Chapter 71
It did seem odd that Soo Jaehee and Park Soobin's get-well messages stopped yesterday.
As Yoon Seo hastily threw off the blanket and tried to get out of bed, Kwon Jihan grabbed his arm with one hand.
"Where do you think you're going when you haven't even fully recovered your mana? Just rest. I'm still recovering my mana too. I used a series of mana-draining skills at the end."
These were the messages that came up before Yoon Seo lost consciousness. Just hearing the names of the skills was enough to know they were no ordinary ones. Yoon Seo shook off Kwon Jihan's hand with a swing of his arm.
While he had to rely on natural recovery due to his healing resistance, couldn't Kwon Jihan just take a mana potion?
He couldn't understand why Kwon Jihan, who always spoke about the strong having a duty to protect the world, was avoiding battle now.
"Could it be…?"
Had Kwon Jihan developed healing resistance too?
Yoon Seo's face turned pale. Seeing Yoon Seo's expression, Kwon Jihan shook his head, as if to dismiss whatever misunderstanding Yoon Seo had.
"It's not healing resistance or anything like that. It's just that my body doesn't like the mana potions available on the market."
"Do they not work well for you?"
"Yeah, I guess you could say the mana density is different. The mana from potions feels uncomfortable, like wearing rough fabric. The bitter taste lingers on my tongue too. So I prefer to recover naturally or use mana recovery skills."
"..."
Yoon Seo had heard of such cases before. Most people have no problem with mana potions, but occasionally, there are those who find the mana from potions uncomfortable and awkward compared to pure natural mana. Since mana potions were no different from lukewarm water to Yoon Seo, he had never experienced that sensation and couldn't really comment.
"Then you should rest here, Hunter Kwon Jihan. I need to check out the west sea."
"Even with four S-rank hunters there, you're still not confident?"
"Well, considering the flood… Did you say four?"
Yoon Seo counted on his fingers. Alec had gone into the dungeon with Team 2. That made three people, including Soo Jaehee and the couple. When Yoon Seo looked puzzled, Kwon Jihan smiled.
"Oh, while we were in the dungeon, someone else joined Seokyoung. It's a foreign S-rank combatant with some pretty interesting elemental skills. Not incredibly strong, but not weak either."
"..."
Feeling a bit deflated, Yoon Seo pulled the blanket back up and sat on the bed. It must be that foreign hunter who recently sparred with Kwon Jihan and, after losing, ended up joining Seokyoung.
Come to think of it, the day when he, too, would have to spar with Kwon Jihan was approaching.
'…Let's just pretend I don't know.'
With four S-rank hunters, it seemed there wasn't much to worry about. Still curious about how things were going, he turned on his U-pad, but all the news was about Seo Chaeyoon. The upcoming A-rank dungeon strategies, the S-rank dungeon overflow, and even the news of recruiting S-rank hunters were all buried under Seo Chaeyoon's return.
Yoon Seo felt slightly uneasy, wondering if he was really that important, and the attention was becoming overwhelming.
"Hunter Kwon Jihan."
"Hyung, just talk comfortably. Try calling me Jihan."
"You should hold a press conference. Announce that you're actually an alien from the Centauri constellation."
If Kwon Jihan were an alien, a scandal like that could easily overshadow Seo Chaeyoon's return. Even Yoon Seo, who didn't know much about Kwon Jihan before their merger, wouldn't have been able to resist clicking on such an intriguing headline.
Yoon Seo was serious, but Kwon Jihan chuckled.
"Do you dislike seeing Seo Chaeyoon's name mentioned that much?"
"I do."
"Sorry for putting you through things you don't like. But even though there's news about your return, we're not planning to send you back into the dungeon. There's no need to call you for battle."
Yoon Seo raised an eyebrow at the unexpected statement.
"Why? Because of my healing resistance?"
Kwon Jihan let out a short sigh.
"I never imagined something like healing resistance could exist… We can't let someone who's immune to potions and healing skills fight monsters. Even if they try to send you in, I'll stop them, so don't worry."
"…Then why didn't you stop the news from getting out? Did you even try to prevent the announcement, Kwon Jihan?"
"Me? How could I have the power to stop the news?"
"You're really shameless."
Yoon Seo glared at him in disbelief, but Kwon Jihan just smiled casually.
"I'm a bit shameless. Being called that by Seo Chaeyoon makes me feel honored. So, how was it? Were you nervous about being discovered? Or did you laugh at people betting on other candidates?"
"It wasn't funny at all. Since we're on the topic, let me ask, why did you even bother finding me?"
"Ah."
Kwon Jihan crossed his arms. Yoon Seo thought he was avoiding the question, but that wasn't the case.
"Jooncheol hyung will be here soon to explain everything. There's a lot you need to hear."
"You mean the Seokyoung Guild Master?"
"Yeah. We're all gathering late at night when there are fewer eyes around."
A sudden sense of foreboding made Yoon Seo furrow his brow deeply.
"Who exactly is included in 'everyone'?"
"The Seokyoung Guild Master, the Seokyoung Vice Guild Master, the President of the Korean Hunters Association, the Chairman of the World Hunters Federation, the Leader of Europe's Europae Guild, the Leader of America's S Guild, and so on…."
"..."
"Don't even think about running."
Kwon Jihan quickly grabbed the sleeve of Yoon Seo's hospital gown.
"Why are all those people…?"
"I can't tell you right now."
"Do I absolutely have to meet them? Can't we just do a video call? It's a high-tech age, after all…."
"No, you have to talk face to face."
"I'm already feeling dizzy and in pain from the lack of mana, and now I'm so stressed and annoyed that I might just disappear somewhere…."
Yoon Seo's fragile voice carried a menacing threat, and Kwon Jihan, who had been smiling lazily, suddenly stiffened.
"Hyung, I can't tell, are you really sick, or are you just pretending?"
"...."
"Ah, I see."
Kwon Jihan, reading Yoon Seo's awkward expression, realized it was just an act and smiled again.
"Got it. Since you hate it so much, I'll only call three people."
"Who are the three?"
"Our Guild Master, the Vice Guild Master, and the Europae Guild Master. We need the prophet there."
Yoon Seo narrowed his eyes and nodded. He was familiar with Grace Elysia from the Europae Guild, an S-rank seer who was also said to be close with La Bijina.
"Since Seo Chaeyoon dislikes it so much, I'll reduce the number and let them know. So don't think about running away."
"Understood."
After Kwon Jihan left the room, Yoon Seo let out a groan and flopped onto the bed. He skimmed through some news articles and then turned on the TV. Even the channels that usually aired dramas were now hosting talk shows about Seo Chaeyoon's return. But as he kept flipping channels, he finally found one that was airing a drama. A good station indeed.
"Hunter Kwon Jihan, while you're out, buy some snacks and drinks."
"...."
Yoon Seo called out in a not-so-loud voice to Kwon Jihan, who had stepped out into the hallway. There was no response, only a low chuckle. It seemed Kwon Jihan had taken the elevator, likely because the convenience store was downstairs. Come to think of it, this seemed to be the only patient room on this floor.
Using
A perfect day for paragliding.
Skydiving under a blue sky.
Finding clouds shaped like puppies, chicks, sharks, soccer-playing kids, and sunflowers.
Yoon Seo could only think of three immediate last wishes.
He had already completed paragliding and skydiving, but he hadn't yet found clouds in specific shapes.
'Since I have some time off, I should focus on my tasks. First, finish up the knitting that's left. Oh, should I take out the Riceball too?'
Since the fact that Seo Chaeyoon was Yoon Seo was already exposed, he felt there was no need to hide the Riceball and took it out from his inventory.
'Should I rename it to "Existing Spirit"? But since not everyone knows I'm Seo Chaeyoon yet, I'll leave it as is for now.'
The small egg vibrated faintly on Yoon Seo's palm. The weak tremor felt pitiful and heartbreaking, so Yoon Seo hugged it tightly.
"Riceball."
"...."
"I'll keep taking you out from now on. Recover well and break out of the egg, okay?"
"...."
The surface of the egg trembled slightly. Yoon Seo smiled. Riceball was quite the talkative little thing. Thinking about how frustrated and eager it must be to talk now made Yoon Seo feel both pity and affection.
While endlessly stroking the egg, Yoon Seo's gaze suddenly stopped at his sleeve.
'Wait a minute.'
He had woken up already wearing this hospital gown.
Who changed him?
"...."
He couldn't bring himself to ask anyone….
***
– Right. It seems like I won't be able to leave for a few days anyway. With so much attention right now, if I visit anyone, I'll be easily identified.
"Got it. I'll pass that along."
– Um… he's really angry, right?
The voice of Yoo Juncheol on the phone sounded weary. Kwon Jihan sighed.
"That's the problem. Hyung doesn't get angry. He says he's pissed off but never raises his voice. He just lets things go as they are."
– Isn't that a good thing from our perspective?
"It's not from my perspective. How do you apologize to someone who doesn't get angry? You can't just say you're sorry to someone who doesn't want to hear an apology."
– Hmm.
There was a commotion around Yoo Juncheol. "Guild master, the association president will be arriving soon—", "We're getting contacted from the Europae side—" It was chaotic, but Yoo Juncheol didn't hang up.
– Usually, when someone doesn't get angry in a situation where they should, there are two possibilities. They are either extremely kind and gentle or… they have no expectations of the other person at all.
"...."
– Which do you think it is?
Kwon Jihan didn't respond. Yoo Juncheol waited a bit longer before speaking again.
– For now, I'm busy and will hang up. Let's talk later.
"Got it."
After hanging up, Kwon Jihan stood in place for a moment.
No expectations of the other person at all…
It made sense. He had been behaving so arrogantly, testing his patience all this time.
When the prophecy about the appearance of the great dungeon came and he realized he needed to drag out the hidden people, he had prepared himself to be hated.
"...."
His brow furrowed slightly. Kwon Jihan closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths.
There are things in the world that must be done even if they are unpleasant. As someone with the responsibility to maintain the peace of the world, it was a duty he had to bear.
***
After finishing the call, Kwon Jihan returned with his hands full of snacks.
"Hyung, unfortunately, it seems like you won't be able to meet with the guild master for the next few days. There are so many watchful eyes because of the possibility of meeting Seo Chaeyoon. If you visit now, there will be a hundred percent chance that people will speculate you're Seo Chaeyoon, so I think we should wait until the interest dies down before meeting and talking."
"I see. Understood."
"Our side is also urgent, so it won't take too long. Just put aside any complicated thoughts for a few days and rest."
Kwon Jihan moved another armchair next to Yoon Seo's and sat down.
Although he pretended to be considerate, Yoon Seo could already feel a headache coming on, knowing that this meant there would be extremely complicated discussions in a few days.
"What's that egg?"
"It's a spirit."
"'Existing soul?'"
When Yoon Seo nodded, Kwon Jihan's lips curved into a smile.
"Interesting. So it can really change shape freely?"
"Yes."
"It can be a dagger or a bow?"
"That's right. Aren't there many items like this now?"
"There aren't many even now. It was probably unique ten years ago. It's a coveted weapon."
At the mention of "coveted," Yoon Seo pulled the egg closer to himself, carefully wrapping it in a blanket so that the eggshell wasn't visible.
"Kwon Jihan, don't you have your own weapon? The black-handled sword."
"I do use that now, but I end up changing it two or three times a year. The durability can't keep up with the power of my skills. How do you maintain the durability of your weapon?"
"I replenish it with mana."
"So that means it's permanent?"
"More like semi-permanent. Have you been changing your weapons like that all this time?"
Kwon Jihan nodded. His expression seemed nonchalant, but this was actually quite significant. For someone who engages in combat frequently, changing weapons two or three times a year was very dangerous. Usually, one finds a dedicated weapon within two or three years, but even after six years since awakening, he still didn't have a dedicated weapon, and from what he was saying, he seemed to lack any sense of urgency. What should be done about this kid? What have the adults around him been doing? What about Yoo Juncheol?