okay with this. Just, can I suggest someone right now?”

“Do you have anyone in mind…?”

“I was thinking of Jung Hayan, if she’s fine with it.”

“Ah.”

Kim Hyunsung nodded his head happily.

It was no exaggeration to say that Jung Hayan was like a lottery ticket that was certain to win a jackpot.

I had already confirmed her talent with my Mind’s Eye, and Kim Hyunsung most likely knew about her future achievements.

I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw his delighted expression.

The way back to the shelter was quite comfortable. Due to the fact that we would inevitably leave the shelter unprotected whilst we travelled to the starting point, we had cleared out the area beforehand.

As we approached the shelter, several people, including Lee Jihye, ran out to greet Kim Hyunsung.

“Ah, Hyunsung-ssi! Deokgu oppa and Kiyoungie oppa also worked hard. Let us take those for you…”

I could see those guys taking bags from Kim Hyunsungie as though it were only natural.

One man, who seemed to have an injured leg, snuck his hand towards our side as well, so I shook him off, and said,

“We will carry our bags ourselves.”

“Oh, yes…”

I drew a clear line between us and their system of distribution.

Funnily enough, I could clearly see an expression of disapproval on his face.

He seemed to be thinking something along the lines of, ‘Who do you guys even think you are?’

The corners of my mouth rose for a moment, but he likely didn’t see it. Not minding my actions, Kim Hyunsung was quietly speaking with Lee Jihye.

“This is the food that we obtained from the starting point. I want Jihye-ssi to distribute it amongst the people inside the shelter.”

“Alright! Leave it to me, Hyunsung-ssi. By any chance, were there any survivors…”

“I don’t think so.”

“I-I see. That’s too bad.”

“Maybe some of them are still alive nearby. Sooner or later, we’ll have to search that area again.”

“Ah! Right…”

There probably wouldn’t be enough food. Kim Hyunsungie had only brought ten bags.

Thirty people wouldn’t be able to eat their fill after sharing it amongst themselves.

I could still hold out for now, but I was already feeling hungry myself.

Park Deokgu and I, carrying our two bags, walked past the leeches surrounding Kim Hyunsung and headed inside.

Inexplicable gazes followed us all the while.

While walking, Park Deokgu spoke with a hint of uneasiness.

“Hyung-nim, you really won’t share with them?”

“We are not volunteers.”

“Well, I know that but… I don’t feel very good about it. And the expressions of those people who went out to greet us were kinda…

“Why do you care about how they look at you?”

“I-I just don’t like it…”

“They’re the ones who should be thanking us for risking our lives and bringing them food, Deokgu. The idea of even supporting baggage like them is laughable. The place we’re staying in right now is Kim Hyunsung’s shelter. We’re not one of them. We helped them as much as we were helped, and we even gave up some food that we were supposed to get. It’s the least we could do. Kim Hyunsung knows that, which is why he hasn’t said anything…”

“Umm…”

“If they want better treatment, they can also pick up a sword. Well, maybe if I were in their shoes, I would also have had a hard time doing that… Maybe Kim Hyunsung wants them to be motivated by us. I’m not sure what the outcome will be.”

“Ahh… So when they see us taking so much food, they would realise they also have to fight to be treated likewise?”

“That’s the desired effect.”

That guy wasn’t stupid. It was possible that he was hoping for something along those lines to occur.

While we were trudging over to the place where we usually stayed, I couldn’t see Jung Hayan anywhere.

I had wondered if there was any work for those who didn’t go out hunting, but I couldn’t see anyone who was actually idle.

Some were cleaning up their surroundings, while others moved heavy stones to fortify the shelter.

Perhaps Jung Hayan was also doing some kind of work. It was obvious who had managed this place while we were gone.

‘Lee Jihye.’

She was in charge of these people.

It was her job to distribute food and report any issues to Kim Hyunsung.

She was also the first to come out to greet him.

While thinking about this, I felt the corners of my mouth rising up for a moment.

“Deokgu-yah.”

“What is it?”

“Do you remember Jung Hayan?”

“Are you talking about the lady with the injured leg who was clinging onto you earlier?”

“That’s right.”

I took out some food from my bag and handed it to Park Deokgu.

“I want you to give this to her, and see if she’s okay.”

“Hyung-nim, why are you… ah…”

Something about his expression didn’t seem right.

“I understand. Very well, you can leave it to me!”

This guy caught onto my intention at once.

We hadn’t been together for long, but he was already starting to get better at understanding what I wanted from him.

He understood that I was trying to get her.

Of course, I didn’t mean it in a romantic way, but it was surprisingly easy to make people think otherwise.

Only

Especially in a situation like this.

From what I could remember, Jung Hayan’s disposition was ‘Pure Advocate’.

Kim Hyunsung’s disposition, ‘Well-Meaning Arbitrator’, appeared to be slightly similar, but the two were clearly different.

‘Pure’ and ‘Well-Meaning’ were clearly different.

“Pure things are easily dyed.”

“What did you say?”

“It’s nothing.”

Perhaps this small experiment would be enough to prove what I had said.