Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Special Treatment
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I told him once more that there was still plenty of time and it wasn't a good idea, but he wouldn't listen.
“My son-in-law, bring Ha-young back tomorrow.”
“But…”
Tae-soo patted my shoulder with a satisfied expression before leaving.
“Now that my dad gave his permission, we’re an official couple…”
“It hasn't been two years yet.”
“I told you I won’t change, you know?”
“I might change… I’m kidding.”
Wow, her expression changed so fast she looked like she was about to cry, so I quickly corrected myself.
One joke and I almost made a kid cry.
“A true man doesn’t go back on his word.”
Only then did she seem to relax and her expression returned to normal, but huh?
She subtly tried to grab my arm, but I dodged it again.
“Ma'am? If you keep this up, I might have to issue a refund.”
“Tch, fine. But don't say things like that again, even as a joke. I’m going to become a truly wonderful woman worthy of you.”
“Yes, yes. I’ll look forward to it.”
Ha-young gave me a coy side-eye.
“Your answer sounds a little soulless, don't you think?”
“Not at all. The others are waiting. Let’s go up.”
I went back up to the room with Ha-young, and as soon as I opened the door, she ran to our friends.
“Don’t run. You’ll fall and get hurt.”
“It’s fine. Hey, girls! Ha-young is back!”
You have to admit, she’s always full of energy.
“Oh? Looks like you got your father’s permission.”
“Ugh, you should have just sent her back, mister.”
“Aw, Rina, you’re happy I’m here. Don't pretend you're not.”
“Why would I be happy you’re here?”
“Don’t be like that. We’re allies, aren’t we?”
Allies?
“What do you mean, allies?”
“Rina and me! We’re both in the same Cute and Adorable Alliance.”
And here I was wondering what that was about.
“I never signed up for anything like that.”
“It’s automatic enrollment. You can’t leave.”
“Ha-young, why just you and Rina? What about me?”
Rina didn’t look too pleased about it, but Hanna seemed disappointed.
“Uh… Hanna is… too destructive…”
“But Rina is actually stronger.”
“That’s… I wasn’t talking about strength… Anyway, you can’t join.”
Now that I looked, Ha-young’s gaze was fixed on Hanna’s chest…
Hanna is certainly destructive in that sense.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Let me join, too.”
Oh dear, Hanna doesn’t seem to understand at all.
“Um… I said you can’t. You’re too…”
“Ha-young, you’re so mean.”
“Umm, well, I’m still growing, so maybe I can be in the same alliance as Hanna later. Don’t be too sad.”
Listening from the side, even my face was getting hot.
She wasn’t wrong, but catching up to Hanna wouldn’t be easy…
“Ha-young, what about me?”
“Alpen? You’re just… Alpen…”
He looked completely dejected.
That guy, Alpen. He needs to learn to read the room.
“Let’s just play some more games.”
As we played the board game a little longer, Alpen and Rina kept yawning and rubbing their eyes. They looked like they were about to fall asleep.
I glanced at the clock on the wall; it was already 11 o’clock.
Geum-yong and Nix were also asleep in the corner of my bed, using each other as pillows.
It seemed like it was time for us to get ready for bed, too.
“Alright, that’s enough games for tonight. Let’s wash up and go to sleep.”
“Huh? You’re just saying that because it looks like you’re about to lose, Hyeon-ung.”
“You’re so cheap, mister.”
“We have to finish what we started. I just need to get one more right and it’s over.”
“Today’s not the only day we can play. Everyone seems tired.”
I quickly put down my tiles and flipped the board.
It… it was definitely not because I was at a disadvantage.
“Hyeon-ung, I’ll go wash up first.”
“Girls, the bathroom looked huge earlier. Let's wash up together!”
“Together?”
“I’m more comfortable on my own.”
“We can scrub each other’s backs and wash up faster.”
“Is… is that so?”
Both Hanna and Rina hesitated a little, but seeing them eventually go in together, I had to admit Ha-young’s friendliness was something else… huh?
The three of them—Rina, Hanna, and Ha-young—who had gone into the large bathroom, came back out.
“What’s wrong?”
“We forgot to grab a change of clothes.”
“Do you have any clothes we can change into?”
“Uh… hold on.”
For Ha-young’s build… would any of Elaine’s clothes fit?
Her height is the most similar to Elaine’s.
Though their body shapes are a bit different…
“It’s fine, mister. You bought me a lot of clothes last time, so I’ll lend her some of mine.”
“Wow, he bought you clothes too? Rina, you’re the best!”
“Because we’re allies.”
That Rina. She didn’t seem to like it at first, but now she seems to have completely bought into it.
But wouldn’t Rina’s clothes be a bit small?
Her tops would probably become crop tops on her…
Watching my companions and Ha-young chatter as they grabbed their clothes and went back in, I thought it was a nice sight, but it also felt a little bittersweet.
Because the moment we return to the labyrinth the day after tomorrow, she’ll lose her memories…
I regretted not taking a video or something while we were playing games.
I’ll ask them to film with me later when everyone is done washing up, but just watching a short video wouldn’t be enough to bring back feelings when her memories are gone…
I, my companions, and Ha-young will all be very sad.
The regret feels even deeper because the time we spent together was so happy.
At the same time, it makes me think I need to work even harder.
Because the only way to escape this damn restriction even a day sooner is to break through the 100th floor.
****
Early in the morning, I took a quick shower, ordered room service, and woke up my companions.
I sent them to wash up one by one, and just as I received the food, they started coming out.
“Wow, even the breakfast here looks delicious.”
“It’s the most expensive inn in Kramis, after all.”
“But isn’t this a bit much for breakfast?”
That's because we have a big eater with us.
“Better to have too much than not enough.”
Just as we were about to finish our meal, there was a knock on the door.
I thought Tae-soo might have arrived early, but I was wrong.
When I opened the door, Luke was standing there with a man I’d never seen before.
He looked to be in his early thirties with black hair, so he seemed like a Summoned, but what was this about?
“Luke, who is this?”
“He’s from the Four Stars Guild, sir.”
“Hello. I’m Choi Seong-wook, the Human Resources team leader of the Four Stars Guild.”
He greeted me politely, but I felt a little uneasy.
I’d had a bit of trouble with the Four Stars Guild before while hunting trolls.
“I’m Oh Hyeon-ung. Why is the Four Stars Guild looking for me this early in the morning?”
Other than the trouble when we were hunting trolls, we’ve had no contact at all.
Of course, Tae-soo’s Golden Lion Guild is the head of the guild alliance, but officially, I have no connection to them…
Could they have found out about what happened back then?
No, if they came for that reason, they wouldn’t have sent just the HR team leader alone.
“Uh, do you perhaps not remember? We met once before when you were making a bulk purchase of the Blessed Armor Enhancement Scrolls…”
“Ah, is that so. To be honest, I don’t really remember.”
I’ve met a ton of people.
“The line was incredibly long, wasn’t it? Are you perhaps not buying them these days?”
“Uh… Um, are you here to sell scrolls?”
I do need them, but I haven’t posted anything on the community board…
“No. I’ve come for another matter. Are you aware that our Four Stars Guild is in charge of training the 36th wave of the Summoned?”
“Yes, I know. Isn’t today the last day of training?”
Isn’t this their busiest time?
“That’s right. It is a bit busy, but the Lord’s Castle raised an issue, saying that the Pioneer, who is supposed to be supporting the program, seems to have no interest…”
Didn’t I only have to be present once for the 35th wave?
“As I recall, my support as the Pioneer only required me to be present that one time…”
“The person from the Lord’s Castle did say that, but then they started picking a fight, saying you should at least show your face…”
The Lord didn’t say anything about it when I met him last time. It seems that damn butler is making trouble for no reason again.
“What can I do for you? Should I go see the Lord and have a word with him?”
“No. They said you just need to show your face once before lunch today, which is why I took the liberty of visiting you this morning.”
He looked incredibly apologetic.
“It’s no trouble. I’ll get ready and stop by sometime this morning.”
“Oh, thank you so much.”
It’s a bit of a hassle, but it’s not this man’s fault.
“Then, I’ll be on my way…”
“Ah, wait a moment. By any chance, do you have any more Blessed Armor Enhancement Scrolls to sell?”
It’s better to get something done while I’m there instead of just stopping by for no reason.
“Ah, I was actually going to mention it, but I was worried it might be a burden if you weren’t planning on buying any…”
“Not at all. If you gather them, I’ll buy them. Would the same price as last time be acceptable?”
“Yes, that’s fine. I’ll speak to the finance team leader and have them prepared.”
He bowed his head deeply, said he would see me later, and left.
He has a good, clean impression. I wonder why the guys I met before were like that…
Ah, it’s probably because my status has changed.
I’m the Pioneer and close with Tae-soo, the real power in the guild alliance.
“Mister, what was that about?”
“Ah, they asked me to stop by the training center later.”
“The training center?”
It wasn’t just Rina who asked; everyone else tilted their heads in confusion.
Ha-young is a Summoned, but she never received proper training either.
I briefly explained that it’s where the guilds train the Summoned when they first arrive in this world.
“So that’s what they call the training center.”
“But you’re not a new Summoned, mister.”
“And you’re not part of a guild. Are you planning on making one?”
“No, the Lord’s side lends out the training center, and they do it based on their trust in me, so they asked me to show my face.”
I asked my companions if they wanted to come along, but they all said they weren’t interested.
Well, I’ll be back soon anyway.
So, Ha-young and I left the Kabisa Inn together.
The guild street was on the way to the training center, so I planned to drop Ha-young off at the Golden Lion Guild house.
I thought we’d spend today together too, so I was a bit surprised she was going back so readily.
“I never finished the basic training. What should I do?”
“You can just learn at the Golden Lion Guild.”
Ha-young isn’t alone, after all.
“Still, I’m a little worried that I’m getting special treatment. Like how they won’t let me go to the labyrinth…”
When she was with the others, she seemed so bright and carefree, but it looks like she’s been worrying a lot on the inside.
“Hmm? I don’t think you need to look at it so negatively.”
“Huh?”
“You heard that Tae-soo came here before me, right?”
Ha-young nodded.
“What do you think it was like when he first came to Elsia? I don’t know for sure, but it couldn’t have been easy. Back then, there was no basic training like there is now, so he must have struggled and worked hard to establish himself. And into that situation, you arrived.”
“But still, I’m not doing anything. I feel like I’m just a burden, freeloading off the guild because my dad is here…”
“Why are you worrying about that? Are you planning on abusing your power? Going around like, ‘Hey, you punks! Do you know who I am? My dad is the leader of the Golden Lion Guild!’”
I went a little overboard trying to lighten the mood, but Ha-young’s expression only darkened.
“N-no. I’m just worried people will look down on me even if I don’t do that…”
“We’re not saints; we can’t be good people in everyone’s eyes. Those who don’t get special treatment might be envious. But is it wrong for a father who worked hard to establish himself to take care of his own child?”
In the modern world, this might be an issue like nepotism in hiring, but this is Elsia.
A guild isn’t a real corporation, and it’s natural to favor your own.
“Even if it’s not the labyrinth, if you look, there will be things you can do, Ha-young. Look at Seol-hwa. She doesn’t go to the labyrinth, but she succeeded in business and is a great help to the guild.”
“You’re right. You’re like a real adult.”
I am an adult, though…
Still, I was relieved that her expression seemed to have brightened a little.
As we talked, we soon entered the guild street.
I could see their base about five hundred paces away.
“I can go on my own from here.”
“Cutting me off now that we’re almost there?”
“It’s not like that. It’s already known that I’m my dad’s daughter. If people also find out I’m close with you, I think they’ll find it even harder to approach me.”
She doesn’t really need to worry about that…
The executives have heard my story, so most of them probably know anyway.
“Alright. Be careful…”
“Oh? There’s Dad.”
Ha-young suddenly turned and shouted, so I turned around, but I couldn’t see Tae-soo… huh?
A soft sensation wrapped around my waist.
Ha-young had hugged me from behind.
“It’s so hard to find an opening with you.”
“Lee Ha-young? What are you doing? There are a lot of people passing by.”
Do high school girls these days have no shame?
“Well, you never give me an opening. A single hug is fine, isn’t it?”
She let go of the hug and grinned bashfully. She’s really something else.
“Yesterday was so much fun. Just like you said, I’ll find something I can do, and I’ll study hard to make up for the basic training I missed. I’m going to become a wonderful woman worthy of you, so please just wait a little longer!”
She fired off the words like a machine gun and then scampered away.
A moment ago, she didn’t seem embarrassed at all.
Worried she might fall, I watched until she was safely inside the guild base before turning away.
Just as Ha-young said, maybe it’s because I’m older, but I don’t really understand the sensibilities of young people.
Still, she’s pretty cute.