Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: The Chairman (3)
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“A potion? That I'm sick… did Dad tell you? I told him not to…”
“No, my brother…”
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
It seemed she had asked to keep it a secret.
“Chairman, is there a reason I wasn't supposed to know?”
“…You'd just feel sorry for me. I hate that. Even if I don't have long to live, I wanted to spend my time happily…”
…Right. Having spent her life in hospitals since she was young, everyone must have pitied her.
It's understandable she'd hate being looked at with pity.
“I can understand how you feel, Chairman, but you also have to consider how Tae-soo feels.”
He's the one who rushed to the education hall the moment he found his daughter's name, and then went straight to the temple.
After all, no parent would stand by and do nothing while their child is dying.
“Ung-jjang, you don't know anything…”
She whipped her head away.
It was a childish act, but not at all unlikable.
If anything, she finally seemed like a teenage girl.
“No, Ha-young…”
Tae-soo was very flustered and about to grab the Chairman's arm, but I stopped him.
“Hyung-nim, let me speak. Chairman, how could I not know? I've heard so much about you from him.”
“So what…”
“I'm a little… no, very disappointed.”
At the word "disappointed," she slightly turned her head back.
I could tell she really liked me, and it almost made me laugh.
“Would you like to hold this?”
Grinning, I placed the Elixir in the Chairman's hand.
“An… an Elixir? I-is this description for real?”
Her expression did a complete 180, likely after checking its information.
“On the outside, I may have been a no-name streamer, but it's a bit different in here.”
“B-but… I heard Legendary grade items are incredibly rare…”
I thought she wouldn't know, since Tae-soo brought her here during basic training, but this was unexpected.
On second thought, she arrived yesterday, so she might have heard about it during the afternoon training session.
“My, my, Chairman, your memory is failing you. Didn't I tell you? It's a bit embarrassing to say it myself, but I'm doing quite well in here.”
Everyone chuckled, and the tension eased.
“Thank you. Ung-jjang, really… I was so stupid…”
“Now, now, such words don't suit the relationship between you and me, Chairman. Here, just a moment.”
I took the Elixir back, uncorked it, and handed it to her.
“You should down it quickly before it goes flat.”
Its effects wouldn't disappear just from being exposed to air, but I deliberately spoke playfully as I offered the Elixir again, and she accepted it carefully.
The Chairman's throat moved as the green liquid gradually vanished, but I didn't feel a hint of regret.
“Ha-young, how do you feel?”
“Dad…”
“Did something go wrong?”
I had been trying to act cool, but I was actually worried about what I'd do if it didn't heal her properly. Fortunately, it seemed I could put those worries aside.
Because the Chairman, her face brimming with tears, threw her arms around me.
That wasn't all.
[You have made a significant contribution to overcoming fate. You have acquired the hidden trait, Defying Heaven.]
****
I'm such a fool.
My father, and Ung-jjang… they were both just worried about me…
“You should down it quickly before it goes flat.”
I took the flask Ung-jjang offered with a playful tone and drank.
My body grew hot, and a strange window similar to a status screen began to appear.
“Ha-young, how do you feel?”
“Dad…”
“Did something go wrong? If nothing showed up, first check your status screen… huh?”
Overcome with joy, instead of answering, I hugged Ung-jjang, who had a tense expression on his face.
“Ch-Chairman?”
“…It changed. I think I'm all better now.”
[You have consumed an Elixir.]
[For 3 hours, all stats are increased to 200%.]
[Due to the Elixir's effect, the terminal illness-exclusive trait 'Time Limit' has been changed to 'Genius Who Overcame Fate'.]
“That's a huge relief.”
****
Everyone shed tears of joy, celebrating her complete recovery.
To be honest, I felt my own eyes well up, but I quickly wiped them away.
“Thank you. Really… I don't know how I can ever repay this debt…”
“Hyeon-ung, thank you so, so much.”
Tae-soo, his face a mess of tears and snot, and Seol-hwa, who was crying beside him, both bowed their heads repeatedly to express their gratitude.
“I'm the one who's received so much. If you, hyung-nim, and our Chairman hadn't helped me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“Ung-jjang…”
“Hyeon-ung…”
If the Chairman hadn't helped me, the me of today wouldn't exist.
Well, I wasn't making it up, but it was flustering to see everyone start crying even harder.
To change the mood, I looked at the Chairman and asked.
“What are the effects of your new trait?”
“Ah, one moment.”
She opened her status screen and explained, and it was so incredible I was left speechless.
“Why is everyone making that face? Is it not very good?”
She asked with such an innocent expression, I wondered if this was what they called high-level bragging.
“Not good? It's absurdly powerful!”
I agreed with Seol-hwa.
I thought no trait could be better than Failed Game Master, but this was nearly on par with it.
“Uh… Ha-young, you didn't misread that, did you?”
“No. I said exactly what it says.”
“Really? But how could something like that…”
I couldn't believe it either, but it seemed to be true.
“Um, I think what the Chairman is saying is correct.”
“How would you know?”
When I opened my status screen to check the new trait, Defying Heaven, that had appeared in the notification earlier, I could see that the Chairman wasn't lying.
“Ah, well… I have a way of confirming it, too.”
The trait given to me, Defying Heaven, was very closely related to the Chairman's trait.
[Defying Heaven (EX+)]
[When in a party with someone who has the 'Genius Who Overcame Fate' trait, you can share that trait.]
*[Genius Who Overcame Fate (EX+)]
[All stats are applied at 500% effectiveness.]
[Final physical and magic attack damage +300%]
[Immunity to all status ailments.]
[All elemental resistance +150%]
It was like she was playing the game with cheat codes all by herself.
No matter that she survived a near-death crisis, this was completely broken.
“By any chance, are you the owner of the Defying Heaven trait, Ung-jjang?”
Just as my Defying Heaven trait had a description saying it could be shared with the Genius Who Overcame Fate trait, it seemed the Chairman's trait also had a description about sharing.
I nodded.
“Defying Heaven?”
I explained the new trait to everyone.
“That's unbelievable.”
“But… Hyeon-ung, you're already so strong…”
“Haha, it's a pie in the sky. With the condition of being in a party, it'll be a bit difficult to make proper use of it.”
“What's so difficult about it? I just have to party with you, Ung-jjang.”
The Chairman looked like she didn't understand.
“As I said before, I'm doing pretty well here. You may have gained a good trait, Chairman, but the places I go are very dangerous, so it would be impossible for you to come with me.”
I'm currently on the 65th floor.
No matter how good a trait the Chairman has, one wrong move could put her in a dangerous situation.
Because a party isn't maintained unless you're on the same floor.
I explained it kindly, but the Chairman still looked very displeased about something.
“Then I'll just work hard and catch up quickly… No, wait. Ung-jjang, you can just power-level me, right?”
“Power-level?”
Seol-hwa looked like she didn't know the term.
Power-leveling. A gaming term for when a high-level player takes a low-level player around and kills monsters quickly to boost their experience.
“She means giving her a carry.”
Nowadays people call it a 'carry,' not really 'power-leveling.'
“But that would be such a bother…”
“But wouldn't it be helpful for you if I came along, Ung-jjang?”
Uh, well, she wasn't wrong, but…
“Why are you suddenly looking at my dad?”
“That's something you'll have to get permission for from your father, not me.”
If I were in Tae-soo's shoes, in a father's position, I would never let her go.
No matter how good her trait or abilities are, there's always a risk of death in the labyrinth.
Sending your child, who just recovered from a serious illness, into such a deadly place?
It's not like the Golden Lion Guild is short on money.
In fact, some of the students among the 35th wave of Summons don't go into the labyrinth and instead work in the Golden Lion Guild's food business.
“Dad?”
“Ha-young, I don't want you to go into the labyrinth.”
Just as I expected.
“What are you talking about? Not go into the labyrinth? Don't we have to get to the 100th floor to get the Orb of Wishes and return to our original world?”
“That's true, but you don't necessarily have to go into the labyrinth, Ha-young.”
“What?”
“Not all the Summons in Elsia go into the labyrinth.”
He began to explain calmly. It really seemed Tae-soo had no intention of letting the Chairman go into the labyrinth.
“I understand what you're saying, but I want to go.”
But it seemed the Chairman had a very different idea.
****
The atmosphere was tense and the conversation seemed like it would drag on, so I said it was getting late and we should meet again, then took my leave.
I would be in a very awkward position if either Tae-soo or the Chairman asked me to take their side.
Thankfully, by leaving early, I avoided that situation, but I was still worried.
When I returned to Kabisa, all my companions were awake and waiting for me.
“Mister!”
“You're back late.”
“Have you eaten?”
Come to think of it, I hadn't eaten dinner.
I thought we might have a celebration party after curing the Chairman's illness…
“I ate, but I'm feeling a bit peckish. Should I make some ramen?”
“I want some too.”
When it comes to food, our Hanna never misses out.
“Rina?”
“No, thanks. You said eating ramen at night makes your face puffy.”
This kid has a good memory.
“Alpen, you?”
“I'm full too, so I'm fine…”
I deliberated in the corner where we keep the cup noodles and chose the sesame ramen.
“Oh? I haven't tried that one. Is it spicy too?”
“The broth is red, but it's not very spicy. It has a savory, nutty flavor.”
“Then I'll have the same one as you, Hyeon-ung.”
I explained what had happened earlier to my companions, who asked what I was doing out so late.
“So that Chairman person isn't sick anymore?”
“Yeah. Completely cured. The Elixir's effect was great.”
Just as you'd expect from a legendary item.
“That's a real relief.”
Hanna and Alpen clapped in celebration, but Rina's expression was unusual.
“Isn't it a waste? It's not like Geum-yong brings back items every day. You fed him so much money and so many items to get that, and you just gave it away…”
“They were all grateful. And I've received a lot from them before, so I don't feel it was a waste.”
“Still. It'd be bad if it happened, but what if you get seriously injured…”
If that happened, I might think about it, but I don't think I'd regret it.
“It's fine. You know I don't get hurt easily.”
“You never know what might happen.”
She was still displeased, her lips pouting.
Of course, she was just worried about me, so I wasn't annoyed.
I grinned and walked over to Rina.
“Wh-what is it? All of a sudden.”
“Even if I get hurt, I've got our Rina, don't I?”
“Y-you're such an idiot!”
Rina's face flushed red as a beet.
“It seems Rina really likes you, Hyeon-ung.”
“Hey! Alpen, you wanna die?!”
“I'm stronger than you in here, though?”
My mind had been troubled thinking about the Chairman, but seeing my companions bickering made me feel a little more at ease.
“Hyeon-ung! We have a big problem!”
Hanna exclaimed in an urgent voice.
“What's wrong? What is it?”
“I added the water, but it's been over three minutes.”
Haha… a big problem indeed…
“Isn't it a big deal? You said if it's left too long, it doesn't taste good.”
“R-right. The noodles get soggy. Let's eat quickly.”
…Our Hanna is really serious about her food.
I lifted a mouthful of the slightly soggy noodles, and Rina, who had been bickering with Alpen, came over.
“Hanna, can I have a bite?”
Look at this kid.
“What's this? Didn't you say you didn't want any?”
“I wasn't planning on it, but it smells so good I just want a taste.”
“No.”
Of course Hanna wouldn't share.
After the firm rejection, Rina looked at me.
“Mister…”
“Now, now, if you want some, make your own.”
“But a whole one is too much for me.”
In the end, I handed over my chopsticks… but wait a minute.
That rascal Rina grabbed a huge clump of noodles, as if she planned to eat it all in one bite.
“You said just one bite! If you eat that much…”
“I can just eat it in one mouthful. Ah, hot!”
Just as I'd feared, she tried to eat it, then spit it right back out, forcing me to hand over my ramen.
“Mister, this isn't spicy at all, and it's so delicious.”
Watching Rina eat my ramen with a smile, I was starting to feel a little annoyed with her this time.
****
Maybe it was because we stayed up late playing board games, but when I opened my eyes, the sun was high in the sky.
The weather was nice today. I was thinking of going to the park and was about to wake my companions when I heard a knock on the door.
I roughly wiped the sleep from my eyes and opened the door to find Luke.
“Luke? What is it? I haven't ordered room service yet.”
“You have a visitor.”
As Luke spoke, a small girl peeked out from behind him.
What the?
Am I still half-asleep? Why is the Chairman…
“Ung-jjang! I knew you were here!”
It seems this isn't a dream.
“Chairman? How did you get here…?”
“I ran away from home.”