Chapter 32 (2/2)

”But, you said you can't stop thinking about her?” (Hao Win)

”That is….” (Seol)

….A person was withering away right in front of his face, so, quite obviously, he wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it.

Seeing Seol's complexion wane, Hao Win broke out in a hearty laughter.

”I don't mind a shy type of love, but it's better if you are upfront about it. Look, man. If it was someone totally unrelated to you, would you be going out of your way to gather 82,000 points? Weren't you planning to forge ahead regardless of what others might think of you?” (Hao Win)

”B, but, that's not it….” (Seol)

If he was interested in Yun Seo-Rah in the first place, he'd not have abandoned her until she fell into such a wretched state.

He only heard about her circ.u.mstances coincidentally. And just as coincidentally, Kim Hahn-Nah came to him to ask for the favour. He did completely forget about her while being immersed in the training regime, after all.

”I was the same as you. A long time has pa.s.sed by since then, but I still regret it to this day. I never knew how important the other person was. Only after she left my side did I realise my mistake.” (Hao Win)

Whatever the case may have been, this Hao Win fellow deeply misunderstood something here.

”I also find you rather envious as well. You've realised it before it got too late, unlike me….” (Hao Win)

Hao Win's reminiscing tone of voice nearly made Seol's body to shrink back, but the youth summoned whatever willpower he could muster to stop that from happening.

At the same time, Tong Chai returned with a mission parchment. In order to enter a mission with others, they had to be in physical contact.

”In any case, that is the reason why I'm helping you.” (Hao Win)

Hao Win picked up a huge s.h.i.+eld. After placing his arm over Seol's shoulders, a big grin broke out on his face.

”You see, I'm a hopeless romantic.” (Hao Win)

And then…. Accompanied by the sound of paper being torn, all six of them disappeared from the spot.

A short while later…. To be more precise, two minutes and 47 seconds later.

Six people reappeared in the plaza.

With the exception of one, no, two people, the expressions on the rest showed how flabbergasted they were.

Hao Win was laughing his a*s off while keeling halfway to the floor; meanwhile, Seol was catching his breath after going all out for the first time in a while.

”….This… crazy…..” (Leorda Salvatore)

Leorda's expression was as if he just witnessed a scary monster rampaging around.

He saw it with his own eyes, but even then, he could hardly believe it. The youth carrying a spear dashed forward like a streak of lightning the very moment they teleported to the mission area. Then, he began beating the seven shades of monsters there without missing a beat.

He stabbed them with his speartip, then he smacked them around using the spear shaft - Leorda couldn't forget the scene of one monster dying without fail every time Seol wielded his weapon.

Leorda was well aware of the fact that Seol had completed the toughest mission in the ‘Hard' difficulty, ‘Breaking out of the siege', all by himself. But, this was…. Now that he bore witness to the youth's prowess, it exceeded Leorda's wildest imaginations. Should he say the whole thing was… exciting? Soul-stirring, even?

”I'd have never imagined that I'd feel pity for the monsters during a mission.” (Leorda Salvatore)

”I told you. Now can you understand everything I've said?” (Hao Win)

Hao Win continued to cackle at Leorda's expense. The latter man looked like he was totally fed up now as he shook his head.

The facial expression on the person who objected most voraciously, Tong Chai, was also quite something else to behold.

”Now that you saw the performance personally, what do you think, Mister Tong Chai?” (Hao Win)

Tong Chai stood there like a stone statue before abruptly s.h.i.+fting his gaze over to Seol.

”You're from Area 1, which means, you're from South Korea?” (Tong Chai)

”That's correct.” (Seol)

”Have you been to the army?” (Tong Chai)

”I was a sergeant by the time I was discharged.” (Seol)

”Ahh…. I see….” (Tong Chai)

Seeing Tong Chai nod his head sagely, Seol couldn't help but get fl.u.s.tered. What sort of misunderstanding was this guy going through now?

Seol was about to clarify that he was nothing more than an administrative clerk, but Hao Win cut in before he could.

”So, now you agree with my proposition?” (Hao Win)

”I agree with you 100%. And I will invest 3000 points.” (Tong Chai)

Hao Win whistled, impressed, at that big amount.

”Wow. Isn't the change in your att.i.tude too sudden?” (Hao Win)

”But, of course. I've only recognised the fact that I'm not the driver, merely the pa.s.senger in this ride.” (Tong Chai)

Tong Chai smiled wryly and took off his turban. Then, he slightly lowered his head towards Seol.

”I hope you can buy the best equipment available. I am genuinely looking forward to trying out the Very Hard missions now.” (Tong Chai)

”Fufufu. What about you, Leorda?” (Hao Win)

”….I'll also lend him 3000 points.” (Leorda Salvatore)

Leorda crossed his arms in front of his chest and averted his gaze.

”Oh, it seems that everyone is willing to show off a bit, no? Very good. Then, 4000 points from me.” (Hao Win)

”And 5000 points from me!” (Odelette Delphine)

Staying silent until then, Delphine suddenly piped up and, as if she was very excited about something, jumped up and down repeatedly before clutching onto Seol's arm.

”Bus!!” (Odelette Delphine)

Panicking slightly, Seol looked down at her. While clinging onto his arm, she shouted out while her eyes sparkled brightly.

”Please, let me get on this bus!” (Odelette Delphine)

She opened her eyes and was greeted by the blurry world. It was as if she was looking through a screen of water while being submerged underneath. The lights filling her vision remained bright, though.

”Ahh….” (Yun Seo-Rah)

Her eyes hurt. Yun Seo-Rah reflexively closed her eyes and sighed out inwardly.

‘I survived…' (Yun Seo-Rah)

She wished to die, actually.

She pulled her hands in almost instinctively, only to realise something was not quite right.

The sensation on the tips of her fingers were soft. Her back felt comfortable too, and most importantly, her body did not feel heavy at all. It always felt like it weighed a ton until now….

Right away, she opened her eyes like a person struck by lightning. And she was astonished by the sights of the room greeting her.

”Where is this…?” (Yun Seo-Rah)

She remembered making her way back somehow to that place on the fifth floor, the one that wasn't furnished enough to be called a lounge. But now that she had opened her eyes, she found herself inside a palace, instead.

‘Maybe, I did die?' (Yun Seo-Rah)

….But, just as she finished thinking like so, the door to the room clicked open.

”Uh? Unni?” (Yi Surl-Ah) (TL: Unni = older sister, used by females)

Yi Surl-Ah was returning to the room after buying something to eat, and seeing that Yun Seo-Rah had regained her consciousness, she quickly came to her side in a light trot.

”Uhm….” (Yun Seo-Rah)

”You are awake! How are you feeling?” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”Where… am I?” (Yun Seo-Rah)

”It's heaven.” (Yi Sung-Jin)

Yi Sung-Jin abruptly b.u.t.ted in. Yun Seo-Rah went, oh, and was about to nod her head, but saw the pointy end of the food tray dig deep into the boy's side and couldn't help but be confused.

”Ouch! But why?!” (Yi Sung-Jin)

”She's going to misunderstand you!” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”But, but! It is heaven in here, right?” (Yi Sung-Jin)

”T, that's true, too….” (Yi Surl-Ah)

Now that Yi Surl-Ah thought about it, her little brother had a point there.

Yi Surl-Ah quickly cleared her throat a couple of times and, with a bright smile, placed the tray down. Yun Seo-Rah's eyes opened up wide in shock after seeing some seriously appetizing grub on it. Saliva instinctively pooled in her mouth as the warm steam rose up from the delicious-smelling soup.

”Please, eat them. I'm sure you're starving by now.” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”W, what about you two….?” (Yun Seo-Rah)

”We brought ours along as well, so don't worry.” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”What is going on?” (Yun Seo-Rah)

Yun Seo-Rah's mind was in a mess. She woke up and so many things seemed to have changed while she was out cold.

”Oppa helped us out.” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”Hyung helped us out.” (Yi Sung-Jin)

The siblings answered simultaneously.

”W, who?” (Yun Seo-Rah)

”That's it for now. I'll tell you everything once you finish them all~.” (Yi Surl-Ah)

Yi Surl-Ah pointed at the food tray.

There was no way Yun Seo-Rah would refuse. This was the first proper meal she had seen in over a month, after all. Unable to fight the desire, she hurriedly picked up the spoon.

‘Tastes… so good.' (Seol)

This soup that seemed to melt on the tip of her tongue - how could it taste so wonderful?

Yun Seo-Rah's whole being focused on the meal at hand, and after making sure nothing was wrong, the Yi siblings also dug into their food as well.

And so, as the trio silently enjoyed their meal, Yi Sung-Jin suddenly let off a long sigh. Yi Surl-Ah glanced at her brother, chopsticks caught between her lips.

”You shouldn't sigh like that during meals, you know.” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”No, I know…. It's just that, I'm worried.” (Yi Sung-Jin)

”Mm?” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”I wonder if it's really okay for us to keep staying here….” (Yi Sung-Jin)

Hearing her little brother's depressed voice, Yi Surl-Ah tilted her head.

”If I were in hyung's shoes, I think I'd be feeling a bit annoyed by us…” (Yi Sung-Jin)

”Y, you think so?” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”Ng. I mean, us staying here like this, we're inconveniencing him, right? If we are honest, didn't we like dump him with the responsibility of fixing Seo-Rah noona's arm, too?” (Yi Sung-Jin)

Yun Seo-Rah's left arm was moving nonstop but then, it froze mid-action as soon as the boy's words left his mouth. Yi Surl-Ah went, Ah!, but it was too late.

Even though Seol said he'd go and earn enough points, that amount was not something he could gather in one or two days. No, the odds of not gathering enough before the Neutral Zone's deadline approached were greater. It would do no one any good to raise an unrealistic expectation, so she didn't want to say anything.

”What are you talking about?” (Yun Seo-Rah)

”It, it's nothing. Don't worry, unni. Just finish your meal first.” (Yi Surl-Ah)

Yun Seo-Rah silently put the spoon down, no longer eating. Yi Surl-Ah glared at her little brother, but she knew that the milk had been spilled already. In the end, she had to come clean about what happened.

”82,000 points?!” (Yun Seo-Rah)

”Yes. If we want to heal your arm, we need 82,000 points….” (Yi Surl-Ah)

It was such a nonsensical number, a helpless chuckle leaked out from Yun Seo-Rah's lips. Since she didn't even have 10 points for a simple meal to her name, she couldn't even begin to imagine the enormity of 82,000 points.

”What about him….?” (Yun Seo-Rah)

”He left a while ago. Said he'd be going out to earn some points….” (Yi Surl-Ah)

Yun Seo-Rah leaned her back against the wall. Her question's been answered, but the confusion in her head remained.

‘Why?' (Yun Seo-Rah)

She couldn't understand it.

They only came from the same Area. Yet, he brought her to his own room. He then gave away those precious points, so she could have something to eat after waking up. And then, he was trying to get her arm fixed as well.

‘But, why?' (Yun Seo-Rah)

As a person who never cared about other people's business, Seol's helping hand felt so alien and not to mention, burdensome to her.

On the flip side, it did kind of feel a little itchy, too. Her head still questioned, but her body was certainly rejoicing at the goodwill being showered on her.

Now that she thought about it, she might have seen him during her sleep.

….Are you alright?

The face of the youth, reaching out to her.

‘….I want to see him.' (Yun Seo-Rah)

When this thought formed in her head, Yun Seo-Rah's eyes blinked several times in surprise.

‘What did I think about just now?' (Yun Seo-Rah)

”Uhm, unni? Please, don't be discouraged if orabeo-nim tells you it'll be difficult.” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”I won't do that.” (Yun Seo-Rah)

Yun Seo-Rah replied matter-of-factly at Yi Surl-Ah's baseless anxiety. She remained cold and detached, but still, knew how to remain courteous.

‘However, what should I say to him once he comes back?' (Yun Seo-Rah)

It was then.

They could hear loud footsteps coming from the corridor.

‘And I wanted to see what the Ceremony looked like, too…' (Seol)

Seol was sitting on the steps of the staircase while sighing out wistfully.

He and the new team successfully completed several Hard mission. They completed each mission six times, earning 43,500 extra points.

His clearing speed was also incomparably faster. Every team member fought in the manner Seol recommended, so it was small wonder that the missions were cleared much faster than before.

After earning enough points this way, Seol went to see Maria and requested her to hold the Ceremony.

She might have a dirty mouth, but Maria would never go back on her own word. She told him not to come inside the room since the G.o.d she served would descend during the Ceremony itself. She then swapped out of the maid uniform for an ice-white robe, and while clutching a sizeable bag full of stuff and being accompanied by two other maids, she went upstairs to Seol's room.

By this time, even the two Yi siblings must've been chased out from the room, thought Seol.

In any case, knowing that he had resolved the situation somehow, he was feeling not too shabby at the moment.

”As I was saying….” (Hao Win)

….That was, if one discounted one exception.

All thanks to Hao Win, who was sitting next to him and yapped on and on seemingly without an end, Seol thought he might develop neurosis at this rate.

Originally, the team were supposed to meet up again tomorrow morning after Seol purchased suitable equipment for himself. However, Hao Win said he wanted to talk to the youth for a bit, and that ‘bit' got extended to ‘forever', instead.

It was fine for him to misunderstand all by himself, but then, he kept yammering on and on about some nonsense.

….Such as, the stories of his past love.

”You see, women are creatures of emotions. See? They are different from us males.” (Hao Win)

”Sure….” (Seol)

”Your looks? Your body? Money? They do matter, sure. But, the most important thing is, it's your heart, man. Your heart!” (Hao Win)

”Sure….” (Seol)

”How much does this man think about me? How much does he care about me? These things are important, you see? That's all you need.” (Hao Win)

”Sure….” (Seol)

”Really now. You need to be more confident of yourself. I can help you out any time if you need me. I mean, such a wonderful opportunity has been created, so it should be a child's play now. Am I right? So, how about it? Should I help you?” (Hao Win)

”Sure….” (Seol)

….Or, with substance-less lectures about the rules of dating.

Seol continued to mouth half-hearted replies. Now he could understand why Odelette Delphine looked so fed up back then.

‘Oh well, at least he's not as terrifying as I feared, though.' (Seol)

”Alright! I won't stand out too much, and just set the mood up for you young ones. All you have to do is to match the timing, that's all!” (Hao Win)

”….Eh?” (Seol)

Seol had been responding like a robot without thinking too much about it, and the conversation strayed off course by quite a lot while he wasn't paying attention.

”…Match the timing?” (Seol)

Just before Seol could ask for a clarification, bright light exploded above their heads. When both men looked up, they saw soft and gentle rays of light up there. Which was odd, since the door to Seol's room should have been closed shut.

Hao Win slowly opened his mouth.

”Looks like it's over.” (Hao Win)

”I should go and take a look.” (Seol)

Seol got up and hurriedly ran to his room. For some reason, Hao Win decided to follow right behind, as well.

Arriving on the tenth floor, Seol could see that that door to his room was still closed shut. The two maids accompanying Maria were nowhere to be seen, other than the backs of the anxious Yi siblings hesitating there.

”Orabeo-nim!” (Yi Surl-Ah)

Yi Surl-Ah spotted Seol and called out helplessly.

”What happened?” (Seol)

”I, I do not know! There was a sudden explosion of light, and, and, the two maids entered the room in a hurry, and….” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”How long has it been?” (Seol)

”Not long. Maybe, not even one minute…?” (Yi Surl-Ah)

Creak….

Before Yi Surl-Ah could finish, the door cautiously creaked open.

< 32.=”” a=”” misunderstanding=”” (2)=””> Fin.

(TL: I will not be accepting donations for this novel for a foreseeable future. I'm working on something at the moment, and I won't be able to release a sponsored chapter even if I wanted to.)