710

 [Chapter 182]

[Life of the Weak]

The request received by Pandora Clan's new recruits was to escort Alice Life's goods transport to Chuncheon City.

It wasn't a particularly difficult task.

Although monster appearances become frequent after leaving Seoul, they weren't monsters the clan members couldn't handle.

Moreover, players stationed on the highway cleared out monsters, so there wasn't much for them to do in reality.

"Sigh... I hope nothing happens like this..."

"Hahaha! Then wouldn't Alice Life have no reason to hire players? Are you trying to get an easy job? Haha!"

"Hey, we're still earning our keep, right? Isn't it nice that I'm keeping you company like this, mister?"

"Oh my, I didn't think of that! You're right, please keep me from falling asleep until we reach our destination.

"Just call me Euna. You don't need to use my alias."

"But from what I know, players prefer to be called by their aliases..."

"Player Noh Euna. Okay?"

"...Alright, Player Noh Euna."

At most, what they did was keep the driver company like Noh Euna.

To be honest, even she thought it was a freebie job.

The pay was good compared to the workload.

It was possible because Pandora Clan was receiving sponsorship from Alice Group.

At that moment─.

[─Pa-Pandora Clan Telepathist Seo Dambi here! Reporting that monsters have appeared and are chasing from behind! According to Navigator Kim Jingyu's message, there are 23 monsters pursuing, with an average of 7th tier.]

"Oh my, quite a lot have appeared."

"Mister, please slow down a bit. Tell the vehicles following behind to slow down too."

"Got it."

Noh Euna received the telepathy.

The driver who also received the telepathy glanced at the side mirror and slowly reduced speed.

"Is this enough?"

"Yes, thank you. Please have the other trucks maintain this speed too. We'll be subjugating the pursuing monsters in the meantime."

Euna unbuckled her seatbelt.

She opened the door of the moving vehicle and looked behind.

She saw that some monsters had already narrowed the distance and jumped onto the rearmost truck.

She furrowed her brow.

"The monsters' speed is quite fast. If we're not careful, we'll be completely caught up to by the monsters."

With flexible and nimble movements.

Noh Euna climbed onto the truck.

At that time, other players were taking similar actions.

Ryu Yeonhwa was among them.

I'll handle the monsters.

You support from behind.

She seemed to be saying that.

Euna nodded.

Then Ryu Yeonhwa fearlessly ran across the top of the truck.

She jumped off the truck in one breath and landed on the truck right behind.

It was a jaw-dropping feat.

Players who received requests from companies other than Pandora Clan couldn't hide their admiration.

Regardless, she instantly reached the rear and─.

─Jelly Cube

Wind Fairy's Blessing

Noh Euna had created footholds in the air and was already occupying the airspace.

She received Ryu Yeonhwa's signal and deployed protective magic on the clan members jumping onto the road.

A huge jelly enveloped the clan members and absorbed the impact.

And wind that blew from somewhere wrapped around their bodies, gifting them with an effect that increased their speed.

Hanmae Style, Waterfall

They rushed at the monsters and.

Ryu Yeonhwa joined in.

They handled the monsters smoothly without being pushed back.

"Hmm..."

Meanwhile, Euna looked down from midair and hummed shortly.

Noh Euna who was paying attention to ensure the clan members wouldn't get hurt had her gaze reach one place.

"Oh Seonghwan. Don't go too far forward."

"It's fine! I may not match the seniors' skills, but I can do this much!"

The dealer fighting at the very front.

It was Oh Seonghwan who was known as a promising talent among the 032nd class.

True to his reputation, he was wrestling with a 6th tier monster alone.

Even Euna looking down from the sky could tell he had quite a lot of enthusiasm.

However─.

"─It's a bit dangerous. What if he gets hurt doing that..."

Oh Seonghwan's eagerness was too far ahead, making him push too far forward.

Looking down from above, she could grasp how the party was operating.

Although Oh Seonghwan was unlikely to be overwhelmed by the monsters, it was still dangerous.

It might be understandable in an urgent wartime situation.

In this situation, it was right to take time to form a solid party and face the monsters.

Especially if there were 6th tier monsters mixed in.

It's good to kill monsters.

But it's better to kill them without getting hurt.

That was Noh Euna's principle and.

Other clan members had similar thoughts to her.

Ryu Yeonhwa was the same.

When forming a party, she would fight while considering the party members as much as possible.

When she judged that far, Noh Euna finally realized.

"I wondered who he resembled, but he's fighting like Eunha."

Her tone lowered.

Oh Seonghwan was the most fervent Noh Eunha devotee among the new recruits who joined this year.

She hadn't been able to grasp it when carrying out requests in Yongsan-gu since there were no situations of facing groups like this but.

Looking at it now, Oh Seonghwan's combat style seemed to be influenced by Eunha.

"Hmm... What should I do with that kid. He needs style correction..."

Soon, not much time passed and.

The battle ended.

Noh Euna murmured while looking down at Oh Seonghwan picking up mana stones with the clan members.

"...That style is only possible for Eunha. He's likely to get hurt doing that, and what if something goes wrong to the point he can't even be healed... He needs to accurately recognize his own abilities..."

It's because Noh Eunha is strong.

Moreover, his tactics and magic usage were tailored for that too.

He also had artifacts prepared as insurance.

But Oh Seonghwan wasn't like that.

No matter how promising Oh Seonghwan was, Euna who had seen Eunha and Yeonhwa up close knew Oh Seonghwan couldn't match the two.

I acknowledge Eunha and Yeonhwa's sense, but their combat style isn't something to imitate. A magpie trying to follow a stork will split its crotch.

Sorry to Oh Seonghwan, but talent was an area that couldn't be resolved with just passion and effort.

He was no match for her little brother or Ryu Yeonhwa who had innate qualities for combat.

"I'll have to think about it. What to do..."

If he sticks to a style like Noh Eunha's, he's bound to die or get hurt later.

She wasn't unaware of the fates of players who took risks in her player life.

So as a sub-lord, and as a supporter responsible for the clan members' bodies.

It was proper to overhaul Oh Seonghwan's style.

Noh Euna's worries deepened.

☆

While on dispatch in Seongnam City.

Eunha stopped by Ha Jieun's shop almost every day.

As a result, Eunha's lunch often became hamburgers.

The clan members initially praised the hamburgers she made, but stopped coming over time.

"Don't you get tired of it?"

"...It's delicious though."

Ha Jieun even asked Eunha directly.

Then Eunha would answer like a machine.

"It's on the house. Have more."

"..."

At some point, Ha Jieun started giving Eunha extra fries or adding free toppings to his hamburger.

From Eunha's standpoint, it was a situation where he didn't know whether to like it or not.

At least it was good that he could see Baekryeon.

Of course, Baekryeon was wary of Eunha.

...She smiles at little Eunha, no, Jean Valjean, but always shows that face to me.

Eunha who deliberately visited Ha Jieun's shop to match Ha Baekryeon's school dismissal time.

It was bitter for Eunha who made his own memories by reverting little Eunha every day and experiencing what little Eunha and she went through that day.

While she spoke familiarly to little Eunha, Jean Valjean─.

"─Why do you come here every day, mister?"

"Because your family's hamburgers are delicious."

"Our mom's hamburgers are delicious. But I get tired of eating them every day..."

"Baekryeon? Your school teacher didn't give homework today?"

"...I don't get tired of mom's hamburgers even if I eat them every day."

She suddenly poked her head out over the shelf and.

Poked at him who was always sitting at the bar seat.

Although wariness was evident.

On the other hand, Eunha was glad just that she was speaking to him.

"Mister, why are you still here when you've finished eating?"

"Baekryeon, you shouldn't say things like that. I'm sorry, our child..."

"It's okay. That can happen. I haven't been here long so I don't have friends nearby. So I'm playing with your mom."

"Why don't you have friends? Why don't you play with the people who came before?"

"Baekryeon."

"...We fought. They said they don't like me."

Perhaps because she's still 9 years old.

But she seemed quite thoughtful when conversing with Jean Valjean.

However, when dealing with Eunha, there was no sign of consideration.

Eunha answered Ha Baekryeon's questioning without leaving Ha Jieun's side.

"Hmm... Apologize quickly. When you fight with friends, you should apologize and make up."

"Yes, your words are correct."

Meanwhile, Ha Baekryeon didn't treat Eunha entirely badly.

When Eunha answered lightly, she unexpectedly empathized with Eunha and comforted him.

But Eunha soon realized she had a separate ulterior motive.

"If mister quickly makes up with his friends, he won't come to see our mom..."

"..."

"Make up quickly."

"...I'll try."

I didn't know that meaning was hidden.

Eunha sighed softly.

Although Ha Baekryeon was staying by his side out of concern for her mother, Eunha was still happy to be able to see her up close.

So the Baekryeon at this time wasn't just a timid personality who was always cautious.

She's cute like a cat.

Just like a cat.

Eunha evaluated her like that as she guarded her mother while doing homework.

Meanwhile, Eunha wasn't slacking off while the clan members were working hard.

"Um... Is this the place to report anomalies?"

"Yes, you've come to the right place."

While requesting the clan members to investigate.

Eunha was receiving reports from residents at Ha Jieun's shop with her permission.

In a way, it could be considered good for Ha Jieun.

Residents visiting the shop would order simple snacks too.

"Come this way please."

"Yes, it's been about a week now, what happened then was..."

"Ah, just a moment please."

The resident tried to pour out what they experienced to Eunha in rapid-fire speech.

Eunha cut them off before that.

Then he turned his head.

"Hmm..."

Peeking out over the shelf.

Ha Baekryeon who was doing homework raised her head and was listening intently.

Eunha sighed.

It's not good for a child to hear.

Eunha gestured to her.

Ha Baekryeon tilted her head with a ? floating above it.

When Eunha gestured for her to come, she trotted over.

To this, Eunha opened his wallet.

"Here."

"What's this?"

"Go outside and buy snacks or food you want to eat with this."

"..."

"Here, take it. Oppa... mister just wants to give you allowance."

Although he's only 21 years old.

It was sad to call himself mister.

Eunha nevertheless put the bill in Ha Baekryeon's hand.

Right at that moment─.

─Chomp!

Ha Baekryeon suddenly bit his wrist.

She glared at Eunha with narrowed pupils like a cat.

"This kid! Baekryeon, what are you doing? I'm so sorry, I'm really sorry. How could you suddenly bite the Pandora Clan Lord's wrist!?"

"It's okay. Kids can do that."

Ha Jieun who was startled ran over.

She scolded Ha Baekryeon while pulling her off.

Then she apologized to Eunha.

It didn't hurt Eunha at all.

It was just at the level of tickling.

Of course, he wasn't angry either.

"Hmph! I won't take mister's money! Who do you think will fall for it?"

Meanwhile, Ha Baekryeon who was scolded by Ha Jieun made huffing sounds.

She ran out of the shop as if escaping.

"Why is she acting like that these days..."

Ha Jieun was embarrassed and.

Eunha just stared blankly at his hand with teeth marks.

Does she dislike me...

I want to become close with you again, but.

It doesn't hurt and.

I'm not angry but.

I can't help feeling sad.

It felt like being bitten by a beloved cat.

☆

There was some progress.

After receiving reports from residents for several days.

Eunha was able to roughly narrow down the search range.

"Are these guys coming down from the mountains? There are a lot of reports of seeing them around there..."

Before the regression, the monsters had made nests in the sewers.

But the clan members weren't making much progress.

As a result of gathering information from local residents, the possibility came up that the monsters might be coming down from nearby mountains rather than hiding in the city.

To this, Eunha concluded.

"─Stop searching the sewers now, pack up and head up the mountains."

"Who wants to kill this guy with me?"

"""..."

The Clan Lord just gives orders.

That day, the clan members who returned after working their butts off had their jaws drop.

It was to the point where when Bae Subin spoke up, the clan members threatened Eunha with weapons.

"Work a bit harder. When this job is over, I'll give you plenty of vacation time."

"You're lying."

"Have you ever seen me lie?"

""""Yes.""""

Eunha had to soothe them.

Of course, Kang Sihyung and the clan members didn't fully believe Eunha's words.

Nevertheless, they eventually received orders and went up the mountain.

"I want to kill Noh Eunha."

"It was a mistake to follow Eunha... Seona was right. There's nothing good about working with Eunha."

"Sigh... We just dug for nothing."

"He's probably leisurely eating hamburgers again..."

Bae Subin, Choi Eunhyuk, Kaede, Kang Sihyung.

Eunha sent off the four people like that.

Then he contacted local clans and requested them to thoroughly search the underground waterways again.

In the end, the local clans were rolled too.

Meanwhile, Eunha─.

[─What about food?]

"I ate hamburgers."

[You ate hamburgers again? Take care of your health. How can you eat only that kind of food every day.]

At least once a day.

Eunha contacted Jeong Hayang and Han Seohyun to exchange recent news.

Jeong Hayang immediately nagged when she heard Eunha had a meal eating hamburgers.

 [Sigh... You must be very busy. To be eating hamburgers every day...]

"Well... I guess so?"

Eunha was stung by Jeong Hayang's words.

He tried to gloss over it nonchalantly.

Then Jeong Hayang's voice was filled with worry.

"But the hamburgers here are delicious. Ah, should I buy one for you when I come back?"

[Yes, buy me one. Ah, then don't just buy one for me, buy some for the clan members too. It would be weird if only I ate it.]

"Okay, I'll do that."

Ha Jieun's hamburgers were really delicious.

After eating them a few times, he did get tired of them, but Eunha wanted to let Jeong Hayang and Han Seohyun taste them once.

Before, when he ate something delicious, he was just happy with that alone.

But at some point, Eunha started thinking he wanted to share delicious food with those he cared about.

[By the way, Eunha.]

"Hm, what?"

[From what Subin said, it seems you're getting close with the shop owner there... Perhaps...]

"I don't know what you're thinking, but that person is married. They have a child too."

[Hmm... Is that really true?]

"You don't believe me?"

[No.]

"..."

[I'm joking.]

"Have some faith in me."

[But Euna unni and Seohyun unni said I shouldn't believe what you say.]

"..."

[Anyway, work hard. Don't make the kids who went with you suffer too much.]

"Alright."

Eunha finished his call with Jeong Hayang.

It wasn't over with just her.

He had to call Han Seohyun, Euna, and Eunae too.

Eunha had to spend time making calls in front of the shop.

Then Ha Baekryeon opened the door and looked at Eunha suspiciously.

"─You said you had no friends, so who are you calling like that?"

"...I made up with them thanks to you."

"Is that so? That's good. Then you won't come to see our mom anymore, right?"

"I'm not coming to see your mom."

"Tsk, liar. Then who are you coming to see?"

"..."

You, you, you.

Eunha was about to say but stopped.

Instead, he sent Buldak who was on his head to Ha Baekryeon.

"Bibi bibi papa papa pupu pu!"

"Play with him if you're bored."

"Hmph, Buldak let's play!"

"Papa!"

"Don't go too far to play."

After sending Buldak to Ha Baekryeon.

Eunha resumed his call.

And two days passed from that day.

The clan members who said they stayed in the mountains overnight returned.

"─We found it."

With dark circles under her eyes.

Kaede brought out a mana stone.

Eunha examined the size of the mana stone.

"This size is about 5th tier? What did the monster look like?"

"It was in the form of an ape. It seems they were hiding and living in the mountains. There's not just one colony, we confirmed at least 4 so far."

"Quite a lot... You didn't get hurt?"

"We didn't get hurt but we couldn't sleep. We didn't have a chance to sleep properly since we didn't know where they would appear from."

"I see, good work."

Eunha nodded.

Now that they've discovered the monsters' colonies, he just needs to report to the Mana Management Organization.

Then they'll make a subjugation plan.

"You must be hungry, want to eat some hamburgers? You haven't eaten yet, right?"

Meanwhile, Eunha was concerned for the clan members.

They all looked haggard.

Kang Sihyung seemed to have shrunk even more.

So when he kindly offered.

The clan members said─.

""""─Never mind that, just give us vacation.""""

"Papa! Bibi! Bipu bi pa!"

As if there was no room for negotiation.

They spoke with murderous eyes.

Buldak agreed too.