It had been close to a month since the hidden camera prank. After getting treated for about a week at the Black Swan Guild, I was moved to the Blue Guild and spent the rest of my time there. Naturally, Ahn Ki-Mo headed back to the Red Mercenary Guild after a week, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed during that process.

‘He would be a good member…’

He was a talented player who appeared when I thought it would be good to have someone who could play the role of a sub-healer as well as a sub-tanker. As a combat priest, his stats weren’t that bad, but his nature was similar to mine, which was what I liked the most about him. It was natural for me to be greedy over him because not only was his stats good, but I knew very well it was going to be hard to find another passionate actor like him. The amusing part was that he told me he wanted to work with me again.

‘My contract ends soon.’

Ahn Ki-Mo had asked whether I would be willing to take him since he had nowhere else to go once he left the Red Mercenary Guild. Obviously, I nodded in agreement. I was going to visit Cha Hee-Ra anyway, so the next time I visited the Red Mercenary Guild’s Guild House, I thought it wouldn’t be so bad to bring up Ahn Ki-Mo.

‘It has been a while since I saw her.’

It wasn’t that I hadn’t seen her at all. When it was officially announced that the Murderer Clan had attacked Jung Ha-Yan, Kim Ye-Ri, and me, Cha Hee-Ra visited us to show the public. After exchanging a few conversations with her, she quickly left as if she was embarrassed, but it hadn’t been so bad because we were able to talk to each other. During all of this, the Black Swan Guild announced that a seatholder of the empire’s Eight Seats was attacked by the Murderer Clan, which prompted the Black Swan Guild to show off their influence in Lindel. This was something both Cha Hee-Ra and Kim Hyun-Sung had officially agreed upon.

Kim Hyun-Sung and the key members of the Blue Guild knew that all of this had been a hidden camera prank for Park Deok-Gu, but there wasn’t a reason for them not to bring a big incident like this into politics. I was sure Lee Ji-Hye was behind this.

The three alliance guilds, Black Swan, Red Mercenary, and the Blue Guild, strengthened the city’s defense and by using the city’s security as an excuse, they exercised their influence within the city.

I trusted Lee Ji-Hye and Kim Hyun-Sung, so I didn’t check the details in the report, but they had definitely thought that this incident could raise awareness to the city that was in a comfort zone because I saw them moving around actively. Naturally, Park Yeon-Joo of the Black Swan Guild looked like she was looking forward to her meeting with Kim Hyun-Sung even more thanks to this incident, but according to Lee Ji-Hye, she couldn’t create an opportunity for them to meet, so it was up to me to create that opportunity.

‘I can already feel my head hurting…’

Even though it had always been my job to watch our lovely regressor’s back, it was a bit complicated to get involved with his love life. When looking at the big picture, setting him up with Park Yeon-Joo would benefit both guilds, and since there wasn’t a reason for me not to help, I didn’t think it would be bad to plan something out once all this was done and over. Naturally, the Black Swan Guild’s movements weren't limited to Park Yeon-Joo’s personal greed. One of the conditions I had mentioned was the possibility of them selling the Dragon Breath Potion. We had openly discussed the offer, but they weren’t that surprised that the offer was even made. However, since the potion could output a tremendous amount of firepower just by imbuing it with a bit of mana, they were begging me to franchise it to them.

Of course, I wasn’t planning on selling the Dragon Breath Potion to the public. The production process was difficult and since only a limited number of potions could be made at a time, I couldn’t mass produce it. Moreover, the potion had to be handmade. I could probably sell one or two, but I didn’t like the idea of someone else stealing my work and making money off of it.

Anyway, if I wasn’t careful with my actions considering the overall situation, I could cause a massive problem.

“Hicuuuup… gaah…”

The pig in front of me still hadn’t gotten over that incident.

“I’m not in pain anymore, so stop crying, Deok-Gu. It’s been a month since that incident,” I told him.

“But—”

“Tsk. We just need to be more careful next time. It’s not your fault. It was my fault this time,” I interrupted him.

“It’s not your fault, hyung-nim,” Park Deok-Gu said.

“We should have moved more cautiously. If we had searched more thoroughly before we prepared to enter the dungeon, we wouldn’t be here in the first place. Like what Mr. Ahn Ki-Mo had said, we had been overflowing with confidence,” I explained.

“What… do you mean?” he asked.

“You know, the story he told about how players who have been here for over a year will become so confident that they go on dangerous expeditions. That story applies to me, too. I honestly didn’t think anything would happen during the expedition, and even if something did happen, I was confident that we would be able to take care of it. If the Murderer Clan decided to attack us, I thought we would be able to take them on. This incident was a big lesson for me, and it means that we’re back at the starting point because we had gained more than we lost. This applies to both of us,” I answered.

“Ah…”

“How do you feel? Do you feel stronger than before? Have you tested your skills out?” I asked.

“Not really. All I did was spar with Miss Lee Sang-Hee and the bro a few times… they looked really satisfied, though… I honestly can’t feel the difference. My body did get stronger, but… Oh! My endurance increased to 90 points!” Park Deok-Gu excitedly said.

“Really?”

“I’m still having a hard time using the sword, and even though I had gained a lot of knowledge, I haven’t fully understood them yet…” he added.

“Don’t be so hasty, Deok-Gu,” I said.

“Oh…”

“You’re doing just fine right now, and you’re actually strong. Honestly, you’re doing better than I expected. The information in your head isn't going anywhere, so if you’re consistent with your training, you’ll obtain an even greater result. Also…” I paused.

“Hyung-nim…” Park Deok-Gu muttered.

“I’m sorry about this,” I continued.

When I quietly placed the Enhancement Serum on the side table, he looked at it quietly.

“It wasn’t because I had no trust in you,” I added.

“Oh…”

Park Deok-Gu looked really touched. I was going to say something that was kind of embarrassing, but after seeing his expression, I thought it would be best not to do so because I was afraid he was going to hug me really tight. In the end, I had no choice but to keep the conversation short.

“As I said before, I trust you. Whatever I can do, you can do better, and that thought hasn’t changed since the first time I met you… Anyway, congratulations, Deok-Gu,” I said.

“Hyung-nim…” he mumbled.

“Alright, stop crying. I’m getting tired of it,” I complained.

“Hicuuup… Ye-Ri,” he muttered.

Seeing the tears fill up his eyes made me think that this attitude of his was going to last for another month. When I pushed him away, Park Deok-Gu tried to grab Kim Ye-Ri’s arm, but of course, Kim Ye-Ri didn’t let him. She was actually looking away from him, and I guess it was because she was still feeling guilty.

‘I can’t look at him. Mr. Deok-Gu.’

She told me that before, so there was nothing more I could say.

“Ha-Yan noonim… hicuuuup…” Park Deok-Gu cried out.

“I-I’m really fine now. I’m healthy. I can even walk around now!” she told him.

Despite the fact that Jung Ha-Yan rarely felt regret about other people’s problems, she looked as if she was embarrassed. Usually, they were fine, but whenever Park Deok-Gu asked them if they were okay while crying, they would all react the same way. Honestly, I was embarrassed to see him as well. But out of all of us, I was sure Ahn Ki-Mo was the only person who could really talk to Park Deok-Gu.

“But hyung-nim…”

I had no trouble moving around either, but since he kept following me around, I thought it would be best to just stay in my bed. No matter what kind of excuse I would give, I didn’t think he would believe me, so I had no choice but to look at Sun Hee-Young.

“I’m fine, too. I’ve actually been taking care of my work here. Even Miss Hee-Young said I’m doing fine… Isn’t that right?” I asked her.

“That’s right. Physically, he’s all healed up, and I don’t see any side effects. His recovery was slower than the others due to his job, but there’s nothing I can do about that,” Sun Hee-Young explained.

“See?”

“He’ll be able to go back to his normal life in a week,” she added.

“Th-That’s a relief…” Park Deok-Gu remarked.

“So please be considerate and let Mr. Ki-Young rest comfortably,” she requested.

‘Nice one, Sun Hee-Young.’

She perfectly understood that I wanted to be alone.

Park Deok-Gu cleared his throat a few times after hearing Sun Hee-Young’s blunt request. Then, he left the room with Kim Ye-Ri and Jung Ha-Yan. Jung Ha-Yan looked like she didn’t want to leave, but since they had things they had to talk about, this was the perfect chance for them to do that.

In the end, Sun Hee-Young and I were left alone in the room. Thinking about it now, it had been a while since we had been together like this. It wasn’t awkward, but her flushed cheeks were really bothering me.

‘At least she’s a reasonable person.’

Honestly, I was grateful for the fact that she stayed at the Blue Guild.

The momentary silence bothered me, so I had no choice but to start talking while smiling, and naturally, it was about work.

“By the way, how’s the tutorial dungeon?”

“Oh… the dungeon usually opens around this time, but… it’s kind of late this time around,” Sun Hee-Young answered.

“I see,” I commented.

“I’m sure it’ll open soon. I haven’t been here for a long time, but they do open around this time,” she continued.

“Ahh… Now that I think about it, you’ve been here for a long time, right?” I asked.

“Yes, but I wasn’t doing any kind of production work at that time. When I think about how I was back then, it felt like I was dead,” she replied.

“What?” I asked, astonished.

“This may sound a bit funny, but recently, I feel like I’m more alive when I take care of the guild tasks and do volunteer work out of sincerity. I’m always thinking about how the work I had been doing before was worthless, and it’s all thanks to you, Mr. Ki-Young,” she explained.

“Hahaha. I didn’t do anything. It’s all because you did well, Miss Hee-Young,” I complimented her.

“No, I’m really grateful for what you had done. I also know why this recent incident occurred,” she said.

“What do you mean?”

“You used Mr. Deok-Gu as an excuse to get rid of the murderers outside the city,” Sun Hee-Young said.

‘What kind of bullshit is that?’

I had never made a plan like that, but the crazy priest in front of me had definitely thought that her assumption was right. It was understandable for her to think that way because the citizens within the city were shouting that we shouldn’t leave the Murderer Clan alone.

“I know I’m presumptuous by having this thought, so I apologize again, but… Mr. Ki-Young…!” she suddenly shouted.

‘What is it now…’

I got worried when I saw Sun Hee-Young staring straight at me. Her cheeks were red and she placed one hand on her chest. It felt like her breathing had become a bit uneven, but she didn’t look like she was feeling excited. Actually, it seemed like she was looking at me anxiously with a pinch of nervousness.

‘Oh…’

I couldn’t help but realize that she was sending me a signal. It was obvious what she was trying to say.

‘Seriously? At a time like this?’

The way her lips moved made it seem like she was going to confess her feelings. I knew this crazy priest had feelings for me, but I had never imagined that she would make a move just like this because she had always been watching me from the back. Sun Hee-Young did try to make a move before, but she was more aggressive this time.

‘She is pretty, though...’

There was a reason why she was known as the Saint of the Forsaken. Of course, her actions and character had also contributed to that title, but the biggest reason why she became known as a saint in Lindel was because of her appearance. Her hair came up to her shoulders, and she always wore a neat priest outfit. Her calm vibes had even made me think, ‘so that’s what a mature woman is like.’

Since I was a man, I naturally felt attracted to her, and my heart raced when I saw her looking at me so seriously.

“Oppa!”

That was when the door slammed open. Jung Ha-Yan didn’t knock and directly opened the door to my room.

“Huh?”

Sun Hee-Young and I hadn’t made any physical contact, and even though Jung Ha-Yan had come in at the perfect time, I had never imagined that she would do something like this again after I scolded her about it last time. However, I was sure there was a reason behind her sudden intrusion because Jung Ha-Yan looked kind of excited. Instead of being mad at her, I calmly waited for her to talk, and I realized I wasn’t wrong.

“The tutorial dungeon is open! The Red Mercenary Guild said they want to invite you as an instructor!” Jung Ha-Yan explained.

“That’s interesting…” I remarked.