Chapter 62: Dungeon attack becomes a political war (4)

It wasn't difficult to learn how the system worked here within our group.

Much like the food or popularity chain back on earth, one had to be familiar with where they stood to act accordingly. This meant I couldn't just suddenly take charge like how I was used to ordering my party members back in the guild.

That didn't mean I was going to let myself be flat-out bossed around, either.

Everyone kept up a steady stream of chat every time we chose to stop and set up camp to rest for a while. Seriousness was displayed during the exploring and fighting itself, but the atmosphere was amicable for the most part.

Still, though, it was quite apparent that the Magic Guild had taken a liking to Jung Hayan, while the people from the Red Mercenary Guild had warmed up to me.

This meant that I could also utilize the Magic Guild members to stand by our side should conflict ever arise within the group thanks to Jung Hayan.

"It seems like your potion could be as efficient as divine magic, Mr. Kiyoung."

"That's an overstatement. Please, lower your voice. I don't want to offend any of the priests."

"Honestly speaking, your magic power doesn't seem to be that big. So then, how…?"

"Ah, that kind of feels a little insulting."

"I'm sorry for the rude greeting. I'm just your typical wizard who got a little too curious."

"Haha, it's fine. To answer your question, there are drawbacks to memorizing or uttering spells, for it takes some time to activate them. However, if you have a good catalyst, you can use magic with good efficiency."

"Efficiency means…"

"With less magic power, you can complete skills or spells with just as much impact."

"Ah!"

"Of course, it doesn't mean that this doesn't come with its own drawbacks. The catalyst cost to memorize spells is quite expensive."

"Do you have any idea about how much it will cost?"

"It's about 30 gold. It mainly uses the essence of magic power."

"Ah! The essence of magic."

"Yeah. The cost of the essence of using lesser magic is 30 gold."

I could see the surprise in the man's expression. At the same time, I could also see him steadily losing his interest in his inquiry.

It was a natural reaction. To make up for the lack of magic power, one had to spend 30 gold every time they intended to cast a magic spell with a good amount of impact.

Of course, this wasn't a problem for me. The Blue Guild supported me, and I still had many of the things that Cha Hee-ra had gifted me.

"I can't say it's definitely efficient. So, by any chance, will the Essence of Magic Power of Rare Grade or higher disappear once you use it?"

"Yes."

"That's a little disappointing."

"If there is an essence that can extract magical power indefinitely, that'll be the Sage's Stone."

"Sage's Stone. Ah, yes, the Sage's Stone…"

Wizards and sorcerers thrived on these types of topics.

"Can you make it?"

"The book I'm currently studying only briefly mentions it. Even research hasn't been done properly yet. I don't have enough to go on as it is, but one day, I shall definitely craft one."

"You mean to say you will start the research for it?"

'Honestly? I find all the rave about the Sage's Stone a load of bull.'

"Yeah. Of course, I will. I believe it's a worthwhile investment."

I knew alchemy wasn't a popular class. However, that didn't stop most wizards from being curious about what it entailed. Using his curiosity to my advantage, I got quite close to the last guy of the Magic Guild.

Meanwhile, the expedition's dungeon attack proceeded smoothly, and our party was blending in nicely with other parties.

I didn't know if Kim Hyunsung had realized my intentions, but there were certainly other things to gain than experience or the end rewards.

In Park Deokgu's case, he had successfully entered the tanker's community. He was extracting a lot of information from his fellow tankers, and even Kim Ye-ri was also quite successful in adapting. I could tell this from the fact that no one had complained about it yet. I knew this was because the kid was naturally talented with the bow that no one could find fault with her.

It was already a given that Sun Hee-young would adapt quite well, given her stats and reputation, so I was never worried about her. The same went for Jung Hayan.

However, it was different for Kim Hyunsung. He was the one who had not been taking any opportunity to prove himself. I knew this wasn't because he was trying to hide his power. It was because he just hadn't found an opening he found suitable to show his potential.

This was mainly because the expedition was proceeding so smoothly.

"Then, I'll see you for a moment."

"Yeah. I think I will be staying here today. If you have time, would you be able to repeat the conversation once more? I want more details about this Sage's Stone."

"Yes, sure, of course." I nodded and began to move away.

'Ah, there she is.'

I could see Jung Yura heading towards me. I knew she would approach me eventually, but this was a little faster than I thought.

"I thought you were here to experience, but you must have come to socialize?"

Ah, she even had no decency—what a straightforward question. Nevertheless, her question slightly embarrassed me.

'Am I that annoying in her eyes?'

Perhaps I did look like that, seeing as I had so eagerly struck a conversation with various people from different guilds. It didn't take long for her to bare her fangs at me, seeing me achieving my goals so successfully.

"Hahaha, the rose seems to have shown its thorns to me, Yura."

"I'm telling you this because it seems like you're overdoing it, Mr. Kiyoung."

"I don't understand what you're talking about. Isn't it natural to build friendships for teamwork? I hardly knew anyone here when we first arrived."

"It's too much. You're being too comfortable."

"What are you talking about?"

"What did I say before? The unexpected can happen anytime inside a dungeon. It's not good to be too comfortable with other people."

"I thought I was doing well to ensure that we don't become a hindrance to you. Aren't we progressing smoothly? Our tanker made a mistake at first, but now he's adapting very well. The rest of us have been doing a decent job, so I don't know what else is wrong."

I knew I had spoken the truth.

"Excuse me, Mr. Kiyoung?"

"Yes, Yura?"

"I don't think it's been a while since I've been here… A dungeon is a place where you don't know what threats will happen, and where they may come from. No matter how much they let you approach during the breaks… Don't you really know that you've been hindering the party?"

"I'm sorry, I wasn't aware. Rather, I think I am helping the party. I think I've made the atmosphere nicer than it was before. Just because you are dissatisfied doesn't mean everyone else is. Of course, I am aware of the need to be on my guard. I just don't know what else it is that you are expecting from me."

I smiled at her quite coldly, wanting to show her that I wasn't going to let her walk all over me. However, the main reason for my uppity personality was to spark a reaction from her. After all, I had quite the talent for provocation. I then continued.

"If I were you, I wouldn't be so worried about how much influence I have over the group. You must not be greedy about the items that we will get as a reward for attacking the dungeon. Of course, if it's a rare item, so I know you would definitely want to get your hands on it. There is no way that you, Jung Yura, would pressure me into giving up my share."

I paused for a bit before I continued with my assault.

"Perhaps there may be hero-grade items, but I hardly care about that. Instead, it would be nasty if people were to find out you've been pressuring someone else to get your hands on a lot of them. Really, Yura, what kind of tactics are you resorting to? No offense, but they're not very effective."

Jung Yura's expression at this point was dangerous.

"Hey."

"Yeah?"

"Do I look like a joke to you?"

"No, and I don't find you funny either. After all, you're Jung Yura of Black Swan. By the way…"

"…"

"Why do you speak to me so plainly and rudely?"

At this point, Yura had the decency to feel embarrassed by my sudden change of posture. She had not been expecting me to retaliate like this; that much was for sure.

"I am a guild member who is registered in the official party of the Blue Guild. You shouldn't disrespect me like this, Jung Yura."

"Huh… I hardly care if you're supported by the Blue Guild, or even by the Red Mercenary Guild. You think Cha Hee-ra will protect you even here?"

"Are you threatening me right now, Jung Yura? You really should be careful about what you say. I don't need Cha Hee-ra here to deal with you."

"What?"

I exhaled. She looked so pathetically clueless with that confused expression of hers.

I did not want to waste time arguing with her further. Instead, I opened my mouth and began to speak in a louder tone of voice.

"I'm sorry!"

"What?"

I made sure that my voice was loud enough to be overheard by the rest of the group.

"You… What the hell are you…"

"I'm really sorry!" Once more, I expressed my apology with an earnest expression to make me look more believable.

Jung Yura looked confused. Of course, it was only natural for her to give this kind of expression. I had so suddenly given out an apology when it wasn't even warranted in the first place.

As she slowly started to realize what I intended to do, Yura's face wrinkled.

"What happened?"

As expected, I can see Choi Young-ki and the rest of his party members approaching us. Even the people from the Magic Guild had shifted their attention to us. Of course, since other groups had turned to us, my party members and other members of Black Swan had now turned to face us as well.

"I'm really sorry, Miss Yura."

"You…"

"Kiyoung? What is this about?"

"Ah… No. It's not a big deal."

"Yes, Yura is right. It's not a big deal, Choi Young-ki."

"I didn't ask you, Yura. Mr. Kiyoung, can you explain what is going on?"

Thankfully, Choi Young-ki, ever my adorable little defender, began to pry into the matter. Jung Hayan looked a little confused about what had happened, but as she slowly started to realize what kind of situation this looked like, her expression shifted into one of slight anger.

'Ah, even Sun Hee-young…'

Sun Hee-young sported a similar, displeased expression. It was so easy to play the victim card, especially in such a situation where the difference in power was obvious.

"What happened, Mr. Kiyoung?"

"That…"

"…"

"It's nothing much. I was just told to stay on my guard and be careful."

"Yeah?"

"It seems like she doesn't like me socializing with the others during our breaks… She even said that I was hindering our group from progressing efficiently."

"Yeah?"

"In my own way, I intended to improve the atmosphere… I'm sorry if it isn't working."

Only

There was a certain truth in my words, and I had not lied. This was what Yura had told me, except that I could make it out as something worse with the right intonation and facial expressions.

Jung Yura looked so mad at this point that it was very much laughable.

Once I finished speaking, everyone sported absurd expressions.

"I'm sorry…"

Just when I tried to apologize once again, a voice interjected from behind.

"There is no need to apologize, Kiyoung."

This time, it was the lovely Kim Hyunsung who had stepped in.

'Hey, wait, is Kim Hyunsung actually angry…?'