Chapter 51 (2/2)
”Sir Ian hasn't arrived yet, you see.” (Samuel)
Samuel lightly tapped on Seol's shoulder, before going Oops, and handed over a pretty large bag.
”This is the luggage you'll be in charge of. Please look after it. We might encounter a big trouble later on if you somehow misplace it.” (Samuel)
”Is this all?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Yeah. We also hired two other porters, you see. But, they are local residents, so you don't have to worry too much about them.” (Samuel)
Seol Ji-Hu nodded his head, easily picked the luggage up, and slung it over his other shoulder. He felt its weight, but it wasn't heavy enough to impede him. Meanwhile, Samuel stared at the youth with a slightly dazed expression.
”Is, isn't it heavy?” (Samuel)
”Not really, no.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Hoh…. As expected, I was right to trust Alex's judgement.” (Samuel)
While Samuel was sagely nodding to himself, Seol Ji-Hu took a look around his surroundings. Near the gate, he saw two carriages, members of Carpe Diem, as well as Samuel's team.
If there were some things different from yesterday, then that would be how they were kitted out today.
Seol Ji-Hu had already seen Hugo's large battle axe and the hefty armour during their journey to Haramark. Samuel in front of him looked rather cool with a brightly-coloured studded leather jacket on him, as well as a blue cape extending down to his waistline.
Dylan was supposed to be an Archer, but he was decked out in a coat-style brigandine that Warriors should be wearing. The way it softly reflected silver light under the morning sun's glare, the armour couldn't have been a simple item, either.
By the time Seol Ji-Hu noticed the coldly gleaming longsword and the silver buckler as wielded by Grace, he couldn't help but feel that his own equipment looked a lot shoddy in comparison.
It was as Cinzia had said before; the gap in quality between the Neutral Zone and the Lost Paradise was noticeably wide, without a doubt.
‘One day, I will….' (Seol Ji-Hu)
The youth made up his mind to raise his level, get himself better equipment, and jump in among these amazing individuals as soon as he could. It was then, Cho Hong walked over to where he was. Her outfit was so unique that Seol Ji-Hu couldn't help but do a double take.
She wore a white robe similar to Alex's, but then, there was a layer of chain mail on top of that. Also, her chest, arms and legs were all covered in layers of metallic protection as well. It was a somewhat complex arrangement of equipment, to say the least.
‘Is she a Priest, or a Warrior?' (Seol Ji-Hu)
Cho Hong didn't even take a second glance at the confused Seol Ji-Hu and tapped on Samuel's shoulder.
”So, when is that pervert coming?” (Cho Hong)
”Uh-huh. What do mean, ‘pervert'? You should watch what you say in front of Sir Ian.” (Samuel)
”It doesn't matter, does it? He's not here yet, anyway.” (Cho Hong)
”Well, I wonder about that.” (Samuel)
Samuel grinned refres.h.i.+ngly and began waving his hand around. Seol Ji-Hu followed his line of sight and spotted a man walking towards the group from afar.
His height was about average, his physique on the lean side. His hair wasn't completely ash-white, but much closer to salt-and-pepper. Seeing all those wrinkles near his eyes, he must've been way past the forties and well into the fifties.
Most importantly though, the long, long white beard that extended down to his navel reminded the youth of a certain wizard from a famous movie franchise.
”Oi~ii!”
The man wearing an ivory-white robe waved around his hand carrying a wooden staff with its slightly bent tip. This man was none other than Ian.
”You've come, Sir Ian.” (Samuel)
Samuel greeted the Sorcerer with a clean-cut bow.
”Sorry, sorry. I got held up slightly. Been a while since I've been in Haramark, and the streets felt so refres.h.i.+ngly open, you see.” (Ian)
”Well, I hear you. I've been to the royal palace a few times myself, so I know how stuffy that place can be.” (Samuel)
”Very true. If it weren't for the princess's appearance, I'd have died from stuffiness.” (Ian)
”Ah~. You mean, that prim princess, yes?” (Samuel)
Ian began chuckling as he chatted to Samuel. Seol Ji-Hu had formed something of a general impression on the older man from the story he heard yesterday, but today, he couldn't help but think that Ian's easy-going personality came across as slightly more friendlier than expected.
”In any case, let's depart. If I stay here any longer, the royal family might try to hunt me down. They have been persuading me to change my mind right until this morning, you see.” (Ian)
”Oopsie daisy. That definitely won't do. Shall we get going right away, then?” (Samuel)
”Should I get on that carriage over there?” (Ian)
”Yes. Oh, and by the way….” (Samuel)
Just as Samuel spotted Seol Ji-Hu and hesitated slightly, Cho Hong grabbed the youth's arm and spoke up.
”This kid is riding with us.” (Cho Hong)
”Oh, that should be fine.” (Samuel)
Samuel nodded his head. Ian smiled brightly as soon as finding Cho Hong, though.
”Oh~, Cho Hong! It's been too long. You look good as always.” (Ian)
”Shut up, you perverted geezer.” (Cho Hong)
Cho Hong raised her mace and growled in a threatening manner, before spinning on her heels. Seol Ji-Hu was helplessly dragged away by her and ended up climbing aboard the Carpe Diem's carriage.
And shortly afterwards….
”Let's go!” (Samuel)
Along with Samuel's shout, two carriages slowly departed from the South gate.
It was the beginning of Seol Ji-Hu's first expedition.
The inside of the carriage was silent.
Dylan said he wanted to feel the pa.s.sing breeze on his face and climbed up to the roof; Cho Hong only stared outside ever since the trip got on the way. Meanwhile, Hugo was grinning like a fool for some reason on the side.
Cho Hong then suddenly spat out a lengthy groan and began rummaging through her inner pockets, before a frown formed on her face. A cuss leaked out from her lips next. Seol Ji-Hu had been watching her quietly until then, and pulled out a packet of cigarettes out before pus.h.i.+ng it to her.
”Here.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Eh?”
Cho Hong blinked several times, before her head creakily turned towards him.
”No… I'm fine. I don't like those flavoured cigarettes….” (Cho Hong)
”If you don't like the flavour, you can avoid it by not breaking the capsule inside the filter.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”….R, really?” (Choi Hong)
Hmm, hmm. Cho Hong fake coughed and took one cigarette out of the pack. Right away, Hugo covered his eyes and began laughing out loudly. He grasped Seol Ji-Hu's shoulder and spoke.
”Seol, you gotta be more understanding here. She'd been living a hard life until now, so when she's on the receiving end of a nice treatment, she becomes all shy like that.” (Hugo)
”Shut up, Hugo.” (Cho Hong)
Cho Hong shot him down and began puffing on the cigarette while complaining.
”I'm surprised, though. You don't look like a smoker.” (Cho Hong)
”I'm a chain smoker, actually.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”That's nothing to be proud about. In any case, thanks. By the way, why did you look like you stepped on sh*t back then?” (Cho Hong)
‘I did what?' (Seol Ji-Hu)
It kinda felt like that she was trying to change the subject, but still, he shrugged his shoulders and replied.
”Well, it's…. I was just looking at everyone's equipment. They all looked pretty cool to me.” (Seo Ji-Hu)
”But, your own stuff isn't so bad, either.” (Cho Hong)
Cho Hong rested her chin and primly narrowed her eyes.
”Isn't that boiled leather armour? That's the best one available among the leather armours, isn't it? I see that you also wear a chain mail underneath too, although that's rare. A bit cheap looking, but you got all the important parts covered up, too. And your spears, they look kinda okay, you know?” (Cho Hong)
”Really?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Yeah, really. Didn't you see Klara? Your equipment is many times better than hers. Especially that spear, I think you can use that right up to level 3 if you maintain it well.” (Cho Hong)
”Pu, puhaha~hahaha!!” (Hugo)
As soon as Cho Hong was done with her speech, Hugo began laughing his head off again. She began gritting her teeth.
”Why are you laughing? Did you forget your brain or something?” (Cho Hong)
”Hey, you. Why don't you just say that you're sorry? It's just one word, but is it that difficult for you? Do you have any idea how funny you look from the side?” (Hugo)
”What are you talking about? I'm just telling him what I see.” (Cho Hong)
”My~ a*s. It must be really tough on you to sound so considerate to someone, right? What with your personality and all.” (Hugo)
Cho Hong's eyes became blurry and madness began to settle in.
”There's something I'm curious about, though.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
It looked like a fight might break out if things were left as it was, so Seol Ji-Hu hurriedly intervened.
”What is Miss Cho Hong's Job?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
Kyyaachk! Cho Hong suddenly cried out loudly and stood up from her seat. She rushed to Seol Ji-Hu and grabbed his shoulders, before yanking him closer. The cigarettes in their mouths nearly touched and he flinched from the sudden closeness.
”Hey, man…. I was going to not mind it, you know? But, I gotta ask you for a favour. Can't you do something about the way you speak?” (Cho Hong)
”The way I speak?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”That's right!! It'll be fine if it's just me, okay? Please, please speak informally, okay? Calling me Miss Cho Hong?! Hah, it's not even Mad Cho Hong, too! You're creeping me out, you know!!” (Cho Hong)
Seol Ji-Hu had no idea why she hated it so much, but it wasn't a difficult favour to begin with.
”Okay, I will.” (Seol Ji-Hu)
Cho Hong returned to her seat only after that. She formed an expression that said she'd finally be able to survive now.
”Fuwooo….. Ah, right. My Job? It's ‘Divine Champion'. I'm level 4.” (Cho Hong)
”Divine Champion?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Yeah. You start from level 1 Priest, then in level 2, Combat Nun. Then, in level 3, Holy Warrior.” (Cho Hong)
”You gave up on the path of a Priest?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”There's a reason for that, though.” (Hugo)
Hugo suddenly b.u.t.ted in there.
”You see, this girl's starting Magic Power stat was pretty high. I hear that she could have been a Sorcerer, even.” (Hugo)
Seol Ji-Hu was surprised by that revelation. The minimum requirement for becoming a Sorcerer was that one's Magic Power stat must be at Mid-High or higher. Of course, both the personality and the talent had to be there, too.
”But, to become a Sorcerer, she was far too unrefined for that. G.o.ds were apparently unhappy about the missed opportunity here and decided to make her a Priest, instead. However, even then, G.o.ds have made a big mistake there.” (Hugo)
”A mistake?” (Seol Ji-Hu)
”Yup, a mistake. I'm sure you've basically figured it out after seeing her walk the path of a Warrior even though she's supposed to be a Priest, right?” (Hugo)
”Hugo, I told you to shut up. This is your final warning.” (Cho Hong)
Cho Hong began glaring at the big man. However, Hugo didn't even pay her any mind and simply tapped on his head with his finger.
”You see, even the G.o.ds had no idea that this girl was completely soft in the head! And with that rough personality of hers, never mind being a Sorcerer, you think being a Priest suits her? Ah? Puhahahaha!” (Hugo)
Hugo threw his head back and began guffawing again. It was right in this moment that Cho Hong, with her nails all ready to attack, pounced on him.
The carriage rocked hard, so much so that Dylan on the roof enjoying the breeze nearly fell off from there.
”Dylan!! Dylan!!” (Seol Ji-Hu)
Dylan could hear someone desperately calling for him from the carriage, but he just quietly gathered his hands together and murmured.
”Sorry, rookie.” (Dylan)
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