Chapter 112
Silence lingered in the conference room, a result of Gyeoul's shocking statement.
"I've broken my hand so many times, it's okay if I can't use it for a while."
Gyeoul spoke calmly, as if it was nothing out of the ordinary.
Where do they even start to correct this twisted sense of normalcy?
Jung Yu-na was utterly at a loss.
"Uh... Gyeoul, how did your hand get broken so often?"
"My body was weak."
"Ah, right..."
Living a harder life than adults with a mana-less body, it's no wonder her hand broke often.
It wasn't just her wrist; likely, many parts of her body had been broken.
'She probably couldn't even go to a normal hospital without health insurance.'
How did she manage to heal her body without the benefits of healing magic, potions, or medical knowledge?
Jung Yu-na, unable to hide her anxiety, asked Gyeoul,
"Gyeoul, how did you treat it when you were injured?"
"I just wrapped it with a bandage."
"Ah..."
The dingy-colored bandages in Gyeoul's tent...
She wrapped the wounds with those dirty bandages.
Jung Yu-na involuntarily bit her lip.
'How much pain must she have been in?'
Just natural healing without any medical or magical aid.
Jung Yu-na, who gets minor injuries in dungeons, knew the pain of a broken bone.
She uses healing magic for even the smallest scratch, whereas Gyeoul only wrapped her injuries with a bandage and endured the pain.
Pain that might last days or even weeks.
How desperate she must have felt, breaking an arm with no one to help.
Jung Yu-na, heart aching, unconsciously grabbed Gyeoul's wrist.
"Gyeoul, it's absolutely not okay to have your hand broken."
"Why...?"
Gyeoul tilted her head, genuinely not understanding.
Seeing that expression, Jung Yu-na turned pale.
"...Why do you think it's okay to have your hand broken?"
"Because everyone says it's okay."
Gyeoul couldn't understand Jung Yu-na's attitude.
In a world where a huge hole in the stomach could be easily regenerated, a broken arm or leg was 'just' that.
Complaining about pain only earned cold stares.
"It's not okay at all..."
Jung Yu-na muttered to herself and closed her eyes tight, knowing why Gyeoul muttered such words.
Right.
Gyeoul was the child who was mocked for being a crybaby even when her stomach was pierced.
It was natural for a child in such situations to have a twisted common sense.
How should she even explain this to her?
Jung Yu-na sighed deeply, frustrated.
'Of all things, comparing herself to adventurers.'
Most adventurers were essentially prepared for physical pain.
Some saw not showing pain as a virtue.
This attitude meant many adventurers had a sort of bravado, pretending not to be hurt even when they were.
This was possible because of the psychological comfort that injuries could just be treated.
But Gyeoul was different.
She wasn't a proper adventurer, and her fragile body meant even minor injuries could be life-threatening, especially since she was still under ten years old.
Comparing herself to adult adventurers was incredibly misguided.
"Gyeoul, having a broken arm is incredibly painful."
"It's just a little scratch...?"
"Not at all... Even I would cry from the pain if I broke my arm."
"Really?"
People in this world also consider a broken arm painful?
Gyeoul's eyes widened in surprise.
"Gyeoul, a broken arm is very painful. You absolutely shouldn't bear it and say it's okay; you need to ask for help."
"Yes... I actually was in a lot of pain, but everyone said it was fine, so I endured it."
"Uh, okay."
An eight-year-old child bearing such terrible pain; what kind of mental strength is that?
Everyone in the conference room, including Jung Yu-na, grimaced.
Then, Levinas spoke up.
"Why do you both keep saying such scary things...?"
Levinas was trembling.
Tears had formed in her eyes.
"Oh, sorry."
"Levinas thinks she might die if she breaks an arm...! She'd be so in pain she'd cry even after dying...!"
"Okay. Sorry, I'll stop now."
Gyeoul wiped Levinas's tears with the back of her hand.
With that warm touch, Levinas's lips began to curl up slightly.
'I said too many scary things in front of the kids.'
Such stories are better kept among adults.
Gyeoul continued to apologize to the children.
"Hmm... I said it would take an hour because of the meeting, but I think we should just get it done now."
"Really?"
Gyeoul's tail perked up, wagging left and right.
Conversely, Saebyeok's tail drooped down as if disappointed.
Such adorable kids.
It's heartbreaking that these lovely children had to endure such pain.
Jung Yu-na showed a sad smile towards the children.
It was best to stop the cruel jokes here.
<+>
The next day.
I woke up early and went to the park.
With Levinas's help, we tended to the garden, and Saebyeok and I caught fish in the pond.
After working for a while, I sat on a bench and took a short break.
Today, I decided we should harvest the cabbages.
Just as I was thinking this, Yeoreum waved at us from a distance and approached.
Both Saebyeok's and my tails wagged at the sight.
"Kids, do you have a moment?"
She had something for Levinas and Saebyeok.
I nodded on their behalf.
"Yes, we have time. We were just resting."
"Then, could you come with me for a bit?"
"Sure."
So, we followed Yeoreum to the guild building.
The lobby on the first floor was crowded with many people.
'What's going on?'
It looked like everyone from the guild was there.
Was there some event today?
As I looked around curiously, Yeoreum started walking towards the center of the group.
"Yeoreum! What's all this about?!"
"Today is the promotion ceremony."
"Promotion ceremony?!"
"Yeah. We cleared a level one dungeon yesterday. Now, you're moving from novice adventurers to level one adventurers."
"Wow!"
Levinas's ears perked up, and so did mine.
"We're becoming official adventurers?"
"Yeah. Wanna go see the Master?"
"Yes...!"
So, we're really being recognized as adventurers today.
I rushed to the Master with everyone.
"You've arrived."
"Yes."
"Then take your badge."
The Master didn't bother with any unnecessary speeches.
He just indifferently pinned a badge on our chests.
The badge had a circle with a wavy line inside; when all the lines are drawn, it becomes a sun.
The more lines, the higher the rank.
It was the symbolic badge of the Yeomyeong Guild.
"Wow."
"Gyeoul is already a level one adventurer?"
Applause filled the air, and I couldn't help but feel proud.
I tried to maintain a dignified expression but ended up feeling both proud and a bit embarrassed.
I couldn't help but let out a silly laugh.
"Saebyeok, you too."
"Okay."
Saebyeok received the same badge as me, and then it was Levinas's turn.
As the Master approached her, Levinas stood up straight with shining eyes, ready to receive her badge.
"Hmm... It's difficult for Levinas to become a level one adventurer just yet."
"Does... does that mean Levinas won't get a badge?"
"Well, yes."
"..."
Levinas's face darkened.
Maybe it was the despair of being the only one not receiving a badge, but she stood still, not moving an inch.
"Levinas needs to be observed a bit longer."
"Is... is that so..."
"Yes."
At the Guild Master's firm response, Levinas's shoulders slumped.
It was heartbreaking that she was the only one sad on this joyous day.
"Uh..."
Levinas's gaze shifted to the badges pinned on Saebyeok's and my chests.
Feeling guilty under the envious gazes, I found myself looking down at the ground.
"Sorry..."
It would have been great if Levinas could have joined us.
I had no way to help her.
The promotion of adventurers wasn't up to me but the Master.
How could I comfort Levinas, who was engulfed in a sense of loss?
While I was pondering, the Master started rummaging through his pocket.
"I'll give you a different badge instead."
"A different badge...?"
"Yes."
What the Master pulled out of his pocket was a carrot-shaped badge.
Inside the circle, instead of wavy lines, there was just a carrot.
"Wow...!"
Levinas's eyes widened, like that of a horned rabbit.
Her sparkling eyes were fixed on the carrot badge.
"This is the novice adventurer badge, newly made."
"Is it for Levinas?!"
"Yes."
"Wow!"
Thump thump thump.
Levinas couldn't contain her joy and started hopping around.
The Master skillfully pinned the badge on the shaking body of Levinas.
"King! Levinas got a badge too! It's the coolest badge in the world!"
"Yes. It's much cooler than mine."
"Is, is it? What if it's too cool for Levinas?"
Hehe.
Levinas showed a sorry expression, just like I had earlier.
I'm glad she liked her badge
<+>
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