Chapter 69 (1/2)

(TL: Here's the chapter. My apologies for the delay. Also, it turns out that the chapter length wasn't 6600+ words. No, it was “only” 6400+. Which isn't so bad, I suppose. /sarcasm)

”What do you lot want from here? What happened?” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong sounded combative as she climbed up the stairs. The members of Sicilia simply glanced at her and stepped aside without saying a word.

Once she and Seol Ji-Hu entered the third floor office, they found quite a lot of people waiting for them - so much so that the already small s.p.a.ce looked even more cramped than before. Three people were sitting on the couches; two sitting on one couch were Dylan and Hugo, while a lone woman sat on the opposite side. And there were 5, 6 people standing stiffly behind her.

”You finally came, Chung Cho-Hong?” (Cinzia)

The woman wearing a thick coat turned her head to greet the newly-entering duo. Her lengthy hair sported the colour of b.l.o.o.d.y waterfall. Her matching crimson eyes seemed to gleam dangerously like a ferocious wild beast. Seol Ji-Hu saw the clear scar extending from her brow down to her cheek and finally recognised who she was.

”Oh? Is it you, rookie?” (Cinzia)

The ‘general manager' of this year March's Neutral Zone, and the boss of the Sicilia, the most powerful organisation in Haramark - it was none other than Cinzia.

”What brings you here, Big Sis?” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong strode forward fearlessly and inquired as she plopped down next to Cinzia. Thanks to that, Seol Ji-Hu had nowhere to sit now, so he went behind Dylan and Hugo to stand there, instead.

”Obviously, there can only be one reason why I came to speak to you guys. It's work.” (Cinzia)

”Work? What kinda?” (Cho Hong)

”We've already discussed it. Sorry, you aren't invited this time.” (Cinzia)

”What were you guys even talking about?” (Cho Hong)

While Cho Hong and Cinzia continued to converse in a rather friendly manner, Seol Ji-Hu began scanning the crowd behind them. He didn't know the reason for the Sicilians' sudden visit, but never mind that, he was hoping to find someone he knew in the group.

Such as, Leorda Salvatore, or….

”Ng?”

It was then; a certain woman standing tall and silent right behind Cinzia caught his attention. Her lemon-coloured hair neatly pulled up into a ponytail, as well as a pair of gla.s.ses worn over her sharp, probing eyes were both especially eye-catching. Seol Ji-Hu belatedly confirmed her unmistakable maid outfit next. His eyes opened wider, and he began displaying a bit of over-the-top happiness at seeing her like this again.

”Miss Ag….!!” (Seol Ji-Hu)

He was about to finish saying ”…nes” but hurriedly shut his mouth up in time. He wasn't stupid enough to not notice the current atmosphere of the office, that was why.

Maybe she sensed his gaze? Agnes had been maintaining her cold and strict facial expression of the head maid being employed by the famous aristocrat household until then. But she began sneaking a glance at the youth on her opposite side. When their gazes met, he began smiling innocently and waved his hand.

Since there were way too many eyes watching here, Agnes pretended to have not noticed him. Her silent indifference seemingly resulted in Seol Ji-Hu receiving a powerful punch to his guts. He dazedly stared at her with blurry eyes for a while, before his hand powerlessly faltered to his side. Way past looking sad now, he even looked as if he was wallowing in the pits of despair and dejection.

”…………” (Agnes)

In the end, Agnes let a soundless sigh escape from her lips. She then nodded lightly once and sneakily waved her hand. It all happened in a short period of time, but that was more than enough to bring vigour back to Seol Ji-Hu's demeanour, his eyes regaining their glint again.

”Kek….” (Cinzia)

Cinzia observed the exchange between the two with an expression of a crafty cat, before her head dropped lower in her trademark cross-legged sitting position. Her shoulders trembled noticeably, too. She cackled while chewing on the cigarette still stuck to her lips as if she found something so intolerably funny. It took a while before she recovered enough to open her mouth.

”Well, now. Even the infamous Sicilian lioness would grow softer in front of her own cub, is that it?” (Cinzia)

”Keuk.” (Agnes)

The colour of Agnes' neck suddenly changed from pale to beet red. Her wide open eyes glared daggers at Seol Ji-Hu.

‘Why did you have to go and do something unnecessary?!' (Agnes)

Those reproachful eyes were clearly blaming him for everything that happened just now.

”In any case, I've said what I came here to say, so why don't we get going now?” (Cinzia)

Cinzia leisurely stood up from the couch, prompting Dylan and Hugo to rise up as well. Cho Hong pouted after realising that she was being left out and testily raised her voice.

”Dylan? What's going on here?” (Cho Hong)

”Mm, well…. I'll tell you the gist of it after we come back. We won't be gone for long.” (Dylan)

Dylan spoke in the solemn voice and turned his attention over to Seol Ji-Hu.

”And, Seol?” (Dylan)

”Yes?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”I'd like to have a word with you after I return. Will that be okay with you?” (Dylan)

”Of course.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

He didn't know what that talk would be about, but Seol Ji-Hu readily agreed to do it nonetheless. Cinzia was still smirking as she issued out a new order.

”Agnes, you don't have to come.” (Cinzia)

”Pardon me?” (Agnes)

”You already know everything, so is there a reason for you to partic.i.p.ate in the meeting? It's been a while since you two met, so why don't you ‘unburden' your hearts for a bit? I'm sure you can share a gla.s.s or two and catch up on old times, no?” (Cinzia)

”B-but, boss?!” (Agnes)

”That's an order.” (Cinzia)

Agnes was forced to shut her mouth. Meanwhile, Cinzia cackled and turned around to leave.

”Let's go. Dylan, Hugo. I'm sure everyone is waiting for us already.” (Cinzia)

And so, Seol Ji-Hu got to enjoy a little ‘tea time' with Agnes, all thanks to Cinzia's consideration. He guided Agnes and her stiff face to ‘Eat, Drink, and Enjoy'. However, while on their way, they encountered several rather bizarre occurrences.

”Urhk?!”

Men who were walking towards them from the opposite direction suddenly fell on their b.u.t.ts, clearly looking fearful of something. Or…

”Uaaaahhh-!!”

….Some others even turned tail and hastily ran away, their complexions paler than a sheet of white paper.

It was the same story even after entering the pub in question. As soon as Agnes entered the establishment, the boisterous interior suddenly fell into an utter silence.

A short while later, someone gasped out ”Hiiick?!” That signalled the beginning of the ma.s.s stampede of patrons flooding out of the pub, all of them seemingly running for their dear lives. It didn't take long at all for the pub once packed to the brim with customers to become totally deserted.

Agnes didn't seem to care one way or the other. She gallantly strode along the lengthy bar and lightly flicked something at the frozen bartender leaning against the shelves of alcohol.

Ting!

The copper-coloured coin accurately struck the forehead of the s.h.i.+vering bartender busy reciting the Lord's Prayer. (TL: LOL)

”Barkeeper? Bring me a bottle of rum, and….” (Agnes)

Agnes looked behind her. Seol Ji-Hu was standing there dumbfounded by everything that happened so far, and he needed a bit of time to collect himself to say that he wanted honey mead. The bartender brought out two bottles at the speed of lightning.

”W-why are, uh, other people reacting to you like that?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”I wonder why myself.” (Agnes)

”Ah, ahaha…. Well, in any case. It's nice to see you again, Miss Agnes.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”I'm sure it is.” (Agnes)

Agnes replied disinterestedly and took a sip straight from the bottle. She nonchalantly wiped the corners of her mouth, but her eyes studying Seol Ji-Hu remained complicated.

How should she put this? Obviously, she didn't hate the guy in front of her. Unfortunately for her, meeting someone for non-official business like this was an incredibly awkward endeavour. She was told to ‘unburden' herself, but she had no idea where to even begin, nor did she know how to get a conversation going. Which naturally meant her words came across stiff and unfriendly.

”I'm sorry for holding you up like this, even though you must be really busy with everything. But, actually, I've been in a bind with something lately, and I may need your help.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”A bind, you say?” (Agnes)

”Yes. I'm having trouble with my training at the moment.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Training, was it? If they were to discuss that, then things changed somewhat. Agnes consciously sensed her stiff-as-rock facial muscles slowly relax now.

”Which part is giving you problems?” (Agnes)

Seol Ji-Hu confessed to her his troubles with the Magic Power training regime. Agnes was briefly taken aback by the revelation that he had reached Level 2 already but quickly collected herself to speak up her opinion.

”I see. Still, it's nothing to be that deeply worried about.” (Agnes)

Seol Ji-Hu quickly swallowed his saliva. He felt rea.s.sured from the way Agnes sounded.

”First of all, you must remember that this isn't the Neutral Zone anymore.” (Agnes)

Agnes adjusted her gla.s.ses and continued on.

”The Lost Paradise wasn't created to accommodate your training regime the way the Neutral Zone was. If you want to learn something, then often times you are required to pull through with your own abilities. Do you understand?” (Agnes)

”Yes.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”And secondly…. You said ‘Mana Spear', yes?” (Agnes)

”Yes.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”How much do you know about the art of javelin throw?” (TL: The Korean word used for ‘spear' in Mana Spear and ‘javelin throw' are exactly the same.)

Seol Ji-Hu had been obediently repeating ”yes, yes”, but her abrupt and unexpected question rendered him utterly speechless.

”Do you know the origins of javelin throw? How about, the techniques involved with it? Such as, the correct postures to a.s.sume from beginning till the end when throwing a javelin while standing still, or when throwing it after a run-up?” (Agnes)

Only then did Seol Ji-Hu realise what Agnes was trying to say here.

”I see. I was too hasty in my approach.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Indeed. You know nothing about throwing javelins, yet you wish to manipulate your Magic Power to imitate the actions of one. It's only obvious that you failed in your attempts so far. It's the same thing as you trying to run, even though you don't even know how to walk yet.” (Agnes)

Although she was solemnly chiding him, he felt like his eyes were finally opening up now.

”I know where you get your confidence from. You did become proficient with applying Magic Power very quickly, after all. However, teaching yourself new skills is never an easy endeavour. No, it's only normal to be this difficult and obtuse.” (Agnes)

”……….”

”It's the same story for the ‘Ki Manipulation'. It may take some time, but I still recommend that you should familiarise yourself first with the basic knowledge first.” (Agnes)

Seol Ji-Hu felt ashamed of himself a bit here and accepted her recommendation. He couldn't deny that, for sure, he took this whole thing way too lightly. He fidgeted around the mead bottle with a bitter look on his face, which forced Agnes to cough once to break the sombre atmosphere.

”Even still, I'm impressed.” (Agnes)

”Pardon?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”I've heard of your exploits so far. You would have easily learned whatever skills you wanted with your current achievement points, but…. It is commendable that you have resisted the temptation and still tried to do your best everyday.” (Agnes)

She actually went ahead and praised him. Even back in the Neutral Zone, she hardly ever praised him, so this had to be something. Seol Ji-Hu embarra.s.sedly grinned.

”Well, by listening to your advice, I'd end up with dduk even when I'm asleep.” (Seol Ji-Hu) (TL: It's a Korean idiom, meaning you'd score big by following someone's advice. ”Dduk” is a sort of gelatinous rice desserts unique to South Korea. I didn't TL it in the English equivalent, because….)

”I don't know what that means, but regardless, continue to do your best. You'll definitely reap the rewards in the future when your level has risen up sufficiently enough, as well as when your skills undergo a fundamental evolution.” (Agnes)

Agnes formed an imperceptible smile. She then made a couple more suggestions before emptying the outstanding bottle of rum for good and stood up from her seat. Seol Ji-Hu was saddened to see her go so soon, but she, too, was undeniably an Earthling like him. He couldn't hold her here when she clearly had a ton of stuff to do.

Agnes promised to show up every now and then to check up on his progress before turning around to leave. They said their goodbyes outside the pub's entrance. But, while watching her back getting further and further away, Seol Ji-Hu went ”Oops!” after realising that he forgot to say something important to her.

”Miss Agnes!” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Agnes stopped her steps in the distance and turned to look at him. He quickly waved his hand and shouted at her.

”Thank you for everything!” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Agnes nodded her head once and turned around again. It was then that Seol Ji-Hu shouted out loudly enough to wake the dead.

”And also, say h.e.l.lo to Mister Teddy Be…..!” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”I'll kill you!!” (Agnes)

Swis.h.!.+

Agnes closed the distance in the blink of an eye and madly pounced on him. Seol Ji-Hu was taken by surprise from that explosive turn of speed, but he still managed to break out into a satisfied grin. He got beaten up by her so many times now, which meant that he was expecting such a response from her, anyway.

‘Not this time!' (Seol Ji-Hu)

He quickly pulled his spear out and a.s.sumed a defensive posture. Unfortunately, in the following moment - her hand easily slapped the spear off from his grip as if he wasn't even holding it in the first place, and took a swing at his face like a mad snake.

”I told you to stop, didn't I?!?!” (Agnes)

SLAP!

”Keok!!”

Seol Ji-Hu finally got to learn that Agnes was a frightening Level 6 Archer, and not only that, an a.s.sa.s.sin half-step away from entering the genuine upper ranks, after getting royally beaten black and blue on the street.

Having parted ways with Agnes, Seol Ji-Hu dragged his beaten body to a blacksmith. The owner of the blacksmith nearly freaked out from the status of the youth's face, but still, the business he had there was promptly taken care of. When he returned to Carpe Diem's office, both Dylan and Hugo were waiting for him.

”Where have you been? And what is that?” (Dylan)

”They are throwing spears, so I can practice javelin throw.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Oh. You want to practice th…. Wait a minute. What's the matter with your face?! Did someone hit you?” (Dylan)

Dylan hastily asked. Seol Ji-Hu tried to gloss it over with a sheepish laughter, but Hugo was getting really p*ssed off about it.

”Seol! Which son of a b*tch was it?! How dare someone touch a member of Carpe Diem?!” (Hugo)

”Nah, it's fine, so don't worry about it.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”I get it, so tell me who he was! Don't worry, Imma break both of his legs!” (Hugo)

”I-it was Miss Agnes.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Hugo was raring to go, his large hands gripping the halberd tightly, but then, suddenly froze up on the spot.

”W-who was it again?” (Hugo)

”Miss Agnes.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”You mean, THAT Agnes Claire?” (Hugo)

”Yes, her. Don't do anything, though. I was in the wrong to begin with, anyway.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”R-really? If you say so, then there's no helping it, I guess!” (Hugo)

Hugo coughed out loudly and quietly put the halberd down, before rapidly disappearing from the sight. Dylan smiled quietly while enjoying the scent of his tea.

”I'm greatly surprised. Not only do you know Agnes, you can even survive from her attacks, too.” (Dylan)

”Ahaha. Never mind that. Oh, didn't you have something you wanted to talk to me about?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu wanted to change the topic anyway, so he put the throwing spears on the floor and asked.

”Mm. Want a cup?” (Dylan)

”I'm okay.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu tactfully declined the offer and settled down on the couch. Dylan took another sip of his tea and opened his mouth.

”We received a commission.” (Dylan)

”From the Sicilians?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”That's something for me and Hugo. Not too long ago, the royals issued a top secret mission, you see. They contacted the Sicilians, but they were lacking in personnel, so they requested us to help them out.” (Dylan)

”If it's a mission that even the Sicilians don't have enough people for, then….” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Just know that it's a mission only the upper ranks can partic.i.p.ate. Actually, it was hard trying to convince them to let Hugo in. They only allowed it after I told them that, since I'm nominally an Archer, I'd need a familiar Warrior to watch my back.” (Dylan)

Which meant that Seol Ji-Hu and Cho Hong couldn't partic.i.p.ate even if they wanted to.

”I guess Cho Hong and I get to enjoy a sudden vacation, then.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Well, the thing is, we have another job to take care of. It's a mission issued by the village of Ramman.” (Dylan)

Seol Ji-Hu's eyes shot up from the mere mention of ‘mission'. If the job at hand had to do with delivering something, then there would be no need for a sit-down like this one.

”How much do you know about Ramman village?” (Dylan)

”Located southeast from Haramark, the distance of half a day's travel. A village populated by a few hundred Paradisers. That's all I know.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Dylan nodded his head.

”Looks like you know the basic information. Let me not beat around the bush. It's a monster extermination request.” (Dylan)

”Extermination, is it?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”You see, Ramman suffers from a periodic outbreak of monster excursions. And they issue missions like this pretty often as a result.” (Dylan)

Seol Ji-Hu tilted his head.

”When you say it's a periodic thing, doesn't that imply there's a colony or a nest of the monsters nearby?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”That's the darnedest thing.” (Dylan)