Jung Hayan wasn't the sole treasure; the same applied to Kim Hyunsung. He was a person who had likely glimpsed the world's end, possessing knowledge of future events and the determination to change them. In the realm of this fantasy novel, he could be likened to the 'chosen warrior,' making it imperative to maintain a good relationship with him. "I'm jealous of this bastard, though," I thought, not envying the burdens he carried on his back but rather the rewards and opportunities that lay ahead for him. His rise to prominence seemed destined, and I intended to benefit from his ascent as much as possible.
"How much further is it? Are you sure this is the right way?" I inquired with concern.
"Yes, we are almost there," Park Deokgu replied bitterly, and Kim Hyunsung nodded in confirmation. It struck me as oddly fascinating how he continued to survey our surroundings without slowing down, cautious of potential monsters. Although his current stats weren't exceptionally high, considering his attribute, class, and magic power, he already stood on a much higher ground than anyone else here. Yet, even he would be overwhelmed if a group of monsters surrounded and attacked us together.
"That's why you failed to protect those people," I couldn't help but think, aware that he would have ensured no casualties had he possessed the capability back then.
"By the way, there are more survivors than I imagined. I was pretty sure most of them would have died…" I remarked.
"More people could have been saved. Initially, I didn't know the weak points of those monsters, so I couldn't confront them properly. If only more people could fight…"
"Yea, I feel the same way. At that time, running away was all I could do… If not for Hyung-nim [big brother], I would be dead right now. Are all 30 people from there?"
"Ah! Actually, no. It seems like there were other starting points at different locations. But they were quite far away from ours…"
"Mhm… So we are not the only ones here."
"Yes. Perhaps, if we expand our search, we will hear more good news. Just now, I was looking for traces of other people."
I couldn't comprehend how in the world such news could be considered good.
"You are searching for more survivors?" Jung Hayan asked, concern evident in her voice.
"Of course, I believe that's the right thing to do," I replied, my sincerity evident in my eyes.
I could tell she believed me and the word "good" in describing my disposition wasn't just empty praise; it truly reflected my intentions. The situation was complex, and my mind struggled to grasp how these 30 people were supposed to survive together. 'This son of a bitch...' I thought, realizing the challenges that lay ahead in managing the survivor camp.
As I wrestled with my thoughts, Jung Hayan noticed my expression darkening and asked, "You don't look good. A-Am I too heavy…?"
Trying to hide my true thoughts, I reassured her, "Oh, that's not it. I just thought about something…"
"If you feel uncomfortable…" she started to say, her concern growing.
"I'm fine," I quickly interjected, not wanting her to worry.
Her gratitude for saving her was heartwarming, and I offered a small smile in response. Even though supporting her physically was demanding, I saw it as an opportunity to earn her trust and appreciation. Jung Hayan's face flushed slightly, revealing her unease in close contact with the opposite sex. To ease her discomfort, I maintained a certain distance to avoid raising her vigilance.
We continued walking until we reached a wide space. I couldn't help but admire the location. With only one entrance, it seemed relatively secure.
"Amazing. How did you find this place?" Jung Hayan exclaimed in awe.
'I already knew about it,' I thought but replied, "I stumbled upon it while searching for a suitable place for survivors to stay."
"You are very lucky…" she remarked, likely assuming it was a fortunate find.
The truth was that I had used this place in my previous life, and it was far from the starting point where monsters could attack from all directions. It appeared more like a sturdy castle, and I became increasingly convinced that I had indeed come back in time.
"It looks great, doesn't it, hyung-nim?" Kim Hyunsung, a fellow survivor, asked.
I nodded in agreement, "Yes, it's quite impressive. It could probably accommodate more than a hundred people."
Kim Hyunsung seemed to have exaggerated slightly, but the thought of having enough people to fend off monsters brought some comfort. However, it was essential to address the vulnerability of having only one entrance, which could lead to devastating consequences if a large number of monsters attacked.
"It's blocked from every other side. What if a large number of monsters try to invade through this one entrance…" I voiced my concern.
"That's why we act carefully and deal with monsters in the nearby area regularly," Kim Hyunsung explained.
His words piqued my curiosity; who else was involved in these regular hunting missions?
As we approached the entrance, a woman came out to greet us. Despite being slightly intimidated by Park Deokgu's imposing figure and his armed appearance, she maintained her composure and greeted us warmly. 'Nice reaction,' I thought, impressed by her first impression.
"Jihye-ssi," Kim called out as he noticed her arriving a little late. He expressed his concern for her.
[Checking the Show Details and talent levels of the player Lee Jihye.] [Name: Lee Jihye] [Title: None. You should try a little harder.] [Age: 29]
[Disposition: Selfish Ambitionist] [Class: None] [Stats] [Strength: 05/Potential growth: common or lower] [Agility: 09/Potential growth: common or lower] [Stamina: 09/Potential growth: common or lower] [Intelligence: 18/Potential growth: rare or higher] [Endurance: 08/Potential growth: common or lower] [Luck: 12/Potential growth: common or lower] [Magic Power: 00/Potential growth: common or lower]
Miyoung couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Trash." Despite her low stats and potential, he found her strangely similar to himself.
[Summary: Congratulations, player Kee Miyoung. You have finally found your soulmate. The two of you may be the perfect match for each other. Low stats, low potential. Trying to wield a sword or wand is not recommended. Alternatively, it might be a different story if, captivated by each other's lousy talents, the two of you choose to live out the rest of your lives together quietly. But I don't want the two of you to get together. I would feel sorry for the 2nd generation born from your union.]
Miyoung did his best to ignore the insults, knowing the Show Details was trying to provoke him. He closed the window and tried to recall Jihye's information in his mind. Her disposition as a "Selfish Ambitionist" caught his attention, especially when coupled with her low talent level and poor stats.
After exchanging names with Park Deokgu and Jung Hayan, Jihye led them to a place to rest. Miyoung noticed her calculating gaze, possibly assessing their roles within the group. Deokgu's strong appearance impressed Jihye, while Miyoung and Hayan's abilities seemed less favorable to her.
As Park Deokgu boasted about their monster encounters, Miyoung felt embarrassed by the attention. He knew Jihye was reevaluating him in light of Deokgu's praise, making him seem more important to her.
Observing the relief in the eyes of other survivors upon seeing them, Miyoung couldn't help but sigh. He knew that Kim Hyunsung had made the place safer for everyone else, but he couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't the same for himself and Jihye.