Chapter 542: Sincerest Apologies (2)

"O-O-Oppa. Where are you going today?"

"Ah, I think I have some work to do with Hyunsung-ssi. Why?"

"It's nothing. Just…"

"It seems like an urgent matter… I also want to spend some time with you, Hayan, but the timing just isn't right."

"R-Really?"

"Yes. Since we came back from Mirror Lake, I wanted us to go on a date like Deokgu said since we have a lot to talk about, and it's been a while since we spent time together. It's a shame. Sorry. Still, let's go around when I come back."

"Oh, not today. I also… don't have time… Hyunsung Oppa ordered me to do a lot of things. All the guild members have to write a report on the Mirror Lake incident and search for nearby dungeons. I think you're the only one not on the list… I just asked because I was curious."

"Nearby dungeons?"

"Yes, he told us that there might be other dungeons… We have to make sure if there are new monsters just in case. I'm not entirely certain, but there're a lot of little things to do as well…"

'Kim Hyunsung, this bastard. You've made up your mind…'

It seemed like he really didn't want to be bothered. It had reached the point where he made all the guild members do some useless chores.

It was so blatant. He gave the guild members such tasks even though we had an investigation team who could handle those. Even if dungeon-searching was a high-priority job, it was inefficient to make all the guild members do it simultaneously.

Considering how we were supposed to be taking a break, it was even more evident.

It even interrupted my date with Jung Hayan, one that she had been looking forward to.

Maybe it didn't explain everything but seeing that she wasn't concerned about other significant things, it seemed that the kidnapping incident had a huge effect on her.

'She must be really discouraged.'

She was already on the shy side, but at that moment, she seemed even shyer. She had become even more careful too…

It seemed like she wanted to become stronger because she immersed herself in magic again, but her feelings of guilt were still imminent.

It was obvious when she visited my room just last night while crying that she had a nightmare.

'I couldn't even sleep well thanks to that, sh*t.'

I woke up in the middle of my sleep, and I didn't feel refreshed in the morning. My face was a mess too…

I looked in the mirror and saw a rather emaciated face. It wasn't that I didn't like it that much, but…

'It was okay.'

It could show that my mind went through a lot, at least.

'I'll just do the minimum.'

I purposefully ignored Jung Hayan, who was staring at me intently while slowly changing my clothes. The guild members seemed like they would only start moving after Kim Hyunsung and I left.

"You're not going to take your bag?"

"Yeah, I don't think we will get into a fight… There are only alchemy tools in my bag anyway."

"W-When will you come back?"

"I think maybe today… I'm not too sure. We can go on a date as soon as I come back, so just endure it for a bit."

"I-I also want to go…"

"No, Hayan. Today is an important day."

Because regardless of whether it was or it wasn't, humanity would still take a step forward depending on it.

"We can go next time. When are you leaving, Hayan?"

"I-I'm going to leave after lying here a bit."

"Okay, then, do that."

We hugged for the last time. I motioned that it was time for us to separate, but she clung to me with all her strength, which only embarrassed me further.

In the end, I could only leave after a couple of minutes. In fear that she would tell me to go out a bit later, I hurriedly went to the lobby. I saw Kim Hyunsung, who looked at me with an awkward expression.

He wasn't armored and only had his sword hanging around his waist. Overall, he was wearing casual attire, but it didn't look sloppy, considering he seemed to have secretly paid some attention to his outerwear. But overall, he looked very stiff.

'What's wrong with him…?'

I could sort of guess the reason, but couldn't understand why he was acting so rigid.

Like a rock stationed onto a specific spot, he looked pitifully immobile. I thought of maybe loosening him up, but I changed my mind. I could let him talk, but it was important to have a slightly tense atmosphere in the beginning.

It was also important not to greet him first.

I saw Kim Hyunsung raise his hand awkwardly, but I curved my back very slightly and didn't do anything else.

"Kiyoung-ssi."

"It seems that I'm a bit late."

"No, you came just on time."

"Actually, it's not something really important, but I wanted to confide in you about several things… and also apologize…"

"Ah…"

"Are you busy with something, perhaps?"

"No, not really, but…"

"…"

"…"

'Ah…this guy, he looks so stuffy and pitiful.'

I didn't want to use the following expression, but the way he hesitated so much made it seem like he had communication problems. His pupils shook, and his face was full of anxiety.

I wanted to continue to look cold in front of him but decided that it was enough.

"Then, let's get out of here first."

"Ah… Yes, that seems like a good idea. I brought a Griffin…"

"Where are we going that requires us to ride a Griffin…?"

"It's not that far, but it will be faster than a carriage."

"That's good."

'Yes, you bastard, let's see where you'll take me.'

In place of White Paul that was currently nurturing, it was the black Griffin that I had gotten as a present.

He had placed a saddle so that we could ride side by side rather than back and front, so it felt like we were going on a drive.

When the Griffin saw Kim Hyunsung, it bounced its feet towards us. We could only sit after Kim Hyunsung patted the creature. I could definitely tell that he liked them. Riding it was definitely was one of his hobbies. Please visit fr𝐞𝐞wn.𝒸o𝔪 website to read fastest update

Like a high-quality sofa, the saddle was fluffy and soft and even had a belt.

His maneuvering skills on the Griffin were also excellent. After tapping a bit, I could see him shoot up to the sky.

The giant trees, buildings, and fountains instantly became smaller, and after a moment, we arrived at our destination. We seemed to be moving toward Lindel or our empire, so I thought we would be going to either one of them, but the place we arrived at was a small city between Lindel and the empire.

'Heren?'

It was a small city right in the middle of Lindel and the empire. I didn't know about Kim Hyunsung, but I didn't come there often.

Its location was good. Hence, it acted as the center between the two places, but to be exact…

'We couldn't even say it was a midpoint.'

This was because, to arrive at Heren, we had to deter a bit in the middle.

It was a bothersome place to visit.

The city was often used for mid-sized parties or big guilds to export or import goods.

It had a sizable market, but many people didn't bother going there because one had to turn around at least once.

Among Lindel's three major guilds, only the Black Swan guild, who had comparably more female members, used the city.

'He must have contacted Park Yeon-joo.'

A close connection must've been maintained with Kim Hyunsung.

Perhaps he thought it was burdensome for us to meet in a big city where there were too many people and wanted to go to a smaller one.

'Yeah, the capital city can be too much.'

"It's Heren."

"Yes."

"…"

"Well… as Lindel's recovery began to slow down, we decided to increase the size of Heren a little bit. We were working on it while… you were resting in your room…because the guild members are busy… I've done a little bit of work, but as expected, the city business is a little unstable, so I'd like to get some advice. I mean…"

"Ah. You can leave this work to me. Did you get some help from Kim Miyoung?"

"No. She's working on another matter…"

"I understand what you're trying to say. It's fine. I want to see it first."

'It was a good excuse. Yeah.'

Even he must have thought it was a good excuse.

It wasn't as if he had gone on a break trip while abandoning the city business. It was more reasonable to say that such businesses were undergoing preparations. The city already looked chaotic…

At this, Hyunsung handed me the documents he brought.

As I looked through the documents about Heren, there was absolutely nothing wrong (not even 1mm was off).

"For now, it seems that the residential areas are a problem."

"Yes, the capital city is holding Lindel's large population, and it's complicated because of how saturated the place is. There's not much resentment yet, but I heard the capital's residents are complaining about the inconvenience."

"I think it would be good to have a residence in the area you selected. I also like the idea of expanding the square more. But as expected…"

"Yes, some say that the distance from the hunting ground is too far away for the adventurers, so the guild has decided to run a carriage service. And since it's already a place for relaxation, carriages come and go there often, so we don't have to build new facilities for it too. I think it'll be fine to use the place like a rest area… and the Blue Guild can use it as a supply store separately. Also, potions…"

'Yes, he knows that I like money. I apologize for being so money-hungry, but I am proud of you, bastard.'

"I think potion stores are going to be the biggest after Crackland. With some conditions, I think we can even connect it to Celia. We are already talking with other guilds and investors."

"That sounds like a good idea."

I didn't just say that. It really seemed like such a good idea that I could feel myself smiling.

I liked the idea of making the entirety of a small city into a huge resting place. It would give Heren an identity. If people didn't want to come there because it was a bother to go around the city, we could make it a place where people would want to come to rest.

Everything about the city's business sounded perfect. Seeing my response, Kim Hyunsung breathed a sigh of relief.

He seemed to have realized that he scored some points, causing his confidence to grow.

"How is it? Then, why don't we talk about it over dinner?"

"Ah, yes. That sounds good."

"There's a place I have reserved. Let's go there."

"Sure."

It was at that moment that I stopped looking at the documents and looked around my surroundings.

'What… What is everyone doing?'

For some reason…

Everyone was staring at us.