If I were inevitably going to be attacked, it made more sense to take the initiative.
'What's going on with this guy?'
He appeared somewhat distinct from the Kim Hyunsung I was familiar with.
Originally, Kim Hyunsung wasn't adept at conveying his emotions.
The only time his emotions had been evident was when he had initially come across Jung Hayan, and even that had been brief.
'What could it be?'
I started to speculate if, by any chance, he had somehow learned about our actions involving Park Hyaeyoung. However, the person Kim Hyunsung was fixated on wasn't me or Jung Hayan.
His attention was unmistakably fixed on Jung Jinho.
This was my first encounter with him in such a manner.
He wasn't amassing mana, but his eyes clearly emanated animosity.
His demeanor projected vigilance.
Subtle tremors could be detected in his hands and legs, and, most importantly, his facial expression seemed tightly controlled.
'He recognizes this guy.'
Kim Hyunsung definitely had prior knowledge of Jung Jinho.
How he acquired that knowledge remained beyond my grasp.
The most plausible assumption was that in a future I was unaware of, the two of them had become entangled in an unfortunate relationship.
Kim Hyunsung didn't possess any ability allowing him to view that guy's Show Details.
Unlike me, his wariness toward Jung Jinho wasn't rooted in his trait, Calculating Killer.
He was exhibiting hostility and discomfort toward Jung Jinho as an individual.
Kim Hyunsung's meticulous scrutiny of Jung Jinho took some time.
Although he had maintained the awkward posture of extending his hand for a handshake with Kim Hyunsung all the while, Jung Jinho continued to smile as he looked at Kim Hyunsung.
If you disregarded Jung Jinho's trait and only considered his appearance, you might mistake him for an amiable person.
Observing Kim Hyunsung's slightly bewildered countenance, I gently patted his arm and spoke.
"Hyunsung-ssi."
"Ah... I apologize. My name is Kim Hyunsung."
The sight of Jung Jinho and Kim Hyunsung slightly shaking hands came into view.
For some reason, my attention kept being drawn to that clenched fist.
'Killer... He's a killer...'
Jung Jinho's trait, Calculating Killer.
The tense encounter that had occurred before Kim Hyunsung's arrival.
Kim Hyunsung's reaction to Jung Jinho.
I could formulate several hypotheses.
These conjectures were based on the assumption that Jung Jinho was a psychopathic killer.
The first possibility was that Jung Jinho had killed Kim Hyunsung or individuals close to him.
The second possibility was that Kim Hyunsung had never directly encountered Jung Jinho, but had heard rumors or tales about him.
The likelihood of the first scenario was relatively low. If Kim Hyunsung could display such self-control when facing someone who had murdered him or his friends, he wouldn't be labeled as weak; he'd be considered a saint.
By my standards, he was nearly a saint even now, but that was beside the point in the present context.
It was conceivable that he was conscious of the gazes of myself, Park Deokgu, Jung Hayan, and the others present.
If indeed he was aware of us observing, he might have mentally torn Jung Jinho to shreds countless times.
That's what I would have done in his shoes.
"Allow me to introduce myself once more. I'm Jung Jinho. I've heard a lot about you from Seokwoo-ssi. You're the one leading the shelter..."
"We just happened to stumble upon survivors, that's all."
"I've heard that you're putting a lot of effort into ongoing rescue operations."
"Ah, yes..."
"You truly are remarkable. Seokwoo-ssi has repeatedly praised your strength, but... It seems you're even more formidable than I had thought. If you don't mind, could you share your stats?"
Yoo Seokwoo, that worthless brat, hadn't left a single detail unspoken.
"It's not easy to quantify."
"Ah, of course, if it's inconvenient, you don't need to disclose that. We've strayed quite a distance from the starting point. Having found no survivors, we've been wandering around and happened upon Seokwoo-ssi."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. By the way, I mentioned it to Kee Miyoung not too long ago, but I never anticipated finding so many survivors here."
Kim Hyunsung's expression remained composed.
No vigilance or hostility. His demeanor was unchanged.
Perhaps it was due to him having faced this situation before and having grown accustomed to concealing his emotions, but Kim Hyunsung appeared calmer than I had anticipated.
I wasn't entirely sure why he was displaying such a caring attitude toward those around him like a pushover, but it was possible some undisclosed past burdened him.
Reassessing the likelihood of the first possibility being the truth was necessary.
Kim Hyunsung was more adept at managing his emotions than I had believed.
Nonetheless, personally, I favored the probability of the second hypothesis.
'Rumors or tales about Jung Jinho.'
Jung Jinho's potential was enormous.
In gaming terms, it was as if the foundation for a top-ranking player had already been established.
Even My Eyes' Check indicated that this individual had great potential for growth.
Considering his traits, he was likely to become a notorious murderer or criminal in the future.
He would inevitably stir up considerable turmoil.
The second reason was that Kim Hyunsung, who would also play a significant role in the future, had to some extent heard of or encountered Jung Jinho, the person destined to be a notorious criminal.
Of course, there was a possibility that their roles were reversed, but given their traits, I deemed that possibility weak.
It was hard to envision Kim Hyunsung relishing in murder.
"If it's acceptable to you, would you mind if we also stay here?"
" We've brought along some food supplies. Sharing with everyone might sustain us for a few days. Naturally, if Hyunsung-ssi finds it inappropriate..."
There was a moment of consideration.
However, Kim Hyunsung soon nodded.
"No. Survivors are always welcome. I'll assist in guiding you separately."
"Ah, thank you."
His decision was unexpected yet logical.
Kim Hyunsung understood the value of keeping potential adversaries close.
And I wanted to extend a welcoming hand as well.
If Jung Jinho were merely a deranged psychopath, it might be wise to exclude him, but considering how he had retreated after encountering Kim Hyunsung, Jung Jinho was also a calculated individual who knew when to engage.
In a way, he was crafty.
The ominous or vaguely unsettling atmosphere I had sensed around him earlier had dissipated.
He had judged that with Kim Hyunsung's presence, victory was unattainable, and thus had taken a step back. Perhaps he had no initial intention to confront Park Deokgu and me, but the apprehension I felt prior to Kim Hyunsung's arrival was genuine.
'Thank you,'
Still, I felt gratitude toward him.
My lips curved involuntarily into a faint smile.
If this individual was strategic then I could exploit the situation one way or another.
'It's advantageous. This circumstance can undoubtedly be leveraged.'
While unexpected, it wasn't a negative development. In fact, I might have been the luckiest person on Earth.
All notions of killing him had evaporated from my mind.
'Thank you, Jung Jinho, you rascal.'
In a sense, his presence here was an immense stroke of luck for me.
When I subtly turned my head, Kim Hyunsung came into view.
His expression seemed somewhat dazed.
"Let's enter together, Hyunsung-ssi."
"I might remain outside a bit longer. You can go in first."
His thoughts appeared preoccupied.
I, too, was grappling with my own thoughts.
Yet at this moment, I needed to sustain the conversation with him.
That would prove more efficacious.
"Do you know that person?"
"Ah."
"I'm just inquiring because your expression suggests you do, for some reason."
He appeared somewhat worried, but this individual was accustomed to death, so he gradually nodded.
Fortunately, there was no sign of suspicion toward me.
Given that Kim Hyunsung has not examined Park Hyaeyoung's body, he wouldn't have been aware of any issues beforehand.
"I understand. How...?"
"It was magic."
"Sorry?"
"It involved an unfamiliar form of magic."
"Magic?"
"Yes."
Then I continued, "It's highly likely. My level is still low, making it difficult for me to accurately identify what it was, but it was certainly magic. I'm uncertain if any residual mana remained, but..."
"Ah..."
"While Deokgu and I were hurrying back, I noticed that Hayan-ssi and Hyaeyoung-ssi had become separated from us. At that point, I was focusing on casting a spell, so I wasn't able to keep track of my surroundings. Back then, sustaining the spell I had cast was the utmost I could manage..."
"I see."
"I reached the scene belatedly, only to find Hyaeyoung-ssi dying, limbs severed. There seemed to be a magical presence in the vicinity, and somehow, I managed to locate Hayan nearby... She didn't seem to possess the details."
"You're saying her limbs were severed?"
"Yes. She had been dismembered. I suspect it might have been a trap from the dungeon, yet..."
There hadn't been any apparent trap.
The individual who was well aware of this pondered over my words once more.
"A trap..."
"Yes. To be frank, I wanted to bring Hyaeyoung-ssi's body with us, but time wasn't on our side. Rather than leaving her to be devoured by monsters, I deemed it preferable to cremate her. Therefore..."
He should comprehend what I was conveying.
I had cremated Park Hyaeyoung's body.
"Ah, I understand. It must have been distressing."
It was best to present sincerity.
The circumstances had shifted from the previous day.
Rather than our gentle, well-mannered, and docile Jung Hayan, a more plausible suspect had emerged.
Internally, I whispered once more.
'Thank you, Battlemage Jung Jinho.'
The culprit had been identified.
Jung Jinho, the psychotic killer, was likely the culprit.