Chapter 39 Part3 (1/2)
<chapter 39.=”” new=”” party=”” member=”” -=”” 3=””>
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo and his party returned to the surface, and his first order of business was to take measures (e.g. disguise Ye Jin Jin) to establish her as Lawrence's representative. And it had proceeded quite smoothly.
”My name is Izuna. I'm Mr. Lawrence's attendant and representative.”
”Hmm, what's Mr. Lawrence doing right now...?”
”He's left everything to me, so if you have business with him, then you can just tell me instead.”
”Hoh, he's left everything to you, huh. You two seem quite close... My my, I feel left out.”
”I will proceed with Mr. Lawrence's contracts as scheduled. Please take care of me.”
Just a few days ago, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo thought of her as an idiot, but when he saw the sight before him, he was honestly a bit shocked. He'd trained her quite thoroughly, but he hadn't expected her to act so perfectly!
'This is the strength of a woman in love. She's working so hard to be of help to you. She really is amazing.'
'Why are you being so sarcastic? Just compliment her.'
'I'm just so touched; her love transcends life and death.'
'You know, that's the very definition of sarcasm.'
From what he'd remembered, Jin and Ye Jin Jin had been really close, but for some reason, Jin was in a bad mood once they met on the surface. By the time he'd replied to Jin's complaints and raised his head, the merchants that had come to the Lawrence shop had all left.
Ye Jin Jin was dressed formally without any frills, wore light makeup, and her hair was tied tightly. She, who looked like a skilled merchant that had popped straight out of a novel, stared at him with unease.
”W-was that ok, Mr. s.h.i.+n Woo?”
”Yeah. It was perfect, Izuna.”
”When it's just the two of us, please call me Jin Jin.”
Ye Jin Jin blushed and requested carefully; as Jin had said, she looked like the very definition of a woman in love. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo smiled bitterly and when he was about to reply, a skeleton horse's head came through the window.
”I'm here too, Jin Jin.”
”Heok, I-I'm sorry! That's not what I meant...”
As expected, something did go on between them, considering the bad blood between them... He wondered whether he should arbitrate this matter or not, but for some reason, he felt like he'd make it even worse if he acted hastily, so he gave up on it.
”Just keep acting like that from now on. You may be my representative, but you won't have to worry about the business itself. Just fool the guys that come over and you'll be fine.”
”B-But still, you should give me something to do.”
”I mean, there's nothing for you to really do... I've found some places nearby that are around your level, so go around and work hard when you have the time.”
”O-Ok!”
She replied so enthusiastically that it felt as though she'd go hunt a dragon if Lee s.h.i.+n Woo told her to. Even though he felt uneasy as he looked at her, he pa.s.sed over the materials he'd prepared through the golem network.
[Paul Zero, I've planted all the trees!]
”Ooh.”
Around that time, he'd even given the Elder Dryad Princess, Sinea, some work to do. He'd wanted her to plant the branch she'd brought with her near his residence, but she said she'd make this entire area hers so that she could use her powers however she wished.
[If I plant another branch someplace else, then I can go back and forth.]
”You even have the ability to make a gate!?”
[There're some downsides though. It costs a lot of mana, and if the branch gets damaged in any way, then I get hurt as well.]
Although it was an unignorable downside, it was quite the reliable teleportation ability, when he took into account how much she'd have to do on the surface from now on.
[I'll rush over if something happens to you, Paul Zero. Here.]
”Thanks.”
Sinea pa.s.sed him a tree branch, which emitted the exact same energy as the previously planted branch. If he needed her, he could probably just plant the branch in the ground to summon her. The power of the spirits was formidable indeed.
”You're not going with the spirit?”
”Sinea will use this spot as a base camp and search for other spirits. Plus, spirits won't show up where I'm going anyway.”
[I'm saddened by the fact that I can't be together with you, even after following you up here...]
For the time being, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had to act as the mercenary, Kay and clear unconquered dungeons for the Sun G.o.d religion. Bringing a level 7 wood spirit there would be extremely conspicuous. Moreover, he used the fire element when masquerading as Kay, so their compatibility was terrible, which was another reason he couldn't bring her along.
”Alright. Then, I'm heading off to a dungeon.”
”Ok. I'll get it done, no matter what...!”
[Paul Zero, if you ever want to see me, just use the branch to contact me!]
Lee s.h.i.+n Woo parted with the greatly disappointed girl and spirit and left his residence. But when he got atop Jin and went towards their designated location, a shadow shrouded in darkness appeared.
[I'll go to the capital, Master. I apologize for not being able to stay by your side and protect you.]
”I'm counting on you. But be careful so you don't die.”
[I'm receiving the power of the moon so close up, so I won't die. ...I'll prepare everything until you reach the capital, Master.]