"I'm uncertain about the safety of Kim Hyunsung, our fellow survivor," I voiced my concerns cautiously.
"He'll manage just fine," came the confident response.
Once we had successfully broken through the encirclement of monsters, Park Deokgu openly voiced the worries that had been weighing on his mind. His demeanor radiated a palpable sense of unease. Ever since receiving the direct confirmation that Park Hyaeyoung hadn't returned, an evident restlessness had settled upon him. Concern for Kim Hyunsung, who had lured away a horde of monsters on his own, was etched across his face. It was as if he feared that Kim Hyunsung would meet the same fate as Park Hyaeyoung and fall victim to it.
However, it was a challenge to envision Kim Hyunsung cornered by the creatures, regardless of their numbers. In action, he moved with such speed that merely keeping up with him visually was an arduous task; thus, evading a group of monsters would likely be far from difficult for him. It was probable that by this point, he had successfully escaped that perilous area and was grappling with the same concerns that plagued my thoughts.
From a hunt that he had ardently advocated, one person had lost their life. This unfortunate incident could potentially furnish a convenient justification for those seeking refuge to huddle and postpone action. This mission was one that should have unfolded without a hitch. Naturally, Kim Hyunsung remained unaware of Park Hyaeyoung's demise, yet I surmised that the incident alone would suffice to bring about a wave of distress.
"It's a lamentable circumstance. While I wasn't particularly close to Park Hyaeyoung, I do believe she was doing her utmost," I commented somberly.
"She nearly got us all killed. Considering the worst outcome is her demise, we could still view it as a success," the retort, unembellished, was unequivocal.
"Th-that's valid, but—"
"You should express gratitude for our survival. Her actions were unavoidable. She drew the monsters' attention away from you while acting recklessly, heedless of our instructions. It was her screams that acted as a beacon, summoning every monster in earshot. To be blunt, had you or Hayanie perished in her stead, I wouldn't have been able to pardon her."
The sentiment transcended what could be deemed merely 'unforgivable.' I might have found myself contemplating her demise personally. Park Deokgu and Jung Hayan were an invaluable pair. Glancing at them both, it was evident that Jung Hayan was profoundly moved, while Park Deokgu appeared somewhat abashed by the situation.
"Ah…."
"Well, um, the same would apply to me as well."
The one responsible for Park Hyaeyoung's demise was Jung Hayan, yet I preferred not to dwell on such matters for now.
Aside from Kim Hyunsung, these two were presently my most dependable allies.
Park Deokgu, an enduring and resilient shield, and Jung Hayan, a person of boundless potential.
There was the drawback of their excessive reliance on me, but conversely, this could also be construed as an advantage.
The dilemma was that one of them constituted a ticking time bomb I lacked control over. Nevertheless, her inherent disposition could potentially transform her into a formidable asset on my side.
"Incidentally, how do you intend to elucidate this to the shelter's inhabitants?"
"No explanations, just rest. A misjudgment resulted in a fatality. That's it. If their apprehension intensifies due to this…."
"If they become frightened?"
"As much as we might wish to assist, lives will inevitably be lost. You must acknowledge the present reality: we are currently within the tutorial phase. We must operate under the assumption that the main game is several times more perilous than our current predicament."
Occasionally, I forgot that we were currently ensnared in a tutorial.
This lapse occurred due to the prevailing tension that any misstep could spell our doom.
Our journey had only just commenced.
Regardless of the course of events, should Kim Hyunsung join the main game, it might be populated by feeble opponents. Alternatively, it could abound with reprobates who don't even measure up to the monsters we've been confronting.
"We cannot permit complacency."
Indulging in complacency akin to the shelter's inhabitants would result in our demise.
Excluding Lee Jihye, who seemed to grasp this reality, the majority were imbeciles.
It perturbed me that not a single one displayed utility.
The reason for Kim Hyunsung's fixation on them eluded me.
Although I speculated it might relate to his past life, presently, I lacked the luxury of delving into his history.
"We shall rest here for the night."
"We're not returning to the shelter?"
"The distance is too great."
"I believed we were nearly there… Ugh. I can't fathom how Hyung-nim memorizes the path so precisely."
"This is fairly ordinary. I left a marker for us to identify when we commenced our journey."
"You even left a marker?"
'This guy….'
From the outset, I hadn't anticipated Park Deokgu's intellectual prowess, and it seemed my expectations were justified. He was more brawn than brain.
My incredulity might have been too evident, as Park Deokgu faltered and Jung Hayan hastened to speak.
"Um, here."
A gouge that resembled a spear's mark.
A minute incision on the wall was distinctly discernible.
"Mooka noticed it too."
"You ought to be more attentive to your surroundings. What will you do if a situation arises, and you and I are separated, as occurred earlier?"
"Hmm. I doubt such an event will transpire…."
His persistent trailing off at the end of sentences was somewhat disconcerting.
I couldn't ascertain whether it stemmed from his agitation, but his gaze darted everywhere but mine, a spectacle to behold.
I didn't intend to admonish him then and there, so I mimicked his actions and collapsed onto the ground, drained.
Jung Hayan clung to me like a cicada affixed to an ancient tree.
Park Deokgu wore a slightly mischievous expression on his face.
"Ahem… Well then, I'll take a quick look around, Hyung-nim."
"Is that necessary?"
I hoped Park Deokgu wouldn't leave his position if possible.
"Who knows if there are any of those monster bastards lurking around, looking for us."
He wasn't wrong.
"Well, Hyung-nim has expended a lot of mana… Mooka, perhaps you should take care of him a bit."
"Ah! Sure thing, Deokgu-ssi."
"Don't get lost."
"I'll just do a quick sweep."
I nodded in agreement.
Watching him silently leave our spot, I couldn't help but be mindful of the fact that I was now alone with Jung Hayan.
Though I knew she wouldn't go as far as using magic against me, the image of what I had witnessed earlier kept replaying in my mind.
Jung Hayan's deranged grin as Park Hyaeyoung writhed on the ground, her limbs severed.
There was no way I wouldn't feel uneasy.
"Show Details."
Without overthinking it, I summoned the Show Details, revealing my information as usual.
[Examining player Kee Miyoung's Show Details and talent levels.]
[Name: Kee Miyoung]
[Title: None. You could try a bit harder.]
[Age: 25]
[Disposition: Cautious Strategist]
[Class: Mage]
[Class effect: Fundamental Understanding of Magic]
[Statistics]
[Strength: 10/Growth potential: ordinary or lower]
[Agility: 11/Growth potential: ordinary or lower]
[Vitality: 14/Growth potential: ordinary or lower]
[Intelligence: 25/Growth potential: heroic or higher]
[Endurance: 12/Growth potential: ordinary or lower]
[Luck: 23/Growth potential: heroic or higher]
[Mana: 05/Growth potential: ordinary or lower]
[Equipment: None]
[Attributes: Insight]
[Summary: Your rate of improvement is minuscule, akin to that of an ant's. Notable growth in vitality, mana, and intelligence. Were you hitting the books hard? Particularly, your intelligence has significantly advanced. Don't let it go to your head. Kee Miyoung's abilities still lag behind even the fluids secreted by monsters.
I wasn't sure whose perspective this overview was from, but I didn't appreciate it.
Although this attribute had been instrumental in my progress so far, the overview made me want to challenge it.
However, the enhancements in my capabilities did provide a modicum of comfort.
The increase of two points in my mana stood out prominently.
Clearly, my intelligence outshone my other attributes by a wide margin.
I wasn't exactly certain what had led to this improvement, as the mechanism of stat growth still eluded me. Yet, it seemed my foundational critical thinking had sharpened a bit.
'Luck.'
The value of this mysterious luck stat had also risen by two points.
I was relieved to see that Jung Hayan's condition hadn't hampered my development.
'Not bad.'
For someone dwelling at the bottom of the talent pool, I was experiencing fairly decent advancement.
At this rate, it wouldn't be unreasonable to say I was closing in on the average individual.
"Stats… Yours must have changed too?"
"Yes. But nothing major… My mana level and vitality have slightly increased."
"That's good to hear."
[Examining player Jung Hayan's Show Details and talent levels.]
[Name: Jung Hayan]
[Title: None. You could try a bit harder.]
[Age: 21]
[Disposition: Pure Advocate]
[Class: Mage – Common Rank]
[Statistics]
[Endurance: 11/Growth potential: rare or lower]
[Agility: 11/Growth potential: rare or lower]
[Vitality: 15/Growth potential: heroic or lower]
[Intelligence: 23/Growth potential: heroic or higher]
[Endurance: 14/Growth potential: rare or lower]
[Luck: 23/Growth potential: heroic or higher]
[Mana: 18/Growth potential: legendary or higher]
[Equipment: None]
[Attribute: Aspiring Mage – Ranking: Heroic]
[Summary: Be cautious. Nice boat [1].]
Just to be sure, I checked Jung Hayan's Show Details, but it didn't appear significantly altered.
Her mana level, which had increased by three, caught my attention. Her Pure Advocate disposition persisted. If it said she was pure, then she was. I had no quarrel with that, though a bit more transparency would be welcome.
'What is this summary, though?'
For some reason, those words resonated ominously in my ears.
"I-it's all thanks to you, man."
"No, I haven't done much to aid your growth."
I hadn't played a substantial role in her skill development.
A quiet chuckle escaped me, prompting Jung Hayan to break into a bright smile.
Her grin was slightly unnerving, though I couldn't let that show.
As I patted her head, she modestly inclined hers. The gruesome image of Park Hyaeyoung with her limbs severed, and Jung Hayan's unsettling grin, had receded.
Again, it became apparent that she held an affection for me.
Presently, Jung Hayan was the one who occupied my thoughts the most.
Given the need to contain this unpredictable element, I had two options in mind.
'Two choices.'
Option one: Gradually distance her.
This approach didn't imply pushing her out of my life entirely.
Rather, I would steer our connection towards that of siblings rather than romantic partners.
This would temper the intensity of her feelings to a sibling-like fondness instead of a romantic attraction.
However, her jealousy wouldn't magically vanish.
Though the safest and most logical route, it wouldn't be easy.
Option two: Swiftly draw her close.
The second option was based on a romantic attachment.
It involved building a connection where she not only believed in and followed me, but also wholeheartedly accepted everything I said.
It was absurd, yet considering Jung Hayan's current state, not entirely implausible.
Frankly, I leaned towards the first option.
Though challenging, our relationship had room for growth.
As I ran my hand through her hair, she clasped my hand on her head.
I found this somewhat surprising.
"Um… Um…."
Park Deokgu, who had ventured out on patrol, had returned.
"Oh, what a delightful atmosphere."
"Huh? Sorry? Ah… No, it's not…."
Jung Hayan seemed flustered.
Park Deokgu addressed her with the same cunning smile.
"I asked you to look after Hyung-nim, but Mooka, you're quite cunning, aren't you?"
"I-it's not what you think."
Park Deokgu chuckled, then unabashedly plopped down beside me.
"Oh, did I return too soon?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, things seem to be going well between you and Mooka, don't they?"
I had no clue what he was talking about.
Actually, upon reflection, he was 23 and Jung Hayan was 21.
I couldn't fathom why he called her 'Mooka'.
Jung Hayan appeared younger than Park Deokgu to anyone's eye
.
"You do realize Jung Hayan is younger than you, right?"
"Of course. Yet, what kind of younger brother would treat his Hyung's woman without respect?"
"What…."
The word 'nonsense' almost escaped my lips.
In fact, something felt off.
From the outset, what I sought from Jung Hayan was a bond, not a romantic affair.
While her upbringing might have skewed her perspective, a puzzle piece had slotted into place.
I sensed I'd uncovered the missing link.
It was this.
'Damn it….'
A cupid.
"Remember me if things go well later. By the way, I didn't tell you, but since Hyung-nim asked me to take good care of Mooka, I've been subtly pushing her."
"How… How can you…."
"Heh heh… You two look good together, and it seems she likes you. I've seen this scenario countless times, so many that I've lost count… Fufu… You don't have to be overly grateful…."
"...."
"I thought your taste was peculiar, but… Hem! If Hyung-nim says so, it's only right for me, the younger brother, to help! To be honest, I believe we're nearing the goal. Truthfully, despite my appearance, I'm known as Park Deokgu, the love guru of Gangwon-do."
Unaware of my emotions, the edges of Park Deokgu's mouth lifted as he expressed his pride.
I was so taken aback, I couldn't even speak.
I had to acknowledge that distinguishing between option one and option two had become irrelevant.
'Park Deokgu, you swine…'
An almost perfect checkmate.
I was at a loss for how to counter the scheming of a pig whose brain was dominated by brawn.