‘How annoying.’

I wasn’t the one who neglected her, but it was true that I felt kind of relieved. Still, no matter what I did, I was certain she would support me, and that certainty still existed.

‘I forgot about Jung Ha-Yan’s worth.’

She was the genius mage Kim Hyun-Sung had paid close attention to since the tutorial dungeon. Moreover, if we were to consider the fact that she knew how to think outside the box, it would be difficult to describe her importance. Even Lee Ki-Young in the Dark World knew at least that much, even though he didn’t know the details.

‘A genius.’

It wasn’t enough to say that her talent was a gift from the heavens. Even players with legendary rank or above magic stats couldn’t grow or earn experience as fast as her. Out of the talented mages, Jung Ha-Yan’s growth was overwhelmingly fast and strong. She was someone necessary for us to escape the threat of the future Kim Hyun-Sung was aware of. Since she was solely using her talent to catch up with Kim Hyun-Sung’s growth speed, it was only right to say that she truly knew how to think out of the box.

It was just my assumption, but Jung Ha-Yan was a mage we really needed for the future and those who didn’t know that wanted her for her skills. It was understandable for the opposing group to take interest in her, and it wouldn’t be a problem if she simply looked strong. However, anyone could tell that she was mentally unstable and dealing with a problematic person like her wouldn’t be easy. As such, it was an issue. If I were in the other group, I could guarantee that I would have done whatever it took to get information about her.

Since the bastard had taken an interest in Jung Ha-Yan, it proved that he had similar thoughts as me. He was a mage as well, so he was probably looking forward to seeing how strong she was, and if he got lucky, he could even bring her to his group.

‘That’s never going to happen…’

No person would want their fruits of labor to be stolen. There were many times when I thought it would be good to maintain some distance between her and me because her affection was becoming too much for me. However, the thought of someone taking our precious archmage away made me develop a love that wasn’t there before.

‘This isn’t good.’

On one hand, I was sad that Jin Cheong was interested in Jung Ha-Yan. If he were interested in someone else, I could have allowed him to take them just so they could get information from him.

Anyway, Jung Ha-Yan was shocked when I finished talking. The innocent girl who didn’t know how to play hard to get looked as if she were worried that I would dislike her because of this incident.

“I-I-It’s nothing like that. It really isn’t! He just started talking to me first… I-I…” Jung Ha-Yan stuttered.

“...”

“I-I’m not that kind of woman!” she suddenly shouted.

I wasn’t sure what Jung Ha-Yan meant when she said she wasn’t that kind of woman, but if my assumption were correct, then I was that kind of man.

It was amusing how she stuck next to me in shock. I thought it would be fine to act a little colder, so when I slowly looked away, I noticed her ripping something. I confirmed it was the note she received from Jin Cheong. As if that weren’t enough, she used magic to burn it and even stomped the pieces that fell on the floor. She acted as if it were a dirty item. The funny part was that Jin Cheong saw this happen, and as expected, he frowned. Regardless of his intentions, I felt better when I saw him react that way.

‘I already called dibs on her.’

During all of this, Jung Ha-Yan cried while desperately defending herself. I made that comment without much thought, so I was kind of shocked when she reacted this dramatically.

“Heuk. I-I’m not that kind of woman. Really. Hiccup. I’m not cheating on you. I’m really not…” Jung Ha-Yan cried.

The bastard who created this misunderstanding was definitely disappointed by this situation because he glared at me, which got me even more excited. However, if I made this even worse, I might start feeling really bad, so I had to extend my hand out toward her.

When I looked ahead, I saw my lovely saviors waiting for us.

“I know, Ha-Yan. I didn’t mean anything by it, so don’t worry too much,” I assured her.

“I-I’m really not. Heuk… Really…” she repeated.

“I know, I know. I said it without thinking,” I told her.

Naturally, I decided to wrap this up, but despite telling her repeatedly that I was fine, she was panting for air. Jung Ha-Yan also kept on staring at Jin Cheong with resentment, but to be honest, this was the last time we would have any business with him.

The members of the Republic seemed like they were still wary of us, and it was probably because Hee-Ra noona was glaring at them with her scary eyes.

When I stepped over to the Democrat’s side from the Republic’s side, Park Deok-Gu welcomed me. Maybe it was because he blocked his Russian doppelganger with his own body, but he looked like he was in bad shape, but still…

‘At least he’s still standing...’

Park Deok-Gu was sent flying, but he had grown so strong he could block at least one of Valentin’s attacks.

“Are you hurt anywhere?” Park Deok-Gu asked.

“No, I’m fine, Deok-Gu. I think we should take care of your body more than mine. That attack just now…” I suggested.

“I think my stomach is a bit messed up, but it’s not a big problem. The priests treated me, so I can endure it. More importantly—” he paused.

“Why were you here, darling?” Cha Hee-Ra asked in his place.

She definitely disliked the fact that I created this dangerous situation because she looked kind of annoyed. Cha Hee-Ra had to be thinking that I came here of my own free will, and if I were her, I wouldn’t have believed it if someone told me they came here by sheer coincidence.

“It was really a coincidence. I did have a reason for coming here, but it’s a long story… Anyway, thanks, noona. I was actually getting kind of worried,” I replied.

“If this weren’t a neutral territory, you would have died. Even though your second girlfriend was with you, it’s not good to just walk around. Do you understand?”

“Yeah...”

The Republic and the Democrats had just concluded a small dispute, but I had never imagined that the foreigners’ resentment against each other was this deep. It felt like they disliked each other so much that being foreigners wouldn’t be enough reason to unite them, and if they had fought each other on the battlefield a few times as well, it was understandable for them to think even more in that way. Even though there wasn’t anything going on right now, it would be difficult for them to get along when they had always been fighting each other.

‘The people who recently joined probably won’t understand…’

Even Kasugano Yuno looked annoyed, but when I smiled at her quietly, it seemed like she felt better.

Anyway, Cha Hee-Ra walked while looking at the members of the Republic, and she still looked annoyed. Moreover, Jung Ha-Yan was still depressed, so our way back home was quite gloomy.

‘It’ll get busy…’

During all of this, the only thing I could think of was the work I had to do. Since the issue with the Republic had surfaced, I had to gather information and see whether they really were our enemies or not.

***

‘Please. I hope nothing happens… Please…’

I[1] didn’t like coming here because every day, it would feel like I was walking on eggshells. I had a bad feeling from the start, but that feeling was reinforced when I saw the situation just now. Traveling with Instructor Lee Ki-Young; no, Sub Guild Master Lee Ki-Young was so burdensome it would always make me tremble. I had this urge to pee just from the thought of the possibility that the previous incident might happen again.

When I glanced over, I saw Miss Jung Ha-Yan maintaining her serious face these past few days. The experience I had built up until now helped me understand very well that she was on the verge of blowing up. Just glancing at her tickled my bladder, so I had to turn my attention to the person I felt the safest with because he was the only person who could protect me if something happened.

“Is there something on my face?” Park Deok-Gu asked.

“No…” I answered.

“By the way, how’s the task hyung-nim asked you to do…”

“There aren’t any problems. Empress Pristina is still stern, but the sub guild master seemed like he knew that this would take a long time, so he ordered me to move inconspicuously,” I replied.

“Ah, I see. I knew there was a reason why he brought you here. I noticed it the moment he suggested that one of the junior members should participate in the task. However, I think he wants to give you some admin duties as well. Don’t you agree, noonim?” he asked.

“Ah, yes,” Jung Ha-Yan answered.

Even Mr. Park Deok-Gu was trying to be careful around her. They were both worried for different reasons. However, Miss Jung Ha-Yan was not only openly expressing that she was in a bad mood, but she was even crying while eating, so it was understandable for Park Deok-Gu to feel uneasy. The air felt like we were in a funeral home. After thinking about the perpetrator of all these, one side of me started to feel resentment.

‘Please… please…’

It was the same even now. Miss Jung Ha-Yan’s eyes were filled with tears despite the fact that it was morning, but I didn’t pity her. I was actually scared of her because I recalled my first encounter with her.

“Hey, n-noonim. Don’t worry too much,” Park Deok-Gu comforted.

“Heuk… I-I’m really not that kind of woman… Heuk…” Jung Ha-Yan cried.

“H-Hyung-nim just said that without thinking. I-It has nothing to do with you. The only reason he can’t spend time with you right now is that he’s busy. Yeah, that’s right…” he explained.

“B-But…”

“Even Sora here hasn’t seen him in a while, and the Mercenary Queen, as well as that shaman, hasn’t dined with hyung-nim for quite a while now, too. Since he came all the way here, don’t you think he would want to find out more about the Republic? I’m sure that it’s not because of your mistake that hyung-nim hasn’t been here recently,” he continued.

“B-Before, he would hug me at least once no matter how busy he was… But after that day—” she paused.

“It’s all a misunderstanding. To be honest, I don’t think he has any other reasons. I actually think he’s being more considerate of you… I think you’re overthinking this, noonim,” he added.

“But… Heuk…” Jung Ha-Yan hiccuped.

I was hoping Mr. Park Deok-Gu’s assumption was right because I would finally be able to sleep comfortably by then. Unfortunately, I already knew that this issue wouldn’t be resolved that easily.

“Keugh… It’s all because of him. O-Oppa said he would take me out on a date again. Ugh… A-After that day, he hasn’t said anything… Our date was canceled,” Jung Ha-Yan complained.

“It’s really not because of you, noonim,” Park Deok-Gu repeated.

“I’m really not that kind of woman… Heuk. H-He created the misunderstanding…”

“It seemed that way…” Park Deok-Gu agreed.

“...”

I noticed the light in Jung Ha-Yan’s eyes turning strange, and I was suddenly reminded of what I went through a long time ago.

‘Please don’t do this. Please, please let me live in peace.’

I wasn’t sure what Miss Jung Ha-Yan was thinking, but her face was becoming grim.

‘Please. Please… restrain yourself.’

1. Han Sora’s POV ☜